Polar HRM Problems

MikeInAZ
MikeInAZ Posts: 483 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
My FT7 seems to have stopped working. I have replaced the battery in the watch and the transmitter. I have tightened the strap. I have made sure my strap was wet. It won't find my heart rate and just says "check transmitter". Is the strap bad do you think?? I've read of others who have some similar type problems that a strap replacement fixes. It's a little over a year old and gets used 3-4 times a week.

What do you think??

Replies

  • 608peg
    608peg Posts: 24 Member
    No help for you but watching for answers as I also have problems with mine and like you I have had it about a year and use 3-5 times a week.
  • danaweston
    danaweston Posts: 82
    I have a HRM too my problem is that it shows too few calories burned after what feels like a lot of exercise...LOL
    mine is new only 3 weeks old seems to work fine at finding my heart.
  • fittocycle
    fittocycle Posts: 827 Member
    Does your HRM have the fabric type of chest strap? I'm guessing it must since you changed the battery in it.:ohwell:

    The reason I ask because my Polar had a fabric type strap which was comfortable to wear but very fickle and unreliable. I order the older style (with more plastic on the front) from the Polar website and haven't had any issues at all. It has worked consistently ever since I started using the other type of chest strap.

    From what I've read, it's a common issue with the fabric type of straps. I don't know why Polar doesn't take care of it.
  • lina011
    lina011 Posts: 427 Member
    ive had the same problem with polar. straps not working/batteries needing to be replaced after a yr. I had one where polar replaced the battery and i got it back still not working properly. I guess all i can say it send it back for them to fix or buy another brand of polar or another brand HRM. Buying another HRM always works out cheaper it has for me, ive gone through 2 already and about 3 straps. How do you wash it( the frabic strap) i only rinse mine in the shower not in the wash, ive done that also and it stopped working.
  • lina011
    lina011 Posts: 427 Member
    you should have a 2 yr warrenty with polar so hit em up for a fix or replacement if you wanna
  • uwdawg07
    uwdawg07 Posts: 372 Member
    If your warranty is still good, contact them about it. I had some issues with mine and they sent me a new strap, fixed everything. If your warranty is up, then yes, it's probably a strap problem and you should buy a new one.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    Have you actually tried washing the strap? Like in a machine with soap only and no fabric softener?

    95% of the time, all the strap needs is a good washing.. and not a battery replacement.
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    Have you noticed that the watch face itself is getting harder to read as well? Or gone dull? I recently had this problem with mine and i had to send it back to have it fixed. It was more to do with the watch workings rather than the transmitter, i got a brand new watch back with a new belt and all. I had mine for almost 2 years so it was just still under warranty.
  • aneciarobinson
    aneciarobinson Posts: 60 Member
    I had similar problems with my Polar F7. It would also loose my heartrate in the middle of a workout or run, which was frustrating. I ended up returning it after about 5 months (REI) and purchased a Garmin. I've now had the Garmin for 8 months and have never had a problem with it picking up my heartrate.
  • MikeInAZ
    MikeInAZ Posts: 483 Member
    UPDATE - On the advice of others here, I threw the strap in the washing machine. I put it in a dedicates bag. It seems to be working now!! MIRACLES!! I didn't even think you were supposed to wash it in the machine. I rinse it off after every use, but I've actually never put it in the machine. I know gross huh?? Well I guess I will be washing it from time to time now!

    Thanks all, that saved me $20 for a new strap.
  • kingvan
    kingvan Posts: 9
    Sorry to jump in late on this, but I was having similar problems. Washing helped, and I also started wiping my skin with a damp cloth before putting the strap on. Especially with the temperature changes and my skin being a bit drier in the fall/winter it seemed to help to have plenty of moisture for a good connection.

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