Concept2 Forum

I am after some advice please regarding chest strap please. I have used Garmin chest strap for the last 2-3 years and have had no problem connecting. For some reason the strap will now not connect to the PM5. I have completed all the troubleshooting checks (wires / battery etc.) and updated firmware. Initially I thought the strap was not working and even invested in new strap. I remain baffled as to why the strap will not connect. I would appreciate any advice on this issue. Thank you.

I assume you've tried what's below, but just to be sure we're on the same page:

What happens when on the PM5 you click Connect and then Connect Heart Monitor? Does is search for ten seconds and show nothing? It should show both ANT+ and Bluetooth options, so you need to select one and then hit Confirm. Then tell Ergdata (if you're using it) to "remember this HRM."

If that's what you've tried, I think that the most likely suspect is a fault with the PM5. There's a slim chance that your HRM is connecting to some other device instead, but that would affect Bluetooth and not ANT+.

Also, you might try updating the PM5 firmware. You can do this with Ergdata (assuming it can connect) or with a printer cable and a Windows computer and Concept2 Utility (free download).

Thanks for the response. Yes - have tried all you mentioned. I updated the latest version of firmware yesterday so do not think that is the issue. I will double check all troubleshooting advice and see how it goes. Frustrating as I have not had this issue before. even more baffling is that the Garmin watch wrist HR does connect to the PM5 without a problem but the wrist HR is erratic and not accurate.I will keep perservering with the issue. Thanks once again.

Factory reset of PM5 seems to have done the trick! New HR chest strap now picked up and connected - will give it a 'run out' tomorrow on work out.

1664jim wrote: ↑

May 20th, 2025, 11:17 am

Factory reset of PM5 seems to have done the trick! New HR chest strap now picked up and connected - will give it a 'run out' tomorrow on work out.

Congratulations!

I am having a similar problem. I have an HRM Pro Plus and Garmin 255 and had no issues for almost the 2 years I've owned them. Now the past few weeks I can get the strap to connect, but it frequently drops out several minutes into the workout on the PM5, even though the data is recording on the watch.

I've called C2 twice, and they said to take the batteries out of my PM5 and also take out the battery on my strap and then put them back in after a ten minute period. It hasn't really helped much. One day it stays connected, then another day it cuts out. I'm a bit disappointed at the Concept 2 techs who I've spoken with.

It seems like a factory reset was your answer. Two questions 1) how do you do that? and 2) does this mean any data stored in the PM5 is lost?

Thanks in advance

Make sure you are on the latest PM5 firmware.

First I would factory default reset the monitor then update the firmware on it.

All the data on it is lost.

You hold down the change units and the change display while putting a paper clip in the reset switch on the back.

1664jim wrote: ↑

May 20th, 2025, 9:45 am

even more baffling is that the Garmin watch wrist HR does connect to the PM5 without a problem but the wrist HR is erratic and not accurate.

Not if you connect your HR strap to your watch. The watch will then forward your HR to the PM5

JaapvanE wrote: ↑

June 1st, 2025, 4:12 am

1664jim wrote: ↑

May 20th, 2025, 9:45 am

even more baffling is that the Garmin watch wrist HR does connect to the PM5 without a problem but the wrist HR is erratic and not accurate.

Not if you connect your HR strap to your watch. The watch will then forward your HR to the PM5

I guess your mileage may vary, but my watch gives bonkers readings for rowing. It is OK for cycling and walking; running marginal.

gvcormac wrote: ↑

June 1st, 2025, 7:58 am

JaapvanE wrote: ↑

June 1st, 2025, 4:12 am

1664jim wrote: ↑

May 20th, 2025, 9:45 am

even more baffling is that the Garmin watch wrist HR does connect to the PM5 without a problem but the wrist HR is erratic and not accurate.

Not if you connect your HR strap to your watch. The watch will then forward your HR to the PM5

I guess your mileage may vary, but my watch gives bonkers readings for rowing. It is OK for cycling and walking; running marginal.

Of you connect your HRM belt to your watch, it does not read the HR during workout, but takes it from the belt.
On steady state work I must say, EPIX Gen2 is giving same results as my belt.

OK, but if you're wearing the belt, and ErgData connects automatically, what's the value-add of a watch? Different tracking info?

[Understood that OP was having trouble connecting to PM5, but I'd think solving that problem would be the way to go.]

gvcormac wrote: ↑

June 1st, 2025, 8:31 am

OK, but if you're wearing the belt, and ErgData connects automatically, what's the value-add of a watch? Different tracking info?

First, the watch provides a backup HRM reading if the HRM belt fails.

Additionally, it measures skin temperature. I think breathing rate originates from the HRM belt, so that wouldn't matter.

gvcormac wrote: ↑

June 1st, 2025, 8:31 am

OK, but if you're wearing the belt, and ErgData connects automatically, what's the value-add of a watch? Different tracking info?

[Understood that OP was having trouble connecting to PM5, but I'd think solving that problem would be the way to go.]

No value of adding a watch as a HRM, when using a belt, as long as the belt does not fail to transmit the data to the PM5. If that happens and your watch do not fail to send the same data, then the connection to watch and use the watch as a 'repeater' to send the belt HR to the PM5 will solve the mentioned problem by the OP.

Using a watch in general has another background/reason as a HR belt for single workout tracking. The watch will give you daily life metrics (additional to workout data, which is not as precise as with a belt), the belt only gives specific workout data.

1664jim wrote: ↑

May 20th, 2025, 7:19 am

I have used Garmin chest strap for the last 2-3 years and have had no problem connecting. For some reason the strap will now not connect to the PM5.

I'm a bit late to this ... but I'm looking at that "2-3 years" and thinking its probably just that the belt is end of life. My last 3 belts have been Garmin Duals and I connect to the PM5 with Ant+. Works faultlessly for ages. Eventually wierd things happen, occasional very odd readings, dropouts, etc. I start chasing rabbits down holes with new batteries, different order of connecting, bluetooth, whatever. In the end I buy a new belt and everything goes back to normal and works faultlessly for ages.

From the testing I did after I bought my third, it was deffo the belt giving the errors not the transmitter piece (still using the second transmitter on the third belt) - but the first transmitter was also flakey and has been junked. Mine last roughly 2 years. I use the thing every day and about 2.5MM/year - obvs different usage may give a different life. Belt gets washed every 8 days. JM2PW

MPx wrote: ↑

June 1st, 2025, 11:35 am

1664jim wrote: ↑

May 20th, 2025, 7:19 am

I have used Garmin chest strap for the last 2-3 years and have had no problem connecting. For some reason the strap will now not connect to the PM5.

From the testing I did after I bought my third, it was deffo the belt giving the errors not the transmitter piece (still using the second transmitter on the third belt) - but the first transmitter was also flakey and has been junked. Mine last roughly 2 years. I use the thing every day and about 2.5MM/year - obvs different usage may give a different life. Belt gets washed every 8 days. JM2PW

I don't use Garmin, but I'd also recommend buying a new strap, as mine last circa two years, as a bit of a guess, and I do about 3.5mm a year. I don't wash it per se, but just rinse it in warm water about every 10-14 days, which seems to do the trick.