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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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There are two main problems with [[Best Running Watch| Garmin's]] [[Heart Rate Monitor| Heart Rate Monitoring]]; poor accuracy and chaffing, and there are two simple fixes. The first fix is to apply a little [http://www.amazon.com/Buh-Bump-2-5-Ounce-Heart-Monitor-Electrode/dp/B000HZD2NU Buh-Bump Electrode Cream], which improves the accuracy and provides some lubrication that reduces chaffing. The other fix is to apply some duct tape to the bottom edge of the strap, which works wonders at preventing chaffing. I had no chaffing problems with a duct taped strap during the 37 hours I was running [[2014_Badwater_135| Badwater]].
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:BuhBump.JPG|right|thumb|x300px|Buh-Bump and Duct Tape can fix your Garmin Heart Rate Monitoring woes.]]
|[[File:GarminDuctTape1.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|Apply the duct tape to the lower edge of the back side of the strap. Don't cover the electrodes or you won't get a signal, but you'll need the tape to be on the lower edge to get good adhesion. You will need a strip of duct tape about an inch wide.]]
|[[File:GarminDuctTape2.JPG|none|thumb|x300px| Fold the duct tape up over the front of the strap. You can stick it to the transmitter as shown in this picture, which gives it good adhesion.]]
|}
=Other Fixes=
There are a number of problems you can still get with the Heart Rate Monitoring.
* Unlike the Polar system, the contacts on the Garmin transmitter tend to rust, so it's important to disconnect the transmitter from the strap after each use. You can see a little of the rust in the picture above.
* If you do get rust on the transmitter connecters, then a wire brush can fix the problem. I used these [http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=WireBrush&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB005XASFSG small brushes] that worked well for me.
* A low battery can result in bad reception, and the watch does not always report a low battery condition properly.
* When replacing the battery, insert the new one upside down for a few minutes to short out the contacts. This will reset the monitor and may prevent some reception problems. (I've had to do this with both Garmin and Polar systems.)
* A [http://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={acd36fa0-7ac5-11e2-65d0-000000000000} factory (master) reset] of the watch may be required. I found this fixed a number of problems with my 310XT, including heart rate monitoring.
* The straps can be damaged by washing and require careful hand washing, not machine washing. If you damage a strap, it needs replacement.
* Interference from overhead power lines used to be a problem, but the modern systems have reduced this dramatically.
* All of the soft straps require periodic replacement, so you may need a new one.
=Using the Polar Wearlink Strap=
You can get a fabric [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F7F64I Polar Wearlink Replacement Strap] that works nicely with the Garmin transmitter. However, Polar replaced the Wearlink strap with the Wearlink+, so the original design is hard to come by. (The new Wearlink+ is nearly identical to the Garmin strap and not worth the upgrade.)
File:Polar Wearlinks.jpg|At the top you can see the newer [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XCLU66 Wearlink+] and the older [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RCLGHI/ Wearlink] on the bottom. The Wearlink has pads that are absorbent so you don't have a problem with them drying out, but the Wearlink+ seems to be slightly more reliable.
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