Review on The Ultimate Garmin HRM-Tri Heart Rate Monitor: Track Your Performance with Precision by Wendy Benson

distance, speed, heart rate, HRV, etc. statistics. I load Garmin data files into FirstBeat Athlete and use the Learning feature to know when to rest, work light, and train hard. But I also play a sport where wearing a large watch isn't recommended or allowed, which meant I wasn't able to collect data for those workouts. I tried to evaluate important statistics and enter them manually into Garmin Connect and Athlete. Otherwise you would assume I took the day off when in fact I had a monstrous workout. When this HRM came out I was excited because one of its functions (mainly for swimming when water is blocking the ANT+ signal) is to record heart rate data when the watch/etc. out of range and then reset everything to the watch. I am happy to report that everything works as advertised with my Garmin Fenix3 watch. It is important to note that you MUST START ACTIVITIES ON YOUR WATCH WITH THE HRM CONNECTED (IN RANGE). When you're done, pause activity on your watch and this will give you a chance to find and load your saved data. Sometimes I have to try a second time, but I've never lost a saved workout (not true anymore - see changes below). Be sure to download the saved data without removing the wristband. Taking it off will give you incorrect heart rate readings if your watch doesn't have an optical (wrist) HRM, and worse, the bracelet will eventually turn off/run off and take the stored data with it. This HRM records exactly the RR data that FirstBeat needs. I found this HRM-Tri to be more comfortable than the Garmin HRM-Run I've used before. The elastic part of the strap feels more durable, and together with the silicone rings on the pads, it stays in place longer than the HRM-Run. Overall, it's less disruptive than the HRM Run during long, sweaty workouts. It also only has two contact faces instead of three or four depending on which version of HRM-Run you have. One disadvantage of the HRM-Tri compared to the HRM-Run is that the electronic sensor part doesn't pop out like the HRM-Run. As a result, you'll have to hand-wash the Tri every seven times, while running allows you to toss the strap in the wash on a gentle wash. The HRM-Tri uses CR2032 coin type lithium batteries. When the band is working properly (see updates below), it keeps a very reasonable time, and the watch will alert you with a low-battery warning when it has enough power for a few more workouts (meaning you need to replace the battery). soon, but not right before THAT particular workout). The battery cover is held in place with four very small Phillips screws. Regular screwdrivers are too big - you need eyeglass screwdrivers. I don't swim so I can't comment on their use. They're great for sports or when you can't safely wear a watch. I use this regularly for soccer games and rock climbing, for example. Edit 1/14/2016 - I noticed in FirstBeat Athlete that the HRM-Tri tends to have a significantly higher error rate than the HRM on equal runs. -To run. For example, on a 30-minute run on a treadmill, the three-rep failure rate is typically 12-18%, while running is 2-6%. This result has no apparent flaws, so while I'm not giving a star for the editing of Tri.2016/03/25, I downgraded it to 4 stars for two reasons. First, as mentioned in my edit above, Tri gets a higher error rate on "connected" activities when the watch is in range all the time. I've come to the conclusion that FB Athlete doesn't seem to be counting error periods or counting them less. The net effect is that the tri runs with the same stats (same time, distance, average heart rate on the treadmill) feel less intense, which I think is due to the higher error rate. So for regular running I prefer the HRM run. Second, HRM-Tri gives a very high error rate in FB Athlete (40-55%) when I use it offline during competitions. to the Fenix 5s watch (5s is better in every way). Tri worked exactly the same with 5s. Since the 5s has an integrated optical HRM on the wrist, it can be difficult to ensure the Tri is plugged in and used in place of the less accurate (and lacking HRV/RR data) optical sensor. Unfortunately the Tri had to be replaced almost exactly two years after I bought it. The CR2032 battery drains every few days with 6-10 hours of use. I tried a new set of replacement batteries to make sure my original parts wouldn't break. I followed the care instructions and it definitely showed signs of wear. Overall I'm still satisfied and will replace it with another one. Edit 11/30/2019 - These HRM tri's are now six months long. I have the FIFTH since the 11/29/2017 review. They fail every time by chewing CR2032 batteries like candy. When they fail, they often drain the battery so quickly that I don't get the low battery alert (like I usually do) and it just dies in the middle of activity, losing all my data. Downgrade another star to three maybe two depending on how my contact with Garmin goes. I am currently using the Tri with a Garmin Fenix 6S Pro watch and when it works properly it works fine.