Alias530

I had the "premium" strap that came with my 510 bundle but it would always spike to 200+ so I replaced it with the "hard" strap.

Last week the battery died so I put a new battery in it. Ever since then it will randomly spike to 200+ and stay there. Just standing there, max effort, going easy, doesn't matter, it'll read way high for up to several minutes then go back to normal.

I've tried using the strap wet, damp, totally dry, slightly different positions on my chest, loose strap, tight strap, loose jersey, tight jersey, loose jersey tucked in.

Any suggestions or is it just time for a new one? It's not even a year old...

DaveWC

That constantly happened to me. Usually near the start of a ride for a good 5 minutes. It made the average HR metric absolutely useless. I never replaced it so I've got no solution. I don't monitor HR anymore.

rpenmanparker 

For me the Mio Link wrist sensor is more comfortable, more reliable, and it doesn't require sweat or other wetness to work. I have seen reports of spiking with the Mio, but I have not experienced it. The Link is compatible with Garmin receivers.

DaveWC

With my Mio the issue was under reporting HR for long periods of time.

f4rrest

It's "jersey flap" that drives the sensor nuts until you work up a sweat.

It doesn't happen when I add a tight base layer.

On days I don't use a base layer, I put a paper towel down the neck of the jersey so it sits between the strap and jersey material. Once the towel gets wet I remove it and the HR sensor is fine.

theraggyone

Mine only does this with crap quality cycling jerseys due to static from the cheaper material. Solution for me was bin the cheap crappy jersey and only use my other jerseys. No issues since

Alias530

Yeah mine used to spike before I warmed up so I started getting it wet before I left and it worked. Then it started again so I tucked my shirt in while I warmed up, but now it did it no matter what. I was pouring sweat earlier and even got off my bike and it sat there showing 200+. No wind, not moving, and I was sweaty... still freaking out.

on the path

I had the issue for a while. I think it was mainly due to poor conductivity between the skin and strap. In colder weather I started using a conductant gel (very inexpensive) and that solved the problem. Now that it's hot and humid here I just make sure I put my strap on about 10 minutes before I start riding. That's enough time to establish enough perspiration between the strap and my skin.

redtires

I had the same thing happen to me and after some research, it appears that this is a very common issue with the Garmin soft straps. I think it was less so with the hard strap. I've been using a Wahoo TIKR strap with absolutely no issues whatsoever. I'd like to try one of those Mio Link bands sometime though.

Silvercivic27

Amazon.com : Buh-Bump 2.5-Ounce Heart Rate Monitor Electrode Cream : Heart Rate Monitor Gel : Sports & Outdoors

gregf83 

I see it with the hard strap under dry conditions with a loose jersey. When it happens it's normally at the beginning of a ride. Once I start sweating and the jersey gets wet it settles down. Problem was worse when riding in an area with low humidity. I don't look at my HR very often so it's not a big deal to me.

rpenmanparker 

Since the wrist sensors do not depend upon electrical pulses for measurement, the issues related to moisture, electrolytes on the skin, sweat, etc., are essentially non-existent. You can see that some folks say they have problems with the wrist sensors anyway, but I think they are significantly rarer, especially if you get the wrist strap positioned and tightened properly.

Alias530

I just don't want it to impact my averages, time spent in zones, etc.

cleansheet

It happens at the start of a ride, either super high heart rate or very low heart rate. Usually seems that I may not have moistened the sensor well enough. It has always been accurate within 10 minutes when I've had the problem.

c_bach_115

If it's less than a year old contact Garmin and they will send you a new sensor/strap. I had the same issue and that's how they addressed the issue with me anyway.

FIVE ONE SIX

is this for the newer premium strap or the older one?! cause one has no fabric between the 2 snaps where the Garmin piece snaps on and the other one does. if you have the problem with the one that does, than the ONLY way that i know of to stop spiking on that strap is to cut the strap in the middle of the 2 snaps where the plastic Garmin piece snaps on, and cut it so there is about 1cm of empty space and the two ends won't be able to touch each other...

if it's not that strap, which one are you using?!

Alias530

I'm using this one

FIVE ONE SIX

i can't help you there, i've NEVER seen or heard of friends spiking with that strap, that's actually the one i usually recommend. i know this is going to sound stupid, but the only thing i could say is to make sure you used the right battery when you replaced it...

do you still have the premium strap that came with your 510 bundle?! the one that would always spike...

topflightpro

Are you riding near high-voltage power lines? It's not uncommon for various electric items that you ride by to cause a HR monitor to record a spike.

rpenmanparker 

That's true. I've certainly had speed spikes on my cycling computer from lightning in the distance.

Alias530

Nope

Seattle Forrest

I've had that strap since 2008 or 2009, it finally gave up the ghost a month or two ago.

mvnsnd

I had the issue as well. Mine was working great, but at some point was always reading high and I couldn't find a way to bring it back down.
I finally went with a Polar soft strap and have not had the problem again. One just has to cut away the excess rubber around each of the snap terminals so the Garmin sensor will snap in.

deep_sky

I gave up on the Garmin straps long ago. Went without HR for awhile, then got a Mio Link. Works great, just has terrible battery life. For someone who does 200k's and up I need more than 10 hours of life. It also started losing charge capacity, and was down to 6 hours per charge. I got fed up with it and exchanged it for a Wahoo strap. No issues whatsoever and it lasts plenty long. More comfortable than the Garmin straps too, I don't even realize it's there. FWIW, I am female, so I have to contend with a bra getting in the way of chest straps, but the Wahoo doesn't interfere.

redtires

Well that's certainly a convincing review....in support of the continued use of my Wahoo!