Need a new chest strap?

msarro

So, I adore my polar f11. However, I've had it for more than a year now, and I'm starting to notice it get a little wonky. First, sometimes it seems like the chest strap will flat out stop talking to the watch. Then suddenly it will show my heart rate at 200+ bpm, then it'll say 0 again. I re-adjust it on my chest, and it'll suddenly work fine again.

Also, no matter what I do in a workout now, it's telling me that I'm burning 15-20% fat, where it used to tell me I was burning 45-55% fat on every run. Now, I still have a LOT of body fat to lose, and that doesn't seem to make sense. Especially on a day like today, where I never had a chance to get lunch and I made sure to run slowly because I wanted to finish my distance. I never got near my aerobic threshold. So 20% is flat out wrong.

I have taken care of it, I've washed the chest strap as instructed in the manual (not the sensor, just the strap) and don't really know what else to do. Also, it seems to think my target HR zone should be between 136 and 155. When I first got it I clearly remember it telling me that my target HR zone was between 150 something and 170 something. I think this may have to do with me turning the whole "ownzone" thing off, but I'm not sure.

Is there a way to reset the thing to factory defaults or something? Has anyone else had these issues? Maybe I just need a new chest strap?

lotusfromthemud

It might be that the battery is going on you.

The issue is, with the F11, you have to send the sensor back to Polar to change the battery. I've seen some internet instructions to DIY, but that made me nervous.

I found that I couldn't wait for the new battery and after shipping (I'm in Canada) and the cost of the battery, it was cheaper for me to just replace the strap. (I also have a problem with patience. . .)

HTH

XFitMojoMom

It might be that the battery is going on you.

The issue is, with the F11, you have to send the sensor back to Polar to change the battery. I've seen some internet instructions to DIY, but that made me nervous.

I found that I couldn't wait for the new battery and after shipping (I'm in Canada) and the cost of the battery, it was cheaper for me to just replace the strap. (I also have a problem with patience. . .)

HTH

I too was going to suggest the battery. There are some watch dealers that are equipped to change those batteries (test the pressure, etc...) so you may want to look around before shipping it out to the manufacturer.

amthomps521

I have a different Polar, I think it's the F4. Anyway mine was starting to go wacko on and off and I was training for a triathlon at the time so I didn't want to be without, so I bought a Polar FS1 on sale for not much more than an additional strap from Polar cost, so I have and additional watch(a lesser model but it will do as a spare)and a new chest strap. That was the problem for sure, it works like brand new now. I kind of figured it was as I had just replaced the watch battery two months earlier. Eventually I'll send the old one in for a replacement battery and then I'll have a new one ready to go.

stef_e_b

You could call polar or go over to a distributer in your area. It might not be under warrenty anymore but maybe they could give you advice.

Azdak

You can send the watch (and strap) in for service, or you could just try buying a new strap and see what happens.

I experienced the same thing with my F11--with the "soft" strap. I only sent in the transmitter, so they could not check the strap (mistake). They changed the battery, but I still had the same problem. The service person said that you have to regularly wash the soft straps (and transmitter) and really keep them tight. I followed the advice and it worked fine for several months. A couple of weeks ago, it started again. I haven't really had time to mess with it--I have an older plastic strap from a previous Polar model and I use it as my "backup". It's less comfortable, but it has NEVER failed.

usmcwifeb15

I have the same problem with mine and it's not even a year old yet. Sometimes it does great and other times it gives me crazy numbers like 200 as well. I think I am going to wash the chest strap and hopefully it will get better. Good luck with yours hopefully changing the battery will work for you.