So debating on which of these watches to buy. I dont need either to do anything w/ my bike considering I have a power meter, but I wanted to get some reactions from Polar users. I’ve had experience with Garmins and havent liked them historically (I have an older 305 and it never picks up a signal anywhere so i have rendered it useless–no i havent written out user error, but i’ve still tried to make it work). I dont think I will like that thing you have to wear on your arm w/ the polar…
Feel free to ask myself any questions. My thoughts are you can wear our GPS on you hip/fuelbelt while running. If you train with wattage/HR, then you may want some technical data while running like HR zones etc. I am confident that Polar’s Protrainer 5 software will not dissapoint you, wolrd Cup XC skiers and now USA soccer use Polar. You can PM me any questions or leave it on the board. chris from Polar is also on ST answering questions as well. Good luck researching
Until someone combines the traits of both into one watch they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
I prefer the 405 for training, both running and bike, but use my 625x for races. The built-in GPS is convenient and simple to use on the 405. I had an old Timex Ironman and GPS pod which was crap and I hated having to wear the pod. Never worked. The bike speed/cadence unit for the 405 is one piece which can be mounted on the rear chainstay. With the Polar you typically have a separate speed/distance sensor and a cadence sensor. Or in the case of the RS800 you would have to wear the GPS unit.
The biggest issue with the 405 is that it is not waterproof, so you can’t wear it swimming or for a race, although there has been some debate about that.
My biggest complaint with all multi-sport/training watches is that no one has developed a “transition button” that would allow the user to switch between swimming/running/biking on the fly.
1)The Polar has a more comfortable HRM strap.
2)I’ll give Polar ProTrainer an edge over Garmin Training Center. (though I just use TrainingPeaks which I like better than both). ProTrainer has a lot of really advanced heart-rate based sciency stuff built in if you like that sort of thing. But if you only do basic time in zones, etc, then there’s not much difference.
3)Provides better altimeter data.
4)Footpod works in areas where GPS can fail.
5)Lower power - doesn’t require regular re-charging.
Garmin 405 advantages:
1)Simpler download. You just walk into the room with your computer and it’s done. No need to put software or the watch in special modes or locations. This seems like a small thing, but it’s actually really nice. I just go over the week’s data on the weekend, and I just find all the data already there for the whole week without having done anything.
2)Logistically simpler. Lack of footpod is nice. In triathlon we already have so much crap to keep track of. Also, keeping footpods accurate - in my experience- requires regular recalibration (i.e. for new shoes, etc), which can get annoying.
3)ANT+ It’s a growing standard, thank goodness, and makes a lot of sense. Polar seems to be trying to stick to their own proprietary standard (which was effectively an industry standard due to Polar market share…but that seems to be changing - more and more companies - PowerTap, Quarq, SRM etc, are conforming to ANT+)