Just looking for best of the best…what’s better (IYHO) 
Thanks!
The Texan
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.
Ray Maker have written in depth reviews on the 310xt and Timex Ironman GPS
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/09/garmin-forerunner-310xt-in-depth-review.html
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/08/timex-ironman-gps-global-trainer-in.html
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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.
Thanks everyone!
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.
The Garmin doesn’t really do heart rate properly do does it? Huge huge interference from, what seems like, pretty much everything.
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.
Please PM me or post specific questions concerning Polar.
I own the RS800 and the 310XT
Garmin… hands down. (no pun intended)
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?
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.
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
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
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
FYI
The Timex Global Trainer has the GPS built in. There is no extra pod needed.
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).
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).
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/2010/05/understanding-sport-device-gps.html
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…
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.
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.