Garmin HRM 600 – everything you need to know
This is Garmin’s latest high-end chest strap that ‘does everything’. It adds notable new features, including watch-free usage, a button and a rechargeable battery. There’s more than that, too…let’s go.
Price: £149.99
Availability: May 21
Sizes: XS–S, M–XL
The strap is suitable for divers, swimmers, triathletes, people who can’t wear watches during sport, runners and cyclists – amongst others.
Standout Features
I’m impressed that anyone has found a new running metric to add – Garmin seems to have found one that might be insightful here! Although the devil is in the details. How do you correct any issues found?
I’m then amazed that Garmin has allowed a chest strap to pair directly with Connect. Sure, older straps could get firmware updates by linking to Connect, but now it’s possible to track and record a workout without a watch – all Garmin has to do now is add that feature to an arm strap like Whoop!
- Step Speed Loss: A new running dynamic that shows how much speed is lost when your foot hits the ground (works with Forerunner 970).
- Standalone Activity Recording: Tracks workouts (heart rate, distance, calories, etc.) even without a smartwatch. Ideal for sports like basketball, swimming, or martial arts.
- Rechargeable Battery: Lasts up to 2 months per charge (1 hour of use/day).
- Tri-colour LED Indicator: Shows pairing status, low battery, and wake mode.
- Quick Button Wake & Pair: Easy to pair with devices on/off.
- Secure BLE: Secure Bluetooth connection
Performance & Fitness Features
- Heart Rate + HRV Tracking: Real-time and recorded heart rate with heart rate variability analysis.
- Running Metrics:
- Step Speed Loss
- Stride Length
- Vertical Oscillation
- Ground Contact Time Balance
- Running Pace & Distance (indoors too)
- Swimming Support:
- Stores & forwards heart rate data while swimming
- Swim interval heart rate stats (with compatible smartwatch)
- Multisport Activity Recording: Supports a wide range of sports, including:
- Running, Cycling, Swimming
- Basketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Football (Soccer & American), Rugby, MMA, Boxing, Baseball, Cricket, Softball, Ultimate Disc, Lacrosse
- Team Sport Speed & Distance: For sports like football, rugby, hockey, and more (via compatible watch or app).
Smart Features & Connectivity
- Garmin Connect App Integration
- Connectivity Protocols:
- ANT+ (Unlimited connections)
- Bluetooth Low Energy (Up to 3 concurrent devices)
- Secure BLE (with compatible Garmin devices)
- Real-Time Sync: Sends data to:
- Garmin smartwatches
- Edge cycling computers
- Tacx Training App
- Other fitness equipment and apps
Specifications
- Two Size Options: XS-S: 60–85 cm chest (22–33.5 in), M-XL: 80–119 cm chest (31.5–47 in)
- Module Size: 68.0 x 31.6 x 10.0 mm
- Weight:
- Strap + Module (M-XL): 61 g
- Module Only: 18 g
- Battery Type: Garmin proprietary rechargeable
- Water Rating: 5 ATM (suitable for swimming)
- Security Updates Supported Until: May 15, 2025
Take Out
Garmin would always be adding new updates to its chest straps and other accessories this year, if only to comply with new laws around charging and privacy.
We have the HRV tracking as before. I was half-hoping for ECG functionalities to be added, but maybe they could come later. What has come now is 3x BLE connections, which should be enough for anyone when combined with ANT+.
The pleasant surprise is that genuine new features have been added and that Garmin targets wholly new classes of sportspeople by not requiring a watch. That will surely bring them sales in team sports, but will it cost them sales of watches to runners? I suspect it will be a net win for the company.
I’m less sure I like the rechargeable battery side of things. A CR2032 battery lasts a very long time, typically over a year. I don’t want another device to forget to charge every 2 months. Perhaps the new LED will go some way to keeping me informed of the need to recharge. I will get one of these in a few weeks, and I will provide feedback in a more detailed review of the Garmin HRM 600.
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Actual top features:
– Pod separates from the belt which makes the belt replaceable when it inevitably fails
– Rechargeable which means you do not open and disturb any gasket seal to replace a battery
Those two features should make this a much more robust and durable HRM. Yes it is a tradeoff for recharging every few months. Presumably the low batt alert on the watch and a sad indicator light will also warn you to recharge with plenty of notice.
Also now the NSA and GCHQ will not be able to snoop my heart rate data — I guess.
I agree about separating the pod and belt. My HRM Pro+ belt is looking very dog-eared after 18 months of use. The HRM Pro died at about 22 months of use. Hopefully, this will last longer.
The rechargable and non-replaceable battery feels like a downgrade in terms of longevity.
do we already know what kind of charging connector is used? i assume it’s not same as on the watches?
On the garmin website it looks like the garmin 4-pin you’d also find on their watches. Sadly not even USB-C
Ah ok, now i saw it as well. Connector is fine for me.
BUT the price? I can buy three (!) HRM dual for thiss and put them in my drawer. (I don’t need anything beyond HR). Even the HRM-200 is overpriced I think.
proprietary garmin, i forgot to add that.
it looks like a standard 4-pin garmin charger!!!
The current HRM-Pro+ straps also connect directly with Connect. I honestly don’t know the extent of the integration, but I frequently wear my strap when I mow my yard (taking my watch off) to get credit for the steps I take during the chore. It syncs the steps and heart rate back up to my GC account and then onto my watch without issue.
this is deeper integration.
I’m honestly most excited about the new Step Speed Loss metric. That’s a way more useful “running dynamics” metric than pretty much all of the other ones, because it provides real actionable information.
I’ll wait to see other people’s real world results with it before I buy a 3rd Garmin HRM for myself lol, but it sounds promising.
And it sounds like I also need to wait until it gets ported to other watches besides just the 970
Wahoo had the removable pod 10 years ago although mine failed after 6 months.