Have 5 heart rate straps, mixture of hard and soft Garmin ones.
The oldest is 13 years, original one that came with my Garmin forerunner 305 and its still going strong… though I prefer the soft strap ones now.
I change the batteries every year or two, don’t overly clean them, none have failed yet.
Thanks for the info. Just taken a look and it doesn’t fit the Polar H10, but could definitely come in useful in the future 
My original HRM I got with the 310xt is still going. I’ve a HR-Run that appears to have died (eating batteries for a few weeks, and then a battery change was no joy). I’ve a HR-Tri brought at roughly the same time that is still going.
I tended to rotate the two newer ones, so a bit disappointed by the HR-Run dying. Especially as the Tri obviously was a bit more exposed to the elements - I used it for Triathlon (obviously), but also any open water swims, so at one stage it was in the water 3 or 4 times a week (both lake and sea).
Have a 245 coming in the next few days, so we’ll see how I get on with wrist based readings. I’ve never really used the metrics from the HR-Run or HR-Tri. Looked at them a few times, never actually changed anything or seen anything to address.
I get wrist-based HR readings from my Forerunner 735XT - it’s good for capturing resting HR during the night, but can be way-off at times during running/cycling.
Yep, aware of potential limitations, but hoping the new sensor that’s on this and the others that were launched at the same time might be an improvement.
I don’t mind wearing one for cycling or running to be honest, but for other tracking like walks/ hikes I’m hoping it’ll do the job. As well as true resting heart rate data.
sounds like me… however if I don’t wash it with soap every 3-4 times, I will get pimples or other similar sores in the area or the strap. My garmin run/tri HRM last a little more than a year with daily use, washing with soap 1-2 times a week and just rinsing it out the others.
running a 510 bundle soft strap since 2013 without problems. Switched to ticker last year because of BT compatibility and the Garmin strap chaffed my chest between the sender contacts if I went running with it. I also hated the bogosity of those little scrwes to change the battery. Would have loved to have sat in on the meeting making that design choice… /RANT MODE OFF
IIRC the chest contact pads are a metal lamé material. I wonder if it might be a body chemistry thing. Not all sweat is the same. If I was in your shoes I would take some fine grit sandpaper to the lamé contacts. It is thrashed anyway, so little to risk. If it comes back alive then you have an answer. The metal is oxidizing on you and ruining your contact. If that is the case you would be better off with something that has conductive plastic pads.
I’ve been using a Wahoo Tickr paired either to TrainerRoad via iPhone (Bluetoothy) or my head-unit which is a Lezyne Super GPS (usually Ant+…Bluetooth never wants to pair). I’ve noticed a lot of errancies only when paired to my GPS. There is usually a huge lag time and heart-rate readings will stall out.
For example, there are time when I put the strap on and it’s reading something insane like 116 BPM and will just sit there for 20 minutes regardless of effort. Then it might drop down to some impossibly low number and hang there for a while. I’ve had rides where it’s sat at one number for 20 minutes, and never seems to read accurately. Never have an issue when it’s paired through my iPhone to Strava or TrainerRoad.
Anyone else experience this? I can’t tell if it’s a problem with the heart rate strap or the head-unit. I emailed Lezyne and they said that it’s not on their end as the head-unit only reads whatever the heart rate strap is sending them, they don’t interpret any of the data, simply display it. I’m having my doubts though.
2x Garmin sensors here.
The HRM Run that came with my Fenix 3 in mid 2016 is still going strong. It was around before I bought my bike and was primarily used on my sea kayak and ocean racing ski.
I only ever give it a rinse under a tap to wash the salt off.
The Garmin HRM 3-SS worked well for a year and then started playing up every so often. I usually have to wet it before use to get it working properly.
I can’t remember when I bought it but prob 6-8 years old now. Garmin soft strap. The HR monitor died. Got myself a Tickr but hated the strap. But the nodes fit into the Garmin strap so I’ve been using it for years
Urgh. Three weeks later and now it is seemingly dead. Worked fine Thursday night; yesterday evening: nada. Changed battery: nope. Washed strap: nothing.
Not easy to diagnose whether it’s the strap or the widget without having an extra of each.
RIP strap 
I have a Forerunner 235. I find the wrist based HR is fairly accurate for hiking and it generally does a good job on runs. But for cycling, indoor and out, it’s all over the place, and I really try to only use if the strap is in the laundry.
I’ve been happy with the 245 accuracy when I’ve been really looking. Nothing out of the ordinary anyway!
Looks like my HR might be cooked. Is there a way I can determine whether it’s the strap or the electronics? Polar H10 (new battery)
Most likely the strap. Same happened with mine. You can buy just the strap part on Amazon:
After replacing the strap part on my H10 it worked perfectly again.
The strap connectors might be going bad. I think you can change the strap on the h10.
Or you can get a polar OH+ 
Thanks. I’ll order a new strap
I use a soft strap monitor from Sigma Sport, bought it about a year ago. I rinse it in the shower and hang to air dry after every ride, I’m a pretty heavy sweater. It usually works fine, but sometimes (like yesterday) it won’t show up at all. Right now it’s soaking in a little bowl of diluted vinegar for a few hours. We have water with lots of minerals and calcium here in Germany (like in the UK), so I’m thinking that regularly trying to dissolve these minerals will help. Have to do it for the coffee machine every couple months, too. I’ve noticed that when people say they start getting bad readings, it often seems to be after about a year.
I just had my second wahoo strap fail on the strap side of the connector due to corrosion leading to the female snap breaking in half. The snap force is a bit too strong I think. May try greasing next one, but didn’t want to risk a bad connection. Both failed straps probably had around 10k miles of riding on them. Probably should rinse them more than I do.
Garmin strap with my Garmin 510 has been going for 7 years and still perfect. Purchased wahoo tickr as needed Bluetooth for indoor training. Does the job but does seem less durable and can’t see it lasting too long.
