HRM strap during swim

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2013-03-20 9:25 PM

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Expert
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Floriduh
Subject: HRM strap during swim
I would like to use my HRM during my Oly next month.  In the past I have worn my polar HRM and an old "plastic style" chest strap that I wrapped with a bit of electrical tape to keep water out of battery compartment.  I will now use my new Garmin (I really dig this thing) and the ant+ strap I have for this is the "soft style" type.  Has anyone worn this type of strap when swimming and how did you keep water out of battery?

2013-03-20 9:43 PM
in reply to: #4668302

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Regular
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Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
Sorry to disappoint, but my understanding is that the Garmin HRM strap won't work in the water.  The manual for my 910 says, "This product does not transmit heart rate data to your GPS device while swimming".  It's a shame as it would be able to truly track your HR zone performance while swimming.
2013-03-20 9:51 PM
in reply to: #4668302

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Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
Ok, so it doesn't track your heart rate during the swim, but to follow-up on Oysterboy's post, can you wear it during the swim so you don't have to put it on in transition.  Is it waterproof enough to wear during your swim or will it get ruined.  I'm not sure if that's what your asking Oysterboy but I have the same question if that's what you mean and if not sorry for partial hijack.
2013-03-20 9:59 PM
in reply to: #4668328

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Expert
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Floriduh
Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim

Hunting Triathlete - 2013-03-20 9:51 PM Can you wear it during the swim so you don't have to put it on in transition.  Is it waterproof enough to wear during your swim or will it get ruined. 

Exactly, I know that the HRM and GPS is real spotty in the water but I will wear the strap from the start of the race so I don't have to put the thing on in T1.

2013-03-20 10:00 PM
in reply to: #4668302

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New user
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Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
Garmin says the soft strap will work as far as keeping it on for a race. It will not transmit data during swim.
https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId=%...
2013-03-20 10:03 PM
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Oakville
Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim

I can't speak for the "soft style" type HRM strap, but I have a Garmin 305 with the standard strap which I used in all my races last year. 

I think the battery compartment is water tight but I put some electrical tape over it for extra protection.

As posted above, the HRM will not transmit through water, but I keep track of HR during the bike and run and save a few seconds in T1 by already having it on. 

2013-03-21 1:25 AM
in reply to: #4668302

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Master
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Johns Creek, Georgia
Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
I have the old style HRM strap (don't like the soft strap) and wear it for all my races from start of swim to finish. Does not pick up HR as others have said, but its on already without having to deal with it in T1. I do not out tape or put anything over battery, the cover has a gasket so its waterproof. I have had no issues with water getting inside.
2013-03-21 2:58 AM
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Member
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Co Louth, Ireland
Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
I have the soft strap with my 310 and used in in my last olympic - just put in on under my trisuit and wetsuit and forgot about it! No problems at all - recorded some HR data but it wasn't accurate at all. Didn't tape it up as it says it water tight but I suppose you could to be extra cautious.
2013-03-21 3:57 AM
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New user
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Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim

I wear my HRM strap druing the swim so I don't need to mess with it during transition.  I have the Garmin "soft strap".

Good Luck in your Oly.

2013-03-21 7:33 AM
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Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
Yes, Garmin manual says it is waterproof it just doesn't work in the water.  There is an o-ring seal on the battery compartment if you take the four screws out.
2013-03-21 10:21 AM
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Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
I've worn mine for every race I've done, wetsuit or not without any problems.

2013-03-21 11:18 AM
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Veteran
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Queen Creek, AZ
Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
Several tris with wearing my Garmin HR strap (old style) and never a problem.  It starts picking up the HR about 10 feet out of the water.  I have  never worried about the battery. 
2013-03-21 11:23 AM
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Master
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Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
I wear mine from gun to tape as well... the only thing I've found to be an issue is having it slide down my body during the swim, usually only during non-wetsuit swims.  Must be because I'm so freaking fast in the water, NOT.  A couple pieces of medical tape solves this issue for me.
2013-03-21 9:02 PM
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Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim

Thank ypu everyone, and oysterboy for asking the question.

 

2013-03-21 9:12 PM
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Expert
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Greenville, SC
Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
i wear mine during the swim, just make sure you have it tight enough that the water doesn't it push it down around your waist during the swim.
2013-03-21 9:14 PM
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Regular
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Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim
I've done about 10 race swims with my Garmin HRM on under my wetsuit/trisuit no problems with water getting into the electronics

2013-03-22 2:13 AM
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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: HRM strap during swim

I wear the strap during the swim. I found that with the 910xt this was the way to go in order to pair with the HRM before race start, I first tried putting it on in T1 and it didn't pair automatically.

I have however also experienced erroneous HR data for the first part of the bike, I suppose because of the strap being too soaked short circuiting the two sensors(?), see here:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/220903409

and here:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/231620527

BR, Erik

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