How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
---|---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated April 29th, 2021 @ 5:01 am New Window | ||||
Price | $399 | $449 | $319 | $499 |
Product Announcement Date | Feb 20, 2014 | Jan 6th, 2014 | APR 29, 2013 | July 10th, 2014 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | March 2014 | May 2014 | May 2013 | Sept 2014 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | USB/Bluetooth Smart | USB, BLUETOOTH SMART | USB | USB & Bluetooth Smart |
Waterproofing | Yes - 50m | Yes - 30m | Yes - 100m | Yes - 100m |
Battery Life (GPS) | 50 Hours | Up to 50 hours | 50 hours | Up to 200 Hours |
Recording Interval | 1S to Variable | 1s | Variable | Variable |
Alerts | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | Sound/Visual | Sound/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | No | Yes | No | Minimal | Music | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Can control phone music | No | No | ||
Has music storage and playback | No | No | ||
Streaming Services | No | Payments | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Contactless-NFC Payments | No | Connectivity | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | No | No | No |
Group tracking | No | No | ||
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No | No | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | Yes | NP | No | No |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | Yes | No | ||
Crash detection | No | No | Running | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | Yes | Yes | Yes (internal accelerometer) | Yes |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | Yes | No | No | No |
Running Power | With extra sensor | |||
VO2Max Estimation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Race Predictor | Yes | Yes, via Race Pace | No | No |
Recovery Advisor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Run/Walk Mode | Yes (Added June 13th, 2014) | Yes, via timers | No | No | Swimming | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Record HR underwater | No | With Certain Polar Straps | No | Yes |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Indoor auto-pause feature | No | Yes | No | No |
Change pool size | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 18m/20y to 150y/m | 20M/Y to 250 m/y | 15m/y to 1,200m/y | 15m/y to 1,200m/y |
Ability to customize data fields | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | Yes | N/A | No | No | Triathlon | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Designed for triathlon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multisport mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Workouts | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes | No | No |
On-unit interval Feature | Yes | Yes | Barely | Barely |
Training Calendar Functionality | Yes (Added June 13th, 2014) | Yes | No | No | Functions | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | No | No | No |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | No | No | No | No |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | No | No | No | No | Navigate | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No | No | No |
Back to start | Yes | Yes | Yes (added Aug 30, 2013) | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Sensors | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric | Barometric, GPS (FusedAlti) | Barometric |
Compass Type | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | No | No | ||
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | No | Yes | No |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | No | Yes | No |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | No | Yes | No |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | Yes | No | Yes | No |
ANT+ Lighting Control | No | No | ||
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | No | ||
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | No | ||
ANT+ Remote Control | No (can control VIRB though) | no (but can control GoPro) | No | No |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No | No | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | No | ||
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | No | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | Yes | No | No | No | Software | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
PC Application | Garmin Express | Polar Flowsync - Windows/Mac | Moveslink Agent | Moveslink Agent |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Polar Flow | Movescount | Suunto Movescount |
Phone App | iOS/Android | iOS/Android | Suunto Movescount | iOS/Android |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | Yes (online) | No | Purchase | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Polar V800 | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit3 Peak |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link | Link |