[Monolith]

I've done a bit of Googling on the issue but I've recently acquired the original Suunto Ambit GPS watch with a HR belt. At first the belt would pair to the watch but now it won't see it at all despite having replaced the battery and cleaned the rim of the battery inlay/seal.

Has anybody any experience of what the issue might be or should I accept that it could be curtains? Perhaps a factory reset to the watch might help?

[webbo]

When you say belt do you mean chest strap, does it have a battery.

[SA Chris]

As above, there are batteries in HRM and watch.

[Monolith]

It's a chest strap with a CR2032 battery in. I've replaced this and cleaned the rubber ring between the battery cover cap and the inlay.

[webbo]

My bike computer/ heart rate monitor was showing I needed a new battery in the chest strap. Replaced this and shortly afterwards it stopped working, although the bike computor still worked. This then stopped working, swapped  the batteries still no joy.
So I ordered a new from my mates bike shop. However I had another try and the fucking thing started working again.
All I can think is the contacts on the chest strap were munged up. One thing is to ensure the chest contacts are wet, I usually lick mine which might be why they were gunged up.
You could try that gel they use for ultra sound scans.

[Monolith]

Thanks Webbo. The issue appears to be that I can't pair the device even when holding the hr unit right next to the watch. Would I be better off putting the thing on with the contacts cleaned and trying again? Perhaps it won't work until it detects a heart rate?

[SA Chris]

You know anyone with a Suunto you can cross test on?

Would a Garmin one work with it?

[Monolith]

I don't sadly but I tried a Garmin one and no connectivity there. Is it possible that the two products might not talk to one another?

[SA Chris]

No clue whatsoever. I'd be surprised if they did tbh, but worth a shot, thought there might be some standard they were built to.

Try posting on local running or cycling page to see if you can cross test?

[Monolith]

Good shout Christoph, I'l do that. Gut feeling is it's carked it but would be glad to find out how to save some pennies where possible.

[Stabbsy]

Thanks Webbo. The issue appears to be that I can't pair the device even when holding the hr unit right next to the watch. Would I be better off putting the thing on with the contacts cleaned and trying again? Perhaps it won't work until it detects a heart rate?

My Garmin one only pairs when there's a HR signal.

[Monolith]

Thanks Webbo. The issue appears to be that I can't pair the device even when holding the hr unit right next to the watch. Would I be better off putting the thing on with the contacts cleaned and trying again? Perhaps it won't work until it detects a heart rate?

My Garmin one only pairs when there's a HR signal.

Stabbsy, I am an idiot. I don't have it on me but this is bound to be the answer since I've been trying to pair them both without the strap being on my chest. Thinking about it, it worked the one time I had it on!

[SA Chris]

Buffoon. I assumed throughout that you were wearing it when testing it!

[Monolith]

Buffoon. I assumed throughout that you were wearing it when testing it!

Absolute fool!

Boss has just asked me for some tartan paint if you know any good suppliers Chris?

[andy_e]

I know somewhere good, Can you get a long stand whilst you're down there please?

[webbo]

That is absolute class. I wonder what reading you thought it might show if it actually wasn't recording anything.
Maybe it needs a " Now is the time to put the chest strap on " message.

[SA Chris]

You can get the paint at any good stockists of angle grinder sparks, spirit level bubbles and left handed screwdrivers

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

[Monolith]

Spoke too soon! Still goosed 

[Jim]

No heart beat you are a vampire.  I claim my  £10

[andy_e]

You need to shave that manly hirsute chest of yours to get it to register beast.

[SA Chris]

No heart beat you are a vampire.  I claim my  £10

It's not Jasper.

[Monolith]

No heart beat you are a vampire.

Because you stole it you hunk of monk 

You need to shave that manly hirsute chest of yours to get it to register beast.

Already have done beast!

Managed to get my old Garmin one paired to it anyway. Once I put it on. 

[Monolith]

Problem solved. I received the instructions below eventually from Suunto customer service. I followed them with respect to putting the battery upside down for 10 seconds before restoring to normal. Hey Presto, it worked and has been repaired:

"Is your watch a Suunto Ambit (1st generation)? And is the HR Belt either a Suunto ANT belt or a Suunto Dual belt?

If this is the case, then they definitely should be compatible. First of all, I would suggest replacing the battery of the belt - which may be faulty.

Also, when changing the battery, it might be necessary to reset the pairing of the belt by doing the following:
- Remove the old battery
- Insert the new battery upside down, and leave it in that position for 10 seconds
- Remove the battery, and insert it in the correct position

After having done that, you can try the pairing procedure again:
- Humidify the electric contacts of the textile strap of the belt and wear it
- On the watch, go to "Options => pair => HR belt"

The belt should be found and paired."