Using older HR chest strap with PM5?

[Ombrax]

Hi Chris,

Many thanks for taking the time to reply in such detail.

Like you, I'm leaning toward getting a Polar FT1. At first I was thinking of just getting another T31 transmitter, but that's $38 and the FT1 that comes with the wrist unit and the transmitter is $48. (Sort of like buying a new cordless drill in order to get a new battery - I've done that before, too..)

Take care,
O

[chrisl]

I think that's a great plan. The FT1 is a great watch, simple and does the job reliably, and the T31c is a nice strap, long-lived and comfortable. You can use that with your PM2+ setup as you do now.

Later, if you get a SkiErg you can grab a H7 from Amazon and it will work with your FT1 just the same, including HeartTouch, and it will work with the PM5. It will still work with your PM2+ as the T31 does now. You can even use them together. Bluetooth Smart only works with one device at a time, while the older Wearlink analogue protocol works with many at a time (eg your FT1 and a treadmill together). You would have the H7 talking Wearlink to the FT1 and Bluetooth Smart to the PM5 at the same time. I know this works as I use this exact combo often.

When moving to a PM5 I spent a while looking at alternatives like the Forerunner 25 with an ANT+ strap but they were all a bit annoying in various ways, from having to charge to less than stellar online portals to manage their data. I'm glad I kept the trusty FT1 and got an H7. I'm tempted to get another FT1 with T31c strap as a spare in fact, in case they are discontinued and mine becomes damaged. The battery is supposed to be non-replaceable in the FT1 but it can be relatively easily, although I believe you lose the full level of water resistance one you break the seal by unscrewing the back. I'm on my second battery and it's been fine for many months. I've had the FT1 for several years now.

Chris

[mishkaya]

I'm bumping this thread to ask for some advice:

On Wednesday at the end of my rowing workout my (very) old T31 Polar HRM strap/transmitter finally failed (literally broke in two). I've been using it with the PM2+ on my Model C and when I ride my bike with the wrist unit that came with it.

I could just get a replacement Polar T31 transmitter but I'm wondering if that's just more old technology. Plus, I don't know how much longer the wrist receiver will last, and finally, I'm also thinking of getting a SkiErg, which will come with a PM5.

I called C2 and they suggested getting a Polar H7 strap, which based on what they said sounds like it would be compatible with both the PM2+ and a PM5. And, I'm guessing that it might also be compatible with my old Polar wrist receiver

I've been looking for a basic (i.e. less than $100) Polar wrist HRM that comes with the H7, but I'm having a hard time finding one - most of them seem to come with the H1.

Any other ideas or suggestions on possible solutions? (I'm not into fancy apps on smart-phones - don't even own a mobile phone - so having something that can talk to my phone is of no additional benefit to me.)

Thanks

If your wrist monitor is still working, you can purchase just the H7 monitor with a chest strap for under $60 with free shipping. It will work with your current wrist monitor.

[jerg]

But if the Garmin is half the price you could replace it down the line if it fails...

Just to follow up on this thread, I did end up buying a Garmin HRM1G on ebay for $15. Works fine so far.

[bobbyws]

I recently switched from a Polar H7 to the Wahoo Tickr strap. The Polar had occasional dropouts and took a while to be found by the PM5. The Wahoo has a completely solid connection and links very quickly to the PM5. No hassles at all with the Wahoo.