HR monitor that lasts more than a week?

A light bike doesn't replace good fitness.

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Butcher
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Posts: 1925
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:58 am

by Butcher

I've had a Garmin for about 10 years now. I just change the battery every couple years. Never had a problem.

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ghostinthemachine
Posts: 780
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 9:18 pm

by ghostinthemachine

TobinHatesYou wrote:
Mon Jul 19, 2021 1:02 am
ghostinthemachine wrote:
Sun Jul 18, 2021 10:29 pm

What are you doing to kill them?
They never wash them or wash them very infrequently.
mine only get a wipe down with a damp cloth (sensor) or a rinse (strap) every couple of rides and a wash infrequently enough that I couldn't even tell you how often.

bilwit
Posts: 1526
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2016 5:49 am
Location: Seattle, WA

by bilwit

I've tried both generations of Wahoo Tickr's and they're pretty awful for me, they always either have a super hard time detecting my heart rate or randomly turn off for no reason (yes after putting water on the sensors, hand washing the strap, etc). The Garmin for me has been flawless, probably because there are twice the amount of inputs and the strap material is more grippy (thus does not need to be super tightened to stay put).

desperado95219
Posts: 120
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:49 pm

by desperado95219

I have had exceedingly good luck with both garmin and wahoo heart rate monitors. Current Tickr is about a year and a half old. However, if you just experienced a problem, let me relate my experience from a week ago with wahoo. On Tuesday of last week my Kickr would no longer work using my android phone for TrainerRoad workouts. I contacted wahoo and was told that they suspected that I had been connected using ant+ for power rather than bluetooth.
They told me that they are now no longer supporting ant+ and I would have to go through a separate protocol to reconnect. It did work after I followed their direction, but only for 3 days and now I have the same problem? I can't believe that they dropped ant+ with no announcement. I thought I was connected with bluetooth, but apparently the kickr was using the power readings from my crank powermeter which I guess had been originally connected using ant+ rather than Bluetooth.
I wonder if your Tickr was actually connected via ant+. I believe it will connect either way.

TobinHatesYou
Posts: 12456
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:02 pm

by TobinHatesYou

desperado95219 wrote:
Tue Jul 20, 2021 12:16 am
I have had exceedingly good luck with both garmin and wahoo heart rate monitors. Current Tickr is about a year and a half old. However, if you just experienced a problem, let me relate my experience from a week ago with wahoo. On Tuesday of last week my Kickr would no longer work using my android phone for TrainerRoad workouts. I contacted wahoo and was told that they suspected that I had been connected using ant+ for power rather than bluetooth.
They told me that they are now no longer supporting ant+ and I would have to go through a separate protocol to reconnect. It did work after I followed their direction, but only for 3 days and now I have the same problem? I can't believe that they dropped ant+ with no announcement. I thought I was connected with bluetooth, but apparently the kickr was using the power readings from my crank powermeter which I guess had been originally connected using ant+ rather than Bluetooth.
I wonder if your Tickr was actually connected via ant+. I believe it will connect either way.

You have no idea what you’re talking about.

desperado95219
Posts: 120
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:49 pm

by desperado95219

You have no idea what you’re talking about.

[/quote]

Either do you! Whether you wash the belt or not has nothing to do with how well it works. It will only affect its longevity (and it will definitely last 6 months or more without any effect.
I am only saying make sure that you are connected using bluetooth. I was told very clearly by wahoo that they are no longer supporting ant+. Below is a copy of emails traded with Wahoo.
------------------------------------------------
Hi Devon,
If you are no longer going to support ant+, does that mean that I no longer have the option of using my power meter to control my power output on wahoo fitness or Trainer Road?  I am pretty sure it is strictly ant+.

Reply:
Devon (Wahoo Fitness Support)Jul 14, 2021, 2:27 PM EDT
Unfortunately, if the power meter is only ANT+, that will not be able to be used in the Wahoo App. However, the CORE does have power internally! I do apologize as I am sure that is not the answer you'd like to hear.

TobinHatesYou
Posts: 12456
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:02 pm

by TobinHatesYou

Gee, I wonder what happens when the electrodes corrode from salt build-up??

No one really cares about Wahoo mobile app ANT+ connectivity. The OP seems pretty familiar with his electronics and I doubt he is using ANT+ if he says he is on BT.

I also believe him when he says the sensor is FUBAR rather than the strap.

jasjas
Posts: 439
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:15 am

by jasjas

If i don't wash my strap it starts to smell, like anything else that absorbs sweat, plus the strap wont last as long, my garmin HR is still going strong after 5 years.

As for wahoo stopping ant+ support on their app? thats irrelevant to this thread.

Supported wahoo trainers all broadcast with both, so will work with other fitness apps in any case, they aren't switching it off from the trainer..... for me, the app is for f/w only.

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LouisN
Posts: 3510
Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:44 am
Location: Canada

by LouisN

I have two Coospro straps from Ebay. Both straps still going strong after 4-5 years.
I had a Garmin strap and it lasted just a few months.

Louis :)

iheartbianchi
Posts: 680
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2019 9:17 am

by iheartbianchi

Hellgate wrote:
Mon Jul 19, 2021 1:08 am
Don't know about hand washing after EVERY ride as that's a bit obsessive compulsive, but given the source...

I've had Polars last 5+ years, my current Wahoo is on 9 months. No fuss, muss.

Not sure what to tell you OP, bad run?
Why not? After a ride, just put it all in your helmet, hop in the shower, when you're done don't turn off the water let it run on the helmet as you're drying yourself/getting dressed, and then let air dry. Takes zero effort and I'm shocked to hear people don't wash their helmets (or HR monitor) after every use given how bad sweat is on the longevity of your most important safety device as well as a key training tool.
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