I’m making a decision between these two and think I’ve got the major differences down. Please correct me if I make any mistakes. If anyone has an opinion on which way to go, please chime in…
After having my Garmin blow apart, I would avoid it if possible unless there is nothing else that can meet your needs. It has a good functional design but it is somewhat flimsy and poorly built in my opinion. Maybe my Edge 305 was an old generation and now it holds up to shock and vibration better.
I have a 625x and am pretty happy with it for the most part. The only issue I have is that while it’s water proof and Polar states that it works for swimming, I find inconsistent results with HR calculations. Talking to Polar, the claim that it may be due to the salt content of the pool I train in interfering with the contacts. My guess is that they would say it was the chlorine or some other particle in the water rather than the false statement they make regarding swimability.
The software is pretty good where you can review your progress in a clanedar style displaying many layouts of the data collected. ASide from my gripe above, I’d advoctae for the Polar.
I just sold my S625 after a year and a half and got the 305. I wish I would have done it sooner. Maybe it’s just me but I find the 305 to be more accurate and much more user friendly. Get the 305!
did you know that polar is bringing out an 625X compatible GPS unit/add-on?
basically it talks on the same frequency as the footpod (i think) and is compatible with S625X, S725X, S725X pro, RS400, RS400sd, RS200, RS200sd
Don’t forget battery life as a critieria if important to you.
Polar batteries need replacing roughly once every year or two in my experience using the S625X to train for 10-30 hrs per week. I don’t know about the Garmin so someone correct me if wrong, but I heard it needs recharging every 10-12 hrs or so.
Also, the polar is better at providing instant feedback on running pace changes.
As I have previously stated in these forums I like the Forerunner 305 + some software called “SportTracks” (free, donations accepted, not affiliated with me in any way). The big pluses for me for the Garmin were much better “range” between the HRM and chest strap (was always a juggling match to position the Polar speed sensor, cadence sensor, HR strap, and watch all within a range where they can talk to each other reliably), the “virtual partner” feature where you can race yourself from a prior ride/run, and the mapping via SportTracks. I also picked up the Garmin speed/cadence sensor and it is fantastic.
But, you can’t swim with the Garmin, which is a bit of a problem for triathletes. So I still use the Polar for swimming, and weight workouts.
First, the Garmin battery lasts for years. Say goodbye to the Polar being waterproof after the one year battery goes.
Second, you can swim with the Garmin.
Third, the software for the Garmin (motionbased) is awesome to the max.
Learn, thanks for the clarification. I guess I meant that the Garmin battery works for only 7-9 hours at a pop…not for the life of the unit.
I have read more than once that folks cannot swim with the Garmin. And at the same time, I’ve read (like you) that folks can swim with it. My preference probably would be to play it safe and swim with something else. But that would be personal preference.
Lastly, isn’t motionbased a pay-for service? I do have SportsTracks, and like it.
I work for a retailer that sells both. Based on the research and interaction available to me, I chose the Polar. One thing to keep in mind: if you run in areas with heavy tree cover or in areas with tall buildings, the Garmin does lose signal and creates a lapse in data. The foot pod, on the other hand, is extremely accurate and provides instant feedback. If you have used polar in the past, the layout is somewhat the same, so assimilation could be quick. As for the software, Polar has a lock on this. Their current software program is far superior to those of the past and the integration of data I find very easy to comprehend. As to the comment regarding swimming with HRM, the only time I do this is in an open water situation, so I comment to the validity of Polar’s explanation but it seems plausible. I have been told by others their is compatibility with the Polar Power meter, the older non-wind version, but I have not had any experience with that and that starts a new discussion on the Polar’s accuracy regarding power. One thing to keep in mind, changing the battery on a Polar is not recommended. Have it done by Polar or an authorized agent. It is difficult to ensure a proper waterproof seal and can ruin the watch completely. If you have an old model or can find someone with one they don’t want, Polar offers a 30% discount for trade-in/ upgrade through their customer service dept.
For speed and distance, 305 is exact for me…perfect.
I had 2 Polar…the RS800 w/ foot pod and also the GPS, both I had terrible experience…the pace and distance was never exact.
Say goodbye to the Polar being waterproof after the one year battery goes.
Not true if it is done from Polar. Please visit the Boston Marathon if you are in the area and watch them change batteries. You will see “The Chamber” Polar places all watches in.
wvarta, is it true that the 625 will be GPS enabled soon? If so, will that require me strapping up another piece of equipment? (Asking out of ignorance.)
Thanks.
PS - I might shoot you a PM offline, if you don’t mind.
if you run in areas with heavy tree cover or in areas with tall buildings, the Garmin does lose signal and creates a lapse in data. The foot pod, on the other hand, is extremely accurate and provides instant feedback.
I have both a Polar RS400D with the S1 footpod and the Garmin FR305, and I disagree with this statement. I have run and biked with the Garmin in both types of situations you mention above, and have never, ever lost a signal (I run under extremely dense cover in British Columbia and some pretty heavy urban buildup in northern Va). In fact, I turn my Garmin on inside my house (on the first story of a two story) and it locks on in the house while I put on my running shoes. The Polar unit can be very accurate, and is far better in terms of instant pace feedback, but it is very finicky. If you don’t have it absolutely tight on your shoe, it will give you wacky results. And even if it is perfectly tight, I have had some variation in distance during the same run. I also had to send my original watch and footpod back to Polar for warranty issues after the footpod started acting flaky and the lower right button on the watch became inoperable (although kudos to Polar warranty service…I had a brand new watch and footpod in about a week).
I would also note that you can change the battery yourself on the RS400D watch without worrying about the waterproofing.
I don’t agree with the statement that you can swim with the Garmin, at least not without qualification. I’ve swam with one in my swim cap just fine. Last weekend I went paddling on a breezy day, and the spray forced its way under the bezel of my FR305. It eventually dried out, but it drained the battery first. I thought it was a goner. I wouldn’t recommend swimming with it, as if you toast yours, Garmin may not give you warranty love.
“if you run in areas with heavy tree cover or in areas with tall buildings, the Garmin does lose signal and creates a lapse in data”
That’s just plain false. I run daily with my FR305 in downtown Chicago, and almost every weekend on tree-covered single track and I’ve never once lost data during a ride/run…not a single time.
I bought my Polar S725x (essentially the same as the S625x) from the United States, but I am from the Philippines. Something was wrong with my Polar (they said it had a “high voltage” problem) – my batteries would run out after two to three months only. For some reason, they weren’t honoring the international warranty (I had lost the receipt and the warranty card). In the less than two years’ time I have owned it, I have had to replace the battery at least 8 times (done by authorized Polar distributor here).
Finally, I think they just caved and told me that they would honor the warranty, as in one year, I had seen them at least 5 times and we became good friends (the technician, sales person, and other staff).
After all those battery changes, my S725x is still as waterproof as day one.
And, oh, I after the PCB change, I haven’t had to change the battery in the last 6 months.
I have both and prefer the Garmin. I use the garmin for every outdoor ride and run. Works great. I use the Polar to swim in and for racing, that’s it. If I had to do it over again I would buy a simple HR/stopwatch for swimming & racing because now the Polar is overkill.
Yes. See my earlier reply and a link to the polar nl website.
It is a unit like the rs800 one an can be used on arm, waistband etc.
It is a brand new product so not much info at moment, but they had it on view at the rotterdam marathon expo this weekend.