Garmin vs. Polar

Sorry but I do not see the point:

Why no value in it?

For me, GPS value is in the speed pace average which is something fundamental for a runner whi is training or racing. Elevation is not accurate on the GPS but do you care so much? If yes, why?

If you get the Polar with the GPS, you get something unbeatable. Number 1 for sure 

Likewise.  The pace/speed is rarely "way off" and corrects within seconds if it is.

Garmin has a newer model out now, 405 maybe?, that is much more "watch-like" in its form factor.  However, you'll pay it.  I don't remember the price, but I do remember that it was significantly more expensive than the 305.  Might be worth checking out if money isn't a concern.

Right but I guess here nobody is racing on short distances like 2k or 1k. Starting from the 3rd or 4th km, the average pace is perfect 

If you get the Polar with the GPS, you get something unbeatable. Number 1 for sure 

I have all three as well.  The Garmin is my favorite.

As far as I'm concerned, it's the "right tool for the job".  I like the timex in the pool (my polar is a little dated and it doesnt have all the features of my newer timex).

The garmin is great for the gym bike since it works with the treadmill and bikes if you are doing zone training and want the machines to adjust to your HR.

The Garmin is GREAT!  I wear it any time I'm doind something outside.  Which is most of the time.

My boss has the Garmin 305 and the new Garmin 405 is now available.  My boss loves his Garmin, but I've used Polar for years (since 1991!!).  My s625x got stolen a while back and I was left to weigh up which new HR to buy. 

As I'm planning on doing Ironman's I had to go with the Polar RS400sd as the battery life of both the 305 and 405 are 10 & 8 hours respectively, which realistically isn't long enough.  The RS800 G3 is apparently great, but there are only about 6 or 7 more features and I've never had issues with the footpod on my s625x so the GSP was no added bonus to me.  Also the extra $$ I've saved will go towards a tri-bike.  The software details speak for themselves and you can also use another reporting tool such as Crystal Reports to report on the data if you wish.

The only negative thing I have to say about the RS400, like some others on here, is that the strap is a little short, but is easily fixed with a velcro strap.

Well, measurement is a science and you should you ask to yourself who is right and who is not. When you say that the track is 10k, who measured that? How much accuracy is in that? Can it be that the Garmin is perfect and the "10k" is 0.2miles away?

I would trust an average over 3-4 times Garmin 305 measurement. Not the first shot, not the second but an average and you will kill the "random noise".

IMO, if you want to buy one watch that you can wear all the time and get everything you need from, go with the Polar S625X.  It rarely leaves my wrist.  I have the foot pod and cadence/speed sensors on my bike.  It generates graphs (not maps) and can pretty much pilot the space shuttle if you wanted it to.  You can set it so that it beeps when you're in and out of your pace OR heart rate zones.  You can also download 5 different workouts in it at one time. 

I think the best benefit is that you can race and train with it very easily.  No need to wear two watches or charge it between uses.

The Garmin is a great product, but I don't think it's great for racing.  You have to remember to put it on in T1 and go from there.  I just prefer things to be "easy".  My Polar doubles as my everyday watch which the Garmin will never do for most people.  Plus the wearlink HR strap is much easier on the body.

A couple of my guys have a Garmin and love the things it can do.  But have gripes about forgetting to charge it, picking up satellites and not being able to swim with it.  They both wear two watches when racing and training.  I think it's funny, personally.

In response to the "accuracy" of the foot pod, I have found it to be very accurate.  I know that is subjective, but at least once a month, I check my foot pod distance vs car distance vs Mapmytri and they are usually within .2 miles for a 8 mile course.

The key is calibrating the foot pod at a speed where you will be doing most of your training.  Not all out or too easy.

Using always the same shoes...

In my case, I change running shoes maybe 3 or 4 times per week, depending on training session and race length. The foot pod is not the right choice.

I have both Garmin and 625SX and I wear alway Polar on Tri racing and I leave the Garmin on the bike. So HR, swim and run time is taken by Polar while Garmin tracks my bike leg very well.

I generally love my Garmin 305 on both the run and the bike (and with the quick release kit, it can be transitioned very quickly).  One gripe I have is that it sometimes takes too long to locate satellites.  The other day I went on a group run where we basically walked out of a building and started running right away.  I missed tracking the first 5 minutes of the run while the 305 was still "Locating Satellites".  For the next group run I may use the footpod, which is generally not needed outdoors, just so I can get it started quicker.

Another minor gripe is that the chest strap tends to be a little uncomfortable when you have it on for a long time (over an hour).  If you wear it low, it doesn't track HR correctly.  Wear it higher and it always feels just a tad too tight (but if you losen it up, it drops).  Maybe this is more of a problem with my body rather than the strap.