Item #109 in Running

Item #109 in the top 100 in: Sports & Outdoors- Running

Polar F4 Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Made by Polar

Sales Rank on Amazon.com: 777

Average Review: 4 stars

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See more items in: Sports & Outdoors: Running

Amazon.com Reviews

Average Rating: 4.0 out of 5 Stars

The following review received 37 helpful votes out of 40 total votes:
Review Date: 2006-07-01
"Straps get yellowish, buttons cracked."

I received this watch as a Christmas present in 2005. I have been using it for the past 6 months (average 2x per week). I spotted this exact watch but with yellowish straps at an expo from Polar after I got my watch for only 2 weeks and was diligent about keeping it clean, but to no avail, it turned yellowish after about 2 months and now it just looks dirty and old, the face is still the original "ice blue". If you are thinking about this watch, buy the black one.

After I started using it, I wished I went with another model since this one doesn't store any previous data. I track all my runs and sometimes I forget to record before my next run and I lose all my previous data once I press "start". In addition, it doesn't have a stopwatch. Once you press stop, it thinks you're done with your workout instead of just a pause or break so you can't track your actual total workout time. I just let it run even when I am at stoplights or water break. If lap feature is important, go with another model. Another complaint about this watch is that there's no backlight. I have to wait till I run under a street light to see my data. The data sheet said it has a backlight but I can't manage to find it.

Today both the buttons cracked and fell off my watch. Now it's useless.

I still have the most basic model from Polar (bought in 2000 and it's discontinued) that only monitors my HR and that thing still works because there's no buttons to push. Polar makes good HR monitor and I would still buy another one from them. Just not this one. 3 stars

The following review received 28 helpful votes out of 28 total votes:
Review Date: 2006-03-24
"Simple and easy"

This watch is simple to use. The instructions are very easy to follow. It's fun being able to see my heart rate while I'm exercising. It works with the heart rate monitors on the equipment at my gym. I don't have to hold on to their handles. The signal is transmitted from this heart rate monitor to the treadmill, elyptical, or whatever, and shows up on the screne.
I wish the watch had a stopwatch and a light. No such luck. 4 stars

The following review received 27 helpful votes out of 34 total votes:
Review Date: 2006-02-20
"Easy to use"

I have enjoyed the Polar F4.. it took some time to understnad it at first, but it really is easy to use, very simple, I was making it more complicated than it really is.

I would buy it again for a gift or myself. 4 stars

The following review received 18 helpful votes out of 20 total votes:
Review Date: 2006-07-22
"Polar F4 Heart Rate Monitor"

The functionality of the monitor is excellent. It is cumbersome so make adjustments using the two buttons on the watch because the numbers only advance so you have to go all the way around to lower your weight by two pounds as an example. The quick way around several of the personal settings is by using software available on the Polar web site but not mentioned in the manual. Using the software on your computer you can directly set some of the items using your computer.

It would be nice to have a cloth, velcro closure for the wrist band rather than the plastic wrist strap. 4 stars

The following review received 18 helpful votes out of 18 total votes:
Review Date: 2006-10-18
"Basic, User-friendly Heart Rate Monitor"

I bought this watch several months ago. It is great for basic use and is easy to set up. Keeps accurate HR readings, and the fact that it estimates calories burned is great. It does store an exercise file of your last workout. This model does have a few drawbacks, though: 1. the light blue band turns yellowish from wear, so the black model would be better; 2. The one-touch button that activates the HRM activity is very easy to accidentally bump and turn on -- I woke up one morning and the HRM function had been running during the night; 3. When you lose weight and you go to adjust your user profile, it doesn't have a down function for weight, and you have to scroll up and all the way around to your lower weight; and 4. it doesn't have a backlight, so using it at night, in theatres, etc. doesn't work. The watch is a good size for women -- I've had other Polar models that were huge like men's watches. Overall, not bad for the price, but I will buy one with a few more features next time. 3 stars