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My New Toy: Polar RS800CX Pro Team Edition

I never did get back to you regarding my choice between the Polar RS800CX and the Garmin Forerunner 310XT.  Reason being, it took me a full three months to decide on my next running watch purchase.  With a purchase this costly, I made sure I did my research comprehensively. 

I spent hours upon hours of research on both watches.  You name it, I read it: articles on Runner’s World, online reviews and forums.  I interviewed (read: harassed) both loyal Polar- and Garmin- users about the pros and cons.  I tested the Polar for a week (which was not long enough!) and devoured as much info as I could get my hands on regarding the new Garmin Forerunner 310XT.  At the end of most days, I would lie on my bed wanting to pull all my hair out.  All the research left me even more confused.

You see, all readings and research led me to discover this one truth: both brands come highly recommended.  It was much like choosing between a PC and mac, McDo and Jollibee, or Piolo and Jericho.  (Okay, scrap the last example since Marc Nelson wins hands down.)  The Polar RS800 has a slight edge as it’s been tested by more athletes compared with the new Garmin 310XT.  But, basically, both have their own strengths and weaknesses.  It all depends on the user to determine which watch would fit his/her needs more.

After all this research, I devised a rather simple guide to help you determine which watch is for you:

GET A GARMIN if…
- you want GPS-based readings
- you’re not a techy (Garmin is very user-friendly)
- you’re more of a runner than anything else

Choose the GARMIN 310XT ($400) if…
- you swim
- you’re in need of longer battery time (say a marathoner or ultramarathoner)
- money is of no concern.  It’s pricey for minor upgrades from the Garmin Forerunner 305

Choose the GARMIN FORERUNNER 405($300 Amazon) if…
- you need a regular watch too
- you don’t mind using bezels (I do!)

Choose the GARMIN FORERUNNER 305 ($165 Amazon)/205 ($154) if…
- you need an simple, affordable, and accurate running watch

* Note: My hubby uses a 405.  I don’t like it since I find the bezel too sensitive and the screens are much more complicated than the 305.  I would opt to purchase another 305 (in my humble opinion, still the best for Garmin) than the 405.

GET A POLAR RS800 (price ranges depending on the model, P25,000 to P30,000) if…
- you run and swim (it’s waterproof) or you plan to get into triathlon
- you need a regular watch
- you train using heart rate (this is what Polar is known for although Garmin has HRM too)
- you’re not too focused on super accurate distance readings (if you use S3 Stride sensor) although Polar also has a G3 GPS sensor too
- you want to count your cadence
- you’re a techy (very complicated to learn, but worth it)
- you’re all for analyzing a lot of data
- you’re a PC-user (Polar software doesn’t run on mac—grrrrr!—but this was something I felt I could overlook considering all the other features)
- you want a friendly and accomodating local service center (Hi Hitler!)
- you want a watch that will last you over a decade (This was one major reason which led me to switch.  Even if the Polar is more expensive than the Garmin, it is still offers more value for money considering it won’t die on me in the next couple of years.)

So, what did I buy?  Introducing my new toy…

The Polar RS800CX Pro Team Edition

IMG_1018

The Polar RS800CX PTE is Polar’s newest and limited edition watch in the market.  It differs from the other Polar RS800 watches—Polar RS800CX Run, Polar RS800CX Bike, Polar RS800CX Multi, Polar RS800—in that it is shiny, not matte, and it comes with complete bike accessories.  I opted for the PTE, well, because it looked irresistibly handsome, and I thought I’ll eventually use it on my bike anyway (when I do get serious with my cycling).  I then purchased the Polar S3 sensor (P8,795) for running.  

IMG_1016
– Everything else that came with the watch -

IMG_1017
– Polar S3 Stride sensor -

Although the purchase was quite pricey (that’s why I shut my eyes the entire time and ran my worries away in Ultra right after), I took comfort in the fact (or my rationalization) that, in the long run, choosing a Polar offered better value for money as the watch will be used more often (even when I’m not running) and for a longer period of time.

I’ll be taking my new toy out for a spin tomorrow morning.  I’m hoping I made the right decision with the big switch.  Goodbye Garmin, Hello Polar!

Click here and here for more info about the Polar RS 800.

POLAR is available at:

Sports Resources Inc.
143 Pasig Blvd.
1600 Pasig City
671-9765/ 671-1563/ 671-9768 to 69

Runnr
Bonifacio High Street

Posted on 08.19.09 to 04 Gear & Product Reviews. Tags: , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 29 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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29 Responses to “My New Toy: Polar RS800CX Pro Team Edition”

  1. yahoo! ;)

    vimz said on Aug 19 09 at 11:53 PM Reply

  2. The watch looks like…. the Rolex of all running watches out there! Looks really really really expensive!

    i2runner said on Aug 19 09 at 11:57 PM Reply

  3. Yeah…. Too thick for my blood

    Infamous said on Aug 20 09 at 6:25 AM Reply

  4. I’m sure its a nice watch. But will it make you run faster
    or longer ? Sometimes it’s nice to keep close to the basics
    of running. Enjoying the cool breeze of the morning inyour face and knowing it will last for another hour or longer when out for a run. Should have put the money
    in the jar for Boston !!!

    Runcanuck said on Aug 20 09 at 8:05 AM Reply

    • Hi runcanuck, I love those runs without the gadgets and gear too. But, when training for a specific goal, I like seeing the numbers and tracking my improvement. Even if all my coins were enough to buy me a ticket to Boston, I wonder if i’ll ever qualify! haha

      thebullrunner said on Aug 20 09 at 12:33 PM Reply

    • @Runcanuck
      Will the watch make you run faster? Run longer? Of course it will. “What you can’t measure, you can’t manage/control.” :)

      @thebullrunner
      I envy you! :)

      Mel said on Aug 20 09 at 6:54 PM Reply

  5. Finally!!! So what did Ben get? Haha. I think you deserve a good watch considering you are so addicted to your sport or sports…No need to justify the cost. Enjoy it.

    Mayi said on Aug 20 09 at 8:45 AM Reply

    • Yes, finally! I’m so relieved I don’t have to think about this anymore.

      Ben got Polar too a week ahead of me. I just followed in his footsteps!

      Thanks for making me feel better about my splurge :)

      thebullrunner said on Aug 20 09 at 12:34 PM Reply

  6. That watch keeps track of a lot of stuff, whew. I think I would go crazy just learning how to use it. I’ve always wanted a smart watch like that but never got around to getting one. I do like my simple Polar 210 though, years old, I just wish it had an altimeter built in. I don’t need to know how far I’ve gone since I run mostly for time but I would like to know what the total elevation gain is for the hills I’ve climbed.

    rick gaston said on Aug 20 09 at 8:54 AM Reply

    • I know! I went crazy when I tried to learn it all in one week when I borrowed the watch. Hopefully, I maximize its use. Testing it at Hood to Coast. One week nalang rick!

      thebullrunner said on Aug 20 09 at 12:36 PM Reply

  7. too rich . . .

    odie said on Aug 20 09 at 9:20 AM Reply

  8. congratulations, welcome to the club ;)

    mukhangguilty said on Aug 20 09 at 10:07 AM Reply

  9. reminds me of the a-go-go watch of the 70′s

    mikey said on Aug 20 09 at 11:11 AM Reply

  10. really nice watch, maybe someday I can trade in my ForeRunner 50 for this one :)

    mike said on Aug 20 09 at 4:12 PM Reply

  11. me run like a caveman….

    ndorphin junky said on Aug 20 09 at 7:55 PM Reply

  12. Woot-woot! Ang sexy ng running watch mo! Pwedeng pang-gimik (kahit hindi tayo mahilig mag-night outs- pwera na lang kung tumatakbo!)

    Let us know how it fares ha? Have a good run!

    Gigi said on Aug 20 09 at 9:30 PM Reply

  13. hi Jaymie,

    nice watch!

    you might find this link helpful for your garmin:

    http://www.jimandkatrin.com/codeblog/2009/08/forerunner-305-battery-replacement.html?showComment=1250770536494#c6067793707653394770

    i haven’t tried it on mine but you, being the gadget maven that you are, might want to give it a shot and do a frankestein on your 305.

    lemme know if it works.

    joms said on Aug 21 09 at 8:14 PM Reply

  14. hello bullrunner,

    since last week, i am running with a garmin 305 after i got discouraged with the durability (read: physical toughness) of my suunto t6, which is again showing signs that the heart rate belt is already coming apart. this belt is less than 2 year old as this is already my second replacement.

    the first thing that i noticed between the two is that during actual running, the 305 is a hands down choice considering that the data in the screen can be customized to suit the user’s choices or priorities (though in the upgraded t6c, this is also standard feature.) in the 305, i can see my pace, heart rate, distance, and time elapsed all in one screen as compared to the t6 which only gives me either the hr-distance-pace combo or the hr-time elapsed-pace combo.

    but what the t6 may lack in the watch feature, it makes up for those in the software. what takes the cake for the t6 is the “training effect” feature in suunto training manager. i did not see this in garmin training center. i wonder if i just missed it because i have not fully read the manual?

    the “training effect” is basically a number between 1-5 that “summarizes” your workout into a single digit. this number is based on the peak EPOC reached during the workout and compared to your current fitness level. this is very convenient as it tells you in a glance if your workout has “minor training effect,” “maintaining,” improving,” “highly improving,” or “overreaching” training effect. this training effect figure varies with your computed fitness level so an EPOC peak of 70 may be rated as “highly improving” if you have not ran for a while but the same EPOC peak may only be rated as “maintaining” if you had been consistent in your training.

    as a long time garmin user, i wonder if you see this feature in the garmin training center? thanks in advance.

    nick torre said on Aug 24 09 at 10:16 AM Reply

  15. Don’t you get a substantial discount for the free advert Polar gets from your write up?

    dennis d said on Sep 01 09 at 9:48 PM Reply

  16. How much yung pricey? send me an email naman hehe thanks!

    cfire said on Sep 14 09 at 11:43 PM Reply

  17. i ordered the Polar RS800CX pro team edition (PTE) online. ordered from Heart rate monitors USA, since they dont ship internationally i just had it delivered to a friend who will be visiting next month. cost me P29,000. local price for the same model is P30,000. BUT thats for the watch only. my package included the Watch, S3 stride sensor and the G3 GPS unit. if you were to buy it locally, it will total more than P50,000++. Not bad, not bad at all!!!

    Albert Yu jr said on Mar 24 10 at 10:48 AM Reply

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