Polar F55 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Ice Aluminum)

Polar F55 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Ice Aluminum)

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Way to complicated
I was really excited about this product, but after getting it, it just didn't work well. First, it won't work without an infared connection to the computer, so I had to buy one. Even holding the watch within 4 inches of the infared device, it wouldn't communicate well with the computer. If you want to monitor your activity throughout the day, you have to wear a strap that goes around your chest, which must be kept wet. It is uncomfortable, and doesn't work very well. If you are larger, the vinyl straps cut into your body. I returned it to Amazon, and they gave me full credit for the watch. The instruction book is long and tedious, and you won't burn many calories during the hours it takes to learn how to use the product.

Great for moderate exercisers
This monitor is great for the moderate athlete. I think you need to have a basic grip on fitness to use the programs well. The weight stuff is unnecessary if you're more familiar with strength exercises but it's nice that it keeps track of what you do. Overall, a nice product.

Renewed motivation!
Since a knee injury has kept me from running, I've been doing cardio workouts at the gym 7 days/week for the past 6 months. I got this as a reward to myself after completing the 6 months. At that point, I was so bored with my workouts, I wasn't sure how long I could continue.

But this thing has definitely put the motivation back into my workouts! The fact that the heart rate displays on the gym equipment as I work out is just the beginning (but it's very helpful!). It calculates your VO2 max and as you workout, it keeps track of calories burned. You can program in different workouts for the week (short at a high heartrate, long at a moderate heart rate, etc.) and set goals for yourself - mileage, calories burned, number of workouts/week, etc. If you reach your goals at the end of the week, the F55 displays a trophy on the screen.

But the reason I chose the F55 over the other models was because of the ability to upload the data to the Polar website. I concur with the others that this process is far from perfect, but I can always get it to work within 5 minutes. And being able to view every workout I've ever done with the Polar is the BEST! I can also use the website to program in weights workouts, but I haven't used that feature yet.

For uploading to the website, I highly recommend buying the cheaper irdA usb plug from Amazon.com, rather than the one that Polar sells for twice the price. I have the Cables Unlimited USB1510 USB Acc, USB To Irda Adapter, and it works just as well.

One thing that it took me awhile to figure out was that you need to have the black rectangle at the top of the F55's lcd display facing and right next to the irdA while you're uploading. You may need to restart once or twice, but it literally only takes a few seconds. It's not a big deal at all, and it is SOOOOOOOO worth it! Think of all the typing you're saving yourself!

A couple of other minor points...
- be prepared to spend an hour or two setting the F55 up with your statistics. It's not difficult, but it requires some reading (not bad at all) and patience.
- I tend to work out at an average heart rate much higher than the default range, and it beeps as soon as I get over the range. It is possible to turn off the beeps (I have), but I haven't taken the time to figure out how to change the default range yet
- I lost the data from my first workout because I pressed the button for "Exercise", which displayed my heart rate as I worked out, but I needed to press that button again to "Start" the workout.
- I would only recommend this to someone who is motivated to figure out how to use it. It's not difficult at all, but it takes a bit of patience, as any new technology does. It was easier to get this thing going than it was my iPod.

And speaking of iPod, a note to Polar:
If you want to surpass the coolness factor of the F55, how about getting all the same information to display on my iPod as I work out? Or some other mp3 player? I'm not picky. An mp3 player (with enough storage) that has all the functionality of the F55 would be a must buy!

About Polar F55 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Ice Aluminum) detail

Amazon Sales Rank: #14030 in Sports & Outdoors
Color: Ice Aluminum
Brand: Polar
Model: 90029873
Released on: 2006-08-01
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: 1.00 pounds

Features

Heart rate monitor designed to help you hit training and fitness goals
Polar Body Workout feature provides basic guidance for muscular strength training
WearLink Coded transmitter made from a soft, fabric material, eliminates interference from other heart rate monitors
Keeps U Fit Workout Program gives you personal exercise guidance
Large easy-to-read, backlit display with split screen; water resistant to 30 meters

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