help please! which HRM to buy?

irjeffb

I've had the Polar FT7 for a while, and I love it. However, the FT4 is cheaper and the features aren't much different (primarily that it stores less workouts and can't sync to the website, which requires that you buy another component anyway).

As far as it spiking high when you first start working out. Yes, mine does that occasionally, but it doesn't stay there, so I don't consider it a real problem. I use mine about 3 or 4 times a week and I had to replace the battery in the transmitter (only a few $) after probably 8 months. The watch is still going strong on the original battery.

I do have "issues" with it at my gym. The equipment at my gym can sync with the Polar chest strap, but for some reason, that causes it to not register on my watch on most machines. On some, both the machine and the watch read it at the same time without issue.

If I were going to buy one today, one feature I'd like to have that this doesn't is the ability to look back at my heart rate over time for the whole workout. The FT7 will show maximum and average, but not plot it for the duration of the workout. Polar has a new chest strap that can connect to an iPhone via bluetooth AND connect to one of the watches. The advantage of that would be that an iPhone app could log the HR data over time, along with other date (e.g., speed and elevation in a running app).

fihealth

I've had the Polar FT7 for a while, and I love it. However, the FT4 is cheaper and the features aren't much different (primarily that it stores less workouts and can't sync to the website, which requires that you buy another component anyway).

As far as it spiking high when you first start working out. Yes, mine does that occasionally, but it doesn't stay there, so I don't consider it a real problem. I use mine about 3 or 4 times a week and I had to replace the battery in the transmitter (only a few $) after probably 8 months. The watch is still going strong on the original battery.

I do have "issues" with it at my gym. The equipment at my gym can sync with the Polar chest strap, but for some reason, that causes it to not register on my watch on most machines. On some, both the machine and the watch read it at the same time without issue.

If I were going to buy one today, one feature I'd like to have that this doesn't is the ability to look back at my heart rate over time for the whole workout. The FT7 will show maximum and average, but not plot it for the duration of the workout. Polar has a new chest strap that can connect to an iPhone via bluetooth AND connect to one of the watches. The advantage of that would be that an iPhone app could log the HR data over time, along with other date (e.g., speed and elevation in a running app).

Ah, very interesting! I would really like to plot HR throughout a workout too! My food-induced exercise anaphylaxis doesn't always trigger at the same HR and duration of HR is, I think, one of the factors, so would be great to see! Do you happen to know the name of the new band that also connects to the iPhone (or hopefully the iPad!)?

Many thanks!

fihealth

bumpety bump bump bumpety bump bump...

look at frosty go...

RaineMarie

I have the Polar FT4. I also have a Garmin with HRM, but to be honest I only ever use my Garmin when I run, and even then I dont use the HRM with it. I have had absolutely no problem with the FT4 for the other exercises I use it for. I've never seen my HR spike ridiculously on it or lose signal (my Garmin HRM used to lose signal all of the time which is why I rarely use it now). I will admit it that compared to the Garmin, the Polar FT4 looks cheaply made, but it works like a charm! And not that expensive on Amazon!

Kimmybean13

I have the Polar FT40 in green and it's uber cute and very useful.

kerriotto

I bought a Garmin FR 70 because it easily uploads to the web. I haven't received it yet so I'm hoping it works out!

jahilmer

This sounds like a ? for your doctor. Your monitor should be one of high quality and accurate due to your condition. Please only take advice from qualified listeners. JH

Saddlebags_R_Us

For the polar ft7 lovers, stupid question:

did you get the light screen or the black screen? i've heard complaints about visibility so which do you think is better?

i like the look of the black watch with red stripe best but the dark screen might be worse esp. since the backlight isn't very strong?

i really appreciate everyone's great tips!

To answer this question, the screen with the light background is much easier to see. I bought the dark background screen for my husband and we exchanged it as he had a hard time reading it. As for spiking and other issues, the only time that happened was when the battery started to die. Replaced the battery and no more problems. We've had our FT 7s for over a year and love them.

However if you're planning on running you may consider the Polar RC3 GPS. My husband bought me one for Christmas. It has GPS so you can see how far you've run as you're going. Also calculates your minutes per mile, etc. It plots your HR throughout the entire workout and you don't have to lug your phone around with you. It's more expensive, of course, but if you are or become a runner it is awesome. Here is a link to the in depth review http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/09/polar-rc3-integrated-gps-watch-in-depth.html

To sum up, I recommend the FT7 hands down. FT4 if you want to download your information manually. RC3 GPS if you're a runner. There are also gender specific versions of each model. The strap is narrower. I would get the women's version. Hope that helps.

Saddlebags_R_Us

I've had the Polar FT7 for a while, and I love it. However, the FT4 is cheaper and the features aren't much different (primarily that it stores less workouts and can't sync to the website, which requires that you buy another component anyway).

As far as it spiking high when you first start working out. Yes, mine does that occasionally, but it doesn't stay there, so I don't consider it a real problem. I use mine about 3 or 4 times a week and I had to replace the battery in the transmitter (only a few $) after probably 8 months. The watch is still going strong on the original battery.

I do have "issues" with it at my gym. The equipment at my gym can sync with the Polar chest strap, but for some reason, that causes it to not register on my watch on most machines. On some, both the machine and the watch read it at the same time without issue.

If I were going to buy one today, one feature I'd like to have that this doesn't is the ability to look back at my heart rate over time for the whole workout. The FT7 will show maximum and average, but not plot it for the duration of the workout. Polar has a new chest strap that can connect to an iPhone via bluetooth AND connect to one of the watches. The advantage of that would be that an iPhone app could log the HR data over time, along with other date (e.g., speed and elevation in a running app).

Ah, very interesting! I would really like to plot HR throughout a workout too! My food-induced exercise anaphylaxis doesn't always trigger at the same HR and duration of HR is, I think, one of the factors, so would be great to see! Do you happen to know the name of the new band that also connects to the iPhone (or hopefully the iPad!)?

Many thanks!

The Polar RC3 GPS I mentioned before plots HR throughout the entire workout.

delyn356

I have the Polar FT4 & I love it! But I've had it for awhile now...almost 10 months? And I think I need to replace the battery because there are a lot of times where it won't read my heart rate (will say at 00% for a bit, and then dramatically increase and go back to 0). I'm sure (well, hoping) that problem will be fixed when I change the battery. Other than that, it has the basic features I want (calories, "zone", time, pause, etc) & its easy to use.

jayne_mel

Love my polar FT4.

ShaniWulffe

Bump for later

fihealth

The reviews on amazon say the same thing, and even after battery and chest strap, and entire watch and strap replacements, customers had the same prob and are asking for a refund. Almost everyone's saying to go for polar but I'm nervous because of this issue with both ft4 and ft7! Any other ideas?

fihealth

I've had the Polar FT7 for a while, and I love it. However, the FT4 is cheaper and the features aren't much different (primarily that it stores less workouts and can't sync to the website, which requires that you buy another component anyway).

As far as it spiking high when you first start working out. Yes, mine does that occasionally, but it doesn't stay there, so I don't consider it a real problem. I use mine about 3 or 4 times a week and I had to replace the battery in the transmitter (only a few $) after probably 8 months. The watch is still going strong on the original battery.

I do have "issues" with it at my gym. The equipment at my gym can sync with the Polar chest strap, but for some reason, that causes it to not register on my watch on most machines. On some, both the machine and the watch read it at the same time without issue.

If I were going to buy one today, one feature I'd like to have that this doesn't is the ability to look back at my heart rate over time for the whole workout. The FT7 will show maximum and average, but not plot it for the duration of the workout. Polar has a new chest strap that can connect to an iPhone via bluetooth AND connect to one of the watches. The advantage of that would be that an iPhone app could log the HR data over time, along with other date (e.g., speed and elevation in a running app).

Ah, very interesting! I would really like to plot HR throughout a workout too! My food-induced exercise anaphylaxis doesn't always trigger at the same HR and duration of HR is, I think, one of the factors, so would be great to see! Do you happen to know the name of the new band that also connects to the iPhone (or hopefully the iPad!)?

Many thanks!

The Polar RC3 GPS I mentioned before plots HR throughout the entire workout.

Many thanks!!

ashlinmarie

I have a polar FT4 and it does everything I need and it was fairly cheap. I absolutely love it!

laneybird

LOVE my Polar FT4.. it has a chest strap and watch. Def great value too!

fihealth

This sounds like a ? for your doctor. Your monitor should be one of high quality and accurate due to your condition. Please only take advice from qualified listeners. JH

I agree, but I've spoken with the best specialists in the field, and their best advice was to just never exercise again!! And I took their advice for several years, stopping all sports competitions and any exercise for pleasure, and my thyroid became underactive, i gained lots of weight, and got high BP. I finally decided that I would rather die living a good life of vitality with exercise than live the rest of my life without exercise and die early anyway. Sadly the doctors are so afraid of liability, they refuse to recommend anything related to exercise for me. Thus my foray into MFP for advice! I've been exercising safely now for a few years (success story!) but never at the same intensity I used to, and would like to start going a bit harder, but because there is risk, I want a more accurate system for monitoring HR. I'm really great at listening to my body but this will help me to develop an even more nuanced approach.

Saddlebags_R_Us

You may want to check out Livestrong.com where you might find more qualified advice, perhaps even advice related to your condition. I've found it to be invaluable.