Polar H7 Bluetooth 4.0 Heart Rate Sensor Set

For my exercise needs, this is way better than getting a Polar watch.I had a Polar watch for many years, until I lost it. It was expensive and I was reluctant to replace it. So, I then tried Garmin and some other cheaper varieties. They told my HR, but I had always liked the different programmes in the Polar. The heart health tests and so forth.I really didn't want to spend money on another Polar watch. The ones with the features were expensive and I hate the look of sports watches. I wouldn't wear it apart from exercising and it's just not my style. That said, I came across this product and it suits my needs 100%.The app is easy to use and it has all the features on the watch that I like. It connects to a polar website, which is less cool than it sounds. I don't use that very much (at all).Never mind that, the app is fully functional and occasionally updated. You can buy a few extra features on the app, which is an annoying concept, but it's only 12 pounds or so for all of them combined. These features allow for different pre-set regiments. I bought them all to try them, but I don't really use them apart from this real-time cardio v fat burning timer. I don't think you get that if you don't do the in-app purchase.It runs well without any extra costs and it does what it says it does. It keeps track of your HR.It seems to respond to my changes much quicker than the FitBit HR. It also broadcasts the rate to supported exercise machines. It's a strong broadcast as well, because when I'm on the elliptical the surrounding machines display my rate as well.That brings the question as to how would two in the same room perform? Would they get confused? The answer to that is no. I tried this with someone else and their H7 sensor. Mine was broadcasting to the surrounding machines, but the moment they got on a machine next to me, the machine displayed their rate and mine displayed mine. So, no problem if you've an exercise partner with the same kit.

I bought this to replace my Zephyr HxM and I chose this model for 3 reasons.Firstly it's Polar, which is a long standing brand with a reputation for making top of the range heart rate monitors.Secondly, it supports Bluetooth 4.0. For those who don't know Bluetooth 4.0 is the low power version of Bluetooth, this means the heart rate monitor will go much longer on a single battery than a standard Bluetooth heart rate monitor. More importantly (for me anyway) it also means it is less of a drain on your phone battery while you are working out - important for those long runs when every battery % counts!Finally rather than being rechargeable this uses a single CR2025 button type battery. My previous heart rate monitor came with a proprietary charging lead which I could never find when I needed it, with this one I can swap the battery out in seconds. No charging connectors and a sealed battery compartment means this is also waterproof so you can use it while swimming, assuming you have a waterproof phone.An added bonus which I wasn't aware of when I ordered mine is that it also supports "gym link" so if your gym has compatible cardio equipment then all the machines will display your heart rate without you having to grip the handles on the machine. Tried it at my gym and it works like magic, you start running/peddling/cross training or whatever and your heart rate is detected in a couple of seconds. You don't have to set it up or anything.Battery life is good, I always unclip one side of the unit from the belt when I'm not using it and I've been on the original battery for months with regular use.Accuracy seems to be spot on with no spurious readings or drop outs during your workout. Comparing workouts I've done using this one and using my old Zephyr this one is much more reliable.Overall very happy, would buy again.Two screenshots attached. One shows the consistent readings from the Polar, the other shows the drop outs I used to get with my old heart rate monitor.

Update: Jan 2017This stopped working with bluetooth devices after a battery change. Felt I had got good four years out of it, was about to order a new one.However, sense prevailed, I googled and there were two tips to reset the Polar H7. (The first one worked for me and unit is back up.1) To factory reset the H7 so that it can re-pair with your phone properly take out the battery and take a paperclip to short the two battery tabs on the unit for 1-2 seconds. One tab is the copper colored center one and one is a very small silver one on the side. Simply take a paper clip and short these two for a couple of seconds, replace your battery and voilà — it will show up again to pair with your phone.2) remove battery, close the battery compartment and and clip it on to the belt, without the battery. Put sensor on and wear for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Reinsert the battery, It will work.I have been using the belt since 2012, works very well. I use it with the Runtastic Pro App on iPhone 5.I managed to set it up in minutes first time and have no issues when using it. The App picks up the pulse immediately do not have to wet the belt.All the equipment in the picks up the pulse straight away. Never let me down.Battery lasts a long time and easy to change.I was sad when my 15 year old HearTalker that cost me US$25.00 was very simple, got audio feed back of the pulse in the headphones)broke down, however,this more than replaces it.What you get out of it dependes on how you use the App... some very good ones there, I would recommend Runtastic pro.