I bought my Polar HRM in Sept of '11 and it still works like a champ. I use it 4-6 times per week for Zumba, boot camp and cycling. It is the FT40 with the soft strap. I put the strap in the washer (with the "transmitter" removed) when I remember...maybe once every few weeks. I have had no trouble whatsoever with this HRM. I had another one previously (Polar) that I did have trouble with but one I started washing it as described, I had no trouble.