Reddit reviews POLAR Soft Strap Set (Medium/XX-Large)
We found 6 Reddit comments about POLAR Soft Strap Set (Medium/XX-Large). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Comfortable chest strap for heart rate measurementThe smart fusion of soft fabrics and adaptive electrodes make it extremely sensitive to your heart’s electrical signals, so the heart rate sensor can pick up your heart rate quicker and more accuratelyCompatible with all Polar heart rate sensors, utilizing the same snap attachment methodComfortable chest strap for heart rate measurementCompatible with all Polar heart rate sensors, utilizing the same snap attachment method
Assuming the strap is knackered, DCR asserts the replacement straps from Polar work even better:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/08/solution-to-heart-rate-dropoutsspikes.html
Twenty quid from Amazon or take a risk on a 3rd party option for nine quid.
Before that though, you could try medical electrolyte gel on the contacts.
For anyone considering this be aware that the Garmin heart rate monitor strap is prone to failure. Whatever they put on/in the rubber electrodes to make them conductive wears off pretty quickly and the HRM becomes unreliable and eventually unusable.
Fortunately the actual HRM puck works great and fits this Polar HRM strap, although you may have to trip the rubber grommets around the snaps on the strap a bit.
You can combine most of the straps offered out there - I use the FR 230 together with the default Polar one (https://www.amazon.com/Polar-Soft-Strap-Medium-XX-Large/dp/B007XCLU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467612208&sr=8-1&keywords=polar+heart+rate+strap), which offers great value for the money spent.
You only need to modify them ever so slightly - the rubber outer ring extends over the end of the metal contact pins. Just cut the overlapping rubber away and it works like charm with your Garmin HRM.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/fo6/Polar-Chest-Strap-Soft-keine-Size-M-XXL/B007XCLU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483024187&sr=8-1&keywords=polar+heart+rate+monitor+strap
It depends on which Garmin chest strap. I assume it's the standard one here. You can buy the Garmin replacement, but I got the Polar one since it gets better reviews. Might need to trim the rubber a bit on the connections.
I can personally back up all the suggestions on the DC rainmaker article. The easiest and cheapest solution would be to try the Polar heart rate strap, which you can buy without their HR monitor.
I had the Garmin soft heart rate stap and both my wife and I had massive problems in the winter. We changed to the Polar stap and had 0 issues after that: http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Soft-Strap-Medium-XX-Large/dp/B007XCLU66?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
DC Rainmaker also suggests using electrode gel if you have issues, I found it helped when using the garmin HR stap, but because the polar resolved our HR reporting issues we haven't really used it.
If you are looking to replace your HR monitor, and are using a Garmin watch, my wife and I have had success with the new Garmin HRM-Tri, which is made of a different material than the soft heart rate straps. There is also a model strictly for running that is slightly cheaper http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-HRM-Run-Black-Red-Size/dp/B01708T7NA/ref=sr_1_11?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1462547828&sr=1-11&keywords=garmin+hr+monitor