questions about the polar f6 and 11

i'm looking to get a hrm to measure my heart rate while doing HIIT, and also for an accurate measure of calories burned.. for those of you that have the polar 6 or 11 which would you recommend? 

i'm also confused about the whole "strap" thing, is it a watch or do you wear the chest strap?

EDIT:

Also, can you wear it during the day while not exercising to find your BMR??

I have a cardiosport go hrm it has a watch part that gives you the information  and  chest strap that gives the watch the information - i imagine they're all reasonably similar

 

I have this. The pink one, but Polar.  It is great.  You wear the watch and the chest strap while you work out.  It is really helpful to determine if you are working hard enough.

girlier.. whats the deal with the chest strap? do you need to wear that to get accurate readings?

The chest strap measures the heart rate and transmits the info to the watch. The watch is what you use to program your settings and see the output (calories burned). I do not know of any of these that do not have chest straps.

oh ok.. cause i think you buy the strap separately for like $50, i didnt know if it was necessary or not

I actually just got another F6 monitor yesterday and it should come with the strap.  You should check the online store to see- there is a special right now on the F6 models and it comes with free overnight shipping.

 

HTH!

i ended up buying the f6, already used it today to work out and i love it! except the strap that came with it is al ittle too big.. grrr

The strap should be adjustable.

i tried :-( its still too big even at the tightest it can go, i'm gonna have to pay another $50 for a smaller size

Don't pay another $50 for a smaller size.  I would try to contact Polar and see what they say, that is ridiculous that it doesn't fit right.  Either that, or maybe bring it to a tailor ( it seems crazy, but if they can hem your pants, they can fix your heart rate monitor strap so that it fits right. ) as long as they don't mess with the plastic electrode part, it will still work and be fine.