Garmin/Suunto Troubleshooting

Symptom

While rowing with a Garmin chest belt, the heart rate values do not match other Garmin devices.

Resolution

Older PM4 Firmware uses a different method for averaging values than Garmin devices use. If you are running an older version, update to the latest available. Also, check the chest belt positioning on your torso to ensure the best read possible.

Symptom

While rowing with a Garmin or Suunto chest belt, the heart rate disappears.

Resolution

Try to determine whether the chest belt is still transmitting: At a point when the heart rate disappears from the PM4, check the LED on the back of the monitor (near the network jacks; refer to photo). 

If the LED is blinking once per second, the chest belt is still transmitting and the PM4 is receiving; however, the chest belt may not be able to read the heart rate and so is not sending good data. This can be caused by any of the following:

• Body/Chest Belt Not Warmed Up—Wet the chest belt contacts, and warm-up for at least five minutes.
• Poor Chest Belt Positioning—If the display continues to be intermittent, the signal may be blocked by fatty tissue or poor positioning. Check the chest belt's positioning on your torso, and make any recommended adjustments.
• Radio Frequency (RF) Interference—Transmission of the heart rate data may be affected by RF interference. Ensure that any local WiFi equipment is not transmitting on channels that overlap ANT transmission channels. WiFi (802.11b and 802.11g) can be safely configured on channels 1–6; channels 7–14 may start to interfere with ANT Wireless. Consult your access point user manual for information on how to change the WiFi transmission channel.

If the LED is not blinking, one of the following causes may be at play:

• The chest belt battery is dead or the chest belt is defective.
• The chest belt and the PM4 may no longer be paired.
• The PM4 is faulty.

Visit the How To Use section for more information.

Symptom 1

Pairing the chest belt with the PM4 was successful, but the Confirm screen displays "0" or unrealistic heart rate values.

Resolution

There are several potential reasons that a chest belt fails to transmit data to the PM4. Refer to the following:

• Dead Battery in the Chest Belt—Review battery life expectancy information under How to Use; try replacing the battery.
• Chest Belt is not "On"—Wet the chest belt contacts and place the chest belt around your torso, or wet hands and grasp one contact in each hand firmly once or twice to "wake up" the chest belt.
• Reset the Chest Belt—If you have replaced the battery and the problem persists, try resetting the chest belt as follows:
  1. Remove the battery from the chest belt.
  2. Inspect the battery compartment to ensure it is clear of debris and that no signs of battery acid exist.
  3. Reinstall the battery upside down (positive side facing down).
  4. Remove the battery again and reinstall it normally.
• Chest Belt is Defective or Broken—Contact Concept2 for assistance.
• Chest Belt is not ANT Compatible—In order for the wireless heart rate feature to function with the PM4, the chest belt must be a Garmin ANT, Suunto ANT, or another ANT type belt. If yours is not, you must obtain the proper chest belt to make use of this function.
• The PM4's Radio is Not Working—If you can, try a few other ANT type chest belts. If multiple chest belts do not work, the PM4 may not be operating properly. Contact Concept2 for assistance.
• Radio Frequency (RF) Interference—Transmission of the heart rate data may be affected by RF interference. Ensure that any local WiFi equipment is not transmitting on channels that overlap ANT transmission channels. WiFi (802.11b and 802.11g) can be safely configured on channels 1–6; channels 7–14 may start to interfere with ANT Wireless. Consult your access point user manual for information on how to change the WiFi transmission channel.

Symptom 2

While rowing with a Suunto or Garmin chest belt, the heart rate values seem incorrect.

Resolution

The only true method for measuring heart rate is by counting heart beats during a complete one minute period; the instant values displayed on the monitor or on a watch are estimates. A tolerance of +/- 5 beats is typical. To determine whether valid heart rate values are being transmitted:

1. Warm-up for at least five minutes.
2. If the values continue to be erratic post warm-up, check the chest belt's positioning on your torso (visit How to Use for more information). You can also try wearing a cotton shirt or wetting your shirt. Synthetic shirts that rub or flap against the heart rate belt can cause static electricity and interfere with the heart rate monitor signal.

Symptom 3

On occasion, certain PM4s with the firmware version between 300 and 310 may stop showing heart rate values when used with a Garmin, Suunto, or ANT+ heart rate belt.

Resolution

This may be due to a software glitch in the PM4. Users with the firmware version 300–310 should update to the latest firmware to resolve this issue. If the problem persists, contact Concept2 and ask to speak to a technician.

Symptom

You are attempting to pair your chest belt to the Performance Monitor, but the PM does not show your chest belt ID number. This means the Garmin/Suunto/ANT+ chest belt is not transmitting to the PM.

Resolution

There are several potential reasons that a chest belt fails to transmit data to the PM. Refer to the following:

• Dead Battery in the Chest Belt—Review battery life expectancy information under How to Use; try replacing the battery.
• Chest Belt is not "On"—Wet the chest belt contacts and place the chest belt around your torso, or wet hands and grasp one contact in each hand firmly once or twice to "wake up" the chest belt.
• Reset the Chest Belt—If you have replaced the battery and the problem persists, try resetting the chest belt as follows:
  1. Remove the battery from the chest belt.
  2. Inspect the battery compartment to ensure it is clear of debris and that no signs of battery acid exist.
  3. Reinstall the battery upside down (positive side facing down).
  4. Remove the battery again and reinstall it normally.
• Chest Belt is Defective or Broken—Contact Concept2 for assistance.
• Chest Belt is not Compatible—In order for the wireless heart rate feature to function with a PM4 or PM5, you must use compatible heart rate equipment. If your chest belt is not compatible, you must obtain the proper chest belt to make use of this function.
• The PM's Radio is Not Working—If you can, try a few other compatible chest belts. If multiple chest belts do not work, the PM may not be operating properly. Contact Concept2 for assistance.
• Radio Frequency (RF) Interference—Transmission of the heart rate data may be affected by RF interference. Ensure that any local WiFi equipment is not transmitting on channels that overlap ANT transmission channels. WiFi (802.11b and 802.11g) can be safely configured on channels 1–6; channels 7–14 may start to interfere with ANT Wireless. Consult your access point user manual for information on how to change the WiFi transmission channel.

Due to a design change in Suunto heart rate belts, the PM4 may show an incorrect heart rate on the PM4 Confirm screen; however, the proper heart rate values should be shown when rowing or skiing.