Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Polar CS200 Speed Sensor problems and trials.

I really like my Polar CS200cad, but the speed sensor limited distance is starting to annoy me. I have had to mount the head on my top tube (ugly!) just to get it to be consistent and not drop the signal. I have also tried different fork positions, handlebar sides, and stem mounting with no luck. After many zip ties and a lot of time, I am wondering if anyone knows a better solution since Polar has been no help.

I am likewise having problems, not with speed but with cadence.

I think it's more related to a weak crank magnet as opposed to distance from the unit.

Try waving a stronger magnet by the sensor and you'll be able to narrow it down.

Where do you have the magnet on the wheel? I have to have mine fairly close to the rim, maybe a couple inches off, therefor my sensor is high on my fork. I than also get more reliable signal with the reciever on my handlebar. With it on my stem it is wonky sometimes.

That's the only thing I've had problems with, other wise its great.

its weird, because the heart sensor works from really far. It's read my pulse with my bike on the back of the car, while I was driving...

I had tried a different magnet, and had it really close too. My heart rate sensor also worked great, don't understand the difference either. I actually sent the whole package back to Polar for repair not long after writing the original post because it died after I tried changing the battery on the computer. Still waiting for it's return.
I have been using a wired flightdeck since then without any problems, speed and distance are always right on.

Is this one of the sealed speed transmitters? If it's one of the older non-selaed transmitters, you can change the jumpers within the transmitter to boost power to the receiver. Details are listed on Polar's site. The down-side is that the additional power reduces battery life

Yes, it is one of the new sealed designs that the battery can not be replaced. I wonder if the old design will work?

I haven't had any trouble with mine. It's mounted, the speed sensor, mid-wheel and the head is mounted on my handlebars.

I use a CS200 on three bikes. All have the sealed sensor and work well. On the road bike, the speed sensor is 17 inches from the computer, which is mounted on the stem. On the MTB, it's 19 inches, computer on handlebar. On the recumbent, the computer is mounted on the top tube, 12 inches from the sensor. All three magnets are 2 inches from the inner surface of the rim.

The speed sensor on the recumbent.
http://www.pbase.com/billd9/image/86299975.jpg

When Polar sends my unit back, I'll try mounting the magnet closer to the rim. Thanks for the help.