POLAR SERVICE CENTER IMPORTANT USER INFORMATION

It is important to read the instruction book that comes with your monitor to fully understand its operation and obtain maximum benefits. We get many calls regarding the operation of these monitors, programming, etc., and the answers are almost always in the manual. Some points are not covered or emphasized enough, therefore, please read the following information in addition to the manual.

The most common error made by users of all types of chest strap monitors is not adjusting the chest strap tight enough. This causes erroneous readings because the electrodes on the transmitter are not tight enough against the skin to receive a reliable EKG signal. For most people the stretch in the elastic belt should be about 8". A few people might be able to get by with 6 to 7” and a few might require 9 to 10". By stretch in the belt we mean the distance between the two ends when the strap is placed around the chest before the ends are connected. Proper length can be determined by measuring the circumference of your chest where the transmitter will be placed. Adjust the elastic strap to measure 8" shorter than the chest measurement. Remember to re-adjust the tension whenever needed as the belt ages. Eventually a replacement will be required due to loss of elasticity. These are available from our service center at low cost.

Moisture is needed to conduct the signal between the skin and the electrodes. This can be done with saliva. Do not use petroleum jelly, KY jelly, or similar compounds on the electrodes. They will impair the pickup of the EKG signal by the electrodes. Most people will need nothing more than saliva. Once the user starts to sweat the monitor will usually work perfectly. For those few users who cannot get a satisfactory signal even after starting to sweat a conductive gel of the type used for taking EKG's can be put on the electrodes. This usually solves any problems. Our service center has EKG conductive gel available for $5.00 for a tube that will last about year of average use. It is water soluble and not messy.

Polar Electro Inc. / Polar Electro Oy warrant to the original consumer / purchaser of this product that the product will be free from defects in material or workmanship for two-years from the date of purchase. Warranty does not cover the receiver or the transmitter battery, damage due to misuse, abuse, accidents or non-compliance with the precautions; improper maintenance, commercial use, cracked or broken cases.

Keep your unit clean. Clean it with a mild soap and water solution. Dry it carefully with a soft towel. Never use alcohol or any abrasive material such as steel wool or cleaning chemicals.

Keep your heart rate monitor out of extreme cold and heat. The operating temperatures are 14 °F to 122 °F/-10 °C to +50 °C

Do not expose the heart rate monitor to direct sunlight for extended periods, such as by leaving it in a car.

Do not bend or stretch the transmitter. This may damage the electrodes.

Do not dry the transmitter in any other way than with a towel. Mishandling may damage the electrodes.

H1, H2, H7, H10 & WearLink Strap

To prolong the life of your strap and transmitter disconnect the transmitter completely from the strap after each use. Rinse both pieces and leave them apart to air dry until the next use. Do not put in washing machine, hand wash with a mild soap.

Do not spin-dry the strap or put the strap in a dryer! Do not iron the strap!

H1, H2, H7, H10 & WearLink Transmitter Battery

The estimated average battery lifespan of the transmitter is 2 years (usage: 1h/day, 7 days/week). If your transmitter stops working, it might be due to the battery running out.

In order to ensure the maximum life span of the connector's battery cover, open it only when you need to change the battery. We recommend that you change the sealing ring of the battery cover every time you change the battery. You can get the sealing ring/battery kits from Creative Health Products / Polar Service Center. Additional sealing rings are also available.

Erratic readings can also be caused by proximity to a source of electrical or magnetic interference. For example, some (not all) treadmills, stair climbers, exercise bikes, etc. have electric motors or controls or readouts that can cause interference and thus erratic readings. Also, if the monitor is near a TV screen, computer, electric motor, or a running automobile, any of these can also cause erratic readings. However, it is often helpful to hold the watch unit close to the chest strap and read it while it is held close. This makes the signal the watch receives from the chest transmitter stronger relative to any interference. The Polar models with coded transmitters minimize these problems.

The battery in the watch portion is replaceable and the estimated life is approximately 1 ½ years at 1 hour per day 7 days a week, Because your watch is water resistant it is recommended it be returned to Polar Service Center for battery replacement so new gaskets can be installed and the watch checked in a vacuum chamber for water resistance.

Although the receivers are water resistant you should be careful not to push the buttons when under water. This can put an excessive amount of pressure against the button seals and possibly cause leakage. As with any watch, prolonged exposure to heat or direct sunlight should be avoided since heat can weaken the seal of the crystal face resulting in possible leakage.