Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Red Chili) Reviews

• Polar F11 - Monitors your heartbeat and so much more

  
  By A1P4F6HIXU6WYE on 2005-05-06
  When the transmitter on my old Polar "Smart Beat" started to fail, I had a choice of replacing the transmitter or buying a new monitor. I had never cared for the Smart Beat. The buttons were hard to push, features hard to figure out and the transmitter bulky, so I opted to purchase a new monitor.
  
  The "Smart Beat" was so frustrating to use, that I considered buying just a simple beat and calorie heartrate monitor. But as one who loves the bells and whistles, I thought I would try a more advanced model. If it was as frustraing as my old monitor I would send it back and get a simple one.
  
  Deciding on a heartrate monitor is difficult. I knew I wanted another Polar because of their reputation for quality but which one. Polar makes a ton of monitors. After examining different ones I decided the F-11 would offer me some nice features and meet my needs without being too complicated.
  
  The F-11 has won Polar a number of awards for innovation. The reason is the "Keep U Fit" program. With this progam you input your stats, take a fitness test (which is basically a timed measure of your resting heart rate) and the F-ll will tell you how fit you are. Next you tell the F-11 if you want to improve, maintain or maximize your fitness level. The F-11 then creates a weekly fitness plan for you. It tells you how many hours you should exercise, and how long you should be at each of your heart rate intensity levels. If you succeed you are awarded a digital gold cup - cute huh! If you don't want to follow the program you can just do a regular exercise session.
  
  The F-11 has a lot of great features. It will tell you calories burned, time in exercise and more. You can even pause your exercise session should you need to take a quick break to answer the phone, drink some water or do something else. You can also turn the audible sound off or on to let you know when you are "in" or "out" of your heartrate zone.
  
  The nicest thing about this Polar is it is easy to use. Digital images tell you when you are using the features. For example "Exercise" mode has a little image of a man. "Settings" mode has a view of gears. It will take a while to get used to the features but once you do the visual cues (which were not on my old Polar) will help you to remember whats what.
  
  The F-11 looks like a large oversized watch. It comes in two colors Grey Pepper and Red Chili. I thought the red color was cute but it's so oversized it was a bit gaudy on my wrist so I went with the grey.
  
  The transmitter on the F-11 is much smaller than that on older models. This transmitter is about 1/2 the size of a deck of cards and the electrodes are in a soft strap which is washable.
  The strap is sized to fit M-XXL but as a medium woman I thought it was on the smaller size. It does have stretch, but I do not think it would fit an XL and certainly not an XXL. Also the strap is clearly labled M-XXL..this may seem petty, a man may not care but what woman wants to run around with an XXL label sticking out?
  
  Overall, this is a great Polar and sure to bump your fitness up a notch!
  
  

• Excellent investment in my health and fitness!

  
  By A2SY0ENVPNYP40 on 2005-10-09
  In my humble opinion, Polar HRM watches, a Finnish company, appear to be in a class all by themselves without worthy competitors. New to HRM watches, I decided on Polar after perusing countless websites (i.e. bike racing, marathon runners, health sites you name it!). I decided on Polar because so often someone would write in about another brand "good watch, but I miss my Polar" "my watch died, should have bought a Polar." I almost gave in at one point tantalized by the beauty and cool design of a different brand, Polar watches are pretty basic looking, but then I would find reviews stating the watch did not function properly or did not have the myriad of features I was looking for.
  
  So why the F-11?
  
  DON'T be afraid to buy the Polar F-11:
  1) If you've never owned a HRM watch before-the list of features may appear daunting!
  2)If you are not a jock-it may strike you as a watch just for fitness fanatics!
  
  Both 1 and 2 are not true! Yes, the first two weeks I wore my F-11 I was frustrated. Nevertheless, I kept referring to my manual when a question arose and now after using it for a month I have mastered all the features (the learning curve is easier than learning a basic computer program I'd say). If I had purchased a cheaper less complicated model, I probably would have outgrown the features and wanted the watch to do more.
  
  I am glad I chose the top watch (most expensive model) in the Polar fitness category because the "Keep u fit" program has helped me tremendously. I found out that I am not in good shape. No more state of denial for me! But, such knowledge has proven to be highly inspirational. Plus, surely multiple fitness lab tests at the doctors would cost more than the extra $50 or so for this feature, which I will use again and again.
  
  In addition, the "Keep U Fit" program also designed a program tailored to me to either maintain my fitness level, moderately increase, or significantly increase my fitness level. I now push myself when exercising more than ever before! A low beeping noise lets you know if you are above or below your target fitness goal heart rate. No longer are all my workouts leisure nature strolls - not when I see how many more calories I can burn in a shorter period while really working up a sweat. One more thing about the high price, the features of the F-11 have eliminated my need (and the cost) for a personal trainer.
  
  If the F-11 features don't sound like what you are looking for check out Polars outstanding website. In no time at all you can sort through all their watches and find the one that is best for you but beware its written in Finnish, I'm kidding.
  
  I love that now: I can do any exercise anywhere and have important knowledge at my fingertips. The other day I jogged in place while reading the Wall Street Journal on-line and burned 350 calories. I have also done aerobics while watching my favorite sitcoms!
  
  Lastly, I don't agree 100% with another reviewers comments. I agree with 99% of her review, but I disagree that the chest strap probably only fits a size Medium. I am a L to XL sized woman and it fits me fine in fact with room to grow. (although, thank goodness I am shrinking not growing). I find the strap for the most part comfortable and often forget I am wearing it. What would I change? Book binding...the binding on the manual became unglued the first week. Looks...Hey Polar hire some new product designers and create a cutting edge beauty! Besides that, I wouldn't change a thing.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Computer download feature basically useless

  
  By AFRRZU1A6YNDU on 2006-03-17
  Pros:
  - Unlike the lower-end Polar models, the F-11 allows you to change the chest strap battery yourself without sending it back to the manufacturer.
  - The cloth chest strap is comfortable and easy to wear.
  - User interface is straightforward, heart rates read properly and quickly.
  - Saves workout data and can tell you how and when to exercise (perhaps not a "pro" if you don't want a watch telling you what to do.)
  
  Cons:
  - Although you can download your workout data to the computer, Polar's proprietary software gives you basically no flexibility in viewing it. The downloading step is easy, but you must be connected to the internet to perform it. Once data are downloaded the only way you can access them is through Polar's webpage. The "plots" are a percentage of time you spent in each heart rate zone. No heart rate vs. time. Not even exact heart rate values -- just ranges. If you do any sort of interval training this is more or less useless because the averaging washes out the interesting features of your workout data.
  
  

• The best heart rate monitor I've owned

  
  By A22KNBK18ET222 on 2005-11-21
  I've owned three other monitors, one of them a Polar (which I liked), and this one is the tops.
  
  This is why I gave it five stars:
  
  - It has an easy-to-read display.
  - The instructions were extremely clear.
  - It can automatically calculate, if you want it to, your target range based on your birthdate.
  - It has a weekly status that gives you the total number of calories burned, and the total exercise time for that week.
  - There is also a fitness progress report, which shows your improvement, via a chart, over time. Unfortunately, I ignored the first few opportunities to take the quick fitness test, so my report is just recently starting.
  - The strap is much more comfortable than the previous Polar monitor's.
  
  I think this is an excellent "mid-range" monitor.
  
  
  

• Does what I wanted

  
  By A3QNX5KWHDV0GD on 2006-11-02
  When I decided to get a HRM, the decision to get a Polar was easy. The Polar syncs up with the equipment at the gym. So now I don't have to grab onto the handles and wait for the treadmill to pick up my heartrate. As soon as you start the machine it begins reading.
  
  I suppose I could have just gotten the chest strap, but I like toys, so I got the F11 to help inspire me and track my progress. Here's what I think of it.
  
  The strap is cheap plastic, and will probably break after putting on and removing the watch several times. Although a standard band might fit, the cheapy platic one is really mated to the watch.
  
  Setting up the watch was reasonably straightforward. It does a VO2max test, and sets up a fitness program based on parameters you specify.
  
  Exercises center around being in one of three heart rate zones, and records how long you spend in each of those zones.
  
  Data can be uploaded to Polar's website, but not to any standard format. The website is also rather rudimentary and is slow and cumbersome to navigate its limited features. (you can check it out at polarpersonaltrainer dot com).
  
  One up on the scale is the F55, whiuch seems to be more centered around weightlifting, and costs about $40 more. The F6 is one model down. I'm not sure what it lacks from the F11.
  
  Something to consider is the battery. Some models require you to return your watch and strap to Polar for battery replacement. The battery in the F11 strap is user replaceable. The watch battery should be sent in for replacement according to Polar, but I suspect that it can be changed by the user, or at a local jeweler.
  
  I really enjoy using a treadmill or cycle, and have it pick up my heartrate instantly. Whether or not spending $160 on getting the additional features is questionable. If you're like me though, it does help give you the inspiration to stick to an exercise program.
  
  I am satisfied with this purchase.
  
  
• An amazing cardio tool
  By A3UUCB763QD018 on 2006-01-05
  The two previous reviews do an admirable job. If you're considering this heart rate monitor, read them. I do, however, have a couple of additional points.
  
  First, this device isn't a personal trainer. There's nutrition, motivation, and a slew of other things a personal trainer does for you. Even on the purely cardio side of exercise, a personal trainer educates you on form, safety, etc. I imagine plenty of personal trainers will encourage their employers to get such a device. It lets you exercise to a specific level rather than guessing: are you really babying yourself, are you trying to kill yourself? (And for the record, I'm not a big fan of personal trainers, but nor do I have anything against them.)
  
  Second, this device isn't simple. I'm not saying it's rocket science. I'm rather technical and I'm confident that there are plenty of people out there that simply aren't going to want/be able to figure this baby out. If you have a hard time with your digital thermostat or VCR, this may be take more effort than you're willing dedicate. Luckily, the good people at PolarUSA have the manual posted on their website. Have a read. Make an informed decision.
  
  Just so no one thinks I'm hesitant on this product, I think it's great. Personally, I don't foresee ever doing a long term cardio program without this thing (or something just like it). From my research and experience, Polar and the F11 are tops.
  
  
• Polar F11 - it's super!...
  By A22ABLJGF9JY13 on 2005-12-06
  This is my second HRM and I am quite astonished with its features, especially the ability to create an exercise program to suit individual, based on his/her personal data. It is a superb piece of engineering design for fitness conscious person. Unfortunately, it doesn't support more than one user, a feature I'd like to have. I would have given 5 stars, if that would be the case...
  
  
• Great HRM - Poor Service
  By A2QUD4WIINWK33 on 2006-07-24
  Pros:
  Excercise program is nice. Has workout history.
  
  Cons:
  Displays Heart Rate or % of Max. Would be nice if it alternated between the two like it does at the end of a workout.
  
  Mine lasted less than 6 months. Started showing irregular heart rate / no heart rate. Polar support said to replace the battery in the transmitter. Didn't help. Original battery tested fine (supposed to last 2500 hours). Had to send it in for warranty repair. Took 2 weeks and I had to pay shipping both ways. No cross ship available.
  
  
• Next Generation Heart Rate Monitor Loaded with Features
  By A3BBBT0XJW40JZ on 2006-08-18
  I bought this since I had "outgrown" my old simple A5 model. I was pleasantly surprised by the transmitter. It is much more comfortable than my old one - it uses a soft band rather than a more sturdy plastic one. It also stays on better. The receiver is also more comfortable since it is more form fitting/ergonomic.
  
  I like the many features, especially the "Own Zone" calculation, but I find that the menus are confusing to navigate. It would be helpful if there were a menu map chart in the documentation. I haven't yet used all of the features and I have a feeling I might not ever do so. That said, for basic exercise it is a great tool and if you want to take it to the next level, you can do so with the many features.
  
  
• Love it, love it, love it!
  By A1R9EAOFQNI9Y0 on 2006-11-03
  I got this after being hounded by my TurboKick instructor, that I needed something more complex than the regular HR monitor I had (that only measured time and BPM). I love it!!! I haven't had a chance to use each of the features yet, but what I have used (tracking my weekly workouts: calories, time in the different HR zones, and so on) has been fantastic. I'm really looking forward to using the feature where one can input data through the computer's speakers (still have no idea how that works, just that it does!).
  
  I also like that they finally made an F11 with a watch sized for women; many of my female friends bought the red or grey one and it looks huge on them.
  
  
• Computer download feature basically useless
  By AFRRZU1A6YNDU on 2006-03-21
  Pros:
  - Unlike the lower-end Polar models, the F-11 allows you to change the chest strap battery yourself without sending it back to the manufacturer.
  - The cloth chest strap is comfortable and easy to wear.
  - User interface is straightforward, heart rates read properly and quickly.
  - Saves workout data and can tell you how and when to exercise (perhaps not a "pro" if you don't want a watch telling you what to do.)
  
  Cons:
  - Although you can download your workout data to the computer, Polar's proprietary software gives you basically no flexibility in viewing it. The downloading step is easy, but you must be connected to the internet to perform it. Once data are downloaded the only way you can access them is through Polar's webpage. The "plots" are a percentage of time you spent in each heart rate zone. No heart rate vs. time. Not even exact heart rate values -- just ranges. If you do any sort of interval training this is more or less useless because the averaging washes out the interesting features of your workout data.
  
  
• F11 Rocks!
  By A1QTK5B2RZ1C7N on 2006-07-26
  Wow, I love this monitor.
  
  Although this is my frist monitor I have to say it rocks. Easy to use, easy to setup, and somewhat easy to access the reporting via internet. Speaking of the latter to down load your workout you first have to download the polar weblink software to your PC. After you do that, you need to take your monitor and place it in front of your PC mic (hopefully you have one). Then, press send on the monitor menu screens (It makes a funny noise, kind of like the old sound an internet modem use to make). Only down side is you have to go to the exercise screen, test screen and program screen to download all the data. That's if you want to upload all the data. Sure would be nice to have just one send button to do it all. But, it's really not that big of a deal.
  
  Another surpise, was when I arrived at the Gym and got on the treadmill. The darn thing started showing up on the treadmill screen. I looked at the treadmill and noticed the polar logo on it. That was really kewl. I didn't even have to look at the monitor on my wrist while I ran.
  
  I was so impress with this monitor I bought another one for my wife. They have a F11 for women as well. Smaller form factor etc.
  
  I've only had it for about a month, but it has cause me to workout more and I don't over exercise any more. That's a good thing for me because I used to workout so hard that I would get sick the next day and end up skiping days and never make it back to the gym.
  
  The F11 ROCKS!
  
  Thanks Polar.
  
  
  
• Nice HRM and Fitness Buddy
  By A1L1F77ZQO2EZI on 2006-03-24
  I purchased this to get in better shape. First time using a HRM. It took some getting used to and fiddling with the workout programs to really make it worth while. After 3 months I am very happy with this item.
  I would give it 5 stars however the watch face scratches too easily. I would have expected a stronger crystal (or perhaps saphire) for an item that is to go with you to the gym. I see the life expectancy for this reason to be at about a year or so.
  
  
• Customer service?
  By A27KQT2FEPTCS0 on 2007-02-20
  I am currently sending my F11 back to Amazon for a replacement. The transmitter (chest strap) stopped working after just two workouts, and I think the battery must have been bad. I think the device will be good - once I get one that works. I was impressed with the features that I had a chance to try out so far. My poor review is for the manufacturer, not the product. I tried 3 times to get in touch with Polar to have them tell me how to get a replacement directly from them - once through their website customer service and twice by direct email to their customer support department. Never did I get a reply. Even the threat of posting a negative review at Amazon generated no response. So here it is, Polar - work on your customer support if you want to keep customers happy.
  
  Update: I got the replacement, and it works fine. Polar's customer service got back to me by email several days after I posted the review above; however, they only offered some boilerplate advice on what might be wrong - all things I'd already checked. So my comments on their customer service response stands, but the F11 is a nice gadget.
  
  
• One slight defect
  By A36NKU27KU0GQN on 2006-03-01
  I have had my F11 for a couple of weeks now. For the most part, I like it. I have used several brands of HRM over the last five years, including Accumen and Timex. The other models worked all right, but there seemed to be more fluctuation in the measurement of my heart beat than with the Polar F11. I also had to put new batteries in the chest strap every few months, or the watch unit would not be able to catch the signal very well.
  
  The chest strap on the F11 is very convenient to use even though you still have to wet it. With the Timex, I had to use lotion and water (or saliva) to help wet the strap sufficiently to work well. Not only did this require more regular cleaning, but the strap was noticably wet (slimy) while I had it on. With the F11, I just have to drip a little bit of water onto the sensor strips from my water bottle. When I wear it, I don't even notice that it is damp.
  
  One thing that is a mystery to me is why the F11 has such a lame timer function. The timer is not convenient at all to use during exercise. This is a significant inconvenience for me because I like to pay attention to other things while I am exercising. Formerly, I relied on the beep of the Timex to tell me when I was through for the day, but this is difficult to accomplish with the Polar - you are required to look at the watch regularly as it counts up. The timer seems to be an afterthought, and is not well integrated into the other functions.
  
  As an earlier reviewer said, the F11 does more than I think I need it to. However, I have grown tired of the higher maintenance of cheaper HRMs. Since an HRM is a key part of my exercise routine, I decided to get the best I could afford. Over the several years that I plan to use it, the difference in cost is minimal. With the exception of the timer function, I am happy so far, and I may grow into its more advanced functions.
  
  
• Polar F11: A cheap piece of junk, with a jewelry price tag.
  By A2QXL555FD1ENE on 2005-08-31
  The Polar F11 is reputed to be one of the better heart rate monitors. If that is true, I shudder to think what the lesser models must be like.
  
  The biggest problem is the "wrist unit", as Polar calls it, and the built-in receiver in particular. The signal sent by the transmitter on the chest strap is received just fine by most types of fitness equipment; yet the F11 is having a good day if it picks the signal up a third of the time. What remains is an ugly wristwatch for $150 -- and not a very good watch, either.
  
  A single drop onto a sharp corner will destroy the F11 wrist unit; Polar, probably knowing the utter absence of any sort of robustness, expressly excludes this condition from the warranty.
  
  But even if it is not broken _and_ having a good day, the F11 is loaded with junk. The "OwnZone" feature purporting to determine your optimal exercise intensity? You are better off listening to your breathing. The "FitTest", claiming to produce a number comparable to your VO2max? Laughable. Even the backlight is ridiculous: You might as well buy a can of black spray paint and give the display a few good coats of paint; just as readable, and henceforth you won't have to press any buttons.
  
  The transmitter and its chest strap are usable. Well, mostly.
  
  Summing it up, the most obvious relationship between the F11 and your heart rate is that the price and crappiness of the former will raise the latter, even though the contraption won't be able to measure that.
  
  The best I can say about the Polar F11 is that you don't have to buy one.
  
  
  
• Love, love, love this fitness tool
  By A1W9NHQBQWZDZW on 2006-03-02
  This one can't be beat for the reasonable price tag. I researched heart rate monitors for over a week on the Internet, as I do with most things. Though, this one comes with more bells & whistle that I can grow into it, I found myself using most of the features already. I just got this last night at the Sports Authority. (...)
  I'm generally not a direction reader...I prefer to figure things out for myself. I was hoping this model wasn't too complicated to set up - per another reader's comment. This handy tool, in my opinion, is NOT complicated at all. Yes, I did refer to the manual which I must agree was/is very helpful. I learned from just using this one day that I was exercising out of my targeted rate. Once this is programmed with your info, it will keep you right where your heart rate should be via a beep if too high or low. Love that! It has so many other great, useful features too.
  
  This is my first HRM, and though I like the best of things, I took many thoughts into consideration after talking to various customer service people at different Internet stores. I was gonna get the F6, but thought the program feature along with the other sophisticated features on the F11 would utimately be advantagous in the long run. I didn't even have to wait for the long run. I just love this fun watch.
  
  The Polar is #1 in HRM - that's what they do! You will pay more, but it will last much longer than the other brands from what I'm told after speaking to many people. I almost bought the Nike Imara which has a nicer look than this Polar F11, but decided to stick with the people who specialize in one thing...not several, and have been doing it for YEARS.
  
  The chest strap is so comfy, you don't even know you're wearing it. Much better than the Polar transmitter strap that came with my 9 year old treadmill.
  
  My advice: if you're looking for a step up from the ordinary HRM with more UNcomplicated features, this one's a sure bet. This is a large watch, but for everything it provides, size just doesn't matter in this case, though it can be worn as an everyday watch. Did I say how much I love this watch? Go get one. ;-)
  
  
• I lost 30 lbs!
  By AL8I8PTBGQV7N on 2007-04-24
  I just upgraded from the Polar RS100 to the F11 HRM. There's an online log that allows you to upload your workouts from the monitor. The menus are a little difficult to navigate, but I found that to be true with my RS100 model as well. But after 2 weeks of use, I'm pretty comfortable with it. The new strap is more comfortable, but I have a little bit of trouble with the fasteners. The calorie count seems pretty generous on this model compared with my RS100, but it's inspiring, and I always try to go higher, anyway. I upgraded from the RS100 mainly to get the more specific targeted heart zones and the online fitness log.
  
  I really did lose 30 lbs. working out with a HRM. I would recommend this tool to anyone trying to lose weight. You might want to explore all the Polar models to make sure you're getting the most appropriate one for you. I mostly work out in a gym during the week, and I mix in some weight training, running, cycling and hiking.
  
  
• DO NOT BUY the F11, save your money and buy a cheaper model
  By A3RWYLNDXOMTF4 on 2007-06-18
  The reason I spent the extra money on the F11 was because of the ability to track and store you workouts on your computer. There is no stand alone software, you need to create an account on the Polar.fi website and upload your workouts. The way you upload is via a microphone connected to your computer, as a small speaker in the watch makes a buzzing noise. The Polar website is VERY poorly designed, and often doesn't work ( you can not log in). Even if you do log in, the usability is often not working. After spending an hour, and using a mic, and then trying a headset, I was unable to upload date.
  
  In short DO NOT BUY the F11, save your money and buy a cheaper model.
  
  On the positive side, the heart rate monitor seems to work fine, and there is a slightly more comfortable chest strap.
  
  
• mediocre at best
  By A6WAJ23IE4N8G on 2007-06-20
  Yes it works, but I was pretty disappointed in the features. The software is not very user friendly and the manual is pretty cryptic. I expected a much richer feature set at this price range. Although you are supposed to be able to upload your exercise results to the internet, I have yet to get it to do so property. All it seems to upload is my user profile. I was expecting to get a report of my heart rate at various intervals, instead it just provides an average rate and my highest rate for the session.
  
  I've tried, unsuccessfully, to program some high - low alarms but it keeps defaulting back to the pre-programmed settings, and even then the actual alarms do not seem to correspond with the settings.
  
  This watch is 1980's technology. Lame Lame Lame.
  
  
  
  
• Polar F11: A cheap piece of junk, with a jewelry price tag.
  By A2QXL555FD1ENE on 2005-08-31
  Polar F11: A cheap piece of junk, with a jewelry price tag.
  
  The Polar F11 is reputed to be one of the better heart rate monitors. If that is true, I shudder to think what the lesser models must be like.
  
  The biggest problem is the "wrist unit", as Polar calls it, and the built-in receiver in particular. The signal sent by the transmitter on the chest strap is received just fine by most types of fitness equipment; yet the F11 is having a good day if it picks the signal up a third of the time. What remains is an ugly wristwatch for $150 -- and not a very good watch, either.
  
  A single drop onto a sharp corner will destroy the F11 wrist unit; Polar, probably knowing the utter absence of any sort of robustness, expressly excludes this condition from the warranty.
  
  But even if it is not broken _and_ having a good day, the F11 is loaded with junk. The "OwnZone" feature purporting to determine your optimal exercise intensity? You are better off listening to your breathing. The "FitTest", claiming to produce a number comparable to your VO2max? Laughable. Even the backlight is ridiculous: You might as well buy a can of black spray paint and give the display a few good coats of paint; just as readable, and henceforth you won't have to press any buttons.
  
  The transmitter and its chest strap are usable. Well, mostly.
  
  Summing it up, the most obvious relationship between the F11 and your heart rate is that the price and crappiness of the former will raise the latter, even though the contraption won't be able to measure that.
  
  The best I can say about the Polar F11 is that you don't have to buy one.
  
  
  
• great product
  By A2UUPMKQDCD2KU on 2007-05-14
  There're so many things this heart rate monitor can do, it's totally worth getting. Only downside is that sometimes the exercise machines don't pick up the heartrate quickly enough to give you an instant update, so sometimes the watch and machine are off by a few beats. I use most all of the features available everytime I work out, and I find them very user-friendly. The only features I haven't used yet involve uploading data online and downloading images to display on your watch, because a microphone is needed (which I don't have as yet). The strap that goes around your torso is very comfortable and I barely notice it. I like that the battery can be removed easily (at least compared to how the older models are, where you had to send the whole thing to Polar to have the battery replaced).
  
  I love all the features this HR monitor has to offer, and it keeps me accountable for working out 4-5 days a week (you can set how many days/week you wanna work out)
  
  
• Great monitor
  By AR1PFPFQHZPD4 on 2006-07-14
  I've used this monitor for about 1 month now with no probs and no complaints. I've hooked it to my computer (via speaker and microphone) and now have a record of all my exercise, calories burned, etc. It even links automatically to the cardio machines at my gym. I also haven't had any probs with interference from other people's monitors.
  
  This was well worth the money!!
  
  
• Great Product!
  By A2BJ23KJEGVA7O on 2007-08-03
  I've been using my F11 for several weeks now and am quite happy with it's performance.
  
  The Goods:
  - Accurate readings that are picked up by most gym equipment. I like not having to refer to the watch itself a lot, and trusting the HUD on the gym gear is reflecting the accurate hear rate.
  - The OwnIndex fitness testing seem to be accurate and sets up good workout programs.
  -Although only mentioned in passing, the most useful feature for me is being able to upload the watch's data onto the Polar website. The upload program (Polar WebLink) is Windows only :-( but the web app (polarpersonaltrainer.com) that displays the data works on any platform. The web site has some great analysis tools to review your progress including displays of energy expenditure, duration of exercise, and heart rate comparisons.
  
  The Bads:
  - The watch won't pick up the signal 70' away as advertised. I tried laying it down on the counter while I did some boxing and it didn't pick up the signal even in the same room. Maybe that was supposed to be 7' feet... cause it certainly will be picked up by the cardio machine NEXT to you as well as your own.
  - The automatic OwnZone feature is less than spectacular. Unless you're in an environment where you can easily manipulate your heart rate for 5 minutes, slowly increasing from 100 BPM to 140 BPM, your target rate is going to be inaccurate. I highly recommend using the manual override to set your own preferences since your target zones won't likely change much.
  
  Overall, again, I'm really happy with the F11. It's a comfortable watch (and I'm not a watch wearer) and the chest strap is hardly noticeable. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a chest-strap style HR monitor that's willing to take a little time to tinker the features to fit you best.
  
  
• Buy With Caution
  By A2NSQBLLCTVLBB on 2007-01-16
  I've had my Polar F-11 since Feb/2006. On average I've worked out 2 to 3 times a week since owning it. On 2 occasions the receiving unit has frozen up right in the middle of a workout. When this happens the only way to clear it is by doing a system reset. The F11 is reset by holding in all buttons, except the "light" button, until all digits in the display show. Once this is done press the "OK" button. You will now need to reenter the date, time, and all personal information (this reset info was sent to me via email directly from Polar).
  
  As time went on it became increasingly difficult to acquire a signal between the transmitter and receiving unit. Wetting and rewetting the strap did not seem to help.. It would take a good 5 to 8 minutes of doing this before I would finally get a signal. At times during a workout the watch would again loose the signal for 2 to 3 minutes.
  
  I am rather disappointed. This is not the type of performance I expect from a $150.00 HRM. I have written an email to Polar to see if perhaps I have a defective unit. We'll see what happens.
  
  03/20/2007: I sent my F11 back to Polar. As it turns out the electronics in the receiving unit were defective. The repair was covered under warrantee and the F11 was returned to me in a reasonable amount of time. :)
  
  05/19/2007: The F11 worked flawlessly for about the first 2 weeks after getting it back from repair. The unit has not completely frozen as in the past but gradually the problems with acquiring a signal have resurfaced. The entire unit was sent back to Polar a second time.
  
  05/23/2007: A Polar technician telephoned me at home stating a diagnostic test revealed no problems with any of the components (keep in mind this same signal problem revealed an electronic defect in the watch (receiving unit) the first time the F11 was sent in for service).
  
  The technician was very professional and courteous. When I explained the problems I was having he agreed to replace both the strap and coded transmitter. I received the unit back in about a week and a half. To date it has worked perfectly. I just hope this lasts and I don't have any further problems.
  
  Responsive customer service but I give this product only 2 stars due to the problems I've had with it and because I had to pay the shipping charges to return it twice
  
  04/28/2008: The same problem has surfaced yet again. I'm having problems acquiring a signal once I put the strap on my chest and I'm getting erratic readings during my runs. I'm debating on sending the unit back to Polar yet again for repairs. With the money I'm spending to ship this thing I could probably buy a better unit from another manufacturer.
  
  Until Polar fixes the problems with this particular model I can't recommend it.
  
  
• GREAT PRODUCT! BUT BEWARE OF THIS MERCHANT
  By AIYC7YNFAK8ER on 2005-05-28
  I paid $15.95 extra to have this item shipped expedited which I ordered on May 23rd, by the 28th, I still haven't got it. It has not been shipped, and it was promised by the 29th. Guess what? That's Sunday. I emailed this merchant prior and got no reply. Finally, I drove about a hundred miles to another state and purchased this item. I plan to return the order placed with bikesomewhere.com back when it gets here. Before I placed my order with this merchant, I read its good ratings, which all show up first. But when I didn't get my order as promised I looked further into their profile and found recent customers with similar compliants. Buyer Beware!!!!!!! If you want this item look elsewhere at other merchants. By the way the product is great! It gets the above five stars. Its kinda like a custom personal trainer on your wrist. I love it!
  
  
• great monitor
  By A288H0SKLJUBMG on 2006-03-15
  I'm getting good use out of this product and love it. I purchased primarily for tracking calorie burn and recording progress. What makes it great in my mind are the ownindex and ownzone features. These two features allow the monitor to be customized based on you as an individual rather than applying your weight, etc. to a generic category. So the result is a fitness program built around your specific level of fitness (as calculated by the monitor). Thus making the calorie burn, progress toward goal, etc. calculated based on your individual characteristics. I do enjoy posting up results to Polar's web site and tracking progress. This is extremely helpful and motivating!
  
  Long-term I plan on upgrading this to a product with pedometer, lap counter, timer, etc. The f-11 doesn't have those features which is why I rate it 4/5 stars.
  
  By the way this is the first heart rate monitor I've owned and I'm extremely happy that I chose to invest the money here. I fully recommend the product for those persons who perform a variety of exercise for the purpose of increasing their fitness level or weight management. If your a hard core runner, you might want to look at another product.
  
  
• The personal trainer that's always with you!
  By AC6U6QPXJX88R on 2006-10-29
  I got this monitor after reading Younger Next Year for Women. I am certainly not an elite athlete and perhaps not even a mediocre one, but I'm out there! My only complaint about the monitor is that you can only see one heart rate view at a time, either heart rate or percentage of maximum heart rate. As I don't have my numbers memorized and I'm as slow upstairs as I am on my feet, I would like to be able to see both numbers side by side.
  
  It is a great gadget that speeds you up when you start to drift and slows you down when you're pushing it too much. It also keeps me going for the full amount of time whereas without it, I might stop a lot sooner.
  
  I recommend getting one; what can it hurt???
  
  
• Awesome monitor
  By A9HLCTY7R2SBU on 2007-04-09
  I bought this monitor to make sure I am working out to my full potential and this has really helped me step it up. I love the trophy that you get if you accomplish your weekly goals, it does keep you motivated. I am a little disapointed in the calorie count though, I thought it was accurate (everything else seems to be, so why not that) and was told by my Doctor that it's way off. It shows me burning anywhere from 1500 - 2100 calories per work out and my Doc said no way! So that was a little disappointing, but other than that, the watch/monitor is really a great tool for those of us that want to get in shape.
  
  
• Don't Buy Polar Products - Horrible Customer Service
  By A28SKTTWZ8TKBJ on 2008-05-26
  I've had the F11 for several years and it has mostly been dependable. Recently it started behaving erratically. The local sports shop said the battery probably needed to be replaced. However, there is no way to tell if the battery is actually failing. And you cannot change the battery yourself. And it takes POLAR AN AVERAGE OF ONE MONTH TO CHANGE THE BATTERY. That seemed like an outrageously poor design. However, the design is outstanding compared to Polar's customer service.
  
  IT TOOK 7 WEEKS FOR POLAR TO CHANGE MY BATTERY. It would have taken even longer except my local sports shop was willing to spend lots of time on hold every day in an effort to get my HRM back to me. Polar delayed so long with no explanation that finally they agreed to send my HRM express mail. They swore they would mail it via express the next day. Then when the HRM did not arrive the following day, my local store called Polar and they said: "Oops, we didn't mail it." No reason was given. This happened three times during the last week.
  
  Polar seems to be an arrogant company who thinks they don't have to treat customers well because they currently have a corner on the HRM market. Of course Ford and GM used to have a corner on the US auto market but in their arrogance, they forgot to listen to and respond to customers. Over time, customers found better products elsewhere. That's exactly what I plan to do when I buy my next HRM. I will never buy a Polar product again!
  
  DO NOT BUY A POLAR HRM if you need one you can really depend on. The Polar products need to be redesigned so you can tell when the battery is getting low and you can change the battery yourself. Plus the company desperately needs to learn about good customer service and follow through. If you are too busy or impatient to deal with the kind of delays and frustration I've described then do yourself a favor and buy a HRM from someone besides Polar.
  
  

• Polar S610i Heart Rate Monitor Watch
• Polar WearLink Coded Transmitter
• Polar Heart Bra
• Polar Heart Bra (Medium, Black)
• Polar F92ti Heart Rate Monitor Watch

• Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Grey Pepper)
• Polar F11 Women's Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Blue Glow)
• Polar Bike Mount Kit for Heart Rate Monitors
• Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor
• Polar Heart Bra