So far so good! Setup & Workout

I just got this Polar F6 HRM after reading rave reviews from way too many people on the fitness website I belong to. I cannot comment on durability as I've had it for 2 days. This review details my experience with setting up the functions and using it during a workout.

I bought my F6 from http://heartratemonitorsusa.com/ They have a Father's Day sale going on and this model is only $99.95, with an additional 20% off it was only $80. Cheaper than everywhere except eBay.

*Setting Up*

Setup was a little time consuming but easy, because I read the manual (which is NOT as complex as people say). You can go to the Polar website and click on Product Tutorials and Demos, which will lead you to short videos about how to set your monitor up manually or by using the UpLink software.

The UpLink software is available at www.polar.fi or by navigating to it from www.polarpersonaltrainer.com (under Toolkit). It says this in the manual on page 38 - Data Communications section. Pretty logical place for that info to be, although they could have also given the website in the Setting Up section.

Ok, so I used the UpLink program and found it easy and cool (some are saying it's outdated technology, but I thought it was really neat!) You need speakers on your computer to use this. Hold the watch next to the speakers. The computer will make a series of beeps which will transmit the information to the watch. Easy peasy. The only thing that would not transfer for some reason is the logo, but that is not a big deal to me. Everything else transmitted just fine.

Now, for the WebLink program (which is what you use to keep an online log of your workouts) you will need a microphone for your computer. You can get the WebLink software from www.polarpersonaltrainer.com under Toolkit. This, again, was easy to install, a little harder to use than the UpLink but still fine. I have a dinky old microphone/headphone combo so I had to hold my watch right up to the mic (touching it) and it took 3 tries to upload my information.

It is worth uploading your information because it is much easier to look at your workout data in a nice online spreadsheet than on your watch, plus it's better for your watch battery.

*Working Out*

I have only worked out once so far with this on. I followed directions and thoroughly wet my skin in the area under the electrodes. I had no trouble getting a heart rate from beginning to end. The strap was not uncomfortable although it seemed to want to slip down; I will need to start wearing a tight sports bra and tucking it into the band. The watch is bulky as other reviewers say; not so much that I would be embarrassed to wear in public. The chest strap is a little tricky to put on and take off at first, because of the rubber snaps, but being rubber, they won't break-- you just need to twist them around and you'll figure it out.

I did a 30 minute cardio DVD and got all the information - bpm, calories, etc, without a loss of connectivity or any interruption to the workout. A possible complaint: the monitor is overestimating my calories burned, because I didn't exercise hard enough to burn 355 calories in 30 minutes. I wasn't so out of breath and the monitor said I was in the 85%-95% zone the entire time-- I doubt it.

I will lower my resting heart rate in the settings, and see if it makes a difference. Otherwise I will be VERY disappointed since the main reason I spent $80 was for accuracy. My last HRM was not very accurate and I wanted a quality product that would constantly monitor and let me know what I was burning... but I KNOW I didn't work as hard as the F6 said today. I was hardly sweating!

I haven't tried it swimming, but according to the manual, the high conductivity of ocean or pool water often leads to inconsistent readings while swimming. Polar assured me that as long as no buttons are pushed on the watch while it's in the water, no harm should come from submerging it. Will update in a month or two unless it breaks sooner.