Garmin has simply introduced their HRM-200 chest strap, a product designed to be their reasonably priced chest strap choice, for situations that may not work as effectively with an optical HR sensor. However maybe extra attention-grabbing, is that it’s the primary of probably many Garmin product refreshes that’s aimed to adjust to upcoming EU rules on authentication and encryption necessities (the identical ones that simply began the dying of ANT+ on Friday).
So whereas it does ANT+ & Bluetooth Good transmission like each different product in the marketplace, it additionally carries with it the power to encrypt your coronary heart fee information stream, in addition to present authentication. I’m not conscious of every other standalone coronary heart fee sensor in the marketplace that does each of these as we speak, and positively none from Garmin.
Concern not although, all of that’s optionally available as we speak. So in case you simply need an correct and reliable chest strap at an affordable value, this delivers, no additional complexity required. And naturally, on this overview I’m going to stroll by the way it works, after utilizing it for all of my exercises for some time now. That’ll cowl the fundamentals, in addition to all of the superior bits, and naturally, a take a look at coronary heart fee accuracy.
Lastly, it is a media loaner from Garmin. I’ll shortly exit and purchase my very own for long-term utilization functions, then return this current one. As all the time, I don’t settle for promoting from any firm I overview, and no corporations sees my critiques earlier than you do. So, in case you discovered this overview helpful, think about changing into a DCR Supporter, which will get you an ad-free website, plus the behind-the-scenes video sequence between each myself (and my spouse) on every little thing that occurs within the DCR Sports activities Tech Cave/universe.
What’s New/Totally different:
Should you have been wanting on the ‘earlier mannequin’ of this gadget, it’d successfully be the Garmin HRM-DUAL chest strap, launched again in January 2019. That stated, there frankly isn’t a whole lot of end-user distinction right here when you get it paired up. It’ll transmit your coronary heart fee to the app of your selection over ANT+ or Bluetooth Good, identical to the HRM-DUAL did. The important thing variations are actually inside the pod design and new ‘Safe’ transmission modes.
In any case, right here’s these variations:
– Modified battery compartment design to adjust to numerous kid-proof coin cell battery legal guidelines (Australia, US, and many others…)
– Added intelligent ’instrument’ to strap, to open stated battery compartment with out requiring one other instrument (e.g. screwdriver, and many others…)
– Added standing LED to entrance of pod
– Added button to entrance of pod for altering modes
– Added capability to change between ‘Open’ (unsecured) and ’Safe’ (encrypted) transmission
– Added one additional channel of Bluetooth (thus limitless concurrent ANT+ connections and three concurrent Bluetooth connections)
– Now supplied in two sizes: XS-S and M-XL
– Similar 3ATM/30m water resistance ranking
– Similar detachable CR2032 coin cell battery + 1 yr battery life
– Value is $79USD
At a excessive stage, the important thing variations between the HRM-200 and the HRM-PRO/PRO-PLUS/HRM-FIT sequence are:
– HRM-200 doesn’t transmit extra Operating Dynamic metrics (that your watch can largely do nowadays with out a strap anyway)
– HRM-200 doesn’t have offline saving options (to avoid wasting information comparable to throughout swimming or soccer if a watch/app isn’t close by)
– HRM-200 doesn’t transmit operating tempo/distance information indoors (or outdoor)
– HRM-200 doesn’t do offline seize of Garmin stats like Depth Minutes, Steps, or Energy (when watch isn’t worn), one thing the others can
Past that, the entire different core expertise is identical as these straps/sensors. For context, the HRM-DUAL nowadays sells for roughly $59 on Amazon, whereas the HRM-PRO Plus sells for normally about $99-$103 on Amazon. The ladies’s centered HRM-FIT continues to be costlier at ~$149USD.
With all that coated, let’s get into it. Given it is a comparatively easy/simple product, I’ll try to preserve issues as temporary as doable.
Each day Utilization:
The very first thing to know in regards to the product is that it is available in two sizes, a smaller sized for chests, and a bigger measurement for bigger chests. In fact, that’s simply the beginning portion. There’s two parts to the product, the strap and the pod. Clearly, the pod comes within the field – however you possibly can all the time purchase a secondary strap down the highway. There’s the sizing chart:
XS-S:
Strap size: 22″–28″ (56–72 cm)
Matches chest measurement 23.5-33.5” (60-85cm)M-XL:
Strap size: 28″–42″ (72–106 cm)
Matches chest measurement 31.5-47”(80-119cm)
The break up pod/strap design isn’t new to Garmin, or coronary heart fee straps. Garmin has used the pod design for a few years. Nevertheless, you’ll discover the brand new LED gentle, which is the primary time Garmin has had an LED or button on their strap.
Flipping the pod over you’ll see the battery compartment. Mentioned compartment complies with numerous newish legal guidelines in each Australia and america that require a instrument design when a coin cell battery is concerned (to make sure youngsters don’t swallow the coin cell/button batteries).
Nevertheless, what’s extremely intelligent right here, is that the instrument is constructed into the strap design. Should you take a look at the clasp, you’ll see it has two little notches on it:
These notches completely match into the battery compartment, permitting you to rotate it and open it up. This rotation does require a good quantity of drive, really, fairly a little bit of drive actually – particularly the primary time. Closing it’s straightforward although. I gave it to each my 7 & 8-year previous daughters to see if they might open it up, neither got here wherever close to near opening it. Thus, it’d be past not possible for a 2-year previous. Kudos Garmin, tremendous intelligent.
As soon as opened, you’ll discover a CR2032 battery inside, which ought to final roughly a yr.
Okay, after closing it again up, it’s time to get it paired up.
At product launch (right here in January 2025), the unit ships by default in ‘Open’ mode. This implies by default it doesn’t require encryption, nor authentication to see your coronary heart fee. For newer Garmin gadgets nevertheless, it is going to require you maintain the button down for 4 seconds to enter pairing mode, which is indicated by a blinking orange icon:
What’s kinda quirky about this, is that for older unaware Garmin gadgets, no pairing mode is required. Similar goes for actually each different gadget on the planet. However Garmin (or their attorneys) are in impact holding themselves to a better customary by requiring you enter pairing mode to make you conscious that the information is unencrypted/open. Whereas for all different gadgets on the market, you don’t must put it in pairing mode in any respect, simply merely put it in your chest to get up, after which seek for the strap inside the gadget.
As soon as in pairing mode, you possibly can open up no matter watch/app/bike pc/Peloton bike/and many others…. you may have, and seek for a coronary heart fee sensor, it’ll discover it on each ANT+ & Bluetooth Good. It’s all the time transmitting concurrently (there’s negligible battery distinction to preserving each sign sorts open).
On a more recent Garmin unit although, at this level it’ll make you conscious of the power to make use of an encrypted session as an alternative. However, assuming you ignore that, then it’ll proceed pairing as regular.
After which, you’ll see it in your sensor pairing record as regular. Discover above at proper, it has slightly ‘unlocked’ icon, indicating it’s an open connection. If we faucet on it, it exhibits extra particulars about it:
You’ll discover above it lists this pairing as each ANT+ & Bluetooth Good succesful, at the moment chosen for ANT+. Additional, it lists this as Open, versus ‘Safe’. You possibly can toggle between ANT+ & Bluetooth Good, although it’ll offer you a warning. That warning is as a result of in some situations, notably a Garmin HRM-PRO sequence strap, there’s extra information not delivered through Bluetooth Good (e.g. Operating Effectivity metrics). However for this extra primary strap it doesn’t have that information.
In any case, with all that set (which actually, solely takes a number of seconds), you’ll see your coronary heart fee information on no matter gadget you may have. Right here for instance, on the Forerunner 965:
And likewise, post-workout, you’ll see all of your abstract stats as you’d count on. That is all on the gadget/app layer although, and actually doesn’t have something to do with the strap per se. This was a run I did linked to the Fenix 8:
The identical seamless connectivity through the Open aspect was true for a slate of motorbike computer systems I used, together with the Garmin Edge 1050, COROS DURA, and Wahoo ACE:
And likewise, additionally no points on TrainerRoad, Zwift, and extra:
Once more, every little thing labored precisely because it has for greater than half a decade, on each ANT+ & Bluetooth Good. It’ll merely show your coronary heart fee, that’s it.
Should you don’t need to be fussed with the rest technical, you possibly can merely skip to the Accuracy or Abstract sections of this overview, and be accomplished with it – that’s all it’s essential know.
As a aspect notice, whereas the Garmin & Polar straps & pods are almost an identical, there are some slight variations that make them not fairly suitable.
Particularly, the Garmin pod design is deeply inset, such that the Garmin pod won’t work on a Polar strap (it’ll barely hang-on, however rapidly fall off, whereas additionally flexing slightly below the pod inflicting chaffing). Nevertheless, the Polar pod does match on the Garmin strap with out challenge. Under, the Garmin HRM-200 pod on the Polar H10 strap:
Once more, simply preserve to the respective straps/pods on every firm, and also you’ll be good.
Authenticated & Encrypted Mode:
In fact, of the largest new options on the HRM-200 is the power to authenticate and encrypt your coronary heart fee information. That’s as a result of upcoming European Union rules require {that a} consumer remember when they’re sending private info out within the open unencrypted. We’ll put aside the truth that actually zero individuals have ever requested for encrypted dwell coronary heart fee information in a health club, however alas, this was sorta collateral injury for extra necessary wi-fi communications that may happen out of your telephone to the web. Within the eyes of this regulation, all wi-fi issues are handled the identical. Thus, right here we’re (preserving in thoughts that Garmin unquestionably hates this as a lot as anybody else, they’re actually throwing away ANT+ long run due to it).
Nonetheless, in some unspecified time in the future it’s probably Garmin will begin transport the HRM-200 in ‘Safe’ mode, versus ‘Open’ mode. However Garmin did notice they haven’t any intention of eradicating ANT+ from this strap. It’s right here to remain.
In order that will get us to the ‘Safe’ mode. There are primarily two modes for the guts fee strap:
Open Mode: This transmits in each ANT+ & Bluetooth Good like each different HR strap in the marketplace for the previous twenty years. Your information isn’t encrypted.
Safe Mode: This transmits solely in Bluetooth Good, and requires you manually go into pairing mode to begin a pairing connection, after which encrypt all information despatched between the strap and receiver gadgets (e.g. watch, bike pc, telephone app, and many others…).
To change from Open Mode to Safe Mode, you merely double-tap the button, which is able to then change the blink sample. Right here’s your complete chart of the blinking patterns.
At first look, it’s a bit overwhelming, however truthfully, when you do it as soon as, all you actually care about is:
Two blinks: Safe mode
Three blinks: Open Mode
Fixed blinks: Pairing mode (long-hold 4 seconds to begin)
Positive, there are another error checking kind choices and firmware replace lights, however frankly, you received’t run into them in each day operation, however for completeness, right here they’re:
Okay, so let’s get again to our pairing. On this case, I’ve double-tapped to change into Safe mode, after which I long-held for 4 seconds to begin pairing mode. After which, I began looking for exterior HR displays:
Notice that at current in present Garmin watch/bike pc firmware, if you wish to change from Open to Safe mode, it’s essential take away the ‘Open’ pairing in your watch and re-pair again in ‘Safe’ mode. Begin within the Q2 firmware replace, you’ll be capable to extra seamlessly toggle forwards and backwards.
This time, as a result of it’s in safe pairing mode, you received’t see any extra messages about not being in safe mode. It simply connects.
At which level, you’re accomplished. Should you have been to take a look at the sensor pairings this time, you’ll see it simply lists it as a Bluetooth connection solely, and as a ’Safe’ connection. I’d have thought a lock icon can be displayed right here (akin to the unlock icon above), however that is additionally nonetheless beta firmware on Garmin’s watches, so maybe that’ll come.
You’ll see within the sensor settings that it’s a Bluetooth (BLE) connection now, however in any other case, the information is precisely the identical in your watch/bike pc – only a easy coronary heart fee worth.
In fact, in safe mode at current, that’s actually solely Garmin doing it. Polar and Google Pixel watches do some rebroadcasting transmission bits with authentication, nevertheless it’s unclear to me if that sign can be encrypted. And Google can’t pair to an exterior coronary heart fee strap. I did attempt to pair it to the Polar Vantage M3 in Safe mode. Whereas the watch reported success throughout the pairing course of, the strap rapidly gave an error LED. Regardless of that, the watch thinks it could hook up with the HRM200 simply wonderful, however solely exhibits 30BPM as a relentless worth perpetually (that is the worth it’ll present to any gadget that thinks it has a safe pairing, however doesn’t even have an authenticated connection).
To be very clear (once more), as soon as I’m going again into ‘Open’ mode, it really works simply wonderful with the Polar gadgets. I actually need to preserve repeating this: Utilizing it in regular ‘Open’ mode is identical as each different HR strap the final decade or two. It’s no completely different right here.
Lastly, since I’m most likely speaking to extra geeky individuals at this level within the overview, the HRM-200 transmits HRV in the identical method as previous Garmin chest straps, on each ANT+ & Bluetooth Good. You possibly can see this in apps like HRV Logger:
Okay, with all that set, let’s take a fast take a look at coronary heart fee accuracy.
Coronary heart Price Accuracy:
Whereas many could affiliate chest straps with the gold customary of accuracy, that’s not all the time the case. In actual fact, in cooler occasions of the yr (usually fall, or a hotter day in winter), chest straps really wrestle greater than optical HR sensors, notably throughout the first few minutes of train while you may not have any sweat but. Additional, in some circumstances, just like the Wahoo TICKR sequence, it will finally be prone to long term failures leading to all assortment of dangerous issues.
Thus, I check all coronary heart fee sensors equally. In doing so I’m evaluating the sensor (be it chest strap, optical HR sensor, ear sensor, and many others…) to different ‘identified good’ gadgets. And whereas each coronary heart fee sensor can have a nasty second (sure, even the Polar H10), in case you put on sufficient sensors on the similar time, you possibly can usually determine which is the odd duck out. Thus, for my testing interval, all of my exercises had the next setup:
1) Garmin HRM-200
2) Polar H10 or Garmin HRM-PRO Plus
3) Polar Verity Sense (optical HR sensor)
4) COROS HR Sensor (optical HR sensor)
5) Whoop 4.0 Band
6) Watch A: Often a Garmin Fenix 8
7) Watch B: Often an Apple Watch Extremely 2
Sure, that’s a silly quantity of knowledge. Thus, in a few of the charts I’ll try to simplify it, only for readability functions. I additionally had the AmazFit T-Rex 3 within the combine too, right here and there. A number of the above sensors may do inner storage of the information (e.g. Polar Verity Sensors), others have been paired to watches or bike computer systems to document the information, and at last, others have been paired to telephone apps to document the information.
With that, let’s check out a number of completely different exercises throughout completely different sport sorts. First up, we’ve acquired an interval run. These have been longer 12-minute intervals, however enjoyable nonetheless. On this case, I had an assortment of different sensors, although no secondary chest strap (the app I used to be recording on…sigh…failed). In any occasion, right here we go:
As you possibly can see, they have been all just about an identical. Some slight variations from the AmazFit T-Rex 3 at the start as a consequence of colder temps, however in any other case everybody else for the subsequent 90 minutes simply had enjoyable as one cohesive HR social gathering.
Subsequent, we’ve acquired some hill repeats. These are all the time attention-grabbing for chest sensors and optical HR sensors alike. Typically you may get so-called ‘cadence lock’ when going downhill. Usually that impacts optical HR sensors greater than chest sensors, butt right here’s a protracted historical past of chest straps falling sufferer to this idea to (which is principally that the thunk of your footsteps is so distinguished it methods HR sensors into pondering it’s your coronary heart fee).
And naturally, on the uphill half, we get to check how rapidly the guts fee rises. In any occasion, right here’s it in comparison with an absolute boatload of concurrent sensors:
As you possibly can see, solely the Whoop 4 and Apple Watch Extremely 2 displayed points. The Apple Watch Extremely 2 was lagging on a few of the intervals (uphill), generally fairly significantly, although, it didn’t have any points on the downhill parts.
Subsequent, let’s take a look at one in every of plenty of completely different indoor coach rides. Nicely, technically, it was an outside coach journey. However both method, it was stationary (and chilly). Right here’s it in comparison with that very same large slate of secondary sensors:
There’s actually no want to investigate this additional, everyone seems to be in full settlement all through all of those intervals over the course of almost 2 hours. The one one which briefly disagreed was the Whoop 4.0 band, and solely simply briefly.
Subsequent, one other indoor coach journey, this one withs some substantial longer-term depth, earlier than a little bit of a simple descent inside Zwift. Right here’s that information:
As you possibly can see, just some slight variations from the Whoop 4 once more, and one Apple Watch Extremely 2 hiccup.
Now, earlier than we head outdoor, right here’s a slate of various gadgets all recording from the identical HRM-200. I’ve acquired two completely different Garmin bike computer systems (through ANT+), after which additionally Zwift through Bluetooth. I did this on most of my rides, every time with completely different gadgets. No distinction:
The purpose of the above is to validate there aren’t any drop-out points, or sign points with a number of connections.
Okay, lastly, an outside journey. This had some flats, some descents, some ups, all in an effort to see how effectively issues dealt with. Once more, chest straps can usually have points in cooler climate (which this was) with only a gentle jersey (as I used to be sporting), by way of accuracy. Right here’s that information:
Right here we don’t actually see any distinction between the 2 chest straps, nor any errors on the preliminary descents in comparison with different sensors. The Polar Verity Sense did wrestle to start with although on the preliminary warm-up interval, however then appeared wonderful after that. The Fenix 8 often struggled early on as effectively. This time the Apple Watch Extremely 2 didn’t wrestle.
Lastly, a few of you would possibly ask about swimming utilization. As a result of the HRM-200 doesn’t retailer information (whereas the HRM-PRO/HRM-FIT does), it’s not helpful in swimming. That’s compounded by the truth that digital alerts like ANT+ & Bluetooth Good can solely go about 1”/3cm in water earlier than being blocked. Whereas older 5 kHz analog alerts (like older Polar straps) can really transmit by water to a lot older Polar watches. Although no present/latest Polar watch helps these alerts.
(Notice: The entire charts in these accuracy sections have been created utilizing the DCR Analyzer instrument. It permits you to examine energy meters/trainers, coronary heart fee, cadence, pace/tempo, GPS tracks, and many extra. You should use it as effectively in your personal gadget comparisons, extra particulars right here.)
Coronary heart Price Strap Comparability:
I’ll probably do a separate publish evaluating the choices right here, however primarily I see three comparability units. First is inside the Garmin vary, which is as follows:
– HRM-DUAL (being changed by HRM-200) at $59
– HRM-200 (this overview) at $79
– HRM-PRO Plus at ~$100
– HRM-FIT (for girls) at ~$150
Mainly, the important thing variations between the HRM-DUAL and HRM-200 is the authentication/encryption piece on the software program layer, after which the completely different pod design (together with safer coin cell battery compartment if youngsters are round). Past that, primarily same-same. Whereas on the HRM-PRO Plus & HRM-FIT stage, you’re paying for all of the added options I outlined within the first part. These options are just about *ONLY* helpful in case you’re within the Garmin ecosystem with a Garmin watch, and even then, have debatable worth for 95% of the individuals.
Then the second class comparisons is the extra basic coronary heart fee strap/mainstream choices. There are after all numerous generic ANT+/Bluetooth good coronary heart fee straps on the market, usually for fairly low-cost. However among the many larger tech corporations doing HR straps, a few of the hottest comparative choices are (present real-world Amazon pricing, as these all keep fairly fixed):
– Garmin HRM-200 at $79
– Wahoo TRACKR at $89
– Polar H9 at ~$56
– Polar H10 at ~$85
These ones beneath, although, the Polar H9/10 are visually close to an identical:
At this stage, I’d wrestle to see why yod’ purchase the Wahoo TRACKR, a strap that when it launched I used to be frightened it was barely overpriced with a proprietaryish connector, and now even moreso with the Garmin HRM-200 being much better by way of future-proofing. So far as the Polar H9/10 goes, for 99% of the inhabitants, the Polar H9 is the most suitable choice. It does twin ANT+/Bluetooth Good, although doesn’t have the offline information function of the H10 (which is frankly, finicky to make use of anyway).
Once more, there’s different cheaper random choices on the market, however these are those I’ve probably the most familiarity with. I’ll do a deeper dive although within the comings weeks.
Wrap-Up:
The Garmin HRM-200 is kinda a sleeper agent of a product. On the floor, it’s principally only a refresh of the now 6-year previous Garmin HRM-DUAL strap, maintaining with the occasions. For most individuals, you’d by no means discover the distinction – it really works precisely as marketed with minimal fuss. It’s straightforward to advocate, as a result of it really works simply and is at a value level that’s logical (Garmin usually fees a considerable premium for issues, however this isn’t a type of issues).
However because the photograph above notes, it’s acquired fairly a bit extra beneath the covers to make it extra future proof. It additionally very clearly spells out Garmin’s probably roadmap for sensor refreshes for a bit of this yr. Garmin’s latest Forerunner/Fenix/Edge/and many others beta applications simply present that the safe connectivity items is a vital piece of the corporate’s future, even when it’s purely pushed by attorneys and regulatory necessities. Consequently, Garmin has positioned itself as actually the primary main (if not solely) coronary heart fee sensor that’s compliant. Nevertheless it additionally probably illuminates the trail for higher-end Garmin HR sensors. In spite of everything, Garmin can’t simply add a bodily button (which complies with the human ‘authorization’ part) to their current HRM-PRO Plus (which shall be 2 years previous this summer time). Nor can it do it for the HRM-FIT. Similar goes for coin cell battery compliance. Each will undoubtedly require refreshes.
However setting that apart, in case you’re in search of a fairly priced coronary heart fee strap that works effectively throughout each Garmin and non-Garmin gadget I’ve examined it with, the HRM-200 is a simple future-proofed choice that’s laborious to seek out fault with.
With that, thanks for studying!
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