General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes? Rss Feed  
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2010-09-03 1:43 PM

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Expert
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
I'll be clicking along at 130.....and the next thing I know, it's showing 180....then 210...then (even higher).

I know better than this.  But, I have no idea what might be causing it.  I've tried cleaning the back of the monitor.  I've tried re-positioning the monitor. 

It eventually goes back to "you're still alive/correct" numbers.  But, it throws my avg. HR off a lot, sometimes.

Any suggestions?  Could this be a battery (with the transmitter) issue?  Does it have a battery (the transmitter)?

THanks

jeff


2010-09-03 1:52 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
Is it a spike or does it maintain those high values?
2010-09-03 1:53 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Master
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
I get this when the monitor slips around. Usually at the beginning of the run. I have to wear it lower on my chest, since that's where it ends up anyway. If it loses the connection with your body, it goes wacky.

You can try making it tighter, but the crappy strap loses it's elasticity pretty easily. I believe there is a battery in the unit too so you might want to look into replacing it.
2010-09-03 1:54 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Master
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
Could be the battery....been told that one a couple times.

But for me, it's happened to a couple different monitors and I've replaced the batteries and then it wouldn't work.  Bought a new one with the soft strap two months ago or so and it's been happening all the time.  It's brand new.  At first I thought it was conflicting with a training partners but then it was doing it on solo runs and rides too.  Not just in the beginning where I'm not sweating much and there might be a bad connection but it happens mid workout.  I've tried tightening it and loosening it.  Not sure if I should try and replace this battery too...

Here's what I ended up with today after my easier longish run:
Avg HR:179 bpm
Max HR:234 bpm

or how about yesterday when I rode easy (probably more like 135-140 tops):
Avg HR:155 bpm
Max HR:219 bpm

Let me know if you figure it out....sorry for the rant.  That was a timely post though.
2010-09-03 1:55 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?

It'll maintain it for a while (minutes, sometimes).  I can't help but think it's running along at say 140......then it skips up high.  Then, I "guess" it doesn't take the real reading into account....and it seems like it just sets a new baseline at the higher number, and climbs or declines from there.

It's just frustrating.  I've seen it climb as high as 240.



Edited by nc452010 2010-09-03 1:55 PM
2010-09-03 1:58 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?

Exactly....

Usually happens about mid-workout (sometimes it corrects itself....and sometimes it doesn't).  And, I've lowered the unit to no avail.

I'll look into replacing the battery.



Edited by nc452010 2010-09-03 1:59 PM


2010-09-03 1:59 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
Mine does the same thing, and it happened when I made the switch from the 305 to a new 310. It happens in almost all of my runs, and a few of my rides. It's really annoying and scared me the first time it happened.
2010-09-03 2:08 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
Found this thread on garmin's forums: https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=1884
There are some suggestions in there to fix problem, like wearing the strap backwards or off-center.
2010-09-03 2:08 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Master
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
Check the Garmin forums - it's a really common problem.  Their solution is to not wear certain types of static-y clothes, wet the electrodes and/or use electrode gel.  I have the exact same problems, though usually only when it's cold.  Once I get a sweat going and my shirt/chest are wet, the problem usually goes away.  It can really take awhile on the cold while on the bike though.  If your jersey flaps around (and it's worse at high speeds) it goes haywire.  I have noticed it once or twice this summer on wicked hot/sweaty runs so I have no idea what happened there, but my guess is it's something similar.

Bottom line from Garmin is that there's nothing wrong with the watch/monitor, it's just gonna do that in certain situations.  I've heard the soft strap HR monitor is no better to worse than the standard one. 
2010-09-03 2:13 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Elite
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Miami
Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
it has to do with the HR monitor strap...as above ^ common problem.

i just changed mine out to the old gen strap it works well but is not as comfy.
2010-09-03 2:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
I've got an old Timex HRM that does that.  Except that then it stays in the 200's, which is really unlikely a true reading.  My Garmin is not reliable until I work up a sweat to maintain the contacts.


2010-09-03 2:22 PM
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?

I've had this problem and I have just decided that I'll just live with it until they come up with a better replacement or when I get back home (I am on an extended work trip) that I will go back to the old style strap which is compatable. 

Somedays are worse than others, but it usually takes working up a good sweat to get it to function if it doesn't from the start.  My issues have almost always been at the start whether it was biking or running. 

2010-09-03 2:29 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
You also might want to check for external souces of interference.

I used to have a similiar problem with a polar computer.  If it happens at the same place in your ride or run all the time, it could be interference from some other source.  High tension power lines, transformers, certain building security systems, etc.  I had to make note of where those locations were and delete that data from my files.  I don't know that you can delete Garmin info though.

I also have a high power light on my bike handlebars for winter riding (commuting) that would throw the entire system off (HR & speed).  I fixed it by wrapping the light in foil (no joke).
2010-09-03 2:32 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
I've personally never had that issue, but the wifey lost my coded strap a couple of months ago, so I have no new HR info.

Side note: My HR has only passed 190 one time. I'm jealous of your collective abilities to survive longer if the poop hits the fan. :p
2010-09-03 2:41 PM
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
Mine would do this all the time, go from 145 to maintain 245 for 10 miles or so. I found that it only occured using the "premium" strap when wore under a technical shirt. I called Garmin, they sent me a couple of new premium straps and it kept doing it, finally I asked for the "old type" of strap and it hasn't happened since.
2010-09-03 3:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?

It's happened to me the last 4 runs, and I haven't worn a shirt on any of them.

PLENTY of sweat, too!....lol

I'll check out the Garmin forum link.....and, thanks!

p.s. - can someone clue me in on the "old" strap?  Mine is only months old (my unit).



2010-09-03 4:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
nc452010 - 2010-09-03 3:42 PM

It's happened to me the last 4 runs, and I haven't worn a shirt on any of them.

PLENTY of sweat, too!....lol

I'll check out the Garmin forum link.....and, thanks!

p.s. - can someone clue me in on the "old" strap?  Mine is only months old (my unit).



Mine would do it without a shirt as well with the newer strap. I was told my a couple Garmin employees, that one of the problems is the sensor are so close together and with the way they are integrated with the cloth strap, that excessive sweat and moisture can cause them to short circuit and cause weird readings.
Here are pics of the new and old straps.



(garmin old.jpg)



(garmin new.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
garmin old.jpg (1KB - 15 downloads)
garmin new.jpg (2KB - 12 downloads)
2010-09-03 4:10 PM
in reply to: #3080971

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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
Well, mine is new.  I guess I'm gonna play around with placement of the transmitter unit (more).
2010-09-03 4:15 PM
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
If yours is only a couple months old, I would call Garmin and see if they will replace yours with a new "old" style, the only down side to the old style is they are not waterproof according to what I have heard, but I wore mine during a race last year and it is still alive and kicking with no problems.
2010-09-03 4:17 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
Dangit!  I read this thread, then go out for a run and boom - 200+ BPM at the start of the run.  Does yours look like this: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/47413981 ?  After 15 min or so it settled down, but I still think it was high, based on my pace.
2010-09-03 4:21 PM
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
DC Rainmaker posted the fix to this problem, it is Garmin's strap which is faulty.  A Polar strap with the Garmin sending unit attached works flawlessly.  Mine was doing the same until I caught Ray's write up.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/08/solution-to-heart-rate-dropoutsspikes.html


2010-09-03 4:22 PM
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
Here is an example of a short easy run I did a while back, notice the pace really doesn't change much but how the HR goes up and stays up.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/43800124
2010-09-03 5:15 PM
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
GLC1968 - 2010-09-03 2:29 PM

You also might want to check for external souces of interference.

I used to have a similiar problem with a polar computer.  If it happens at the same place in your ride or run all the time, it could be interference from some other source.  High tension power lines, transformers, certain building security systems, etc.  I had to make note of where those locations were and delete that data from my files.  I don't know that you can delete Garmin info though.

I also have a high power light on my bike handlebars for winter riding (commuting) that would throw the entire system off (HR & speed).  I fixed it by wrapping the light in foil (no joke).


This also happened with my HRM. I also find if I am training with someone who is also wearing a Polar brand HRM, I get skewed HR numbers. I was in a spin class in the fall with a guy wearing the same one and it was almost exactly doubling our two heart rates. We decided not to sit so close together in the class.

I still adore my HRM for the record - but I am always disappointed when it jacks up the top end because it basically screws up the entire workout file.
2010-09-04 6:58 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
Thanks Jack.  The Rainmaker always has some good info.  I'm going to try the Wear Link strap for 17 bucks.
2010-09-04 9:22 AM
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: Anyone else's 310XT go "Goofy" on HR, sometimes?
 I'm going to try the Wear Link strap for 17 bucks.

If this is a "fix" for the 310XT problem, please post a link to where I can go this route, also.

Thanks.

jeff
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