Garmin 920xt or Polar V800?

I'm the opposite. I have a new 920xt and I LOVE it! It actually replaced my Garmin 510 bike computer and my Garmin swim watch. All training features are great and the tri feature is a must while preparing for, as well as for use during an event. Garmin as a brand is solid and their customer support is top of market. Call them and they'll help you decide which devise is best for you. They even gave me a discount and bought my old Garmin swim watch back for $100!!! Let me know if you have specific questions and I'll be happy to answer what I can.

Hope his helps.

I have a 920 and 910 and really have liked both of them. They are easy to use and provide a lot of helpful information. Sorry I have never used the Polar version to compare. I am currently trying to go back to the 910 and sell the 920 to save up for a power meter.

I have the V800 and love it! I can't evaluate the 920xt because I have not used it. I did have the 910xt though and overall like polar products better than Garmin (polar flow > Garmin connect)

Run and Cycling are great, as expected. For cycling I have the wahoo blue sc cadence meter, which is great. The swim is great, both OWS and pool. For pool swimming, the only issue I have ever had was if I do an open turn and don't pause for a second it will miss the lap. No issues with flip turns and open turns where the accelerometer catches it. BTW, this isn't specific to the V800, same problem with Garmin.

For me, it came down to the fact that the polar is a sleeker looking device (really Garmin.... only making a watch with random blue or red stripes) and also that polar seems more accommodating with their updates and specs. Garmin will throw a watch out there and people will ask for features and they'll just say "it's not meant for that" (read through the "can I wear 910xt as a watch" threads) where polar seems like they will accommodate demand. People are going to reply and say that the 920xt can be worn as a watch so this is irrelevant but its more a sign of their inflexibility because they know that people will buy it regardless where polar has to compete for the business.

Plus..... the price..... I paid $300 for v800.... 920xt is still around $500.

Just my two cents though.... a guy I train with has 920xt and wouldn't have it any other way



Edited by amalgamate 2015-08-17 1:55 PM

Do you have any ant+ accessories that will work with a garmin? Do many of your friends only use garmin connect or do they use Polar Flow. These questions could help make a decision for you. Most of my family has some kind of Garmin device, so we are all paired with Garmin Connect.

Garmin Review: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/11/garmin-forerunner-920xt-depth-re...

Polar Review: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/06/polar-v800-depth-review.html

I'm partial to the garmin 920xt, but then again, I've never owned a polar product.

I think both reviews will greatly help you with your decision.

And do you plan to by a Power meter. Several PM brands will not work with Polar.

I was debating with the same 2 watches and went with the 920xt. I found connect more intuitive and although I don't know anyone with the V800, I've been very happy with my purchase. There's honestly nothing missing on this watch and a few surprises I didn't even know about. I'm sure you will be happy either way but if it comes down to votes from your post, mine is for the 920!

I'm looking at watches now too. I'm getting some new equipment with the intention of signing up from trainerroad. I've noticed some complaints on Amazon about the Apple Short Lightning adaptors they sell there. Some saying they aren't really apple devices. The prices on the Garmins on amazon are really competitive. I would assume with a device that sophisticated that the same problem with the adaptor doesn't apply to the garmin, but the question still bears asking because I'd hate to spend the money on something and find out I gave up on some customer support by not going directly through Garmin.