INDEX ............................................................................................................................... 60
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1. INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on the purchase of your Polar RC3 GPS™training computer! The training computer offers
you an all-in-one system to guide you in your training.
This user manual includes complete instructions to help you get the most out of your training computer.
The latest version of this user manual can be downloaded at www.polar.com/support
[http://www.polar.com/support]. For video tutorials, go to
http://www.polar.com/en/polar_community/videos.
Key Features and Benefits
Slim Integrated GPS: RC3 GPS is all you need for tracking your speed, distance and route. The slim and
lightweight training computer has a built-in GPS and rechargeable battery.
Back to starting point: This feature guides your way back to the starting point of your trip.
Training Benefit: This feature helps you better understand the benefits of your training by giving instant,
textual feedback on your performance.
Web Training Diary: Share your route and distance with others at polarpersonaltrainer.com.
Running Index: Monitor the efficiency of your run with this feature. Running index is calculated
automatically after every run, based on heart rate and speed data.
Sport Profile: Start your training session with ease: the training computer provides five sport profiles; one
for running, two for cycling and two for other sports.
Polar Sport Zones: To help you train at the right intensity, lock you target sport zone for a training session.
When your heart rate goes below or above the target sport zone, the RC3 GPS gives a visual and audible
alarm.
4Introduction
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2. THE ALL-IN-ONE TRAINING SYSTEM
Training Computer Parts
With an integrated GPS unit, the Polar RC3 GPS training computer provides
speed and distance data, as well as route information at polarpersonaltrainer.com
web service, in all outdoor sports using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
Signals that GPS satellites transmit to the earth indicate the location of the satellites.
The training computer receives the signals and determines your location by measuring
the distance between itself and the satellites. There are at least 24 active GPS
satellites orbiting around the earth. To get a reliable location reading, the training
computer combines the signals from at least four satellites.
Connect the training computer to your computer with a USB cable to charge the
battery and to transfer data between the training computer and the
polarpersonaltrainer.com web service.
Register your Polar product at http://register.polar.fi/ to ensure we can keep improving our products and
services to better meet your needs.
Training Software
With WebSync software you can
• synchronize and transfer data between your training computer and
polarpersonaltrainer.com,
• adjust your training computer settings, and
• customize your training computer display for example with your own
logo.
For more information on data transfer and other functions in the WebSync software,
consult the full user manual at www.polar.com/support
[http://www.polar.com/support] or the online help for WebSync.
The WebSync software can be downloaded at www.polarpersonaltrainer.com
[http://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com].
The All-in-one Training System5
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Polarpersonaltrainer.com is your online training diary and interactive training
community that keeps you motivated. For a deeper analysis of your training, transfer
the training data to the polarpersonaltrainer.com web service using the USB cable
and WebSync software.
With the polarpersonaltrainer.com web service you can
• see your training route
• share your training result as your status update in a social network
• challenge your friends to virtual sports competitions
• get more detailed information on your training feedback
• store your training files and follow up your progress
• follow your training load and recovery in the training diary
• create and download the Polar Endurance training programs onto to
your training computer and utilize them in your training, and
• create your own training targets
For more information on the functions in the polarpersonaltrainer.com web service,
consult the online help for polarpersonaltrainer.com.
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.
Available Accessories
With the help of Polar accessories, you can enhance your training experience and achieve a more complete
understanding of your performance.
The RC3 GPS training computer is compatible with Polar H2 and H3 heart rate
sensors. The comfortable heart rate sensor detects your heart rate accurately from
the heart's electrical signals and sends the data to the training computer in real
time.
The heart rate sensor consists of a connector and a strap.
If you bought a set which does not include a heart rate sensor, turn it off in
settings for the Sport Profiles. For instructions, see Sport Profile
Settings (page 29).
Optional Polar s3+ stride sensor* helps you to improve your running technique. It
wirelessly measures speed/pace, distance, running cadence, running index and stride
length, whether you train indoors or out.
Optional Polar CS cadence sensor W.I.N.D.wirelessly measures cycling cadence,
i.e. your real-time and average pedaling rate as revolutions per minute.
Optional Polar CS speed sensor W.I.N.D.* wirelessly measures cycling distance
and your real-time, average and maximum speeds/paces.
6The All-in-one Training System
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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.
*When using the training computer with s3+ stride sensor or CS speed sensor W.I.N.D., the training
computer retrieves speed and distance data from the sensor and the GPS will only be used for location
and route tracking.
Button Functions
The training computer has five buttons that have different functionalities depending on the situation of
use.
LIGHTBACKSTART/OKUPDOWN
• 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.
• Exit the menu
• Return to the
previous level
• Leave settings
unchanged
• Cancel
selections
• Press and hold
to return to
time mode from
any other mode
• Confirm
selections
• Start a training
session
• Take a lap
• Press and hold
to set zone lock
on/off in
training mode.
• Move through
selection lists
• Adjust a
selected value
• Press and hold
to change the
watch face.
• Move through
selection lists
• Adjust a
selected value
• Press and hold
to switch
between Time
1/ Time 2.
For more
information on the
quick menu, see
Quick Menu
(page ? ).
Menu Structure
Data
Follow up on your training data. For more information, see After Training (page 23).
Settings
Customize your training computer and select the necessary features for each of the sport profiles to suit
your training. For more information, see Settings (page 29).
The All-in-one Training System7
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Fitness Test
To train right and to monitor your progress, it is important to know your current fitness level. The Polar
Fitness Test is an easy and quick way to measure your cardiovascular fitness and aerobic capacity. The
test is performed at rest. The test result is a value called OwnIndex. OwnIndex is comparable to maximal
oxygen uptake (VO
), which is a commonly used aerobic capacity measure. For more information, see
2max
Polar Fitness Test (page 35).
8The All-in-one Training System
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3. TRAINING COMPUTER BATTERY
Charging Your Training Computer
The Polar RC3 GPS training computer has an internal, rechargable battery. Use the USB cable included in
the product set to charge the training computer via the USB connector on your computer. 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 of the training
computer.
2. Plug the USB connector into the computer USB port. It is
recommended not to use USB hubs because a USB hub may not
supply enough power for the training computer.
Use a USB 2.0 compliant USB A-to-micro B cable included in the set
package. If you charge from a USB hub, for example, the charging time
might be prolonged.
If you use an AC adapter, make sure that the adapter is marked with
"output 5Vdc 0.5A - 2A max". Only use an AC adapter which is
adequately safety approved (marked with "LPS", "Limited Power
Supply" or "UL listed").
3. The charging animation appears on the display.
When you plug in the training computer for the first time, Windows
searches for drivers automatically. Wait for the driver search to
complete (it takes about one minute). Alternatively you can skip the
search. The charging animation / data transfer is disabled during the
search.
The battery will be 70-80% full after one hour of charging (if the
battery was low). Charging the battery fully takes up to one hour and a
half.
4. When the training computer is fully charged, Charging complete is
displayed. Disconnect the cable.
When you plug the micro USB connector into the USB port of the training computer, be careful not to
scratch the sealing surfaces of the back case. If sealing surface has deep scratches, it will cause loss of
IPx7 grade waterproof level.
After each time of using the USB port of the training computer, check visually that there is no hair, dust
or other dirt on the sealing surface area of the lid/back case. Gently wipe to remove any dirt. Do not use
any sharp tools or equipment for cleaning, which could cause which can cause scratches to the plastic
parts.
Battery operating time
In continuous useWhen recording a training
session on average 1h/day,
7 days/week
with the GPS function ON:
with the GPS function ON:
When only time view is used
4 months
up to 12 hours
with the GPS function OFF:
up to 1700 hours
Battery operating time depends on many factors, such as the temperature of the environment in which you
11 days
with the GPS function OFF:
120 days
Training Computer Battery9
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use your training computer, the features you select and use, and battery aging. The operating time is
significantly reduced in temperatures well below freezing. Wearing the training computer under your
overcoat helps to keep it warmer and to increase the operating time.
You can increase the battery operating time significantly by using Available Accessories (page 6) instead
of the GPS function for measuring speed and distance when you do not need route information.
Battery Status Indication
The battery icon in the upper right hand corner of the display shows the battery charging status and
approximately how much charge is left in the battery.
Battery icon
Charge left
80 - 100%
60 - 80%
40 - 60%
20 - 40%
8 - 20%
The training computer has enough charge for one hour of training with the GPS
function on.
The remaining charge in the battery icon is blinking. The training computer charge
is too low for recording a new training session with the GPS function on. At this
point, the training computer switches the GPS function off. The training computer
sounds and backlight are also automatically deactivated.
A new training recording cannot be started before charging the training computer.
Low battery notifications
When the charge is getting low, the training computer notifies you with a message and an alarm.
Low battery
notification
Battery status
Battery low
This notification is displayed when the training computer has enough charge for one
hour of training with the GPS function on.
Battery low, GPS off
This notification is only displayed in training mode.
The training computer charge is too low for continuing the recording of the training
session with the GPS function on. At this point, the training computer switches the
GPS function off. You can still use Available Accessories (page 6) and carry
out the training session. The training computer sounds and backlight are
automatically deactivated.
A new training recording cannot be started before charging the training computer.
10Training Computer Battery
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Low battery
notification
Battery status
Charge before training
The charge is too low for recording a training session.
A new training recording cannot be started before charging the training computer.
Recording stopped, Battery Empty
The charge is critically low. The training computer stops recording the training
session, saves the training data and then goes to sleep mode.
When the training computer display is blank, the battery is empty and the training
computer has gone to sleep mode. Charge the training computer. If the battery is
totally drained, it may take a while for the charging animation to appear on the
display.
Training Computer Battery11
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4. SETTING UP THE TRAINING COMPUTER
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 START. Select language is displayed. You can select from
Dansk, Deutsch, English, Español, Français, Italiano, Nederlands, Norsk, Português, Suomi or Svenska
and accept with START. Please enter basic settings is displayed. Press START and adjust the following
data:
1. Time: Select 12h or 24h. With 12h, select AM or PM. Enter the local time.
2. Date: Enter current date.
3. Units: Select metric (kg/cm) or imperial (lb/ft) units.
4. Weight: Enter your weight.
5. Height: Enter your height. In LB/FT format, first enter feet then inches.
6. Date of birth: Enter your date of birth.
7. Sex: Select Male or Female.
8. Settings OK? is displayed. To change your settings, press BACK until you return to the desired setting. To
accept the settings, press START and the training computer goes to the time mode.
It is important that you are precise with the Basic Settings, especially when setting your weight, height, date of
birth and sex, as they have an impact on the accuracy of the measuring values, such as the heart rate limits and
calorie expenditure.
Sport Profile Settings
The Sport Profile feature helps you start your training session with ease. The training computer provides
five sport profiles; one for running, two for cycling and two for other sports.
Adjust the settings for the sport profiles to suit your training needs in MENU > Settings > Sport Profiles.
You can, for example, activate the sensors you want to use in the sport. Then when you start a training
session using the sport profile, the training computer detects the needed sensors automatically.
The heart rate sensor is on by default in every sport. Due to this, the training computer will automatically start
searching for the heart rate sensor signal once you press START in time view. If you bought a set which does not
include a heart rate sensor, turn it off in MENU > Settings > Sport Profiles > Sport > Heart rate sensor >
Off.
For more information on the sport profile settings, see Sport Profile Settings (page 29).
When you activate an optional sensor (s3+ stride sensor, CS speed sensor W.I.N.D. or CS cadence sensor
W.I.N.D.) for the first time, it needs to be paired with the training computer. For more information on
pairing a sensor with the training computer, see New Accessory (page 38).
12Setting Up the Training Computer
5. TRAINING
Wearing 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
after every use, to maximize the
battery lifetime. Sweat and moisture
may keep the electrodes wet and the
heart rate sensor activated. This will
reduce the battery life. For more
detailed washing instructions, see
Important Information
(page ? ).
ENGLISH
For video tutorials, go to http://www.polar.com/en/polar_community/videos.
Starting a Training Session
Wear the heart rate sensor and make sure you have set up an optional sensor* as instructed in the sensor's
user manual. If you are using a speed, cadence, or stride sensor for the first time, see New Accessory
(page 38). To use Polar ZoneOptimizer feature for your training session, see Train with Polar ZoneOptimizer
(page 16).
1. Start by pressing START
1. In time view, press START to enter the pre-training mode.
2. Pair the heart rate sensor with the training computer
(pairing is performed only once)
Pairing ensures that your training computer receives signal from your heart rate sensor only and enables
interference-free training when there are other training computers around.
If you purchased a set which does not include a heart rate sensor, and you have set the heart
rate sensor off in the Sport Profile settings, skip step two and go straight to step three.
Training13
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2. Pair the heart rate sensor with the training computer
(pairing is performed only once)
1. Searching for new heart rate sensor is displayed. The training
computer searches for the heart rate sensor signal.
2. Heart rate sensor found is displayed when the training computer
finds the signal.
If the training computer cannot find the heart rate sensor, make sure
the heart rate sensor strap has not loosened and the electrodes of the
heart rate sensor are wet.
3. Select the sport profile
1. Select the sport profile you want to use by browsing with UP/DOWN.
2. To change the sport profile settings or heart rate settings before the
training recording is started (in pre-training mode), press and hold
LIGHT to enter QUICK MENU. To return to the pretraining mode, press
BACK.
For sport profile settings, see Sport Profile Settings (page 29).
4. The training computer searches the GPS satellite signals / sensor signals
1. If you have activated the GPS function and/or an optional sensor* in
this sport profile, the training computer will automatically start
searching for the signals.
Stay in the pre-training mode until the training computer has found
the signals.
14Training
4. The training computer searches the GPS satellite signals / sensor signals
2. 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 (see the image below). 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.
ENGLISH
3. The check mark indicates that the signal is found. In this image, the
training computer has found the heart rate sensor signal and the GPS
signal. The training computer determines your location and marks the
location as your starting point.
The Back to Starting Point (page 22) feature requires accurate
starting point information in order to function properly.
If the training computer does not find a sensor signal, the display
shows a triangle with an exclamation mark.
5. Start recording the training session
1. Once the training computer has found all the signals, press START.
Recording started is displayed and you can start training.
During training recording you can change the training view by
browsing with UP/DOWN. To change settings without stopping the
training recording, press and hold LIGHT to enter QUICK MENU. For
more information, see Quick Menu (page 33).
Before you start recording a training session, make sure that the training computer has found
the GPS satellites signals / sensor signals. This ensures that
• you get the speed/pace and distance data from the beginning of the training session.
• the training computer has defined your starting point (only if you have set the GPS
function on). The Back to Starting Point (page 22) feature requires accurate
starting point information in order to function properly.
Training15
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*Optional sensors include Polar s3+ stride sensor, Polar CS speed sensor W.I.N.D. or Polar CS cadence
sensor W.I.N.D.
Train with Polar ZoneOptimizer
The ZoneOptimizer function determines your personalized sport zones (heart rate zones) for your aerobic
training session. It measures your heart rate variability during the warm-up and determines your personal
sport zones. For more information, see Polar ZoneOptimizer (page 43).
To use the ZoneOptimizer function in your training, set in on by selecting MENU > Settings > Heart rate
settings > ZoneOptimizer > On .
The ZoneOptimizer function defines the personalized target heart rate zones for you in the beginning of
every training session. If there is less than an hour since your last ZoneOptimizer definition, the given
target heart rate zones are not necessarily valid, because you may have not recovered from previous
training, and during instant recovery, heart rate variability returns to normal state slower than heart rate.
Start Training Session with Polar ZoneOptimizer
Before ZoneOptimizer determination, make sure that you have the Polar default sport zone heart rate
limits in use i.e. you have not modified the heart rate limits manually. If you want to modify the Sport
Zone heart rate limits manually, set the ZoneOptimizer function off.
To set the ZoneOptimizer function on, select MENU > Settings > Heart rate settings > ZoneOptimizer > On.
The ZoneOptimizer determination will start in the background already when you are in pre-training mode.
When you see the ECG-curve on the top right hand corner on the display, you will know that the heart rate
measurement and ZoneOptimizer are on.
1. To start the training session with ZoneOptimizer press OK.
The display will show the sport used in the previous training session
and the count down timer will start running in the background as soon
as the heart rate has reached 70 beats per minute. An ECG-curve will
appear in the top right had corner of the display.
Select the sport profile you want to use for your training session with
UP/DOWN and press OK to start training.
2. Keep your heart rate between 70 and 100 beats per minute for two
minutes.
This can be achieved by standing or with very light training intensity,
for example, walking slowly.
The alarm will sound, when the first part of the determination is
finished.
3. The second part of the determination will start when your heart rate
has risen above 100 beats per minute.
Continue training at light intensity. Increase heart rate gradually, and
keep it between 100 – 130 bpm for two minutes.
This can be achieved, for example, by walking briskly, or by
cycling/jogging at low intensity during warm up.
If you have a very low HR
, the training computer will give you special limits.
max
The alarm will sound when the second part of the ZoneOptimizer determination is
finished.
16Training
The ZoneOptimizer determination may already finish here, if the heart rate
variation limit is reached .
4. The third part of the determination will start when your heart rate has
risen above 130 beats per minute.
Gradually increase your heart rate above 130 bpm and keep it there.
The ZoneOptimizer determination will be finalized when the heart rate
has been above 130 beats per minute for more than half a minute.
The alarm will sound, when the third and final part of the
determination is finished.
5. After the determination is finished, the training computer displays one
of the following:
• Default sport zones (heart rate zones) in use. The determination was
not successful. The Polar sport zone (heart rate) limits will be used.
• Sport zones optimized. Heart rate zones on higher level. The limits
have been raised compared to your average ZoneOptimizer limits.
• Sport zones optimized. Heart rate zones on normal level. The limits
have been raised or lowered only slightly compared to your average
ZoneOptimizer limits.
• Sport zones optimized. Heart rate zones on lower level. The limits
have been lowered compared to your average ZoneOptimizer limits.
6. After you have received and read the feedback, press any button,
except LIGHT, to exit the message display and continue your training
session.
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Training Views
You can view different training views by pressing UP or DOWN. The number of the training view appears
for a few seconds.
The information displayed varies depending on the sensors you have installed, which features are set on
and what kind of sport you are performing.
The below tables present available training views for some different sensor combinations. In these
examples, the training information is shown on three rows. You can set the training information to be
shown on two or three rows in MENU > Settings > Sport profiles > Sport > Training view.
Heart rate sensorHeart rate sensor
GPS function on
HEART RATE
Heart rate
Lap time
Duration
ZONEPOINTER
ZonePointer
Time in Zone
HEART RATE
Heart rate
Speed/Pace
Distance
SPEED/PACE
Speed/Pace
Distance
Heart rate sensor
s3+ stride sensor
HEART RATE
Heart rate
Speed/Pace
Distance
SPEED/PACE
Speed/Pace
Distance
Duration
Duration
Duration
Training17
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Heart rate sensorHeart rate sensor
GPS function on
CALORIES
Calories
Time of day
Duration
SPORT ZONES
Time in each
zone
ZONEPOINTER
ZonePointer
Time in Zone
Duration
LAP 01 TIME
Lap time
Heart rate
Lap distance
AVERAGE
SPEED/PACE
Average
Speed/Pace
Calories
Time of day
SPORT ZONES
Heart rate sensor
s3+ stride sensor
ZONEPOINTER
ZonePointer
Time in Zone
Duration
LAP 01 TIME
Lap time
Heart rate
Lap distance
AVERAGE
SPEED/PACE
Average
Speed/Pace
Calories
Time of day
SPORT ZONES
Heart rate sensor
CS speed sensor W.I.N.D.
HEART RATE
Heart rate
Speed/Pace
Distance
SPEED/PACE
Time in each zone
BACK TO START
An arrow points
the direction of
your starting
point. For more
information, see
Back to Starting
Point (page 22)
Heart rate sensor
CS cadence sensor W.I.N.D.
HEART RATE
Heart rate
Cadence
Duration
CADENCE
Time on
each zone
Heart rate sensor
CS cadence sensor W.I.N.D.
GPS function on
HEART RATE
Heart rate
Speed/Pace
Distance
SPEED/PACE
18Training
Speed/Pace
Distance
Duration
Cadence
Lap time
Duration
Speed/Pace
Distance
Duration
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