Soft Heart Rate Straps that WORK long term???

[meganm]

For some reason, I can't get consistent results from hard-strap or soft-strap monitors. My boobs get chafed when I'm running, and my bra seems to get in the way. I've given up with them.

[sgf726]

My first Garmin soft-strap worked for about a year and then started reading really erratic. I tried the suggestions for cleaning and it worked sometimes. I also had the problem with the fact that the strap was too big and wouldn't stay in place.

I tried DC rainmaker's suggestion with the Polar strap as I happened to have one from a Polar watch, it didn't work and I had the same erratic readings.

A couple of weeks ago I had to buy a new Garmin watch as mine was stolen and the new soft-strap has a slightly different design (it is actually more similiar to the Polar design) it also seems a little smaller and seems to fit me better. It is reading correctly now but it has only been 3 weeks so only time will tell :-)

The straps are expensive so I would expect them to last at least a few years on my old Garmin I used the same strap for a few years but perhaps maybe should't expect it to last forever.

[OakLeaf]

My first Garmin hard strap lasted about three and a half years, which I didn't track usage precisely, but it got me over 10,000 miles on the bike, two marathons, three half marathons, one sprint triathlon and all the associated training, plus probably getting run over any number of times when I lost it in a grass parking area last summer. When it started going wacky this winter and didn't get any better with a thorough brush cleaning and a new battery, I figured it was finally time for a new one. I replaced it with a new hard strap, I'd seen way too many stories about the soft strap. I don't expect them to last forever either, but I would expect them to more or less track the useful life of the device I use them with. And I don't know for sure that mine got run over, but I have a suspicion it would've lasted a lot longer if I hadn't dropped it in that parking lot.

[e3rdpower]

Definitely trying the Polar Wear Link strap idea, as I've got one sitting in a drawer. Thanks for posting that! I've been having the erratic reading issue also and have tried all the tips to fix to no avail.

ETA: I had emailed Garmin customer service back and forth a couple times and just got an email back that they will be sending a replacement strap. So, kudos to them for recognizing that it is a legitimate problem and making the fix. I'll still be trying my Polar Wearlink for reference though.

[Jiffer]

For some reason, I can't get consistent results from hard-strap or soft-strap monitors. My boobs get chafed when I'm running, and my bra seems to get in the way. I've given up with them.

I can relate, as I had a lot of frustration trying to get a HR monitor to work in the beginning. I also used to not use one at all because of this. However, when my health became an issue and my nutritionist told me to stay within a certain heart rate, I felt compelled to do whatever I could to figure it out.

I did a bunch of research and tried a lot of things and finally figure it out. For me, the strap has to be on the smallest setting and placed to the left about two inches. I hear some people place it on their back or even more to one side or the other.

Also, it won't work without wetting it. Hubby and I use electrode gel, which is what is used for ultrasounds. But some people just use spit or they sell an ointment for this specific use at bike shops I guess. Probably costs more than electrode gel, which hubby buys a big tube of online.

For me these two things were key and for a long time my strap worked perfectly as long as I did them both. Then I went through a long period of not riding or, when I rode, I was at such an easy pace I didn't need the strap. When I was ready to start using it again, hubby had been using it off and on, having gotten it confused with his. I'm not even sure which was mine to begin with, but the one he gave me to start using has given me problems ever since. Ugh!!! So basically, he ruined it!

[OakLeaf]

I use 100% aloe vera gel and it works great as an electrode contact gel. Cheap, generic kind. Don't get the kind with oils or other goop in them, which will interfere with the reading.

[SadieKate]

Oh, good idea. Our humidity is so low here that I don't sweat immediately, and sometimes I just don't have enough spit.

[Jiffer]

I use 100% aloe vera gel and it works great as an electrode contact gel. Cheap, generic kind. Don't get the kind with oils or other goop in them, which will interfere with the reading.

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind. I guess I'll check out the price difference in electrode gel and aloe vera gel. I could pic up aloe vera gel most anywhere, though, so nice to know.

[Dogmama]

Oak - you're telling my story - minus the strap-abuse part . I had the exact same problem with my Garmin soft strap. It lasted almost two years. Did everything suggested, still got wacky readings. Bought the hard strap & have had no problems. No erratic readings in the beginning of the workout either, which is nice. I don't notice any different in comfort between the two straps.

Regarding aloe vera gel, it may be OK but I think I'd stick to electrode gel. You never know how things will affect plastic. Electrode gel isn't that pricey considering you use a small dab.