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 Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated April 9th, 2021 @ 10:26 am New Window | ||
Price | $229 | $253/€220 |
Product Announcement Date | July 1st, 2015 | January 26, 2014 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | July 31st, 2015 | March 2015 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | USB & Bluetooth Smart | USB |
Waterproofing | IPX7 | IPX7 |
Battery Life (GPS) | 15 hours | 10 Hours |
Recording Interval | 1-Second or Smart | 1-second |
Alerts | Audio/Visual | Sound/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Great | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | Yes | No |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | No | No | Music | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Can control phone music | No | |
Has music storage and playback | No | Connectivity | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Not yet |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | TBA |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | No |
Group tracking | No | |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | Yes | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | Yes | Yes |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | Yes | No |
Crash detection | Yes | Running | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Designed for running | N/A | No |
VO2Max Estimation | (CYCLING YES THOUGH) | N/A |
Recovery Advisor | (CYCLING YES THOUGH) | N/A | Swimming | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Designed for swimming | N/A | No | Triathlon | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Designed for triathlon | N/A | No | Workouts | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes |
On-unit interval Feature | Yes | No |
Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | No | Functions | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | Yes | No |
Virtual Racer Feature | Yes | No |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | No |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | N/A | No |
Weather Display (live data) | Yes | No | Navigate | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | Planned |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | No |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | Yes for maps (but not routable) | Yes |
Back to start | Yes | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | Planned | Sensors | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric |
Compass Type | GPS | GPS |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | No |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | YEs | No |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | No | No |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | Yes | No |
ANT+ Lighting Control | Yes | No |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | Yes | No |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | Yes | No |
ANT+ Remote Control | Yes | No |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | Yes | |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | Yes | No |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | Yes |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | Yes |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | No | Software | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
PC Application | Garmin Express | Polar Flowsync |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Polar Flow |
Phone App | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | - |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | Purchase | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Amazon | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Edge 520 | Polar V650 |
Review Link | Link | Link |