Polar F11M Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Grey Pepper, New Design)

I bought this expensive HRM because I loved the idea of the device creating a individualized workout program for me. Unfortunately, I couldn't even get past the test phase (where you lie down for 5 minutes and the HRM measures your resting heart rate) because of a benign arrhythmia that I have. So if you have any kind of arrhythmia, I would not recommend this device. Plus I found the instruction manual (more like a textbook) confusing.

I purchased this product from HeartratemonitorsUSA through their own website. I performed the fitness test only to be given a ridiculously high, off-the-charts value higher than the fitness level of the fittest 20 year old man according to their chart. I am a 39 year old overweight woman with mobility issues. After performing the test many times and getting similar values (66, 73, 68, etc.) I called Polar to find out if I was doing something wrong with the test. The tech walked me through resetting all the settings and told me to input my settings all over again and try the test again, and if it still had the problem to see about getting it replaced. Sure enough, I got the same value again. I then called HRM USA to find out about getting it replaced. Seems they will only replace it if you call within 3 days of placing the order. I didn't even RECEIVE it from UPS until 6 days after placing the order. They told me I'd have to go through Polar.

Call back to Polar, and they will treat it like a warranty repair. Basically as if I'd had it for several months and it had an issue after a while. Now I'm really nervous because some of these other reviews talk of getting their monitors back after several weeks. So much for the money I spent.

I was very excited to get my watch I had teh f6 before but lost it. The f6 worked, it had it's kinds, but it worked. this f11 doesn't. i have changed settings, read suggestions and nothing. It'll work every 10 or 15th try but hwo wants to sit and his send 15 times. the best part is when it gets to 99% after 10 tries and you thinkg finally... and you get the "error in connection" message. 2nd and last polar ever.

I've been using this HRM nearly daily for 5 months and it has proven to be reliable and helpful. I had no complaints, it has worked every time I've wanted to use it. I'm using it to run, and in that category it is lacking certain features like laps and the ability to measure speed. Therefore I'm going to a better model which includes GPS features, even though I'm pretty satisfied with the product.

So glad to be back with Polar. I used up one of their basic models and then gave Suunto a try. Suunto monitors have big and bold designs and their belts used to be more comfortable than Polar's but for some inexplicable reason mine got moisture inside it and began a slow dying process. It may be a pain to have to send your Polar monitor away to an authorized service center for simple things such as battery changes but they may have some valid reasoning behind it. The F11M is simply my best HRM so far. Easy to use, very accurate and (thanks to a completely new belt design) very reliable and comfortable. The belt really makes this product. It is soft and most importantly the contact points are of a spongy material that retains moisture and guarantees an uninterrupted transmission to the monitor itself. I am a cyclist and with all my previous monitors I've had problems with static and dryness interfering with the belt to monitor communication. No such worries here. It looks great and works great. I'll never try any other brand ever again.