Polar HR10 Heart Monitor

One of the Best

Heart rate monitors are really the most accurate way to track your heart rate numbers, and even though I use a Garmin 955 Forerunner, I still like to run with the heart rate monitor. Over the years, I have used a few including from Polar, and also from Wahoo, but in 2023 I bought a Polar HR10 Heart Rate Monitor , and according to my Strava mates, the best in the business.

In the last 2 years, apart from replacing the batteries once or twice, it connected every time with my watch and accurately recorded my runs. It also is the most comfortable strap that I have worn around my chest. The Wahoo strap caused immense discomfort, with my skin itching long after I'd taken it off, and at times I would check to see if I hadn't inadvertently left it on because the feeling was that I was still wearing it. Not so with the Polar.

Worn Out Already!?

So it was unfortunate when about 2 weeks ago it started to play up. It connected fine, but as soon as I went for a run the figures would jump about. One minute I would be flatlining and recording nothing, the next it would be 160 BPM+, before going back down to 80 or 90. The erratic readings didn't stop when I changed the battery. I even checked the battery manually with a meter to make sure that even though it came straight from a new packet, that. it wasn't somehow low or dead.

Troubleshooting my HR10, which I bought almost 2 years ago to the day and has now since stopped working. Checking out the Polar website, it recommends washing in the machine frequently in order to remove dust, dirt, and sweat. I always washed mine in the shower after a run or ride, and hadn't put it in the washing machine before. So I did, and though it brought the colours back to life and it did look like new, it still didn't work.

Troubleshooting

I then connected it to the Polar App and it said that the readings were fine. I was sat in my chair at home testing it out, and there was no issue. So I figured that the washing machine had probably fixed it and done it some good.

On taking it for a run, it started to play up again. So I removed the sensor and contiuned running. On closer inspection at home though, I noticed that the strap on the back had a slit across the back of it, which I guess breaks the connection. Thinking about the readings taken at home, well I was sat still and not moving, but out on a run my chest would be heaving in and out (nothing graceful here!), and was likely connecting, then disconnecting as I ran.

So that was that.

Next Steps

Now I'm on the look out for a replacement strap for it. I'm sticking with Polar, and the HR10 is certainly the most comfortable strap I've ever worn. Once you get used to a decent heart rate monitor it's hard to give up. It has become a firm favourite and part of my kit, so that when I go for a run or take the bike out, I reach for it without thinking.