I purchased this after my Garmin HRM run started to act up. The unit brings new features that I highly desired and have been anticipating. So, what'd I like and what'd I gripe about.
First and foremost the unit brings Bluetooth compatibility with up to two devices at the same time in addition to ANT. This is perfect for people who are using an indoor trainer with apps such as Zwift on their iPad. The unit continues to provide running dynamics, supports memory for swimming efforts, and most of the previous features of Garmin tri straps. Garmin running dynamics are still supported, so if you're a data nerd who loves to see your vertical isolation, stride length, vertical ratio and ground contact time it's still there for you.
Although Garman claims that battery life should be the same as HRM run in my experience it is diminished maybe it's from using Bluetooth in conjunction with ANT. The first couple months the unit worked flawlessly and in the last couple months the unit has started to suffer from more dropouts. I do love the strap is very elastic and keeps close contact with the skin. To my knowledge I haven't used the Bluetooth to update the unit from my phone but I'll keep my eyes open and release a new review if things change. If using the unit in the pool, because the strap is more narrow if not covered by a swim skin, suit, wetsuit, etc, the band has a tendency to fold over itself if you kick off a wall.
I like the unit and this should be the baseline for all units moving forward given its capacity to communicate with other tech, support of Tri's and weight.
I was tired of the Wahoo HRM constant quick battery drain and trouble connecting with Zwift. Decided to upgrade to the Garmin HRM-Pro. So far I have been VERY pleased with how quickly and easily it sync's with Garmin Edge 1000, my forerunner 610 and ZWIFT!!! The strap is much more comfortable for me than the Wahoo HRM. Wahoo seemed kinda cheap. I cannot rate the other features -running dynamics or stored HR activities because I have not used them. This HRM was more than I would normally spend but so far I am very pleased with my purchase. The unit seems well made...now gotta go workout!
This HRM truly does it all. Accurate HR tracking, check. Wanna track without a watch? Check. Keeping track of running dynamics, check. With cursory use of this tracker, I'm pleased with it's data. My only gripe would be the attachment. I do prefer the "up-front" button attachment of the Wahoo Tickr compared to the side-buckle Garmin products, but this is a personal preference.
My Garmin dual hrm pooped out after a year, and no battery replacement nor connection cleaning would resuscitate it. I decided to give the pro a try. A few months in and I've not had any issues, drops, etc. I like that it is water proof (even though I don't wear it to swim) as it makes cleaning very easy.
I'm not a huge fan of the price, but if I can get a couple years out of this one, it will be cheaper than re-buying the dual and potentially seeing it fail in another year, so time will tell.
