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 Polar IrDA USB 2.0 Adapter Interface By: Polar Average Rating: 3.0 Total Reviews: 21 More Information Don't Buy It  On: 2008-06-25Dont buy this USB Interface. It says its compatable with Windows, but it isnt. As soon as you install the drivers, Windows provides a warning that it is not compatable - and Windows is right. Once you install it, your system becomes unstable and doesnt work properly anymore. There is nothing like having to re-install your operating system. Polar generally makes good products, but this is pathetic and they should fix it. A word to the wise - dont buy it. Expensive and doesn't work -- what's not to [dis]like On: 2008-06-17Hours of fussing and couldnt get it to work on a Lenovo T61p running XP. Never had a problem with my T42p (with built in IR), so its not the watch. The instructions arent clear. Whats on the Polar website is different than whats on the CD. The whole thing is a mess. And the standard plug in, and then load driver is a no-no per Polar website. If you do this, you have to download more software to wipe everything out, so you can do something different that also doesnt work. Polar tech support didnt even bother responding, although their help with the S/W has always been fast and perfect. Theyre probably embarrassed their marketing inflicted this overpriced device on them. This IrDA interface works for XP and the Polar s720i  On: 2008-05-27I have tried 3 other IrDA interfaces - 1 serial and 2 USB and was about to give up. I wish I had gotten this sooner as it would have been cheaper in the long run and less inconvenient since I have been downloading data to an old laptop that has an IrDA device built in and transferring files to a newer faster laptop on a jump drive. Heres my set up. 1. Sony Vaio running XP with SP2 installed - 3 USB ports 2. Polar s720i I had trouble loading the driver off the mini-diskette since the disk wouldnt spin up properly. Ultimately, I got the disk to boot on another computer and then loaded the setup and driver files on a flash drive and loaded them from there when prompted. Be sure to read the "readme" file on the diskette as it tells you clearly step by step on how to install the driver. I also use the IrDA interface on only one of the three USB ports on my laptop...no reason to cause confusion and possible problems by using which ever one is convenient - just use one. I also check it in the Device Manager to ensure that it shows up properly. When I remove it I always "safely remove device" from the system tray. Yes, it isnt as easy as just unplugging it, but it only takes 10 seconds and its never busy. Another ounce of prevention. I never thought Id say this, but I give the Polar USB IrDA interface 5 stars. As a note, I have only had it for a week, but have put it through the paces on two different laptops and have unplugged/replugged and initiated HRM communications greater than 25 times and it has worked flawlessly each time. Doesn't Work with WIndows on Mac On: 2008-05-20Bought it to connect to my Macbook running XP via Parallels through 10.5.2. The Polar software doesnt recognize the Polar IrDA hardware. In addition they package this with one of those mini CD Roms that are not compatible with Macs. Arrrrgggghhhh!!!!! Why do these companies continue to not aggressively support the Mac platform? Total waste of money unless I buy a Windows machine or search the net for a patch and have to do some jiggering to get it to run properly. I really want to use it in order to track my aerobic workout but paying so much for my heart rate monitor and this adaptor youd expect it to "Just Work" right out of the box. Works great, a little awkward to use  On: 2008-04-15Functionally this works fine. Im using it on a VM XP instance on a Mac OS X desktop through Parallels and Polar F55 monitor. The form factor isnt so convenient, I just connect/disconnect each time I use. Id like to get some sort of mount setup so I can just leave it connected all the time. I havent tried this on Vista. Worked out of the box with Vista and a s720i On: 2008-03-06This was the third IRDA product Ive purchased and the first to actually work with my S720i. The cheap ones just dont work. Comes with a CD, but it does not require it on Vista. It automatically installs and you are set to go. This is an absolute piece of junk On: 2008-02-25I have bought two of these and both have failed after their first use. I just figured I had gotten unlucky with the first one, perhaps thought I had done something to it but when I got the replacement it worked one time and now will not work at all. Aside from the fact that it is ridiculously overpriced for what it is, I must warn you to avoid this product. The only reason I gave this one star is because the system required I rate the product. It deserves zero stars. Why? On: 2008-02-17Why pay $60 for an item that you can easily purchase for $10 to $15. I love Polar but this item just doesnt make sense! Expensive, but works well. On: 2008-02-15I bought this after a few cheaper IrUSB models failed to connect to my Polar 610i watch. This one had no problems (Windows XP). No problems installing the driver either. 1 star off for price, which seems high compared to other models. Polar IR - USB Interface On: 2008-01-02Definitely not plug-and-and-play. I havent got it to work yet. The fault my lie with my Polar S610i, purchased some time ago, though. The IR interface has always proved tempermental, even with my old IR unit, now lost. The online specs for this new unit included a reference to the s610i, but the specs that came with the unit itself werent so clear. Difficult to insert and remove On: 2007-11-03It works great, except, it does not fit the USB socket very well. It is difficult to insert and pull out. Works with Windows Vista On: 2007-08-10After having problems with other IRDA adapters, it was great to have this work immediately out of the box with Windows Vista (it already has the driver). The adapter worked great with my Polar heart rate montor, and HP printer, and a couple other computers with IRDA adapters. Works with Polar Precision, XP, VMWare Fusion on a MacBook Pro On: 2007-07-26After being unable to find an IRDA device in the local stores I decided to purchase the Polar IRDA. Although Im sure I could have found something less expensive Im happy with this product. It works and is conveniently small. Im running the Polar Precision software under Windows XP using VMWares Fusion beta on a MacBook Pro. The whole setup works with this device. I have problems when I "safely remove" the hardware (causes Fusion to crash and restart the VM) but this is more likely a problem with Fusion than with the device and there is a simple workaround - shut down the VM before removing the device. Polar USB On: 2007-07-13Works great with my rs800, set up was easy and I use it daily with no problems Convenient - if your PC's security isn't important  On: 2007-04-04The IR link for the Polar hear monitors is great. It allows you to transfer data 2 ways from your PC: you can download your exercise data, and also change the settings for the watch from the computer. This is great, because it means no scrolling through abbreviations on the watch with the tiny buttons. The biggest problem with the IR link is the driver that needs to be installed on your computer. For whatever reason, Polar decided not to pay Bill Gates to get the software recognized as being compatible with Microsoft. When installing the driver from the included CD, warnings and error messages pop up to discourage you from proceeding, which will compromise all security and firewall features that you might have. There is no updated version available for download from the internet. I went ahead and installed the driver, but since doing so, the computer has not been functioning properly, and Ive been getting those "send error report / dont send error report" pop-ups from Windows. Polar denies responsibility and insists that their driver is "fine" for use. Im no computer expert, so I dont know for sure, but I dont believe them. Convenient - if your PC's security isn't important On: 2007-04-03The IR link for the Polar hear monitors is great. It allows you to transfer data 2 ways from your PC: you can download your exercise data, and also change the settings for the watch from the computer. This is great, because it means no scrolling through abbreviations on the watch with the tiny buttons. The biggest problem with the IR link is the driver that needs to be installed on your computer. For whatever reason, Polar decided not to pay Bill Gates to get the software recognized as being compatible with Microsoft. When installing the driver from the included CD, warnings and error messages pop up to discourage you from proceeding, which will compromise all security and firewall features that you might have. There is no updated version available for download from the internet. I went ahead and installed the driver, but since doing so, the computer has not been functioning properly, and Ive been getting those "send error report / dont send error report" pop-ups from Windows. Polar denies responsibility and insists that their driver is "fine" for use. Im no computer expert, so I dont know for sure, but I dont believe them. Great product On: 2007-03-19I received the product in the expected delivery time and it works great with my XP operating system that is running on my Apple computer via the Parallels software. I downloaded the software to run the Interface from the Polar site. Did not need the small CD that ships with the product (which was too small for my CD drive). No Problems but High Price On: 2007-03-08I purchased this IRD from Polar because I dont want to face any problem during the interface between the watch and my laptop. I had no problem with this device but I had a problem with the watch. I returned the watch and kept this as IRD for my laptop. Some people are saying that you can get any IRD from the internet for $5 to $15, but I prefer to go for Polar. Usually works On: 2007-01-06Sometimes this unit works flawlessly, other times it seems to have trouble picking up the signal. I am not sure if that is a problem with this USB device, the Polar HRM, or the way that I am holding it. In any event, most of the time it works and the data transfers quickly. Don't buy it, seriously On: 2006-12-02Im pretty good at getting devices up and running, but this thing is a complete mess. They dont have the software figured out, and the instructions for trying to fix it when its not working are preposterously complicated. Note that it comes with no directions of any kind. In fact, it arrives with an unlabeled mini-disc with no indication of what its for, what it is, how to use it, whether everyone needs it, or anything else. Nothing but the blank disc. Note that this device failing to work is a "Frequently Asked Question" on the Polar web site, and they have a list of about thirty things youre supposed to "check," most of which they dont explain as far as what it is youre checking FOR. (In other words, they say "Check the [whatever] setting," but they dont tell you anything about what that setting should be or what might be wrong with it.) Most of the instructions are outdated, dont apply to current version of Windows, or dont reflect current versions of their own software. Mine will be going back -- the first thing from Amazon I have ever had to return. Finally Mac and Linux Support from Polar (sort of) On: 2006-11-18I picked this up looking for a non-serial or bulky IR device for my desktop PC but was VERY happy to find that it came with "SigmaTel IR-721 USB IrDA Bridge Driver" drivers for both Linux and the Mac on the CD; in addition of course to the standard Windows drivers. The only drawback with the Mac Drivers is that it is a Mini-CD which is not-compatible with the insert drives on Mac, but I was able to get it installed successfully without issue on my MacBook Pro (Intel Based) and on my Windows PC. Now if Polar could start releasing a Mac Version of their Polar Precision software and the other third-party vendors of HRM Software (like iSmarttrain) can get the update out for this new hardware it will make many Mac owners happy. Polar Precision 4.03.43 (Mar 06) has worked with this device on my Windows XP SP2 on a Native Intel/AMD Windows PC. It also works fine on my Mac Book Pro under Nova Developments Parralels Desktop (still windows but on a Mac) running Polar Precision 4.03.43. I have not gotten Polar Precision to run under Dreamweavers Crossover yet though; but hopefully that is only a matter of time. As an added bonus, being this device includes Macintosh Drivers it could be used in theory to support other IR applications that have been limited by the lack of two-way IR support on Macs, as of OSX Tiger (10.4.x) on the MacBook Pro the built in IR support is only receive mode. Works in Windows, but no (pre-Intel) Mac compatibility  On: 2006-09-20There exists HRM software for Macs that is Polar compatible, but you wont be able to use this device to move the heart rate data from the watch to the Mac, not even in Virtual PC. You will have to use the Polar serial-infrared adapter together with a serial-USB adapter. With the new Intel Macs, you can install Windows and the Polar drivers and transfer data that way. It would be nice if Polar would make their drivers open source so that people could develop versions for other platforms. It could only help their sales. |