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→Fixing other problems
* Make sure you dampen the strap, the electrodes and the contacts between the strap and the transmitter. Just water should work fine, though you can buy [http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=BestWatch&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBuh-Bump-2-5-Ounce-Heart-Monitor-Electrode%2Fdp%2FB000HZD2NU electrode gel]. The Polar strap should not dry out, unlike the original Garmin strap. If you have the Garmin strap, you can always apply a little spit to wet it while on the run.
* Unlike the Polar system, the contacts on the transmitter tend to rust, so it's important to disconnect the transmitter from the strap after each use. You can see a little of the rust in the picture above.
* If you do get ruston the transmitter connecters, then a wire brush can fix the problem. I used these [http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=WireBrush&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB005XASFSG small brushes] that worked well for me.
* A low battery can result in bad reception, and the watch does not always report a low battery condition properly.
* The straps can be damaged by washing and require careful hand washing, not machine washing. If you damage a strap, it needs replacement.
* Interference from overhead power lines used to be a problem, but the modern systems have reduced this dramatically.