Garmin heart rate monitor
367
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837 days
mdd posted 1 year ago.
I never wear a HR during the swim. If you are actually able to check your HR while swimming then you probably are not swimming very fast! :)
In all seriousness I would leave the HR off during the swim and if you want to put it on during T1 then go for it.
190
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1063 days
jmruns430 posted 1 year ago.
I have the 301, which is the older version of the 305, and I know that Garmin says it is not in any way shape or form waterproof. The problem I believe is the computer connection port doesn't handle sealing well enough to waterproof the device. I don't know if they've made this improvement in the 305, but I don't think I'd risk it if it isn't stated on the website.
I've learned that I do better not racing with my garmin (as well as my cheapo HRM) because something always ends up not functioning or sitting (or receiving GPS) right and I get distracted and fidget with it during the race .
325
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1695 days
jeslol posted 1 year ago.
Garmins aren't meant for water. The chest strap is fine, but the receiver is not.
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616 days
getdusty posted 1 year ago.
Thanks Jeslol, that's what I was wondering... I don't need the wrist unit on for the swim but was more concerned about whether the chest strap was fine in water for an extended period. I couldn't find any documentation anywhere.
40
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818 days
Keebler71 posted 1 year ago.
I have a Garmin 301. I don't swim with it tough. I turn the wrist unit on to before the race and leave it under my helmet (so that it acquires - make sure it is fully charged the night before though) and put it and the chest strap on during T1. Probably adds 10 seconds max to my T1 time which is nothing to me since I am mid-pack.
4508
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1646 days
kylie posted 1 year ago.
I've swam in the HRM strap for the 301 and had no problems so far.
367
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837 days
mdd posted 1 year ago.
Keebler71;65072 wrote:
I have a Garmin 301. I don't swim with it tough. I turn the wrist unit on to before the race and leave it under my helmet (so that it acquires - make sure it is fully charged the night before though) and put it and the chest strap on during T1.
I set mine up just as you describe (I have the 305) but do not use it until the run. I grab it going out of T2 and put it on while on the course. I don't think it slows me down at all to put it on. For shorter races I just use the watch and leave the HR strap at home since the pace information is more useful to me and the HR info doesn't mean as much.
Overall the 301 or 305 is a great racing and training device in my opinion and worth every penny!
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818 days
Keebler71 posted 1 year ago.
Quote:
Overall the 301 or 305 is a great racing and training device in my opinion and worth every penny!
If only Garmin had a crude power measuring accessory like Polar now does... it would be perfect!
17
Member
616 days
getdusty posted 1 year ago.
kyillee;65091 wrote:
I've swam in the HRM strap for the 301 and had no problems so far.
Thanks kyillee, that's exactly what I was asking. I want to expand out to 70.3 and full ironman distances next year (maybe Kona in 2 yrs... perhaps that more than a little optimistic but hwy not?) so building my heart rate tollerences and strength is really important - at least if I want to be even remotely competitive. Let's face it, why do it if there's not at least a small element of competitiion:D
Just a quick follow up, I heard back from Garmin and they confirmed that the heart sensor is not waterproof on the 305 so you're on your own if it gets wrecked.
Does anyone using the Garmin 305 wear the heart rate monitor strap during the swim leg?
Is is waterproof (enough) to handle say and hour or hour and a half long 4 km swim? I know the wrist unit isn't designed for that but I'm curious about the sensor itself. I don't want to be fiddling with a heart strap during a transition or trying to fit into it while clipped into my bike and navigating traffic.
I'm half way tempted to stay with my cheapo polar hrm and keep my forerunner 205 for the rest. It would just be nice to simplify and have my bike computer / cadence sensor, my Garmin and my hrm all in one unit and be able to transition with all my info lumped together.