POLAR v GARMIN v TIMEX GPS HEART RATE MONITOR WATCHES

[TYWALK]

Hi Guys

 

I am looking for a GPS watch that also has a heart rate monitor.

 

Which is the best one to get taking into account the cost ?

[Zula]

I use a PolarRS800

 

For me it does absolutely everything I need. I have both my bikes linked to it and a foot pod fr running.

 

The one gripe I have is that its a bit of a mission in transition to change from biking to running. You have to basically start a fresh with the run.

 

Very happy with it overall and use it plenty.

[Scooterza]

If you have a smart phone (iPhone, Android, Blackberry), you could consider using one of several apps that do a lot of this stuff. I personally have tried Adidas micoach, Endomondo and Sportstracker. All work well and have their pro's and cons. I have ended up using the sportstracker because I bought their HRM belt (paid around R500) which they have locked to their service (dodgy in my opinion to do this and only discovered after the purchase so will live with it). But I find this service really great.

 

It tells you:

• Speed
• Average speed
• Split times
• Altitude
• Map of your run/ride/route
• HRM which you can see for the course or by how much time you spent in the various zones
• You can upload this all to the internet to give you training diary - very nifty. You can compare previous routes to see how your speed etc is improving and so on.

Just be aware of these negatives:

• Phones are not really built to be bashed around that much so I tend to put mine in my camelpack where I cannot easily get to it. Therefore it is not easy to determine your ride stats (though it does verbally give you stats every 1km)
• Phones not waterproof - problem if it rains or is very muddy.
• Battery life CAN be an issue on LONG rides - it should last about 4 to 8 hours but if you are doing a 6 hour ride, this could be a problem.

Good luck...

[Scooterza]

Here is a print screen from this morning's run:

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/5095/sportstracker.jpg

Edited January 3, 2012 by Scooterza

[spaso9]

I vote garmin.

used polar for ages, but got into triathlons and more mountain biking.

garmin alot easier to switch between bike/run, they 310XT is perfect for this. and the new 910XT is almost launched.

 

you do have to charge the garmins, but have not found this a problem as you normally plug into pc when you download.

for stage races have to take charger with.

 

i also enjoy the navigation of the garmin edge 800, has got me back home when I've been exploring on the road or trails, and fastest route home in the rain!!

also garmin is at least ant+ active, so can pair power meter if you ever want to, polar not there yet.

[mosey]

Anybody rate the Suunto watches??, I need to purchase a new HRM as my Polar was 'redistributed' and was wanting to try out the Suunto..

[Metzet]

Garmin all the way..

 

once the 910xt is launched (I think quite soon) you could probably pick up a second hand 310xt at a good price !

[B-Active Sports]

hey guys

 

Ok i have done loads of triathlons, MTB rsces and just normal training. I have had a Polar, Suunto and I currently have a Garmin 305 which I cycle with and run with as its small. I did however buy myself a Timex Run Trainer for christmas. Its purely for running, but the technology is the best I have ever used. They make a Global trainer, which is very competitvely priced if you buy from overseas and is specifically for multisports.

 

The Timex Run trainer hasn't been launched here yet, but it is a watch GPS and HR and downloads to your computer with a cable and has a rechargable battery. The strap is also alot better then the Garmin, Polar and Suunto. I bought it from Hr Monitors website and it cost me R1800 including delivery to SA and took only 5 days. I paid via credit card and actually had to wait 2 days while Timex delivered delivered it to them... thats how new it is. The equivelant Garmin in SA costs R2800 and the only benifit is that is has a longer battery life. However I am not planning on running for more than 8hrs in a row for a while, plus i don't race using gadgets... more to go wrong and mess your race up.

 

Check it out, its my first Timex and now I know why its the official Ironman time keeper!!

 

www.heartratemonitors.com

Edited January 3, 2012 by B-Active Sports

[Weight Weenie]

Looking for something similiar but seems the Garmin 910xt is the only one to do elevation with the barometric altimeter ?

[Jaco-fiets]

If service is important then your last choice should probably be polar

[ianhoy]

If you ever plan on swimming with it - only the Polar HR works in water, the ANT protocol does not....

[Guest]

Polar RS800CX + Polar GPS Unit.

[MTBc]

from what i've heard, polar is good. I went for Garmin edge (the older 305) with HRM, GPS & cadence, which I picked up here via the classifieds (e.g. https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/43666-computer-with-gps-hrm-and-cadencespeed/ )

 

the local brand bryton is more competitively priced, but heard they can be a bit glitchy or give battery issues (read through the forums, there's a lot of discussion on this topic already). and not sure about support either.

[Jigghead]

Polar RCX5 with GPS unit. Three button presses to switch between sports is all it takes.

 

I haven't tried the others but for me, I'm perfectly happy.

[MTBc]

Looking for something similiar but seems the Garmin 910xt is the only one to do elevation with the barometric altimeter ?

 

for cycling the edge500 does it. not sure about the multisport / running ones

[pmswanepoel]

Garmin the only way. I've tried all. Trust me.