Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor

Before settling on the Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor, I did a lot of research on the various types of HRM out there. I was looking for a HRM that wouldn't just give me my heart rate, but I also wanted a bit more features, but I didn't need a lot of features that the higher numbered FT models offered.

When I saw the FT7 model, I was surprised to see so little reviews or mentions of this model. I'm not sure why, maybe this is a newer model or Polar just prefers directing people to the more expensive models because I kept seeing numerous reviews for the F6 or F7, FT40, and FT60 models.

After comparing various Polar HRMs, I settled for the FT7 because it had all the features that I was looking for in a HRM.

Watch/HRM

- Monitors heart rates. I found the monitoring to be accurate except underwater. (I'll go into detail about that a bit later.)
- Counts Calories. The Calorie counter seems to be quite accurate. I have used it for...Read more

I am really pleased with this HR monitor watch. Being a woman, I wanted something sturdy yet not so big it dominated my arm. This fits the bill - very adjustable size wize (both the watch and the chest strap). I am average height, but carry most of my weight in my stomach. The chest strap fits very comfortably to me, and the new feature of being able to simply wet the cloth contacts is great (I was used to the old school hard plastic contacts).

According to the product information, you can actually wash the chest strap in the washer - haven't tried it yet.

Fairly easy to use once you get used to which button controls which feature. Advice - when you are setting the watch up for the first time, have the manual in front of you. I accidentally deleted my settings the first few times.

Using the watch while jogging and walking is very easy - the screen is much easier to read than other products I have tried. I was most interested in tracking heart...Read more

I've had the ft7 for maybe two weeks now, using it many times, since it is my first heart rate monitor. Overall, i think it is a good deal. It feels and looks like a high-quality instrument - solid, if not "flashy". It fits my wrists just fine and seems to have plenty of adjustment for larger wrists (I have fairly small wrists for a guy, at a "healthy" weight of 157 at 5'8", at age 40). I believe the watch band is anti-microbial (and anyway, has a cool yet subtle almost snakeskin kind of look to it). The band's connection to the watch seems quite integrated and sturdy, with the vertical thickness of the band being the same as the watch where the two meet. The watch's main body, while plenty large, does not dwarf my wrist or anything.

I understand that it is a fairly recent development for Polar that the chest strap and the watch will both take regular batteries, rather than having to order replacements from Polar. Certainly that is more convenient. Also as I...Read more