Domestiquehated Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 So I used to have a Polar bike mounted HR which fell off on a DC training ride (long ride, long story) and now find myself in the market for a replacement monitor. So I could go for an entry level one (like I had before), the watch type Polar (that can download ride details to PC) or a Garmin that gives altitude, Google Maps, etc but has battery problems)... If price is not the overiding issue, is it a no-brainer on which to go for? PS - I have searched for info in the threads but sprisingly did not find much. PPS - If anyone has one to sell, please motivate to me why I should buy and will consider.
Willehond Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 Garmin 705 hooked up to a PowerTap. THERE AIN'T NOTHING BETTER! Get it.
The Saint Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 I use a 705 and so far have found it to be far superior to the 305
Red Zone Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 Wait until the new Polar RS800G3 (has GPS) is available, it should be here soon. I think that both Garmin and Polar are excellent products, I would just go for Polar due to their brilliant aftersales service.
Willehond Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 I have a polar and I'll swop any day to Garmin (if money was no object and I did not already own a725x!), because the maps are onscreen and it interfaces with the PowerTap which makes it unmatcheable. Polar ain't GPS experts.
mbaymike Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 ja willehond maar Garmin is nie heart rate spesialiste nie......I would go for the garmin though. mbaymike2008-10-22 05:51:26
bduplessis Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 One word...........Polar......no problems and great backup!!
DawieO Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 Both fantastic products, but GPs can't be beat. Other benefit of the Garmin is that it is one of the GPS standards so interfacing with GoogleEarth, Sporttracks etc is seamless.
scotty Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 Garmin, but if Nokia can just figure how to get their GPS cell phones to read HR you would have the best combo phone/HR/GPS on the market.
Willehond Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 One word...........Polar......no problems and great backup!! Maybe a good product, but so is Garmin. Functions of Garmin trumps it though. Problem with their backup (and Garmin's) is that you have to send the product to Joburg to get a battery replaced! Pathetic if you ask me, but people in SA are so happy to just get any service they think that is good. Go figure!
Newboy Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 Actually both companies have some of the best service in this country, the problems starts when the retailer needs to send your device to them. If you take it yourself the service from both companies are brilliant. I prefer the Garmin though.
Willehond Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 So I used to have a Polar bike mounted HR which fell off on a DC training ride (long ride' date=' long story) and now find myself in the market for a replacement monitor. So I could go for an entry level one (like I had before), the watch type Polar (that can download ride details to PC) or a Garmin that gives altitude, Google Maps, etc but has battery problems)... If price is not the overiding issue, is it a no-brainer on which to go for? PS - I have searched for info in the threads but sprisingly did not find much. PPS - If anyone has one to sell, please motivate to me why I should buy and will consider.[/quote'] OK, let me give you direct answers to your questions above: Both give you perfect HR data that you can download to the PC. Polar has great software and Garmin OK, but it you want serious software get Cyclingpeaks and analyse BOTH Polar and Garmin in it. If you are going to do lots of very long rides, battery life will become an issue with Garmin. Is that a consideration? If you only cycle, then the Garmin is fine, but if you also want to run with it it might be too big. No, it is too big. If you want navigation (on MTB trails or by downloading routes), then the Garmin is fantastic. Polar cannot compete If you want to train like a pro and get power data, get a Garmin and a PowerTap. I have the Polar power meter and it sucks. I DREAM about PowerTap. Daily. and Garmin. Weekly.
Willehond Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 Oh, I almost forgot: The Polar body strap fits great though and is better than Garmin. The Garmin one has a long plastic section that I find a bad design, but it's a small price to pay
Minion Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 Oh' date=' I almost forgot: The Polar body strap fits great though and is better than Garmin. The Garmin one has a long plastic section that I find a bad design, but it's a small price to pay[/quote']I actually get fewer problems with the Garmin strap. Here's a comparison I wrote between the Edge 705 and Polar S725:https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=30345&KW=705&PID=490089#490089
paulvs Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 how much money are we talking for the 705 and does it include any extra's?
Newboy Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 Another great thing about the Garmin is that you snap it onto any of your bikes and it works. No duplicate sensors etc.
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