Received the Polar H7 today. I have a Motorola Droid RAZR, running Ice Cream Sandwich. I wanted to use this device with Noom Cardiotrainer app, but it would not recognize the Polar H7, even after pairing the device with my phone in the Bluetooth settings. Thought I was doing something wrong, so I followed the instructions to a T — I wet the section of the strap where the electrodes were located, I applied Buh-Bump electrode conductive cream to the strap… nothing.

I searched for some time around the Internet and found other users having the same problem. Tried a few different apps – Endomondo, HRNavi, etc. Nothing worked. I tried searching the forums on Polar’s website (which I have other issues with, by the way) and found nothing. A bunch of other users with the exact-same problem.

So, I searched Google Play until I found an app that finally worked – MapMyRun. Its heart rate monitor settings picked up the H7 the first time with no issues. Then, I found that the developer that created MapMyRun had also created a set of apps such as MapMyWalk, MapMyFitness, MapMyHike, etc. They ALL work with the H7. So, I fired up a Shaun T Insanity video, strapped on the H7, launched MapMyFitness, and the app tracked my peak heartrate during my workout, the average heartrate, and even a calculation of calories burned. Worked flawlessly.

So, the issue is not my phone. The issue is not the H7. The issue is the apps that are not fully compatible with the H7. If you check the Google Play descriptions for the apps I tried above, they all say to use their apps with the Polar Wearlink+, not the Polar H7. Funny… it would have been nice to find this information BEFORE completing my purchase. But, you know… I searched on Amazon’s website for “polar wearlink+” and every device that came up in my search results was not what I was looking for – either I found the “Coded” model, or the “Nike+” model, but no model that specifically said “Wearlink+”. So, I bought the H7.

Well, I’m stuck with the H7 now. So, yes, I will chalk this up to me not doing my research fully. The device works GREAT with my Droid RAZR and the MapMyFitness suite of apps, so I rank it FIVE STARS for that reason. It will not work with the apps I wanted to use it with – specifically, Cardiotrainer – but I will not downgrade my rating just because I did not do my research.

For those of you looking to purchase the H7, if you have an iPhone 4, this is the device for you. If you have a Motorola Droid RAZR and want to use this with the MapMyFitness suite of apps, this is the device for you. However, if you have any Android device and want to use any other HRM-compatible app, I highly recommend you search for the Polar Wearlink+.

Once I managed to hack my way into the package (I hate those plastic packages that everything comes in now) I had it synced up and working with Strava on a iPhone 4s in just a few seconds. Also worked fine with Endomondo app. Used it while cycling with iPhone in back jersey pocket – not problem staying connected and supplying the app with heart rate info during the ride. The battery life of the iPhone wasnt impacted – I get about 4hrs while using a GPS tracking app.

I’ve got about 150 miles in with this strap – no issues with connectivity, battery life or comfort. The strap connector is a small metal hook that fastens into an elastic loop. I haven’t had any issue with it, but in general its not as nice as some other straps that I have used that had a more robust belt-like plastic buckle.

The native support, no dongle or anything else to plug into the phone, makes this really nice.

UPDATE: Bluetooth connection remains after you are done with your work-out. After stopping the recording of Strava or Endomondo, the Bluetooth connection remains b/t your phone (iPhone 4s in my case) and the HRM. I burned one battery before I figured out what was going on. When I’m done now I try to remember to actually kill the app.

UPDATE2: I have had a lot of trouble getting this thing to sync with my iPhones. I ran across a review that said you need to wear it for a few minutes without the battery in it to fully reset it. That worked wonders. I also think that when its really sweaty/wet after a workout its worth unclipping it to get the unit to shut off sooner and save the batter

I bought this unit to work with my new Ipod Nano 7th generation. I tried very hard to get it to be recognized by the Ipod. I could not do it. I called Apple and they said they did not know how to make it work with the Polar Unit but they advertise it wll; JUST LIKE POLAR does! So we did a conference call with Polar who then said they DO NOT KNOW HOW to make it work with the Ipod either. I was amazed that all the marketing says they will sync with each other but neither company know how to do it! I was then referred to the head of U.S. marketing for Polar and he didn’t know how to use it either so he contacted GLOBAL marketing for Polar. Today I received instructions on how to sync it. Here they are:

Below are detailed instructions that our global help desk provided on using the H7 transmitter with the 7th generation iPod:

– Wear the Polar H7 hear rate sensor
– Go to iPod Nano Settings and check that Bluetooth is On. Note! iPod does not show H7 in Devices list.

– Enter Fitness Nike+ application and tab the "i" icon.
– Enter Nike+ iPod Sprot Kit and choose Heart Rate Monitor
– Check that Heart Rate Monitor is ON
– Choose Link from the list and tab the heart symbol.
Now the application starts to link the H7 sensor. When the sensor is linked press the iPod button to return.

– Enter Fitness Nike+ application and choose Sport (e.g. Run)
– Choose Heart Rate from the List
– Scroll to choose your sport and press Done
– Choose None (or other settings)
– Now you will see a heart symbol until iPod has found your heart rate signal.
– When heart rate signal is found, iPod will automatically change the display info. Now you can see your heart rate and you can Start the exercise recording.

As you can see this is virtually impossible to know all this with NO instructions. I must say Polar was always in contact with me and actually shipped me new devices to try along the way. Now I am very happy with my purchase.