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April 22nd, 2010 
John Greenstone 
- Displays heart rate, exercise time, and average heart rate
- WearLink Coded transmitter, made from a soft fabric material, eliminates interference from other heart rate monitors
- OwnIndex feature will determine your fitness level, track your improvements
- Polar OwnZone helps determine an individual exercise zone; calorie counter and goal management
- Large easy-to-read, backlit display with split screen; water resistant to 30 meters
Product Description
The M61 features the WearLink™ Coded transmitter made from a soft, fabric material. The electrodes, which pick up the heart signals, are integrated right into the strap for added flexibility and comfort. The Coded feature eliminates interference from other heart rate monitors. The M61 is a must for the individual seeking guidance and motivating feedback.Amazon.com Product Description
Work out at the right intensity and hit your fitness goals with the Polar M61 Heart Rate Monitor, ideal for the serious exerciser looking to lose weight or reach the next level of fitness. You can use the M61 monitor to conveniently view your heart rate while walking, swimming, biking, cross-country skiing, or any other exercise without disturbing your exercise rhythm. The wristwatch-like monitor features a large display that includes 12/24-hour time of day, alarm, and stopwatch. The transmitter includes the Wearlink Coded function, which eliminates interference from other heart rate monitors. The transmitter’s electrodes, which pick up the heart signals, are integrated right into the strap for added flexibility and comfort.
The OwnCal feature shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions. It also allows you to set daily and weekly exercise goals in terms of calorie expenditure. The OwnZone feature helps determine an individual exercise zone, guiding you through an appropriate warm-up routine and automatically determining a safe and effective exercise heart rate zone. OwnZones presets include Basic, Advanced, Light, Moderate, Hard, and Weight. The OwnIndex feature will determine your fitness level, track your improvements, and provide motivation.
The M61′s visual and audible alarms alert you when you reach your target heart rate zone. The Time in Target Zone feature calculates the amount of total exercise time spent in your personal target zone. You can use this feature together with the Total Exercise Time to determine the effectiveness of your exercise program. The Fitness Bullets feature shows a bullet on the monitor’s display for every 15 minutes spent exercising/training in your target heart rate zone.
Key Details:
- Displays heart rate, exercise time, and average heart rate
- Manual and automatic heart rate limit settings
- Target heart rate zones with audible and visual alarm
- OwnCal calorie counter shows energy expenditure during workout and enables you to set goals
- WearLink Coded transmitter, made from a soft fabric material, eliminates interference from other heart rate monitors
- OwnZone helps determine an individual exercise zone
- Large easy-to-read display with backlighting and split screen
- 24-hour clock with day/week indicator and stopwatch
- Two-year average battery life
- Water resistant to 30 meters (100 feet)
What’s in the Box?
M61 heart rate monitor watch unit, wireless transmitter, elastic strap, battery (built-in CR2032 lithium cell), printed instructions
Manufacturer’s Warranty
2-year limited warranty
Note:
Polar heart rate monitors are precision instruments; consumers are not advised to change their own battery. Polar recommends that all service be done by an authorized Polar Service Center which will include a warranty for 90 days on repairs and 6 months for batteries.
About Polar
The first EKG accurate wireless heart rate monitor was invented by Polar back in 1977 as a training tool for the Finnish National Cross Country Ski Team. The concept of “intensity training” by heart rate swept the athletic world in the eighties. By the 1990s, individuals were looking to heart rate monitors not only for performance training needs, but also for achieving everyday fitness goals. Today, the same concept of heart rate training is being used by world-class athletes as well as everyday people trying to lose weight. Polar is the leading brand among consumers, coaches, and personal trainers worldwide and the company is committed to not only producing the best products, but also being the leading educator on the benefits of heart rate based exercise.
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I’ve exercised with it five times now, and I’m pleased with the stats it reports. The design is quirky and bulky, and the exercise button is easily activated by accident. The manual is not intuitive at all, but I patiently read through it and eventually made sense of it.
I like the looks and ergonomics of my last Timex IronMan watch much better, plus it kept 50 stop watch entries in memory (and the watch only cost $40), but that band came apart around the buttons (poor design) which I could not repair, so I upgraded to a HRM watch – choosing Polar. Polar should seriously thin the watch design. I wear it daily to work in the office, and it’s too bulky. I’d also like to gave more than one exercise session stats saved at a time.
Rating: 3 / 5
The very first time I used this product in the pool it was filled up with water. It is supposed to be water proof to 3 atm and it proved wrong.
I tried to claim the “international warranty” and haven’t received a response, though local dealer believes they will claim misusage (like I had not read the directions before use). Such a poor service on that end too.
AISoto – Queretaro, Mexico.
Rating: 1 / 5
This thing does some amazing things. It’s so nice to know how many calories and fat you have burned from a workout. You really start to ignore the band around your chest after a while. Also, the watch is very light, and easy to learn how to use!
Rating: 5 / 5
I purchased this item to better help keep track of my fitness goals. The monitor performs as advertised. It is important to thoroughly wet the sensors on the belt prior to using, for best and consistent results. Programming the watch accessory was simplified by going to the Polar website and viewing the mini videos. So far, I have been extremely pleased with my purchase. I use it for walking, and cycling. Thank you.
Rating: 5 / 5
-At first I found this quite useful, the “test” feature does appear to measure fitness level change. I have used it at the gym and for cycling. The most used features have been the file and the range alarm.
-DO NOT DROP IT ON A HARD SURFACE. It is not a Casio or Timex, it does no handle bumps and drops well, usually resetting it. The last drop finished it off.
-It is annoying that the chest strap battery is sealed in and not user serviceable.
Rating: 3 / 5