POLARFt1 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!!

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.

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.