polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO...: Triathlon Forum: Slowtwitch Forums

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polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO...

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tc_tri_texan

Sep 28, 10 19:47

Post #1 of 53 (9075 views)

polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO...	Quote \| Reply

Just looking for best of the best...what's better (IYHO) :)
Thanks!
The Texan

tpgrole

Sep 29, 10 9:24

Post #2 of 53 (8988 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Since you asked for opinions... The 310XT is what I opted for. The Timex wasn't released yet when I was ready to buy and the preliminary reviews didn't convince me to wait for it. The Garmin offered everything I wanted in one nice package. I've had several other Garmin units before this one, so the learning curve of operation was very short. Have you checked out the very detailed reviews on DCRainmaker.com? The Timex and Garmin reviews there should help you decide which will work best for you.

SpeedyTSO

Sep 29, 10 9:34

Post #3 of 53 (8977 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Ray Maker have written in depth reviews on the 310xt and Timex Ironman GPS

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/...in-depth-review.html

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/...obal-trainer-in.html

ToKnowMore

Sep 29, 10 9:57

Post #4 of 53 (8962 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I have the RS800CX, The 310XT and the Suunto T6C (yeah, I'm an addict). First of all, Ray hasn't given the best review of the the Timex. So, I'd count that out. The 310XT is a very nice, simple and powerful unit. I would recommend that, especially since it has the GPS built in. That is my go-to unit. The RS800CX has the best software and most features. But the communication with a PC (USB IRDA device) sucks and the GPS is separate. You can also get R-R information using FirstBeat Athlete (I don't know really how valuable that is). I would stay away from the Sunnto T6C/T6D (only difference is the belt). The GPS pod sucks. Their software sucks.

tc_tri_texan

Sep 29, 10 22:38

Post #5 of 53 (8899 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [ToKnowMore] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Thanks everyone!

Viking

Sep 30, 10 1:13

Post #6 of 53 (8886 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I'm in the same situation as you, but I think I will wait to buy anything quite yet. The TGT seems pretty nice but it doesn't support fotpod and it doesn't have a vibration feature like the 310XT. Although you can use it as a watch which you can't with the 310XT.

Timex was talking about new products coming out this spring, seemed like they weren't that committed to the TGT.

I'm hoping Garmin will release a new version of the 310XT this spring. (They usually do that every 2 years.)
With the new SIRFVI (is that what it's called?) GPS chip like they have in their new 110.

ddave

Sep 30, 10 2:12

Post #7 of 53 (8868 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [Viking] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

The Garmin doesn't really do heart rate properly do does it? Huge huge interference from, what seems like, pretty much everything.

Viking

Sep 30, 10 2:57

Post #8 of 53 (8856 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [ddave] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

In Reply To:

The Garmin doesn't really do heart rate properly do does it? Huge huge interference from, what seems like, pretty much everything.

Hmm, I haven't heard anything about that.
I know Polar is a bit better at heartrate and Garmin is a bit better (actually a lot better) at GPS.
Please enlighten me if you have any data.

Wayne@PolarUSA

Sep 30, 10 3:46

Post #9 of 53 (8845 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [Viking] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Please PM me or post specific questions concerning Polar.
Disclaimer... I WORK FOR POLAR USA

bpq

Sep 30, 10 3:47

Post #10 of 53 (8844 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I own the RS800 and the 310XT

Garmin... hands down. (no pun intended)

Viking

Sep 30, 10 5:20

Post #11 of 53 (8814 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [wvarta.PolarRep] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

In Reply To:

Please PM me or post specific questions concerning Polar.

I really like the look of Polar watches and I heard they are really great for HRM, but I wish you/they had a GPS built in.
Is that something we might see in the future?

HomerJSimpson

Sep 30, 10 5:46

Post #12 of 53 (8791 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [Viking] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I had both my Garmin 310XT not only fell apart but couldn't hold the HR signal vey much and would lose the GPS signal on a regular basis. Switched to the RS800CX and have never had a problem with it. The GPS pod is a seperate unit which may be an issue for you but has never really bothered me. The software for the Polar is 100x better as well IMPO.

mooseknuckle69

Sep 30, 10 6:01

Post #13 of 53 (8780 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I have used Polar specifically and have found the monitor and the support from Polar (Canada) phenomenal. I have the Polar RS800sd with the S1 foot pod which IMO is better than the GPS as the S1 foot pod is set up for MY stride length/running style. Yes there is a bit of work to get it set and if you are really a numbers junkie then you may re-calibrate it which is quite easy----go to a track and run min 3 laps then set the distance.

Though I hear good things about the GPS, I do a fair bit of trail running and I have heard (yes I know no experience so really I can't talk about it) that sometimes due to the tree canopy you can loose the sat signal, same may apply with a downtown urban setting with tall buildings.

I know you can get the Garmin 310XT which will do most everything for you, monitor bike speed/power and running so you only have one unit to carry and worry about. However I read quite frequently issues that come up with Garmin surrounding power monitoring (check the wattage group forum).

So for me I like to have specific monitoring systems for each phase of my tri race. i.e. for power I have Joule 2.0, running Polar RS800sd, for swimming I just try to finish strong because there is no way you can monitor your swim race, while actually swimming.

YMMV

------------------------------------------------------------
"PAIN is nothing compared to what it feels like to QUIT" Wink

tc_tri_texan

Sep 30, 10 22:30

Post #14 of 53 (8709 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Lots of really good feedback from everyone. I don't want to start a "mine is better than yours" war on this forum. As a reply to someone else on this list, I posted this reply to them and wanted to share.
Thanks for all the info. I have owned the Polar S625X for 5+ years and have really loved it. My HR strap has recently worn out and no longer functions, my footpod is on its "last leg" and that is why I am on the hunt for my next unit. I do train/race with powertap, but quite honestly I don't have to have a device on my bike for that functionality since i have the PT CPU unit on my bike anyway. Would GPS be nice on the bike, sure, is it mandatory for me, no way. I have all the numbers I really need on the bike out of that unit. I actually love the software that comes with that one AND my Polar. I have always been a devout follower of Polar since they really helped me out of a bad situation a few years ago, but I have often contemplated running without the heavy footpod on my foot and going with an all in one GPS device. I don't like the Timex b/c it is a seperate GPS unit too...I think. My first GPS unit (pre-Polar 625) was the Timex speed+distance system and it put a really bad taste in my mouth and I ended up trashing it after about 18 months of frustration. I agree downloading the data and the software is cool for Polar but have really nothing to compare it to. Recently I have seriously contemplated if I want to move to the garmin running watches just for the GPS stuff as I have never had that before. I have gotten away from HR training recently when my strap stopped working and found just as I did in my early years that for running, I can really tell a lot just based on RPE and to listen to my body/legs/breathing. You'd be surprised at how much it tells you.

Bottom line, I am still torn between my tried and true polar and the garmin 310xt that more than 90% of my friends and people I talk to recommend. Nothing against Polar b/c for HR...those guys are #1 hands down. So it is a matter of 1. Would I rather have solid HR numbers/software and wear a footpod again like I do today with about 95% accuracy or 2. have sub-par HR monitoring/software but have an all in one 100% accurate measurement of my distance, speed, maps, etc.

decisions decisions
thanks!
The Texan

Viking

Oct 1, 10 0:16

Post #15 of 53 (8689 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

In Reply To:

FYI
The Timex Global Trainer has the GPS built in. There is no extra pod needed.

tonyoh

Oct 1, 10 1:43

Post #16 of 53 (8677 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I have also had the RS800 and the 310xt. Pretty much gave up on the polar - it spent more time getting fixed than being used. I probably spent over $200 taking it back to the service centre. Most of the time the service centre was good, and the internals and foot pod were replaced several times and the strap a few times. but the final straw was when the strap broke (soon after being replaced) during a swim - it is now at the bottom of the ocean! I also did not have that much faith in the actual HR values in colder weather, and the foot pod was just a joke. no matter how I calibrated it I could not get a consistent pace value. Running at a very similar pace I would get around 1min/km change in pace running on the concrete as opposed to the grass verge. I had the S625 and S725 prior - and these were pretty good units on the whole - not without issue, but ALOT better performance and reliability wise than the rs800. The software is good.
The garmin gps is very good, but not without flaws. The HR strap is crappy - mine has been back twice and still not working. the gps is not very accurate around a track or running with lots of turns. the altitude is also way off. If I do an out and back run, the altitude profile never looks like a mirror image. running is bush appears to keep the gps signal quite well. the maps post run show pretty much where I have been! But the garmin is fantastic for doing tempo runs at a set target pace - which was what I was after (HR a bonus - but less essential).

Viking

Oct 1, 10 2:33

Post #17 of 53 (8667 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tonyoh] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

In Reply To:

There is no wonder that the altitude is off, its GPS based. All GPS based altitudes are almost always off.
Ray Maker wrote an article about it: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/...port-device-gps.html

tonyoh

Oct 1, 10 2:55

Post #18 of 53 (8664 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [Viking] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

In Reply To:

There is no wonder that the altitude is off, its GPS based. All GPS based altitudes are almost always off.
Ray Maker wrote an article about it: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/...port-device-gps.html

errr... correct... just pointing it out....

lineprophet

Oct 1, 10 9:08

Post #19 of 53 (8602 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tonyoh] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

So does anyone have any real race experience with the Timex Global Trainer yet? It's tempting. Although it is about the size of a skydiving altimeter.

acrx349

Oct 18, 10 4:14

Post #20 of 53 (8436 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [lineprophet] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

hey there,

yup... i've used it for a few races. it takes a few races to get used to whats going on, in every race i've done when taking off the wetsuit the watch somehow goes into a 'set up' mode. It took me a few races to realized how to exit this mode without any sort of panic.

On a side note, did a half marathon yesterday. Tried to sync up at the start line(watch does auto shutoff after a certain amount of inactivity). Tried to get a satellite signal approx 5mins before the race start. no avail. the watch then tried to get a signal for the entire race. I ended up running the entire race with the watch searching for satellites.

this watch needs definite improvements.

avmac

Oct 18, 10 13:13

Post #21 of 53 (8316 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I have a RS800CX with cadence/speed for the bike and two foot pods (one for training shoes and one for race shoes). I've used the unit for about a year for both biking and running.

The good news is that this is a great device for training. I've never had an issue uploading to the computer via irda as some others have had. The software is excellent. I've never even considered adding the GPS unit because the footpod accuracy for me has been easy to callibrate and accuracy has been spot on (within 20 yds/mile) every time I run with someone who has a GPS unit or whenever I head to the track. The main red botton on the face of the watch broke off once and Polar sent me a replacement within a week. The watch is no where near as bulky as the Garmin and the footpods are hardly noticeable (the S3 footpods at least).

The bad news is that I will likely replace this with a Garmin 310XT before next season begins. From what I understand, in a race, to swap from Swim mode, to T1, to bike, to T2, to run is just a push of a button each time. Switching diciplines with the RS800 is a pain in the rear. It is most frustrating coming off of the bike into T2 with your HR floating up around LT levels and then trying to navigate the menus to switch from bike mode to run mode. Not a big deal if you don't mind missing data from the beginning of the run. Fiddling with my watch for the first 500 yds of the run has just gotten a little old. It would seem like an easy fix for Polar to add a "race mode" where you could swap from bike to run at the touch of a button.

Just my $0.02

Wayne@PolarUSA

Oct 19, 10 3:18

Post #22 of 53 (8250 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [Viking] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

A Polar all-in-one is a hot topic for athletes and even Polar employees. Polar USA will learn more later this year for our 2011 launch of products. If we did not launch anything for running for the Fall marathons like NYC and Chicago, then we will see what we learn for a Spring 2011 launch. Feel free to remind me in Jan 2011 after have meetings.
PS. Thanks to those who praised our software.
Disclaimer... I WORK FOR POLAR USA

tc_tri_texan

Oct 21, 10 7:43

Post #23 of 53 (8168 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [wvarta.PolarRep] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

wvarta.polarrep -
That's very interesting that you guys are talking about the new 2011 product line. I guess I thought the new "face" of the rs800cx was your new product line. So you are saying somewhere Jan-May you will be coming out with a new set of products, that may or may not be an all in one unit, even better than the rs800cx? You are saying that is a possibility but unsure?

At this point, I have decided to go with RS800CX. Before everyone jumps on me about "what the hell are you thinking", let me explain my reasoning. First, I have been a polar customer for 6 years and had the best support from them on two different occassions than any other "gear" company I have ever worked with. Second, they have the best HRM software and tracking abilities over any other company on the market. Third, the software I used today rocks, so I can only imagine the improvements since my old versions, and is much better than Garmin (and no I don't use trainingpeaks or other sites, I have an absurdly comprehensive spreadsheet with macros galore that I wrote myself over the years). Fourth, I like the ability to use it as an actual watch (time/date/alarm) where as with the Garmin that isn't a possibility. Fifth, the timex is so new, I worry about the product as a whole. The reality is they are embarking on a new GPS functionality and I think if you go with GPS, why not go with the company that invented it...Garmin. Sixth, I question my need to know the EXACT pace/distance/etc while running. Don't get me wrong, I realize the benefits of intervals, tempo runs, etc. but my past polar experience means I can get it about 98% accurate if not better (have been only 1/2 mile off on a full marathon before...that's pretty darn accurate for something that measures stride, etc.). So when I am doing a tempo run, is it really going to matter to me that my polar shows my pace at 6:30 and my garmin would maybe show me 6:27 pace? Probably not. The other reality is I typically train for endurance events (i.e. Ironman, 70.3, marathons, half marathons) and do sprint/olympic tris as stepping stones but never as "A" races. So what I have come to find is while I do focus on hitting a target pace/HR on some of my runs, my legs are only going to give me what they are going to give on any given day. My garmin isn't going to make me faster and neither will my Polar. I guess I just feel I'll get more out of the HR and the "close to perfect" pace the Polar has to offer. I guess while I am extremely OCD on all aspects of training, the reality is I have come to accept a small margin of error with all our electronics we use in our training these days. I recently discovered I had been training on my Powertap wheel with apparently one of the 2 batteries dead in the wheel hub, so my numbers were always significantly lower than they should have been. Now my numbers are freaking through the roof after I replaced both batteries. Just goes to show there are errors, some user errors, some product errors...with every single electronic unit we use. The question boils down to what margin of error are you willing to ACCEPT in your training? For me personally, I think the pros outweight the cons and point me to the Polar RS800CX over the 310xt.

so now my question is really...should I wait until spring to take the plunge as I am not one to jump on the new technology bandwagon very fast. I like to wait until others experience the pain and work out all the kinks before I make huge purchases. Given the fact that I have literally worn out my S625X over the course of 6 years, gives you a good idea that I use my products thoroughly. Put 25k miles on my last tri bike before the one I bought last spring. So what's on tap for next spring polar rep...should I wait or is the 800cx about as good as it is going to get for a few years?
Thanks everyone for your input, each one of you has really helped me come to this conclusion and while I am extremely tempted to go with 310xt, I think Polar might be my best choice at this point. Sorry Timex, maybe another time after you prove to me your product is SOLID, too new to convince me yet.

tridoc3

Oct 21, 10 8:33

Post #24 of 53 (8145 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I emailed Ray Maker (DCrainmaker) a similar question. The gist of his answer was to go with the Garmin. I did, and I very pleased.

Wayne@PolarUSA

Oct 22, 10 4:45

Post #25 of 53 (8065 views)

Re: polar RS800CX vs. Garmin 310XT vs. New Timex Ironman GPS Unit....GO... [tc_tri_texan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Polar has stated they are launching the POLAR/LOOK pedals in Spring 2011, maybe more will be launched. I would wait, I am sure we will announce new product prior to actual launch of product, so if new product were to be launched in Spring 2011, I am sure in Jan-Feb it would be announced
Disclaimer... I WORK FOR POLAR USA

(This post was edited by wvarta.PolarRep on Oct 22, 10 4:56)

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