5 Comments

• #1 by J. Lance on May 25, 2010 - 9:02 pm

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  (Please note: the other user’s negative review for this item is not accurate. The photo pictured is accurate for the Premium HRM, Product Number 010-10997-02. See below for update to original review.)

  ORIGINAL REVIEW:
  
  I tested out my friend’s Premium Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) on the trail this weekend and was extremely impressed and ordered mine yesterday. (My hat is off to Amazon – this is a better deal than dealer’s pricing.)

  The premium HRM is an excellent accessory to my Forerunner 405, which I initially purchased without a HRM, and the additional data set will be a big help to me when charting my progress and seeing gains over the same terrain over time, not to mention a decent “zone” training aid when road cycling.

  A VERY IMPORTANT ITEM OF NOTE that people tend to forget/ignore when using these HRMs is that you need to wet the contacts for an accurate reading. You can use water, or simply rub some spit on in a pinch, but I would recommend swinging by a running store and getting a bottle of gel – it’s cheap and it lasts forever, plus in my experience it provides the most accurate data… which is what we’re interested in with these toys, right?

  Enjoy! I know I will – happy trails.
  
  —-
  
  UPDATE, Feb. 11th: Just a brief follow-on update from my original pre-review.

  After three runs, this HRM functions beautifully. I have zero data spikes, my 405 picks up the signal immediately, and I haven’t even had to use my runner’s electrode gel for the contacts; just wet the contacts in the sink and strap it on and go. Simply put, it works PERFECTLY.

  It’s also great having the training data to see which zone I’m training in or “Why did that run suck so hard?!”… oh, my hr was sky-rocketing and I was pushing too hard for event ‘x’.

  I would post an image here if I could so you could see the solid data and corresponding Garmin Connect screen capture.

  Solid product, five stars.
  Rating: 5 / 5

• #2 by Anonymous on May 25, 2010 - 11:47 pm

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  I don’t know why Garmin won’t package this version with their watches, as the premium heart rate strap actually works. I found the stock strap to be finicky and inaccurate, even with gel. The premium strap works right off the bat without gel and doesn’t lose signal through-out the activity. It stays in place running, biking (on and off road), or hiking and is about as comfortable as they get. The snap closure in the front makes putting this on/off very easy. Overall I’d say this is as accurate as my polar strap, and a tad more comfortable. I always found polar to set the benchmark, but this takes it a little further in comparison and is a “no brainer” if you are having problems with the stock Garmin strap.
  Rating: 5 / 5

• #3 by Ethan Anderson on May 26, 2010 - 1:44 am

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  I use this strap with the Garmin 110 GPS watch. It’s easy to adjust, stays where you put it, and connected to the watch within seconds. It’s as comfortable as the Polar cloth strap, and the center batter holder/transmitter is thinner. I was able to use the strap without wetting the sensors.
  Rating: 5 / 5

• #4 by deepclue on May 26, 2010 - 3:36 am

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  This alleged premium heart rate transmitter doesn’t even work under water. Don’t take my word for it–the enclosed instructions plainly say so. One wonders then why they advertise it as being submergible down to 30 meters. Those of us who cross-train are out of luck when it comes to swimming: As soon as the transmitter is under water the Garmin receiver loses the signal. I had this problem with the standard transmitter that came with my HRM and thought a “premium” 30-meter-capable unit would solve it. Apparently not only was I wrong, Garmin knew this upfront, took my money, and laughed all the way to the bank. What a poor, poor engineering choice to weaken the radio signal in the name (I suppose) of battery life. I’m very disappointed.
  Rating: 2 / 5

• #5 by Lavie Sharon on May 26, 2010 - 6:10 am

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  With this monitor I hardly can feel that I am waring one. The connection with my Forerunner 405 is perfect. I wet the sensors on the stripe with a little water on a finger before I go out running and the connection is excellent. No rubs on the skin.
  Rating: 5 / 5