Polar FT4

WarmDontBurn
WarmDontBurn Posts: 1,253 Member
edited September 22 in Fitness and Exercise
My F7 strap is garbage and I am lost without my HRM :cry:
If I replace just the strap it would cost around $60. I just purchased a FT4 on ebay for $58.00!! I am going to see my F7 (just the watch) since it is of no use to me. I did like it a lot though and maybe one day the chest straps won't be so much.
I am so excited about the new one but won't get it until Feb. 4th.

I am not sure how much they differ or if the do by much. Does anyone have experience with either model? I know I had BIG issues setting my F7 up because it was giving me crazy amounts of calories burned. It was based on the V02 max and after several post and discussions with polar I think I got it set right. Since I have lost almost 30lbs since getting the first one I will re-evaluate with the new one.

Please post any helpful tips or experiences with this model.

Replies

  • Chenoachem
    Chenoachem Posts: 1,758 Member
    I am not sure where you looked but a replacement polar chest strap is only $18 on amazon.com. I had to replace mine some time back with no problem.

    Good Luck with your new watch.
  • MissAnjy
    MissAnjy Posts: 2,480 Member
    I have a polar ft4, it's very user friendly (IMO) I absolutely love it.
  • luv2ash
    luv2ash Posts: 1,903 Member
    I received an FT4 for Christmas and so far I really enjoy having it and cannot believe I did not know this information before. It really is valuable to know all this information. Turns out I was probably not in zone while I was riding the bike before, and now I know when and how to stay in zone. I thought I would not like the chest strap, but it is pretty comfortable and I forget I have it on. Hope that helps.
  • silveryflutterby
    silveryflutterby Posts: 335
    I have the Polar FT4 and I like it. It is my first real HRM though. I love that it tells the calories burned. This model doesn't have the option to change the VO2 thing, though. You just enter your height and weight and sex. I get higher numbers than on MFP, but my heart rate does get pretty high, so I think it might be right. No way to really know for sure I guess. I would like to know how your numbers compare to your other HRM, though, because I have been wondering how accurate it is after seeing people talk about the VO2 thing. Hopefully you like it. :)
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I have the Polar FT4 and I like it. It is my first real HRM though. I love that it tells the calories burned. This model doesn't have the option to change the VO2 thing, though. You just enter your height and weight and sex. I get higher numbers than on MFP, but my heart rate does get pretty high, so I think it might be right. No way to really know for sure I guess. I would like to know how your numbers compare to your other HRM, though, because I have been wondering how accurate it is after seeing people talk about the VO2 thing. Hopefully you like it. :)

    Manual input of VO2max is nice, but getting the maximum HR closer to reality is even more important for the average exerciser. If you are getting high numbers and you say your heart rate gets "pretty high",

    Assuming that your resting heart rate is between 60 and 80, a 70% effort using the HR reserve method would put you at a heart rate of roughly 154-162. 70% is a good effort--not easy, but not overly stressful. Using the old Borg RPE scale cues of "Light", "Fairly Light", "Somewhat Hard", or "Hard", I would put a 70% effort in the "Somewhat Hard" category.

    Try doing a steady-state workout on a treadmill and get to an effort that feels "Somewhat Hard". Note your heart rate after 5-6 min. If you are substantially above that 154-162 range, then I would bump up you max HR setting. You can manually change that in the FT4. Right now it's probably set at 194 (220-age) or thereabouts. Try increasing it to 205-210 and that would improve the accuracy of your calorie estimates (unfortunately it will bring them lower as well).

    Just something to look at.
  • WarmDontBurn
    WarmDontBurn Posts: 1,253 Member
    I am not sure where you looked but a replacement polar chest strap is only $18 on amazon.com. I had to replace mine some time back with no problem.

    Good Luck with your new watch.

    I found this : http://www.amazon.com/PolarDiscount-wl-xxxl-Polar-Wearlink-M-XL/dp/B000Q4RFR6/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1294421308&sr=8-14

    Please share the link of the $18 one though!!


    Azdak: I believe you are the one that helped me when I first got my HRM. My resting HR is around 85-100 bpm. I have been doing EA Sports 2 with a HRM ( I know not THAT accurate) and my Max gets up to 160-180. I am pretty sure on my F7 it was set to 205. I really don't care if I burn lower claories as long as they are accurate. I would rather under estimate then over, I am a numbers girl :wink:
  • binary_jester
    binary_jester Posts: 3,311 Member
    I have the Polar FT4 and I like it. It is my first real HRM though. I love that it tells the calories burned. This model doesn't have the option to change the VO2 thing, though. You just enter your height and weight and sex. I get higher numbers than on MFP, but my heart rate does get pretty high, so I think it might be right. No way to really know for sure I guess. I would like to know how your numbers compare to your other HRM, though, because I have been wondering how accurate it is after seeing people talk about the VO2 thing. Hopefully you like it. :)

    Manual input of VO2max is nice, but getting the maximum HR closer to reality is even more important for the average exerciser. If you are getting high numbers and you say your heart rate gets "pretty high",

    Assuming that your resting heart rate is between 60 and 80, a 70% effort using the HR reserve method would put you at a heart rate of roughly 154-162. 70% is a good effort--not easy, but not overly stressful. Using the old Borg RPE scale cues of "Light", "Fairly Light", "Somewhat Hard", or "Hard", I would put a 70% effort in the "Somewhat Hard" category.

    Try doing a steady-state workout on a treadmill and get to an effort that feels "Somewhat Hard". Note your heart rate after 5-6 min. If you are substantially above that 154-162 range, then I would bump up you max HR setting. You can manually change that in the FT4. Right now it's probably set at 194 (220-age) or thereabouts. Try increasing it to 205-210 and that would improve the accuracy of your calorie estimates (unfortunately it will bring them lower as well).

    Just something to look at.
    Noting for later. Thanks for the excellent information.
  • IamRoJ
    IamRoJ Posts: 530 Member
    Beware buying HRM on ebay - I recently got a FA20 - labelled new, etc. After wearing it for a week, I found it had someone else's data in it,so definitely not new, and I can't return it. Grrrrrrrrr! And worse, I don't think it works as well. Think I may opt for a strapped one again
  • rabbit45
    rabbit45 Posts: 36
    I have the FT4 and I love it so far. I was kind of bummed when I found out it doesn't let me change VO2 max, but I think the calories burned read-out is pretty accurate. It is usually WAY lower than the elipitical machine tells me - even by as much as half when I'm getting not that heart rate up.
  • WarmDontBurn
    WarmDontBurn Posts: 1,253 Member
    Beware buying HRM on ebay - I recently got a FA20 - labelled new, etc. After wearing it for a week, I found it had someone else's data in it,so definitely not new, and I can't return it. Grrrrrrrrr! And worse, I don't think it works as well. Think I may opt for a strapped one again

    I do get nervous when I buy anything from ebay. My first HRM the F7 was bought used off ebay and I didn't buy it that long ago...I may search on here for my old posts just to see when I actually got it. The one I just bought is brand new in the box and the seller had sold 7 already...I think $56.00 is a good price for it brand new in box. I guess time will tell :smile:

    ETA: It was 5 months ago! Now I am sad because it didn't last long at all and I am pretty sure I paid more then I should have for it!
  • Chenoachem
    Chenoachem Posts: 1,758 Member
    I am not sure where you looked but a replacement polar chest strap is only $18 on amazon.com. I had to replace mine some time back with no problem.

    Good Luck with your new watch.

    I found this : http://www.amazon.com/PolarDiscount-wl-xxxl-Polar-Wearlink-M-XL/dp/B000Q4RFR6/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1294421308&sr=8-14

    Please share the link of the $18 one though!!

    http://www.amazon.com/Polar-WearLink-Replacement-Strap-Medium-XX-Large/dp/B000F7F64I/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1294426364&sr=1-1

    You can replace the battery on the plastic wear link and it might do the trick. Polar repair costs are also cheaper than the $55 link you showed.
  • WarmDontBurn
    WarmDontBurn Posts: 1,253 Member
    I am not sure where you looked but a replacement polar chest strap is only $18 on amazon.com. I had to replace mine some time back with no problem.

    Good Luck with your new watch.

    I found this : http://www.amazon.com/PolarDiscount-wl-xxxl-Polar-Wearlink-M-XL/dp/B000Q4RFR6/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1294421308&sr=8-14

    Please share the link of the $18 one though!!

    http://www.amazon.com/Polar-WearLink-Replacement-Strap-Medium-XX-Large/dp/B000F7F64I/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1294426364&sr=1-1

    You can replace the battery on the plastic wear link and it might do the trick. Polar repair costs are also cheaper than the $55 link you showed.

    That is just the strap though I need the whole shabang! I had the older T31 coded and the battery couldn't be changed. I am in Canada also so I am sure that matters in regards to shipping, exchange...etc.

    Thanks though:flowerforyou:
  • bikerbiz
    bikerbiz Posts: 179 Member
    I was just looking at the different Polar options--the FA20 does NOT have an HRM...it only records movement from the built in accelerometer (like a pedometer)...
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