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PSA on garmin HR strap

steve Beyersteve Beyer
in General Training Discussions

Many if not most may already know this, but thought I'd post it none-the-less.

 

Had been having problems with getting HR readings on both my Garmin devices...on/off, then eventually would go out. Changed the battery only to have same problem return. In desperation actually got the manual out and found out that contrary to what I had thought, the strap should actually be washed every 7 times it's used!!

 

I had mistakenly thought that machine washing it would ruin it....again, reading the directions is usually a last resort for me. Well suffice to say everything works well now

Comments

  • Robert SaboRobert Sabo
    Thank you for this very important finding. I have two straps so I know my battery works but didn't know why the second strap was not working. I'd been afraid to wash the one that was working.
    Thanks again
  • Phil MillsPhil Mills
    I read that "wash every 7 times" label every time I put it on. That still didn't get me to wash it.
  • Peter NoyesPeter Noyes
    By wash do they mean lick it? If so I wash it before every use!
  • Phil MillsPhil Mills
    If licking's washing, then I'm covered too.
  • Peter GreaggPeter Greagg
    I have just had the same problem. Changed the battery but that didn't fix it, so I used some dish washing detergent and a scrubbing brush. Now works like it should.
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    PSA -- Everyone, do NOT take a pre-race or post-race shower with Peter Noyes. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
  • jalesliejaleslie

    Posted By Coach Patrick on 08 Sep 2015 08:40 PM


    PSA -- Everyone, do NOT take a pre-race or post-race shower with Peter Noyes. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

    Not mention there is no telling what might come out of that thing on his face.....

  • Ralph MooreRalph Moore
    There is actually more to this issue. I have had 2 Garmin HR straps go bad on me. DCRainmaker blog has a post about the fact that the Garmin straps are iffy and tend to fail early. I would read it before deciding what to do. Just go to his blog and search for the post. Evidently it is the strap part and not the monitor part which snaps on that goes bad. One solution is to use a Polar strap which evidently fits the Garmin unit. I have also used a Wahoo Fitness strap which will snap onto the Garmin unit. I figured this out after my HR quit working half way through my first full distance race so be sure and test whichever fix you choose to make sure it is working before you race.
  • steve Beyersteve Beyer
    @ Ralph.....Thanks!

    Quick question. I had actually bought another monitor/strap combo, but did the wash thing mentioned above before it came. So the question is, can the monitor part simply be snapped into the other/new strap and it work?
  • Ralph MooreRalph Moore
    @ steve - yes, just snap it on and it should work. Similarly, you can just order a Polar or Wahoo replacement strap for less than $20 without having to order the whole unit.
  • Leslie KnightLeslie Knight

    Whaaaaaatt?!?!?!?! Just wash it?  I have been having the same exact problem lately.  But I have the polar strap with the Garmin housing.  The Polar is softer and less chaffing.  

     

  • dgchaneydgchaney
    Had a similar problem with the Garmin HR strap this year. I called Garmin and they said the "older" straps (my strap was 2 years old) can short and that the newer straps have a third contact point on them. They sent me a new one for free and it works fine. Also, I recommend hand washing it regularly.
  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Great PSA- I never knew you were supposed to wash it!
  • Ralph MooreRalph Moore
    Followup : I have been using a Wahoo Fitness HR strap even though I have 2 Garmin ones (which don't work). I saw David's post and I called Garmin and they are sending me a "new style" strap. At first they said that the straps "are not compatible with all body types" WTF? Then they looked me up and saw how many of their products I have registered and they got a bit nicer and said that they would send me a new strap. I will let you know.

    Now I'm kind of interested in the new ones that will track your HR when swimming....
  • Ralph MooreRalph Moore
    Followup : I have been using a Wahoo Fitness HR strap even though I have 2 Garmin ones (which don't work). I saw David's post and I called Garmin and they are sending me a "new style" strap. At first they said that the straps "are not compatible with all body types" WTF? Then they looked me up and saw how many of their products I have registered and they got a bit nicer and said that they would send me a new strap. I will let you know.

    Now I'm kind of interested in the new ones that will track your HR when swimming....
  • steve Beyersteve Beyer
    Follow up : after reading Ralph's post, and reading the blog from dcrainmaker, I went ahead and got the polar strap since the garmin one was like a mid-evil torture device....would rub me raw underneath. I would literally have blood streaks down my shirt, and it would sting like hell in the shower afterwards.

    Well the polar strap works like a charm as far as transmitting, and NO chaffing.....I'm a happy camper, thanks Ralph!!
  • dgchaneydgchaney
    I switched to a Wahoo Bluetooth Smart strap a month ago. Actually I bought it as a Kinetic inRide strap, but that's just the branding. I found it on Amazon for $25 (vs $59 MSRP), so a no brainer to try out. It works perfect with Bluetooth devices and iPhone apps. I only need for my Garmin strap is for ANT+, which I'll put on if I want to use Zwift.
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