Polar F6 User Manual

BUTTONS

17925810.00 ENG/FRA A ENG

USER MANUAL

Polar F6™ Fitness Heart Rate Monitor

Light

Back

Press OK to enter the menu. Press the / buttons to move forward in the menus. Press and hold the Back button to return to the Time of Day display.

POLAR F6 QUICK GUIDE

View exercise information on current week.

Press

Monitor information such as your heart rate and calories burned during your exercise sessions.

START

SETTINGS

Back

View detailed information on your latest exercise sessions, as well as the long-term information on your exercises.

Press Press

EXERCISES

TOTALS

DIARY

SEND

Back

Change alarm, time of day, and other settings.

WATCH

HR SET

USER

GENERAL

Back

Dear customer,

Congratulations on your purchase of a new Polar F6™ Fitness Heart Rate Monitor!

Why should you use a heart rate monitor?

• A heart rate monitor helps you to train at your ideal pace.

• A heart rate monitor maximizes the benefits of exercise in a limited amount of time.

• A heart rate monitor provides you with objective information. Are you on the right track with your training?

Are you improving?

• A heart rate monitor provides you with immediate feedback; this is why it is an ideal training partner for you!

The Polar F6 heart rate monitor provides you a reliable and convenient way to measure your heart rate wirelessly. It measures the electrocardiogram (ECG). You can use the wrist unit to conveniently view your heart rate and other information while walking, cycling, cross-country skiing, or performing any other exercise without disturbing your exercise rhythm. Professional athletes and amateurs alike have relied on the information provided by their Polar heart rate monitor for decades, so why shouldn’t you?

This manual contains the information you need to use and maintain your product. Please read this through to understand how to use the functions and to get the most out of your Polar heart rate monitor.

Please also check our web sites for the best product and training tips and other value added services: www.PolarFitnessTrainer.com and www.polar.fi

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE F6 HEART RATE MONITOR ...........................................................................................................7

1.1 PRODUCT ELEMENTS ..............................................................................................................................................7

1.2 WRIST UNIT BUTTONS AND SYMBOLS .....................................................................................................................8

1.3 BASIC SETTINGS ...................................................................................................................................................10

1.4 MEASURING YOUR HEART RATE ............................................................................................................................ 12

2. EXERCISING .................................................................................................................................................................. 14

2.1 STARTING EXERCISE RECORDING .........................................................................................................................14

2.2 FUNCTIONS DURING EXERCISE .............................................................................................................................15

2.3 EXERCISE SETTINGS .............................................................................................................................................21

2.4 OWNZONE .............................................................................................................................................................22

3. MONITORING YOUR PROGRESS ..................................................................................................................................... 25

3.1 DIARY ...................................................................................................................................................................25

3.2 WEEKLY FOLLOW-UP .............................................................................................................................................28

4. CHECKING SAVED INFORMATION - FILE......................................................................................................................... 29

4.1 EXERCISE FILE ..................................................................................................................................................... 30

4.2 TOTALS FILE..........................................................................................................................................................32

4.3 DIARY FILE ........................................................................................................................................................... 34

5. SETTINGS .......................................................................................................................................................................36

5.1 WATCH SETTINGS..................................................................................................................................................36

5.2 HEART RATE SETTINGS ......................................................................................................................................... 40

5.3 USER SETTINGS ....................................................................................................................................................44

5.4 GENERAL SETTINGS ..............................................................................................................................................47

5ENGLISH

6. DATA TRANSFER ............................................................................................................................................................. 50

7. CARE AND MAINTENANCE .............................................................................................................................................. 51

8. PRECAUTIONS ............................................................................................................................................................... 53

8.1 INTERFERENCE DURING EXERCISE .......................................................................................................................53

8.2 MINIMIZING POSSIBLE RISKS WHEN EXERCISING .................................................................................................54

9. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 55

10. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION........................................................................................................................................... 57

11. LIMITED POLAR INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEE ................................................................................................................58

12. DISCLAIMER .................................................................................................................................................................. 59

13. INDEX ............................................................................................................................................................................ 60

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1.1 PRODUCT ELEMENTS

The Polar F6 heart rate monitor set consists of the following items:

Wrist Unit

The wrist unit displays your heart rate, burned calories, exercise time, and other exercise information while exercise recording. You can also wear it as a watch.

Polar Coded Transmitter

Wear the transmitter while exercising. The electrode areas are on the back of the transmitter. The electrodes detect your heart rate continuously and transmit it to the wrist unit.

Elastic Strap

The elastic strap holds the transmitter around your chest.

User Manual with Quick Guide

This User Manual contains the necessary information on using your Polar heart rate monitor. For a quick reference, take the function map included in the Quick Guide with you when exercising.

Polar Web Services

www.PolarFitnessTrainer.com is a complete web service tailored to support your exercise. Free registration gives you access to the exercise diary, tests and calculators, reports and useful articles. Moreover, you can get latest product tips and support online at www.polar.fi/fitness.

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE F6 HEART RATE MONITOR

1.2 WRIST UNIT BUTTONS AND SYMBOLS

Note: Pressing a button briefly (approximately one second) has a different effect than pressing and holding the button for a longer period of

time (at least two seconds).

Light

• Switch the backlight on.

By pressing and holding the Light button, you can:

Lock and unlock all the buttons, except the Light button, in the Time of Day display or while recording your exercise. Press and hold the Light button until Buttons Locked or Unlocked is displayed.

Back

• Exit the displayed menu and return to the

previous level.

• Cancel the selection and leave the setting as

it was.

• Switch the alarm off.

By pressing and holding the Back button, you can:

• Return to the Time of Day display from any menu.

• Enter the Watch settings from the Time of Day

display.

Heart Touch

In the Exercise mode, you can see the time of day by bringing the wrist unit near the Polar logo on the transmitter.

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• Move up in the menus and selection lists.

• Increase the selected flashing value when is on the display.

By pressing and holding the

• Change the display in the Time of Day display.

• Change the top row information in the Exercise

recording mode.

• Enter the menu in the Time of Day display.

• Enter the displayed menu.

• Accept your selection.

By pressing and holding the OK button, you can start exercise recording from the Time of Day display.

• Move down in the menus and selection lists.

• Decrease the selected flashing value when is on the display.

button you can:

Symbols

The menu level indicator shows you the number of menu items. When browsing the menus, the symbol indicates where you are in the current menu level. The

In guided setting sequences the number of symbols indicates the total number of settings, and the flashing

symbol indicates the setting you are currently adjusting.

The envelope reminds you to check the exercises from last week. For further information, see the section

Weekly Follow-Up on page 28.

The battery symbol indicates that the wrist unit battery is low. For further information, see the chapter Care

and Maintenance on page 51.

The alarm symbol indicates that the alarm is switched on. For further information, see the section Watch

Settings on page 36.

The framed heart indicates the coded transmission of your heart rate. For further information, see the

section Measuring Your Heart Rate on page 12.

The recording symbol indicates that exercise recording is on.

The sound symbol indicates that the heart rate zone alarm is switched on in the Exercise menu. For further

information, see the section Functions During Exercising on page 15.

symbol shows you the total number of menu items.

1.3 BASIC SETTINGS

Start from the Basic Settings mode when you use your product for the first time. You only need to activate the blank wrist unit once. Once activated, the wrist unit cannot be switched off. Alternatively, you can transfer the Basic Settings to the wrist unit from your computer. For further information, see the chapter Data Transfer on page 50.

Note: It is important that you be precise with the Basic Settings, especially when setting your weight, height, birthday and gender, as they have an impact on the accuracy of the measuring values, such as the target heart rate limits and calorie expenditure.

5. Date: Press the / buttons to select the month (mm) or day (dd). Press OK.

• Press the / buttons to select the day (dd) or month (mm). Press OK.

• Press the / buttons to select the year (yy). Press OK.

6. Units: Press the / buttons to select kilograms and centimeters (KG/CM) or pounds and feet (LB/FT). Press OK.

Note: The unit selection also affects how the calories are displayed. If you select lb/ft, calories are displayed as Cal. If you select kg/cm, calories are displayed as kcal.

7. Weight: Press the / buttons to set your weight. Press OK.

Note: If you select the wrong units, you can still change them by pressing and holding the Light button.

1. Activate the wrist unit by pressing any button. The display fills up with digits. Press OK.

2. WELCOME TO POLAR FITNESS WORLD is displayed. Press OK to start settings.

3. START WITH BASIC SETTINGS is displayed. Press OK to start the Basic Settings.

8. Height: Press the / buttons to set your height. Press OK.

Note: If you select lb/ft as your units, you first set feet and then inches.

4. Time: Press the / buttons to select the 12 H or 24 H time mode. Press OK. 12 H: the time is displayed from 1 to 12 am or pm. In the date and birthday settings, the month is set first and then the day (mm.dd).

• Press the / buttons to select AM or PM. Press OK.

• Press the / buttons to set the hours. Press OK.

• Press the / buttons to set the minutes. Press OK. 24 H: the time is displayed from 0 to 23 hours. In the date and birthday settings, the day is set first and then the month (dd.mm).

• Press the / buttons to set the hours. Press OK.

9. Birthday: Press the / buttons to select your birth month (mm) or day (dd). Press OK.

• Press the / buttons to select the day (dd) or month (mm). Press OK.

• Press the / buttons to select the year (yy). Press OK.

10. Sex: Press the / buttons to select MALE or FEMALE. Press OK.

11. SETTINGS OK? is displayed. Press the / buttons to select YES or NO. Press OK.

If you select Yes, your settings are accepted and you can start using your Polar heart rate monitor. If you select No, you can change your Basic Settings. Press the Back button until you return to the setting you want to change.

• Press the / buttons to set the minutes. Press OK.

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1.4 MEASURING YOUR HEART RATE

3. Lift the transmitter off your chest and moisten the two grooved electrode areas on the back.

To measure your heart rate, you need to wear the transmitter.

Heart rate coding reduces interference from other heart rate monitors that are close by. To make sure that the code search is successful and ensure trouble-free heart rate monitoring, keep the wrist unit within 3 feet/1 meter of your transmitter. Check that you are not near other people with heart rate monitors or any source of electromagnetic disturbances (for further information on interference, see the chapter Precautions on page 53).

4. Check that the wet electrode areas are firmly against your skin and that the Polar logo is in a central, upright position.

1. Attach one end of the transmitter to the elastic strap.

5. Wear the wrist unit as a watch. In the Time of Day display, press OK to enter the menu. Exercise is displayed. The wrist unit automatically starts to search for your heart rate. Your heart rate and the framed heart symbol appears in a maximum of 15 seconds.

2. Adjust the transmitter’s strap length to fit snugly and comfortably. Secure the strap around your chest, just below the chest muscles, and buckle the strap to the transmitter.

The frame around the heart symbol indicates that your heart rate is coded. Your heart rate is measured, but not recorded, until you have started to exercise. To record your heart rate and other exercise data, see the chapter Exercising on page 14.

Note: If the wrist unit does not receive your heart rate - - /00 is displayed, check that the transmitter electrodes are wet and that the strap is snug enough. Bring the wrist unit up to your chest near the Polar logo on the transmitter. The wrist unit starts to seek the heart rate signal again.

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2. EXERCISING

In the Exercise menu you can view and record your exercise information, such as your heart rate, exercise time, and energy expenditure.

2.2 FUNCTIONS DURING EXERCISE

Note: Your exercise information is saved only if the stopwatch has been on for more than one minute.

Checking the Time of Day

2.1 STARTING EXERCISE RECORDING

1. Wear the transmitter as described in the section Measuring Your Heart Rate on page 12. When you wear your transmitter during an exercise session the wrist unit automatically calculates the number of calories you have burned, as well as the other exercise information based on your heart rate.

2. Start from the Time of Day display. Press OK.

3. Exercise is displayed. The wrist unit automatically starts to search for your heart rate. Press OK.

4. Press the / buttons to select START. Press OK to start recording your exercise session. Exercise time starts running.

• If OwnZone is displayed, see the section OwnZone on page 22.

• If you want to skip the OwnZone® determination and use the previously determined OwnZone, press OK. In this case, if you have not determined your OwnZone before, your age-based heart rate limits are used.

• The OwnZone determination is automatically on, if you do not want to determine your OwnZone, change the HR limits setting in Exercise Settings, page 21, before starting to exercise.

• If START WITH BASIC SETTINGS appears, some of the Basic Settings are missing. Press OK to complete all your settings. For further information, see the section Basic Settings on page 10.

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Bring the wrist unit near the Polar logo on the transmitter. The time of day and your current heart rate are displayed.

Checking Exercise Duration, Calories, and Target Heart Rate Limits

Press the / buttons to view the following options:

Exercise

Exercise duration Heart rate as beats per minute (bpm) or as a percentage of your maximum heart rate (%HR The arrow symbols beside the symbol indicate that you are below or above your target heart rate zone.

), depending on your settings.

max

Calories (displayed as Cal/kcal, depending on your units settings) The calories you have burned until now.

Polar calorie calculation shows your energy expenditure while exercising. You can use the feature to set daily and weekly exercise goals in terms of calories (Cal/kcal). Monitor your energy expenditure by following the calories of one exercise session, accumulated weekly calories, or your total calories for as many exercise sessions as you choose.

Changing the Displayed Exercise Information

In the Exercise and Calories display, you can change the upper row information to personalize the display by pressing and holding the button.

Exercise duration

Calories

In Zone (displayed if HR limits are on) Exercise duration between target heart rate limits Target heart rate limits as bpm or as %HR

, depending on your settings

max

The symbol moves left or right according to your heart rate. If the symbol is not visible, it means your heart rate is either below or above your target heart rate limits. The alarm sounds, provided the zone alarm is switched on.

Time of Day

Calories

Fitness bullets - a bullet appears for every 10 minutes in the target heart rate zone equaling one hour in total if all the bullets appear.

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Time of Day

Exercise duration

Fitness bullets

Switching the Backlight On

Press the Light button and the display is illuminated for a few seconds. After you have illuminated the display once while exercising night mode symbol appears in the display. The display automatically illuminates each time you press any button or bring the wrist unit near the Polar logo on the transmitter, until you stop recording the exercise.

Switching Keylock On or Off

Press and hold the Light button to lock and unlock all the buttons, except the Light button. BUTTONS LOCKED or BUTTONS UNLOCKED is displayed.

Pausing the Exercise

You can pause your exercise recording while taking a break to drink water or some other activity.

1. Press the Back button. Your current heart rate is displayed. The recording of the exercise is paused. instead of is displayed.

2. Select CONTINUE by pressing the / buttons. Press OK to continue recording your exercise.

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Changing Settings During Exercise

You can change the settings while recording your exercise or you can pause the exercise recording while modifying your settings.

1. If you want to change the settings without pausing the exercise recording, press and hold OK.

Alternatively, if you want to pause the exercise recording, press the Back button and select SETTINGS with the / buttons. Press OK.

2. HR ALARM, HR LIMITS, and HR VIEW are displayed. Press the / buttons to select Alarm, Limits, or View. Press OK.

HR alarm: Select VOL 2 (loud), VOL 1 (quiet), or alarm OFF with the / buttons. Press OK. HR limits: If you are using OwnZone or Automatic HR limits, select HARD, MODERATE, LIGHT, or BASIC with

the / buttons. Press OK. Your limits are displayed for a few seconds. Alternatively, if you are using Manual limits, your target heart rate limits are displayed for a few seconds. HR view: Select HR (beats per minute) or HR% (percentage of your maximum heart rate) with the / buttons. Press OK. When you have modified the settings, the wrist unit returns to either Exercise mode or Exercise pause mode.

For further information, see the section Heart Rate Settings on page 40.

Note: The wrist unit shows the exercise or exercise pause mode if you do not press any of the buttons within one minute.

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