Polar F11 - worth the money

I don't usually rave about technology, but in this case, it's pretty amazing.

The PolarF11 tracks your workouts for time and heart rates, and it will give you a 'fit test' and build a workout regime for you - or allow you to build it yourself. If you are into heart zone workouts, this is for you.

I have to admit the watch is a little difficult to figure out, but nothing that an hour or so with the manual and fiddling around won't cure. After a pretty short period it seems fairly logical.

To fully realize the potential of the watch you need to use the upload and tracking features. I was disappointed that I couldn't upload the watch information directly to my PC, but instead to the Polar website, but it's not that big a deal. It uploads using a 'sonic' method which seemed pretty hokey, but works suprisingly well. You navigate to File -> Send and press a button and series of geiger counter clicks is produced, which seems to actually work.

The chest strap which holds the electrodes and is wirelessly connected to the watch is comfortable and works very well "Polar Ready" exercise equipment which it also communicates with wirelessly so you can monitor your heart rate while running on the equipment. The F11 includes the chest strap with the replaceable battery instead of having to return it to the factory for replacment.

It is the one piece of equipment that has really helped me step up my workouts and sustain them. And...if you do your workouts for a week, the watch has a suprise for you!