Polar Electro RCX5 User manual

POLAR RCX5™
Getting Started Guide
Polar XXXX™
17934440.00 ENG
Start Guide
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Getting Started Guide

CONTENTS
1. GET TO KNOW YOUR RCX5
TRAINING COMPUTER........... 3
RCX5 Training Computer
Parts ............................. 4
2. SET UP YOUR TRAINING
COMPUTER ...................... 7
Buttons and Menu Structure...... 7
Enter Basic Settings.............. 8
3. PREPARE FOR TRAINING........ 9
Plan Your Training................ 9
Using an Accessory with Your
RCX5 ............................ 11
4. TRAINING........................ 12
Wear the Heart Rate Sensor ...... 12
Start Training..................... 13
5. AFTER TRAINING ................ 14
6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ..... 15
Caring For Your Product .......... 15
Service........................... 16
Batteries ......................... 17
Power Save Mode................. 19
Battery Lifetime .................. 19
Precautions....................... 20
Technical Specifications.......... 22
Limited International Polar
Guarantee........................ 24

1. GET TO KNOW YOUR RCX5 TRAINING COMPUTER
This guide will help you get started with your new training computer. The full user manual and the
latest version of this getting started guide can be downloaded at www.polar.com/support. For video
tutorials, go to http://www.polar.com/en/support/video_tutorials.
Heart rate sensors with Polar specific GymLink technology, e.g. Polar H1 and H2, can be used with compatible gym
equipment.
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RCX5 Training Computer Parts
Polar RCX5 training computer provides you with data you need to enhance
your training performance, and also saves the data for later analysis.
The comfortable Polar WearLink®+ Hybrid / Polar H2 heart rate
sensor sends ECG-accurate heart rate signal to the training computer over
the 2.4GHz W.I.N.D. and the GymLink (in water activities) technology, both
proprietary to Polar. The heart rate sensor consists of a connector and a strap.
Transfer data between the training computer and the polarpersonaltrainer.com
web service with Polar DataLink data transfer unit and WebSync software.
DataLink plugs into a USB port on your computer, and it detects your training
computer with wireless W.I.N.D. technology.
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With polarpersonaltrainer.com web
service you can:
• create and download the Polar
Endurance training programs onto to
your training computer and utilize them
in your training.
• store your training files for a long-term
follow-up.
• analyze and follow your progress in the
training diary.
• analyze training intensity and needed
recovery time using the Training Load
feature.
• challenge your friends to a virtual
sports competition and interact with
other sports enthusiasts.
The username for your Polar Account is
always your email address. The same
username and password are valid for
Polar product registration,
polarpersonaltrainer.com, Polar
discussion forum and Newsletter
registration.
With Polar WebSync 2.4 Software (or
newer), you can:
• fine-tune your training computer
settings
• personalize your RCX5 training
computer display for example with your
own logo
• modify training views
• set a reminder that reminds you to
drink, eat or take other important
actions during training
• set the Power Save mode on/off
The WebSync software can be
downloaded at
www.polarpersonaltrainer.com.
Register your Polar product at
http://register.polar.fi/ to ensure we can
keep improving our products and services
to better meet your needs.
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Optional Accessories
•Polar s3+ stride sensor transmits the running speed/pace and distance data to your
training computer and also measures running cadence and stride length.
•Polar G5 GPS sensor / Polar G3 GPS sensor W.I.N.D. provides speed, distance and
location data, as well as track information, in all outdoor sports using Global Positioning
System (GPS) technology.
•Polar CS speed sensor W.I.N.D. wirelessly measures distance and your real-time,
average and maximum cycling speeds.
•Polar CS cadence sensor W.I.N.D. wirelessly measures your real-time and average
cycling cadence, also known as pedaling rate, as revolutions per minute.
Data from all compatible sensors is sent wirelessly to the training computer over the
2.4GHz W.I.N.D., proprietary to Polar. This eliminates interference during training.
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2. SET UP YOUR TRAINING COMPUTER
Buttons and Menu Structure
LIGHT
• Illuminate the display
• With a long press, enter QUICK MENU:
in Time view lock buttons, set alarm or
select time zone. During training lock
buttons, search sensor, adjust training
sounds, set lap view or set countdown
timer.
BACK
• Exit the menu
• Return to previous level
• Leave settings unchanged
• Cancel selections
• With a long press, return to time mode
from any mode
UP
• Move through selection lists
• Adjust a selected value
• With a long press, change the watch
face or zoom the upmost row
information in Training mode
DOWN
• Move through selection lists
• Adjust a selected value
• With a long press, switch between Time
1/Time 2 or zoom lowest row
information in Training mode
ENGLISH 7

OK
• Confirm selections
• Start training session
• Take a lap
• With a long press, lock your heart rate
to the current sport zone in Training
mode when training without preset
target zones
Enter Basic Settings
Before using your training computer for
the first time, customize the basic
settings. Enter as accurate data as
possible to ensure correct feedback based
on your performance.
Activate your training computer, by
pressing OK.Select language is
displayed. You can select from Deutsch,
English,Español,Français,Italiano,
Português,Suomi or Svenska, accept
with OK.Please enter basic settings
is displayed. Press OK and follow the
on-screen instructions to complete the
basic settings.
Once the basic settings are complete,
Settings OK? is displayed. To change
your settings, press BACK until you return
to the desired setting. To accept the
settings, press OK and the training
computer goes to the time mode.
For detailed information on the settings
of your training computer, consult the full
user manual at www.polar.com/support.
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3. PREPARE FOR TRAINING
Plan Your Training
The Polar RCX5 training computer offers you different ways to plan your training
sessions.
1. There are four different default sport profiles in the training computer: Running,
Cycling (Bike 1),Swimming, and Other sport. Select the sport and make the
necessary profile settings for each of the sports to suit your training needs. In time
mode, press up to enter Menu >Settings >Sport Profiles. For more information
on sport profile settings, see the full user manual at www.polar.com/support.
2. Once you have registered at the polarpersonaltrainer.com web service, you can
download the Polar Endurance training programs onto your training computer by using
the DataLink data transfer unit and WebSync software. For more information on
endurance programs, see polarpersonaltrainer.com Help.
3. Plan and create your own training sessions at polarpersonaltrainer.com and download
the training targets onto your training computer.
4. Utilize the ZoneOptimizer feature during your warm-up to personalize your training
zones. The ZoneOptimizer feature adjusts your sport zones based on your heart rate
variability.
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5. The Race Pace feature helps you to keep a steady pace and achieve your target time
for a set distance.
6. With the Training Load feature you can follow up on your training load and recovery in
the training diary at polarpersonaltrainer.com and avoid over- or undertraining. For
more information see polarpersonaltrainer.com Help.
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Using an Accessory with Your RCX5
The RCX5 is compatible with the following optional Polar sensors:
• the Polar s3+ stride sensor / Polar s3 stride sensor W.I.N.D.
• the Polar G5 GPS sensor / Polar G3 GPS sensor W.I.N.D.
• the Polar CS speed sensor W.I.N.D. and the Polar CS cadence sensor W.I.N.D.
When you take a new sensor into use, it has to be activated and introduced to the
training computer. This is called pairing and only takes a few seconds.
For example, pair the GPS sensor with the training computer: Select Menu > Settings
> Running > GPS sensor > Search new and press OK. Once the new GPS sensor is
identified, GPS sensor is found is displayed. Pairing is complete.
Pairing ensures that your training computer receives signals from your sensors only, and
enables interference-free training in a group. For more information on taking a new
sensor into use, see the full user manual at www.polar.com/support.
Before entering an event, make sure to perform the pairing process at home. This is to prevent
interference due to the long-range data transmission.
ENGLISH 11

4. TRAINING
Wear the Heart Rate Sensor
Wear the heart rate sensor to measure heart rate.
1. Moisten the electrode area of the strap.
2. Attach the connector 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 connector is in
a central and upright position.
Detach the connector 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.
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Start Training
Wear the heart rate sensor and set up an optional sensor as instructed in the sensor's
user manual. If you want to use the ZoneOptimizer feature to personalize your training
zones, see the full user manual at www.polar.com/support.
1. Start by pressing OK. The training computer enters pre-training mode and
starts searching for the sensor signals. If a sensor signal is not found, the
display will show a triangle with an exclamation mark. The check mark
indicates that the sensor signal is found. Select the sport for the training
session by browsing with the UP/DOWN buttons.
2. Once all the sensor signals are found and you have selected the sport,
press OK.Recording started is displayed, and you can start your
training session.
3. During a training session you can change the training view by browsing with
UP/DOWN. With a long LIGHT button press you access the QUICK
MENU. For further information on functions during training, consult the full
user manual at www.polar.com/support.
"XX sensor low battery" is displayed during training if any of the possible sensors have low
battery.
ENGLISH 13

5. AFTER TRAINING
To pause your training session, press
BACK. To stop recording completely,
press BACK again.
Detach the connector from the strap and
rinse the strap under running water after
every use. For complete care and
maintenance instructions, see Important
Information.
You can view basic data on your
performance in MENU > DATA:
•Training files lists a maximum of 99
exercise files.
•Week summaries displays training
summaries for the past 15 weeks plus
the current week.
•Totals since xx.xx.xxxx includes
cumulative values recorded during
training sessions starting from the last
reset date.
• In Delete files you can delete just
one or all training files.
For deeper analysis, transfer the data to
polarpersonaltrainer.com with DataLink.
The web service offers you different
options to analyze data with. For more
information on data transfer, consult the
full user manual at
www.polar.com/support or
polarpersonaltrainer.com Help.
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6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Caring For Your Product
Like any electronic device, the training
computer should be treated with care. The
suggestions below will help you fulfill guarantee
obligations and enjoy this product for many
years to come.
Training computer: Keep your training
computer clean. Clean it with a mild soap and
water solution and rinse them with clean water.
Do not immerse the training computer in water.
Dry it carefully with a soft towel. Never use
alcohol or any abrasive material such as steel
wool or cleaning chemicals.
Connector: Detach the connector from the strap
after every use and dry the connector with a soft
towel. Clean the connector with a mild soap and
water solution when needed. Never use alcohol
or any abrasive material (eg. steel wool or
cleaning chemicals).
Strap: Rinse the strap under running water after
every use and hang to dry. Clean the strap
gently with a mild soap and water solution when
needed. Do not use moisturizing soaps, because
they can leave residue on the strap. Do not
soak, iron, dry clean or bleach the strap. Do not
stretch the strap or bend the electrode areas
sharply.
Check the label on your strap to see if it is machine
washable. Never put the strap or the connector in a
dryer!
Dry and store the strap and the connector
separately, to maximize the heart rate sensor
battery lifetime. Keep your training computer
and heart rate sensor in a cool and dry place.
Do not store them 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 them to direct sunlight for
extended periods, such as by leaving it in a car
or mounted on the bike mount.
ENGLISH 15

Avoid hard hits to the training computer and the
sensors, as these may damage the sensor units.
Operating temperatures are -10 °C to +50 °C /
+14 °F to +122 °F.
Service
During the two-year guarantee/warranty period
we recommend that you have service, other than
battery replacement, 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.
For contact information and all Polar Service
Center addresses, visit www.polar.com/support
and country specific websites.
Register your Polar product at
http://register.polar.fi/ to ensure we can keep
improving our products and services to better
meet your needs.
The username for your Polar Account is always your
email address. The same username and password
are valid for Polar product registration,
polarpersonaltrainer.com, Polar discussion forum
and newsletter registration.
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Batteries
The RCX5 training computer and the Polar H2
heart rate sensor both have a user changeable
battery. To change the battery yourself, please
follow the instructions carefully as instructed in
chapter Change Batteries Yourself.
Prior to changing the batteries, please note the
following:
• The low battery indicator is displayed when
only 10-15% of the battery capacity is left.
• Excessive use of the backlight drains the
battery more rapidly.
• The backlight 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.
• In cold conditions, the low battery indicator
may appear, but will disappear when the
temperature rises.
If you train in cold conditions (-20 °C to -10 °C / -4
°F to 14 °F ) we recommend that you wear the
training computer under the sleeve of your jacket,
directly on your skin.
Change Batteries Yourself
When changing the battery, make sure the
sealing ring is not damaged, in which case you
should replace it with a new one. 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. In the USA
the sealing ring/battery kits are also available at
www.shoppolar.com. Go to www.polar.com to
find your own country's shoppolar online store.
Keep the batteries away from children. If
swallowed, contact a doctor immediately.
Batteries should be properly disposed of
according to local regulations.
When handling a new, fully charged battery,
avoid clasp-like contact, i.e. simultaneous 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 it may decrease the capacity and
lifetime of the battery.
ENGLISH 17

Changing Training Computer Battery
1. Open the battery cover with a coin by turning it from CLOSE
to OPEN.
2. When changing training computer battery (2), remove the
battery cover and lift the battery out carefully with a suitable
sized small rigid stick or bar, for instance, a toothpick or
small screwdriver. 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
with the positive (+) side outwards.
3. Replace the old sealing ring with a new one (if available),
fitting it snugly in the cover groove to ensure water resistance.
4. Put the cover back on and turn it clockwise to CLOSE.
5. Re-enter the basic settings.
Changing Polar H2 Heart Rate Sensor Battery
1. Lever the battery cover open by using the clip on the strap.
2. Remove the old battery from the battery cover with a suitable
sized small ridgid stick or bar, such as a toothpick. A
non-metal tool is preferable. Be careful not to damage the
battery cover.
3. Insert the battery inside the cover with the negative (-) side
outwards. Make sure the sealing ring is in the groove to
ensure water resistance.
4. Align the ledge on the battery cover with the slot on the
connector and press the battery cover back into place. You
should hear a snap.
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For video tutorials on how to change the
batteries, go to
http://www.polar.com/en/polar_community/videos.
Danger of explosion if the battery is replaced
with wrong type.
Power Save Mode
The power save mode is enabled by default. It
has the following effects on your training
computer usage:
1. Power save mode during the day
During the hours of 06:00 and 24:00 /
6:00am to 12:00pm, the power save mode
will be activated, if you have not pressed any
of the buttons for five minutes. The time
shown on the display will change smaller and
the AutoSync function is disabled. To exit
the power save mode, press any button.
The power save mode will not be enabled
during training session recording.
2. Power save mode during the night
During the night, in between the hours
24:00 - 06:00 / 12:00am - 06:00am, the
training computer display will be switched
off automatically. During this time the
AutoSync function is not enabled. To exit the
power save mode, press any button. After
five minutes, the display returns to power
save mode.
The time period during which the power save mode
is enabled, can be modified in the WebSync
software, to better suit your training schedule. For
more information, see WebSync Help.
Battery Lifetime
The battery lifetime for the RCX5 training
computer is on average 11 months and depends
on which features and sensors you use. The
below suggestions will help you to lengthen the
battery lifetime.
•AutoSync function off.
•Do not use the GPS sensor when you don't
need speed, distance or location data.
ENGLISH 19

Precautions
The RCX5 training computer shows your
performance indicators. Polar training computer
is designed to indicate the level of physiological
strain and recovery during and after exercise
session. It measures heart rate, speed and
distance when cycling with a Polar CS speed
sensor W.I.N.D. It also measures speed and
distance when running with a Polar s3+ stride
sensor or with a Polar G5 GPS sensor / Polar G3
GPS sensor W.I.N.D.. The Polar CS cadence
sensor W.I.N.D. is designed to measure cadence
when cycling. No other use is intended or
implied.
The Polar RCX5 training computer should not
be used for obtaining environmental
measurements that require professional or
industrial precision.
Interference During Exercise
Disturbance may occur near electrical devices.
Also WLAN base stations may cause
interference when training with training
computer. To avoid erratic reading or
misbehaviors, move away from possible sources
of disturbance. For further information, see
www.polar.com/support.
Minimizing Risks When Exercising
Exercise may include some risk. Before
beginning a regular exercise program, it is
recommended that you answer the following
questions concerning your health status. If you
answer yes to any of these questions, we
recommend that you consult a doctor before
starting any training program.
• Have you been physically inactive for the past
5 years?
• Do you have high blood pressure or high blood
cholesterol?
• Are you taking any blood pressure or heart
medication?
• Do you have a history of breathing problems?
• Do you have symptoms of any disease?
• 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?
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