Heart rate monitors

hi have just got one its the ft7 polar it was 69 pound .i used it at the gym for first today its very good .take a look on polar heart monitor.com

What are the differences between the FT4 and the FT7?

I've heard that some polar models you can't change the battery yourself and that they don't last very long.

If I recall correctly from the research I did when I purchased mine, you cannot change the battery yourself on the FT4, but I know you can on the FT7 (I've done it). As to how long they last, it really depends on well you take care of it. The main issue is keeping the strap clean. It needs to be rinsed after each use and washed inside a laundry pouch in the washing machine probably once a week (or every other week, depending on how often you use it). If it gets a lot of oil and dirt built up on it from not being properly cleaned, it will stop working.

I also recommend a polar. I have the ft4, but I dont think you can go wrong with any model polar.

You can change the battery on both. Only the older models required to be sent back.

I have the Ironman Roadtrainer and I loved it, but for Christmas the other day my parents got me the Polar ft7 and I must say it is much more user friendly and I absolutely LOVE it! I think my Ironman might have been overestimating my burns, because there is like a 200-300 calorie burn difference between the two watches. I would highly recommend Polar. Plus I love that I can change the battery in this watch myself.

I have the Timex Ironman Roadtrainer. I wonder if my calorie burnes have been overestimated? (Putting down the hostess twinkie now...)

Has anyone ever had any trouble with the ft7 not picking up a heart rate? I've not got it yet, but just wondering.

Typically, when my FT7 can't read my heart rate, it's because I haven't thoroughly cleaned the strap in a while or because it needs to be worn tighter against my skin. I also do some exercises during which I can't wear the watch on my wrist and have to put it in a pocket, and on rare occasions, the watch will fail to pick up the signal from the transmitter because of that.

What are the differences between the FT4 and the FT7?

I've heard that some polar models you can't change the battery yourself and that they don't last very long.

If I recall correctly from the research I did when I purchased mine, you cannot change the battery yourself on the FT4, but I know you can on the FT7 (I've done it). As to how long they last, it really depends on well you take care of it. The main issue is keeping the strap clean. It needs to be rinsed after each use and washed inside a laundry pouch in the washing machine probably once a week (or every other week, depending on how often you use it). If it gets a lot of oil and dirt built up on it from not being properly cleaned, it will stop working.

You CAN change the battery on the FT4 watch and chest strap. The FT4 is safe to use in the swimming pool; water resistant to 30m both strap and watch.

Can't speak for the FT7.

You can get most of these on eBay - I am about to list my FT4 on eBay.

Where would a person get a pouch to wash the strap in?

I use one that I got from Victoria's Secret that I was bras in. There is probably nothing wrong with just tossing it in with your laundry, but the manual says to use a pouch. The main reason I do is because I don't want the hook on the strap to tear a hole in my clothing or get hung on anything inside the washing machine.