I use the Garmin heart rate monitor with my Garmin 500. I have the softer strap instead of the hard strap. I have never had any issues with mine at all and I ride by my heart rate monitor. My cardiologist suggested riding by heart rate instead of "how if felt" and said to make sure it doesn't stay too high for too long and if it does take a break. I love the Garmin one because it is light weight and I have ridden over 2000 miles on the same strap with no issues.