Heart Rate Monitor
#1
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Heart Rate Monitor
I search but didn't really find an answer, i just received a Garmin Edge 500 and was thinking of getting the heart rate monitor strap. however all the photos of it and youtube reviews it looks very small and no one talks about size, im a fairly large guy weighting in at around 250 and wear 2XL shirt, will this strap fit around me?
curious as what you other garmin users are using for heart rate monitors
cheers.
curious as what you other garmin users are using for heart rate monitors
cheers.
#2
just pedal
i've got the old garmin HRM... i'm 300+ lbs in a 3xl shirt and it fits fine... it's very stretchy...
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I use the garmin premium HRM , am larger than you, and have no issues with its size
#6
just pedal
oh ya... if you didn't know... ANY ant+ hrm will work... it's all part of the beauty of ant+... I think on the garmin 800 you can even use separate cadence and speed sensors (earlier models required the combined speed/cadence sensor)...
ant+ is great wireless technology
ant+ is great wireless technology
#7
SuperGimp
wahoo makes ant+ bits too if you want alternatives.
I'd also suggest you get the non-premium strap if you get the garmin one. Apparently the premium straps are both more expensive and less reliable according to lots of people complaining on the 41. The premium strap is porportedly more comfortable but the lesser one hasn't ever bothered me.
Yes, it will fit you fine.
I'd also suggest you get the non-premium strap if you get the garmin one. Apparently the premium straps are both more expensive and less reliable according to lots of people complaining on the 41. The premium strap is porportedly more comfortable but the lesser one hasn't ever bothered me.
Yes, it will fit you fine.
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Others have addressed the fit question. Just wanted to point out that you'll have to "pair" the strap with your Edge 500 before its first use and immediately following every battery change. You'll see the option do this under the settings menus.
Lastly, this won't be an issue in warm weather, but if you ride once it's cold, you may find you want to get an electrode gel that you can apply to the HRM area of your chest that will help the monitor pick up your heart rate. In cold weather, they often take a bit of time before they'll pick up, but the gel fixes that. It's cheap (less than $10 will get you a bunch) and is available from Amazon and lots of other places.
Lastly, this won't be an issue in warm weather, but if you ride once it's cold, you may find you want to get an electrode gel that you can apply to the HRM area of your chest that will help the monitor pick up your heart rate. In cold weather, they often take a bit of time before they'll pick up, but the gel fixes that. It's cheap (less than $10 will get you a bunch) and is available from Amazon and lots of other places.
#9
Senior Member
I'm 117kg/257lbs with a 48"/122cm chest. I use the Garmin premium soft strap. But, just barely. I've got it extended out as far as it will go. It stretches to fit but definately shows a visible belt line under my jerseys, where it constricts what surface fat I'm caring around my chest and back. If I were any larger I would consider looking for a strap extender or another ANT+ HRM with a longer strap.
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#10
SuperGimp
I've never had a problem with mine clear down to 38 degrees... no gel required. Maybe I'm just sweaty. You can also moisten the strap with water or saliva to kick start the connection.
#11
Senior Member
I've had my 500 for about a year and a half and am about to order my third strap. The transmitters seem to be fine. But, the straps seem to be a wear item with about a 6 month life expectancy. At least by my experience. Everyone else's mileage will no doubt vary.
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#12
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I've got the same experience with my Strada Double Wireless. Great little unit but the heart rate strap not so much. A few months at best.
#13
SuperGimp
I'd also suggest you get the non-premium strap if you get the garmin one. Apparently the premium straps are both more expensive and less reliable according to lots of people complaining on the 41. The premium strap is purportedly more comfortable but the lesser one hasn't ever bothered me.
I've had the exact opposite experience. Almost constant issues. Have to lather the thing in spit to get it working to begin with. And, if it's cool out and I'm wearing a wicking undershirt, no chance of maintaining good readings.
I've had my 500 for about a year and a half and am about to order my third strap. The transmitters seem to be fine. But, the straps seem to be a wear item with about a 6 month life expectancy. At least by my experience. Everyone else's mileage will no doubt vary.
I've had my 500 for about a year and a half and am about to order my third strap. The transmitters seem to be fine. But, the straps seem to be a wear item with about a 6 month life expectancy. At least by my experience. Everyone else's mileage will no doubt vary.
#14
Senior Member
Sorry. I didn't see that you were referencing the standard strap. I was about to order another premium strap. Perhaps I should make that a standard one instead. I suspect that the difference may be that the electronics are sealed in the plastic of the standard strap, but, get exposed to sweat and washing water within the elastic of the premium strap. Really, I don't care much, as long as the bloody thing works consistantly.
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Im 290lbs and just rode with my garmin strap. Fits just fine. Tonight I made the mistake of inspecting the strap closely.....I need to clean that sucker
#16
SuperGimp
Give it a try Fred! If it lasts longer than 6 months you can owe me a virtual moose juice.
Jack, I just bring mine in the shower every now and then. The non premium one seems to be pretty impervious.
Jack, I just bring mine in the shower every now and then. The non premium one seems to be pretty impervious.
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#18
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Garmin connect reports that I've had this same Non-premium strap for "Time: 279:23:54 h:m:s"
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I am not sure which strap i have...it came wight the garmin and a map card, along with a speed cadence sensor....I always thought it was a premium but am not sure.
Anyway I don't see any problems with mine.
Anyway I don't see any problems with mine.
#21
Senior Member
The standard straps have a plastic section front and center that contains the contacts and electronics, to which the eleastic attaches at each end. The premium straps are also referred to as the "soft straps". They are an all elastic strap with snap on buttons for the transmitter attachment. Apparently it is the contacts in the snaps that corrode and provide sufficient resistance to degrade or eliminate the signal between the pads built into the strap and the transmitter module. The standard straps don't have exposed connections other than the pads that rest against your skin.
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Birth Certificate, Passport, Marriage License Driver's License and Residency Permit all say I'm a Fred. I guess there's no denying it.
Birth Certificate, Passport, Marriage License Driver's License and Residency Permit all say I'm a Fred. I guess there's no denying it.
#22
SuperGimp
How'd you get the total hours on your HR monitor? I guess mine's about 274 according to garmin - that's the sum of all rides I've recorded with it.
Standard: (that whole front piece is one big plastic bit)
Premium:
Standard: (that whole front piece is one big plastic bit)
Premium:
#23
Senior Member
Well my bad. I have the one pictured in the bottom which is the premium. Please accept my apologies for that mess.
Garmin connect tells me I have that many hours of "Cycling" since I got the thing last fall. I record rides as either Indoor cycling or Road Cycling in the Activity type.
Broken down it's 223 hrs on the road (3589 miles with 38 miles of elevation gain which is an average of 'moundy' type ridding) and 55 hrs on the trainer (888 miles).
#25
SuperGimp