Ft1 Heart Rate Monitor

I have brief cardiac arrhythmia episodes once or twice every three months but can't feel it when my heart rate speeds up to 200 beats per minute, or higher, without some type of heart rate measurement device. By wearing my Polar FT1 while I'm awake, even though I might not know it when my heart rate sky-rockets, my Polar FT1 catches it and keeps track of it. It keeps a record of my average heart rate and maximum heart rate each day and allows me to enter that data into a file on my laptop computer which shows both the numerical data and a 2-D bar graph of that data to show my cardiologist at my check-ups. The Polar FT1's data matches the same data gathered by the EKG machine in my doctor's office and in my hospital's fitness center, where I work out, so its accuracy is exceptional. The Polar FT1 is easy to put on each day, easy to operate (I just put it on when I'm dressing, turn it on when I'm dressed, turn it off and take it off when I get ready for bed, gather that day's average heart rate and maximum heart rate, and key it into my laptop computer's file for that date), and it is comfortable to wear all day. With Amazon.com's great price, which is lower than Polar's price or the prices offered by some of the other on-line retailers who sell these great devices, I can afford to gather this much needed data economically, The built-in batteries in the Polar FT1's transmitter unit and the wristwatch-like receiver/recording unit last for approximately one year of waking-hours-use the way I use them. The wristwatch functions of the receiver/recording unit are helpful and easy to use. Most people assume it is just my digital wristwatch and never know it is performing a very helpful and necessary function for me and my cardiac health. The Polar FT1 also performs exceptionally well with my cardiac fitness program by allowing me to constantly monitor my heart rate while I'm exercising and warning me if my heart rate gets too high while I'm exercising (or if it gets too low while I'm resting or relaxing). It does a lot for me and my cardiac health for not a lot of money. Thanks Polar and Amazon.com!!

My goal was to get a low cost monitor that works with most gym equipment but also has a watch to monitor heart rate when walking or biking. The more up-to-date optical and bluetooth versions won't work with the majority of gym equipment that is still out there. Only the newest equipment has bluetooth capability. So, this chest monitor and watch fit my needs perfectly. The chest monitor fits perfectly and doesn't slip down at all. Just be sure to pre-wet the back of the monitor (per instructions) to get the best connectivity and results. I haven't had any "connection lost" issues so far. Also be aware the battery will go dead at some time (months? years?) and there is no way besides some extreme DIY to change it out, so you'll have to buy another strap at that time (around $40). They claim battery life of around 5 years. Let's hope so.. The watch is fine but the strap is pretty cheap. I wish they had put a bit more attention into it. Its not very flexible and just barely fits my wrist, which isn't large for a guy. The one-button design is fine, but not very intuitive, so you have to get used to how it works. As far as I know, the battery is replaceable for the watch. Overall, I am pleased and it seems to accurately monitor heart rate both on the watch and on machines I have tried, all for a budget price.

I decided I wanted a Polar heart rate monitor as I've used their HRMs before and was happier with them than with some other brands. Right now I'm on a bit of a budget, so decided to go with the lower-featured FT1. I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised. After a little learning curve with the 1-button controls, I've found it easy to use, informative and the audible alarm is helpful. The only thing I didn't love about my Polar FT1 was the chest strap it comes with. The higher end Polars come with a softer fabric strap, but the FT1 comes with a strap with a sort of flexible plastic piece on the front that isn't as form-fitting. It's not terrible - honest! - but it's not great, either. I ended up getting a Polar H7, and it works great with my FT1 plus I can simultaneously use it with various fitness apps on my phone; I like it best with Endomondo, which also sends your workout to My Fitness Pal. The features I was looking for that the FT1 has: A large-ish, easy to read display An alarm you can set so you're alerted when your heart rate gets too high or too low during workouts The ability to change your max heart rate Comfortable wrist band Overall I'm happy with my FT1, and even happier when I paired it with the Polar H7, but honestly it works fine with the strap it came with. I may upgrade someday, but for now my FT1 has/does everything I need and works great.

I wanted a heart monitor because I have exercise induced tachycardia and wanted to keep my pulse below a certain limit during biking and walking sessions. When I first put the device on, in my home, it appeared to function properly for several hrs. , its number agreeing with the pulse I measured in the traditional way. After about a half hr. biking, the display stopped flashing, and a number nowhere near my pulse was steadily displayed. Resetting back to EXE produced about the same results. A number, non blinking, would appear on the screen, and would not be anywhere near my pulse. This number would occasionally change, sometimes to one fairly close to my pulse, but most of the time, it was way off. I tried several sessions and got pretty much the same results. Returning the monitor was easily done, but I was surprised the item was listed as used in the return info. I thought I had ordered a new one. I purchased the exact same model from another company but through Amazon, and made sure it was described as "new". I didn't get a different model because all I want the device to do is to tell me my heart rate and do not need any other functions. The second polar FT1 did just about the same thing as the first, except it was easier to reset in the EXE mode. It also would stop flashing, and display a number that was not my heart rate. I sent it back (again easily done) and am still looking for a heart monitor. I have a fairly irregular heart beat, perhaps is me.

I have used this monitor everyday for the last 30 days with great results. I also purchased "Spectra 360 Electrode Gel Parker Labs, Each 250GM Tube" after reading positive reviews. I apply a small amount of the gel everyday before my ride. The tube is huge, it will last over a year, with as much as I apply. I have never had any problems with erratic readings as some have suggested. I generally ride about 45 minutes a day with varying intensities, and the monitor always seems spot on from start to finish. The monitor syncs quickly with the transmitter, usually within 10 seconds, and i have had no issues with it ever losing the connection between the two. This monitor doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles but it does exactly what I wanted it to do, displays my heart rate in Big easy to read numbers without a lot of clutter all over the screen that other monitors have. This is important to me as when i ride, i just want to take a quick glance and get my info. It does include a stopwatch and it will display your avg and max heart rate for your last session. Some other more expensive meters do more, or record more sessions than just your last one, but this was unnecessary to me, you have to decide whats more important to you. 5'10" 150lbs, I have a 35" inch chest, measured right below your actual chest,where the monitor sits. I ordered the "one" size and it came with a medium strap. The strap is very comfortable for me, and I have never had any issues. I do have the adjustment almost maxed all the way out, maybe only an inch left. The strap itself is elastic and I can stretch it quite a bit, so I'm sure it would fit larger chests, but it would be stretched then and maybe not as comfortable. people with larger chests might want to look into getting the large strap. Mounted this onto my bike handlebars using "Timex Watch Bike Mount" also purchased here on amazon. The strap on the watch does seem a little cheap, but what do you expect from Polar's cheapest product. This doesn't concern me too much since i leave it on my handlebars all the time, but it could be a problem for someone taking it on,off every day.

The product worked when I got it, and I eventually figured out how to set up all the different features according to what I wanted. The heart rate transmitter worked very well to send my heart rate to the watch. I liked being able to set my workout heart rate zones since I actually wanted to be able to measure my heart rate at rest as well. The trouble with this device is that you cannot see your heart rate in real time unless your rate goes outside the set heart rate zone. You can see your average heart rate for the workout after you are finished in the stored files on the watch, but nothing in real time. Since I wanted to see it in real time I narrowed the HR zone so that I was always exercising outside of it and turned off the beeping. It would have worked alright, and the watch was very comfortable. But after 2 days of using the product the HR strap stopped transmitting. I can only assume the (irreplaceable) battery was dead, so I returned it. I believe it would have worked ok, but like I said, the one button was a little tricky to figure out, and no real time heart rate without some finagling. I purchased a polar FT4 as a replacement since there are more buttons and features and the batteries are user-replaceable.

I am a recreational/fitness cyclist, and have atrial fib. I purchased this Polar Ft1 to keep an eye on my pulse and tailor workout appropriately. This wrist Monitor is terrific; fits perfectly, Date and Time and accurate Heart Rate monitoring. Cost only $43, and coms with comfortable Chest Strap. Simple set-up and easy to use. Easy to set-up Training range and watch records time in your workout range. The thing I truly love besides low price, easy set-up and functions, it that it works even when in AF and pulse is irregular. My other HRM would constantly go to 00 and was unable to give a reading when pulse was high or irregular. Watch is not bulky and looks quite stylish when just worn as a wrist watch. Chest Strap Battery compartment is sealed and battery cannot be changed by owner. Too soon to tell about battery life, but supposed to be 2500 hours. Since 2 batteries runs about $14-18, just plan to use HRM until failure and get a new one for $43. The Battery can be changed on the watch, but not sure if can buy a new belt separately. Best $43 purchase I ever made, and that included delivery. (Amazon Prime). john lapoint in san diego

2019-03-18 Update I'm leaving this at five stars, because it still seems to be the simplest, all-in-one heart-rate monitor on the market, at a reasonable price. It does seem accurate and reliable. However, the user interface is terrible. It occasionally switches from heart rate to elapsed time, then never switches back, and I have no idea why (and I'm a techno-geek). Pressing the button to change the display turns it off. Turning it back on displays the heart rate again, but with the stopwatch restarted at 0:00. That's tolerable, since I can use a wristwatch as a stopwatch. As far as I can tell, the stopwatch function seems completely useless and should just be eliminated. Original Review Generally, just works, and works well. I actually wish it was a bit simpler, like my old Polar which I had for decades that did *nothing* but display heart rate. This one is still pretty simple, with a timer and heart rate zone. The nicest thing about this HRM is that there is no pairing necessary, and there are no batteries to charge. My previous polar strap lasted for so many hours of use, I cannot even calculate it. The watch portion needed a new battery (standard button cell), every couple of years. It's nice to have one less thing to charge.