POLAR FT7 Heart Rate Monitor

I ordered the men's red and black Polar and I'm a woman. I liked the color better--the only difference (I spoke to a Polar rep regarding this btw) is that the strap is slightly wider and has more holes for a larger wrist. I have 6.5" wrists and this fits beautifully with plenty of room to make tighter if I wanted to without having any strap overhang. Great fit!I wanted a basic watch to calculate my calories accurately. I also wanted a watch that could record my workouts to see HR and calorie progression. This does just that--it has room to store your last 99 workouts (and if you wanted to pay to buy the Polar device, you could transfer the files to your computer---but it was more than the watch and I'm not that OCD.) It tells you your average and max heart rate, time of your workout, wether you were in fat or fitness burn and for how long and spent calories. But that's all this does! No pedometer, no GPS....that's for a much pricier model. Don't be discouraged by the black face and greenish LED readout. You can see it clear as day in a lit room, somewhat faded in the outside light and enough in the dark. It does have a backlight if you need to see it in dark situations. The strap fits beautifully and is adjustable. It's easy to put on and doesn't rub the skin. The clip attachment for the chest monitor is fine---mine has snapped off twice....and this is when it rolled up my sports bra or was slightly too tight. You will know immediately if it does fall off as your monitor on your watch will tell you to check your HRM. It doesn't bulge through your shirt---very discreet.My cons:The buttons are flimsy. If they touch your wrist at any pressure they will activate. This could do something simple like activate your monitor before you're ready or something annoying like stop your monitor so you have to reset it and not have one reading for the workout. This happens when you get sweaty---or if the watch is too tight----be careful to make sure you are still on the setting you want to be on whilst working out.The backlight could last longer--flashes on for a second.The beep is pointless---it is so inaudible that you cannot hear it in a quiet room let alone with headphones on or in a gym environment. Don't count on it---in fact don't even count it as a feature.Bottom line: Perfect for me if the buttons weren't so finicky. But I've learned the tricks and I haven't had too many issues---but do be warned. This watch is waterproof (not sure how deep). But you get what you pay for---again--the basics. The only real difference between this and the FT4 (cheaper model but looks the same) is that the latter only calculates 10 workouts for your records....worth the few extra bucks to get that data. Look, I had a Timex that was so problematic and hard to use and uncomfortable that I trashed it. Polar are the top guys in the HRM field---I WOULD recommend this watch for sure!

I absolutely LOVE this Heart Rate Monitor!! A bit of background: MANY Years ago, I began with the Polar FT1, & that served me Well, & I continue to consider the FT1 a Great HRM. About 3 years ago, I decided to "Upgrade" to the FT7 (which still works, Btw); Then recently, I just wanted to make sure my FT7 is in great condition, so I bought this 2nd FT7.If any of you are "on the fence" about using an HRM, I Very Much Encourage you to take the plunge. First of all, it will encourage you to work out, & to work out at the most effective intensity; Secondly, it will make your workouts EASIER!:: MOST people tend to drive themselves a lot Harder in their workouts than is beneficial (I Still do that!), & for this, an HRM lets you RELAX--knowing that your workout intensity remains in the ZONE that has the Greatest Fitness Benefit -- exactly for YOU.Polar's FT7 has been around a LONG time, which is why that company attempts to steer you to one of their more recent devices. I disagree with that because, in my opinion, the FT7 was the high-water mark of Polar's development, and until they come out with something dazzling, why try to improve upon Excellence? (Plus, it would only cost you more--with questionable benefit).I will close for now with 4 Brief Tips: •As you can see by the other reviews, limited battery-life is a primary complaint that people have about Heart Rate Monitors. I recommend that you attach the transmitter _JUST_ Before your workout; Then when you're done, DETACH the transmitter from the elastic strap & Dry the transmitter thoroughly with a paper towel -- A wet transmitter Continues to use the battery; •Secondly, Polar has made the 2 batteries on the FT7 replaceable for good reason!: Be prepared to replace them so your FT7 will provide a long, productive life; •Thirdly, for most people, the transmitter's signal works Fine when there's a damp contact with your skin; but seein's how I always tend to maximize everything, I like to increase the wetness of the contact by adding the inexpensive  Spectra 360 Electrode Gel - Parker Laboratories - 8.5 oz Tube - (Pack of 3)  "Spectra Gel." •And 4thly, As Noted in other comments, the FT7's Strap can inconveniently unhook at times. Here's an Easy Solution:: I just added a few stitches--attaching the ends, & now I put it on over my head; Works _Perfectly_! :) {Just restitch if it eventually loosens a bit.}My main workouts consist of just starting to jog on whatever street I happen to find myself ... but note also that if you are wearing the FT7 transmitter at a gym, the machines there will automatically & accurately display your heart rate! Totally Cool!Well, that's all I can think of at the moment; I'll add an update if I think of one.If you have a question or comment, please leave it in the comments section & I will be happy to respond! Cheers! Chuck

No3 !

First off i'd like to say that i thought the watch would be bigger. the picture in the description is a little deceiving. Other than that this is a great product for anybody who is serious about their workouts.Only flaws is that for similar watches in its categories (example TIMEX Ironman) it lacks a lot of KEY functionsFor example, there is no timer function. As a guy who likes to time his rest period between his sets, ( or as another example doing a plank) i find this rather annoying.Another thing that bugs me is the transmission distance between the chest strap and the watch seems fairly small. Using the plank example again, due to the lack of timer function i like to take the watch off and hold it in my hands while planking or putting it down in front of me so i can see the time. It seems to lose signal somewhere between a 3-4 foot range.Other than these 2 flaws, for me anyway, this is a great product. It can store up to 40 data files i believe and it breaks down ur workouts by week or total since X date so you can compare the volume of exercise per week or see the sum ( total calories, sessions, and total amount of time).Also, this watch is exteremly well built and sturdy. Polar must've gotten these manufactured by the same company who manufactures Nokia phones cuz it seems unbreakable. It never leaves my wrist. I shower with it, work with it, wash dishes, go swimming with it, etc. and it still works as good as the day i took it out of the box.Speaking of swimming, I tried to use it while doing laps. It was a pure and utter fail. Although it is water resistant and can be used for swimming as it says in the manual, i highly do not recommend it. The transmitter will still transmit the heart rate data even in the water, its just the design of the strap itself is what makes it annoying to swim with it. The elasticity of the strap combined with the bulky chest transmitter you attach to it makes the strap flip on itself as you move forward in the water once you start going at a decent speed, causing the transmission of heart rate to stop.

Great Product! I had one issue where it stopped working mid-workout but I took it off, re-wet it and put it back on and it started up again. Other then that, it's a great indicator of calories burned and whether you're in fat-burning or cardio zones. I forget I'm even wearing the chest strap half the time, don't even feel it! Was shipped quickly also! Others have complained about not being able to read the screen in certain settings but I haven't had that issue yet and I've used it in well light and dark lit rooms as well as outside!

I had purchased a Polar FT7 at Dick's Sporting Goods when I was in the states last year and it worked perfectly for 11 months straight, then I noticed that it began to give me erractic heart rates or was just not reading them at all. I saw this one online and it was 70.00 cheaper than if I had purchased another one here in Canada so it seemed to be a no brainer. So far it works just as well as my old one did. I have replaced the battery and washed my old one and it seems to be working again, but as I use this almost everyday it's nice to have a backup.

I'm very happy with my Polar FT7. It seems very accurate. The one thing I do not like is the chest strap. My old Polar f4 had a molded chest strap where the strap was all one piece. This one is two pieces, an elastic band with a oval shaped thing that snaps onto it. My issue with the strap is that the hook that closes it digs into me or comes undone after wearing it for a while. I prefer the old strap but unfortunaltey it doesn't work with the new watch.