I have used Wahoo Tickr HRMs for many years and in general they are just fine. They don’t always last long, perhaps a year or two, but they are also quite cheap to replace (usually less than 50€). I understand it is not very ecological, but the more expensive HRMs don’t necessarily last any longer. Now that Garmin has the new models the price of the older HRM dual has dropped so low that I am planning to try one of those next.
After my Garmin died I got the cheapest I could find on one of the local WEB shops. $30
I have already used the method for the strap I use on the trainer and it is working great for just giving the HR
I am done with the major brands and high prices. I have used Amazon and/or Aliexpress and get a cheap one with good reviews: Magene Coospoo, etc. Have lasted longer than any of the major brands.
Same exact story for me. Tckr lasted less than 6 month. Polar going for years
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I use a Garmin Dual and the Coospoo below. The Coospoo I got at the start of covid/ April 2020 when I started using zwift on AppleTV and needed bluetooth HRM, and it is still my default for the turbo as the battery is so easily changed. Form factor a bit bigger, so prefer the Garmin for outside.
I do have a Garmin Run but the strap/ bits around the pads really hasn’t lasted that well, and a garmin tri that just died. I have a probably 10 year old garmin one still working in the back of the box.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CooSpo-Monitor-Bluetooth-Waterproof-Compatible/dp/B07D4J5VDK/
I use the Garmin HRM Dual. As @WindWarrior mentioned, the new ones use a torx wrench. Replace the strap every year or so, but the main unit seems to last.
Previously used the Tickr. Wahoo has great support, but I got tired of asking them to send me a new unit every year and having to go without in the interim.
I’ve heard great things about the Polar H10, but have not used it.
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Just moved from Wahoo Tickr to 4iiii’s Viva one. Much slimmer profile and feels nicer on.
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It’s interesting to hear about all of the issues with TICKRs. I’m on my third(?) one and I tossed it 5 minutes into my last ride because it’s been unstable with anything under SS or Threshold efforts.
I’m really dreading reaching out to Wahoo support again, and have been thinking it might be worth just paying for a new one this time rather than continuing to fill the landfill with these.
It sounds like Garmin and Polar have been decent for most of you. Maybe I’ll give one of them a shot! 
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I have a saying: Friends don’t let friends use latest Wahoo TICKRs. (Unless you want repeated back/forth of replacement)
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I will raise my hand as the outlier on the wahoo tickr. I bought mine in 2019 and it’s still the original and going strongish. I’m on my second strap which could use replacing as washing it is not quite as effective as it was. I broke one of the tabs on the battery door so I bought its replacement, a 4iiii viiiiva, for when it finally fails but even after a battery replacement with the broken tab the thing still goes together securely and it still works. The 4iiii is still sitting in its box waiting on deck. Aside from the occasional stall in the data that can be remedied without much trouble I have no problems. Must have got a good one.
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Like others, I had a Wahoo Tickr (it came with a bike computer bundle). It worked ok for a while and then despite regular cleaning, started giving me unreliable readings. I scrapped it and switched to a Polar H10 about a month ago and have had no issues. I like the way the Tickr snaps together better than the Polar, but that’s minor.
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That fair, and good to know about your experience with the 4iiiii.
After reading a bunch more reviews, I’d just add that it picks up heart rate immediately, never had to wait to get sweaty or use a gel. It’s a nice small module, and I’ve never had any issues with the strap. Very rarely have I gotten anomalous heart rate readings, and when I did it was trying to squeeze out the last bit of a battery that was close to done. And no corrosion on the contacts in the 3+ years I’ve had it.
I too have gone through a number of Wahoo Tickrs. They last about 8 months before I start randomly getting very low HR readings. This last time I got a Polar H9. It also lasted about 8 months before getting the same type of random low HR readings.
The low HR readings on both types seemed to be a result of sweat or moisture. I thought the problem was moisture getting inside the units. That’s why I went with a Polar, which is sort of water proof. But it too had the same problems as the Tickrs.
After doing some online research, I found people saying the problem is because of sweat getting in/around the snap studs and making the two studs short-circuit. I cut out some gaskets from a latex inner tube and my Polar H9 has been flawless ever since. I’m now convinced that the problem is indeed a short circuit caused by sweat. A new strap forms a better seal, preventing the short. But that seal doesn’t last long.
If anyone is interested, here is a pic of my fix. It’s a bit of a faff cutting the latex to size (not to big, not too small). 15mm is about right. Then I used a leather punch tool to make the center hole.
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Been using a Scosche Rhythm for years…love it, rechargable and comfortable…actually have 2…one for my trainer and one for riding/racing.
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I use primarily a coospo HRM, which uses a 2032 battery for power.
I also have a polar HRM for use in the pool.
That’s the issue I had with my Wahoo. It also gives me a low HR intermittently (I wish I could reach the top of a long steep hill at a 90BPM)
I have / had an intermittent LBB, which used to screw with the HRM I used. I switched to a Polar H10, the most unreliable part is if the strap dries out while training due to cold, not sweating enough then it can stop riding. The LBB seems to be permenant now, so has stopped messing with readings !
If you do other things besides riding like running, then the Garmin HRM Pro Plus has some additional benefits like advanced running dynamics it can give you data on.
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