Polar FT2 Watch Works with WearLink

Polar FT2 Watch Works with WearLink
I have owned a number of Polar HRMs. In the old days the cheaper models would only work with the funky plastic straps they came with. Recently Polar has started manufacturing models like the FT2 which, though it comes with a plastic strap, has a coded transmission signal and will work with a WearLink. This is good news, since the WearLink is vastly superior to the plastic strap.

The one-button operation on the FT2 simplifies set-up. It is easier to remember what does what -- in fact, remembering is not needed. However, it does take some patience, because you must wait for a prompt from the watch before you enter a setting. It prompts for higher input, then for lower input, then for acceptance. This is a little bit of a nuisance, and I just leave it in exercise mode all the time, since I only use it in a gym setting.

Many gym machines, like ellipticals, scissors machines, and treadmills, have built-in Polar receivers and will read out heart rate info. That makes separate receivers like the FT2 only optional. However, I like to see the output on a separate receiver, and for me something like the FT2 is beneficial.