pdlamb

My heart rate monitor died last week. Apparently I rode 23 miles without my heart beating -- how are the keto advocates going to top that?!

Ahem, back on topic. This HRM was 2-3 years old, and I had one to replace it at home. Wahoo head wouldn't work on either the old strap or one used once and then replaced with extra-long strap. I've had similar lifetimes with Garmin straps. Either one or two new batteries, and roughly one year intervals, and the unit dies. So I'm curious; is my experience typical, or do my HRM last significantly longer or shorter than yours?

Troul 

3ish years from my typical use. That's the "arm" strap kind. Chest style one started to go flatline 2ish years. The sweat causes them to poop out. Try using electronic spray cleaner? If it doesnt work, it isn't a like you'll reruin it.

chaadster

I've had a mixed bag of experiences, and don't really know what makes the difference to longevity, although my own limited sample group might point to older tech being more durable than newer tech.

I've had a Wahoo unit conk out after 3 or 4 years, but use old Cycleops units at my training studio that are easily 10 years old. I had a 4iiii unit that lasted about 4 years.

Eric F 

I'm on my second Wahoo chest strap HRM in the last 3+ years. First one lasted about 2 years.

Iride01 

Depends on you. Most all my Garmin soft straps have lasted at least 5 years. The pod itself lasts longer and Garmin does sell just the strap. However while I've had what I think is real good life from the Garmin straps, others don't. So YMMV.

Tourist in MSN

I bought several Sports Instruments brand HRMs after the company went defunct, every one of the chest straps is still working great, that said the last of the watch (receiver) units died in 2016. See photo. The receiver was not even close to waterproof. I liked the features in them but they all died. But, the chest straps live on.



I bought a few Sigma ID.GO units to replace the ones that died, expecting that I would not get much life out of them, but they are still working great. I have one in my gym bag, and on different four bikes, for a total of five Sigma HRMs, all have continued to work, but I am starting to have to replace the 2032 batteries in them.
https://more.sigmasport.com/en/produ...d-series/id-go

I had one mounted on my bike for a five week tour in Canadian Maritimes in 2019, I left it on the bike all the time and it rained a lot. And it stayed functioning, still works. It is on the far left of my "dashboard" below, heart rate at 87 so I was not working very hard at the time of the photo. I think the single button makes it more waterproof, less places for leakage. I used an old Sports Instruments watch to handlebar adapter, so no, the Sigma does not come with that kind of mount for your bike, it is a wrist watch style.



I did a google search to find the link above, and when I did that search, I found that Bike Inn has a very good price right now. Bike Inn is in Europe, and they have very slow shipping. I have bought stuff from them in the past, I think they are the slowest shippers of everyone in Europe. I have never gotten anything from them by the time it was supposed to get here, but it always eventually made it.
https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/...ch/136431995/p

I am still using my old Sports Instrument chest straps with the Sigma, have not used the Sigma straps yet. The signal is an older type, not ANT, not bluetooth. Decades ago the HRMs all used the same signal so if you were too close to someone else that had an HRM, they could pick up your signal. That is the signal that the chest straps sends to the receiver. Not a problem for me, but I mention it because most newer chest straps will not work with it.

a1penguin

I put 20k miles on original Garmin strap. A couple of years ago, I purchased the newer model. Wondering what is failing after a couple of years on these..... Perhaps I've just been lucky.

canklecat

My basic Wahoo Tickr just turned 5 years old, still works fine. I've replaced straps a couple of times. Wahoo strap was pricey so I've been using some generic strap off Amazon that works great, other than the flimsy plastic bra-strap buckle that broke quickly. I just zip tied the buckle together and step into the strap or pull it over my head like a t-shirt. No problems for two or three years. I have to clean the strap at least once a month due to accumulated dried sweat salt. Depends on how much electrolyte stuff I drink.

I've probably replaced the battery once a year.

The Tickr is compatible with Bluetooth and ANT+. My XOSS G+ computer defaults to ANT+, phone is Bluetooth only, so I can log activities to both the computer and my phone, which is handy for the rare occasions when one or the other fails to log properly. I also have a 2012 era Wahoo Fitness kit for iPhone 4s, which added an ANT+ module in a phone protective case with extra battery for prolonged runtime. Handy in its era. I still use the ANT+ speed/cadence sensors from those kits because they're so reliable and need battery swaps only every 2-3 years even with regular use.

One trick to longevity may be ensuring the HRM module is clean of sweat and skin oil before opening it for battery changes. And be sure the seal is properly aligned to exclude sweat.

GhostRider62

They last from 4 weeks to 4 years depending on the make, model, and whether the strap is flexible or solid.

NoWhammies

I'd say about four to five years, depending on frequency of use, how much you sweat, and how careful you are with replacing the battery.

zacster

I'm still using a Wahoo Tickr I bought 5 years ago to replace the Garmin I had that lasted 5 years as well. I just want my heart to keep going, never mind the monitor.

tntyz

What signs do you see of failure? Mine doesn't outright fail, but I get some weird HR reported. I'm trying to figure out if I should go to Amazon or a cardiologist.

Bearhawker

My Garmin HRM was purchased in 2011, started using it with a Forerunner 305 I think (big clunky watch).

I'm on the 3rd strap for it and had to do some searching to find a replacement the last time so I bought a few just in case.

I'm on either the 2nd or third dollar-store replacement battery.

himespau 

Garmin HRMs for me. The straps die long before the pod does. I had one that started getting wonky, so I replaced it. Only after I'd bought the replacement did I realize the first one was fine, it was just the strap, but I used the opportunity to upgrade from ANT+ only to ANT+/BLU. Had one strap fail on the new one a couple years back, so I bought 3 replacements that I cycle between and haven't had an issue since. Spent a lot of money on those straps though.

Tourist in MSN

Change the battery first. Clean off the contacts inside the unit before you put in the new battery.

I get weird readings before the battery is dead.

tntyz

I finally figured out that my HRM wasn't shutting off when I unsnapped it from the strap, so I was going through batteries at warp speed. I now pop open the battery cover after each ride.

Velometry

I had a Wahoo HRM go bad on me I looked on YOU TUBE and found a guy that showed how to take it apart . Apparently there are springs inside that corrode from sweat. I used a bottle cap filled with evaporust and let it sit a few hours cleaned both springs reassembled and the HRM lasted two more years . I fact just bit the dust this June. Meanwhile I ordered a replacement from ebay sight. But the repair worked well. I would do it again in a heartbeat.....no pun intended LOL Good luck.

Carbonfiberboy 

I've only used Garmin and Polar HRMs. The Garmin straps last a very long time, at least 10 years. My Garmin transmitters used to fail only because the screws failed after a few battery changes. I see that the new Garmin screws are Allyn so that should take care of that problem and they're also dual, both Bluetooth and ANT+. Polar transmitters have a much easier battery change but they do seem to wear out over many years. Some Polar devices will only be full-function with Polar transmitters. I obviously take the transmitters off to wash the strap, but then I put the transmitter back on for storage. I don't know if that reduces battery life though some say it does.