The Polar FS2C HR monitor watch is the base model in Polar’s enormous selection of HRM watches and devices, and is the cheapest offering by Polar.
The FS2C HRM watch comes with the Polar T31 chest strap transmitter, which is worn around your chest to pick up your heart rates. The T31 transmitter is slim and light, and is waterproof, with a battery which lasts for up to 2500 hours of use. However, the battery is not user-replaceable, and when it runs out, you must purchase another transmitter. The FS2C is also compatible with the WearLink transmitter by Polar (available at additional cost), which has a user replaceable battery, and is also machine washable.
The display area of this sports watch is the smallest of all of Polar’s offerings, with only 1 row of digits displayed, so you must toggle between time and HR information. This HRM watch has only 1 button, which you push to toggle between the various modes. You have to manually set your target zone (see provided link for estimating your maximum heart rate and your appropriate target zone), and it provides an audible alarm when you stray from your target heart rate zone. The FS2C HRM also records one session’s worth of HR data for later review, although the FS2C cannot transmit that data to a computer like some of Polar’s more advanced HRMs. As a standard watch, the FS2C performs competently, with water resistance down to 50 meters, a back-light for night use, and date and weekday in addition to the time.
While the FS2C is the simplest of Polar’s HRMs, it still has several of Polar’s quality features, including the Polar OwnCode coded transmission which reduces interference with other electronic equipment, and the HeartTouch feature, which allows you to change the watch display by bringing the watch close to the chest transmitter instead of pushing the buttons. This is very helpful in situations when your hands are occupied or are gloved during exercise, making it difficult to push buttons.
So, if you are interested in a basic HRM watch, and want to obtain Polar quality at a budget price, the Polar FS2C heart rate monitor watch is the device for you.