Spottester/cyclocomputer Polar cs 200

or unacknowledged claim

I bought a cycling computer combined with a Polar CS 200 sport tester. I am satisfied with the functions of the device. However, the problem is with the quality of the device. After some time, the button started to bother me constantly after I got wet in heavy rain. I even came across the exact time in the training log. It was after 18 days that the problem first appeared! And since then, the bike computer has not responded well to the right button or at all in wet weather. However, the problem was not so severe that the sporttester could not still be ridden, so I waited until the end of the season, I'd send the device in for a warranty claim. In the meantime, however, I noticed another problem and that was on the display, an increasingly large black spot appeared in the top right corner. The display was not cracked, but it must have started leaking in the top left. It didn't bother me yet either, so I still drove it.

Since I was also cycling all fall and didn't even have time, I sent the device in for a claim until the New Year.

To my surprise, however, the claim was not accepted due to me bumping the device ...... Despite the mess about the state of my claim and the non-functional email of the HSH service centre, I finally learned that the display is unrepairable or the price would be higher than a new device of 3000Kč :D ;-(. And they would fix the button for 450Kč. And I still got the rebuke that the display glitch would not appear after such a you. After what? And after all, you ride in summer, not to deal with a month of complaints!
Of course, I treated the device well and it was fine to look at as well, otherwise I wouldn't have even bothered to claim it.
First of all, I was surprised by the non-acknowledgement of the complaint. Then the price of the button repair. Later I was informed that they would fix the button by "adjusting" it. Yes they used a foreign term, probably to appear as real experts as it is fashionable now. The unfixability of the display was immediately suspicious to me, repairing the display is not a problem, although it depends on the device. And the fact that it would cost more than a new device is absolute nonsense! Because as a more ordinary customer, when I buy, a lower model of the same computer, the Polar CS100, which is the same as the Polar CS200, but with limited software features, I get the same display for a lower price ;-) (current price as of March 2013 about 2000Kč). In addition, the price of the new device includes additional accessories, which also cost something. Otherwise, of course, the manufacturer has the display almost for free and you need to pay mainly the work of the technician.

Despite my complaints and disagreement with the non-acceptance of the claim, they finally sent me back the device without any further answers.

So it figured it would be cheaper to repair the display and button myself or buy a new or used device outright or buy the cheaper Polar CS 100 and use the parts to repair the Polar CS 200, which is definitely 100% the same in hardware, just with the software intentionally stripped down.

When the device came back to me I did an analysis. On close examination it was seen that the device is 100% fine superficially, even the screen cover is not scratched. Fortunately the device has screws so it can be taken apart without any problem. Upon disassembling the device, it was found that the button is physically fine, but still does not work properly. After inspecting the PCB of the device, it was clearly visible that there was water in the device. So in reality the device is not well sealed, the problem would be with the piezo speaker, which has a hole underneath. It's from underneath, but it also squirts water from underneath when cycling.
What was striking, however, was the state of the display. The display was black not only on one edge but also on the other and on both sides to a much greater extent. Both places were in worse condition than they appeared at first glance, because it wasn't until you took the cover off that you could see the whole screen. Upon close examination, it turned out that the display was indeed not cracked and that it was probably leaking somewhere on the sides. After examining how the different parts fit together, it became clear, that the cover is touching the display and, as the computer is put on and off the mount, torsional forces and pressure are being transmitted to the display through the cover. Specifically, to the edge of the display and the edge becomes distorted and damaged. The question of what caused the display to malfunction is therefore clear: poor design of the Polar CS 200 and in combination with how the device should be used, over time, the display takes a hit and starts to leak and eventually turns black.
Actually, there's nothing to be surprised at, I've never encountered an attachment like this before, and I've been loathe to take the device off and on like this. In the end, it turned out that my feeling was justified. Polar did a poor design of the device, and because today's new devices are under-tested and sent straight to market, (all in the name of saving money and higher profits), the creation of this crap Polar CS 200 (or Polar CS 100) is possible.
It also turns out that repairing the display would be an absolute breeze!. I've never seen a simpler display replacement. Even an 8 year old who can build with Legos could do it. You could just put a new display in that spot, no need to solder, screw or, there is no flat jumper cable, just the locking holes and the touch contact.

The solutions then are the only way to avoid the above problems and they are simple:

• Fix the hole under the piezo with e.g. silicone.
• Do not take the Polar CS 200 (CS 100) bike computer/sporttester off the bike mount!!!

Only then the cyclist will not be able to enjoy the comfort of transcribing data in the warmth of home without removing the bike computer, remove the computer when leaving the bike in a public place and prevent the computer from being stolen and and most importantly, he will not be able to use the convenience of automatic data transfer to the computer!!

For those people who have already experienced the problem, they have a solution to the fix outlined. But BEWARE this fix is admittedly a piece of cake for a handyman, but nowadays, just like replacing a battery, the repair is only allowed to "experts" in an official service center. Otherwise you will lose your warranty, even though it is worth shit anyway :O.

So Polar is another unserious company for me, either on purpose or due to the HSH service company acting unseriously as well. But I'm under no illusions about other "designer" brands either. Experiences like this reinforce those who are thinking of buying a sport-tester e.g. in supermarkets, the complaints there are no problem and the price is incomparable, so the only problem is that one doesn't know the functions of the device well in advance.
But e.g. after buying a power supply we went to buy it on recommendation (to Lidl) and it is of good quality in addition at a good price, I wouldn't be afraid to buy a sports tester there either, although it's better to buy it on recommendation again. After all, given the experience with Polar, I'm thinking about it too if they have a sport-tester combined with a bike computer.

And I'm not the only one with quality problems. better said not quality polar's sporttester and their complaints.

Other experiences with Polar

Since my speed sensors have stopped working reliably for me due to a weak battery, I decided to take it apart and replace the battery. Unfortunately, my hand got away and cut through the actual sensor. So I decided to get another sensor and a second hand one at that.

In the end I bought a whole set of the same device i.e. Polar CS200, in addition to a couple of speed sensors, I also bought a cadence sensor in the kit, which will come in handy on the bike, because I lost it on the bike during the race and I have a backup computer which I assume will definitely come in handy one day.

The first time I looked at the computer display, it was visible and the defect of the slow leaking display, so it's not just me. So now I have confirmed that it is a product defect.

As for my assessment of the quality of the sensors, I can't be positive. The problem is as usual with me is related to size, YES size! On my big frame bikes the sensor is positioned far away from the computer. Just take the computer off the mount and bring it close to the sensor and it starts working right away, but in real life, it's unusable. Typical behaviour is that at low speeds, e.g. on hills, the computer loses the signal whereas on flat roads it works.

The speed and cadence sensor sells for close to 700Kč while a new battery costs only about 20Kč. So splitting the sensor is the obvious choice of the cheapest solution. However, one has to be careful not to destroy the electronics and in the older version of the sensors the components are bigger and more obstructive, so you have to be even more careful.

According to the device's manual, it is offered to replace the sensor with a new one. However, this is a chargeable replacement which is not at all convenient. It depends on the price offered by the dealer, some places even want more for it than elsewhere a new sensor costs. Finally, I found one option where the actual replacement is priced lower than a new one, but the difference is so small that given the shipping back and forth it's not worth it :O. But what is worth it is a battery replacement, which someone offers officially and that actually works out cheaper.

I'm still trying to get some more information on other manufacturers of equipment that combines a sport-tester and a bike-computer. So far what I know is that: Sigma doesn't have any good references either, starting already with the way the sensor is attached according to the instructions, which everyone dismisses because it doesn't last. Garmin, also no miracle. But what caught my eye is , is that the speed and cadence sensors are combined into one device that fits neatly on the back of the bike and the battery in the sensor is supposedly replaceable for the average user.

Technical parameters

Battery in computer CR2032, in chest sensor CR2025

Polar and GNU/Linux

Polar's poor quality is confirmed by the fact that Polar can't make communication software for Linux. Polar's software does nothing substantial. The program records audio and then uploads the data to the Internet. It can be run under WINE on Linux, but the program stops 99% of the time after uploading, because the program needs the library from Internet Explorer. However, the Internet Explorer library can be installed to make the Polar software work.

Repairing protective eraser buttons

When riding a mountain bike, it often happens that the bike's drive system needs intervention. And the hand often gets dirty against the chain. The buttons on the Polar spottester are protected by rubber, and this rubber doesn't like chemicals. Therefore, this rubber bulged over time and I was forced to proceed with the repair.