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 Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Dark Blue) By: Polar Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 38 More Information Good HRM - slightly small face and stiff band  On: 2008-07-04I use it for timing a workout and average heart rate. During a workout it displays whether you are under, at, or over your target heart zone. The HRM has hd no problem in picking up the heart rate signal and displaying the heart rate. It comes with a coded transmitter which is worn around the chest. At times the initial setup menus were a little confusing since there is only one button which is used to configure the watch. It took me a couple of tries to figure out how to turn off the beep each time it would pick up the heart signal. The instructions are not clear on this point. I also find the watch face slightly small for a male wrist. Polar likely had to choose a unisex size for the face. The band is a little stiff - and if you have a large wrist, you might find the band tight. Otherwise, a good, fairly stratight forward HRM. Cheap Plastic  On: 2008-07-04This product works just fine, but if you bump the cheap plastic face against a wall, tree, etc it scratches and ruins the watch! POLAR HEART RATE MONITOR FS1  On: 2008-06-07A good starter HRM. I liked that only one button is needed to access and change all the settings. However, if you want the convenience of having your HR shown as a percentage, or need a backlight because you exercise outdoors in the evenings, or track calories burned, or a unique code to prevent "crosstalk" with other HRM users close by, or be able to link to the Polar website, then this is not for you. Choose the FS2 or FS3. BOTTOMLINE: Before deciding on which HRM model to buy, define what your requirements are and check if the model you are choosing has these features. on time as promised On: 2008-05-11item was sent in a timely manner and my hubby is already using it and loving it. Good watch at good price On: 2008-05-02So far, so good.... this watch has been excellent in keeping my heart rate up. It takes some time to configuration it and it takes a little of me sweating before a good heart rate is shown on the watch. But it keeps me in good time with my running. Works great, very basic. On: 2008-04-23Some of the reviewers here seem to be expecting this thing to jump out of the package, fasten itself to the chest and set itself up! If the chest band on this thing is too complicated for you, then you are not ready for a HRM. They all use a chest band, and wetting it makes it read better. I wet my finger with my tongue and wipe it across the contact before fastening the strap. You DONT "need" to be near a sink. Its a very basic unit. It gives time, times the workout and monitors heart rate. Thats all. The only thing I wish it had were a backlight and an indicator for calories burned. But its my first one, and I may upgrade later. But maybe not. Based on my heartrate and duration of exercise, I pretty much know how many calories Ive burned. Compared to the cost of others, this unit is just fine. Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor - an Outstanding Value On: 2008-04-20I have participated in an arobic training program for more than 30 years. I know the importance of utilizing a heart rate monitor for healthy results. The Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor is the best value I have found to perform that vital function. The digital readout is large and easy to read. It gives you your current heart rate, minutes of activity, and upon completion it will provide the user with an average heart rate. One drawback of this model is that it will only record time on task up to one hour, and at that time the stop watch stops. Not Bad for the Price On: 2008-02-01I have been biking for awhile now and I recently got an indoor trainer and some DVDs to use to keep in shape over the winter months. So after doing them a few times I realized that I would be much better off if I knew my heart rate so I could train correctly for hard/easy days. The first few times I used it I had problems because I was not wearing it quite tight enough because after I tightened it up it has worked perfectly. I have had it all the way from 70 to 194 bpm and it seems to react as I would expect for various levels of excursion. My biggest complaint is that it doesnt keep track of the max heart rate for a training session, the more expensive ones do, so I guess you get what you pay for sometimes...but as long as you pay attention when you think you are getting close you can still find your max rate. One other thing I saw on some reviews was that it was too small for men, but Im 511 and nearly 200 lbs and it fits me, in fact I had it on too loose at first, yeah it is tight feeling but it has to be to work. For someone just starting out this is a great tool and only has 1 button, so there isnt much complicated about it. I would recommend this to anyone looking to start heart rate training, it has been proven to really help build aerobic capacity and strength when done properly. For Women or Anorexic Men  On: 2007-11-26I bought the FS1 on sale today at a local sporting goods shop. Im not looking for much, just a simple heart-rate monitor; and at first glance, this seemed to fit the bill. Having looked at other stores, I noticed that most of the Polar products on the shelf were clearly marked for women. I found the FS1 in dark blue and naively thought it was made for men. The wrist strap on the watch component, however, is far too short. If I use the very last eyelet, I can squeeze it onto my wrist (yes, Im a hefty guy, but Im carrying the weight around my middle, not around my wrists). Im not asking Polar to make all of its products for women in pink, just give a guy a heads-up somehow. For Women or Anorexic Men On: 2007-11-25I bought the FS1 on sale today at a local sporting goods shop. Im not looking for much, just a simple heart-rate monitor; and at first glance, this seemed to fit the bill. Having looked at other stores, I noticed that most of the Polar products on the shelf were clearly marked for women. I found the FS1 in dark blue and naively thought it was made for men. The wrist strap on the watch component, however, is far too short. If I use the very last eyelet, I can squeeze it onto my wrist (yes, Im a hefty guy, but Im carrying the weight around my middle, not around my wrists). Im not asking Polar to make all of its products for women in pink, just give a guy a heads-up somehow. A Great BASIC Heart Rate Monitor On: 2007-11-25Ive never been able to get the heart rate monitors that are built in to fitness machines to work for me. So I thought I would try the FS1. It works great. It is the first heart rate monitor that would give me consistant readings. The only downside to the unit is that it doesnt have a lot of features. But it monitors heart rate very well. Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor On: 2007-11-08I have two Polar Heart Monitors. One is a very "up scale" monitor and the other is the FS1. I use the FS1 much more than the up scale. The FS1 is easier to read when you are working out, it keeps you on track with your HR and it is very friendly. I was able to use all the functions and do the set up without reading the manual. The manual is also very easy to follow for those that feel they need to read the instructions. Reliable but hard to set up  On: 2007-10-10I have used polar products before. Their products perform very well. However their instructions and setup are not very user friendly. Once past that the product is great. Use of Heart Monitor On: 2007-08-23This has better an excellent product. Ties in with the treadmill that I use at work. Helps me with my work outs. It did not work the way I thought it should. On: 2007-05-31It seemed difficult to get the heart rate started and then seemed to hang up on a heart rate. It did not work the way I thought it should. On: 2007-05-30It seemed difficult to get the heart rate started and then seemed to hang up on a heart rate. Great service On: 2007-05-10For a well known product, it was a great service and a good price. Great service On: 2007-05-09For a well known product, it was a great service and a good price. You Get What You Pay For On: 2007-04-16I have owned this HRM for over a year. I just started running when I bought this product. My trainer suggested that I should buy this inexpensive HRM to keep up with my heart rate. I thought it was wonderful until I learned there were better HRMs. I didnt have the strap issue the other reviewers had. I found it easy to put on, but cleaning the strap is an issue. I use the Polar heart rate monitor as a back up now. It still works fine. I think this monitor is good if you just want a very basic heart rate monitor. *This heart rate monitor will not tell you how many calories you lost. You Get What You Pay For On: 2007-04-15I have owned this HRM for over a year. I just started running when I bought this product. My trainer suggested that I should buy this inexpensive HRM to keep up with my heart rate. I thought it was wonderful until I learned there were better HRMs. I didnt have the strap issue the other reviewers had. I found it easy to put on, but cleaning the strap is an issue. I use the Polar heart rate monitor as a back up now. It still works fine. I think this monitor is good if you just want a very basic heart rate monitor. *This heart rate monitor will not tell you how many calories you lost. watch out for polar.... On: 2007-04-08sent a polar heart rate monitor back for a new battery (compliemntary service) and they are charging me US$50 for repair of damage that didnt exist before I sent it. Once the monitors battery is dead you will need to sen dit back to them... watch out for polar.... On: 2007-04-07sent a polar heart rate monitor back for a new battery (compliemntary service) and they are charging me US$50 for repair of damage that didnt exist before I sent it. Once the monitors battery is dead you will need to sen dit back to them... FS1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Polar On: 2007-03-26The heart Monitor is very useful and very easy to handle with it. I liked very much and recommend the product bodyconcept also list this item at $49.95 On: 2007-03-19This store is listing this product twice. Make sure you buy it at the lower price. bodyconcept also list this item at $49.95 On: 2007-03-18This store is listing this product twice. Make sure you buy it at the lower price. The Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor is GREAT... On: 2007-03-08I bought The Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor about 3 weeks ago and it works great.... I use it for running and it really helps.... It is very easy to use.... Also it has a function to change from like the heart rate to the time or the stop watch all you have to do it put it close to the transmitter (the thing around your chest)and it changes to the next view... it is really nice... THIS IS A MUST HAVE!!!! Great !! On: 2007-02-14I bought this for walking/jogging, and I couldnt be happier with my choice. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I have not had trouble with the chest strap. It took about 30 seconds to figure out how the fasteners work, but since then, it has been really easy to take the chest strap on and off. Its comfortable, too, and I sometimes forget to take it off when Im done exercising. The watch doesnt have a lot of bells and whistles, but I just wanted something that would tell me my heart rate, and it does a great job at that. I highly recommend it. Good basic HR monitor On: 2007-02-06Cool yellow, big numbers in the display, simple to setup and use. Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch On: 2007-02-03I am a bit disappointed with this item. The strap on chest monitor is difficult to secure (keeps popping apart while trying to put it on)and it is hard to find the information you are looking for on the watch when you are running. Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch On: 2007-02-02I am a bit disappointed with this item. The strap on chest monitor is difficult to secure (keeps popping apart while trying to put it on)and it is hard to find the information you are looking for on the watch when you are running. Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch On: 2007-01-18I am very pleased with this product. It is easy to use and does exactly what it was advertised to do. I highly recommend it. Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch On: 2007-01-17I am very pleased with this product. It is easy to use and does exactly what it was advertised to do. I highly recommend it. Great product On: 2007-01-04I bought it for me, but my daugther used and she love it. Of course I gave it to her. It great! good product. Heart rate is accurate. Keep me inspirate during workout. nice and simple, but big On: 2006-11-10I like the simplicity of this heart rate monitor and I like the large, easy-to-read numbers. I only wish you could have all that in a smaller face. I have a small wrist and the face spans all the way across. Polar Monitor On: 2006-11-04An excellent addition to continue a healthy program to monitor my progress in a safe manner. Polar Monitor On: 2006-11-03An excellent addition to continue a healthy program to monitor my progress in a safe manner. accurate, fairly comfortable, and easy to use (once you figure it out) On: 2006-09-20The monitors watch is a little bulky for my taste (most are), but its pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it. I initially tried to figure it out without the manual and got absolutely nowhere -- with only one button, I couldnt control it intuitively at all. The idea of a chest strap was at first a deterrent from buying a monitor, but now that Ive got one, I actually think the trade-off between accuracy of measurement is worth the mild annoyance of keeping the strap up under my sports bra; its fairly comfortable and becomes unnoticeable once the real pain of exercise starts. Point of future concern is that battery replacements will have to go to Polar directly, which I hear isnt cheap (but thankfully shouldnt be very often), but it will preserve water resistance, so I suppose I understand it. accurate, fairly comfortable, and easy to use (once you figure it out) On: 2006-09-19The monitors watch is a little bulky for my taste (most are), but its pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it. I initially tried to figure it out without the manual and got absolutely nowhere -- with only one button, I couldnt control it intuitively at all. The idea of a chest strap was at first a deterrent from buying a monitor, but now that Ive got one, I actually think the trade-off between accuracy of measurement is worth the mild annoyance of keeping the strap up under my sports bra; its fairly comfortable and becomes unnoticeable once the real pain of exercise starts. Point of future concern is that battery replacements will have to go to Polar directly, which I hear isnt cheap (but thankfully shouldnt be very often), but it will preserve water resistance, so I suppose I understand it. does what i want it to - AND IT'S SIMPLE On: 2006-08-13im so sick of products that dont work. this time, all i needed was a heart rate watch because the heart rate sensors on those life fitness ellipticals are garbage. they work for a while and then they completely screw up and throw your workout off track. SO frustrating. so, i didnt need any of the other functions. i just needed a watch to show me my heart rate at all times, without pressing a bunch of buttons. and this did it. i glanced at the (thankfully short) instructions.. theres only ONE button on this watch. attach buttons to chest strap. put on chest strap under your chest. press button. THATS IT! there was no drop-out of my heart rate. at the gym, the elliptical screwed up as usual, but i had my watch! then it started working again and the watch readouts were the same as the (also polar brand) elliptical sensors. i was a little worried that i should have bought the next best model because it has some technology where other electronics cant interfere with it, but there was no one around me and i had no problem. the instruction said to moisten the chest strap sensors, but i didnt and it still worked. besides, during my workout i was sweating which gave it moisture naturally! the watch fits just like a normal watch, and it doesnt look all big and dorky. ALSO the number readout is big, which means i dont have to strain to see my heart rate, i just glance at it. ALSO the chest strap is perfect. i was amazed when i put it on and it fit without any adjustment on my part. its elastic and flexible. brilliant! there is one problem with this watch.. the battery. it says it will last for 2 years with 1 hour of use per day, but theres no way of turning the time display off. i assume they meant using the heart rate function. im emailing them to find out. also when the battery fails, they want you to mail it to them and they charge you $10 and $3 shipping to replace it instead of getting a tiny screwdriver and doing it yourself. actually that might be a good deal considering the price of some batteries. edit - this is what polar told me: "The FS1 can not be turned off. The average life of the receiver on a single battery is 2 years with 1 hour of use per day. The 1 hour of use is 1 hour of reading heart rate in exercise mode. In time mode the unit is in a battery saving state." so thats good. Good for a beginner On: 2006-07-31This is good for a beginner heart rate monitor user. I wish I had other features, but as I am a beginner with this type of training, this watch/monitor is sufficient. I will use it until it wears out and then I will upgrade to more advanced features. Polar B1 On: 2006-07-13This Heart Rate Monitor is slim, unobtrusive, and essential to maintaining effective and safe heart rates while exercising. I wouldnt be without it. Good value, easy to use On: 2006-05-09This is my third monitor and Ive never been disappointed by the Polar products. The sub $40 street price makes it a must buy even for the weekend workout warrior. One minor complaint - the band is too short and too difficult to fasten. Great monitor at a great price On: 2006-04-04This is my first HR monitor and I honestly dont know how I got by without one before! Very easy to use, dependable, and certainly the price is right compared to others Ive seen. Great monitor at a great price On: 2006-04-03This is my first HR monitor and I honestly dont know how I got by without one before! Very easy to use, dependable, and certainly the price is right compared to others Ive seen. Very easy to use On: 2006-03-12The Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch is very easy to set up and use. The face is easy to read while running. Very easy to use On: 2006-03-11The Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch is very easy to set up and use. The face is easy to read while running. Great help with your workout! On: 2006-03-11I wanted to keep track of my heartrate while working out and did not want to have to keep gripping the handles of the equipment at the gym. Ive only been using the FS-1 for a couple of days but already its made a difference to my workouts. With the large readout I can take a quick glance at the FS-1 and know how Im doing and really focus on my workout. I know the FS-1 will help me reach my fitness goals. Joan Tremendous Value, Works Great On: 2006-03-08i never thought i would find one of these under $100, maybe i was looking in all the wrong places, but when i found this one by chance at a wal-mart, i picked it up right away i think it was $39.99. Its fantastic, and its dramatically improving my running, i never thought a heart rate monitor would have been so crucial, anyhow, if my opinion changes, ill be sure to revise this review You get what you pay for. On: 2005-11-30I had to buy a heart rate monitor for a gym class, and I went and bought the cheapest one I could find (this one) at the local sports store. This one is really easy to use, but the strap that you have to wear makes it useless to me. The band comes in two pieces and is somewhat difficult to put on. Mine will start to slide off my chest after a few minutes of running and when this happens it no longer reads my heart rate making it useless. I no longer use it and I am looking to buy a better heart rate monitor. Also with this one, it does keep track of how long you work out, but you cant see the stopwatch during exercise, all you can see is the heart rate. I run a lot at night or in the evening, and this watch face does not glow or anything at night making it hard to read. This monitor does not seem very accurate either, I notice during exercise that for a couple of minutes it will be reading my heart rate as something really low, say 50, and then after a few minutes will go back up to where it should be (150 or so), skewing the final average heart rate. My advice: if you are doing heavy exercise (running etc...) spend the money on a good monitor. too much work On: 2005-10-05I havent even used it. The watch is easy enough but then theres this band that needs to be dampened lightly with water in order to work. The band goes around your waste and is not an easy velcro but in 2 pieces that need to be tied. Its impossible to do yourself, you need to be near a sink and have someone else there to tie it for you! Its already at the bottom of a drawer somewhere, never to be used. |