Hi All. I'm looking for feedback from riders that use chest strap HRM's on their rides. I've been doing this for decades and only recently have been having trouble getting reliable data to my Garmin Edge devices. The problem I was having is not spikes but constant dropouts. I say 'was' because I think I've found a solution.
I have always used Garmin straps and monitors and used electrode gel on the pads with great success, but earlier this year ran into trouble with prolonged dropouts.
I have since done an awful lot of experimenting, including new straps, new Garmin Dual HRM's (and new batteries), and finally trying a new Polar H10 and strap with only moderate success. Wetting the strap, smothering it with saline solutions and using electrode gel still wasn't 100% reliable. However, if I rotate the strap 2 inches (50mm) around to my left side so the HRM sensor is off-centre to my left, plus use electrode gel, I seem to get very reliable results. A 2 hour ride with only 1 dropout for 1 second.
I can't explain why I've had good results for so many years and earlier this year began having trouble. Perhaps as you age (I'm 69) your skin loses conductivity and makes it difficult for HRMs that are probably designed for younger bodies
, so I'm keen to hear if any of our older riders have the same issues.
All comments welcome.
I have always used Garmin straps and monitors and used electrode gel on the pads with great success, but earlier this year ran into trouble with prolonged dropouts.
I have since done an awful lot of experimenting, including new straps, new Garmin Dual HRM's (and new batteries), and finally trying a new Polar H10 and strap with only moderate success. Wetting the strap, smothering it with saline solutions and using electrode gel still wasn't 100% reliable. However, if I rotate the strap 2 inches (50mm) around to my left side so the HRM sensor is off-centre to my left, plus use electrode gel, I seem to get very reliable results. A 2 hour ride with only 1 dropout for 1 second.
I can't explain why I've had good results for so many years and earlier this year began having trouble. Perhaps as you age (I'm 69) your skin loses conductivity and makes it difficult for HRMs that are probably designed for younger bodies
, so I'm keen to hear if any of our older riders have the same issues.All comments welcome.
