Garmin Edge 500 trouble - heart rate monitor not working

joker77

Ok so... this is a little annoying, to say the least

Got my brand spanking new Garmin Edge 500 last week, after my previous computer finally gave up the ghost. I didn't set up the HR monitor initially, was going out for a spin and just took it along as a watch really to keep track of time.

So later on I went back into the menu to set up the HR monitor. Into the Bike settings, it picked up the strap fine and paired it - and the little Heart symbol appeared.

The issue I'm having is this - nowhere on the display does the HR information show. There are 3 screens, no HR on any of them. When I wear the strap (wetting the electrodes at the two sides) the device does not appear to be picking up my heart rate (the heart symbol does not show up as filled in).

Any suggestions? Have tried to get it going a few times, running out of patience at this stage. Really hoping it's something simple.

seamus

You have added the "HR" field into one of your screens right? You're not just waiting for it to insert it on its own?

Turn the device on, wait for it to boot. Then put on the HR strap (make sure you moisten the electrodes) and the device should immediately tell you "HR Monitor Detected". No reason why it shouldn't be working if that comes up.

g0g

joker77 wrote: »

Ok so... this is a little annoying, to say the least

Got my brand spanking new Garmin Edge 500 last week, after my previous computer finally gave up the ghost. I didn't set up the HR monitor initially, was going out for a spin and just took it along as a watch really to keep track of time.

So later on I went back into the menu to set up the HR monitor. Into the Bike settings, it picked up the strap fine and paired it - and the little Heart symbol appeared.

The issue I'm having is this - nowhere on the display does the HR information show. There are 3 screens, no HR on any of them. When I wear the strap (wetting the electrodes at the two sides) the device does not appear to be picking up my heart rate (the heart symbol does not show up as filled in).

Any suggestions? Have tried to get it going a few times, running out of patience at this stage. Really hoping it's something simple.

You can change what's displayed on the 3 (or less or more) screens so maybe HR wasn't there as a default, although I thought it was from the start.

Given that they linked initially I assume battery (cheap as chips on the likes of dealextreme if you need more) isn't an issue. Assume you're wearing it in right place and tight (snug) enough. I find sometimes on a colder day it's not til you build up a bit of body heat/sweat that it works properly. I know people say wet it, but I find sometimes that doesn't do it but after cycling a few mins it suddenly picks up.

t'bear

I have 3 screens customised to show various pieces of data, if I remember correctly, there are 8 different pages...so potentially buckets worth of data. You then have to be careful not to start reviewing your history while actually on the bike, akin to using a mobile phone in a car!

My HRM has never failed, and although I might start sweating as I climb onto the bike (ie not very fit) I have never had the need to wet it before hand.

My wife thinks the HRM is a useless moob holder !:-)

ednwireland

you can change the display items (cant remember how will have to go away and look at the manual)

joker77

Thanks folks

So where do I go to change what appears in the display?

Edit: Got it - Data Fields

t'bear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiTloso0Gl0

ednwireland

settings >> bike settings >> data fields


look at page 37 on of the manual

http://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/Edge_500_OM_EN.pdf

youtheman

Folks, sorry to but-in here. But I am having trouble with my Garmin HRM.

Unit is less than a year old. Normally takes some time before the HR starts to detect (have to have a good auld sweat up). But lately it's showing a very low HR (and belive me, I'm not that youing or that fit). It's about half of what it shopuld be. I was going to try change the battery (but I haven't got a screwdriver small enough to take off the cover). Any ideas ?. Do I need to dig out the KY jelly again and apply it liberally (cough cough !).

g0g

youtheman wrote: »

Folks, sorry to but-in here. But I am having trouble with my Garmin HRM.

Unit is less than a year old. Normally takes some time before the HR starts to detect (have to have a good auld sweat up). But lately it's showing a very low HR (and belive me, I'm not that youing or that fit). It's about half of what it shopuld be. I was going to try change the battery (but I haven't got a screwdriver small enough to take off the cover). Any ideas ?. Do I need to dig out the KY jelly again and apply it liberally (cough cough !).

I thought battery opening was a big "screw" that you just stuck a coin in to open? As I said already, I find cold weather (i.e. body) makes a difference!

seamus

youtheman wrote: »

I was going to try change the battery (but I haven't got a screwdriver small enough to take off the cover).

20c coin will let you take off the battery cover. Actually you can use the new battery to open the cover if you press down hard enough.

youtheman

Mine is the 'Premium' HRM strap (none of your 'common muck' for me). Definitely need a jeweller's screwdriver to get the four corner screws out.

Anyway, do you reckon it could be the battery?.

clog

For the premium HRM strap to access the battery you need to unscrew 4 very small screws to take the back off.
Either get some watchmakers screwdrivers or take the unit to a jeweller who should be able to replace the battery at the same time
BTW when the battery on mine was on theway out it did exactly as you described, at one stage i was going up the shay elliott and it was showing 68bpm

TheBlaaMan

If not the battery, it may be down to positioning: make sure the strap sits just under your moobs.........:D ie. not too low
An alternative (given that a crouched position on the bike can result in poor contact on the strap) is to wear the sensor part of the strap on your back, in a corresponding position to where it would be if on your chest.

I've tried this and its OK-ish........IMO, it reads 'low' when worn on the back - as if misses the odd beat and makes you look fitter then you are..;)