Video summary

Garmin Sensors: Newer ≠ Better?

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product(s) Reviewed / Compared

  • Garmin Forerunner 570 (uses Elevate V5 sensor)
  • Garmin Forerunner 165 (uses Elevate V4 sensor)
  • Tested on the same user (Raphael) for running and outdoor cycling
  • Reference for heart-rate accuracy: Polar H10 chest strap (ECG)

Key Findings: Elevate V5 vs V4 (Sensor Performance)

Main Question

Does the newer Elevate V5 sensor significantly outperform the older Elevate V4?

Result

  • There is no major performance difference overall between Elevate V5 and V4 in this test.
  • On running, results are very close.
  • On cycling, Forerunner 570 sometimes shows a slight edge, but not enough for a clear, consistent win.

Numerical / Correlation Results Mentioned

Running (agreement vs Polar H10 reference)

  • Forerunner 165 (V4): correlation ~0.98
  • Forerunner 570 (V5): correlation ~0.97
  • Overall comparison described devices as nearly tied, with differences between 165 and 570 said to be not statistically significant.

Cycling / Outdoor Biking

  • Forerunner 165 (V4): correlation ~0.95
  • Forerunner 570 (V5): correlation ~0.97
  • 570 performed slightly better, but it was not among the best performers overall.

Big Takeaway: Wrist Position & Physiology Matter More Than Sensor Generation

A major and surprising conclusion: wrist position and individual physiology affected heart-rate tracking much more than the sensor model.

Left vs Right Wrist Effect (Both Devices)

  • Raphael wore devices on right vs left wrist on different randomized days.
  • Right wrist consistently performed better.
  • Left wrist results were noticeably worse, including cases where heart rate was:
    • too low (and sometimes too high) during cycling

A particularly poor outcome was attributed partly to tight strap/clothing placement (left arm strap worn slightly higher), potentially constricting blood flow.

Reviewer Lesson (Methodology Implication)

  • One wrist test is not enough.
  • Recommendation implied: test each device on both wrists.
  • Practical guidance implied: if readings look bad, swap wrists.

Cold-Weather Consideration (Mentioned)

Potential winter degradation due to:

  • Colder skin → reduced blood flow
  • Tighter clothing layers
  • Possible GPS signal issues if layers obstruct it (described as debatable / not fully confirmed)

Comparisons vs Other Wearables (Accuracy Ranking Context)

In the overview comparison (correlation-based):

  • Garmin Forerunners (165/570) were not top performers
  • Top performers mentioned:
    • Apple Watches
    • Pixel Watches
    • Some Huawei devices

Garmin was described as “good enough” for running and good enough for biking—just not best-in-class.

Pros / Cons (As Described)

Pros

  • Accurate enough heart-rate tracking for running on the right wrist
  • Cycling accuracy is acceptable, with Forerunner 570 slightly better than 165 in some cases
  • Upgrading V4 → V5 does not appear to be a large performance leap in this test

Cons

  • Cycling can be harder due to wrist tension and bumpiness, leading to deviations
  • Left wrist performance can be significantly worse than right (potentially due to physiology + strap placement + tightness)
  • Garmin watches generally lag behind some competitors (Apple/Pixel/Huawei) in correlation accuracy

User Experience / Testing Notes

  • N=1 test user (Raphael), with multiple runs/rides over several weeks
  • Polar H10 ECG strap used as the accuracy reference
  • Emphasis on real-world variability dominating results:
    • clothing tightness
    • jewelry/strap placement
    • wrist position

Verdict / Recommendation

  • If you already have Elevate V4 (Forerunner 165) and you’re satisfied: the video suggests there’s no strong reason to upgrade to Elevate V5 (Forerunner 570) based on heart-rate tracking performance alone.
  • Bigger upgrade lever: try different wrists (right vs left), because wrist/physiology changes results more than V5 vs V4.
  • For buyers: expect Garmin Forerunners to be good enough, but not as accurate as Apple/Pixel (and some Huawei) in this type of comparison.

Unique Points Mentioned

  1. Elevate V5 vs V4 tested indirectly via Forerunner 570 vs 165
  2. Polar H10 ECG strap used as the reference
  3. Running: both sensors show high agreement with reference (~0.97–0.98 correlation)
  4. Running: differences between 165 and 570 described as minor / likely not statistically significant
  5. Cycling is harder for watches due to wrist tension and bumpiness
  6. Cycling correlations: 165 ~0.95, 570 ~0.97 (570 slightly better)
  7. Garmin watches are not the best overall; Apple/Pixel/Huawei do better in correlation-based comparisons
  8. Major surprise: results depend heavily on which wrist the watch is worn
  9. Right wrist better than left wrist for both devices
  10. Left wrist sometimes shows too-low (and occasionally too-high) HR readings
  11. Possible explanation: strap placement and constricted blood flow on the left arm
  12. Clothing tightness/jewelry/strap positioning can affect HR tracking
  13. Winter/cold may worsen wrist HR tracking due to reduced blood flow
  14. Reviewers should test on both wrists (methodological recommendation)
  15. User suggestion: experiment with wrist placement (right vs left)
  16. V4 → V5 upgrade shows no major performance boost, except possibly slightly on the left wrist
  17. Proposed next step: test other brands/devices to see if left-right effects generalize

Speakers / Contributors

  • Primary speaker: Rob (data-driven analysis; reviewer methodology + conclusions)
  • Other contributor: Raphael (wearer doing most of the randomized wrist testing and the runs/rides)
  • “Rob from the future” segment: Rob’s follow-up explaining that left wrist issues may come from strap placement/tightness and physiology, emphasizing that wrist/clothing effects outweighed sensor differences.

Original video