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As the HRM strap fro my Garmin 810 has become somewhat suspect and quite frankly its a nuisance carrying the unit when I go running I'm looking into getting a GPS/HRM watch instead. There appears to be a minefield of options available from the various big companies but I was curious if anyone had any experience of using a lesser known brand or china copy/Gear Best type thing?
I know it's a Garmin again, but run4it are doing a special discount on the range, including thev Forerunner 35. Apply the 5brands5days code at checkout and you get it for £111
I like my TomTom cardio spark, Wiggle have some on at a good price currently. I've got one and like it. Only slight annoyance is that recording using GPS and HRM will only give you 4-5 hrs before it needs recharging.
had a decathlon one for a while functioned very well and if wanted to go that way again would buy another - only stopped using as preferred to use a phone app and one less item to keep charged
[url] https://www.decathlon.co.uk/onmove-500-gps-cardio-watch-id_8391963.html [/url]
Aside from buying a watch I would put money on the garmin hrm problem just being a worn out strap. Something inside the strap breaks giving you intermittent or no reading. The actual units themselves are very rarely the problem. Pretty much any strap will work even the cheap eBay ones. I went for a polar one and it solved the issues. You may just have to trim the rubber down around the press studs to fit but it’s easy and pretty obvious.
Have a look at the amazfit stratos. Lots of positive reviews on YouTube.
I had one briefly. They sent a Chinese language one rather than English, so I didn't get very far.
I'd read online about this being a known issue with the Garmin HRM straps and the polar ones were a good option and certainly the cheapest solution. Had considered getting a watch as it would mean not having to wear the HRM strap and having to carry the 810 unit in my hand when I run. My shorts have a small key pocket and it feels uncomfortable if the Garmin is in there too.
There are plenty of aftermarket HRM straps that will work with your Garmin - Got mine on Amazon for £23. I also have a Tom Tom GPS HRM watch that I generally use for tracking all my activities - only using a bar mounted GPS when I need navigation.
Which one did you go for if you don't mind me asking?