OK- I’ve read just about everything here and I’m still confused. Here’s what I’m looking for, in order of priority:
accurate real-time run pace.
some sort of bike functionality (at least speed, distance, time)
decent battery life
ease of use during races
#1, to me, implies GPS or the Polar RS800 footpod (I haven’t heard good things about the S625x real-time pace accuracy, even from those that have calibrated the footpod and achieved decent overall distance accuracy). Ultimately the RS800 w/GPS sounds interesting, but not available at the moment
#2 again implies GPS or something with cycling features. That means Garmin, Polar S625x or (eventually) the RS800 w/GPS
#3 favors Polar over Garmin. I’m not planning to go 14+ in an IM, but *&$% happens and the last thing I’d want on a really bad day is to have my HR monitor crap out because the battery died.
#4 again favors Polar. I’ve read that some folks put the Garmin in a baggie under the swim cap, but this sounds like a bit of a hassle to me.
So, I’m leaning towards the Polar RS800, which will initially provide running capability only, and when the GPS upgrade comes out I’ll also have some basic speed/distance on the bike. Bike features aren’t super-critical. I have an Ergomo on the tri bike, so I’m looking for some basic functionality for the road bike, and backup and overall race data for the tri bike (Ergomo would be primary source of data while riding).
Ok, I’m a big Garmin fan, but given your #3, I think it’s out of the running.
The Forerunner 305 advertises 13 hour battery life. To be honest, I don’t believe them. You can work around that with this hack, but should you have to?
Your list puts the Garmin FR305 out of the running…not a whole lot of use during races unless you somehow put under your swim cap, and I’ve found it to not be that accurate for real time run pace. PLus, unless you can go sub-12 or 11 hours during an IM, you will probably run out of battery life sometime during the race as well.
I think you are better off with either the RS400D or the RS800D. The RS400 with the S1 footpod can be had relatively inexpensively, but if you want GPS capability later, than you will have to go with the RS800, which is pretty pricey. You can go with the S625X which can also be used as a cycling computer with added accessories, but its pretty big and bulky.
Put it in your bike helmet and strap it on after you leave the swim…won’t have your overall race time but will have very accurate bike and run data.
Polar S625x was great until I needed to change the battery and then you can’t do that unless you have an “authorized service person do it” or you forfeit the warranty and do it yourself.
Customer service is terrible…3 hours on the phone to finally be told that I needed to send it in to have them check it and fix the LCD screen. They said the turnaround time was around 8 days to 4 weeks…hmmmm, Garmin was looking a hell of a lot better.
Polar was waterproof until the little red button broke in two after just two months of owning it.
I like Garmin because it tracks your actual position on earth and gives you a pretty accurate pace unless you stop all the time then it takes a while to slow down or speed back up and find your pace on earth.
Anyway, from personal experience I am going to get a Garmin Forerunner with HRM and probably place my Polar back in it’s box and hide it in my closet so it won’t be embarassed in front of my other tri gear…oh and the foot pod…if the battery runs low well you either run like a rabbit or a turtle and then it just dies and doesn’t work causing you to have to send it to Polar to have the battery replaced…hmmm, did I say get a Garmin??
“They said the turnaround time was around 8 days to 4 weeks”- Turn around is under 7 days.
“Polar was waterproof until the little red button broke in two after just two months of owning it.” - The button cover has absolutely nothing to do with its water resistance. That is a simple plastic cover. Polar will send you a replacement you can pop right on.
“oh and the foot pod…if the battery runs low well you either run like a rabbit or a turtle and then it just dies and doesn’t work causing you to have to send it to Polar to have the battery replaced” - its a few tripple A batteries that take no more than 2 minutes to change.
This is most likely the most un-researched post I have ever seen on the internet. Congrats!