In the market for a new watch – trying to decide between:
Polar RS400sd
Suunto (either t4c or t6c)
Garmin (either 405cx or 310xt)
Just wanted to note some specific impressions from users that could help point me on one direction or another.
Just got my 310xt. I was really, really happy with my 305, and the 310 fixes the two “problems” of the 305 - it’s waterproof and it’s just enough smaller than the 305 to be quite a bit more comfortable.
Just got my 310xt. I was really, really happy with my 305, and the 310 fixes the two “problems” of the 305 - it’s waterproof and it’s just enough smaller than the 305 to be quite a bit more comfortable.
x2.
I’ve tried Suunto watches since they seemed to have all the features I wanted at the times I tried them but I always found their user interfaces took far too long to learn.
It depends on what you are looking for?
A nice watch? Get a Patek Philipe. 
A HRM, go with the Polar.
A HRM that can measure distance/pace, get the Polar.
A watch that can measure distance/pace and can also measure HR, get the Garmin.
If altitude is important, get the Polar or Suunto.
I’m a big Timex fan. The Timex Ironman is my favorite watch. Inexpensive and very good.
I love my 305 and reallly want the new one (the orange one). I’ve had a lot of luck with Garmin…
I have the polar rs 200 and find that easy to use. Also have the polar f2 , s210 and the 720i with speed and cadence for bike. Found the sensors to be a bit touchy. Love the rs200 though. Nice to getin the water turn on have a separate comp for the bike then see miles traveled , speed and track HR for the run. Then have a finish time also with no waiting. That is if you remember to turn off at end. Worked well at philly tri was only 3-5 seconds off official time. Just dont know how to do splits yet. Dont want to start pushing buttons during race and screw times up. Which I always seem to do when I start pushing buttons. T1 and T2 can wait. Like to roll with the Tag when not wearing a Hr monitor. Another good thing with the polar is they interface with most gym cardio equipment.
I love my Nike Triax C6. It looks more like a watch and not a house arrest band…and for a basic Zone training watch it’s very good.
I can’t recommend Suunto under any circumstances because in my experience they have not stood behind their products for reasonable warranty service. IMO they get an A for design and an F for execution.
another vote for Garmin. I have the 305 forerunner and the edge. Looking forward to the 310xt and the POWA!
A nice watch? Get a Patek Philipe.
anybody that could afford a Patek Philippe watch wouldn’t even have asked, they would just have bought all of them 
The Garmin 405 is good, but just don’t get it sweaty while training, otherwise the bezel goes crazy and it is not very reliable for on the fly control/changes.
If there are any inventors/creators out there the Garmin 405 needs a protective case/skin to make it functional.
#1. Timex Ironman Datalink. There is no other watch.
#2. If you’re looking at something else, see #1.
JJ
If you want downloading and data, obvious I will promote our Protrainer 5 software. With Suunto also being HR based company, I am sure their software is also very good. It is not an easy decision because it is more than just pace/distance/HR on a watch face. Are you more pace driven or watching your training and recovery. Many of my friends are pace driven, an easy day of training is backing off 1 minute per mile with a little perception of perceived effort thrown in, not HR or % of max on the watch making sure it is an easy/recovery day.