Garmin HRM -- Regular or Soft?
05-26-13, 08:11 AM
#1
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Garmin HRM -- Regular or Soft?
I'm getting a heart rate monitor for my Garmin Edge 305:
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-109...cm_rdp_product
Is the soft version worth the extra cost?
Thanks,
Al
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-109...cm_rdp_product
Is the soft version worth the extra cost?
Thanks,
Al
05-26-13, 09:33 AM
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IMO, no. The hard strap has been reliable and I am unaware of it within a minute or so of putting it on. The soft strap offers no benefit IMO and there has been some reliability issues related to it's connection the the transmitter module. I believe the latest version of the Garmin soft strap has resolved that, but in the past others have resorted to using a replacement soft strap from Polar with the Garmin transmitter module.
With the hard strap, rub a little water or spit into the contact pads of the strap before putting it on. This helps ensure a reliable signal when starting out in the cool and before you start sweating.
With the hard strap, rub a little water or spit into the contact pads of the strap before putting it on. This helps ensure a reliable signal when starting out in the cool and before you start sweating.
05-26-13, 09:34 PM
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I have both and while I find the soft more comfortable, their performance is equal. They both do exactly what they're supposed to and do it well.
05-27-13, 07:50 AM
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Here's an article on issues with the soft strap. https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/08/s...utsspikes.html
05-27-13, 08:34 AM
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Between post #2 and #3 I was seduced by a $28 eBay offer for a regular strap. We'll see how it goes.
My impression is that Garmin has fixed the issues with the soft strap sometime in the last two years.
My impression is that Garmin has fixed the issues with the soft strap sometime in the last two years.
06-14-13, 10:27 AM
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I've had the non-soft on about six rides now, and as Looigi says, it's comfortable enough. I feel like it is slipping down, but that's an illusion. Even if I do jumping jacks, it stays in place.
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