HRM-RUN
Today, this is the first report for running with Fenix 3 HR.
First of all, let’s look into some new features. This is a comparison between Fenix 3 HR and
Forerunner 910XT I have been using for a while.
New Features
It is possible to use the built-in optical heart rate
sensor, however, I decided to use chest-strap heart rate sensor for
running. Because it is much stable
reading for running. Thus, I got a new
chest-strap based sensor “HRM-RUN” with fenix 3 HR. The latest high-end devices from Garmin can
monitor some additional running dynamics with “HRM-RUN”. It also allows to monitor running cadence
without a food-pod on a shoe. The
feature is enabled with “HRM-RUN”. It
is almost the same as my old chest-strap based heart rate monitor, but I feel a
bit better than the old one. I guess it
might fit better. But it really depends
on each person.
Here is the new items we can monitor:
- Vertical Ratio
- Vertical Oscillation
- Ground Contact Time Balance
- Ground Contact Time
- Run Cadence (without food-pod)
- Temperature
They are basically related to the running form. I am not sure how much useful they are. But we can get some additional information
and we can check them when we are running.
VO2max / Lactate
Threshold
The other feature
for running, it can estimate VO2max and Lactate threshold. In my case, I have never measure those value
in a formal method. Thus, I cannot tell
the value is reasonable or not. But it
is still useful to see the progress of training with this relative value over
the training period.
Especially, I used
to do cooper test (12 minutes running) to estimate my VO2max before. Now I can get a number with regular running
training. It is very interesting feature
and they are one of a big reasons I pick this device.
After using fenix 3
HR for running
A menu of the day
was “Threshold run”. After 10 minutes
slow jog as a warming up, repeating 4 times of 5 minutes running in HR Zone 4 and 1 and half
minutes running in HR Zone 2. Then
cooling down.
The menu is from a
free training plan on Garmin Connect that I have been following, “Full Marathon
Level 1”. The menu can be downloaded
from Garmin Connect to the device. Then
the device can notify the training detail with alarm and vibration. They are very convenient features during the
training execution. People also set up
their own training either on the device or on Garmin Connect. This feature exists in my old device
Forerunner 910XT and I have been using it for a whole. I am confirming that the feature is still in
the new device as the same as the old device.
Time to capture GPS satellites
The new model can
capture the GPS satellites much faster.
In the old model, it sometimes took a several minutes, but the new
device can be ready within a few minutes.
I was frustrated to get the device is ready before. The new device is significantly improve
it. This is highlighted in the device
introduction and I confirmed it is really improved.
Basic operation?
The button
locations are not identical with the old device. But basic concept to operate the device stays
a similar enough. I do not see any
problem to use the new device at all.
Especially using for running is almost identical. However, the new device can customize
profile for each activity type, such as cardio in a gym, hiking and etc. It is convenient to use the device for
various spot activates.
Overall impression
I have been using
Garmin product for a long time and I do not feel any major changes
overall. The display can be customized
based on each person’s preference. In
my case, I only check, the heart rate, pace and time when I run. The other information, I usually do not check
at all. So I do not have to customize a
lot. Only thing is my presbyopia is
getting worse, therefore I just display just one item on a display at the same
time. It helps to read the information
during running with a big display. The
overall size is a similar as my old Forerunner 910XT. However, the display on the new device
becomes color and quality of the display is getting better, so it is probably
much clear in various situation.
I do not have any
plan to check the accuracy of the location and the heart rate. Because it is a device from the same vendor,
I think they are a similar or improved.
In a reality I cannot see any major difference for the location on a map
and the heart rate data on Garmin Connect.
I do not think there is any problem for now. Also, I do not see wrong high value reading
in the beginning of training I saw in many data with Forerunner 910XT. I will monitor this with accumulating number
of tracking data.
The other thing,
the way to log the location data is “smart tracking” by default. I plan to test “Normal mode” which is
logging every second and “ultra-track mode”.
I think it is not a big problem for regular running. However, it is possible not to log a record
more than 10 seconds with “smart track mode”, therefore, if the route is not
straight or bending many times, the actual running course is not the same as
what it uses for the distance calculation.
In this case, the distance could be inaccurate. If people needs more accurate data, it is
probably better to use “normal tracking mode”.
Data on Garmin Connect
After an activity,
the tracking data will be updated through a smart phone, WiFi and / or PC to
Garmin Connect, which includes the additional running dynamics data and
graphs. With the old device, I have to
use PC to upload the data. Now it is
automatically uploaded via a smart phone and / or WiFi. It is really convenient. Also, Gamin Connect has a display to show
the total time distribution for each HR Zone during an activity. It is a good feature to check a heart rate
based training as the menu defines. I
used to use own program to check it and it is automatically taking care of by
the Garmin Connect with this device.
Data example on Garmin Connect
Duration for each heart rate zone during the training
I will continue to
accumulating the data and evaluate them in detail in the future.
Over all, there is
no significant improvement, but there are many minor improvements in the new device. The big one is collaborating with a smart
phone to fit our current life style. It
is one of a good benefit for people who still use PC based device. Although it is true the feature is not
necessary, it is really convenient for many people.
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