Recording HRM information overnight?

[E65Ross]

is it possible to use an android phone app to record Garmin HRM information? I've found an app which records and logs the data on a graph but once you close the graph you lose all the data. It'd be nice to see a figure, too, for "lowest HR", average HR etc.

One reason I want to do this is because my HRM has been playing up recently and have just changed the battery and want to see if it's all working OK.

Has anyone else had issues where it seemingly under-reads? It was not MASSIVELY under earlier but I did a turbo trainer session which I've done the same workout for the last 3 weeks and every time my average HR has been 136-138bpm with a max of 153-155bpm across 3 workouts, today I did the exact same and it was fluttering a bit and average was 127bpm with a max of 144 and I just know that's not right.

Any other tips, if it's not the battery? It's the newer style strap used with an Edge 1000.

Many thanks

[a boardman]

Yes if your phone has ant+ on it can be used with heart rate monitor. I have a galaxy s4 and can pair up.

[E65Ross]

a boardman said:

Yes if your phone has ant+ on it can be used with heart rate monitor. I have a galaxy s4 and can pair up.

Found an app last night and it seemed to work OK. Just hope it works properly when I'm back on the bike tomorrow

Cheers

[E65Ross]

I don't think it was the battery. Went out for a 3.5hour ride yesterday and prior to yesterday all of my long rides gave had an average HR of around 130bpm give or take a few. Yesterday, I wasn't putting any less effort in but my average HR was showing at 116 which just isn't right!

Reading online it looks like getting some conductive gel might help. I don't tend to sweat much which means that in cold weather it's probably getting a poor connection. I've just ordered some off amazon, hoping it will help. I wetted it with saliva this morning and it did seem considerably better.

[spiritof'76]

I get weird readings and sometimes no readings on dry skin......but once I get going and sweat up a little it all comes good

[paulmon]

E65Ross said:

I don't think it was the battery. Went out for a 3.5hour ride yesterday and prior to yesterday all of my long rides gave had an average HR of around 130bpm give or take a few. Yesterday, I wasn't putting any less effort in but my average HR was showing at 116 which just isn't right!

Reading online it looks like getting some conductive gel might help. I don't tend to sweat much which means that in cold weather it's probably getting a poor connection. I've just ordered some off amazon, hoping it will help. I wetted it with saliva this morning and it did seem considerably better.

Wet the strap under tap before going out. I had similar issues and this sorted it.

[SixPotBelly]

I've had low readings when the strap wasn't tight enough and it slipped down my chest such that the sensors were no longer making proper contact. It doesn't have to be very tight, but I had mine that bit too loose. That was running though, when there's much more up and down motion. Can't remember if I've had it happen on the bike, but thought I'd mention it just in case.

[E65Ross]

I seem to be getting much more accurate readings now I wet the straps with saliva before I go (sounds gross I know!). I ordered some conductive gel which will arrive next week at some point.

[Jimbo.]

E65Ross said:

is it possible to use an android phone app to record Garmin HRM information? I've found an app which records and logs the data on a graph but once you close the graph you lose all the data. It'd be nice to see a figure, too, for "lowest HR", average HR etc.

One reason I want to do this is because my HRM has been playing up recently and have just changed the battery and want to see if it's all working OK.

Has anyone else had issues where it seemingly under-reads? It was not MASSIVELY under earlier but I did a turbo trainer session which I've done the same workout for the last 3 weeks and every time my average HR has been 136-138bpm with a max of 153-155bpm across 3 workouts, today I did the exact same and it was fluttering a bit and average was 127bpm with a max of 144 and I just know that's not right.

Any other tips, if it's not the battery? It's the newer style strap used with an Edge 1000.

Many thanks

Assuming it's the Garmin "premium" strap, then the problem is...the strap. They're st, with the salt from yer' sweat soon making them go haywire no matter how much you clean them.

The Garmin HRMs are compatible with the Polar Soft Strap, which are much, much better.

[E65Ross]

Thabks for the reply, I've heard the straps aren't great but I wasn't sure whether it was the older strap or the new ones.

I've just ordered a polar soft strap off amazon for under £14

Will my Garmin think it's a new sensor because of the strap, or is it connected to the main unit? I'm guessing that it won't need to be reconnected, as the battery etc is in the unit, not the strap!

Cheers

[Jimbo.]

E65Ross said:

Thabks for the reply, I've heard the straps aren't great but I wasn't sure whether it was the older strap or the new ones.

I've just ordered a polar soft strap off amazon for under £14

Will my Garmin think it's a new sensor because of the strap, or is it connected to the main unit? I'm guessing that it won't need to be reconnected, as the battery etc is in the unit, not the strap!

Cheers

Nope, nothing changes: as you say the "pairing" is with the unit itself.

[E65Ross]

Got the Polar soft strap as well as some conductive gel yesterday, courtesy of amazon, and first thing is the Polar strap has a much better, simpler design for adjusting the length. It's also more comfortable and I got readings which didn't fluctuate as much.

Whether it's the new strap or the conductive gel I'm not sure (probably the latter, but either way I'm happy

Cheers