Greetings,
I’m having an issue with my Polar RS800CX watch and was unable to find anything on the Polar site. I’m wondering if anyone here has had or heard of similar issues.
My watch is about 1.75 years old and has been in for warranty work twice. On the second trip it was determined the computer had a malfunction causing it to eat through batteries. Consequently the watch computer was replaced. This was early May of last year.
A few months ago I noticed that the red button used to start workouts didn’t always work on the first try. Over the weekend I ran a marathon where I had to push it 6-7 times to start. I found it annoying and concerning. I also noticed a few weeks ago that the screen would dim (making it harder to read the screen) while it searched for my HR. Now the screen goes completely blank while it searches. The screen will come back after 10-20 seconds but then go blank for another 20-30 seconds. I will admit that the battery of my WIND sensor needs to be replaced along with the strap as they are nearly 2 years old. I was able to pick up my HR last Friday (1/7) without issue (not exercising but just standing in a room).
If anyone has experienced something similar (red button not working all the time or screen going blank) please let me know. This is my first Polar (and HR) system so I find these issues troubling. I tried to contact the Polar people today but their offices are closed.
I’m not sure what a G3 is so I’m going to say no. I got the cycling version so the watch only came with the HR strap, sensor to connect to a computer, and manuals.
I had similar issues with the battery. The first lasted only 4 months. At the local Polar technical assistance they oriented me to manually disable all the sensor not in use in a particular training session so the computer do not try to find them, with its maximum power. After that I created several exercises, with different sensors profiles, and the battery lasted like 8 months. It seems to me that the problems your a facing now (failing buttons and dimmed screen) would be battery related too.
I wish it helps,
Sorry, I didn’t answer your first question. I start it during the swim, only to know my time. I have to stop and restart for each portion of the race. I usually (if I remember) glance down once I cross the timing mat to enter transition. I stop and restart once I cross the timing mat for the next portion of the race. It’s nice to know my time for each segment along with HR and bike speed, but I don’t get the total time. There’s probably a better way of using it during a tri.
The cycling version didn’t come with the foot pod. The cycling sensor keeps track of speed and distance, both of which I have grown accustomed to having.
Rafael,
Thanks. I just picked up a new strap and the guy at the running store has the same watch. He also felt it was a low watch battery. I’ll try to replace both batteries and see how it works.
Is the method to disable sensors in the Polar manual somewhere? I tried to disable the bike sensor while running but did not locate the option.
I highly recommend you don’t try to replace the RS800CX battery yourself. Send it to Polar. It is really easy to screw up the part of the caseback that unscrews. Plus, if you send it to Polar, they will do it right and check to make sure everything is okay with the watch.
I highly recommend you don’t try to replace the RS800CX battery yourself. Send it to Polar. It is really easy to screw up the part of the caseback that unscrews. Plus, if you send it to Polar, they will do it right and check to make sure everything is okay with the watch.
What is so hard about replacing the battery? I have had to replace the battery a couple of times and never had a problem at all.
I highly recommend you don’t try to replace the RS800CX battery yourself. Send it to Polar. It is really easy to screw up the part of the caseback that unscrews. Plus, if you send it to Polar, they will do it right and check to make sure everything is okay with the watch.
What is so hard about replacing the battery? I have had to replace the battery a couple of times and never had a problem at all.
There are a couple issues. First of all, if you don’t have a coin or something else which is perfectly fits the width of the opening on the back, you will screw up that part of the caseback. It is plastic and it is not that hard of a material. Second, when the watch is made and assembled at the factory, it is water tight. When you change the battery yourself, it might not end up being water tight. For example, you might slightly more out of place the black rubber gasket and water could get in.
If people are comfortable and confident that they can do it right themselves, go for it. I’m just saying that it is a risk.
Hello trigeek5,
I have the exact same problem with my RS800CX, that is red button not working all the time and screen going blank. In addition the four other buttons on the side often do not respond either, just as the red button. My watch is from 2006 and started this strange behaviour about a year ago. Did you find any solution to your problem?
The screen usually goes blank with a weak battery. A high demand is placed on the battery as it is trying to wake up the sensors, I had this issue and a new battery fixed it. As for the buttons we are well aware of various issues :). I would send it in for service with a nice note explaining the problem. PM me if you need help sending it.
You guys know about the Quick Menu? While you are recording a session press and hold the top left or the light button. This is pretty cool to use seek sensor. The RCX5 also has the quick menu. This is handy for when you exit the swim and the Polar RS800cx has stopped looking for your hr or S3. The is also handy for calibrating. Just a FYI.
Bartflyer,
I did. After changing the battery in my watch and HR sensor, and changing my HR strap (apparently recommended every 2 years) all is well. Another poster said how to turn off my bike sensor, which I’ve been doing when its not needed. My battery lasted about a year, significantly longer than previous batteries. I’ve noticed that when the battery is weak, I have to push the red button more and more to activate the watch. With a fresh battery, the red button is very sensitive (i.e. barely touch and it activates). Knowing this, I’ll buy a new battery (can get off Polar site with the plastic ring that can occasionally get damaged). I won’t change it until pushing the red button X number of times gets annoying OR I have a key race that I don’t want to risk having issues.
I haven’t experienced the screen going blank since then, but I may have let my battery get too weak last time. Or it could be related to a weak battery in the HR strap. Someone else might be able to comment on that. I did also have issues at that time (when I posted) with the watch picking up my HR.
You can PM me with other questions