Have Polar S725X, used it for 4 years. Picked up a Garmin Edge 305 for R900 with a faulty battery. The unit was out of warranty so therefore replaced it with a Nokia battery. Works like a charm! They are both great devices. The only function that interested me in the Garmin was the gps logging. I can therefore go back to the exact point after the race where my HR was say 95%, then scroll across to see exactly where it was on the map/google earth. There are two points to weigh up between Polar and Garmin when it comes to logging your data. Polar: +-8hrs if logs every 5sec. +-22 hrs if logs every 15sec. 99hrs if logs every 60sec. (Also depends on accessories; cadence sensor, power meter, speed sensor. etc) Therefore this can be used for a multistage race, depending on how long the race is the appropriate setting needs to be selected from the above options. (For example: 3 day stage race, 6 hrs in the saddle per day x 3 days = 18 hrs) Therefore the record mode needs to be set to log every 15sec. OR (5 day stage race @ 6 hrs/day = 30hrs, therefore data would need to be logged every 60sec. Now, alot can happen to your data every 15sec or 60sec! Ascent, speed and cadence would jump every 15 to 60sec when reviewing it on your PC. Garmin: Logs data every 3 seconds on smart recording. Battery life is around 10-12hrs. Therefore all that would need to be done on the above mentioned multi-stage races is to charge the unit! You can then also see the actual route ridden on Google earth. This all depends on what Polar you are using as the new RS800CX can be used with the optional GPS accessory. However, the data is logged at the identical increments (5sec, 15sec, 60sec) So either charge your Garmin unit 3 times in the long multi-stage race or change the logged data on your Polar accordingly. Simpler terms; you would have very accurate data (Garmin) vs not so accurate/delayed (Polar) My 2cents worth
