HRM malfunction

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HRM malfunction

Postby kfjatek » 28 Aug 2014 23:03

So - my Garmin heart rate monitor has decided to (possibly) die on me two days before a race. Symptoms: out of the blue, it figures that I'm in high Z5 / Z6 during a run or a bike ride - despite effort level being nowhere near these levels - and stays there for some time. Interestingly, it seems like it simply adds a fixed (?) number to my actual heart rate, as it reacts up/down depending on effort level. As a result, I get situations like this one: http://www.strava.com/activities/186699228

Has anyone had these issues?

My thinking:
- Battery running flat and causing problems - not the case, I've just changed it and it hasn't helped
- Strap is buggered and needs replacing - low cost problem
- HRM unit is buggered and needs replacing - higher cost problem
- 910xt itself is buggered and needs replacing - actually not that expensive, but it would be my fourth (sic!) unit...

Thoughts?

Might pop out to Evans / Sigma tomorrow and see if I can buy a new strap / HRM - otherwise the Vit will need to be ridden / run on RPE...

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Re: HRM malfunction

Postby Sir Jibbenstein » 28 Aug 2014 23:14

I've had similar issues in the past. First couple of times it was the strap. Think of them as a consumable with a 12-18 month life. Can try washing it to get salt out. Garmin suggest weekly (every 7 workouts). Third time some sweat got in the transmitter following a battery change and screwed it up. Doubt it is the 910xt. Easiest option is to replace strap in first instance, polar ones are cheaper than Garmin ones iirc and will also fit. Failing that get a new transmitter unit. Any ant+ one will be fine. Just don't expect to buy one on Saturday morning and pair it with 400 other ant+ devices nearby!
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Re: HRM malfunction

Postby kfjatek » 28 Aug 2014 23:20

I really hope it is the strap. Sigma or Evans visit tomorrow to get a new one.

:ugeek:
2015:
26/04 Southampton 10k
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21/06 Dambuster Triathlon
29/08 Club Relays
27/09 Hever Triathlon
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Re: HRM malfunction

Postby Kevy427 » 28 Aug 2014 23:28

It's the strap. The cheap Garmin one is a lot more reliable than the so called premium strap. Currently using a Timex strap with my Garmin ANT+ unit


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Re: HRM malfunction

Postby ris » 29 Aug 2014 06:36

Sounds strapish, unless you killed the transmitter by putting the new battery in too quickly (supposed to leave it a minute or two)
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Re: HRM malfunction

Postby Jack Hughes » 29 Aug 2014 07:46

It's your heart

Stress of going pink.
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Re: HRM malfunction

Postby kfjatek » 29 Aug 2014 12:11

Jack Hughes wrote:It's your heart

Stress of going pink.


:-)

Verified - it's the HRM. Need to get a new one.

Found a strap from my old Wahoo Fitness HRM which fit the Garmin unit; within 5 minutes my HR sat down in front of a screen at home was well in the 160s (and before Kevy steps in, no I wasn't watching any saucy content)!

Going to Evans/Sigma at lunchtime to pick a new one up.

:ugeek:
2015:
26/04 Southampton 10k
30/05 Sieraków Triathlon
21/06 Dambuster Triathlon
29/08 Club Relays
27/09 Hever Triathlon
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