GPS (Garmin 305) or regular HRM (Polar-type)?

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2009-06-23 8:57 PM

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Subject: GPS (Garmin 305) or regular HRM (Polar-type)?
I am looking for a good HRM. I mainly train indoors, so the GPS funtionality is not a big selling point but the price difference is not too large. If I get the Garmin, I won't have to get a bike computer.

I am considering the Polar F6 (~$110) and the Garmin 305 (~$150 at Costco right now).

The Polar seems superior in HRM functionality but for only $40 I could get the Garmin.

Any thoughts?

2009-06-24 6:16 AM
in reply to: #2238445

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Pro
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Subject: RE: GPS (Garmin 305) or regular HRM (Polar-type)?
I'd get the Garmin.  Unless you really hate the clunky look of it, the times when you train outside makes it worthwhile.  Plus if you get an upgraded membership on BT, it will download directly to your training logs.  If you get the Polar, and decide in 6 months or a year to do more outdoors training, or upgrade the membership, you will regret your decision, or end up spending the cash for the garmin anyway.
2009-06-24 10:17 PM
in reply to: #2238797

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Subject: RE: GPS (Garmin 305) or regular HRM (Polar-type)?
I bought a Garmin 50 (basic HRM) off ebay. I think it was new, can't remember for sure. about 5 or 6 months later, I was ready to upgrade to a 305.  The Garmin 50 went back on ebay, and in the end it ended up costing me about $5 to use for 5 or 6 months. My vote is by what you need now, upgrade later. I absolutely love the 305, but if your not training outside, the HRM will suit your needs.
2009-06-24 11:05 PM
in reply to: #2238445

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Subject: RE: GPS (Garmin 305) or regular HRM (Polar-type)?
sewcrates - 2009-06-23 6:57 PM I am looking for a good HRM. I mainly train indoors, so the GPS funtionality is not a big selling point but the price difference is not too large. If I get the Garmin, I won't have to get a bike computer. I am considering the Polar F6 (~$110) and the Garmin 305 (~$150 at Costco right now). The Polar seems superior in HRM functionality but for only $40 I could get the Garmin. Any thoughts?


Someone mentioned this in another thread re: the Polar being better ar HR.  I have  a Polar (520, I think) and the 305.  Both give me real time, average, and max HR (305 with motionbased also gives times in zone, etc).   Is there something the polar does I am not aware of?  What  more does one need other than average, max, real time display and how long in each zone? 
2009-06-29 11:14 AM
in reply to: #2238445

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Elite
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Subject: RE: GPS (Garmin 305) or regular HRM (Polar-type)?

sewcrates - 2009-06-23 6:57 PM I am looking for a good HRM. I mainly train indoors, so the GPS funtionality is not a big selling point but the price difference is not too large. If I get the Garmin, I won't have to get a bike computer. I am considering the Polar F6 (~$110) and the Garmin 305 (~$150 at Costco right now). The Polar seems superior in HRM functionality but for only $40 I could get the Garmin. Any thoughts?

I have both and like both of them.  When I'm indoors, I use the Polar.  When I'm outdoors, I use the Garmin.  If I only had the Garmin, I would be perfectly content using it indoors.

2009-06-29 11:22 AM
in reply to: #2238445

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Subject: RE: GPS (Garmin 305) or regular HRM (Polar-type)?
I prefer my Polar when HR data is really important.  Not sure why, but my Garmin is horribly unreliable at giving me HR data.  And I would say I am not the only one.

I am hoping their new HRM strap is better....it LOOKS more like a Polar, so maybe...

That being said...I own both and use both in their niches.  If I need distance...Garmin.  If I know distance...Polar.

2009-06-29 11:37 AM
in reply to: #2238445

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Subject: RE: GPS (Garmin 305) or regular HRM (Polar-type)?

When my last polar died (after many years of use), I "upgraded" to a Garmin 405 and I regret it.  I can't use it for most of my training runs because I have to run for a while surrounded by tall buildings (so the GPS doesn't pick up the satellites at the beginning of my run, and when I finally get to someplace where it would, I don't want to stop for 10 minutes to wait for it to pick up the satellites), and I don't think the HR monitor is nearly as good.  I do really like using the Garmin in races so I can track my pace on the run, but for everyday training where I'm often focusing on my HR zone, I much prefer the polar.  If you're not going to use the GPS function that much, I honestly don't think the Garmin is worth the extra money.

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