Garmin HRM doesn't fit new Polar Strap as of March 2016?

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi all - like many of you I have been following DC Rainmakers guidance on using a Polar strap with my Garmin HRM . Unfortunately I left my polar strap in a hotel room on a recent trip so I ordered a new one. The first one arrived and didn’t fit my Garmin. I assumed it was faulty so I returned it only to find the replacement also didn’t work on two different Garmin HRMs. Has anyone else discovered the same? Any alternative straps to consider to avoid the erratic Heart Rate using the Garmin strap?

2

Bump - anyone else experiencing this?

3

IIRC, there are two different polar straps. One fits the garmin transmitter, one doesn’t. This is the one I bought and it fit the garmin:

http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Soft-Strap-Set-XXX-Large/dp/B007XCXMV2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1458065026&sr=8-3&keywords=polar+strap

4

The one you linked to is EXACTLY the one I ordered. It appears they may have changed the rubber grommet around the buttons.

5

I bought this one and it works just fine. Although in the reviews some people state they have had to cut back the plastic a bit, I did not have that experience. Snapped right in.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007XCLU66?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

6

Just read the latest Amazon reviews and yes polar redesigned the strap recently. There’s plastic around the snap-on contacts preventing the garmin transmitter from snapping in properly. Plastic can be trimmed down if you are so inclined.

7

Out of curiosity when did you buy it?

8

Out of curiosity when did you buy it?

Feb 2nd
.

9

I bought mine about a year ago.

10

Just use a razor knife to carefully trim the plastic flush to the base of the snap. Did mine about a year ago. Easy job - just take it slow and be careful. Here are pictures of how to do it:
http://www.electrohero.com/fitness-a-heart-rate-monitors/51-polar/59-using-polar-soft-heart-rate-strap-with-garmin-equipment.html#.VuirZ-IrJD8

11

Wanted to update everyone that trimming the rubber on the Polar fixed the problem. A poster on DC Rainmaker took the photos of the trimming. If you have a sharp blade it cuts very easy.

http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/Suepsyd/media/richard/2015/garmin_1/0523151241a_zps3pm0ftfp.jpg.html

12

As much as i like the DIY solution…I wish we didn’t have to do this and POLAR just realized why they sold so many soft straps.

13

Lol. Wouldn’t be the first time Polar made an stupid arbitrary decision that lost lost customers…