Problems with Polar FT4 - Help!

ramasavage

Hi everyone, I have a Polar FT4 heart rate monitor and I have absolutely loved it so far. But the past few weeks it's been giving me some trouble. When I first put it on and have it search for my heart rate, it can't find it! It searches and searches and comes up with 00 multiple times. I usually just start my workout on the watch and it'll find my heart rate after about 5 minutes or so. It always works totally fine after it finds my heart rate; it just takes it forever to find it.

I use Spectra 360 electrode gel on the strap. I rinse the strap after each workout, and I've washed it in the washing machine in a mesh bag like it says to. I'm assuming it's a problem with the transmitter, but I'm not sure. Any ideas?

polido54

I have had the same problem. I think it is just an issue we have to deal with because once it find the heart rate it usually is ok.

jacqui1612

I have a polar ft7, and it does something similar. I try to put it on 5 minutes in advance to working out to make sure it picks up my heart rate. Or I just start my warm up and wait for it to pick up my heart rate. It has happened a couple of times where it won't pick my my heart rate at all, so those times I just have to estimate..

hyde1977

I would not wash it with the gel. It could be clogging the strap. Rinse with warm water and make sure you pat it dry with a towel.

I had the same issues with mine but I messed it up so much that I had to buy a new one

Have you tried changing the batteries?

Make sure you wet it really well! Only wash it once a week and make sure you are not putting fabric softner in the water.....

Just some of the things I found out when I was trying to fix mine.

Healthy_4_Life2

I have Polar FT4. The only time that has happened is when I didn't fasten or snap the transmitter on the belt tight enough.

Jellyphant

I have that monitor and occassionally get that problem still too. It used to be EVERY single use, but one day I took it with me in the shower and used body washed and and scrubbed the *kitten* out of the chest strap, haha. Before that, I too rinsed it after every use, washed with soap every couple of uses and machine washed it every so often. But ever since I scrubbed the crap out of it in the shower, it has greatly improved. I do also agree with a previous poster to get the strap and watch going a few minutes before workout while you're getting ready to catch your heart rate. But if all else fails, my friend has one too and her problem was solved simply by changing out the watch battery.

rippedcutupabs

I never put that thing in the washer. I wash it by hand about once a week in the sink with liquid laundry detergent. I rub the soap over those two rough parts using my thumbs. I can feel when its been washed good enough and also can feel with my fingers when it needs to be washed.

jenlatourette

Run it water to increase the contact, dont use gel. Also, try changing the battery in the strap. They go dead after a while

gogojodee

I never put that thing in the washer. I wash it by hand about once a week in the sink with liquid laundry detergent. I rub the soap over those two rough parts using my thumbs. I can feel when its been washed good enough and also can feel with my fingers when it needs to be washed.

This! I use liquid dishwashing soap!

ramasavage

Thanks, everyone!!

MinnieInMaine

Ditto all the advice above... AND make sure the strap is tight enough. I've found that if it's even just slightly too loose or the transmitter's not in just the right spot, it acts wonky. Even if you think it's tight enough, tighten it a bit more.

NBabi91

Wet the grey area and also your skin it will be touching. Moisture helps it read the heart rate better.

kokaneesailor

I have Polar FT4. The only time that has happened is when I didn't fasten or snap the transmitter on the belt tight enough.

I did the same thing...

Lutadora

I was having a problem with my Polar FT4. It was giving me strange readings like 275 beats per minute when I'd first turn it on! Obviously, this was not accurate, I don't think I'd be alive if that were the case! lol...Anyway, I took mine back to Sports Chalet (where I purchased it) and they gave me a brand new one.

If washing your strap doesn't help, trying taking it back to the store where you purchased it.

andyxbear

Bump.

I'm having issues with my sensor connecting, too.

niekkosgirl

I'm having this problem as well. I have changed the battery. It keeps saying to check the heart rate transmitter. I was having to make sure to put it in just the right place so it would pick up. Now, it's not picking anything up at all, no matter what I do.

yesitsme

Amazon has the newer Polar Soft Strap. Suppose to be much better. Think I'll get one as a backup.

dixiewhiskey

What's the difference between the old strap and new strap? I just bought a Polar a couple of weeks ago... also I haven't had the problem regularly.. it happened once and it's because the strap was overlapping along the bottom of my bra (therefore not across my chest properly). I only use water as well..

bwquinn13

I am having the same problem. It seems to work just fin when I run, but anytime i do something with more full body motions, like Insanity or DDP Yoga, it loses connection. Frustrating.

What key words do I need to type in to find this new soft strap? To make sure I am getting the right one.

2dayirunforme

Polar t31 is the new strap, only problem is when the battery dies you pay a " small fee" send your strap to polar for the battery replacement.

RacheUk82

Thanks for the tips guys! Had my FT4 for 6 months and it has just started reading 00, highly annoying!