Reviews... What to believe? I'm in the market for a HRM and my trainer suggested a Polar F11. It's nice but I don't want to spend $150+ on something I know nothing about (or need).The F6 seemes like a great compromise (reasonable price w/ good features).HOWEVER, the 1 & 2 star ratings worry me a little...I know there are a lot more 5 star reviews than the 1 star but I'm wondering how often issues come up w/ this HRM.The most common issues seem to be:1) Can't replace batteries in the chest monitor2) Doesn't pick-up heart rate accurately3) The strap wears out quickly4) Bending of wrist accidentally pushes the side buttons.It's in my nature to over analyze things (especially gadgets) but I want something that's reliable, functional and affordable.Thanks in advance for your suggestions! Reviews... What to believe? I'm in the market for a HRM and my trainer suggested a Polar F11. It's nice but I don't want to spend $150+ on something I know nothing about (or need). » Read More Reviews... What to believe? I'm in the market for a HRM and my trainer suggested a Polar F11. It's nice but I don't want to spend $150+ on something I know nothing about (or need).The F6 seemes like a great compromise (reasonable price w/ good features).HOWEVER, the 1 & 2 star ratings worry me a little...I know there are a lot more 5 star reviews than the 1 star but I'm wondering how often issues come up w/ this HRM.The most common issues seem to be:1) Can't replace batteries in the chest monitor2) Doesn't pick-up heart rate accurately3) The strap wears out quickly4) Bending of wrist accidentally pushes the side buttons.It's in my nature to over analyze things (especially gadgets) but I want something that's reliable, functional and affordable.Thanks in advance for your suggestions! « Show Less
775906
S., been tearing my hair out trying to figure out which one to buy. Really appreciate the info you posted - thanks for your assessment. Will get the F7, if not the F6.
775907
Whats the dif. between f4 an f6 besides price? I workout at home some on treadmil some doing interval training dvds i have never owed a hrm so wonderin whats best for me??
775908
Wow, you seem really cynical. What if someone wrote a 5 star review and they actually really did honestly like the product, you just don't believe them? I tell EVERYONE at the gym to invest in a polar HRM b/c they are the best. I don't need to be paid to be honest about items I love, apparently you do??
775909
I have the pink F6 and I really love it. It shows your heartrate and elapsed time throughout your workout but after you have finished and pressed stop, it shows you your high heartrate for the workout, your average heartrate for the workout, and (this feature I love) it shows you what precentage of the calories burned during the workout came from fat. Every week it also shows you the total amount of calories burned for all the workouts you have completed in a week, as well as how long you have worked out. It saves the data for a really long time too so that you can look back and compare different weeks as you go on your fitness journey. This is a great purchase and I would reccommend it! I have the pink F6 and I really love it. It shows your heartrate and elapsed time throughout your workout but after you have finished and pressed stop, it shows you your high heartrate for the workout, your average heartrate for the workout, and (this feature I love) it shows you what precentage of the calories burned during the workout came from fat. Every week it also shows you the total amount of calories burned for all the workouts you have completed in a week, as well as how long you have worked out. It saves the data for a really long time too so that you can look back and compare... » Read More I have the pink F6 and I really love it. It shows your heartrate and elapsed time throughout your workout but after you have finished and pressed stop, it shows you your high heartrate for the workout, your average heartrate for the workout, and (this feature I love) it shows you what precentage of the calories burned during the workout came from fat. Every week it also shows you the total amount of calories burned for all the workouts you have completed in a week, as well as how long you have worked out. It saves the data for a really long time too so that you can look back and compare different weeks as you go on your fitness journey. This is a great purchase and I would reccommend it! « Show Less
2211589
based on pictures I looked up of "h1 transmitter" it appears to be the newer one. it is definitely a cheaper/lower quality strap. The sensors are in a rubber/plastic strap that is mounted on the elastic strap. My older (more expensive) cycle transmitter strap had the sensors actually woven into the elastic strap, not a separate plastic/rubber piece. Also, the elastic of this strap is lower quality and has a few rough spots that itch my skin in back so I have to put it over my sports bra in back. Lastly, the hook/eye on this new on is ribbon sewed onto the elastic strap :( vs my older cycle strap in which the eye that the hook connected too was more seamless as part of the strap; it was not a separate sewn on piece and for sure not "ribbon" material. on the plus side tho, you can change the battery vs the old one in which I found required professional replacement of battery (at a true polar authorized dealer). Again, for $104 it's fine but I would be returning it had I paid $179 + tax & shipping as it's advertised on Polar's site.
1536374
It is so easy. Watch their info on youtube before you buy it. Watch it a couple of times, but it really is simple to use. You will not regret getting it. But get the wristband as well - I think it is 2 or 3 dollars. I absolutely love the minmax because of the interval settings, very versatile as you have a lot of options but of course you can stick with a very simple program. I also find the stopwatch useful for timing runs etc. Really makes a huge difference in the workout. Hope this helps.
66679
I have a Timex Ironman (Trashman would be a better moniker for this $90 disappointment!) that has NEVER given me reliable performance and has basically just quit after 17 months of unreliable service. I'm reading enough negative reviews on the Polar F11, which had otherwise sounded promising, to dismiss risking money on that product as well! While I have little or no use for GPS, the Garmin 305 is starting to sound to me like the accurate, reliable heart rate monitor I'm looking for based on further reading!
1678983
I called polar and here's what I found out:All Polar HRM will include a transmitter and strap with every package. It is a "standrad" strap/transmitter in size mediumThe F6 is a coded receiver and comes with a coded transmitter.They offer a "Wear Link" strap which is a more comfortable cloth type material and has a user servicable battery that costs about $55.00.... BUT the Polar F7 is IDENTICAL to the F6 but comes with the wearlink strap and it's only a few dollars more...
500535
I used it through nursing school and invested in a good watch. The idea of it being around your neck is good in theory but not very practical in the field. The watch face is too small and you need both your hands for tasks and with this you have to hold it to see the face while doing your task. Get a watch that is water resistant or proof, analog, and has a comfortable strap that is flexible (leather won't hold up). A band that stretches is optimum so you can push up your arm when doing a task then keep there to scrub up when done.
1308167
So I bought this watch and been using it for about 1 month. I can assure you that there is a difference on the caloric expenditure displayed on the cardio machine verses the one on the watch. But I made some research and really the POLAR watch seems to be the one to trust. The watch has info on height, weight, age, real-time heart rate monitoring so it has all the info needed to generate the actual caloric expenditure. On the machine however, usually the only 2 info you give is weight and age. At the end of the day, long story short, the POLAR FT7 is pretty much accurate and serves perfect for the individual who wants to monitor his/her caloric expenditure during any kind of aerobic exercise. I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!
443515
Simple answer NO, I do not like this trainer watch for that reason. It has 3 sesnitivity levels and they are either off by too much distance for high sensitivity lor to little for moderate or low sensitivity. And I mean off by a LOT.
2281151
Yes, and if something sounds too good to be true, then its probably false. The only calorie monitors that truly indicate an accurate measure of work are called ergometers. Those instruments are found only on fitness machines (usually stationary bikes) costing at least $2000. The reason why meaninglessly inaccurate "calorie monitors" abound is because customers still demand them. If a brand offers a "calorie monitor" on a $40 fitness machine then its competitors are forced to offer one too. They always give highly overestimated readouts, which makes the machine look (deceivingly) super effective for fitness. I never pay attention to "calories". I always set the consoles of my fitness equipment to instead display either time or cycle rate.
2021455
There is absolutely no reason to purchase this HR monitor if you are not planning to use the PEAR app. In fact.... there is no reason whatsoever to purchase this HR monitor, no matter what app you use. I recommend going with the Scosche RHYTHM+ or Mio Link. They are much better quality, more reliable HR monitors. They are bluetooth and work with a number of Android apps (including PEAR!), and they use a much more reliable optical technology. The PEAR HR monitor is just cheap hardware, plain and simple. And since the PEAR app can be used with other, better HR monitors, I'd stay away. I returned my PEAR HR monitor, and if you read the reviews carefully, several others have as well. Hope that helps. PS... the PEAR app on Android is pretty buggy. My brother uses it on iPhone and says it is solid. Having said that, PEAR is a great concept but the app is buggy and the hardware is cheap.
1831535
I've used it for both activities, and it was pretty accurate. However, the battery life sucks....It died 2 months ago (I bought it in May 2014). Changed the battery, and it still doesn't work. But I have a Smart Health HRM without a chest strap (wrist only) and it had the EXACT same readings as the Polar.
403245
I did not find the HRM to be bulky. I found he Sigma to be a really terrific cyclometer. I previously used cateye. I think this is a much better piece.
1476035
You have to check the options on the one you pick, but this one apparently comes with it. If you have had other Forerunners, the heart rate monitor strap seems to work well with any of them. It is another reason I like the 310 - the heart rate monitor is usually pretty good. But there is one big thing I have found and that is that if you wear clothes that have static or some certain fabrics, it won't work well, so you have to figure out what clothes don't interfere with it.
1166872
I honestly did not get to try it, but I think that same effect could be replicated by just knowing that is the target heart rate that you need to achieve to continue to the next set. I mean, how many people work out completely unaware of this heart monitor or this system. If the benefits were that great, we would see it in more fitness and health literature. My suggestion is: find out what your "ready for next set" heart rate is, and buy a FT60 and use it to monitor it on the exercise mode. You will save $70. Also, the relaxation test seems to be a gimmick and a joke.
542135
C.J.-- I like that this exercise bike has both contact pads on the handle-bars, as well as the POLAR chest strap Heart Rate Monitor (HRM). When I am just hopping on the bike while watching a little TV, the contact pads work well just to double check my levels. When I am going for a real workout, the chest strap is the way to go. I have other POLAR HRM products, and I never do an official workout without one of them. This included chest strap works with my POLAR Fitness Trainer, and I have found POLAR chest straps work with many commercial treadmills at the gym. It really is critical to know your HR, as perceived workload is rarely accurate and highly dependent upon mood & environment. If I am going to take the time to workout, I want to know that I am using my time effectively, and not slacking. Other times, when I just want some movement while watching TV or listening to a Podcast, I use the contact pads. Regarding the fan...I get really hot fairly fast during a workout. I find this fan sufficient. I wouldn't want something bigger or stronger that close to my face. I also want enough silence to hear my TV/Podcast in peace, not a hurricane in the face. If I wanted a larger fan (hasn't happened yet), I can put a tower fan several feet away. I didn't notice the problem with the custom workouts, because I set up 2 that I wanted anyway, as soon as I got the bike. Maybe you could use "Guest User" to get to the pre-programmed workouts? Oh, and make sure you have a pad, or something similarly protective & easy to clean under the machine, as sweating is part of an 85% HR workout. I haven't noticed any movement or vibration that could mark my hardwood floors, but I wouldn't want to discover it through scratches or indentations after-the-fact. I hope you end up loving your bike as much as I do.
1811313
Absolutely! I didn't do my homework leading to the purchase of my first Timex HRM. The second time around, I asked lots of questions, talked face to face with the sales dept in a local Dick's Sporting Goods. Same result. Know too that a coworker owns a Timex HRM and says it works fine. So maybe I'm using it wrong. For me, using the Timex HRM is not intuitive.
346418
Because it works perfectly with Polar products and Windows 7. I bought one, and it functions seamlessly. The Polar product is more expensive, and is reported to have problems with Windows 7 compatibility. I highly recommend this product for use with Polar products, and I'm really happy with how well it works with my Polar S610i watch.