Polar FT4 User Manual

6. CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMATION

Caring for Your FT4 Training Computer

Training computer: Clean with a mild soap and water solution, dry with towel. Do not press buttons under water. Never use alcohol or any abrasive material (steel wool or cleaning chemicals). Keep in a cool and dry place. Do not store in a damp environment, in non-breathable material (a plastic bag or a sports bag) nor with conductive material (a wet towel). Do not expose to direct sunlight for extended periods.

Washing Instructions for WearLink Transmitter

WearLink transmitter: Detach the transmitter connector from the strap and rinse the strap under running water after every use. Dry the connector with a soft towel. Never use alcohol or any abrasive material (steel wool or cleaning chemicals).

Wash the strap regularly in a washing machine at 40ºC/104ºF or at least after every fifth use. This ensures reliable measurement and maximizes the life span of the transmitter. Use a washing pouch. Do not soak, spin-dry, iron, dry clean or bleach the strap. Do not use detergent with bleach or fabric softener. Never put the transmitter connector in the washing machine or drier!

Dry and store the strap and the transmitter connector separately. Wash the strap in a washing machine before long-term storage and always after use in pool water with high chlorine content.

Service

During the two-year guarantee/warranty period we recommend that you have service done by an authorized Polar Service Center only. The warranty does not cover damage or consequential damage caused by service not authorized by Polar Electro.

Please see the separate Polar Customer Service Card for details.

Changing Batteries

Avoid opening the sealed battery cover during the guarantee period. We recommend that you have the battery replaced by an authorized Polar Service Center. They test your Polar FT4 for water resistance after battery replacement and make a full periodic check. Please note the following:

  • The low battery indicator is displayed when 10-15% of the battery capacity is left.

  • Excessive use of the back light drains the battery more rapidly.

  • In cold conditions, the low battery indicator may appear, but will disappear when the temperature rises.

  • The back light and sound are automatically turned off when the low battery indicator is displayed. Any alarms set prior to the appearance of the low battery indicator will remain active.

To change the battery yourself:

Change the sealing ring of the battery cover every time you change the battery. You can purchase the sealing ring/battery kits at well-equipped Polar retailers and authorized Polar Services. In the USA and Canada, the additional sealing rings are available at authorized Polar Service Centers only. Keep the batteries away from children. If swallowed, contact a doctor immediately. Batteries should be disposed of properly according to local regulations.

When handling a new, fully charged battery, avoid clasp-like contact, i.e. simultaneously from both sides, with metal or electrically conducting tools, like tweezers. This may short circuit the battery, causing it to discharge more rapidly. Typically, short circuiting does not damage the battery, but may decrease the capacity and thus the lifetime of the battery.

  1. Open the battery cover with a coin by turning it from CLOSE to OPEN.

    • When changing training computer battery (2a), remove the battery cover and lift the battery out carefully with a suitable sized small rigid stick or bar. However, prefer a non-metal tool for wrenching the battery out. Be careful not to damage the metal sound element (*) or the grooves. Insert a new battery inside the cover with the positive (+) side facing the cover.

    • When changing transmitter battery (2b), place the battery inside the cover with the positive (+) side facing the cover.

  2. Replace the old sealing ring with a new one, fitting it snuggly in the cover groove to ensure water resistance.

  3. Put the cover back on and turn it clockwise to CLOSE.

  4. Re-enter the basic settings if you changed the training computer batteries.

 

Precautions

Your Polar FT4 training computer is designed to help you achieve personal fitness goals and indicate the level of physiological strain and intensity during training sessions. No other use is intended or implied.

Minimizing Possible Risks

Training may include some risk. Before beginning a regular training program, answer the following questions concerning your health status. If you answer yes to any of these questions, consult a physician before starting any training program.

  • Have you been physically inactive for the past five years?

  • Do you have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol?

  • Do you have symptoms of any disease?

  • Are you taking any blood pressure or heart medication?

  • Do you have a history of breathing problems?

  • Are you recovering from a serious illness or medical treatment?

  • Do you use a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device?

  • Do you smoke?

  • Are you pregnant?

Note that in addition to training intensity, medication for heart conditions/blood pressure/psychological conditions/asthma/breathing/etc, as well as some energy drinks, alcohol, and nicotine may also affect heart rate.

It is important to be sensitive to your body’s responses during training. If you feel unexpected pain or excessive fatigue when training, stop the exercise or continue at a lighter intensity.

If you have a pacemaker, defibrillator or other implanted electronic device, you use the Polar FT4 at your own risk. Before starting use, take a maximal training stress test under the supervision of a physician. The test is to ensure the safety and reliability of the simultaneous use of the pacemaker and the Polar FT4.

If you are allergic to any substance that comes into contact with your skin or if you suspect an allergic reaction due to using the product, check the listed materials in Technical Specifications. To avoid any skin reaction to the transmitter, wear it over a shirt. Moisten the shirt well under the electrodes to ensure flawless operation. If you use insect repellent on your skin, make sure that it does not come into contact with the training computer or the transmitter.

Exercise equipment with electronic components may cause interfering stray signals.

To tackle these problems, try the following:

  1. Remove the transmitter from your chest and use the exercise equipment as you would normally.

  2. Move the training computer around until you find an area in which it displays no stray reading or does not flash the heart symbol. Interference is often worst right in front of the display panel of the equipment, while the left or right side of the display is relatively free of disturbance.

  3. Put the transmitter back on your chest and keep the training computer in this interference-free area as much as possible.

If the Polar FT4 still does not work, the piece of equipment may be electrically too noisy for wireless heart rate measurement.

Water Resistance of the Polar FT4 Training Computer

Polar FT4 may be worn when swimming. To maintain water resistance, do not press buttons under water. For more information, visit http://www.polar.fi/support. Water resistance of Polar products is tested according to International Standard ISO 2281. Products are divided into three categories according to their water resistance. Check the back of your Polar product for the water resistance category, and compare it to the chart below. Please note that these definitions do not necessarily apply to products of other manufacturers.

Marking on case back

Water resistant characteristics

Water resistant

Protected against wash splashes, sweat, raindrops etc. Not suitable for swimming.

Water resistant 30 m/50 m

WR 30M/ WR 50M

Suitable for bathing and swimming

Water resistant 100 m

WR 100M

Suitable for swimming and snorkeling (without air tanks)

Troubleshooting

If you don't know where you are in the menu, press and hold BACK until the time of day is displayed.

If there are no reactions to any buttons or the FT4 displays unusual readings, reset the training computer by pressing four buttons (UP, DOWN, BACK and LIGHT) simultaneously for four seconds. The display will go blank for a moment. Press OK and Please enter basic settings will shortly be displayed. Enter time and date. With long press BACK the display returns to time of day view. All other settings except time and date will be saved.

If the heart rate reading becomes erratic, extremely high or shows nil (00), make sure that there are no other heart rate transmitters within 1 m/3 ft and that the transmitter strap/the textile electrodes fit snugly and are moistened, clean and undamaged.

If the heart rate measurement does not work with the sports apparel, try using the strap. If it works, the problem is most probably in the apparel. Check that the electrode areas of the apparel are clean. Before washing the apparel, check the washing instructions. If the heart rate measurement still does not work, please contact the apparel retailer/manufacturer.

Strong electromagnetic signals can cause erratic readings. Electromagnetic disturbances may occur near high-voltage power lines, traffic lights, overhead lines of electric railways, electric bus lines or trams, televisions, car motors, bike computers, some motor driven training equipment, cellular phones, or at electric security gates. To avoid erratic readings, move away from possible sources of disturbance.

If the abnormal reading continues despite moving away from the source of disturbance, slow down and check your pulse manually. If you feel it corresponds to the high reading on the display, you may be experiencing cardiac arrhythmia. Most cases of arrhythmia are not serious, but consult your doctor nevertheless.

If heart rate measurement does not work despite the actions mentioned previously, the battery of your transmitter may be empty.

A cardiac event may have altered your ECG waveform so that the transmitter is not able to detect it. In this case, consult your physician.

Technical Specifications

FT4 Training Computer

Battery type

CR 1632

Battery life

Average 12 months (training 0.5 h/day, 7 days/week)

Operating temperature

-10 °C to +50 °C / 14 °F to 122 °F

Back cover

Polyamide

Wrist strap material

Polyurethane

Wrist strap buckle

Stainless steel complying with the EU Directive 94/27/EU and amendment 1999/C 205/05 on the release of nickel from products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin.

Watch accuracy

Better than ± 0.5 seconds/day at 25 °C / 77 °F temperature.

Accuracy of heart rate measurement

± 1% or ± 1 bpm, whichever larger, definition applies to steady state conditions.

Water resistance

30m (Suitable for bathing and swimming)

WearLink Transmitter

Battery type

CR 2025

Battery life

Average 2 years (1 h/day, 7 days/week)

Battery sealing ring

O-ring 20.0 x 1.0 Material FPM

Operating temperature

-10 °C to +50 °C / 14 °F to 122 °F

Connector material

Polyamide

Strap material

35% Polyester, 35% Polyamide, 30% Polyurethane

Water resistance

30m (Suitable for bathing and swimming)

Limit Values

Chronometer

23 h 59 min 59 s

Heart rate

15 - 240 bpm

Total time

0 - 9999 h 59 min 59 s

Total calories

0 - 999999 kcal/Cal

Total exercise count

65 535

Year of birth

1921 - 2020

Limited Polar International Guarantee

  • This guarantee does not affect the consumer’s statutory rights under applicable national or state laws in force, or the consumer’s rights against the dealer arising from their sales/purchase contract.

  • This limited Polar international guarantee is issued by Polar Electro Inc. for consumers who have purchased this product in the USA or Canada. This limited Polar international guarantee is issued by Polar Electro Oy for consumers who have purchased this product in other countries.

  • Polar Electro Oy/Polar Electro Inc. guarantees the original consumer/purchaser of this device that the product will be free from defects in material or workmanship for two (2) years from the date of purchase.

  • The receipt of the original purchase is your proof of purchase!

  • The guarantee does not cover the battery, normal wear and tear, damage due to misuse, abuse, accidents or non-compliance with the precautions; improper maintenance, commercial use, cracked ,broken or scratched cases/displays, elastic strap and Polar apparel.

  • The guarantee does not cover any damage/s, losses, costs or expenses, direct, indirect or incidental, consequential or special, arising out of, or related to the product.

  • Items purchased second hand are not covered by the two (2) year warranty, unless otherwise stipulated by local law.

  • During the guarantee period, the product will be either repaired or replaced at any of the authorized Polar Service Centers regardless of the country of purchase.

Guarantee with respect to any product will be limited to countries where the product has been initially marketed.

© 2009 Polar Electro Oy, FIN-90440 KEMPELE, Finland.

Polar Electro Oy is a ISO 9001:2000 certified company. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of Polar Electro Oy. The names and logos marked with a ™ symbol in this user manual or in the package of this product are trademarks of Polar Electro Oy. The names and logos marked with a ® symbol in this user manual or in the package of this product are registered trademarks of Polar Electro Oy, except that Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Disclaimer

  • The material in this manual is for informational purposes only. The products it describes are subject to change without prior notice, due to the manufacturer’s continuous development program.

  • Polar Electro Inc. / Polar Electro Oy makes no representations or warranties with respect to this manual or with respect to the products described herein.

  • Polar Electro Inc. / Polar Electro Oy shall not be liable for any damages, losses, costs or expenses, direct, indirect or incidental, consequential or special, arising out of, or related to the use of this material or the products described herein.

This product is protected by the incorporeal rights of Polar Electro Oy as defined by the following documents: FI115084, US7418237, EP1543769, FI110915, US7324841, EP1361819, FI23471, EU00046107-0001, USD492783S, USD492784S, USD492999S, FI96380, JP3568954, US5611346, EP665947, DE69414362, FI6815, EP1245184, US7076291, HK1048426, FI 114202, US 6537227, EP1147790, HK1040065, DE60128746.0, FI 115289, EP 1127544, US 6540686, HK 1041188, FI 88972, DE4223657.6 A, FI 9219139.8, FR 92.09150, GB 2258587, HK 306/1996, SG 9592117-7, US 5486818. Other patents pending.

Manufactured by Polar Electro Oy, Professorintie 5, FIN-90440 KEMPELE, Tel +358 8 5202 100, Fax +358 8 5202 300, www.polar.fi

This product is compliant with Directive 93/42/EEC. The relevant Declaration of Conformity is available at www.support.polar.fi.

This crossed out wheeled bin marking shows that Polar products are electronic devices and are in the scope of Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and batteries and accumulators used in products are in the scope of Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators. These products and batteries/accumulators inside Polar products should thus be disposed of separately in EU countries. Polar encourages you to minimize possible effects of waste on the environment and human health also outside the European Union by following local waste disposal regulations and, where possible, utilize separate collection of electronic devices for products, and battery and accumulator collection for batteries and accumulators.

This marking shows that the product is protected against electric shocks.

17938096.01 ENG B

10/2009