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Returning my Garmin FR35

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2016 10:30 pm
by Nicholas
I am returning my Forerunner 35 watch to Amazon. The heart rate readings from the optical sensor have been high since I got it..."easy" outdoor runs have an average HR of 186 with max of 201. With those readings, I should be toes up in the gutter. Anyways, I plugged in my chest strap today, paired it with the FR35 and repeated an earlier TM run from 10 days ago. The last 3K of a 5K run averaged 160 bpm last time and today it was 88 bpm. And my HR (from the chest strap) when I was walking after the run was more than 10% lower than when I am sitting at my desk (from the optical sensor). Clearly, this optical sensor does not work on my body.
Anyway, it is boxed up and the Amazon return label printed, ready for drop off at UPS tomorrow. In the meantime, I have ordered a Garmin 230 from the RR for less $$$ than the FR 35 since it is on sale at $100 off. In the meantime I am back to my trusty but clunky 310XT.

Re: Returning my Garmin FR35

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 1:08 am
by RobW
I've had my Garmin 230 for about 7 months now and love it. It doesn't have the optical HR sensor but it has everything I want in a running watch.

Re: Returning my Garmin FR35

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 1:31 pm
by La
That sucks, Nick.

I find the optical sensor on my vivoactive to be fairly accurate on me. It might read a bit high during spin class (low 160s, but effort feels more like mid 150s).

Re: Returning my Garmin FR35

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 7:52 pm
by Jwolf
That's too bad. I don't know anyone with the FR35, but I know quite a few people in my HR training group who use the 235 or 735xt and find they work really well. I have the 235 and its awesome. When I first got it I used it a few times with my old watch and chest strap, and the results were almost the same. I used to get way more anomolous readings with the chest strap.

One thing is it has to be tight against my wrist-- any light leaking in/out will throw off the readings (so if you see green light from the sides it probably won't be working well). It also should rest right next to your wrist bone-- some people's wrists might not work well with it. They are probably slightly different from watch to watch, as well. This one has a slightly raised bit where the HR sensor is, so it helps make a good seal against my arm.

Re: Returning my Garmin FR35

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 7:53 pm
by Nicholas
230 arrived and I am playing with it. Already downloaded a new watch face. Outdoor run cancelled tonight due to weather and idiots on the road. Decided to turn around on my way to the group run. Thinking about a trial run on the TM in a bit.....