Mine just started to read 200+ BPM...sitting on the bench. Battery? Dead soldier?

Battery.

When I got my Edge 500 about two months ago, I also ordered the cadence sensor and deluxe HRM separately. Less expensive that way than getting the bundle. First time I used the Garmin HRM, thought it was defective and couldn't see how it unhooked. Silly me ... I "stepped" into the thing and pulled it up over my hips. Only the second time using it did I see how it unhooked. However, I don't like the thing very well. My Bontrager HRM is a lot more accurate and records data a lot sooner than the Garmin HRM. I'd send it back if I could. The Edge 500 records the Bontrager HRM data just fine.

I had a twisted o ring on the standard strap.... moisture not good. Check on that?

I'd try the battery first. Mine glitches out all the time, but I think it's only when my jersey flaps in the wind against the sending unit.

The "Deluxe Soft Strap" is the one I have which absolutely sucks, and I've seen no response from Garmin. Some people blame the contacts being too dry, recommending conductivity gel, some say water. Some also blame static electricity for the glitches.

I've kept mine wet, wrapped the sending unit in anti-static sheets, wrapped and pinned a sock around it, worn it upside down, on my back, etc. Nothing works.

I personally think it is from my jersey flapping against the sending unit in the wind, so I can either unzip my jersey to my stomach, or never go to the drops. Either "solution" sucks. I also tried using the Garmin sending unit on a Polar Wearlink+ and that was even worse (the contacts dried out more readily).

Where did you get yours? I don't see it on their site, or for sale anywhere online for that matter. I heard the Bontrager strap was identical to Garmin's Deluxe Soft Strap, but I'm willing to try anything else at this point.

honestly the standard HRM is better than the "Deluxe" version... never had a false reading there... no nodes to fail to connect etc... and not uncomfortable.

No. I changed my battery out for fresh and still issues of high incorrect readings. I have used my wife's Garmin sending unit on my premium strap and readings aok. Errors will come also without any interference issues on open country roads. O-ring is fine, sending unit is tight. Garmin head unit is sync'd ok. Bad readings with or without riding near wife. Heartstrap has used contact jell and or water. No flapping jersey.

Funny that when at rest or perhaps in zone 1 rates the reading is ok...problems happen when I amp up and it will often go up reading like I'm in fib. Damn thing chirps when constantly telling me I'm exceeding each zone (which I can't seem to disable the alert w/o turning off the heart zones altogether...). I think it has to be a faulty HRM unit chip...hello Garmin; new one please :-)

Good luck OP...I'll follow this thread to see if you find fix.

Is that the hard plastic-ish one?


Or this one?

The one on top is the standard one. Mine just died. I haven't found a source for a replacement other than the "soft" version.

revchuck;

Try this, ships free too. Garmin Heart Rate Strap at Amazon

I have the soft strap, too. It worked great for about a year and then started giving erratic readings all the time. 200+ BPM while just starting off, etc. Tried gel, tightening it, moving it around, new battery, etc. Nothing worked.

I finally got a tip on one of the Garmin forums to just hand wash the strap (not the HRM unit itself) in warm water with a couple drops of laundry soap. I did that, rinsed it with cold water, and let it dry. Works like a champ again!

Clif notes: The strap itself is probably caked in sweat, salt, and other nasty stuff. Wash it!

Bob

Standard one is good for me too. Deluxe has problems. Not sure what's so deluxe about the deluxe. The standard is fine.

My Garmin strap has gotten loose as it got older and lost elasticity (bought it with my old 305, now used with 500).

The strap needs to be pretty tight to make good contact and get a good reading. I can tell when it is getting loose, I start getting erratic readings, even with a new battery.

I adjusted the strap as short as it would go. After a while, even that wasn't enough, so I shortened it more by sewing a tuck. I need to break down and buy a new strap.

OK, how do you know that?

Thanks - I'm going to get one!

Got the Bontrager strap with my DuoTrap in-frame speed/cadence sending unit. Can't remember exactly if it is part of a kit or if I purchased it at the same time. Got it at my LBS who sold me the Trek, but got the DuoTrap a couple weeks later.

Edit: Just checked the website. It looks like I got the heart rate monitor strap with the Node 2 digital computer. It lists it as an included assessory of the Node 2. Don't know it it is available separately. A dealer should be able to find out. I sure hope so, in case I ever need a replacement.


"achoo", I know it is more accurate because I experience the same things other people on this tread have been posting about. Inaccurate readings just starting out, total lack of sending date, etc. Now, if you are asking about the accuracy ... well, obviously, without being hooked up to very expensive medical equipment in a lab, there is no way to tell. I was just referring to readings 200+ bpm when the unit first starts sending data, then the consistency of the data stream afterward.