Polar UpLink Java Interface

Introduction

Do you have any of the Polar S-series that supports UpLink? I do and I think the watches are great, but the software leaves a lot to be desired. Why? Mainly since it only runs in Windows and I only have Linux running at home. So that's why I decided to make a software package in Java that can communicate with the watches.

So why did I choose Java? Well, first of all, it is the language I mainly use in my professional life and is therefore the one I'm most fluent with. I have also had great experience creating a similar package for Kodak DC200 camera that worked fine with Linux, Windows, Solaris, and Irix.

Progress

So far I have been able to download the following information from the watch:
FeatureStatusDownloadDecodeNotes
Download Exersize Sets Partial OK Partial Not all information is decoded yet.
Download Reminders Partial OK None No work has been done to decode the information
Download User Partial OK Partial Most information has been decoded.
Download User Partial OK Partial Most information has been decoded.
Download Files Partial OK Partial Not all info decoded yet. Can not locate "month" in date.

The progress is a bit slow since I don't have any documentation of how the protocol works. I think I have identified mosst commands, package length etc, but there are still fields that I do not know what they contains. Also, each package seem to have a checksum that I have not figured out yet.

No nork has been done so for about programming the watch. My main concern is to be able to download the files, but as soon as I get some more time I will take a look at the rest of hte features.

Supported Models

I only have a S-610, so I do not know if the software works with 710 or 810 yet.

Just found out that I can rent different Polar watches in Sweden fo about €1/day.

Availability

The protocol is (as far as I know) not published by Polar. I will try to contact Polar about this and I can see the following outcomes:

  1. Polar allows me to see the specs and distribute source - The "perfect" solution ;-)
  2. Polar allows me to see the specs but only distribute binaries - Not perfect, but still ok.
  3. Polar will not give me the specs but allows me to distribute source - Hassle to decode their protocol, but perhaps I can get some help.
  4. Polar will not give me the specs and only alows distribution of binaries - Then I have to do all the trial and guesswork myself.
  5. Polar will not allow me to distribute my efforts in any form - Bad, then they are forcing all their users to run Windows.
I hope they will go with the first alternative, that is what Kodak did (Horray). However, Lego (with their Midstorm) went for alternative 5 (Booh).

Latest News

Have not been able to contact anyone at Polar that would be able to give me any specs. However, got a Polar s625X the other week, so now I might get more ispiration to get features implemented.