Polar FT4 or FT7

starsandsass

Just wanting some personal experience with either of these models. I can't decide between the two, if you own one do you love it? Why or why not?

Alternatively does anyone have any recommendations for mother brands?

Thanks!

Rodderick89

Sorry, I don't own either but I too am looking at both so bumping - fingers crossed for some responses!

starsandsass

:-) I think I'm leaning towards the FT7 but I'm not yet convinced it offers a whole more for the higher price point...

Yaxomoxay

I got the FT4. It does more than enough for me.
Got it from bodytronics, it's discounted there (33% or so), free shipping.
In addition if you use the coupon "POPO" until it lasts you get an extra discount!!

I record my training info on Polar's personal trainer website.

starsandsass

Thanks! I'm 58kg, 5,5 and wanna get to a more toned weight. I think one of these will help me stay accountable and more motivated to push myself :-)

starsandsass

Anyone else?

F1uffy123

I have the FT7, black and gold one.

I love it!

I bought it 2 years ago and its still going strong.

What I love about it;

It has user changeable batteries which is quite rare with Polar, most have to be sent back to do this. Ive only just had to change the batteries in the heart monitor and watch and it cost me £4!

The heart strap is very comfortable, adjustable and easy to clean (the heart reciever pops off for a better clean to the strap).

I dont feel the strap under my sports bra when its on and im working out.

Interface and options are so easy to use.

Once set up, litterally 1 button to start / stop work out.

Keeps an internal record of all of your workouts giving daily/weekly totals.

Clear visual display of 'fat burn' and 'fitness' HR zones.

HR alarm if your HR drops too low or goes to high.

Can wear it swimming (just dont push the buttons while under water)

Hope this helps but happy to answer any other questions

dawnna76

I have the FT7, black and gold one.

I love it!

I bought it 2 years ago and its still going strong.

What I love about it;

It has user changeable batteries which is quite rare with Polar, most have to be sent back to do this. Ive only just had to change the batteries in the heart monitor and watch and it cost me £4!

The heart strap is very comfortable, adjustable and easy to clean (the heart reciever pops off for a better clean to the strap).

I dont feel the strap under my sports bra when its on and im working out.

Interface and options are so easy to use.

Once set up, litterally 1 button to start / stop work out.

Keeps an internal record of all of your workouts giving daily/weekly totals.

Clear visual display of 'fat burn' and 'fitness' HR zones.

HR alarm if your HR drops too low or goes to high.

Can wear it swimming (just dont push the buttons while under water)

Hope this helps but happy to answer any other questions

I have the ft4 and all this is true for me also. Save the cash and get the 4

starsandsass

I have the FT7, black and gold one.

I love it!

I bought it 2 years ago and its still going strong.

What I love about it;

It has user changeable batteries which is quite rare with Polar, most have to be sent back to do this. Ive only just had to change the batteries in the heart monitor and watch and it cost me £4!

The heart strap is very comfortable, adjustable and easy to clean (the heart reciever pops off for a better clean to the strap).

I dont feel the strap under my sports bra when its on and im working out.

Interface and options are so easy to use.

Once set up, litterally 1 button to start / stop work out.

Keeps an internal record of all of your workouts giving daily/weekly totals.

Clear visual display of 'fat burn' and 'fitness' HR zones.

HR alarm if your HR drops too low or goes to high.

Can wear it swimming (just dont push the buttons while under water)

Hope this helps but happy to answer any other questions

I have the ft4 and all this is true for me also. Save the cash and get the 4

Haha I read the first comment and though "SOLD!" and then proceeded to read the second and now I'm undecided again haha! I'm a marketing student so I should know better then "oh, the expensive model MUST be better" and yet, for this, I can't quite get past there.

Thanks for your response ladies!!

Guamybear

I have the FT7 but think the would have worked for me..I don't really use the extra features that the FT7has.

deniseblossoms

I have the FT4, love it! Easy to use and set up. Easy to change settings on watch as the weight drops. It communicates with whatever machine I'm on to display my HR. I'm really excited to use it when the weather gets a bit nicer to use on my bike. The chest strap is also very comfortable and easy to care for.

nitag

I just ordered the FT4 off amazon for $5! Couldn't beat te price.....never used one, but the deciding factor for me was the price!

starsandsass

I have the FT7 but think the would have worked for me..I don't really use the extra features that the FT7has.

What are these extra features? I'm not really after much more than calories expenditure and perhaps the workout log.

Mokey41

I have the FT4 women's model, I've had it 2 years, changed the watch battery once myself. No issues, tracks everything I need to know. A good buy in my opinion.

starsandsass

I just ordered the FT4 off amazon for $5! Couldn't beat te price.....never used one, but the deciding factor for me was the price!

WOW! Good find!!

I have the FT4, love it! Easy to use and set up. Easy to change settings on watch as the weight drops. It communicates with whatever machine I'm on to display my HR. I'm really excited to use it when the weather gets a bit nicer to use on my bike. The chest strap is also very comfortable and easy to care for.

Ok, I think I'm sold on the FT4! Now just to decide on the colour haha Thanks everyone!

ChrissyC1985

i have the FT4 and love it, like previous responders have said, it is brilliant and easy to use, the belt and transmitter are really simple to put on and actually comfy- they don't rub and i forget i am wearing it!

also as has been said before, settings really simple to change and all that stuff.
the 4 is my recommendation.

minsch

I just ordered the FT4 off amazon for $5! Couldn't beat te price.....never used one, but the deciding factor for me was the price!

Really? I have been looking on Amazon for several days now and have never seen it cheap like that.....where did you find it?

MIM49

I just ordered the FT4 off amazon for $5! Couldn't beat te price.....never used one, but the deciding factor for me was the price!

$5--as in five dollars?? Is this correct? Can you post the link?

cordianet

I have an FT7 and my wife has an FT4. Both seem to work great and the feature differences really don't amount to much. What we both care about, and what I imagine most of the folks on this site care about, is how many calories we burned. Both do that just fine. The only thing I will say is that they have different chest strap designs, and I personally think the design of the FT7 is superior. It seems like it will be easier to keep clean and is a bit more sturdy. That said, we've only had them 4-5 months so it's too early to tell if there are any long term issues with either strap design.

F1uffy123

Ive just refreshed my memory on the differences between the 2.

Theres not a lot between them!!

I cant remember what swayed me at the time, may have been on offer (price wise).

If I was to buy again today, even though I love my FT7, due to the very little differences between the 2, I would go for the FT4 if that is cheaper.

Rodderick89

Thanks for everyone's replies - and to OP for putting this up originally! Silly question, but can the heart rate alarm be turned off? I'm still pretty unfit and think I'd be really embarrassed if an alarm blared at me everytime my HR went over the "limit" whilst on the treadmill or something!!

F1uffy123

Thanks for everyone's replies - and to OP for putting this up originally! Silly question, but can the heart rate alarm be turned off? I'm still pretty unfit and think I'd be really embarrassed if an alarm blared at me everytime my HR went over the "limit" whilst on the treadmill or something!!

Yes with the FT7 you can turn the HR zone alarm off

Can't comment on the FT4

dawnna76

Thanks for everyone's replies - and to OP for putting this up originally! Silly question, but can the heart rate alarm be turned off? I'm still pretty unfit and think I'd be really embarrassed if an alarm blared at me everytime my HR went over the "limit" whilst on the treadmill or something!!

Yes, the ft4 can be silenced

Guamybear

The Ft7.. holds more files, it tells you when you are in fat burning zone vs fitness zone and with an optional cable you can upload files to the polar website.

On the FT7 so you can silence it..not sure about the Ft4 though.

For_the_Last_Time

http://www.sears.com/polar-ft4-female-fitness-computer/p-00614450000P

Just thought I would share 42.74 at sears.

bookworm_847

Thanks for everyone's replies and to the OP for asking this! I need to replace the one I have currently.

The FT4 sounds like a winner.

LizardQueen4PointOh

I just went through the same debate with myself. I opted for the FT4 and it is in the mail as we speak! I got the Bronze one and can't wait to test it out!

Rodderick89

Thanks for so many replies - one more question I just thought of - I personally want a HRM to use when weight lifting and when in the gym - are either the FT4 or FT7 compatible with gym equipment? I've heard of some HRMs interfered by the machines and not working properly?

BecomingElle

Ordered the women's pink/purple FT4 last week and cannot wait for it to arrive!

It'll be my first HRM and I chose it for it's price and quality...a read a LOT or reviews that recommended the Polar brand for calorie-accuracy (and I honestly love the look of it, not gonna lie).

I didn't see the point in getting the FT7 as the only major differences were that it stored more workouts (not important to me) and you could upload the data to your computer or online or something (a feature I would never realistically use - and could probably do myself).

I have heard that both Polars connect to machine equipment but I'm not quote sure

BigG1978

I just got myself an RS100 after looking through all of the variants and have to say I'm happy with it.

Only used it a couple of times but it really does focus you to train within the boundaries depending on what you want to get from your sessions. I'm looking to burn excess fat at the moment and then start the push for real fitness gains, previously without one I would have just gone hell for leather at running and cycling but with this bit of kit I can ensure I am working at the required level - which is at an easier pace than I imagined at the mo!

Anyhow, great addiiton to anyone wanting to shed pounds or get fitter - well worth the investment.

Hope this helps (one way or the other!!)

dawnna76

Thanks for so many replies - one more question I just thought of - I personally want a HRM to use when weight lifting and when in the gym - are either the FT4 or FT7 compatible with gym equipment? I've heard of some HRMs interfered by the machines and not working properly?

They oth are compatible with equipment set to read hrm's but using while fitting is not going to give your accurate account for calories counting wise. They are meant to be worn during aerobic activity and not lifting.