HR monitor help - Math wizzards needed

[goal2befit]

Today was the second day I used my new Polar F6 Heart Rate Monitor and again today it beeped the entire time I ran. (Approx 2 miles ran and 1 mile walked as my warm up and cool down.) I was ready to throw the dam thing into the brook. I made some changes with my settings and thought I had them right today. According to the book that came with it, I should keep my heart rate between 148 to 167 for high intensity - 80 to 90 percent of my heart rate. But it also says that maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age. (220 minus my age (38) = 182.) Also, I did the OwnZone test and it automatically set the heart rates for me. (159 - 171 )

When I was all done running today it gave me a summary and said that my heart rate was between 162-185.

So my question is, what is correct?

Also, when do you start recording to keep a daily log? When running, is it before you start walking to warm up or is it right as you start running?
I did a search of heart monitors on this forum but I didn't see where anyone else had this model. Any help would be appreciated.
I feel I need a training class on the heart monitor/wrist watch.

 

[stingo]

I have the F11 and have found that it beeps when you're below 70% or above 80% in the default settings. You can also switch which percentages you want to use - your OwnIndex or the General ones (I use the General ones myself). For whatever reason it has spikes where it gets up to 92% even though I'm not working that hard - could be for split second due to a bad reading etc, but that's what gets recorded on the monitor. From the looks of your one data point, the OwnIndex range seems closer to what you want to use (that your heart seems to beat a little faster than the general measurement). In that sense both scales are correct, just depends which you feel is more accurate.