Polar H9 issues: displaying low heart rate and negative trending rate

[gvcormac]

I changed batteries several times in an effort to correct H9 issues. In addition to the preposterous readings which occurred independent of battery charge, it would simply fail to connect (first bluetooth; later ANT+) when the batteries were low.

At one point I convinced myself that the H9 went through batteries in a couple of weeks if I left it paired with my smart watch, even when unsnapped from the belt.

Maybe this was just an illusion.

[HornetMaX]

At one point I convinced myself that the H9 went through batteries in a couple of weeks if I left it paired with my smart watch, even when unsnapped from the belt.

I haven't tested this but it should be easy to:

• connect the H9 to the belt, wear it and connect it to phone via BT: should show the H9 connected and proper HR reading
• take the h9+belt off your chest: optional, this should show the H9 still connected to the phone but with no HR reading ("--" in polar app, for example)
• take the H9 off the belt and check if it stays connected to the phone or not.

I'll try tonight.

[HornetMaX]

Connected my H9 to its belt, put it on me, connected to Polar App via BT, all OK: H9 connected and HR visible.
Removed the chest strap from me: HR freezes (stays at last value) for a while and H9 seems still connected to the phone/app.
After a few seconds however, HT says "--" and the H9 doesn't seem to be connected anymore to the phone/app.

So it seems to disconnect fine (even without removing the H9 from the belt), but that may not mean that if kept on the belt it will not draw from the battery (intentionally or not).

BTW: tried a new Pro strap today (1x10min + 2x30'): smooth as silk.
Will switch back to my previous Pro strap tomorrow and compare.
I'm 95% convinced the issue is in the strap deteriorating (at least for me).

[HornetMaX]

BTW: tried a new Pro strap today (1x10min + 2x30'): smooth as silk.
Will switch back to my previous Pro strap tomorrow and compare.
I'm 95% convinced the issue is in the strap deteriorating (at least for me).

Switched back to my 1st Pro strap and of course I noticed issues (at beginning of10min warm-up HR was flat low for 30secs, it seemed to be OK after and during the 60min session).

[Xrayvizhen]

Being in the market for a H.M. monitor I've been lurking on this thread since it started. All this surprising negative talk about Polar has prompted me to invest my hard earned 8 bucks in a Coospo - arm band version, from Ali Express. I figure, if it doesn't work, I won't care and if it does, I've saved some money.

[Aquaman]

I tried a Polar Verity Sense armband and am addicted. It's so much less obtrusive than a chest strap version and I'm seeing a pretty good update rate on the readings. It's rechargeable too which I prefer over batteries.

[HornetMaX]

Being in the market for a H.M. monitor I've been lurking on this thread since it started. All this surprising negative talk about Polar has prompted me to invest my hard earned 8 bucks in a Coospo - arm band version, from Ali Express. I figure, if it doesn't work, I won't care and if it does, I've saved some money.

Let me state it again: the polar stuff I have (H9) works globally fine.
It seems to just need strap replacement after some time (basically, as soon as you start seeing some weird behavior appear, assuming the battery is OK). My first strap (the basic H9 one) lasted ~18 months, while my 2nd (the "Pro" one, supposed to be better) lasted less (~10 months).
Straps aside, I have absolutely zero complaints about it.

Maybe it's just me being unable to accept the fact the strap is consumable and needs periodic replacement at I higher rate I would expect.

I tried a Polar Verity Sense armband and am addicted. It's so much less obtrusive than a chest strap version and I'm seeing a pretty good update rate on the readings. It's rechargeable too which I prefer over batteries.

Never tried optical armbands but all I've read around indicates they are less accurate than classical chest straps, especially on sports involving the muscles the band sits on. Not sure how it performs with a RowErg or SkiErg.

[mict450]

I tried a Polar Verity Sense armband and am addicted. It's so much less obtrusive than a chest strap version and I'm seeing a pretty good update rate on the readings. It's rechargeable too which I prefer over batteries.

I have the predecessor of the Verity, the OH-1, and also find it much more convenient to use than my chest strap monitor.

I have a medical grade pulse oximeter that I used in my job as an RN, that was hellishly expensive, & was certified yearly as being accurate by the hospital engineering department. It records about 2 beats per minute lower vs my Polar OH-1, which is good enough for government work. I suspect if I compared it to my chest strap monitor, they would be a dead nuts match!

[HornetMaX]

I tried a Polar Verity Sense armband and am addicted. It's so much less obtrusive than a chest strap version and I'm seeing a pretty good update rate on the readings. It's rechargeable too which I prefer over batteries.

I have the predecessor of the Verity, the OH-1, and also find it much more convenient to use than my chest strap monitor.

I have a medical grade pulse oximeter that I used in my job as an RN, that was hellishly expensive, & was certified yearly as being accurate by the hospital engineering department. It records about 2 beats per minute lower vs my Polar OH-1, which is good enough for government work. I suspect if I compared it to my chest strap monitor, they would be a dead nuts match!

Sometimes yes, not always/on all activities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivjzK1bPNN4

[mict450]

Never tried optical armbands but all I've read around indicates they are less accurate than classical chest straps, especially on sports involving the muscles the band sits on. Not sure how it performs with a RowErg or SkiErg.

Apologize for this 2nd message, but I haven't mastered the art of placing multiple quotes in the same post.

My OH-1 works the same on the Skier as the Rower, with the same degree of error as I noted in the previous post.

[mict450]

Sometimes yes, not always/on all activities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivjzK1bPNN4

Thanks for that video clip. I maybe mis-remembering, but I distinctly recall the instructions recommending placing the sensor on the inner aspect of the upper forearm. The testers placement on the outer aspect of the upper arm is problematic, in my view. But he is the expert, & I've been retired for almost 5 years, so.....

[HornetMaX]

Sometimes yes, not always/on all activities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivjzK1bPNN4

Thanks for that video clip. I maybe mis-remembering, but I distinctly recall the instructions recommending placing the sensor on the inner aspect of the upper forearm. The testers placement on the outer aspect of the upper arm is problematic, in my view. But he is the expert, & I've been retired for almost 5 years, so.....

No, the polar manual seems to indicate it should be on the outside of your forearm or of your biceps muscle.

[gvcormac]

Maybe it's just me being unable to accept the fact the strap is consumable and needs periodic replacement at I higher rate I would expect.

If I bought a car that needed a new engine every two years, even if barely driven, I would choose a different make.

In this case, I have owned previous models from the same manufacturer that did not require a new engine in twenty years.

I suggest that it is much more plausible to assume that this particular model has a design defect, rather than that the technology to work for 20+ years has been lost, or that another brand will have the same defect.

[HornetMaX]

For me (and others, it seems) it's not the "engine", more like the "tires" (sticking to your car analogy).
Module (H9) works, it's just the straps that are failing (and, surprisingly, the Pro strap sooner than the less expensive Soft strap).

Then yes, if 1 polar strap/year costs as much as 1 Coospo H808S (assuming it works well and lasts 1 year at least), then one could look into doing just that (not great for the planet but less hassle and financially you'll be probably even if not better off).

[gvcormac]

For me (and others, it seems) it's not the "engine", more like the "tires" (sticking to your car analogy).
Module (H9) works, it's just the straps that are failing (and, surprisingly, the Pro strap sooner than the less expensive Soft strap).

Then yes, if 1 polar strap/year costs as much as 1 Coospo H808S (assuming it works well and lasts 1 year at least), then one could look into doing just that (not great for the planet but less hassle and financially you'll be probably even if not better off).

You keep repeating without support the proposition that the Coospo is likely to last only a year or two. If it lasts only a year or two I'll look to another brand. Eventually I'll find something that lasts 20 years, like Polars used to.

Tires don't cost 1/2 the price of a car. And if they wore out every 2 years even with only 1,000 kms traveled, and were specific to the model of car, I most certainly would seek another solution.