HRM Drop-outs with most recent update (1.73.2)

Bugs and Support
1

Running version 1.73.2 (135093) on MacOS. I have a Garmin HRM-Dual chest strap.

Since the most recent update last week I have noticed that my heart rate frequently drops out during rides. See image below:

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The issue appear to be with Zwift, as the HRM-Dual is also connected to my Garmin watch during the rides and does not experience the same drop-outs.

2

Hi @dglasser

Shuji at Zwift HQ here.

Is it paired to the watch over Bluetooth, or ANT? You may want to try connecting the HRM to Zwift over Bluetooth.

I took the liberty of uploading your latest log.txt file to Zwiftalizer.com, and it shows higher than expected ANT dropouts from your HRM. There’s an explainer on what their chart meas.

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Would you let us know if switching to Bluetooth makes a difference?

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3

Thanks for the quick reply Shuji!
I can certainly try switching to BT for the HRM connection. I’ll do that when I ride tomorrow and can follow up and let you know how it goes.

I do want to note that:

  • The trainer is also connected via ANT+ but doesn’t experience the same frequency of drop-outs.
  • This isn’t something that has only been occurring since the latest update. It was not a problem prior to that, and nothing else has changed about my setup.
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4

Because you are dealing with a radio transmission that is vulnerable to interference, it doesn’t matter that your equipment hasn’t changed. What changed may be something else in your environment. For example some routers automatically select a WiFi channel and that may have changed, or something else nearby (even in a neighbor’s home) may have introduced a new source of interference. With ANT+ it’s always best to put the dongle on an extension lead, and position it in the location that gives you the lowest rate of RxFail when you upload logs to Zwiftalizer.

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5

Hello Shuji -
I wanted to confirm that I switched the HRM connection to Bluetooth today and did not experience any drop-outs. Thanks again for your help!

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6

@dglasser
Don’t thank me - sign up for a (free) account on zwiftalizer.com so you’re familiar with that independent site and consider sending Mike (the developer) a beer!

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