Polar Electro Equine RC3 GPS User manual

POLAR EQUINE
RC3 GPS
Getting Started Guide

CONTENTS
1. CONTENTS OF THE SET ......... 3
2. BUTTON FUNCTIONS ............ 5
3. CHARGE THE TRAINING
COMPUTER ...................... 6
4. ATTACH THE BELT............... 8
5. ATTACH THE ELECTRODE
BASE............................. 11
6. WEAR THE SOFT STRAP ......... 15
7. START TRAINING
RECORDING ..................... 16
8. TROUBLESHOOTING............. 19
9. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ..... 21
Care and Maintenance........... 21
Battery Information.............. 23
Service.......................... 26
Guarantee....................... 26
Disclaimer....................... 30

1. CONTENTS OF THE SET
1. Polar RC3 GPS training computer: With an integrated GPS
unit the RC3 GPS provides speed, distance, altitude,
ascent and descent data, as well as route information at
the polarpersonaltrainer.com web service, using Global
Positioning System (GPS) technology.
2. Heart rate sensor: The comfortable heart rate sensor
detects the horse's heart rate accurately from the heart's
electrical signals and sends the data to the training
computer in real time.
3. USB cable: Connect the Polar RC3 GPS training computer
to your computer with the USB cable to charge the battery
and to transfer data between the training computer and
the polarpersonaltrainer.com web service.
You can download both this Getting Started Guide (available in English, German, French, Italian,
Spanish, Finnish and Swedish) and the full user manual for the RC3 GPS training computer at
www.polar.com/support.
For video tutorials, go to http://www.polar.com/en/polar_community/videos.
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4. Polar Equine Belt is included in
the Polar Equine RC3 GPS Trotting
set (#93048830).
For instructions on using the belt,
see Attach the Belt (page 8).
5. Polar Equine Electrode Base is
included in the Polar Equine RC3
GPS set (#93048828).
For instructions on using the
electrode base, see Attach the
Electrode Base (page 11).
6. With your Polar RC3 GPS you
receive a new Polar Soft strap. The
plastic electrode areas on the
reverse side of the strap detect
your heart rate.
Data from all compatible sensors is sent wirelessly to the training computer over the 2.4 GHz
W.I.N.D. technology, proprietary to Polar. This eliminates interference during training.
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2. BUTTON FUNCTIONS
LIGHT
• Illuminate the display
•Press and hold to enter QUICK MENU:
In time view lock buttons, set alarm
or select time zone. During training
lock buttons, search sensor, adjust
training sounds, set automatic lap
on/off, show GPS info or show zone
limits.
BACK
• Exit the menu
• Return to previous level
• Leave settings unchanged
• Cancel selections
•Press and hold to return time mode
from any other mode.
UP
• Move through selection lists
• Adjust a selected value
•Press and hold to change the watch face.
START/OK
• Confirm selections
• Start training session
• Take a lap
•Press and hold to set zone lock on/off in
training mode.
DOWN
• Move through selection lists
• Adjust a selected value
•Press and hold to switch between Time 1/
Time 2.
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3. CHARGE THE TRAINING COMPUTER
The RC3 GPS has an internal, rechargable battery.
Charge the RC3 GPS via a USB connection on your
computer by using the USB cable that comes with the
product set. If you want to plug the USB connector to
a wall outlet, use a USB power adapter (not included
in the product set).
1. Plug the micro USB connector into the USB port in
the RC3 GPS.
2. Plug the USB connector into a computer USB port.
It is recommended not to use USB hubs because a
USB hub may not supply enough power for the RC3
GPS.
3. The charging animation appears on the display.
Fully charging the battery takes up to 1,5 hours.
4. When the RC3 GPS is fully charged, Charging
complete is displayed. Disconnect the cable.
Use a USB 1.1/2.0 compliant cable included in the set package. The charging time may be
prolonged if you charge from a USB hub.
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The RC3 GPS goes to basic settings after
the first charge. To enter the basic
settings during the charge, press any
button.
Enter Basic Settings
You must enter the basic settings, even
though they don’t concern the horse. If
you don’t enter the basic settings, the
RC3 GPS training computer will remind
you to set them before every exercise.
1. First, select your language. Confirm
your selection with START.
2. Please enter basic settings is
displayed. Press START and start
entering the data by using the
UP/DOWN buttons and confirm your
selections with START.
For detailed information on the settings
of RC3 GPS, consult the full user manual
at www.polar.com/support.
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4. ATTACH THE BELT
Polar Equine Belt is included in the
Polar Equine RC3 GPS Trotting set
(#93048830)
1. Belt: The plastic electrode areas
(A, B) on the reverse side of the
belt detect heart rate. The
pocket (C) protects the heart rate
sensor from shocks and
scratches and prevent it from
falling off the belt.
2. Heart rate sensor: The heart rate
sensor sends the heart rate
signal to the training computer.
For video tutorials, go to
http://www.polar.com/en/polar_community/videos.
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1. For the heart rate sensor to read the heart rate
properly, ensure a good contact between the
plastic electrode areas and the horse’s skin. Wet
the belt properly, for example in a bucket of water
(1).
2. Also wet the horse’s hair from the areas where the
electrodes of the belt are placed (2). If your horse
has long or thick hair, you can clip it from those
areas where the electrodes are placed. This will
greatly improve the heart rate signal quality.
3. Attach the heart rate sensor to the pocket (3).
Close the pocket firmly.
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4. Place the belt as indicated (4), with the
heart rate sensor pocket on the left side of
the horse. By doing so, you ensure the
electrodes of the belt being in the right
position.
5. Using contact gel on the electrodes of the
belt is recommended. It ensures a better
detection of the horse’s heart rate. The gel
should be placed on the electrodes areas
on the reverse side of the belt.
The range of the heart rate sensor is over 10
m, therefore you can follow your horse's heart
rate also when lunging.
For video tutorial, go to http://www.polar.com/en/polar_community/videos.
See the training computer user manual for instructions on displaying the horse's heart rate and
recording a training session. The user manual can be downloaded at www.polar.com/support.
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5. ATTACH THE ELECTRODE BASE
1. Equine Electrode Base detects the electrical signal of every heart beat. It has a pocket
for the heart rate sensor and two electrodes. The positive electrode is marked with a
plus sign and the negative electrode is marked with a minus sign.
2. Heart rate sensor measures the horse’s heart rate in real time and sends this
information continuously and wirelessly to the training computer.
3. Two plastic straps for attaching the electrode base.
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Polar Equine Electrode Base is included in the Polar Equine RC3
GPS set (#93048828)
1. Attach the heart rate sensor to the pocket of the electrode
base. Close the pocket firmly.
2. The heart rate sensor picks up very small electrical
impulses emitted by the heart. For the heart rate sensor to
read the heart rate properly, ensure a good contact
between the electrode pads and the horse’s skin.
Wet the electrode pads and the horse's hair properly from
the areas where the electrode pads are placed (see the
figure). If your horse has long or thick hair, you can clip
those areas. This greatly improves the heart rate signal
quality.
To optimize the contact between the horse's skin and the
electrode pads, you can use contact gel on the electrode
pads. It ensures a better detection of the horse’s heart rate.
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See the images on this and the following page.
3. Attach the pocket to the saddle with one of the
plastic straps (3).
4. Place the positive electrode pad (short cable) under
the saddle (4) on the left side of the horse. Ensure
that the electrode side of the pad is against the
horse's skin (5). The rider’s weight will keep the
electrode in place.
5. Attach the negative electrode pad (long cable) under
the girth using a plastic strap (6) and tighten the
girth. If needed, you can place a wet sponge
between the negative electrode pad and girth to
ensure good contact with the skin.
For video tutorial, go to
http://www.polar.com/en/polar_community/videos.
See the training computer's user manual for instructions
on displaying the horse's heart rate and recording a
training session. The user manual can be downloaded at
www.polar.com/support.
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6. WEAR THE SOFT STRAP
1. Moisten the electrode area of the strap.
2. Attach the heart rate sensor to the strap.
3. Tie the strap around your chest, just below the chest
muscles, and attach the hook to the other end of the
strap.
4. Adjust the strap length to fit tightly but comfortably.
Check that the moist electrode areas are firmly against
your skin and that the Polar logo of the heart rate
sensor is in a central and upright position.
Detach the heart rate sensor from the strap and rinse the
strap under running water after every use. Sweat and
moisture may keep the electrodes wet and the heart rate
sensor activated. This will reduce the heart rate sensor
battery life. For more detailed washing instructions, see
Important Information (page 21).
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7. START TRAINING RECORDING
See the full RC3 GPS user manual at www.polar.com/support for detailed information on
functions during training.
Start a training session by pressing START.
1. When you start a training session for the first time, Searching
for new heart rate sensor is displayed. The RC3 GPS
searches for a heart rate sensor signal.
2. Heart rate sensor found is displayed, once the RC3 GPS
finds the signal. This action is called pairing and is performed
only once to the heart rate sensor. Pairing ensures that your RC3
GPS receives signal from your heart rate sensor only, and
enables interference-free training when there are other training
computer's around.
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3. Select the sport profile you want to use by browsing with
UP/DOWN.
If you have activated the GPS function in this sport profile, the
RC3 GPS will automatically start searching for the signal. You
can set the function on in MENU >Settings >Sport profiles
>Running/Cycling/Other Sport.
4. To catch the GPS satellite signals, go outdoors and away from
tall buildings and trees.
Wear the training computer with the face upwards on your wrist.
Keep the training computer in a horizontal position in front of
you and away from your chest. Keep your arm stationary and
raised above the level of your chest during the search.
Do not move your arm during the search. Keep still!
Stand still and hold the position until the training computer has found the satellite
signals (an alarm sounds and a check mark appears on the arm of the figure once the
signal is found). In good conditions, finding the satellite signals for the first time
typically takes 30-60 seconds.
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5. The check mark indicates that the signal is found. In this image
the RC3 GPS has found the heart rate sensor signal and the GPS
signal. If the RC3 GPS does not find the signal, the display
shows a triangle with an exclamation mark.
Once the RC3 GPS has found all the signals, press START.
Recording started is displayed, and you can start recording
your training session.
Button functions
• Change the training view on display by browsing with UP/DOWN.
• Access the QUICK MENU by pressing and holding LIGHT for two seconds.
• Record a lap by pressing START.
• Lock a zone by pressing and holding START.
• Pause your training session by pressing BACK.
• Stop training recording completely by pressing BACK twice.
After Training
You can see details of the training session by selecting MENU >Data >Training files.
For a more visual and detailed analysis, transfer the data to polarpersonaltrainer.com
web service with the WebSync software. Consult the full RC3 GPS user manual or the
online help for polarpersonaltrainer.com and WebSync for more information.
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8. TROUBLESHOOTING
Abnormal Heart Rate Readings During
Exercise
• Make sure the positions of the electrode pads
are correct and they are right side up. Check
also that the girth is tight enough.
• Make sure the horse’s hair under the electrode
pads is thoroughly moistened. If your horse
has long or thick hair, clip it from the areas
where the electrode pads are placed.
• Accumulated sweat and dirt may interfere
with the measurement of the signal from the
heart to the transmitter. Check if the electrode
pads need cleaning.
• Make sure that the hear rate sensor is firmly
attached to the pocket of the electrode base.
• Keep the training computer and the heart rate
sensor on the same side of the horse.
• In some cases, (at about 120 bpm) a double
pulse can occur at each heart beat (R + T
waves). This problem disappears when the
intensity increases.
• If you have done all of the above-mentioned
actions, and the heart rate measurement does
not work, the battery of your heart rate sensor
may be empty.
How can I best catch satellite signals?
Wear the training computer with its face
upwards on your wrist. Keep your wrist
stationary and raised above the level of your
chest during the search. Stand still and hold
the position until the training computer has
found the satellite signals.
How do I ensure a good GPS signal reception
in RC3 GPS?
The best GPS signal reception can be reached
when training in an open area where there are
no obstructions for the satellite signals. Due to
the nature of the GPS signal, for example hills,
tall buildings, and trees may block the satellite
signal. Rain, fog, and snow may also affect the
signal quality. Wear the training computer with
its face upwards on your wrist.
The training computer does not find or it
takes long time to find the satellite signals
Something in your surroundings may be
blocking GPS satellite signal reception (e.g.
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underpasses, tall buildings, terrain or forested
areas). Go outdoors and away from tall buildings
and trees. In good conditions, acquiring
satellite signals for the first time typically takes
30-60 seconds. Note that the GPS reception
does not work indoors.
The speed or distance readings are incorrect
or irregular
Something in your surroundings may be
blocking GPS satellite signal reception (e.g.
underpasses, tall buildings, terrain or forested
areas). If the training computer cannot locate
the satellite signals, it will not be able to
calculate its location. Distance is measured
between the last location before the shadow
area and the first location after the shadow area
in a straight line.
What is the measurement accuracy of Polar
RC3 GPS?
Polar RC3 GPS training computer measurement
accuracy is +/- 2% for distance and +/- 2km/h
for speed. When moving at low speeds (below
3km/h) accuracy of this level can sometimes
cause relatively big errors. However, with higher
speeds the measurement is more accurate.
See the full RC3 GPS user manual at
www.polar.com/support for more
information.
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