Price: $69.99 MSRP
Availability: Online or Retail
How Obtained: Company sample
RBR Advertiser: No
Strap Length: Adjustable from 25″ to 52″ (63.5 cm to 132 cm)
Water Resistance: 1 ATM
Battery: User-replaceable size CR2032 (3 volts)
Battery Life: Up to 3.5 years (based on average use of 1 hour per day)
Operating Temperature: 23°F–122°F (-5°C–50°C)
Radio Frequency/Protocol: 2.4 GHz ANT+ wireless communications protocol; Bluetooth 5.0
Range: 3 meters
System Compatibility: ANT+, Bluetooth
Heart Rate Data On Virtually All Your Training Toys
I’ve been using a Wahoo trainer and Zwift via Bluetooth for a couple years now but have been frustrated that my Garmin ANT+ HR monitor that came with my Edge 1000 wouldn’t pick up on the Zwift app. If you use Zwift, you know that it’s ANT+ or Bluetooth. You can’t run both at the same time or they fight for control of your trainer.
In late January Garmin introduced their HRM-Dual heart rate monitor which has dual transmission. This makes it easy to have accurate heart rate data on Garmin devices, compatible gym equipment, and third-party training apps. Yep, I did a little happy dance as I read the press release.
Here’s a list of devices and apps I paired and tested with the HRM-Dual.
- Garmin Edge 1000
- Garmin Forerunner 920 XT triathlon watch
- Wahoo Kickr trainer
- Wahoo Headwind
- Wahoo Fitness app
- Zwift app
- Apple iPhone X
I found it simple to pair the HRM-Dual to both my Garmin devices, Wahoo Headwind fan, Apple iPhone X and 3rd party apps. Just pair as you would any other sensor and be sure you are within 3 meters of the device. The HR monitor picked up quickly and then consistently read the same HR no matter what device/app I was using.
Same Comfortable Garmin Strap
If you have used the Garmin soft strap you know it is comfortable, adjustable and washable. You just put it on and forget about it. Garmin recommends you wet the contact areas before putting it on, but it was rare I needed to do this step.
The HRM module snaps on/off the strap in order to safely wash it by hand or on the gentle cycle in cold water. Garmin suggests rinsing the strap off after every ride and machine wash after every 7 uses. In both cases, hang to dry. I use a linen bag when machine washing, so the closure doesn’t snag any clothing.
The HRM-Dual is rated IPX7, 1 ATM water resistant. That means it is suitable for splashes, rain, snow or showering. But it is not suitable for swimming, diving into water, snorkeling, scuba or high-speed watersports. Basically, don’t throw the HRM module in the washing machine. You’ll be sorry!!!
About a month ago, I had to replace my older Garmin strap because it was falling apart. The glue holding the electrode covering wasn’t holding any more. I cheeped out and went on Amazon to buy a third-party version for $13. Well, it wasn’t comfortable at all. The strap was made from rough material the edges weren’t smooth. Also, the closure didn’t have that piece of material covering the hook, so it chafed. Basically, the cheap knockoff strap is just worthless. Live and learn.
Battery Life
According to Garmin’s web site, the CR2032 battery (3 volts) will last up to 3.5 years based on average use of 1 hour/day. When the battery does run out, you can replace it yourself by unscrewing 4 screws on the back plate
Bottom Line
Garmin’s new HRM-Dual heart rate monitor has dual transmission making it easy to have accurate heart rate data on Garmin devices, compatible gym equipment, and third-party training apps. Using ANT+ or Bluetooth, you have more possibilities to connect. This is a great step forward in compatibility with all your “training toys”.
Word of caution when replacing batteries that have been in for some time. It is VERY EASY to strip the head of the four small screws that you must remove to change the battery. The correct size screwdriver is imperative. The kind you find in an eyeglass kit work well. And in the corollary assembly afterwards, it is very easy to cross thread the screws when re-installing. Make certain you are relaxed, have the right tools and work slowly and patiently. This is not a job to take on when you are in a rush.
Agreed, learned this one the hard way fortunately I was looking into purchasing the HRM dual since my old Garmin HRM wasn’t compatible with Zwift and doing exactly what you described gave me the excuse! But definitely need to be careful when doing the replacement otherwise you will be spending money you weren’t planning on.
Question: I’m new to heart rate monitors. Do I have to have my phone with me to record the data or can the chest strap save the data from say an hour’s workout and then sync with my phone/app when I get home?
You would need to sync it with your phone or fitness tracker
The HRM Dual syncs continually.
A separate HRM-Tri model for triathlons can record and store data while swimming (can’t sync up under water, so it syncs up when you’re out of it). It might be able to record and store during cycling or running, then sync when you get home — but definitely for those sports the default assumption is it’s syncing with a device you have with you.
Do I need a specific app on my iphone to capture the information from the hrm-dual?
does the HRM Dual capture information to the Garmin Connect app as my garmin watch isn’t compatible
Basically, once you have it set up so that the Bluetooth is connected with your phone, then the Garmin Connect app should be able to capture the heart rate while you’re running, and the older Garmin watch would also be able to get the ANT+ signal simultaneously. So it seems like it should work the way you need it to.
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=125677&tab=topics
I have now been through3 Garmin Dual HRM’s. They work pretty well but mine last less than 5,000 miles. Maybe i am doing something wrong but I (normally) run it under a tap after a ride but on both of my previous straps they have fallen apart at the joins (literally). Garmin are the only brand I am aware of that do not have 1 continually piece of stretchable material as the band (but glue strips together). Seems like a design fault to me and now the prices have risen (from my first about 3 years ago at £35) to £100today, I think it is time to find a better alternative.
Any rec0mmendations ?
I had a similar problem with my chest strap and I found out it was the electrical conduit on the underside of the strap to be defective. This can be confirmed by noting you can pair the heart rate monitor with a device, but there is no heartbeat reading on the display. I a strong feeling the conduit broke during washing even though I was quite careful doing this by hand. Basically, the chest strap is rubbish and flimsy.
The solution was to get a replacement chest strap. In my case I got a CooSpo Heart Rate Chest Strap on Amazon for about £5 here in Japan – just make sure the distance between the electrodes is 45 mm. Works like a charm and feels a little more comfortable too.
I’m trying to see if anyone has had trouble/success using the Garmin dual with the PEAR fitness app? It worked the day I got the HRM and I did a fitness test on PEAR with it, but it hasn’t displayed my heart rate since. PEAR says the HRM is connected, full battery and signal, but it just won’t show my HR. The HR works on Garmin Connect during a recorded activity. I have reached out to PEAR, but so far they just said Garmin HRM is proprietary and doesn’t work with third party.
I do not use PEAR but I had a similar issue with my Tacx trainer/ZWIFT set up. In the end I took the battery out of my HRM and unpaired from the devices then reconnected an paired. It seems to work now but I believe it is very temperamental.
Does anyone know how to pair either a Garmin Fenix 5 or Garmin Dual Heart Rate chest strap to ipad Zwift app ? even when plugging in an Ant+ dongle to the ipad it’s not showing up with or without the watch on “broadcast mode”. Please help, thanks
I am disappointed that the electronics do not last longer. This is already my third Garmin HRM in six years. Okay, I am using it a lot and had to replace the battery at least once. But then they just stop working – maybe it is the humidity they are exposed to. I am sticking to Garmin’s HRM because it communicates with my Garmin bike computer seamlessly. Anyone having similar issues?