Garmin or Polar?

tina m · 2009-02-01 00:54:40

I'm wrecking my head trying to choose a running watch/computer thingy... Does anyone have any opinion on which one is better, Garmin or Polar (or something else)? I've been looking at the Polar rs200sd and Garmin Forerunner 50. I think the most important functions for me are heart rate monitor, distance and pace. I think…

01-02-2009 01:54AM

#1

tina m

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I'm wrecking my head trying to choose a running watch/computer thingy... Does anyone have any opinion on which one is better, Garmin or Polar (or something else)? I've been looking at the Polar rs200sd and Garmin Forerunner 50.

I think the most important functions for me are heart rate monitor, distance and pace. I think some of the more expensive models like the forerunner 405 sound really cool but have a lot of stuff I really don't need (yet).

Any advice?

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#2 01-02-2009 01:09PM

TFBubendorfer

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I used to have a fairly cheap Polar HRM and was perfectly happy with it. Last year I bought a Garmin Forerunner 305, when the price for that item dropped by half (that's after they had introduced the 405 model). Within 3 runs I had become totally addicted to the GPS data.

Do I NEED the additional functionality? No. Does it make me run faster? No. Do I therefore want to be without it? No way! I've fallen in love with that toy, and the charts you can produce ARE interesting and can be a help in your training. Mind, you still have to do all the runs on your own legs.

In short, I've used both, and I was happy enough with either. But once you get a GPS watch, you'll never want to go back. Of course that doesn't say anything about the Forerunner 50.

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#3 03-02-2009 11:43PM

tina m

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Thanks a million for your reply. I think the Garmin 305 and 405 sound really awesome, I think I'd get hooked on having all that data. lol. But they're a bit pricey... so I've decided to get the forerunner 50, that way I'll have the garmin footpod and HRM, so it'll be easy to upgrade it after a while

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#4 07-02-2009 05:36PM

Truffle

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Totally agree with TFBubendorfer.. Just got a 405 and it is savage!! you gotta go for the garmin!! but then again it aint a tri watch!! ill use the polar for racin..

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#5 07-02-2009 06:20PM

robinph

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Between the Polar rs200sd and Garmin 50 I'd have thought the Polar had the better spec.

I've just started using my new Garmin 405 though as a replacement for the Polar 625x and am much prefering the Garmin now, could just be due to liking buying new gadgets all the time though.

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