Checklist for Solving Polar Heart Rate Monitor Transmission Problems
I use the Polar 625x Running Computer - a fantastic product.
But I recently became frustrated with the heart rate monitor transmitter (the chest strap) increasingly not sending its signal to the monitor (the watch). Here are the steps you should take to fix any transmission problems you might be having:
- Replace the transmitter battery - a dead battery is the most frequent cause of signal transmission problems
- Clean the strap with warm water - specifically, clean the shiny mesh material on either side of the plastic that rests on the middle of your chest
-
Clean the contact points - this is what solved my problem
Following these steps will ensure your Polar heart rate monitor works (and smells!) as good as the day you bought it.
Written by Mark Iocchelli · Filed Under Gear & Apparel, Heart Rate Monitors
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Timely article, Mark. I’m going through my yearly “let’s try out the HRM for a few days … oh wait, I hate that thing” phase, and one of my transmitters is totally wonky. I’m going try out your tips this afternoon!
Mark,
I had similar issues and cleaning the contact points was key for me as well. Another tip I would add is making sure those contact points get wet right before a workout. I had been wetting the strap and the contact points were sometimes not getting wet which caused transmission problems.
I recently ( a few months ago) started heart rate training with the NEW LEAF program and have all my workouts in my watch which has been AWESOME, as had the watch, until I started washing the strap. I had been putting it in the washer with the rest of my clothes, then it started failing. I recently sent it in to POLAR and am awaiting its return , but in the meantime, I am reduced to simply knowing aproximately where my heart rate is, and it is very frustrating. Do you think that the actual washing machine or detergents could be the probelm?
Thanks,
Ryan