Why I refused to Garmin Fenix ​​3 in favor of the Polar V800

Main Disclaimer: I've never used a clock and other gadgets from Suunto, and therefore simply not ready for the arguments of representatives of this sect. The arguments of those who believe in Garmin and possibly in Polar, will be very happy.

To remind you of the situation a year ago, is to say that The first version of the Polar V800Provided to us representative office in Russia was very strange. Despite the fact that these watches are positioned as triathlon, they did not have half of the features that were complemented on the fly software updates. There was no measurement of strokes, was not determined style of swimming, it was impossible to plan for the pulse intervals, but can be had for Pace. :) It was such the LEGO designer, who came not to all, but the instruction meanwhile claimed the opposite. Then came the monthly updates, and what I see on the hand today is not inferior to me the same Garmin Fenix ​​3.

The second ambush was more stromnaya - outdoor power connector 3 months rotten

(Oxidized) swollen body and admitted into the water. Watch died. Today, discussing the issue with friends, I understand that the reason was the Thai pool at our villa. It rained some poison, which creaked teeth. Teeth survived, and V800 - no.

Everyone who bought Polar itself, it changed for free after sending in the United States. I did not buy and repairing it yourself.

And now let's talk about why I decided to return to the V800 after went through everything described above.

Work on the bugs

Open connector plug is now closed. Reliability Connector check after a while, but the experience of a friend of mine says that there is nothing wrong with it has not happened yet and a half years. I hope that also will be with me.

Appearance

It is not decisive, but it is a very important factor for me. For the year socks Fenix ​​3, I was never able to get used neither to their size or the fact that they look like a sports watch. No, I know that there are very wealthy and very wealthy people who amuse the fact that their "Triathlon" or "cross-country" can be seen from afar. I know that many harbors and that the athlete athlete flock together on stromnomu peydzheroobraznomu profile 920XT. But I would like to have a watch that looks roughly like a clock. In my opinion, The V800 look exactly the same and decent and gleaming in a business suit in a beach outfit, and something the average ...

But fair is silent about the fact that the Fenix, you can change the color of the strap, so hold on to them the required form. One strap - $ 35 in the US without tax and shipping to us. How to change the color of the straps to Polar? Nothing. Although, do not be amiss to say that the straps Fenix ​​serve 3-4 months and then break. So it was with me and two other friends.

More I do not ready to take on the color screen Fenix ​​3. He does not look like in the commercials. He strongly worse. And after the Apple Watch in general is perceived as a mockery. For me, more important than sports watches contrast, V800 and then wins. Attentive readers may recall the application and custom dials on Fenix ​​3. I played with them - it is useless, ugly, never seen anyone who would be pleased with it.

Mobile app

All Garmin operation time I could not really understand how it works its mobile application. It is constantly changing and "improving". But from this it becomes incomprehensible and confusing. Why on the main screenshot I see the steps and stairs? How can I find a training plan? Why on the second button I have some distance on the competition? And if I, for example, a sprinter, then why do I top this? Why there is always golf there?

I confess that I have never used it. The problem is solved by the fact that the clock Fenix ​​3 have Wi-Fi and can pour yourself a workout at Garmin Connect, and I watched them on Strava, because that's where everything is clear, and garmin.com - no.

Mobile is an application Polar Flow - the exact opposite! The daily activity without useless Focus on the steps, workout calendar always clear, it is easy to evaluate the programmed trainer week, all large and well-read. On the page is all workouts without having to switch tabs.

Web Service

Site Polar Flow quite new, it looks modern and cool. In it there are a couple of puzzles, but mostly everything is exactly where you expect to find it. There is no golf, badges and other junk that has accumulated in Garmin over the decades. Why do I need all this in the sidebar? Why is someone at all?

More Connect system reminds me of Windows. How much is not masked by the past and the old DOS interface solutions, they are all the same, sooner or later you will overtake. So here. Watch the beautiful pictures, and suddenly falls on you five years ago, a piece of code that shows your workout. :(

Below, I just attached a few screenshots that show the differences in web services:

Value Polar Flow feels when you need to plan your interval training. However much I tried to do it in the Garmin, every time as the first, then it all intuitive.

In general, the approach to the clock at different companies. If the clock Garmin you can do almost anything, bypassing the Web service and application, then Polar you're doing on the web service. Therefore, the clock does not have a cumbersome menu and look on the face of the primitive. But when you go to a web service, you get all the thoughtful and convenient.

For example, I shot a video as created by interval training heart rate zones, which have been marked out in advance after my functional testing.

Integration

Many stoked for Garmin with the main argument - integration. Indeed, more integrated into all gadget than the Garmin, no. But the thing is that the only integration that I'm interested in is called Strava. Once the Polar Flow himself became to give training in this wonderful service, one more competitive advantage Garmin has been eliminated.

If we talk about the side of the sensor, the V800 works only with Bluetooth and ANT + is no it does not have. Garmin, by contrast, has both interfaces. It uses ANT + to connect sensors like heart rate, speed, cadence and power (can with sticks golfers too connected?), But Bluetooth is used to synchronize with appom. But it is also not necessary, as we have Wi-Fi, which delivers everything from hours directly to the web.

Polar V800 uses Bluetooth for all: sensors and synchronization. Neither the first nor the second today there are no problems. The clock can, for example, to take the pulse to the ears, if you have headphones jabra Pulse. Work with them the same Fenix ​​3 can not. Although Fenix ​​cardiomonitor much cooler thanks to measurements of running dynamics. Read about it in technology review.

Price

Second clock Polar V800 week ago I bought for 7200 hryvnia ($ 288 ≈ 19 000) with heart rate monitors. My current Fenix ​​3 in the same store cost 12 450 hryvnia ($ 499 ≈ 32 700 rubles) with heart rate monitors. If you take more "Corporate Business" modification Fenix ​​2 Sapphire, then add another 100 dollars.

The great thing is that in both cases we have the same thing! Especially if you are a runner or triathlete zamorochenny not much like me.

Questions?