FT4 HRM Giving Wacky Numbers

Asavitzk
Asavitzk Posts: 66
in Fitness and Exercise
So I got my Polar FT4 heart rate monitor back in mid-March and loved it. It would link up automatically with the Precor machines at my gym so I could always see my heart rate without having to grab the sensors (though I used the calorie burn calculations from the watch). As a tech geek I also simply loved that extra data I was able to see.

I used it at least 30 minutes every day since then.

Starting about a month ago it started acting up on me. First it just wouldn't link up to the Precor machines but the watch still worked. Then it started losing the link with the watch randomly as well. I thought it was the chest strap so I used a bit more water than normal on it and that seemed to help but the next problem was it started giving me really bad numbers. It would jump from 70bpm to 230bpm and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't still be standing here if that happened for real!

I still thought it was the chest strap or the sensor itself was busted but decided to try a new battery since they're only a couple of bucks. Last night was the first time I used it after the new battery and the thing is acting like it's brand new.

So the lesson is, ~120 hours or so is too much for the sensor's battery and when yours starts acting up drop a few bucks on a button cell before trying anything else.

Replies

  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Yup, this makes perfect sense! I got my FT7 at the same time and am having similar issues. I figured it was the battery but haven't replaced it yet because I got an FT60 for my birthday. Giving the FT7 to my hubby so I'll have to finally get around to picking up the batteries.
  • kdub67
    kdub67 Posts: 181 Member
    Mine started acting wacky after 2 months of using it. I didn't think it should be the battery because it was still so new, so I sent it back. It got back to me within 2 weeks (very long two weeks, not being about to accurately calculate calories burned while working out!) and they sent me a whole new watch, chest strap, etc. They even programmed my watch with my user information:) On the paperwork it did say that connectivity was low and various other small problems.

    So, end result, Polar will definitely stand by their product if something like a battery change doesn't solve the problem:)

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