UmneyDurak

I have one of those Polar coded straps. When I ride in to the wind it gives very bad data. Is that normal or do I have a defective strap? Also sometimes it doesn't transmit data at all. Although once it does start to work, after few minutes, it keeps transmitting data. So no drop outs mid ride.

botto 

how often do you wash it?

UmneyDurak

Umm I just wipe it once a week, with damp cloth. It's not en crasted with salt or anything like that, the back looks pretty clean.

kleng

If you have a Polar Wearlink strap (like the one below) are you wetting the electrodes before putting it on. I just put the electrode sections of my wearlink under the tap and soak them a bit, never had a miss read or any problems at all.

Johnny_Monkey

Is your jersey flapping about in the wind? When I wear a 'looser' fitting jersey in windy conditions it flaps against the HRM strap and, apparently, causes static electricty which interferes with the strap electronics.

socalrider

Look for one of the older T61 coded transmitters.. They are more comfortable and have fewer issues than the newer ones..

8Lives

I have a wearlink, about 4 months old, never had a problem. I always wet it under the tap first. IMHO there might be a problem with the strap.

waterrockets 

I have a non-coded strap that came with a $60 HRM. No problems ever, even in packs. These days, I don't think you need coded because everyone else has them

531Aussie

I sometimes have troubles when riding into VERY strong headwinds, especially if I'm underdressed, and extra especially on cold days

FIVE ONE SIX

static electricity is the number one reason that heart rate monitors give inaccurate readings, and barely anyone that wears one knows that. i usually spray static guard along the chest of the shirt i'm going to wear over it, and it usually helps, but some shirts are more likely to generate static electricity than others because of the way they're made...

UmneyDurak

No the shirt is not flapping around. I have an older model with plastic sides: T31.

timmhaan

do try a different jersey though. i have one jersey that seems to fit pretty tightly, but just consistently gives me trouble with the HR. i don't know why, all my other clothes work fine.

Psimet2001 

I've had that coded transmitter for 2-3 years so far. I have run through 3 straps. It starts slowly. Like you describe you get intermittant loss of signal from the unit. Sometimes wetting it down further (to get a better connection with your body) works. Like you said it is just at the start when the unit is acquiring the signal.

Soon the strap will deterorate to the point that you end up spending 5 minutes or more at the start of every ride trying to get the darn thing to work. Re-wetting it, re-adjusting it, restarting the wrist unit, etc.

I've switched the batteries to try to correct the problem, etc. It all comes down to the strap. You can find replacement straps at a lot of online vendors in the $10-$15 price range. Once you replace it all of your problems WILL go away...until that strap wears out.

I have noticed that my straps start to deteriorate after I wash them. With that in mind I have used the current one without washing it (ewww) to see how long it will last. So far it has lasted much, much longer than the others (twice as long so far).

Not a long term strategy (not washing), but is extending the life of my straps by quite a bit. Polar will no doubt redesign that strap/transmitter within the next few years because this isn't the first time someone on this board has brought this exact issue up. I've seen it and experienced it enough to know it is a common problem with this transmitter (based on each individuals specific variables).

Boatman

I have the Polar F6 with that strap model and I have a lot of problems with wind as well. When I've been on the road for a while and am starting to sweat pretty heavy, then it starts to read OK. I was wondering if the newer model straps work any better?

kleng

With the wearlink transmitter you can change the battery, so in theory the strap should last a long while unless you damage the electrodes in some way, its also a lot more comfortable to wear than the hard moulded transmitters. According to the website, its also compatible with most Polar HRMS's except a few.

https://www.shoppolar.com/_polarelect...RUW6DQH96CQ3BF

timmhaan

i agree - the wearlink transmitter is nicer. it feels more solidly in place and definitely transmits better.

Psimet2001 

I agree the transmitter is great, it's the strap that is not as durable. It's because they went with the flexible strap/electrode for comfort. I think it's a great transmitter, but the design of the electrodes lends itself to failure.

531Aussie

I bought a Polar CS100, which I prefer to my 725x because I can mount the CS100 on my stem!
The 725x takes up too much room on my bars, by the time I have a light on there and my computer (I use the same computer for all my bikes, so i don't use the Polar magnet)

Anyhoo, the CS100 comes with a T31c transmitter/strap, which also works with my 725x and my A3!

My Wearlink crapped itself in a year because I didn't take proper care of it

UmneyDurak

So is wearlink transmitter more reliable then my model that has plastic "wings", instead of fabric?
For visual reference I attached the picture of the one I have.

531Aussie

only if they're cleaned properly and regularly. It says in the manual that the fabric should be rinsed after each use, and some bike shop dudes told me the contacts on the press-studs should also be cleaned and maintained.

The other option is using the plastic one (T31, T31c or T61c) until it dies, then buy a replacement. My first Google hit: $46 at Amazon for the T31c https://www.amazon.com/Polar-T31C-Cod.../dp/B000OL1ZAO

Some people on here (or was it on Cycling Forums? ) think the Wearlink is crap.