Polar AXN300 User's Manual

USER MANUAL

Polar Outdoor Computer

17925349.00 ENG B ENG

AXN300™

BUTTONS

Light/ Keylock

Stop

Dear customer,

Congratulations on your purchase of a Polar Outdoor Computer! We are proud to offer a product targeted and tailored for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Your Polar Outdoor Computer will provide you with the confidence and security to get the most from your outdoor activities.

Please read this manual carefully to familiarize yourself with your Outdoor Computer and practice the use of the Outdoor Computer before

Start

Down

using it in outdoor sports. This manual contains the information you need to use and maintain your Outdoor Computer. The function map on the back of the front cover is a quick guide to the versatile features of the Polar Outdoor Computer. Cut it out and take it with you. Please check www.polar.fi for more detailed product support and www.PolarOutdoorGuide.com for a personalized exercise program and diary.

Polar wishes you many enjoyable outdoor adventures. Reach your peak with Polar!

AXN300 QUICK GUIDE

Button symbols: Start: Press Start button Up

: Press Up button

Stop: Press and hold the Stop button to return to the starting point (Time main mode) from any mode.

WATCH SET

FILES

SETTINGS

STOPWATCH

COUNTDOWN

CONNECT

Stop

Start

Activate:

ALTI/BARO

Altitude

SCALE

Altitude

CALIBRATION

Stop

Start

Activate:

BARO/ALTI

Barometer

CALIBRATION

Stop

Start

Fitness

TEST

Stop

Start

Action:

REC ON

Stop

POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER SET

AXN300

Wrist Unit

With the wrist unit, you can monitor your outdoor activity and environment.

Polar T31 Coded™ Transmitter

The transmitter detects and transmits your heart rate to the wrist unit. Wear the transmitter to measure your heart rate during your outdoor activity or fitness test.

The electrode areas are on the back of the transmitter. The electrodes detect your heart rate signal.

Elastic Strap

The elastic strap holds the transmitter around your chest.

User Manual with Quick Guide

This User Manual contains necessary information on using your Outdoor Computer. For a quick reference, take the function map included in the Quick Guide with you when going out for your activities.

Customer Service, Registration and International Guarantee Information

If your Polar Outdoor Computer needs repair, return it with the Return Card for service to your Polar Service Centre. Complete the customer registration section and mail it to Customer Registration within two weeks of the date of purchase to help us continue developing products and services that meet your needs. The Polar two-year guarantee is issued to the original consumer/ purchaser of the product. Keep the International Guarantee Card as your proof of purchase.

Polar Web Services

www.PolarOutdoorGuide.com web service offers you a personalized exercise program and diary free of charge. Moreover, you can get product tips and support online at www.polar.fi.

Quick Guide ............................................................................................................................................................................. 3

1. THE WRIST UNIT BUTTONS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS ......................................................................................................... 8

1.1 USING YOUR OUTDOOR COMPUTER FOR THE FIRST TIME ........................................................................................ 9

2. THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER ......................................................................................... 11

2.1 TIME MAIN MODE .................................................................................................................................................. 13

2.2 ALTI MAIN MODE (ALTIMETER) .............................................................................................................................. 15

2.3 BARO MAIN MODE (BAROMETER) ......................................................................................................................... 19

2.4 TEST MAIN MODE .................................................................................................................................................. 22

2.5 ACTION MAIN MODE .............................................................................................................................................. 22

3. MEASURING AND RECORDING WITH YOUR OUTDOOR COMPUTER ................................................................................. 25

3.1 ACTION SUB MODE ............................................................................................................................................... 25

3.1.1 Why Monitor Your Heart Rate when engaging in Outdoor Sports? .......................................................... 25

3.1.2 Putting Your Transmitter on ................................................................................................................... 25

3.1.3 Recording Your Action .................................................................................................................... 27

3.1.4 Features during Your Action Recording .................................................................................................. 29

3.1.5 FileView during Action Recording........................................................................................................... 29

3.1.6 Stopping or Pausing Action Recording ................................................................................................... 30

3.2 ALTI SUB MODE (ALTIMETER) ................................................................................................................................ 31

3.2.1 Activating the Altimeter ................................................................................................................. 31

5 ENGLISH CONTENTS

3.2.2 Setting the Scale for the Graphical Trend .............................................................................................. 32

3.2.3 Calibrating Altitude ............................................................................................................................... 33

3.3 BARO SUB MODE (BAROMETER) ........................................................................................................................... 35

3.3.1 Activating the Barometer ............................................................................................................... 35

3.3.2 Calibrating the Barometer ..................................................................................................................... 36

3.4 TEST SUB MODE ................................................................................................................................................... 38

3.4.1 Performing the Polar Fitness Test .......................................................................................................... 38

3.4.2 OwnIndex - Fitness Test Result .............................................................................................................. 40

3.4.3 OwnIndex Interpretation ........................................................................................................................ 41

4. ADJUSTING SETTINGS, REVIEWING FILES AND USING TIMERS (TIME MAIN MODE) ........................................................ 42

4.1 WATCH SETTINGS.................................................................................................................................................. 42

4.1.1 Setting Alarms ................................................................................................................................. 43

4.1.2 Changing the Time of Day and Setting the Dual Time (Time Set) ........................................................... 44

4.1.3 Changing the Date ................................................................................................................................ 46

4.1.4 Setting Reminders ................................................................................................................................. 46

4.2 FILES .................................................................................................................................................................... 48

4.2.1 Auto Log ................................................................................................................................................ 48

4.2.2 Action File .............................................................................................................................................. 50

Deleting Files One by One ...................................................................................................................... 54

Deleting All Files .................................................................................................................................... 55

4.2.3 Season Total Values ............................................................................................................................... 55

4.3 SETTINGS ............................................................................................................................................................. 60

4.3.1 Setting User Information ....................................................................................................................... 60

CONTENTS6

4.3.2 General Settings .................................................................................................................................... 65

Setting Heart Rate Limits for the Target Zone Alarm .............................................................................65

Changing the Units ............................................................................................................................... 67

Setting Rate for Vertical Speed .............................................................................................................. 68

Setting Intro ON/OFF .............................................................................................................................. 70

Setting Sound ON/OFF ..................................................................................................................... 71

4.4 STOPWATCH.......................................................................................................................................................... 72

4.5 COUNTDOWN TIMER ............................................................................................................................................. 73

4.6 TRANSFERRING SETTINGS FROM PC WITH POLAR UPLINK TOOL ............................................................................ 75

5. CARE AND MAINTENANCE .............................................................................................................................................. 76

6. SAFE OPERATION OF YOUR OUTDOOR COMPUTER ......................................................................................................... 79

7. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 80

8. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS......................................................................................................................................... 81

9. LIMITED POLAR INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEE ................................................................................................................ 82

10. POLAR DISCLAIMER ....................................................................................................................................................... 83

11. INDEX ............................................................................................................................................................................ 84

7CONTENTS

1. THE WRIST UNIT BUTTONS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

The button symbols of the Outdoor Computer are on the case of the wrist unit. The main mode names are on the lens frame.

Light button

•Turn the backlight on in all modes in the dark

•Turn the Keylock on or off (press and hold the button at least 1 second). Keylock prevents accidental pressing of the button.

Stop button

• Stop, pause or cancel the function

• Exit the menu and return to the previous level of the menu

• Return to the Time mode from any mode (press and hold the button at least 1 second)

Note:

There are different types of button presses for different operations:

• Normal press: press and release the button.

• Long press: press and hold the button (at least 1 second). Use long presses for shortcuts (described in the main modes).

THE WRIST UNIT BUTTONS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS8

Up button

• Move to the next mode or menu level

• Increase the selected value

•Turn the sounds on or off during Action recording (press and hold the button at least 1 second).

Start button

• Start, enter or accept the function

• Enter the displayed mode or menu and move to a lower menu level

•View your file summary during Action recording (press and hold the button at least 1 second)

Down button

• Move to a previous mode or menu level

• Decrease the selected value

1.1 USING YOUR OUTDOOR COMPUTER FOR THE FIRST TIME

Enter your settings in the Basic Settings mode (time, date, units, and personal settings) when you start to use the Outdoor Computer for the first time. Alternatively, you can prepare the settings with the Polar UpLink Tool that you can download free of charge from www.polar.fi. For further information, see page 75.

How to enter the Basic Settings

You only need to activate the blank wrist unit once. Once activated, the wrist unit cannot be turned off.

Activate the wrist unit by pressing the Start button. The display fills up with numbers and texts.

1. Press the Start button. Basic SETTINGS is displayed.

Note:

• The numbers scroll faster if you press and hold the Up

button as you adjust the value.

• After the battery is changed or after you reset the wrist unit, you only need to set the time and date in the Basic Settings. You can skip the rest of the settings by pressing and holding the Stop button.

or Down

2. Continue by pressing the Start button and follow the

steps below:

The display reads: Press Up or

3. Time

• Set 12h/24h (time mode)

• Set AM/PM (if you chose 12h)

• Set hours

• Set Min (minutes)

4. Date

• DD (set days) or MM (set month: if you chose 12h)

• MM (set month) or DD (set days: if you chose 12h)

• YY (set year)

Down

button to set the flashing value

/ Down

Up / Down

Up / Down Up / Down

Up / Down

Press the Start button to accept

Start Start

Start

9THE WRIST UNIT BUTTONS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

The display reads:

5. Units:

•1 (M/HPA/°C) or 2 (FT/INHG/°F)

6. Weight:

• Set KILOGRAM or POUNDS

or Down button

Press Up to set the flashing value

Up / Down

Press the Start button to accept

Start

Note: If you chose the wrong units, you can still change them by

pressing and holding the Light button.

7. Height

• Set CM or FT

• Set INCH (inches, if you chose Units 2)

8. Birthday:

• DD (set days) or MM (set month: if you chose 12h)

• MM (set month) or DD (set days: if you chose 12h)

• YY (set year)

9. Sex

• Set MALE or FEMALE

Up / Down Up / Down

Up / Down Up / Down Up / Down

Up / Down

Start Start

Start Start Start

Start

• Settings OK? is displayed. To change your settings, press the Stop button until you return to the desired setting mode.

•To accept the settings, press the Start button. The Basic Settings are completed and the display automatically goes to

the Time main mode.

THE WRIST UNIT BUTTONS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS10

2. THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER

The Polar Outdoor Computer has five main modes:

•Time (home mode)

• Alti (altimeter)

• Baro (barometer)

•Test (fitness test)

• Action (recording your activity)

This section describes you how to use these different modes. The function map side of the Quick Guide introduces you to browsing the main modes and their sub modes – consult it as needed!

To browse the main modes use the Up or Down button. Alternatively you can browse the main modes (Time, Alti, Baro, Action) by using the HeartTouch function in case you cannot press the buttons, such as when you are wearing gloves. The HeartTouch function operates only when you are wearing a transmitter. Activate the HeartTouch function by bringing your wrist unit close to the Polar logo of your transmitter.

Note:

• If your heart rate is not detected and there is - - in the lower row (in Altimeter, Action or Time main mode) the browsing of the main modes does not work. Instead the wrist unit starts detecting for your heart rate.

• To change the HeartTouch function to turn the backlight on instead of browsing the main modes, use the Polar UpLink Tool. For further information, see page 75.

11THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER

Mode level indicators

To start browsing the sub modes use the Start button in the Time, Alti and Baro main modes.

When browsing the sub modes, the symbol indicates how deep in a mode you are. In the example picture, the wrist unit is in the first level of the Time main mode.

When browsing the modes or menus, you can see which mode or menu you are in by the flashing mode level indicator. In the example picture, the lowest symbol is flashing, which indicates that the WATCH SET is the first menu of the six menus in the Time main mode.

THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER12

2.1 TIME MAIN MODE

Use the Time main mode as a watch, as it includes the date, alarms, and reminders. The Time main mode is your home mode, to which you can return from any mode or menu by pressing and holding the Stop button.

The Time sub modes allow you to enter watch, user, and general settings. You can also use the stopwatch and CountDown timers, view memory files, and connect the wrist unit to a PC. For further information, see page 42.

Changing the upper row information To change the information in the upper row, press and hold the Up button:

1. Weekday and date 2. Downloadable picture logo 3. Downloadable text logo

Press and hold

Moving symbol indicates the seconds.

To personalize your wrist unit, create and transfer a picture or text logo to the wrist unit from your PC. For further information, see page 75.

13THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER

Changing the dual time To swap between Time 1 and 2, press and hold the Down button:

1. Time 1 2. Time 2

Time 2 is displayed for a few seconds.

Press and hold

For further information on setting the two different times, see page 44.

Note:

• AM/PM indicates that you are using the 12h time mode. To change the time settings, see page 44.

• The flashing mode level symbol

• During Action recording, you can also see your heart rate in the Time main mode, if you wear the transmitter. For further information, see page 27.

THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER14

indicates that the stopwatch or CountDown timer is on. For further information, see page 72.

2.2 ALTI MAIN MODE (ALTIMETER)

Use the Alti main mode to check your altitude when you are moving.

In the Time main mode, press the Up button to enter the Alti main mode. The Alti main mode includes the following information:

The altimeter symbol is displayed when the altimeter is active. To activate the altimeter, see page 31.

The graphical altitude trend. The most recently updated point.

The current altitude reading.

2800 m equals 9186 ft.

If you are wearing your transmitter, the heart rate symbol with your current heart beats per minute are displayed.

Note:

• If the altimeter is inactive and the barometer is active reading remains in the display.

• If your heart rate is not displayed and - - appears in the display, the heart rate detection has stopped. Bring the wrist unit near the Polar logo on the transmitter to restart the heart rate detection. Alternatively, press and hold the Down

, the graphical altitude trend shows a straight line and the last measured altitude

button to change the lower row information.

15THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER

Graphical Altitude Trend

The graph shows how the altitude has changed.

Altitude

The most recently updated point.

Time

Altitude

• The scale used in the graph to display altitude depends on your settings. For further information, see page 32.

Time

• The graph is updated every 15 minutes, if Action recording is not on. The entire graph shows you the last 11 hours 45 minutes.

• If Action recording is on ( is in the display), the graph is updated every 15 seconds. The entire graph shows you the last 11 minutes 45 seconds.

THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER16

Changing the upper row information: To change the information in the upper row, press and hold the Up button:

1. Graphical altitude trend 2. Vertical speed while ascending or descending (m/min or ft/min)

Press and hold

Changing the lower row information: To change the information in the lower row, press and hold the Down button:

1. Heart rate* 2. Current rate of calories

3. Time of day

burned (kcal/h)*

Press and hold

*To monitor your heart rate, wear the transmitter. To monitor the amount of calories you burn, wear the transmitter and turn Action recording on in the Action main mode. For further information, see page 22.

Press and hold

17THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER

Altimeter Display Examples

1. To monitor how your energy expenditure rate changes in accordance with your pace and altitude during your activity, select your the

amount calories

2800 m equals 9186 ft.

burned per hour.

vertical speed

while ascending or descending and

THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER18

2. To monitor how your body reacts to changes in pace and altitude, select your while ascending or descending and your

Note:

• When wearing the transmitter and recording your activity, the heart rate reading flashes and the wrist unit

sounds an alarm if your heart rate is above or below the preset target zone. You can turn the Target Zone Alarm sound

on or off in the Action main mode. For further information, see page 29.

•You can also change the upper and lower row information while recording your activity.

heart rate

vertical speed

2.3 BARO MAIN MODE (BAROMETER)

Use the Baro main mode to check the sea level or absolute barometric pressure and temperature.

All changes in barometric pressure are interpreted as being due to changes in weather conditions. You can interpret the weather conditions from measured barometric pressure changes, when you stay at the same altitude.

In the Time main mode, press the Up or Down button until you enter the Baro main mode. The Baro main mode includes the following information:

The barometer symbol indicates that the barometer is active. To activate the barometer, see page 35.

Graphical barometer trend. Use the trend with the sea level pressure reading to analyze changes in the weather.

Sea level pressure (hPa/inHg) = the value of the barometric pressure at your current location reduced to sea level.

1013 hPa equals 29.90 InHg.

Temperature reading (°C/°F).

15 °C equals 59 °F.

Note: If the barometer is inactive and the altimeter is active , the graphical trend is a straight line. The last measured pressure reading remains in the display, absolute pressure reading though will be updated.

19THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER

Graphical Barometer Trend

The graph shows how the sea level pressure has changed. Pressure readings vary locally and seasonally and also according to the altitude. Check you local average pressures and learn to interpret the trend according to your local readings.

Sea level pressure:

The entire axis equals 15 hPa or 0.75 inHg. One white pixel equals 1 hPa or 0.05 inHg.

The most recently updated point. The trend is updated every 15 minutes.

Time: last 11 hours and 45 minutes

• If the trend rises, the weather is likely to improve.

• If the trend drops, the weather is likely to get worse. The longer or more rapidly the trend drops, the greater the chance of a storm.

Example: You switched the barometer on when camping for the night. In the morning, you can interpret from the trend how the weather is likely to develop.

1. 2.

1. In example one, the pressure has dropped.

2. In example two, the pressure has remained quite stabile.

THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER20

Changing the upper row information:

As in the Alti main mode, you can change the display to show the information that you need. To change the information in the upper row, press and hold the Up button:

1. Barometer trend 2. Absolute pressure reading (hPa/inHg)

Press and hold

Absolute pressure reading is your current location’s barometric pressure. 1011 hPa equals 29.85 inHg.

Changing the lower row information: To change the information in the lower row, press and hold the Down button:

1. Temperature (°C/°F) 2. Time of day

Press and hold

Note:

• Because your body temperature affects the actual temperature reading, the best way to obtain an accurate temperature is to take your wrist unit off for at least 10 minutes.

•You can also change the upper and lower row information while recording your activity.

21THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER

2.4 TEST MAIN MODE

In the Test main mode, you can do the Polar Fitness Test to measure your OwnIndex® value (comparable to maximal oxygen uptake, VO

) to find out your aerobic fitness level. For further information, see page 38.

2max

In the Time main mode, press the Up or Down button until you enter the Test main mode.

2.5 ACTION MAIN MODE

Use the Action main mode to record your physical activity and changes in altitude. When you start recording your activity, a variety of information, including activity duration, vertical speed while ascending or descending and altitude, are recorded in an Action File. If you want also to record your heart rate and energy expenditure in calories, wear the transmitter. For further information on wearing the transmitter, see page 25.

THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER22

In the Time main mode, use the Down button to enter the Action main mode. The Action main mode includes the following information:

Preset heart rate limits.

Altimeter or barometer symbol

(depending on which function is activated).

Action duration.

Flashing heart symbol and your current heart rate, if a heart beat is detected.

Start Action recording by pressing the Start button. For further information, see page 27.

Note: To record the altimeter information in an Action File, make sure that the altimeter is activated .

23THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER

Changing the lower row information To change the information in the lower row, press and hold the Down button:

1. Your current heart rate

(beats per minute)

*The number of calories burned is measured after you have started recording.

Note:

•You can also change the lower row information while Action recording.

•Your current heart rate is also displayed in the Alti and Time main modes while Action recording.

• If your heart rate is not displayed and the transmitter to restart the heart rate detection.

THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLAR OUTDOOR COMPUTER24

2. Current rate of calories burned (kcal/h)*

Press and hold

- -

appears in the display, the heart rate detection has stopped. Bring the wrist unit near the Polar logo on

3. Calories burned during Action recording (kcal)*

Press and hold

4. Your current heart rate as a percentage of your maximum heart rate

Press and hold

See futher information on how to use the heart rate as % of your maximum heart rate in page 65.

3. MEASURING AND RECORDING WITH YOUR OUTDOOR COMPUTER

3.1 ACTION SUB MODE

3.1.1 WHY MONITOR YOUR HEART RATE WHEN ENGAGING IN OUTDOOR SPORTS?

There are many reasons to monitor your heart rate during outdoor activities: Planning - You can use heart rate in planning your training for various activities. Intensity - Your heart rate is an accurate measure of the intensity of the activity – you will know how hard you are

working. Pace - You can use heart rate to set a pace that you will be able to maintain. Progress - Your heart rate allows you to objectively measure improvements in your fitness level. For a particular speed

and time or journey, your heart rate should decrease due to improvements in your fitness. Safety - Monitor your heart rate during and after activity to keep yourself from pushing too hard or overtraining. Adaptation - Your heart rate responds to internal and external factors acting on your body (for example, altitude,

temperature and humidity).

3.1.2 PUTTING YOUR TRANSMITTER ON

Although you can use your wrist unit as a watch and record performance and environmental data without wearing the transmitter, wear the transmitter when you want to measure and record your heart rate and calorie expenditure.

25MEASURING AND RECORDING WITH YOUR OUTDOOR COMPUTER

1. Attach one end of the transmitter to the elastic strap.

2. Adjust the transmitter’s strap length to fit snugly and comfortably. Secure the strap around your chest, just below the chest muscles, and buckle the strap to the transmitter.

3. Lift the transmitter off your chest and moisten the two grooved electrode areas on the back.

4. Check that the wet electrode areas are firmly against your skin and that the Polar logo is in a central, upright position.

To ensure trouble-free heart rate monitoring, start your heart rate monitoring in a place with the fewest possible electromagnetic disturbances (skilifts, computers, mobile phones, other people using heart rate monitors, high voltage power lines, cars, motor driven exercise equipment, etc.)

before going out.

When you put your transmitter on, it starts to detect your heart rate, which is then transmitted to the wrist unit. A heart symbol starts flashing in the Action (or Alti) main mode and your heart rate in beats per minute (bpm) appears in a maximum of 15 seconds.

MEASURING AND RECORDING WITH YOUR OUTDOOR COMPUTER26

Note:

• If the wrist unit does not display your heart rate, check that the transmitter electrodes are wet and that

the strap is snug enough.

• When you go biking, we recommend attaching the wrist unit to the Polar Bike Mount™.

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