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What is Heart Rate Dynamic Source Switching?
Heart rate dynamic source switching aims to provide the most accurate heart rate possible by dynamically selecting the best source of heart rate data when wearing a compatible Garmin® heart rate monitor strap with a compatible Garmin watch.
What Garmin Products Are Compatible With This Feature?
Switching sources based on the quality of the heart rate signal during an activity requires the use of a Garmin HRM-Dual™, HRM 200, HRM-Fit™, HRM-Pro™, or HRM-Pro Plus™ heart rate monitor along with a watch from the compatible watch list below. Any Garmin HRM strap and compatible watch from the list below will do basic heart rate source switching when a heart rate monitor is unavailable (for example, if there is a drop in connection).
D2™ Mach 1 | D2™ Mach 1 Pro
Descent™ Mk3 | Descent™ Mk3i
Enduro™ 2
Enduro™ 3
epix™ (Gen 2) | epix™ (Gen 2) Sapphire | epix™ (Gen 2) Porsche Edition
epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - Standard Edition | epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - Sapphire Edition
fēnix® 7 - Standard Edition | fēnix®7 - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7 - Sapphire Solar Edition
fēnix® 7S - Standard Edition | fēnix® 7S - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7S - Sapphire Solar Edition
fēnix® 7X - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7X - Sapphire Solar Edition
fēnix® 7 Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7 Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition
fēnix® 7S Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7S Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition
fēnix® 7X Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7X Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition
fēnix® 8 - AMOLED Edition | fēnix® 8 - Solar Edition
fēnix® E
Forerunner® 165 | Forerunner® 165 Music
Forerunner® 255 | Forerunner® 255S | Forerunner® 255 Music | Forerunner® 255S Music
Forerunner® 265 | Forerunner® 265S
Forerunner® 955 | Forerunner® 955 Solar
Forerunner® 965
MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) | MARQ® Aviator (Gen 2) | MARQ® Captain (Gen 2) | MARQ® Golfer (Gen 2)
MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) - Performance Edition | MARQ® Commander (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition | MARQ® Golfer (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition
quatix® 7 - Standard Edition | quatix® 7 - Sapphire Edition | quatix® 7X - Solar Edition | quatix® 7 Pro
tactix® 7 - AMOLED Edition | tactix® 7 - Standard Edition | tactix® 7 - Pro Edition | tactix® 7 - Pro Ballistics Edition
tactix® 8 - AMOLED | tactix® 8 - Solar
Venu® 3 | Venu 3S®
vívoactive® 5
How Does Heart Rate Dynamic Source Switching Work?
Dynamic source switching is available for all activity types to provide seamless heart rate data if the heart rate strap detects low signal quality. The biggest benefit of the feature is for running activities. A heart rate strap is usually the most accurate source of heart rate data for running but occasionally there can be inaccurate heart rate at the beginning of runs, often referred to as start-up noise. This is caused by poor connection between the skin and the electrodes and typically resolves once you start to sweat. With dynamic source switching, when a heart rate strap detects low signal quality, heart rate from the optical heart rate sensor on the watch is displayed and logged instead. The heart rate strap remains connected to the watch and the heart rate source will automatically switch back to the strap once the signal quality improves.
Why Are the Optical Heart Rate Lights on My Watch Staying On, Even When I’m Paired to an External Heart Rate Strap?
The optical heart rate lights will remain on with this feature enabled. Allowing the OHR to always remain on enables the heart rate dynamic source switching feature to work seamlessly behind the scenes.
Is There a Battery Life Impact With This Feature?
The impact to overall device battery life is small and should not cause a significant change.
Can I Turn Off Dynamic Source Switching?
Disabling this feature requires for you to not be in a activity profile and have a compatible heart rate monitor strap as a paired sensor to the watch. To disable, refer to your owner's manual and search "Wrist Heart Rate".