Polar HRM - FT4 vs FT7

Famzav8

Of those of you who have tried these - what is the difference between the two models and what are your recommendations? A store in my town has them on sale right now and I'm getting tempted........

harley0269

im not real sure, but i do know this: the ft4 you have to send back to the manufacture to have the batteries changed & the ft7 you can change the batteries yourself. i bought the ft7 & i LOVE it!!

evandmegsmom

Replying so I can see people's answers. I just ordered the ft4 myself.

Angela4Health

I have the Polar FT4 and love it. You just have more options on the FT7 but other than that they both work equally GREAT! :happy:

cathcakey

I have the FT4 and have found it does everything I want it to. The new model has the detachable computer from the chest strap, so the batteries are changeable, you don't have to send it back to the manufacturer. I didn't think it was worth the extra money for the FT7

evandmegsmom

ps...The description for the ft4 I bought says it IS a user-replaceable battery.

satch45

The FT4 needs to be sent to the manufacturer for a battery replacement. The FT7 gives you the option to change the battery yourself.

-Russ

CandeesLand

I have the FT7. I did some comparing, when I initially was looking for one, at polarusa.com The FT4 has a few less features and is a little less expensive, but for basic heart rate monitoring and calories burned they are pretty much the same, I only got the FT7 because I wanted a red one.

W0zzie

Is the 4 water proof/resistant? I have a feeling that might be another difference - but as general consensus here I don't know of anyone that has either and has been unhappy. I have the 7 & it's been brilliant.

skramer13

I must have a newer FT4 - I have the option to change the battery myself. Also, the packaging and user manual says it's water resistant; you can use it in the water, you just can't push any buttons while you're doing so lest the water get in that way.

BradNC

I have a newer FT4 (about 2 months). User replaceable batteries and waterproof to about 90ft (30m is the claim I believe). I scuba dive with it and it hasn't hiccuped yet (only to about 85ft). In my opinion, the FT7 just isn't worth the extra $.

Guess I shoulda done a bit more research, but I'm kind of miffed that the cable to download actual information off of them are so freaking expensive. I'd love to correlate heart rate with depth - but for that amount of money I guess I'm not that interested

addman72

I was told when I bought mine that on the FT7 you can save data more times. I have the FT4 and you can save it 10 times , the FT7 I think he said 30 times. I got told that was the only difference..

Famzav8

Thanks for all the awesome info everyone!!