Polar F6 Watch

[Fujichants]

I have a pink Polar F6 and I must say I prefer it over my Polar F4, which I retired a few months ago. However, for some reason, when I go running with the HR strap that comes with the watch, I don't get a reading. I have to wear the strap backwards and it is really uncomfortable (I suggest you get one of those soft straps, instead of the one with the big plastic middle section).

It is very easy to use, and I like it a lot.

[divingbiker]

I have an F6 and like it, but I have to say that if the only reason to choose it is the back light, you might be disappointed. I tried using the light the other morning when I was running before dawn, and I couldn't read the watch. Of course that may have something to do with my almost-52-year-old eyes, but I didn't find it bright enough.

I haven't had any trouble with the chest strap and find it comfortable enough.

[Fredwina]

I had F6 - it should have been Yellow, as lemon. it would freeze up and the only way to get back work was to take the battery out. did out about 4 times before it did for good

[Miranda]

I had F6 - it should have been Yellow, as lemon. it would freeze up and the only way to get back work was to take the battery out. did out about 4 times before it did for good

Batteries and warranty...
Taking the batteries out yourself, and/or having someone other than a Polar authorized service center, mess with the battery voids the waterproof portion of the watch.

You have to google what's the closest service center to mail it in. Yes, that's a PITA, but they will check it out for everything (you send the chest strap too and I think the battery prices are competative). I actually had a problem where it came back with a button broken off. It's the one used the most (back button I think, lower left corner). It took two tries, but they sent me a replacement button (first it was the wrong button, my watch is d/c now they say... own the F6 in pink).

Watch freezes up problem...
I think I have fixed just about every single one of the spin instructors' watches at my gym with this problem... my watch included. Bottom line... Polar told me it freezes up due to sweat accumulation on the chest strap electrode piece. I tech rep asked me if I cleaned my watch after workouts. I sheepishly admitted I had never cleaned the chest strap... like in the whole two years I owned it! There is a way to re-set the watch without removing the battery. You hold down all the buttons at the same time (except one) and wait until the display blanks out and an hourglass symbol appears. Then it will rescroll thru the set up data, and viola... your Polar works again. I will try and search later for my tech reply email on how to do it and add it.

[Aggie_Ama]

I have an F6 and like it, but I have to say that if the only reason to choose it is the back light, you might be disappointed. I tried using the light the other morning when I was running before dawn, and I couldn't read the watch. Of course that may have something to do with my almost-52-year-old eyes, but I didn't find it bright enough.

I haven't had any trouble with the chest strap and find it comfortable enough.

The trail I run in the winter has street lamp style lights. They aren't bright enough to read my Timex without the light but with a backlight I can read it fine. Think that would be okay?

[Miranda]

I have an F6 and like it, but I have to say that if the only reason to choose it is the back light, you might be disappointed. I tried using the light the other morning when I was running before dawn, and I couldn't read the watch. Of course that may have something to do with my almost-52-year-old eyes, but I didn't find it bright enough.

I haven't had any trouble with the chest strap and find it comfortable enough.

Can't read display problem...
I don't know how old your batteries are in your Polar, but I had this problem as the battery aged. In the instruction booklet, this is the first sign of battery depletion. ...i.e. the backlit button is dim, and/or digits, and you can't read diddly ya know...

See one of my post below about procedure for batteries... after I received mine back, it lights up and works just like new... I feel sorta blind too... like I have trouble driving at night... my mom has actual night blindness and can not drive at night... hope it's just your watch being goofy, and not the eyes. Hope that helps, fwiw.

EDIT: I posted below how to reset the unit.

[Miranda]

I have a pink Polar F6 and I must say I prefer it over my Polar F4, which I retired a few months ago. However, for some reason, when I go running with the HR strap that comes with the watch, I don't get a reading. I have to wear the strap backwards and it is really uncomfortable (I suggest you get one of those soft straps, instead of the one with the big plastic middle section).

It is very easy to use, and I like it a lot.

Watch doesn't read strap...
OMG... GF! You are wearing that hard plastic sucker backwards? OUCH!

I own it, and I can say this to help maybe... 1) have you ever tried their electrode cream to make it stick and read? If the electrodes are not making proper contact, they will not read. I just spit on mine before spin class. 2) is your strap too loose, or slides further down your chest during the jarring of running and makes it not read?

I specifically ordered mine off Polar discounts dot com to get a size small strap (plus they stretch with time and get looser regardless of size, replacement parts can be ordered last I checked). The sporting goods store defaulted with only medium. These were too large, and my Polar did not make enough contact to read.

Also, if the Polar bras work for you, you can slide the plastic piece in there without the strap and get a tight contact. The don't fit me unfortunately, or I would own them. What I do is tuck my strap up under the sports bra band. Like in the back I really hike it up. So, as I sweat and if it wants to slip in the front as your girls are moving, it's held securely higher up in the back... and ultimately can't go falling down out of the contact zone.

I can sew some, and have also considered modifying my sports bras to my own Polar version. Fwiw...