Garmin heart rate sensor replacement

clog

I have had two of the garmin premium sensors fail on me in the last 6 months. Both went the same way becoming erratic for a day or two and then just dying. It's not the strap that's failing as I've tested that with friends working sensor. I have also changed the battery and swapped batteries between working/non working sensors with no effect.
Understandably I am not keen to get another garmin sensor I understand that I can use other sensors but am not exactly sure what to look for or what people recommend. I'm using a garmin edge 500 main unit, any advice would be helpful.

CheGuedara

That's interesting, I'm currently having some issues with a Garmin premium HR sensor - what way did you readings become erratic? Crazy HR spikes, drops, readings way over normal etc?

Cond0r

Same thing happened to me recently - readings from the sensor began updating less frequently resulting in completely inaccurate data, and then also becoming very erratic.

I contacted Garmin and they sent me a replacement FOC.

ednwireland

mine started failing but work for about 40 mins and then it would read lower and lower HR untill it stopped, by premium i guess you mean the soft strap one,

just seen this

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/ANT-Garmin-Premium-Heart-Rate-Monitor-HRM2-SS-Transmitter-Replacement-Sensor-/390577366970?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Activity_Monitoring_MJ&hash=item5af039a7ba

might buy one and see if it works

Cond0r wrote: »

I contacted Garmin and they sent me a replacement FOC.

i contacted garmin and the emailed me the following (i had already replaced the battery)

Thank you for contacting Garmin Europe.

Typically incorrect heart rate data originates in the Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) and not in the device. If your device is reporting high heart rate spikes or an irregularly low heart rate there are a few things that may be at fault.

To eliminate erratic heart rate data: • Ensure the HRM is worn close-fitted.

• Warm up for 5–10 minutes before an activity.

• Reapply moisture to the sensors using water, saliva or electrode gel.

• Wipe the sensor clean with a dampened towel.

• Try a cotton shirt or wet your shirt if suitable for your activity: occasionally synthetic fabrics can rub or flap against the HRM creating static electricity that interferes with heart rate signals – this step can eliminate this possibility.

• Reposition the HRM: sometimes better readings can be obtained by shifting the front of the HRM, with the Garmin logo, to the side or back – instead of leaving it on the chest.

• Avoid strong electromagnetic fields and 2.4 GHz wireless sensors: these interfere with your heart rate monitor; examples may include very high voltage power lines, electric motors, microwave ovens, 2.4 GHz cordless phones, and wireless LAN access points.

Other possible causes of erratic heart rate data: • Improper care of the Premium HRM can cause permanent damage to the HRM, which can produce spiking or an irregularly low heart rate.

• A low battery can cause erratic HRM readings.

• Medicine (like Beta blockers) and devices (like pace makers or implantable cardiac defibrillators) that help to ensure proper heart health could potentially interfere with HRM readings. Please consult your doctor regarding this possibility and for possible solutions.

clog

Thanks for the quick replies. The sensor started giving unusually low readings which were obviously not correct this went on for a few hours and then it died completely. Re-scanning for sensors picks nothing up. I contacted Garmin and it was not covered for a replacement.

Cond0r

ednwireland wrote: »

i contacted garmin and the emailed me the following (i had already replaced the battery)

I simply told them I'd followed the care instructions, changed the battery and persevered well over a month with it before contacting them. The device is/was also less than a year old - maybe that's a factor. They just asked for an address to ship a replacement to, which duly arrived a week later.

Their response was:

Thank you for contacting Garmin Europe.

I'm sorry to hear you've been experiencing issues with your Garmin
device, I'm more than happy to assist you with this. If this all fails,
the Heart Rate Monitor is faulty and will have to be replaced.

ashleey

I got a replacement off them today as mine was within the warranty. I also bought a polar strap from irishfit.eu for 20 euro. The transmitter is normally fine after a battery change and wait at least a minute before putting in the new one. The strap only pairs and connects if you are wearing it. I left my faulty strap to soak in soapy water overnight (without transmitter) and now it is fine. So, now I have 3 straps and 2 transmitters. I think the garmin ones are prone to sweat build up so you must rinse them every use which I didn't before. Best of luck

clog

I got the last sensor off a friend who had it for a year and never took it out of the box. Garmin wouldn't do anything without proof of purchase.
I am thinking about using a different make of sensor as the garmin ones don't fill me with confidence.
Has anyone any experience of using other makes ?

tawfeeredux

I switched to the standard Garmin strap, no issues with it. A bit bulkier than the premium but I wouldn't say it's any less comfortable.

ashleey

Mine followed exactly the same symptoms as yours. Try the polar strap (you have to trim the rubber around the poppers slightly). Searching the web led to loads of discussion but probably because Garmin is the most common make. Do soak the strap as it is often salt and minerals that are causing the problems. If the strap won't detect a heart rate then the transmitter stays asleep and thus won't communicate.

ashleey

I forgot to say. Make sure you put the battery in upside down first, as this clears the memory of the transmitter. Then wait a minute. Remove. Wait another minute! Put battery in correctly. Snap transmitter to strap. Wear strap with wet electrodes and re pair. Convoluted but it worked for me.

clog

Ashleey thanks for the advice I will try putting in the battery upside down. I had already tried my strap with a friends sensor and it worked. This led me to believe it was an actual transmitter problem.
I will also soak the strap too
Thanks

Eamonnator

ashleey wrote: »

I forgot to say. Make sure you put the battery in upside down first, as this clears the memory of the transmitter. Then wait a minute. Remove. Wait another minute! Put battery in correctly. Snap transmitter to strap. Wear strap with wet electrodes and re pair. Convoluted but it worked for me.

I had problems with mine. Did what ashleey suggested.
It worked.

ashleey

Eamonnator wrote: »

I had problems with mine. Did what ashleey suggested.
It worked.

By all accounts the Polar straps are better and looking at the design, the Garmin has 2 sensor pads and internal connections. The Polar has an external continuous strip. For 20 quid I think its worth a go.

Mcofferon

ashleey wrote: »

So, now I have 3 straps and 2 transmitters.

You're not looking to sell one of your strap/transmitter combo's are you?

clog

Ashleey you are a Star. I soaked the strap and also turned the battery round and back again in the transmitter . I have just tried it and it seems to be working perfectly. Encouraged by this I changed the battery again in the unit that failed on me a few months ago I put the battery in the wrong way and then turned it the right way and hey presto its working again as well.
Thanks a lot

ashleey

Great to hear.

It frustrated me too. I now rinse my strap after every use even though I mistakenly thought that water would be bad for the electrics.

Sweat kills them. Don't put it in the washing machine though!

Also a squirt of wd40 on the poppers helps keep them clean and unsnap the transmitter when not in use.

I guess that since your heart rate current is tiny then the sensitivity of the strap is extreme.

ashleey

Mcofferon wrote: »

You're not looking to sell one of your strap/transmitter combo's are you?

I hadn't really thought about it. I might keep them as a reserve given their unreliability. I'll see how the new one works at a duathlon this afternoon.

Handtec is where I would buy a new one.

I've just thought too:You wouldn't want to wear someone else's sweaty strap!

youtheman

My Garmin 500 has been giving me trouble for ages. First the HR started giving me very low readings, then stopped altogether. So I replaced the battery in the HR strap - no joy. Then the cadence sensor stopped working (despite it still giving a red flash when I put it in test mode). So last night I washed the strap and put the battery in backwards (as suggested here). Still no joy.

So today I replaced the battery in the cadense/speed sensor. No joy.

Finally, I looked up the Garmin site and it gave me instructions on how to do a Master Reset (press three buttons). And you know what ?- it worked.

Mcofferon

ashleey wrote: »

I've just thought too:You wouldn't want to wear someone else's sweaty strap!

Fair point, I will check on the Handtec website.:)