Welcome to our comparison of polar v800 vs garmin 735xt.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Polar V800 | Garmin Forerunner 735XT |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Integrated GPS | Integrated GPS |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Optical HR (with Polar H10 strap recommended) | Wrist-based Optical HR |
| Water Resistance | 30m (suitable for swimming) | 50m (suitable for swimming) |
| Display | Monochrome LCD | Color transflective MIP |
| Battery Life (Smartwatch Mode) | Up to 8 days | Up to 11 days |
| Battery Life (GPS Mode) | Up to 13 hours | Up to 14 hours |
| Activity Tracking | Steps, distance, calories, sleep | Steps, distance, calories, sleep, floors climbed |
| Smart Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Music Control | No | Yes |
| Customizable Screens | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Running Metrics | Running Power, Cadence, Stride Length | Running Dynamics (with compatible sensor) |
| Strap Material | Silicone | Silicone |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
GPS Accuracy
- Polar V800: The V800 uses a built-in GPS to track pace, distance, and route. While generally reliable, some users have reported occasional inaccuracies, especially in dense urban environments or under heavy tree cover. It offers good performance for most outdoor activities.
- Garmin 735xt: The Forerunner 735XT features a highly accurate GPS that is consistently praised for its reliability across various conditions. It offers quick satellite acquisition and precise tracking of pace, distance, and elevation, making it a top choice for runners and cyclists.
- Winner: garmin 735xt
Heart Rate Monitoring
- Polar V800: The V800 is renowned for its exceptional heart rate accuracy, especially when paired with Polar’s H7 or H10 heart rate straps. It offers advanced metrics like Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and training load, providing deep insights into recovery and training intensity. Wrist-based HR is not an option.
- Garmin 735xt: The 735XT boasts Garmin’s Elevate wrist-based heart rate sensor, which is convenient for everyday wear and many activities. While generally good, wrist-based HR can sometimes be less accurate during high-intensity intervals or activities involving significant wrist movement compared to a chest strap. It also supports external HR monitors.
- Winner: polar v800
Activity Tracking & Smart Features
- Polar V800: The V800 provides comprehensive activity tracking, including steps, calories, and sleep. It offers smart notifications from a paired smartphone. However, its smart features are more basic, focusing on essential alerts rather than extensive app integration or music control.
- Garmin 735xt: The 735XT excels in this area with its robust activity tracking and a wider array of smart features. It offers smart notifications, music control for your phone, and compatibility with Garmin Connect IQ for custom watch faces, data fields, and apps. It’s designed for a more connected lifestyle.
- Winner: garmin 735xt
Battery Life
- Polar V800: The V800 offers a solid battery life, typically lasting around 10-14 days in watch mode with regular use and up to 30 hours in GPS mode. This is sufficient for most multi-day adventures or long training sessions.
- Garmin 735xt: The 735XT provides a respectable battery life, offering up to 11 days in watch mode and up to 14 hours in GPS mode. While good, it’s slightly less than the V800 in GPS mode, which might be a consideration for ultra-endurance athletes.
- Winner: polar v800
Training & Recovery Features
- Polar V800: Polar’s ecosystem is a major strength, with the V800 offering advanced training load, recovery advisor, and running index features. It provides in-depth analysis and personalized guidance for optimizing training and preventing overtraining.
- Garmin 735xt: The 735XT also includes excellent training features like VO2 Max estimation, race predictor, and recovery advisor. It integrates well with Garmin’s ecosystem for detailed post-workout analysis and training plans. It offers a comprehensive suite for serious athletes.
- Winner: polar v800
Water Resistance & Multisport Capabilities
- Polar V800: The V800 is highly water-resistant (WR100), making it suitable for swimming, triathlon, and other water sports. It has dedicated modes for swimming, cycling, and running, and can be used for seamless triathlon transitions.
- Garmin 735xt: The 735XT is also very water-resistant (WR50) and is specifically designed for triathletes. It offers robust multisport profiles, including triathlon, and excels in tracking swim metrics (indoor and open water) due to its advanced sensors and software.
- Winner: garmin 735xt
Build Quality & Design
- Polar V800: The V800 features a durable, premium build with a robust casing and a comfortable strap. Its design is functional and sporty, built to withstand rigorous training and outdoor conditions. It feels substantial and well-made.
- Garmin 735xt: The 735XT has a lighter and more streamlined design, making it comfortable for everyday wear and less intrusive during workouts. While not as rugged as some other Garmin models, it’s still well-built and durable enough for its intended use.
- Winner: polar v800
Connectivity & Ecosystem
- Polar V800: The V800 connects via Bluetooth Smart and syncs with the Polar Flow app and web service. Polar Flow is a powerful platform for training analysis, but its third-party app integration is more limited compared to Garmin.
- Garmin 735xt: The 735XT offers excellent connectivity, including ANT+ and Bluetooth, allowing it to pair with a vast array of sensors and accessories. It syncs seamlessly with Garmin Connect, a comprehensive platform with extensive third-party app support (Strava, TrainingPeaks, etc.) and robust community features.
- Winner: garmin 735xt
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| GPS Accuracy | Tie |
| Heart Rate Accuracy (Out of the Box) | Garmin Forerunner 735XT |
| Heart Rate Accuracy (With Chest Strap) | Polar V800 |
| Battery Life (GPS Mode) | Garmin Forerunner 735XT |
| Durability | Polar V800 |
| Smart Features | Garmin Forerunner 735XT |
| Training & Recovery Metrics | Polar V800 |
| Display Readability | Garmin Forerunner 735XT |
| Water Resistance | Garmin Forerunner 735XT |
| Comfort & Weight | Garmin Forerunner 735XT |
What They Have in Common
- Gps Tracking: Both devices feature integrated GPS to accurately track your outdoor activities like running, cycling, and hiking, recording distance, pace, and routes.
- Activity Monitoring: They both offer comprehensive daily activity tracking, including steps taken, distance covered, calories burned, and sleep analysis, providing a holistic view of your health.
- Smart Notifications: Users can receive smartphone notifications directly on their wrist with both the V800 and 735XT, allowing for quick glances at calls, texts, and app alerts without needing to pull out their phone.
- Water Resistance: Both watches are water-resistant, making them suitable for swimming and other water-based activities, with the 735XT offering a slightly higher rating.
- Customizable Data Screens: Athletes can personalize the data displayed on their watch screens during workouts, ensuring they have the most relevant metrics at their fingertips.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Both devices are capable of heart rate monitoring, though the V800’s primary method is external strap-based for optimal accuracy, while the 735XT offers wrist-based optical HR.
Polar V800 Vs Garmin 735XT Buying Guide
Durability and Build Quality
When considering the Polar V800 and Garmin Forerunner 735XT, durability is a key factor for any serious athlete. The V800 boasts a robust, premium build with a stainless steel casing and a comfortable silicone strap, designed to withstand rigorous training sessions and harsh environmental conditions. Its rugged construction inspires confidence during intense workouts and outdoor adventures.
The Garmin 735XT, while also built for athletic pursuits, leans more towards a lightweight and flexible design. Its plastic construction and comfortable silicone band make it ideal for prolonged wear and various sports, but it might not feel as substantial as the V800 in terms of outright toughness. Both offer water resistance suitable for swimming.
GPS Accuracy and Performance Tracking
Both the Polar V800 and Garmin Forerunner 735XT are equipped with reliable GPS for accurate distance and pace tracking. The V800’s GPS performance is generally praised for its consistency, providing dependable data for running, cycling, and other outdoor activities. It also offers advanced training metrics and recovery insights.
The Garmin 735XT excels in its comprehensive suite of performance tracking features. It offers highly accurate GPS, along with advanced running dynamics, VO2 max estimation, and lactate threshold monitoring. Its ecosystem integrates seamlessly with Garmin Connect, providing a wealth of data analysis tools for athletes looking to optimize their training and performance. (See Also: Demeyere 5 Plus Vs Atlantis )
Smartwatch Features and Connectivity
While primarily sports-focused devices, both watches offer a degree of smartwatch functionality. The Polar V800 provides essential notifications from your connected smartphone, such as calls and messages, keeping you informed without needing to pull out your phone. Its focus remains on training and recovery data, with smart features being secondary.
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT offers a more integrated smartwatch experience. Beyond notifications, it supports music control, weather updates, and can even facilitate contactless payments with Garmin Pay (depending on the model variant). This makes it a more versatile device for everyday use alongside its robust training capabilities.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a crucial consideration for multi-sport athletes who undertake long training sessions and events. The Polar V800 generally offers impressive battery life, capable of lasting through extended workouts and even multi-day events on a single charge, especially when GPS is used sparingly. Its charging cable is proprietary but secure.
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT also provides commendable battery life, particularly in GPS mode, which is essential for endurance activities. While it might not always match the V800 in certain scenarios, it still offers sufficient power for most athletes’ needs. It utilizes a standard USB charging cable, which is convenient for many users. (See Also: Nikon 50 1 8 Vs 1 4 )
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Polar V800 If…
- You prioritize highly accurate heart rate data and are willing to use a chest strap.
- You value a robust and durable design built for serious training.
- You are looking for advanced recovery and training load metrics.
- You prefer a monochrome display for better battery life and readability in direct sunlight.
Buy Garmin Forerunner 735XT If…
- You prefer the convenience of wrist-based heart rate monitoring.
- You want a lighter and more comfortable watch for everyday wear and multi-sport events.
- You desire music controls and more advanced smart features.
- You are invested in the Garmin ecosystem and its Connect platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which watch is better for swimming?
Both watches are suitable for swimming, offering water resistance. The Polar V800 provides detailed swim metrics like stroke count, SWOLF, and pace, with a focus on training load and recovery for swimmers. The Garmin 735XT also tracks swim distance, pace, and stroke type, and its lighter build might feel more comfortable for some during laps.
Does the Garmin 735XT have optical heart rate?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT features an integrated Elevate wrist-based heart rate sensor. This allows for continuous heart rate monitoring throughout the day and during workouts without the need for a separate chest strap, providing convenient and accurate data for training and recovery analysis.
Is the Polar V800 still a relevant device?
While older than some current models, the Polar V800 remains a highly capable and relevant device for serious athletes, particularly triathletes and runners who prioritize robust training metrics, recovery insights, and a durable build. Its advanced features and accurate performance tracking still hold significant value.
Which watch has better app integration?
Garmin Connect, the app for the 735XT, is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly platforms for sports data analysis. It offers extensive customization, social sharing, and integration with numerous third-party apps. Polar Flow, while also good, is generally considered less feature-rich in comparison. (See Also: Samsung Pro Vs Evo 850 )
Which watch is more comfortable for everyday wear?
Comfort is subjective, but the Garmin Forerunner 735XT’s lighter weight and more flexible design often make it slightly more comfortable for all-day wear. The Polar V800, with its more premium and robust build, might feel a bit more substantial on the wrist, which some prefer for its durability.
Final Verdict
Both the Polar V800 and Garmin Forerunner 735XT are exceptional sports watches, each with its strengths. The V800 shines with its robust build and in-depth recovery metrics, making it a durable companion for endurance athletes. The 735XT, however, offers a more comprehensive suite of advanced training features, superior app integration, and a more versatile smartwatch experience, making it the more well-rounded choice for the modern athlete.
Winner: Garmin 735XT