Polar 720i Question

[Chris]

Just got a 720i and it seems like a great cycling computer/heart rate monitor combo. I think I have most things figured out other than how to avoid having multiple files from one long ride. I did four hours today. Got off the bike twice (I have the auto start stop on) and I ended up with 3 separate files. This is pretty frustrating. I think that on one occassion I pushed the stop button, but I can't be sure. If anyone can tell me how I can get off the bike to run into a convenience store or something and have the rest of the ride on the same file, I would be grateful.

[Tailwinds]

I can't answer your question, but I can sympathize. My 720i stops on its own for no apparent reason sometimes... even when I haven't left the bike.

[Richard]

I use a 520 and the thing ends a file after 5 min of no heart rate. If you take it off the bars and put it on your wrist, it usually keeps the current file active. Then it can resume when you start riding.

[Argos]

You can only be out of range for 5 minutes with the 720.

The 725 increased the time to 20 minutes.

If you are stopping for a longer break, pop it off your bar and wear it around the rest area.

[Chris]

Do you push stop when you get off, or since it is on the autostart, do you just leave it and make sure that you are back within 5 minutes?

[catulle]

Just got a 720i and it seems like a great cycling computer/heart rate monitor combo. I think I have most things figured out other than how to avoid having multiple files from one long ride. I did four hours today. Got off the bike twice (I have the auto start stop on) and I ended up with 3 separate files. This is pretty frustrating. I think that on one occassion I pushed the stop button, but I can't be sure. If anyone can tell me how I can get off the bike to run into a convenience store or something and have the rest of the ride on the same file, I would be grateful.

With a Cateye, maybe?

[SoCalSteve]

and bought a 725 for this very reason.

Yes, it was extremely frustrating and no, there is no fix (except buy a 725).

Sorry,

Steve

PS: I think its longer than 20 minutes as well with the 725, I've never tested it, just seems to be longer (maybe 30 minutes).

[Headwinds]

I think if you use the Polar software, you can simply merge the exercise files, see:

http://support.polar.fi/PKBSupport.nsf/0/42256C2B001E0F6AC22570630040A5D0?OpenDocument

Unless you need to buy the S725 as the others have said here....

[keno]

Polar has come a long way in three years. When I asked about merging way back when, this is what I got (but I doubt that the forum software will allow a post as long as I got from Polar). BTW1, they mentioned at the end of the note to me that the new (3 years ago) S720i had a 30-minute non-record time. BTW2, I never bothered to try.

"If the receiver does not pick up a heart beat for more than five minutes it
automatically shuts off the receiving circuits. If you are going to be away
from your bike for more than five minutes it is recommended you take the
receiver with you.

Instructions on how to combine two .hrm files are listed below.

Combining the .hrm files

The software is not provided with a separate function for the purpose of
combining several heart rate files into a single file. However, combining is
possible manually, using a text editor. A suitable text editor for this purpose
is the Windows Notepad editor, for example.


An example.

The heart rate files depicted by the graphs below are to be combined in a single

file.



(Embedded image moved to file: pic29776.pcx)


The first file's length is 5:01.3 min and that of the latter 5:01.8 min. In
addition, each file has two intermediate times. The files are combined by
inserting the latter file's data into the former file.


To combine, take the following steps:

1) Make a backup copy of the files being combined.

2) Open the files to be combined with a text editor, e.g. Notepad.

3) Edit the necessary sections of the first file:

Exercise length (the sum of all exercise duration).


4) Copy the desired data items to the first file:

Intermediate times, if any (add the exercise length to the intermediate
times).
Change of HR limits, if any (add the exercise length to the intermediate
times).

5) Save the changes made and check the file for functionality.



(Embedded image moved to file: pic02482.pcx)

Contents of the 1st file



[Params] For clarity, this presentation only shows the fields to be

changed.

...

Length=0:05:01.3 Edit the file

length manually to the correct value in the 1st file.

...

[Note]



[IntTimes]

0:02:00.0 122 70 98 122

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0:04:00.0 141 123 136 146

0 0 0 0 0 0 .

0 0 0 0 0



[IntNotes] .

[ExtraData] .

[Summary-123]

[Summary-TH]

[SwapTimes]



[HRData]

70
70
77
80
82
83
89
86


Contents of the 2nd file


[Params]

...

Length=0:05:01.8 Sum the file length with that of

the 1st file.

...


[IntTimes]
0:01:00.0 164 137 151 164 Copy these following the 1st file's

0 0 0 0 0 0 [IntTimes] section.

0 0 0 0 0

0:03:00.0 142 142 159 172

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0


[IntNotes] Do not copy these to the 1st file.

[ExtraData] Do not copy these to the 1st file.

[Summary-123] Do not copy these to the 1st file.

[Summary-TH] Do not copy these to the 1st file.



[SwapTimes] Copy these following the 1st file's

[SwapTimes] section.



[HRData] Copy these following the 1st file's [HRData]

137 section.
139
141
144
146
149
152
155


Combined file:

[Params]

... Sum the file lengths

Length=0:10:03.1 (=0:05:01.3 + 0:05:01.8.)

...

[Note]

[IntTimes]

0:02:00.0 122 70 98 122 The 1st file's intermediate times

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0:04:00.0 141 123 136 146

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0:06:01.3 164 137 151 164 The 2nd file's intermediate times where

0 0 0 0 0 0 the 1st exercise file's duration has been added

0 0 0 0 0

0:08:01.3 142 142 159 172

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0



[IntNotes] Do not make changes in this field

[ExtraData] Do not make changes in this field

[Summary-123] Do not make changes in this field

[Summary-TH] Do not make changes in this field



[SwapTimes] Calculate the changes of limits to the latter

file in the same way as the changes of

intermediate times was done.

[HRData]

70 The 1st file's heart rate values
70
?
120
117
137 The 2nd file's heart rate values which have been
139 copied following the values of the 1st
file.
141
144
?

Please note: In the new S720i we have increased the time-out feature to 30
minutes.

If you need further assistance please feel free to contact Customer Service at
800-227-1314 or 516-364-0400."