Polar FT4 heart rate monitor issues

Get a Garmin. :-)

I had the same problem with mine. I returned it, got a new one, and that one seems to work fine.

I think that particular model is more prone to that issue.

btw, a Garmin is great, but not for the same thing as a HRM.

I have a polar FT4 and have never had issues...have you contacted the company?

I have this HRM, try the batteries, make sure you have the chest strap secured properly (not too loose) and make sure you wet the straps too. If i don't do this right it doesn't work form me, not worth the shortcut in time. Make sure the chest strap is tight enough I have to adjust this each time I use it, and for swimming it needs to be even tighter and not too over to the left.

Hope this helps.

Do you have the Wearlink with the clip on sensor to the strap? If you do you need to unclip it when it is not in use as keeping it clipped will drain the batteries. Check the batteries anyway. Any time mine plays up I wash the strap in the washing machine and if that doesn't work, I change the batteries.

I now have 3 polars since swapping with my son than buying one and getting one back.I used to have some problems spoke to Polar here on LI and they suggested I gently wash with soap after my runs and put it into the wash with my running gear after a few runs and have had no problems since. I wet it lightly before putting on and it picks up my HR within a few seconds and it gives me readings on some runs over 2 hours with out dropping my HR ever

Make sure your strap is really wet. Or get a polar soft strap as you don't have to wet it, I find it more comfortable as well. Also the oil may be clogging the sensors. I would only use water or a gel. I don't think it should be the battery after 5 months. I've had mine for a year and use it 4-6 days a week and have only had occasional problems recently. Moved it slightly and had to tighten my strap as I've lost weight and it's fine now. Also make sure you disconnect the sensor from the strap when not in use. I've heard it will still be draining battery if not...not sure if that is accurate or not but I heard it somewhere.

Try getting your strap wetter or using a gel with it... but honestly, I had the same problem with 2 polars! Switched to a Garmin last year...problem solved!

only time mine doesn't register well is when I forget to wet it down first. and sometimes in the pool it fritzes out

had the same problem, tightening it up solved it. good luck

That will be the strap. They are not covered in the warranty either. I had one go on me about 2 days into a new one. Lucky I'd only upgraded from my FT4 to a FT60 so I could still use the strap.


Also hope you been either cleaning the strap (under running water is usually fine) or throwing it in the washing machine once a week. Sweat will kill it after a while.

I rinse it before using it, but I've never put it in a washing machine, great advice, thank you

Rinse it after use as well. Otherwise the sweat just sits in there.

Same issue with my Polar FT4 - I contacted them and they suggested I send my device in. I can't do my workouts without it, so I've been using it even though it's fautly. Not that this comment helps your situation, just know it's not only your device that does this.

I have tightened the strap to Max, wetter the electrodes, washed it after use but my FT4 still malfunctions. My husbands works just fine. He never washes the strap (yuck). Go figure!!!!

At 80bucks it is to expendive to replace with another. I wish there was an easier solution.

Because your strap is gone. They do that & that's why they are not covered. Put your husbands strap on with your wearlink..... bet it works.

Try getting your strap wetter or using a gel with it... but honestly, I had the same problem with 2 polars! Switched to a Garmin last year...problem solved!

I use a little oil based moisturiser with the water since the problem started (about a month ago). Hasn't really helped, I use a lot of water already and sometimes when it gives me a reading of 00, I take it off and re-wet it, but it still has the water on it from the first time

Apparently things like moisturizer makes the problem worse. The instruction manual is available online and recommends washing the strap frequently making sure to remove the sensor. I find that if I don't wash the strap, I'm guessing that the salts in the sweat causes it to give the 00 HR.

I have tightened the strap to Max, wetter the electrodes, washed it after use but my FT4 still malfunctions. My husbands works just fine. He never washes the strap (yuck). Go figure!!!!

At 80bucks it is to expendive to replace with another. I wish there was an easier solution.

Because your strap is gone. They do that & that's why they are not covered. Put your husbands strap on with your wearlink..... bet it works.

Thats what I was going to suggest next. Its most likely the strap. I am not sure how much a replacement one is, but the elastic is kinda stretched on mine and I know it wont last forever. I will probably need to get a new one eventually as I assume the Monitor should last longer than the strap.