Garmin or Polar ?

[xxDarkRiderxx]

Just thought I would throw this one out there. Apologies if there is already a thread for this just wondered what peoples opinions are on GPS tracking and HRM monitoring speed distance and all that jazz. I have returned to cycling from a long illness (2+ years) and as usual technology has moved along faster than air leaving my tyre after a puncture.

I use a Polar CS100 bike computer (very old I know) which I couldn't believe was still working after 2+years in the garage. This tracks my speed distance cadence (not working anymore) HRM etc. I recently purchased a Polar M400 watch because I was also doing some running and liked the idea that I could track location and upload to Strava etc.

I have now reliased that I would like a device that I could upload routes and follow them etc etc. but Garmin has always been more than I am prepared to pay. There is also quite a bit for discussion around the net about if a device is GPS tracking and or GPS Navigation. i.e. The Polar V650 only does GPS tracking and not navigation therefore I will probably keep using my M400 and use a Garmin Edge 200 for navigation. At this rate my handlebars will look like a nasa control station.

What do you use and why?

 

[Drago]

Edge 200 is my main staple. I got an Edge Touring for Christmas, but simply for logging my rides its not worth the extra grams. I'm finding it much more accurate and error free compared to smartphones.

 

[Bobby Mhor]

I use the M400 (retirement pressie) and the Edge 200, the Edge is handier for me as it can send the files via Garmin Connect to say Strava etc..
Polar have mentioned that they will be linking to Strava in the near future.
it's the Edge 200 for me..

 

[coffeejo]

I've probably got the wrong one for my needs - it's the Edge 800, which I use as a computer to log my miles but also to display OS maps (or OSM if I'm in a town) when I'm out. I don't use the turn-by-turn navigation. I bought it after a year or more observing the different makes and models owned by various people in my cycling group. They're all flawed one way or another but the Garmin 800 seemed to be the most reliable and was certainly the easiest for me to get to grips with.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

My Edge 200 arrived today. Hopefully try it out tommorrow.

 

[Bobby Mhor]

Update...
Kept an eye on both on yesterdays and today's out..
when moving the Edge 200 is quicker on data output...the Polar maybe a second behind..
I know a bit pedantic...
the Garmin fixes the GPS signal far quicker...at the outset..
the M400 just throws plenty of stats at you after the ride..

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

@Bobby Mhor Thanks for the update you got there before me. I took my wife out for a ride this morning using the new Edge200 and M400 as well and I would agree. When starting the ride Garmin notes your GPS posistion quicker than the M400 but both pretty accurate I thought. I did notice when I stopped (blame the wife) that the Garmin kept reporting that I was doing something like 0.01km to 0.02km is this a bug ?

I was not responsible for my wifes slow pace. She has a way to go lol

 

[Bobby Mhor]

@xxDarkRiderxx
No one is more slower than me...
I have seen the 0.01 to .02 even on one of the phone apps, the Polar never seems to do it...
the main thing is the distance never moves..
and there has been a severe geomagnetic solar storm raging since last night and these sort of things can cause GPS variance(Just flung that in, today I did a ride I have done before and out of curiousity checked both distances and was only .01 out)

I do note sometimes the Polar does report a higher mileage (I'm still old school)..
eg
today Polar 23.20 Garmin 23.07
yesterday Polar 22.45 Garmin 22.36

a fair difference although over those distances minimal in my mind..
I used to use Endomondo on my phone plus the Garmin and Endo was mostly a slightly higher mileage..
more likely Garmin is either more accurate as it is a dedicated GPS but I'm no technophobe..

Both work, I'd lost a few rides in my early GPS days (phone) that got lost so that is why I use both...
never any problem with the Garmin..
one with the Polar but I had stopped next to the local taxi antenna which does create some RF and was talking for ages and Polar do say that could affect it, I just assumed it was the reason...
and the bogger keeps telling me to move