My HRm Pro + review: I upgraded my Garmin 405 to the Garmin 955 through a trade-in program and, in doing so, also upgraded my Heart Rate Monitor Strap (Garmin - HRM1B) and bike sensors to work with the 955. I love the 955, but the strap is a hot mess. I wanted the HRM Pro + strap to track my steps and heart rate without wearing the 955. Great I can wear the strap while doing yard work without possible damage to the 955. Another benefit is that the strap removes the need for a foot pod that I had to have for indoor running with the 405. It sounded like a win, win. I had to fully extend the Garmin HRM Pro + strap to wear it; it was about as tight as the older Garmin HRM1B. The strap was a snuggle fit, but it didn't prevent breathing. I would have adjusted it to be a bit looser if I was able. Not much more, probably another inch, but the strap is as loose as it can go. The area the strap fits around on me is 42", and the HRM1B may have had about an additional inch of play. The issue is the design of the HRM Pro +. It is an all-in-one design with the strap over-molded onto the fabric strap with a metal C Clasp to hold it in place. The C Clasp is supposed to be prevented from touching the skin with the use of a thin small pad that goes under it and between your skin and the C Clasp. The pad is not big enough, and the C Clasp causes the pad to become rigid against the skin and, for me, caused a large horizontal gash about two inches long after wearing it for about 4 to 6 hours while mowing the lawn and doing some yard work! The older Garmin HRM1B heart rate strap was a much better design. The sensor area was separate from the strap, didn't have sharp edges but was rounded with about 1/8" thickness, and connected clasps that were shaped to fit your chest better and never to cut into you! My older Garmin HRM1B still works with a few battery replacements but was so comfortable I could wear it for hours without issue, but it lacks the updated connectivity and capabilities of the HRM Pro +. I contacted Garmin support about the strap cutting me, and they requested I send them the HRM back for review. I did so to help and provided in-depth thoughts on the design as well as pictures. I requested some sizing guidance and was told the HRM Pro + should be fine for a 42" chest measurement. Below are Garmin’s questions and my answers regarding the HRM Pro + Do you think that it may be the fabric tab and not the metal clasp? >> Great question, and after placing the strap on and looking at where the cut is, I was wondering the same thing. Admittedly I am not in the shape I once was and after looking at this, I believe that bending or moving the tab with the clasp under it was rubbing my skin, and after some time, it irritated and cut into my skin. I am unsure if the protected plastic tab (it doesn't look like fabric to me) or clasp (which looks to be plastic and smooth) caused the cut, but I believe it is a combination of both. The clasp rests at the very top of the plastic tab and stiffens the edge of the tab, making it more likely to cut into flesh like a paper cut. The plastic tab does have a fine edge. I believe this edge being supported by the clasp under it caused the cut. (See attached) There isn't enough plastic tab to roll over the clasp allowing the edge to collapse, reducing the edge contacting the body during movement. I might suggest making the tab wider so it can flex and bend over the clasp as the body moves, or a Velcro option might work as long as the Velcro edge is below the strap edge. Another option might have a material you wrap over the clasp and lock it in place with Velcro or make the plastic tab thicker like found on the older Garmin HRM1B. (See Pic) Also, do you think there is enough band that we can try a little looser next time? Or are you at the end of the band? Let me know, and I appreciate the help. >> As discussed, the band is adjusted fully open, and no slack is available. I didn't feel the band digging in, but my skin and flesh were pressed into the band at the plastic tab/clasp area during movement. The measure I took just below my pectoral muscles where I wear the strap was 42". The older Garmin HRM1B strap is just a bit looser and has more strap adjustment available but has a thicker band in the same area; the HRM Pro + clasp and plastic tab rest on your body. (See attached) The HRM1B strap is connected to my 955 and is called HR - 28350 in the 955 settings. I did try to loosen the HRM Pro + a little bit more, but the stitching of the seam at the length adjustment area prevents this and will bunch up, creating a less-than smooth strap. (See attached) The strap was a snuggle fit, but it didn't prevent breathing. I would have adjusted it to be a bit looser if I was able. Not much more, probably another inch, but the strap is as loose as it can go. Ok, so I receive a replacement, and it is still too small to fit, but the over-molded area of the sensors has a sharp edge you can feel with your fingers! The other band did not have a sharp edge like the replacement leading me to believe there are manufacturing issues. I wore the band for less than an hour, and it was cutting into me where the sensor over-mold area was sharp to touch. The C Clasp was just as bad, and I could feel it start to dig in there as well. I am highly disappointed in this strap and will return it and use the older Garmin strap until I find something else. I see some other reviewers have had similar experiences with the HRM Pro + strap, and it might be the strap is just a bit tight, and the edges need to be a bit wider with a rounded edge to make it as comfortable as the older Garmin HRM1B. Per Garmin, the HRM Pro + is meant to be a throw-away strap with about a two-year life expectancy! Wow, I think that tells it all when the older Garmin strap is still working today. I am sure this strap will work for some, but I cannot recommend it at this time.

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

Good stuff!!! Thanks!

Thanks for the review. I ordered the HRM Pro + to use with my new 955 after upgrading from a 405 and HRM1B Heart Rate Monitor. The HRM Pro + is not as comfortable as the HRM1B, and I don't believe the attachment clip will last. The HRM1B was sculptured to your body, you could just replace the stretch band, and it was easier to clean. The HRM Pro + is a throw-away device if the strap wears out or the attachment clip breaks! The production cost of this device is definitely less than the HRM1B. The little pad that goes between your body and the attachment clip on the Pro is not large enough to prevent the clip from digging into you. Unfortunately, the HRM Pro + is the strap to have if you own the 955, but I wish it was more comfortable as I also want to wear it without my watch to track activities like yard work (steps). I like the fact that you can do this with the HRM Pro +, and I can ditch the foot pod for indoor treadmill runs. Maybe I will get used to the strap, but after seeing many reports of the HRM Pro failing in a year or so, I am concerned about its longevity. Cross my fingers. I wore the new HRM Pro + for the first time today while doing yard work, and it tracked my steps and heart rate, but it also cut into my side at the clip! I know have a welt there after wearing it for five hours. The strap is as tight as my older HRM1B, and I have loosened it as far as possible. I don't believe it is too tight, but the design is flawed. The clip does not stay under the small flap on the band but rides up and contacts my chest digging into it! Not sure the benefits outweigh the lack of comfort while wearing.

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

I think the max time I wore it was a few hours. Interested to see what other folks wearing it that long have to say!

Thank you Jake, for sharing!!

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

No carlos, thank you for being here!

Thanks! I hope that Garmin give you something, cause I bought it after your review .. :)

Using this strap, do I need to start the activity by pressing a button? Or when I start the activity, the strap detects it and starts an activity automatically? Can I use it away from my cell phone or watch? When I stop the activity, does the belt stop the activity? Or do I need to press a button?

hello i am new to the Garmin world, i bought a Fenix 7, i have always wanted to know my VO2Max, but the watch kept telling me that i needed a HR monitor, so i bought this one, and thats my 1st question, why doesn't the watch use its HR monitor to come up with the Vo2Max?, after I bought it i found out that i need to run to get my Vo2Max, why couldnt i get it with cycling? (2nd question) i really don't run, so this feels like a waste of money for me. Can anyone guide me to the advantages of utilizing a HR Monitor for a person that only rides?

Which monitor would you recommend for only-cycling? I have Garmin computer and garmin power pedals; I’m wondering if HRM and Power pedals can be used simultaneously on cycling computer? Also name of the song at 5:00??

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

Oh heck yea they can! Any brand HRM will sync up to your computer with pedals as well.

HRM plus battery door is the only advantage over the HRM. I have both, and the standard HRM has received a software update to match the features

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

Good to know!!! Then you’re right finally fixing the battery door is the only upgrade.

@Foyzur32

Жыл бұрын

Also, it's nice that we have a door to open easily, but in martial arts situation, it's not difficult to punch or kick either side of the door, which rotates it a little, and a little is all it takes to unseal it. So I'm keeping the HRM for contact sport and the plus for everything else (repacking my polar H10

Also memory is a good feature and needed for swimming.

“I’m not one of those guys.” And yet, here we are.

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

I thought it as I said it.

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

@SigTwenty Biking what does Baby Back Maniac know....

It's not a joke, I ordered mine very early on a Monday morning and the next afternoon it was already at the door of my house, very good Garmin, you are the best. the product is unbeatable

@juandiegoperez6994

7 ай бұрын

Garmin Amazon Store

@DCTassadar

5 ай бұрын

Beatable. Even with previous versions of garmin hr straps, simply because older ones allowed to change strap. This one, strap damaged - throw out everything)

$130 for removing the battery screws. No thanks Garmin, why are you so expensive.? Appreciate the review and your time. I'll stick to my $60 wahoo tikr .

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

@Pezby69 I'm with you.

@Thibaut_Gstn

Жыл бұрын

Can you use a wahoo tikr with a fenix watch ? Was looking to buy this hrm pro plus to use with my fenix

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

Yep! Pairs super well!

@seanPar

Жыл бұрын

My ticker sucks. Worked for a few weeks and then stopped working. So sad.

@seanPar

Жыл бұрын

My ticker x is so bad I can’t even use it without wanting to have a heart attack, probably the most frustrating harm I have. I’ve been using this Garmin since it came out and not one problem.

When am I going to see you at Richardson…? 👀

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

Trenton! I'm still trying to build up my new bike. I'm hoping two weeks or less? NEED MORE MONEY. haha

which unit is recommended for cycling?,, the normal garmin??

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

I recommend the basic model for cycling. I just got some polar HRMs I’m about to review as well. Check on the cons for the issues I experienced. 👍🏻

@SteveHofsaess

Жыл бұрын

@@ten96cycling fast response,, is the basic model any better than my 8 year old unit?

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

Most likely. Honestly depends how much you use it. I find that I go through HRMs quick because of how much I sweat. I have started buying the cheap model off Amazon for about $30 for daily use.

Do u think its better than hrm pluss review honesty

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

If you don’t mind spending $130. Other wise no.

@paginini

Жыл бұрын

@@ten96cycling thanks.. dont mind if the sofware is better

Ok, I failed to mention that it was through Amazon

hrm pro e compatível amazon stratos 3

We all make mistakes…..

overpriced to be sure

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

Gotta agree. But I also guess it depends on what you’re gonna use it for.

That hat is horrible

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

I mean is it really though?? I can think of worse things in 2022. HAHA.

@Mike_nym

Жыл бұрын

Nice hat dude

thumbs down just for the hat

@ten96cycling

Жыл бұрын

Haha. It’s only taken 30,000 views for someone to finally say something. 😂 I wear it in all my videos