Polar HRM has stopped working

**Timbuk2**

I've had my Polar HRM for about a year now, and it has been great up until now.

Now, however, when I go to 'Exercise' mode it won't pick up the wireless transmission, and therefore displays '00'.

I'm not sure whether this is the watch or the transmitter, but it sounds like the transmitter. I assume that if I wear the transmitter to the gym, and go onto the treadmill/cross-trainer etc and it can't pick up my heart rate then the problem lies with the transmitter.

However, according the Polar UK site if your transmitter runs out of battery (which is more than likely the problem), you need to get a new one, and my T31-Coded will cost €40 to replace!!!

Is there anywhere cheaper that this can be gotten, or do you have to go through Polar? Also, I don't want to fork out €40 to get a new one only to discover that the problem is not with the transmitter. I've only had it for a year, and it hasn't been used that heavily, it shouldn't really be out of battery now.

bubblyone

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I've had my Polar HRM for about a year now, and it has been great up until now.

Now, however, when I go to 'Exercise' mode it won't pick up the wireless transmission, and therefore displays '00'.

I'm not sure whether this is the watch or the transmitter, but it sounds like the transmitter. I assume that if I wear the transmitter to the gym, and go onto the treadmill/cross-trainer etc and it can't pick up my heart rate then the problem lies with the transmitter.

However, according the Polar UK site if your transmitter runs out of battery (which is more than likely the problem), you need to get a new one, and my T31-Coded will cost €40 to replace!!!

Is there anywhere cheaper that this can be gotten, or do you have to go through Polar? Also, I don't want to fork out €40 to get a new one only to discover that the problem is not with the transmitter. I've only had it for a year, and it hasn't been used that heavily, it shouldn't really be out of battery now.

Is it the Wear Link transmitter? The battery on that is really easy to replace. The watch display starts fading if the watch battery is going and it will usually show a low battery indicator too. I've replaced my transmitter battery around twice now in the space of 18 months with extensive use. Replaced the battery in the watch once-myself. The website did say you had to send it in but I decided to be brave!

iceage

By the sounds of it, it isn't the watch. It would normally show you a low battery symbol and changing it is straightforward. It sounds like the transmitter.

Now I'm not suggesting you do this, if you decide to do it and screw up your transmitter but have a quick look at this.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=108158&highlight=Polar+battery

I'm fairly sure Elverys sell replacement transmitter straps.

**Timbuk2**

bubblyone wrote: »

Is it the Wear Link transmitter? The battery on that is really easy to replace. The watch display starts fading if the watch battery is going and it will usually show a low battery indicator too. I've replaced my transmitter battery around twice now in the space of 18 months with extensive use. Replaced the battery in the watch once-myself. The website did say you had to send it in but I decided to be brave!

Unfortuneatly it's a T31-Coded transmitter, and therefore sealed. The watch (Polar F6) appears to be working fine (I actually use this as a normal watch for telling the time, in addition to its HRM function).

Does anybody know where I can get one for cheap? And if I get one off Ebay (or a similar non-Polar website), will it still work with my HRM, as long as the transmitter that I get is Polar branded?

bubblyone

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Unfortuneatly it's a T31-Coded transmitter, and therefore sealed. The watch (Polar F6) appears to be working fine (I actually use this as a normal watch for telling the time, in addition to its HRM function).

Does anybody know where I can get one for cheap? And if I get one off Ebay (or a similar non-Polar website), will it still work with my HRM, as long as the transmitter that I get is Polar branded?

I think it should do as long as it's the same model. My understanding is that the coded thing just prevents cross-talk between monitors working close to each other...so that you won't be picking up info from somebody else...

**Timbuk2**

Thanks for all the help!

My local Elverys sell those Polar Wearlink transmitters, which are compatible with my HRM (Polar F6). What are these like? From the pictures online, they look very big.

Does anybody have any expierence with them? I've never had any problems with my T31 before, but I'm wondering does the Wearlink offer any advantages, aside from the user-changeable battery.

flywheel

I find Irish Fit in Dun Laoghaire the cheapest deals for Polar kit locally, here is their accessories / replacement page:
http://irishfit.eu/paccessories.htm

I'd deffo go for the Polar WearLink transmitter, the srap is all material and very comfortable, easy to wash out (you unclip the 'electronics'), plus you can easlily change battery. There are XS-S and M-XXL versions of the strap so look into which one is right for you...
Ref: Polar WearLink®+ 31 coded transmitter

It's no bigger than a regular strap, but yeah some of the pics of it online make it look massive, here's a more 'normal' looking version showing how the transmitter part is detachable:

bubblyone

Agree. They're really not big at all. The detachable sensor is more bulky than on the other transmitter but otherwise there's not a huge size difference. The elastic strap is very adjustable and very comfy. The washable aspect is a definite selling point-give mine a mini wash every day and throw in machine when I'm doing my laundry. I also bought a few extra straps so that I have spares and because I wanted the small size. Only needed the one transmitter. Overall it saves money because you can replace the battery yourself which costs around €2

Eircom_Sucks

polar are muck

i have my cs300 since xmas and still can't get my sonic link to update any info from it

its f/s by the way

flywheel

never had an issue with any Polar kit, SonicLink worked grand on the F11 after a bit of fiddling about... took a read through their FAQs to set it up though...

bubblyone

DubFit wrote: »

never had an issue with any Polar kit, SonicLink worked grand on the F11 after a bit of fiddling about... took a read through their FAQs to set it up though...

I have an F11 too. It was fiddly...but it did eventually work. I don't usually bother though-just track day to day.

**Timbuk2**

Sorry to re-drag this thread up but I had a look today in most of the sports shops in Dundalk (Elvery's, JJB, Heaton's Sportsworld and Lifestyle) and none of them had replacement chest strap transmitters (although they did sell HRMs).

I will be in Dublin City Centre on Friday and wondering where could I buy a replacement chest transmitter in Dublin City Centre?

bubblyone

Maybe Cycleways or Runways on Parnell St? Could give them a call or email them and see-http://www.cycleways.com/store/category/42/257/Heartrate/

flywheel

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I will be in Dublin City Centre on Friday and wondering where could I buy a replacement chest transmitter in Dublin City Centre?

if you can make it as far as South Co Dublin... this is the best place I've found... or you could order it online...

I find Irish Fit in Dun Laoghaire the cheapest deals for Polar kit locally, here is their accessories / replacement page:
http://irishfit.eu/paccessories.htm

**Timbuk2**

I was in Dublin City Centre and I decided to get the DART to Dun Laoghaire (as it was such a nice day after all) and I got what I wanted in IrishFit (thanks DubFit for the suggestion). It's a cool shop, except I felt I was walking into somebody's basement :P