Past/Present: Been using the Polar S625X for running, cycling (speed/cadence/etc) for the past 4 years. I am happy with it but am looking at getting something new in the next few months.
Future: One day would like to get Power for the bike - not sure when that will happen. The benefit I could see with Garmin is it can be used for the power bike stuff. But since who knows if that will ever happen, I need to focus on quality bike and running computers.
Some interesting points i have observed:
Garmin can have issues around trees or buildings with satellite connectivity
Garmin is obviously bigger and like carrying a brick on your arm
Issues with swimming with Garmin
Polar you have to wear the footpod on your shoe, although small and never bothered me before, it is still weight.
when you have to send it off for a new battery for Polar, you are without ANY computer for about 6 weeks.
Does anyone have any insight to this so I don’t waste money on something I end up not liking? Have you used both or one or the other and may be able to shed some light on pros/cons for one or the other. I will say I have been very happy with my Polar and will be a customer forever with the support I have received over the years.
Thanks in advance for any input!
I like polar . More time in HR monitor business and alot of cardio equipment works wit polar. I forget my watch and have my chest belt in gym bag I am still good to go. Why I would forget watch idk but could happen.
“5. when you have to send it off for a new battery for Polar, you are without ANY computer for about 6 weeks.”
Not true. You can replace your own battery; you just have to be very careful taking it apart the first time so that you can see where the little gasket goes and how it goes back together. I’ve replaced the battery on both of mine several times now.
Azby -
I did try that once…apparently I am not as good as you b/c mine leaked water and ruined it. Polar was nice enough to send me a brand new one! That is why i am a polar customer for life.
I like Polar better than Garmin, but if you want Power on your device you will need to go with Garmin, as it doesn’t look like Polar has any interest in going with ANT+ compatibility. However, I think getting power on your device is minor feature. I like having a wrist device and a separate bike computer so it doesn’t bother me to not have power on my wrist.
All the newer Polars have user replaceable batteries, so that isn’t a problem anymore
Before Polar went with GPS you were stuck with just a foot pod, and I think if I had to choose between the two a foot pod is much better than GPS, because you get much more accurate real time pacing. The newer foot pods are very small and light and you won’t notice they are even there. Admitably GPS is probably more accurate to measure the distance of a course especially a course with not too many sharp turns, but the new Polar RS800CX has a GPS pod available that can be used to measure this and at the same time use a footpod. This is great for keeping the pod calibrated. The Garmin Forerunner series can also work with a very small and light footpod.
Basically other than Power, the top of the line Polar and Garmin are very comparable in features. The main differences is that the Garmin has the GPS built in so it has a large form factor and has to be charged frequently, while the Polar’s GPS is an external pod so the main device can be much smaller and you don’t have to charge it. Probably the biggest difference between the two is that the Polar has great software while the Garmin software is terrible. If you go Garmin figure on getting some kind of third party software.
i love both but no service center here in the Philippines for garmin and the 205 that i sold to a friend died after a year, chances are the rechargable batteries needs to be replaced, polar on the other hand have an office here and i just bring it to a local sports store they pick it up and have it back in 2 days or i send a text message to the tech and he`ll pick-up at my house and drop it off in a couple of days.
Some interesting points i have observed:
Garmin can have issues around trees or buildings with satellite connectivity – not really with the newer models, mine never lost a signal as long as i had the unit catch the signal before i go
Garmin is obviously bigger and like carrying a brick on your arm - just a bit but the newer ones are lighter
Issues with swimming with Garmin – x2
Polar you have to wear the footpod on your shoe, although small and never bothered me before, it is still weight. --get the new G1 or whatever they call it which you can strap on your arm or waist
when you have to send it off for a new battery for Polar, you are without ANY computer for about 6 weeks. – is it that long there?
How does the accuracy of Polar’s foot pods compare to GPS? And is there calibration needed, or is it plug and play? I’ve got an S725x and have been considering a Garmin 305, just for the pace/distance feature. I’d sort of dismissed the foot pod as being a less accurate alternative to GPS, but sounds like that might’ve been a wrong assumption.
And are there any durability issues? I run trails pretty frequently and, while I don’t tend to trip over rocks, there’s the possiblity a foot pod would take a few minor bumps and scrapes.
I only use Garmin and have no experience with Polar.
Your points:
Not a problem with connectivity.
Terrible form factor that is far worse than polar.
Garmin is useless for swimming. Use ironman watch or watch the clock. Don’t all of your pools have timing clocks?
Garmin has a cadence footpod that is tiny and unnoticeable–you can put it inside the Nike+ hole in shoes. I really have nothing to say about this point.
All batteries die eventually.
You win or lose either way you cut it. I hate the idea of a footpod gps so I went garmin and have stuck with it. So with Garmin you either get a great form factor with the 405 model (which is not for swimming) or you get a terrible form factor with the 305, which costs more.
Conclusion:
a. If you want to race with a watch, get the 305 because it’s the only choice.
b. If you want to run with a watch, the 405 is okay. The bezel controls suck but you don’t need to change things during a workout anyway.
c. If you need a good bike-puter, get the 705.
d. The footpod sensor for Garmin that tracks your running cadence is pretty much worthless.
My experience for running is :
Used to used Polar for 10+ years…
When they release the speed / distance, I tried the RS800 series. I didn’t like it. In all running the distance was not 100% correct.
For the HR, it’s the best.
Now, I’m using the Garmin 405, love it. HR is find and the GPS is fantastic (for me), no complain at all.
Maybe, If Polar, one day, release a Speed/distance without foot pod, I’m sure I will try it.
To recalibrate the S1 footpod is really pretty easy…just run around a track for 800 meters and it is set. I do this about once every new pair of shoes. I’d say it is probably 97% accurate but I stopped using GPS about 7 years ago with the Timex units when it gave out after a year of use. I got tired of the 5 lb. box on my arm and just never went back to GPS. I really like my S625X for running but I just think it is time for soemthing new with the new technologies that are out these days.
i just bought the rs300x, ill be getting that next week. ill just get the foot pod/gps unit once i`m fit enough.
they have this one if you dont like the foot pod
Polar G1 GPS sensor provides speed/pace and distance measurement for outdoor sports, for example running or cycling. The G1 speed range is 0-199km/h / 0-123.6 m/h.
Thanks everyone. Based on what I have read here, what I have researched, I think I want to get the RS800CX MULTI and just take my chances with what it gives. I have always had really good success with Polar and the 625X has been good regarding accurate bike stats, HR stats, and “close enough for me” running speed/distance stats. In reality if it tells me I am running 5:30 pace or 5:50 pace, my legs are only going to move so fast anyway. I am just a numbers junky and like to have all that for me to review and base my workouts upon that. If the watch could tell me how to hold a 6:20 pace in the run leg of an Ironman, I’d pay triple the cost of that unit! If I get power in the next year, I’ll just have to deal with that seperately but at least this will give me all the stats I need on the bike that Garmin would give as well, minus the fancy maps (and like I said, I am a numbers guy, not necessarily a picture guy).
Thanks again for everyone’s replies!
Azby -
I did try that once…apparently I am not as good as you b/c mine leaked water and ruined it. Polar was nice enough to send me a brand new one! That is why i am a polar customer for life.
In my case, I sent the (720i) watch back to Polar to get the battery replaced and a month later the battery died so I sent it back to get another battery. They said that the unit had leaked so was un-repairable. No offer of a replacement.
I’m now with Garmin and far happier (although I miss the polar PC software - that rocked!)