Polar FT4--Reviews Anyone?

i have the ft4 and i LOVE it! just bought it the other day.

I have it and love it.

Easy to use and keeps data files for you which is nice if you work out more then once a day, the strap is comfortable as well.

I'd say go for it!!

I have one and i absolutely love it. Id be lost without it.

I love mine. Had it since August. Be sure to follow the directions for cleaning it. I wasn't very good about it and it started acting up on me and I'm pretty sure it was because I had let too much sweat dry on it. Be sure to rinse the band right away after each workout and then at least once a week do a better wash. Since I started making sure to do that all the time, issues have stopped.

Can any of you folks let me know if the strap on the FT4 is adjustable enough to fit really big chests?

Can any of you folks let me know if the strap on the FT4 is adjustable enough to fit really big chests?

They make different strap sizes Also, it goes UNDER your chest (just below your breasts) and not actually around them, if that helps!

I'm sure they have the strap measurement sizes on their website (at least that would seem practical). You could see if they would work for your measurements.

I've had mine for two plus years and I absolutely love it. I swim with it, I ride, I run, etc. It's the best. I've not had to change anything but the size of the strap....

I have the Polar FT7. It came with a M-XXL chest strap, which is for chests 27''- 60''. The only other chest strap you can get from them is a XS-S, for chests 21"-38". The M-XXL one comes with all the guy HRMs (just make sure if/when you buy one that it is the FT4M, not the FT4F). And even then, I think some of the F versions comes with a M-XXL strap as well.

I love my FT7.

can I asked the person who posted about cleaning it correctly-what do you clean it with? Mine has stopped working, maybe that will help.

You are supposed to clean it after every 5 uses and rinse it after EVERY use.

See the online polar user manual that the hardcopy booklet you get references.

NOTE: This is for the FT7. It is unclear what model you are referencing. However, I believe there is an online manual for the FT4 as well.

http://www.polar.fi/e_manuals/FT7/Polar_FT7_user_manual_English/Polar_FT7_user_manual_EN.pdf

"Caring for Your FT7 Training Computer
Training computer: Clean with a mild soap and water solution, dry with towel. Do not press buttons under
water. Never use alcohol or any abrasive material (steel wool or cleaning chemicals). Keep in a cool and
dry place. Do not store in a damp environment, in non-breathable material (a plastic bag or a sports bag)
nor with conductive material (a wet towel). Do not expose to direct sunlight for extended periods.
Washing Instructions for WearLink+ Transmitter
WearLink+ transmitter: Detach the transmitter connector from the strap and rinse the strap under running
water after every use. Dry the connector with a soft towel. Never use alcohol or any abrasive material (steel
wool or cleaning chemicals).
Wash the strap regularly in a washing machine at 40ºC/104ºF or at least after every fifth use. This ensures
reliable measurement and maximizes the life span of the transmitter. Use a washing pouch. Do not soak,
spin-dry, iron, dry clean or bleach the strap. Do not use detergent with bleach or fabric softener. Never put
the transmitter connector in the washing machine or drier!
Dry and store the strap and the transmitter connector separately to maximize the transmitter battery
lifetime. Wash the strap in a washing machine before long-term storage and always after use in pool water
with high chlorine content."

I'm researching HRMs as well but I only see the FT4 in the watch form. Is there a choice between chest strap or wrist (watch)? Is one more accurate than others?

Thanks!

The watch is paired with a chest strap. The watch is a computer device that reads the signal sent out by the transmitter, which is attached to the chest strap that has contact points to pick up your heart rate. You want a chest strap as it is more accurate. The FT4 fits this criteria.

How accurate is it about calorie counting?
I have a Timex and I hate it! It always overestimates soooo much that it's unrealistic.
For example, my treadmill said I burned 325 cals in 45 min.
My Timex HRM, said I burned 677 cals! Yeah right! I wish!
I tried wearing it for an hour doing nothing (just sitting on the couch watching TV) and it said I burned 200 cals.
Like if I burn 4800 cals per day!

As anyone tried to wear their Polar FT4 for an hour watching TV just to see the results?

Love my Polar F4 ! Best thing since sliced bread ! Ha !

It's easy.

It's peasy.

It's lemon squeazy.

You can't go wrong

How accurate is it about calorie counting?
I have a Timex and I hate it! It always overestimates soooo much that it's unrealistic.
For example, my treadmill said I burned 325 cals in 45 min.
My Timex HRM, said I burned 677 cals! Yeah right! I wish!
I tried wearing it for an hour doing nothing (just sitting on the couch watching TV) and it said I burned 200 cals.
Like if I burn 4800 cals per day!

As anyone tried to wear their Polar FT4 for an hour watching TV just to see the results?

No HRM will be accurate outside a zone of about 90-150. The formula's break down badly outside that range.
As you confirmed. The Polar will do that too though.

The Polar, and some others, can be more accurate on the calorie count because they ask for more stats, making the calc's more accurate.

Gender, age, weight, MHR, VO2 max are needed to be as accurate as you will get. Which for women is still possible 13% off sadly.

If you don't enter known measured estimated MHR or VO2max, those are calculated for you based on age. For women, that means up at 33% off now.

Oh, those % off is for Polar HRM in a study, others may be similar or worse.

And the Polar watch function to measure VO2max is no where near accurate. And the MHR calc for women has a very wide bell curve for accuracy in general.

But it seems to be the best out there.