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 | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated November 27th, 2017 @ 3:52 am New Window | |||
Price | $369 | $249 | $299 |
Product Announcement Date | Sept 7th, 2016 | Feb 19th, 2016 | APR 2, 2014 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Sept 16th, 2016 | Q2 2016 | Mid-April 2014 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | Bluetooth Smart | USB, BLUETOOTH SMART | USB/Bluetooth Smart |
Waterproofing | 50m | 50 meters | ATM5 (50m roughly) |
Battery Life (GPS) | 5hrs GPS on time (24-48hrs standby) | 13 hours GPS on | 10hrs |
Recording Interval | Varies | Smart Recording | 1-second |
Alerts | Vibration/Audio/Visual | Vibrate/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Great | Good | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | Yes | Yes | No |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | Yes | No | Music | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Can control phone music | Yes | Yes | No |
Has music storage and playback | Yes | No | No | Connectivity | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes | No |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | No | Yes | No |
Group tracking | No | No | |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | Cycling | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Designed for cycling | Sorta | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | No | With some Connect IQ apps (but cannot record data) | No |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | No | No | No |
Crash detection | No | No | Running | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | No (can use accellerometer though) | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) | No (Can use internal accelerometer) |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | No | No | No |
VO2Max Estimation | No | No | No |
Race Predictor | no | No | No |
Recovery Advisor | No | No | No |
Run/Walk Mode | No | Yes | No | Swimming | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | Yes | No | No |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Record HR underwater | Yes | No | No (not enabled in swim mode) |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Basic stroke type only | No | No |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Basic stroke type only | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | No | No | No |
Indoor auto-pause feature | No | No | No |
Change pool size | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 1y/m to 1,500y/m+ | 17M/18Y TO 150Y/M | 15m-50m |
Ability to customize data fields | Very limited | Yes | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | No | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | Yes (goals) | Yes | Goals only | Triathlon | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Designed for triathlon | No | No | Sorta |
Multisport mode | No | No | No | Workouts | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Create/Follow custom workouts | No | No | No |
On-unit interval Feature | No | No | Yes |
Training Calendar Functionality | No | No | No | Functions | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | No |
Virtual Partner Feature | No | No | Yes |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | No | Yes |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | Yes | No |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | Yes | Yes | No | Navigate | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | No | No | No |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | No | Yes (to pre-saved spots) | No |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No | No |
Back to start | No | Yes | No |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | No | No | No | Sensors | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Altimeter Type | Barometric altimeter | Barometric | GPS (Barometric for Performance Bundle) |
Compass Type | N/A | Magnetic | None |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes (also contains optical HR sensor) |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | No | Yes (Can also broadcast ANT+ HR) | No |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | No | Yes | No |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | No | Yes | No |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | No | No | No |
ANT+ Lighting Control | No | Yes | No |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | Yes | No |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | No | No |
ANT+ Remote Control | No | YES FOR GARMIN VIRB | No |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | No | |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | Yes | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | nO | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | No | No, has internal accelerometer |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | No | No |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | No | Sorta (Available only in Skiing/SUP) | No |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | Yes | No | Software | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
PC Application | None | Garmin Express - Windows/Mac | MySports Connect |
Web Application | None | Garmin Connect | TomTom MySports |
Phone App | iOS | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | No | Purchase | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Amazon | N/A | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition | Garmin Vivoactive HR | TomTom Multisport Cardio |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link |