Polar 720i or Garmin 305

[Fizzy23]

Just that any preferences? Suggestions? Comments?

Looking to buy one or the other.

 

[Mariner Fan]

I don't want to bash Polar but I guess I will anyway. I had a Polar 725 that I had a heck of a time getting to work. The instruction book is hard to figure out and I never could fully understand how to operate the darn thing. I could be just me, but I'm alot happier with a Cateye double wireless. I've never had a Garmin but a friend of mine has one and loves it.

 

[cheapie]

if you ride AT ALL in low light DO NOT get the polar because you can not see the readout, even with the backlight on. it just turns it all a dullish green. well, you can see it a bit but you really have to concentrate for quite a while to see it. which is of course exactly what you want to be doing while checking out your speed going down a hill.

other than that, meh. the polar is decent. has pretty good exercise programs but i think i will look elsewhere next time.

 

[pakicyclist]

I just got a 720i, it is a pretty good hrm. I agree with the other guy about the backlight. But otherwise I love it, after the initial installation, it a breeze to get going. Also, the awesome computer trainer which shows you ride data on the computer is a great help. I give it 4.5 stars.

 

[psmalley]

I just got a 720i, it is a pretty good hrm. I agree with the other guy about the backlight. But otherwise I love it, after the initial installation, it a breeze to get going. Also, the awesome computer trainer which shows you ride data on the computer is a great help. I give it 4.5 stars.

I just sent my 720i back to Performance. I was never able to get consistant readings. The speedometer was always dropping out no matter how I set up the speed sensor. I've seen lots of good reviews on the 720i, but it just wasn't worth it to me. Great feature set, but very inconsistant.