Polar vs Garmin
3354
Member
1404 days
RV posted 1 year ago.
I have the Garmin Forerunner 301 and just got the 305 for my daughter. I really think they are great. Especially in multisport mode - going from bike to run etc. I really don't use it for the swim. Never really had the need. There are several threads here on the Garmin and others opinions on it.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
1040
Member
1387 days
Tikal Dog posted 1 year ago.
I have a Polar s720i and love it. I use it on all 3 sports. And for races its great cause you start it when the horn goes off and forget about everything until you cross the finish line. I swim and run with the bike turned on, (don´t stop and change nothing since that model doesn´t have the foot thing)
I did wonder about the garmin in x point but I gave priority points to what interested me and ended upwith the polar.
Many different training methods now are focusing on HR for the swim too (mark allen for example) and there is no way you can now if you are not exeding your aerobic HR for base training in the pool if you don´t have a HR monitor.
I think it all depends of what kind of info do you whant to get back. THe garmin is an excelent gadget for running and cycling, giving you all sorts of interesting info, route, etc. But if you are serious about your training I would defenitly consider a HR monitor that I could use in the pool. (but again that´s just me)
I think you should write a list with the pros and cons of each monitor and evaluate what your priorities (or interests) are. Then you can make a desition that will leave you happy!!
Hyperactive Trifueler!!!! (I refuse to let the status go :p)
3354
Member
1404 days
RV posted 1 year ago.
I believe that the 305 is more water resistant.
Just don't see how/why you would use a HRM in the swim anyways - meaning in a race. It is not like you would stop to check your HR during the race. Don't most people go by RPE on the swim?
It is very easy to switch modes on the Garmin between the bike and run.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
1040
Member
1387 days
Tikal Dog posted 1 year ago.
RV;57288 wrote:
I believe that the 305 is more water resistant.
Just don't see how/why you would use a HRM in the swim anyways - meaning in a race. It is not like you would stop to check your HR during the race. Don't most people go by RPE on the swim?
It is very easy to switch modes on the Garmin between the bike and run.
Why use it in the pool for training....... I guess we don´t have to go into that! It´s more than clear!
Now for races.....
1st: So I don´t have another thing to worry about in T1.
2nd: be able to check my performance later on my PC.
3rd: I never see my hr monitor in the water during a race that´s true!
If the garmin 305 is water resistant.....then they realy have something better than polar now!
Hyperactive Trifueler!!!! (I refuse to let the status go :p)
169
Member
739 days
solidad posted 1 year ago.
Garmin says the 305 is rated to 1 meter for 30 minutes. What I'm hearing folks do if they want to use it for swimming, is stick it in their race cap.
I agree with the HR in the pool thing. I would only ever use an HRM for swimming in training and can use my S150.
For races, I would probably bag any device in the swim as you won't really check it and you can get your split coming out of the water. I'd have the Garmin on the bike ready to go and siwtch to my wrist as I come into T2.
Here's another model. On the CTS site, they sell a Suunto? Can be purchased with a foot pod and bike pod. The question I have is the accuracy of the foot-pod thing??
3354
Member
1404 days
RV posted 1 year ago.
Tikal Dog;57327 wrote:
Why use it in the pool for training....... I guess we don´t have to go into that! It´s more than clear!
I'll still argue that the HRM in the pool is not nearly as beneficial as when biking and running because then you have immediate visibility to the HR and HRZ and can make immediate adjustments - whether to go harder or back off. Seeing it after the fact may be nice knowing the average HR and all, but not a whole lot more than that. I just read Friel's lastest book Total Heart Rate Training and he does go a little into using a HRM for a pool test, but not to the extent for the other disciplines.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
4483
Member
1636 days
kylie posted 1 year ago.
solidad;57342 wrote:
Garmin says the 305 is rated to 1 meter for 30 minutes. What I'm hearing folks do if they want to use it for swimming, is stick it in their race cap....
Here's another model. On the CTS site, they sell a Suunto? Can be purchased with a foot pod and bike pod. The question I have is the accuracy of the foot-pod thing??
Garmin in the water for me would also have to be in a ziplock bag or 2. No need to risk it -- A friend did his Half IM with a 305 for the swim and it did kill it.
The Polar 625x also uses the footpod technology. From what I understand the accuracy is pretty good (ie basically the same as the Garmin) *if you calibrate it*. That's one thing that made me pick a Garmin instead -- I didn't want to have to calibrate anything.
1040
Member
1387 days
Tikal Dog posted 1 year ago.
RV;57347 wrote:
I'll still argue that the HRM in the pool is not nearly as beneficial as when biking and running because then you have immediate visibility to the HR and HRZ and can make immediate adjustments - whether to go harder or back off. Seeing it after the fact may be nice knowing the average HR and all, but not a whole lot more than that. I just read Friel's lastest book Total Heart Rate Training and he does go a little into using a HRM for a pool test, but not to the extent for the other disciplines.
Mmm I still don´t agree with you RV.
I have mine with sound on the pool and before i noticed I could set the sound thing I just gave the monitor a short look whenever I ended a lap.
But hey..... as i said...... it´s my way of seeing it. I believe in hr pool training you have a different perspective but it´s just a matter of choice.
Hyperactive Trifueler!!!! (I refuse to let the status go :p)
3354
Member
1404 days
RV posted 1 year ago.
Tikal Dog;57459 wrote:
Mmm I still don´t agree with you RV.I have mine with sound on the pool and before i noticed I could set the sound thing I just gave the monitor a short look whenever I ended a lap.
But hey..... as i said...... it´s my way of seeing it. I believe in hr pool training you have a different perspective but it´s just a matter of choice.
If it is working for you then great stick with it! :D
Ya the audio would probably help. It messes me up when I'm turning and I check my watch or hit the lap button - probably that is just because I still have a ways to go before I will ever be mistaken for a swimmer! I'm also afraid of somehow trashing it in the pool. There certainly is no $ in the budget for a replacement! So, I'll just stick with RPE in the pool.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
1040
Member
1387 days
Tikal Dog posted 1 year ago.
I hear you RV!!
Another thing for me is how much I sucked (and still suck) in the water, so I had to realy focus on my pool training.
After sticking to my aerobic HR in so many laps I can´t remember I did see an improvent.
I think the main idea is that we both are doing good things, just in a different way!!! :D
Hyperactive Trifueler!!!! (I refuse to let the status go :p)
So I was following the 625 vs 725 debate for Polar. I am considering the Garmin 305. What's the view on the Garmins? I like the idea of using it for all 3 sports (though I hear you need to put it in the swim cap to keep it from going too dep under.
I've had a low end POlar for a while and actually don't like the wired speed and for races it would really sloe you down to switch from bike to run....