Surfski Knowledge Base

Kimberly Reeves
11/15/19 #25647

I’m shopping around for a new Garmin… which styles seem to be best for paddling with heart rate monitor capacities?
Kim R

Arnie Liati
11/15/19 #25648

Kim,

Garmin Forerunner 935

Arnie

Jonas Ecker
11/15/19 #25649

Ana and I both use the Garmin Vívoactive 3 with a chest strap heart-rate monitor. It’s the cheapest multi sport device I can find on the Garmin website and you can get it even cheaper refurbished (which after loosing my first off my mount) I’ve used for almost a year without issue.

There are definitely better options but this has worked well for both of us, garmin has a great warranty program and the few issues we’ve experienced have easily been resolved.

On key thing to remember is that if using for athletics the onboard heart monitor is not extremely accurate (I would recommend the HRM-Dual). Also, for an overall activity the watch on your wrist is fine, but if going for specific boat data such as max speed it is more accurate when mounted on the boat itself.

Hope this helps,

Jonas Ecker

Peter Prinos
11/15/19 #25650

An external heart rate monitor is key if you want to put your watch on your footstrap or elsewhere. Scosche's Rhythm24 has been good for this - it can be worn on your arm rather than chest which to me seems more convenient and functions well with my Fenix5. Also, if you want a comprehensive summary of all the Garmin devices and their capabilities you might want to check the DC Rainmaker site. He goes into excruciating detail on every watch on the market and has a summary comparison chart where you can see the differences between each model along with current pricing.

-peter

paul clement

11/15/19 #25651

Garmin 520 + chest strap. Has a safety strap, easy to read, simple mount, also good for cycling, not so good for running (but neither am I…)
pc

Tyler Irwin

11/15/19 #25652

I just got a Vivoactive 4 and have been pretty happy with it for the two non-paddling workouts I’ve done. They also make a 4S with a slightly smaller face for those that want a lower profile watch face. Pretty cool!

Kimberly Reeves

11/15/19 #25653

Thx Jonas…was wondering which one y’all used

Kimberly Reeves
11/15/19 #25655

Tyler… curious… why the 4 instead of the 3?

Jonas Ecker
11/15/19 #25657

When was the release for the 4?
I might have to put it on the list to upgrade too?

Jonas Ecker

lori & beau whitehead
11/15/19 #25658

I've been using the 735XT for 2 years now with the external chest strap. Super easy to use. Automatically uploads to Strava and Garmin apps as soon as I get back in my car. But you gotta use the chest strap if you want anything reliable for HR. The wrist sensor is a joke..

allipp@…
11/15/19 #25660

Beau, do you mean I didn't average 116 beats per minute when I did the 6.77 mile flatwater paddle in one hour the other day on my OC1? Strava said “this was easier than your usual effort”. , yep, I'm pretty sure the wrist monitor was off by at least a couple beats!

Tyler Irwin
11/15/19 #25661

They have the 4 available at REI now. Megan has the 3 and really likes it as well. Can’t go wrong either way really.

Kimberly Reeves

11/16/19 #25662

I’m so new to the heart rate monitor straps… are you buying the Garmin watches and then buying a separate heart rate monitor? If so, who’s and the Garmin pairs to it?

Arnie Liati
11/16/19 #25663

Yes. Get the Polar H10 heart rate chest strap. The best.

Arnie

David Scherrer

11/16/19 #25664

I lost my old forerunner 201 and have just ordered the Garmen Edge 130. Will display heart rate monitor and is rechargeable, easy to read display. Fairly affordable, on sale at REI.
David S