Polar FT4 problems: no heart beat

Last week I went out for a run, and of course I strapped on my trusty Polar FT4. I like the idea of my Polar FT4 as my own personal coach. Warning me if I'm moving too fast. I really need it.

Polar FT4 problems: heart beat is 0

But what do you know? It kept telling me I had no heartbeat! It it weren't for the fact I was still running around, this would have been very bad news indeed. When I got home I searched the internet, and found out having no heart beat is quite common when it comes to Polar FT4 problems.

So I've created a handy troubleshoot list for when your Polar FT4 shows a big, fat 0 where your heartbeat should be.

1. Is the strap moist enough?

Because if it isn't, the sensors in the strap can't do their work. That's why I always wet my strap by holding it under the kitchen faucet. The sensors are the two little pieces of grey fabric.

2. Are you wearing the strap tightly enough?

I don't like the strap too tight, but if it's not tight enough it can't pick up your heart beat.

3. Are the batteries still working, or are they as dead as you seem to be?

Leaving the battery on the strap will drain the battery… I had checked the strap, so I figured: 'It must be the batteries!' I went to the store, and they checked both the batteries in the watch and the batteries in the thingy you have to put on the strap. But they were fine. At that point I was really worried, because I couldn't think of any more reasons for my failing heart beat.

4. Try again

After running without my heart monitor for two days, I decided to simply try again. I wet the strap, put it on exactly right, and pushed the button to start monitoring my heart beat. At first I hear that annoying 'Beeeep!' again, telling me I had no heart beat. But after a few minutes, suddenly I had a pulse again!

I ran for fifty minutes, and all was well. I don't know what the problem was, but it seems to have gone away on its own.

Do you run with a heart monitor? If so, which brand?