Polar vs. Garmin

Go Garmin.

new garmin is good--awful in rain though--absolutely useless--it is great most of the time though

Garmin are much more accurate when it comes to speed/ distance

Garmin 405. period.

edrew wrote:

new garmin is good--awful in rain though--absolutely useless--it is great most of the time though

I'd heard this, but I went ahead and got one anyway. Here's what I learned: They are only useless in the rain only to people who don't know how to read directions or do an on-line search. While it's a bit of a hassle to get the same functionality, locking the bezel fixes any rain-related difficulties.

To the OP: I love mine. I was a long-time Polar user, I'm happier with the 405 so far. My only criticism after the first month is with the training center. I don't understand why garmin would spend so much time hyping software which offers very little in terms of flexible data analysis. I don't think adding a few features would have cost much. For example, a graph showing weekly progress on mileage, pace vs heart rate etc. There's a lot of potential in the data the 405 collects, unfortunately that potential can't be realized with the software. And please, if I've just written a very ironic post and I haven't found the right combo of terms for a productive google search, someone call me out and help me out.

I moved from Polar to Garmin, and I like the accuracy of the Garmin 305 over the Polar 610.

I think that the Garmin Training Center software is the most useless software ever written. Maybe because Garmin has an interest in MotionBased.com... I don't know. But there is better software to use with a Garmin. Ascent for Mac and SportTracks for Windows are remarkably better. I think Training Peaks is another software package that gives much more feedback and usability.

Garmin is the way to go

I have the Garmin 305 and love it!!!

I had the polar sd800 and it was the single worst purchase I ever made. From product quality to customer service Polar is just the worst.

Almost 10 years w/ Polar.

Switched to 405 in July. Love it. Won't go back. No problems. The HRM is even better.

I used my Polar S625X with PPP extensively, well only for 3 years.

I finally decided that it was no longer telling my anything new. I was dissappointed by the accuracy issues, tired of changing batteries in the footpod, and dealing with interference from rail lines, and tired of dealing with PC compatibility issues when changing to PCs without Infra-red ports, or newer versions of Windows.

When it came time to replace the belt (I was using a one-piece T31C), I opted instead towards minimalism, and bought a Suunto T3C, without the footpod, and without the PC software.

If you don't want to go minimalist like me (I know I'm unusual about some things), the Suunto T6C has all the features of the S625X. I believe Polar's PPT software is better than Suunto's STRAM software though (but I have no experience with STRAM).

The RS800SD seems to have had some initial problems with a cheap watch band. I don't know if the latest RS800CX resolved that.

For running, although I just opted for "none of the above", I prefer an accelerometer (footpod) based speed/distance over GPS based systems. For displaying instantaneous speed and pace, I understand they are more stable, and for running in the woods, I've read GPS systems may have reception problems, although the new chipset is supposed to be better. I have no personal experience with Garmin or GPS based systems for running however, so that's just my personal preference based on others' reviews.

There is an SDK for a variety of software languages that would allow you to build whatever you need. No, they don't make it user friendly to the public, but, there are tools out there. I'm sure they are really just encouraging people to write software to build a support market around their products. That way not only are they more entrenched because people are building their tools for them, they don't have to do it themselves.

Can you see distance run as you run in the Garmin? Speed? I am getting myself one for Christmas and haven't pulled the trigger yet. Also, does the HRM have to be strapped to your chest or how does that work?

You can see the distance run and average pace as you run. You can choose from any number of metrics and customize your display with up to four. You can also choose from up to three displays. My three displays are 1) run time, average pace, run distance and time of day. 2)Lap distance, lap pace and lap time. 3) Distance, Heart rate, run time, current pace.

Sounds awesome. I live in a really small town, a couple of hours from anywhere that has them on display. I plan to look at them this weekend. I've just read the literature on them thusfar. Thanks for the info.

I should have added that on the website it sounds as if you have to go home and get online to access the information. Thanks again.

consumers choice wrote:

Of the Polar HRM users who've moved over to the Garmin world, are you pleased with the purchase? I'm considering purchasing the 405 or remaiing with the Polar brand and upgrading to a model with speed / distance / hrm. Thoughts?

polar reps seem to go gaga over their training software, and it does seem to have a lot of info(if you will use it).....I wish polar would get themselves MAC compatable. the sd800 is overpriced at 500 versus the garmin 405 at 350. footpod info seems to be a problem if you are on hilly terrrain or do a lot of stop and starting. gps in all in one in the garmin, and i believe that they invented the technology that polar is using.