General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Garmin HR Monitor battery life Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2014-12-02 10:56 AM

User image

Member
560
5002525
Utah
Subject: Garmin HR Monitor battery life
How long does the battery last typically on a Garmin HR monitor? I am talking about the one on the strap, not the watch itself. Also, will it just die on you or act weird beforehand? Typical use for mine would be between 8-11 hours a week of training, and I've had it for 4 months. Thanks in advance!


2014-12-02 10:59 AM
in reply to: KatieLimb

User image

Expert
4594
20002000500252525
Middle River, Maryland
Silver member
Subject: RE: Garmin HR Monitor battery life

My 4+ years of experience with the several different Garmin HRMs is that I have no idea.  Seriously, it's been all over the place.  I've had ones last 2+ years and then die out in 3 months.  The batteries are cheap now so it's not really an issue, but yes they HRMs act weird before they stop transmitting (like more dropouts than usual, weird spikes, etc.).

2014-12-02 1:25 PM
in reply to: KatieLimb

User image

Member
1748
100050010010025
Exton, PA
Subject: RE: Garmin HR Monitor battery life
My experience is that it will last a couple of years. None mine just died, they just acted funny like sending data that was obviously wrong.

Battery life can be compromised by hot and cold weather before you bought it, so how long it lasts you never really know.
2014-12-02 3:02 PM
in reply to: KatieLimb

User image

Subject: RE: Garmin HR Monitor battery life

I usually replace mine twice a year.  I generally use it for about 12-15 hours a week though.  The cost is so cheap, I just do it before the battery has a chance to die.  I am the same way with my power meter batteries.  I would rather spend an extra $3-5 a year changing batteries more frequently than needed than have the thing die on my during the middle of an important ride.  That would drive me crazy.  HR isn't so critical to me...but the habit carried over.  I actually carry a spare battery for my quarq in my saddle bag now just in case.  It's easy enough to swap in 30 seconds.

2014-12-03 8:00 AM
in reply to: KatieLimb

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Garmin HR Monitor battery life

Originally posted by KatieLimb How long does the battery last typically on a Garmin HR monitor? I am talking about the one on the strap, not the watch itself. Also, will it just die on you or act weird beforehand? Typical use for mine would be between 8-11 hours a week of training, and I've had it for 4 months. Thanks in advance!

I seem to pick up some salt and/or static in mine. This tends to give erratic readings early on, usually reading very high or spiking around. Tends to calm down once I start sweating or the band is wet. For me, when the battery is getting low it can take a bit longer to sync. Sometimes it might drop in the middle of the workout. I notice more on the bike than the run though.

2014-12-03 8:20 AM
in reply to: KatieLimb

User image

Extreme Veteran
933
50010010010010025
Connecticut
Subject: RE: Garmin HR Monitor battery life
It *can* be the battery, but don't be surprised if it's reached the end of its life. Especially the first generation straps that were rubber, they eventually die.


2014-12-03 8:41 AM
in reply to: 0

User image

Master
2406
2000100100100100
Bellevue, WA
Subject: RE: Garmin HR Monitor battery life

The "weak battery, replace it" symptom I saw in my Garmin strap was spiking to 240 bpm on the bike.  The signal couldn't reach all the way to the Edge head unit.  Replace battery, no problem.

Oh, and to save you some trouble: make sure to take off the sticker that may be on one side of the battery. I've replaced those quarter-sized batteries for years, and never before did the battery have a sticker on one side.  But this one did. 

I found it the hard way by replacing the battery, and the HR strap didn't work at all. I took the strap apart, checked again, put the battery back, still no workee.  Bought another battery, and as I was fiddling with it again, THEN I noticed that there was a white sticker on one side of the battery.  Took it off, re-assembled, voila,  And I felt stupid. :-)



Edited by brucemorgan 2014-12-03 8:43 AM
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Garmin HR Monitor battery life Rss Feed  
RELATED POSTS

Garmin 305 Battery Life for Ironman

Started by DV 1
Views: 2182 Posts: 17

2012-04-24 9:57 PM rmiller1976

Garmin 305 battery life

Started by Bearintheair2000
Views: 1287 Posts: 8

2015-01-24 5:28 AM Toefuzz

Replacing Battery in Garmin Soft HR Strap

Started by mjengstrom
Views: 12742 Posts: 9

2011-06-29 11:53 AM CaliforniaGirl

using another HR monitor with a Garmin

Started by elbi999
Views: 683 Posts: 4

2009-08-23 7:43 AM elbi999

Timex Ironman HR Monitor - Battery Eater?

Started by wurkit_gurl
Views: 1241 Posts: 8

2008-12-27 9:04 AM wurkit_gurl
RELATED ARTICLES
date : November 12, 2009
author : Coach AJ
comments : 0
In this review, we put the Garmin Forerunner 405 and the Suunto T6C heart-rate and GPS watches through the wringers.
 
date : March 26, 2008
author : Team BT
comments : 0
Instructions on how to directly upload routes from your Garmin training device into your training logs.