Polar HRM Malfunctioning

weinbagel
weinbagel Posts: 337 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have a Polar FT4 that I've used for about two years. Just recently, it stopped working and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem??

I got a new battery a few months ago, and wash the strap as well. I hope I don't need to replace it altogether :/

Replies

  • laineybz
    laineybz Posts: 704 Member
    How'd you mean stopped working? My heart rate kept shooting up and back down and sometimes didn't find my heart rate. I was within my warranty though so got it swapped over.
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    Did you replace both the strap battery and the watch battery?
  • weinbagel
    weinbagel Posts: 337 Member
    How'd you mean stopped working? My heart rate kept shooting up and back down and sometimes didn't find my heart rate. I was within my warranty though so got it swapped over.

    That's exactly what mine does! I wonder if it's still under warranty... thanks!
  • weinbagel
    weinbagel Posts: 337 Member
    Did you replace both the strap battery and the watch battery?

    Haha, good thinking... no, I only replaced the watch battery. Guess I should check the other one out!
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    I've seen the reading shoot way up when I've been too close to a large TV or riding my bike near high voltage power lines. Is there anything around causing interference?
  • weinbagel
    weinbagel Posts: 337 Member
    I've seen the reading shoot way up when I've been too close to a large TV or riding my bike near high voltage power lines. Is there anything around causing interference?

    Not that I know of, though that is something to think about! I haven't changed my route recently.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,658 Member
    Weirdly, mine too has been playing up a little lately.

    Batteries in both the watch and receiver were changed, the strap washed every few uses, but rinsed out everytime after use.

    I first noticed it when sitting down putting my trainers on, my heartrate was showing as 207bpm!!!

    On the whole it seems to work just fine, but tends to occasionally, become unstable before I start training, really weird.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    the main reason i like sending mine in to replace the battery is they replace the strap. i dont think those straps were meant to last more than a year, even if you do wash them
  • thoshowski
    thoshowski Posts: 135 Member
    This might sound bad, but I've had mine for years. I would have to take it off and hit on the table to get it to work. Most times it would work.
  • tammihart
    tammihart Posts: 953 Member
    the main reason i like sending mine in to replace the battery is they replace the strap. i dont think those straps were meant to last more than a year, even if you do wash them


    I never sent mine anywhere but I agree about it not lasting but a few years. After about 2 years mine started acting up in the same way.I changed both batteries with no luck so I ordered a new strap off Amazon and it is good as new.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    the main reason i like sending mine in to replace the battery is they replace the strap. i dont think those straps were meant to last more than a year, even if you do wash them

    Who does? Polar? I sent them my watch and strap and they didn't even replace the strap battery. They charged me $20 for a $2 watch battery and sent my HRM back to me in an envelope, after they had it a month. The strap battery died the next month. I quit using it and won't buy Polar stuff anymore. :grumble: Maybe they've changed, though. This was a couple years ago.
  • icimani
    icimani Posts: 1,454 Member
    Before you send it back to Polar (who doesn't have a reputation for good customer service!) try replacing both batteries again, but be sure to check the expiration date on the batteries that you buy. I replaced batteries in my Polar FT4 and it kept doing the same thing, and then I realized that the battery package said the batteries were well beyond their "use by:" date.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,658 Member
    the main reason i like sending mine in to replace the battery is they replace the strap. i dont think those straps were meant to last more than a year, even if you do wash them


    I never sent mine anywhere but I agree about it not lasting but a few years. After about 2 years mine started acting up in the same way.I changed both batteries with no luck so I ordered a new strap off Amazon and it is good as new.

    Was your HRM Polar FT4? If so, I might try the same then, I luffs my HRM :heart:
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,658 Member
    the main reason i like sending mine in to replace the battery is they replace the strap. i dont think those straps were meant to last more than a year, even if you do wash them

    Who does? Polar? I sent them my watch and strap and they didn't even replace the strap battery. They charged me $20 for a $2 watch battery and sent my HRM back to me in an envelope, after they had it a month. The strap battery died the next month. I quit using it and won't buy Polar stuff anymore. :grumble: Maybe they've changed, though. This was a couple years ago.

    I took mine into a jewellers and they replaced the battery in the watch and receiver. I detest sending stuff off.
  • shelleycolton
    shelleycolton Posts: 400 Member
    Mine is on the blink, not registering a heart rate at all, have ordered a new watch battery but may need to do the chest strap battery too, thanks for the tips, i think it hasnt helped in my loss of motivation.

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