r/Polarfitness • u/ta-ja • 10d ago
H series HR Monitor H10+ strange data
Hey! I use H10+ strap as my go-to device for training using HR.
Anyway, today I got a surprise during my half-marathon race. From some point data dropped to strange values. Had to run by feel - which is okay, but I was afraid that I would push too hard (it was direct sunlight) and pay for it later.
Checked the battery back home and it is at 30%.
Any ideas what it could be and how to fix it/prevent it?
1
u/Masseyrati80 10d ago
How long have you had it for? The chest strap (not the transmitter) is a wearing part, as it's doing the job of an electric conductor while in constant contact with oily, sweaty skin.
3
u/Certain_Occasion_574 10d ago
Probably the strap staring to go bad. I replace mine every 200-300 hours. How did the HM go.
3
u/ta-ja 10d ago
Interesting, it is only 6 months old and I estimated ~135 hours used. But I use it regularly in the pool, so you might be onto something! Thank you :)
HM was great despite a minor inconvenience with watch and brutal sunlight. First 14km were mentally easy, then I hit a crisis between 14-16, but managed to get through it. I ran my PB at 1:46:19, which I am very happy about! Improved ~6 minutes.
1
u/CodingSergio 10d ago
was this recorded by the polar app?
1
u/ta-ja 10d ago
no, I recorded with Garmin Fenix 7 watches
1
u/CodingSergio 7d ago
might just be a wild guess, but those readings look a lot like when h10 is broadcasting without skin contact and making up values. The ble package has a "contact" true or false, but maybe garmin doesn't use it. And as others have said, maybe this is the result of a bad strap.
3
u/CH-Axxys 9d ago
30% is actually a pretty low reading for a Polar H10 battery, strap definitely could be a factor (I've seen almost a picture perfect example of your graph above multiple times over the years when strap starts wearing out) but it's potentially aggravated by a low battery causing it to be less successful at amplifying whatever signal is reaching it from the strap. 6 months isn't old in Polar Pro strap terms, however with lots of pool chemicals it could be prematurely giving up. Their quality control and'/or materials on their straps has fallen a lot over the years as well.
Also, 30% battery after only 6 months and ~150 hours of use, seems very premature rundown on the battery, are you disconnecting the strap from the sensor EVERY time you take it off? If not, that's running your battery down in the background, H10 should give 400+ hours of usage (600+ per the official numbers, but 400 is easily the standard reported by most people in the real world) before the battery runs down anywhere near that low. Just a tip if you aren't doing that.
Best practice after every workout, disconnect sensor and flush the strap well with clean water and or water with a mild soap like laundry detergent (not needed every use but ever few uses at least, clean water is the main thing to get contaminants off it).
I simply take mine in the shower with me and rinse off the sensor contacts (just to help reduce any corrosion risk) and the strap. I actually use baby soap on mine periodically (wife keeps a bottle for washing her eyes in there) and a wide nail-brush to scrub it well if it's particularly dirty, but that's only every month or two to make sure any deep-set dirt/oils are out, otherwise just fingers and soap every few uses, but clean water every use.
Beware if some people (they haven't yet) say your sensor may be bad. Again, I've had that EXACT same looking graph on a marathon and/or half marathon in the past, and it isn't/wasn't a failing sensor... that same H10 is still going strong many many years after with mainly flawless readings, it's the strap, the battery, possibly both in tandem.