GarminHRM Pro Plus

I purchased this so I could have higher accuracy (and more responsive) heart rate readings than my watch gives me, and so that I could specifically run a lactate threshold test to better set up my heart rate zones. I pair this with a garmin forerunner 965 and so far it has worked seamlessly.Pretty simple unboxing, but not a lot of information is given. It does not just pair automatically, but has to be added to the watch. Its relatively simple, but there is a step required to do it. Then when worn and starting an activity, the watch automatically recognizes it and uses data from the strap over its own sensors.As far as I can tell, the heart rate readings I am getting from it are accurate and responsive, though in my case, I am not sure its a massive improvement over the optical heart rate sensor I am already using. Though I am sure its still an improvement.Running the lactate threshold test was handled by my watch, but it required an external heart monitor and again as far as I can tell it works well.The watch reports my heart rate changes quickly when I change pace and while I have yet to do any sprint intervals with it yet, I imagine it will fare much better than the watch, which could often miss the entire interval before my heart rate would respond on the watch.

I got this because I was getting frustrated over and over on my garmin venue 2 plus watch, even though the watch is great but the HR sensor is just not that great. It used to be good when I bought it new couple of years ago. After ruining my runs couples of months with showing me max HR when I just stand and don't move, I decided it's time to try the Garmin chest strap. I decided to go with Garmin because I am already in the Garmin eco-system, however, I did my homework and other chest straps from other brands are also accurate. I took this new chest strap on couple of runs and I can see the difference right away, I run faster on my easy runs, my HR trends lower than it was on my watch. When my HR goes over to the next Zone, and I slow down the strap immediately registers my new HR and I can see it in the real-time that my HR is recovering. If I use my watch in that same use-case, the watch just would take much much longer time to update the HR and more times it would just artificially inflate the HR rate (as I said earlier max HR when just standing). It seems there is some sort of an algorithm on the venu 2 plus to calculate the HR and that algorithm makes it completely inaccurate. The Garmin HRM Pro Plus is accurate, and the only feature that is a really miss from garmin and a real downside of this product is that I don't see the real-time live data from my HR strap on Garmin Connect App, I can only see the real-time HR strap data when I start an activity on my watch. but not the rest of the times, even though Garmin says it is still being recorded, but there is no way to see if the data is from the strap or from the Watch. The Connect App doesn't tag or label the source of the HR data, which is very not user friendly. Also, when you start an activity on garmin watch it'll ask to connect to the HR strap, once you connect, the UI on the watch screen is the same for the HR. there is no indication that the HR data coming from the Strap or from the Watch, you just have to believe it is connected and you are getting HR stats from the Strap. Very bad user experience, non friendly user design, creates a lot of confusions. and this could be just a simple software update to make things clear. Otherwise, the HR Strap as accurate as any other competitors brands and that's already good enough if you're already in the Garmin ecosystem.

Been eyeing this HR monitor for a while. I have been using Wahoo tickr for a couple years now but it doesn't last me (maybe from constant use, sweat, etc). Anyway, I'm already in the garmin ecosystem and garmin makes quality stuff so decided to give this a try. I'll be honest, however, I didn't want to pay $120+ for a HR monitor so I bought a "used" one for less. It's more like the "box was opened and they didn't like how it looked" used. I do triathlons (IM) and marathons so I needed something that can take lots of use. Good so far and comfortable. Really wanted this one to measure oscillation, ground contact time, etc. Works great and doesn't feel/look as cheap as Wahoo. I am not a heavy heavy sweater, only use it when doing rides and runs. If i do use it on the swim it'll be during races (open water). But no high expectations for accurate HR metrics during swim. My garmin forerunner doesn't measure HR correctly when running (not watch on the bike) so I've been wanting a more accurate form of HR measurement.