Heart Rate Monitors!

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  • Fit4LifeJulie
    Fit4LifeJulie Posts: 16 Member
    I just got the Polar FT60 a few weeks ago and I love it. I really wanted the FT60 because it keeps track of the amount of energy (intensity) you spend on each workout. It will also break it down into three HR target zones so you know where you can improve. I do many of the same workout routines and it is nice to know that I am increasing my intensity for each workout. You can also get a GPS for it or the foot pod so if you are a runner it will keep track of time/distance as well as everything else. It’s also a nice looking watch so you can wear it all day. I got mine off eBay for $81.00 (Amazon has them for $151.00)
  • PayneAS
    PayneAS Posts: 669 Member
    I have the Polar FT7. I have not had it for long and don't use all my features. What makes it different from the FT4?

    Originally the difference was that the batteries in the FT7 were user changeable and the ones in the FT4 were not. I've read since then that they've upgraded the FT4 so that the batteries are user changeable so the difference between the two is probably just price.
    just checked the price for polar and garmin and they are a bit pricey.

    for a beginner, do you think a cheap HRM will still do the job?

    Unfortunately, good HRMs are normally $50+. But they are well worth the investment. And unless you manage to find one with a chest strap, the cheap ones aren't going to be accurate.
    I looked at several Polar devices, and the extra cost for the device to upload data to the computer, plus the lack of replaceable batteries in many of the straps (depending on model) seems consumer-unfriendly.

    I believe that all the Polars are updated so that you can change your own batteries now.

    Regarding the uplink, it isn't required. I stop my workout timer on my watch when I'm done and then use the MFP app on my phone to enter in the details right then and there. Sure, the uplink makes it easier (as does the FitBit uplink) but it wasn't a deal breaker for me. It is just another aspect of logging just like my food is.

    Edit; Couple of typos.
  • childrenrus
    childrenrus Posts: 55 Member
    Bump!
  • JoanB5
    JoanB5 Posts: 610 Member
    Good info. Thanks everyone. You really need to know what activities you like to do, --I run through six stop lights on every outside run, so the "auto-pause" feature is something I really want, and that narrows my choices down A LOT.

    Rainmaker DC has a comparison chart if you click on the right hand side of his blog so you can see the difference in features. He reviews Garmins, not Polars as far as I can tell. I've decoded what Garmin I'd like, now for the Polar comparisons. WHEW!

    Somebody has got to make this easier! And for women...geez, that makes it even more complex with running watch (size) if you want to occasionally have it on for HR during the day for other non-running activities. With as much technology as is currently available, it's a shame you have to pick and choose basic features and pick them apart quite so much.

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