I have the Garmin strap that is bluetooth. Got from Garmin almost 2 years ago. Today it bit the dust. The way you change the battery is not too good it is plastic and the pieces break so screws holding the battery in are wiped out.

I paid something like $50 for it so consider it consumable. I bought another today online for $55. The basic reason is that it is as good as the Polar HR monitor and pairs with my Garmin pretty easy. The battery life is decent and todays change that would have happened but could not, was from about 6 months ago. I use it every day but like I said a few battery changes and sometimes the cheap plastic breaks. Really I cannot expect anymore from something this cheap I use every ride and run for hours at a time.
Deacon Mark

On Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 2:08:17 PM UTC-4, Mark Cleary wrote:
> I have the Garmin strap that is bluetooth. Got from Garmin almost 2 years ago. Today it bit the dust. The way you change the battery is not too good it is plastic and the pieces break so screws holding the battery in are wiped out.
>
> I paid something like $50 for it so consider it consumable. I bought another today online for $55. The basic reason is that it is as good as the Polar HR monitor and pairs with my Garmin pretty easy. The battery life is decent and todays change that would have happened but could not, was from about 6 months ago. I use it every day but like I said a few battery changes and sometimes the cheap plastic breaks. Really I cannot expect anymore from something this cheap I use every ride and run for hours at a time.
> Deacon Mark

I bought a Polar OH-1 for about $50 off of Amazon. I use it with my iPhone and RideWith GPS. Links right up automatically, shows HR in the RWGPS screen, data saves to the RWGPS file, which software will overlay HR on incline data. I tossed the strap; I just stick the little round monitor into my sock and it reads off the skin near my ankle.

On Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 8:08:17 PM UTC+2, Mark Cleary wrote:
> I have the Garmin strap that is bluetooth. Got from Garmin almost 2 years ago. Today it bit the dust. The way you change the battery is not too good it is plastic and the pieces break so screws holding the battery in are wiped out.
>
> I paid something like $50 for it so consider it consumable. I bought another today online for $55. The basic reason is that it is as good as the Polar HR monitor and pairs with my Garmin pretty easy. The battery life is decent and todays change that would have happened but could not, was from about 6 months ago. I use it every day but like I said a few battery changes and sometimes the cheap plastic breaks. Really I cannot expect anymore from something this cheap I use every ride and run for hours at a time.
> Deacon Mark

The need to loosen screws in plastic to change the battery is one of the reason I preferred the old model, the one Tom has where you open a door with a coin. You have to be very careful with the screws. Use a good fitting screwdriver and don’t over tension the screws. Plastic under stress willl crack over time.

Lou

On Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 1:08:54 AM UTC-7, Lou Holtman wrote:
> On Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 8:08:17 PM UTC+2, Mark Cleary wrote:
> > I have the Garmin strap that is bluetooth. Got from Garmin almost 2 years ago. Today it bit the dust. The way you change the battery is not too good it is plastic and the pieces break so screws holding the battery in are wiped out.
> >
> > I paid something like $50 for it so consider it consumable. I bought another today online for $55. The basic reason is that it is as good as the Polar HR monitor and pairs with my Garmin pretty easy. The battery life is decent and todays change that would have happened but could not, was from about 6 months ago. I use it every day but like I said a few battery changes and sometimes the cheap plastic breaks. Really I cannot expect anymore from something this cheap I use every ride and run for hours at a time.
> > Deacon Mark
> The need to loosen screws in plastic to change the battery is one of the reason I preferred the old model, the one Tom has where you open a door with a coin. You have to be very careful with the screws. Use a good fitting screwdriver and don’t over tension the screws. Plastic under stress willl crack over time.
>
> Lou

I suppose I'm careful but getting the old battery out is sometimes difficult. Particularly if the battery has expanded.

On Sat, 21 Oct 2023 12:13:54 -0700 (PDT), Tom Kunich
<cyclintom@gmail.com> wrote:

>I suppose I'm careful but getting the old battery out is sometimes difficult. Particularly if the battery has expanded.

Lithium manganese dioxide CR2032 cells do not vent gasses unless
overheated in an oven:
"The Flammable Gasses Produced by Lithium Button Cells in Thermal
Runaway"
<https://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/pdf/systems/May16Meeting/Maloney-0516-ButtonCells.pdf>

Computer motherboards have used CR2032 cells for retaining the "CMOS"
settings when the computer is turned off. My guess(tm) is CR2032
cells began appearing in large quantities with the introduction of the
ATX specification in 1995. Since then, I've seen literally hundreds
of CR2032 button cells, none of which were bulged, expanded or spewing
chemicals.

However, that was for LMO (lithium manganese dioxide) cells. I've
seen smaller LR44 type alkaline button cells that leaked, bulged,
expended, and made the same mess that alkaline cylindrical cells
continue to make in battery powered lights and equipment.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 7:01:33 PM UTC-5, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Sat, 21 Oct 2023 12:13:54 -0700 (PDT), Tom Kunich
> <cycl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >I suppose I'm careful but getting the old battery out is sometimes difficult. Particularly if the battery has expanded.
> Lithium manganese dioxide CR2032 cells do not vent gasses unless
> overheated in an oven:
> "The Flammable Gasses Produced by Lithium Button Cells in Thermal
> Runaway"
> <https://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/pdf/systems/May16Meeting/Maloney-0516-ButtonCells.pdf>
>
> Computer motherboards have used CR2032 cells for retaining the "CMOS"
> settings when the computer is turned off. My guess(tm) is CR2032
> cells began appearing in large quantities with the introduction of the
> ATX specification in 1995. Since then, I've seen literally hundreds
> of CR2032 button cells, none of which were bulged, expanded or spewing
> chemicals.
>
> However, that was for LMO (lithium manganese dioxide) cells. I've
> seen smaller LR44 type alkaline button cells that leaked, bulged,
> expended, and made the same mess that alkaline cylindrical cells
> continue to make in battery powered lights and equipment.
>
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann je...@cruzio.com
> PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
I got the new Garmin Heart Rate Monitor strap and used it today for the first time on the indoor bike. I set up as usual very quickly and easy. Today I road 38 miles on the trainer in 2:07 with average HR 113 and max was 133. I rarely can get above 140 have to be almost killing it on the trainer in a mad all out long sprint. Oddly I don't mind riding inside after being outside for a long time. It can actually go better and frankly more bang for the buck as a workout no coasting.
Deacon Mark

On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 4:10:15 PM UTC+2, Mark Cleary wrote:
> On Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 7:01:33 PM UTC-5, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> > On Sat, 21 Oct 2023 12:13:54 -0700 (PDT), Tom Kunich
> > <cycl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >I suppose I'm careful but getting the old battery out is sometimes difficult. Particularly if the battery has expanded.
> > Lithium manganese dioxide CR2032 cells do not vent gasses unless
> > overheated in an oven:
> > "The Flammable Gasses Produced by Lithium Button Cells in Thermal
> > Runaway"
> > <https://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/pdf/systems/May16Meeting/Maloney-0516-ButtonCells.pdf>
> >
> > Computer motherboards have used CR2032 cells for retaining the "CMOS"
> > settings when the computer is turned off. My guess(tm) is CR2032
> > cells began appearing in large quantities with the introduction of the
> > ATX specification in 1995. Since then, I've seen literally hundreds
> > of CR2032 button cells, none of which were bulged, expanded or spewing
> > chemicals.
> >
> > However, that was for LMO (lithium manganese dioxide) cells. I've
> > seen smaller LR44 type alkaline button cells that leaked, bulged,
> > expended, and made the same mess that alkaline cylindrical cells
> > continue to make in battery powered lights and equipment.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jeff Liebermann je...@cruzio.com
> > PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> > Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
> > Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
> I got the new Garmin Heart Rate Monitor strap and used it today for the first time on the indoor bike. I set up as usual very quickly and easy. Today I road 38 miles on the trainer in 2:07 with average HR 113 and max was 133. I rarely can get above 140 have to be almost killing it on the trainer in a mad all out long sprint. Oddly I don't mind riding inside after being outside for a long time. It can actually go better and frankly more bang for the buck as a workout no coasting.
> Deacon Mark

I hate indoor training. So it's winter gear again although the weather is still OK . Luckily we have moderate winters. To avoid winter blues go get as much light as you can. This means go outside.

Lou

On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 8:33:26 AM UTC-7, Lou Holtman wrote:
> On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 4:10:15 PM UTC+2, Mark Cleary wrote:
> > On Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 7:01:33 PM UTC-5, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> > > On Sat, 21 Oct 2023 12:13:54 -0700 (PDT), Tom Kunich
> > > <cycl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > >I suppose I'm careful but getting the old battery out is sometimes difficult. Particularly if the battery has expanded.
> > > Lithium manganese dioxide CR2032 cells do not vent gasses unless
> > > overheated in an oven:
> > > "The Flammable Gasses Produced by Lithium Button Cells in Thermal
> > > Runaway"
> > > <https://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/pdf/systems/May16Meeting/Maloney-0516-ButtonCells.pdf>
> > >
> > > Computer motherboards have used CR2032 cells for retaining the "CMOS"
> > > settings when the computer is turned off. My guess(tm) is CR2032
> > > cells began appearing in large quantities with the introduction of the
> > > ATX specification in 1995. Since then, I've seen literally hundreds
> > > of CR2032 button cells, none of which were bulged, expanded or spewing
> > > chemicals.
> > >
> > > However, that was for LMO (lithium manganese dioxide) cells. I've
> > > seen smaller LR44 type alkaline button cells that leaked, bulged,
> > > expended, and made the same mess that alkaline cylindrical cells
> > > continue to make in battery powered lights and equipment.
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Jeff Liebermann je...@cruzio.com
> > > PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> > > Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
> > > Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
> > I got the new Garmin Heart Rate Monitor strap and used it today for the first time on the indoor bike. I set up as usual very quickly and easy. Today I road 38 miles on the trainer in 2:07 with average HR 113 and max was 133. I rarely can get above 140 have to be almost killing it on the trainer in a mad all out long sprint. Oddly I don't mind riding inside after being outside for a long time. It can actually go better and frankly more bang for the buck as a workout no coasting.
> > Deacon Mark
> I hate indoor training. So it's winter gear again although the weather is still OK . Luckily we have moderate winters. To avoid winter blues go get as much light as you can. This means go outside.
>
> Lou

Getting over this very painful illness feels like an eternity but soon I will be able to swing a leg over the bike and start riding again. Everything here is outdoors, I tried a trainer and simply couldn't stand it.

On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 10:33:26 AM UTC-5, Lou Holtman wrote:
> On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 4:10:15 PM UTC+2, Mark Cleary wrote:
> > On Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 7:01:33 PM UTC-5, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> > > On Sat, 21 Oct 2023 12:13:54 -0700 (PDT), Tom Kunich
> > > <cycl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > >I suppose I'm careful but getting the old battery out is sometimes difficult. Particularly if the battery has expanded.
> > > Lithium manganese dioxide CR2032 cells do not vent gasses unless
> > > overheated in an oven:
> > > "The Flammable Gasses Produced by Lithium Button Cells in Thermal
> > > Runaway"
> > > <https://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/pdf/systems/May16Meeting/Maloney-0516-ButtonCells.pdf>
> > >
> > > Computer motherboards have used CR2032 cells for retaining the "CMOS"
> > > settings when the computer is turned off. My guess(tm) is CR2032
> > > cells began appearing in large quantities with the introduction of the
> > > ATX specification in 1995. Since then, I've seen literally hundreds
> > > of CR2032 button cells, none of which were bulged, expanded or spewing
> > > chemicals.
> > >
> > > However, that was for LMO (lithium manganese dioxide) cells. I've
> > > seen smaller LR44 type alkaline button cells that leaked, bulged,
> > > expended, and made the same mess that alkaline cylindrical cells
> > > continue to make in battery powered lights and equipment.
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Jeff Liebermann je...@cruzio.com
> > > PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> > > Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
> > > Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
> > I got the new Garmin Heart Rate Monitor strap and used it today for the first time on the indoor bike. I set up as usual very quickly and easy. Today I road 38 miles on the trainer in 2:07 with average HR 113 and max was 133. I rarely can get above 140 have to be almost killing it on the trainer in a mad all out long sprint. Oddly I don't mind riding inside after being outside for a long time. It can actually go better and frankly more bang for the buck as a workout no coasting.
> > Deacon Mark
> I hate indoor training. So it's winter gear again although the weather is still OK . Luckily we have moderate winters. To avoid winter blues go get as much light as you can. This means go outside.
>
> Lou
Lou I ride year around and only stay inside if the wind is really nasy. I don't ride in the ice and snow and we do get it but generally cannot ride outside everyday in Illinois in winter. Seems I generally can get in 2 sometimes 3 rides outside a week in December. January not so much gets well below 32 degrees and that is ok if no wind, but around here we have wind.

I have a Gore Windstopper jacket and all the cold weather gear, but inside sometimes can actually be a better workout for the time spent.
Deacon mark

Am Mon, 23 Oct 2023 11:01:30 -0700 (PDT) schrieb Mark Cleary
<deaconmjc08@gmail.com>:

> I have a Gore Windstopper jacket and all the cold weather
> gear, but inside sometimes can actually be a better workout
> for the time spent.

For most of my working life, I rode my bike to work year-round,
sprinting through a crowded city and finishing up a hill.

<https://www.mystrobl.de/Plone/radfahren/technik/komponenten/winterausruestung/IMG_1272.jpeg>
(Me wearing electrically heated Gearne Polar shoes with SPD cleats,
photo from January 2007)

<https://www.mystrobl.de/Plone/wolfgang-strobl/fotos/bonn/rhein/P1080663.jpeg>

(The banks of the Rhine in Bonn and Beuel in winter, Rhine is steaming -
view from Kennedybrücke towards south, 2009-01-09, -9°C)

But I had a nasty bicycle accident in 2011 causing some permanent damage
and I'm old and retired now, so I decided to avoid circumstances that
didn't scare or harm me in old times. So I just avoid riding in the cold
- below 10°C/50°F - and when it's wet.

I somewhat hate using an indoor trainer, too, but it's still better than
doing nothing to stay reasonably fit.

Yesterday I used a rare day without rain for doing 55 kilometres with
510 metres of elevation gain in two and a half hours, the day before
yesterday virtual 38 kilometres on flat terrain in 1:11 h on the indoor
trainer. I rather ride my bike halve a day outside than sitting one
hour on the indoor trainer.

On the other hand, I don't risk riding hard enought to drive my heart
rate the the max, mostly because it is difficult to find places for
doing that safely. The day before yesterday, I got it up to 166 bpm
easily, but outside the house I try to stay below 140-150 bpm - or even
lower, when it comes to ride long distances.

--
Thank you for observing all safety precautions