Hey guys, I had a question for all of you who use your polar units for run training. I used to have a Polar 510 which I used as my primary cycling/running watch but only used the HR function when cycling, I didn’t like the feel of running with the hard strap (it really bugged me). But, I hear they came out with a new “Polar WearLink Transmitter” that is now soft? Forgive me if i’m old on times.
Have any of you guys tried it for running and how is it? Better than the old one? Is it compatible with all models of polars? I always also didn’t like running with my 510 as I felt it was kinda clunky, thinking about just getting a cheapy polar watch for running with the soft strap and using my Powertap for bike training.
Also, anyone know if the WearLink strap will sync up HR data for the Powertap Pro? Thanks a lot.
I have a S625X with the new strap and it by far the most comfortable chest strap on the market. It’s definitely worth it and I have tried most of the various brands - nike, timex, and polar.
Powertap - not sure.
Good luck.
I train and raced with the new soft strap after previously using an older polar one and timexs offering. The polar soft strap is by far the most comfortable and reliable.
I do not think it syncs up well with a PowerTap Pro though. Also I have had problems with the newer strap and machines at the gym, it will syn but just maxes out my HR reading at 220 for the entire workout.
I bike and swim with the wearlink soft strap and I love it. I have tried to swim with it but the water always “peels” it down off my chest. Maybe I am swimming too fast…nah…probably my huge chest muscles…nope…anyway.
It has a user replaceable battery and is very comfortable. I am guessing it doesn’t work with some of those other systems because it is coded. Not sure if all the wearlinks are but mine is.
I got the wearlink strap when my old one broke, and use it with the watch I’ve had for a few years, so I think it should work with older Polars. It’s a little more comfortable, but I didn’t mind the old one, and I wouldn’t say it’s a huge difference.
Mine is very comfortable but I don’t think it’s any better than my old uncoded one.
It’s nice to be able to change the battery in it though.
It seems to work about 40% of the time with my PT Pro and it doesn’t work well with the treadmills at the gym like you describe.
While my Cycleops transmitter works with my Polar RS200sd by itself, it won’t work when I use the foot pod. It seems that only my wearlink works while using the footpod.
I actually don’t mind the hard straps, but I use the wearlink for long rides and races. All straps tend to ride down with me. I’ve seen an Adidas shirt that can attach the wearlink unit. I think that would solve a lot of problems for me.
I think I might grab one of those addidas shirts too. Doesn’t look that bad either.
You know what, I don’t get how that works. It says you snap in your polar computer into the shirt, but doesn’t it need the polar strap to stay tight against your body? Maybe there’s a built in strap or something.
I find my (old fashioned hard) strap slips down more when I’ve increased my swim training - I’m pretty sure it’s ther muscles getting swollen with training (not developed, just swollen). I wonder if spaghetti straps for monitors are the answer, or is that too gay? …not that there’s etc. j
Strange, but the soft strap doesn’t work for me past 5-7 miles of running. For some reason it starts producing erroneous numbers. I can wear it all day on a bike and it’s no problem. I’ve checked to make sure it’s not slipping.
So for rides I use the soft strap and runs I use the old hard ones. Go figure.
I love the soft strap but it doesn’t work for anything in the pool, even when I wear a race singlet to hold it dow.
I heard the chlorine affects it negatively. I gave up after a few attempts.
As for OW I got good readings for the first loop of IMFL, but lost most of my second loop. When I exited the water everything started working properly with no adjustments.