Recommend me a Heart Rate Monitor...

[lejogger]

Must be ANT+ compatible i.e. work with a Garmin 500.

As far as I know there have beeen issues with the first two versions of the Garmin strap with regards to dodgy readings, failures etc but I am aware that a V3 is now available. Does anyone have any experiences? Should I steer clear based on the poor reputation of the previous models?

If not Garmin then what others are good and will work? Polar? Is there a specific model I should look for?

Many thanks

 

[HLaB]

The first version of the Garmin hr strap is quite reliable and since I tightened the strap it has never suffered from jersey flap; its only the 2nd version I beleive which attempts to be more comfortable that was prone to it. V3 if the hype is true is supposed to comine the accuracy of V1 with the comfort of V2.

 

[BSRU]

I have both Garmin versions, no problems with either and the soft strap one, V2, is more comfortable. The V1 is a real pain when it's been left outside in my pannier on a cold winters day, it's f***ing freezing .

 

[Rob3rt]

Garmin 1st gen is fine (had 2 of them, one now sold on with my old Edge 500 and the other misplaced somewhere), used for years without a single hiccup, not even a dead battery. The soft strap one is junk though, had mine since Feb, dead already, in fact just got off the phone to them about 5 minutes ago, replacement is now in the mail! Can't fault the service!

 

[mattobrien]

I got the heart rate monitor with my 510 in April, so I presume it is a 3rd gen. All good so far, both on comfort and readings.

 

[Rob3rt]

I got the heart rate monitor with my 510 in April, so I presume it is a 3rd gen. All good so far, both on comfort and readings.

I wouldn't presume anything, mine came with an 810, died within 5 month.

 

[mattobrien]

I wouldn't presume anything, mine came with an 810, died within 5 month.

Just looked it up, it is the 3rd gen one

 

[gaz]

Had the version 1 garmin one for 4 years, had no issues. recently had issues with the heart rate reading, just not picking up on my garmin for around 10 mins, just showing flat 30bpm. tried replacing batteries etc.. didn't work.

Upgraded to the new version 3 last week. first thing I noticed was how comfortable it was in comparison to version 1. Data so far has been accurate as can be told and I've had no issues with it. I like how the main data unit is detachable and the strap can be washed.

 

[Rob3rt]

Just received my warranty replacement for my dead HR strap (warranty issue raised last Friday, replacement received in 3 working days without having to return my broken strap), looks like it may be a 3rd gen version as someone up page mentioned. I say this as the soft strap is different to the standard premium soft strap. The actual electronic head looks to be the same. Lets see how long this lasts.

 

[lejogger]

Just received the replacement for my dead HR strap, looks like it may be a 3rd gen as the soft strap is different to the standard premium soft strap. The actual electronic head looks to be the same. Lets see how long this lasts.

Excellent. Keep us posted - it's on my wish list but I'm not jumping into an immediate purchase.

 

[Ben M]

Just received my warranty replacement for my dead HR strap (warranty issue raised last Friday, replacement received in 3 working days without having to return my broken strap), looks like it may be a 3rd gen version as someone up page mentioned. I say this as the soft strap is different to the standard premium soft strap. The actual electronic head looks to be the same. Lets see how long this lasts.

Is there a guide available anywhere that shows the differences between the versions? I just got a 500 and would be interested to see what version the HRM is.

 

[Rob3rt]

@Ben M FYI

And the version I have recieved by way of replacement for the broken HR strap (which was of the type "Newer Soft Strap (2010+)" in the image above) appears to be a new version 3 of the softstrap, it looks like this:

 

[Ben M]

@Ben M FYI



And the version I have recieved by way of replacement for the broken HR strap (which was of the type "Newer Soft Strap (2010+)" in the image above) appears to be a new version 3 of the softstrap, it looks like this:

Thank you.

I have the classic which seems to work okay.

 

[eevvee]

I recently purchased the Garmin 500 with Cadence and HRM - the HRM is the newer soft strap as shown in Rob3rt's post above.

No problems - comfortable and the readings seem to be reliable - I would certainly recommend it.

 

[Broughtonblue]

Version 3 for me. No problems whatsoever. Bloody hell 'touches wood quick!!!'