Polar HRM troubleshooting 16 March 2019 at 8:54PM edited 16 March 2019 at 8:56PM in Sports & fitness MoneySaving 7 replies 2.1K views

Manxman_in_exile

I have two Polar HRMs - one a five year old FT4 and the other a 25(!) year old Accurex II Nightvision. I use both of them because they have different functions and as I'm on MSE forums I'm not going to spend stupid money on whatever the latest all singing all dancing model is!


Before contacting Polar direct I thought I'd ask here to see if anybody has any ideas.


The issue is with the newer FT4. When using it, it frequently displays a HR of zero(!) and an error message saying something like "Check Transmitter" (can't remember exact wording).


Funny thing is, the 25 year old Accurex II continues to receive a signal from the transmitter and displays a heart rate (and times in three different training zones) that I know from experience look right for me.


I've checked the FT4 manual and can't see anything like "Check Transmitter".


I recently put a new battery in the FT4 receiver so I'm wondering if the battery in the transmitter needs replacing - but then why does the Accurex pick up a signal?


I've followed the FT4 manual's instructions about washing and caring for the transmitter.


Any ideas?

JEN22

Have you wet the back of the strap. Mine did this. If its not moist it wont register

Manxman_in_exile

JEN22 wrote: »

Have you wet the back of the strap. Mine did this. If its not moist it wont register

Not only moist - I run the transmitter under a tap before use - it's soaked!


I've looked at the transmitter and seems straightforward to change the battery so will try that. In fact I'm a bit surprised it's lasted so long - I've changed the receiver's battery at least twice since purchase. (Haven't replaced the transmitter's battery since purchase).


EDIT: But this doesn't explain why the Accurex II picks up a signal from the transmitter? When I bought the Accurex II in 1994 it was top of the range and cost about £250 whereas the FT4 is a far more basic model - it does not have as many features as the Accurex, but it does have some that the Accurex doesn't - hence why I use both).

Manxman_in_exile

Hmmm....


Seems to be working ok again now.


No battery change but I noticed that Polar's website suggested moving the transmitter belt so that the transmitter itself is slightly left of centre. Seems to have fixed it.

davidgreams

I used to use polar chest HR monitors, but they were uncomfortable and eventually caused some chafing. Not a whole lot to really complain about but since switching over to the Polar OH1 my experience has been much nicer.

The OH1 may not be as quick to pick up the fluctuations, but it's quick enough. I wouldn't trust the watches, but the optical sensors that work on the arm or upper forearm seem pretty legit.

Manxman_in_exile

Both receivers seem* to be working OK since I followed the website address to position the transmitter to the left rather than centrally.


The transmitter belt on the FT4 is much more comfortable than the one on the 25 year old Accurex II.


* I say "seem" because the Accurex II is telling me I'm dead (HR = 00) until I actually start running when it falls into alignment with the FT4.

MikeBraehead

Apologies for hijacking the this thread, but I'm trying to find some help with my new M200 HRM. I have tried emailing Polar but it doesn't seem to get anywhere.
I have set up 6 sports profiles in the Flow app but when I go to start a session, I am only presented with a choice of 2 or 3. Can anyone help to sort this or offer any advice?
Thanks

Manxman_in_exile

You should start your own thread Mike.  People will see I started this thread two years ago and will probably stop reading it.  Or they'll notice your later post is off original topic.

So go for a new thread with concise title.  (I don't even understand your query   )