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 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated December 1st, 2021 @ 5:12 pm New Window | ||||
Price | $199 | $199 | $279 | $499 |
Product Announcement Date | April 18th, 2018 | June 16th, 2020 | Apr 19th, 2018 | Oct 7th, 2020 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | April 18th, 2018 | June 16th, 2020 | May 2018 | Oct 7th, 2020 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | USB & Bluetooth Smart | USB & Bluetooth Smart | USB & Bluetooth Smart | USB, BLUETOOTH SMART |
Waterproofing | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | Yes - 100m |
Battery Life (GPS) | 15 hours | 12 hours | 15 Hours | Up to 100 hours |
Recording Interval | 1-second and Smart | 1-second and Smart | 1-Second or Smart | 1s |
Alerts | Audio/Visual | Audio/Visual | Audio/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | Yes (Data Fields) | Yes (Data Fields) | Yes | No |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | No | No | No | Yes | Music | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Can control phone music | No | No | No | Yes |
Has music storage and playback | No | No | No | No |
Streaming Services | No | No | Payments | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Contactless-NFC Payments | No | Connectivity | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Group tracking | No | No | Yes | No |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
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 | No | No | Yes | No |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | Yes | Yes | Yes | TBD Future Update |
Crash detection | No | Yes | Yes | No | Running | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Designed for running | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
Running Power | Yes (built-in) | |||
VO2Max Estimation | (CYCLING YES THOUGH) | (CYCLING YES THOUGH) | (CYCLING YES THOUGH) | Yes |
Race Predictor | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
Recovery Advisor | (CYCLING YES THOUGH) | (CYCLING YES THOUGH) | (CYCLING YES THOUGH) | Yes |
Run/Walk Mode | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
Track Recognition Mode | No | Swimming | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Designed for swimming | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Record HR underwater | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
Indoor auto-pause feature | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Change pool size | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | N/A | N/A | N/A | 20M/Y to 250 m/y |
Ability to customize data fields | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | Triathlon | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Designed for triathlon | Sorta (Extended Display Mode) | Sorta (Extended Display Mode) | Sorta | Yes |
Multisport mode | No | No | N/A | Yes | Workouts | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Create/Follow custom workouts | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
On-unit interval Feature | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Training Calendar Functionality | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Functions | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Virtual Partner Feature | No | No | Yes | No (but can give out of zone alerts) |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | No | Yes | No |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | N/A | No |
Weather Display (live data) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Navigate | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No | Yes | No |
Back to start | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | via phone app | via phone app | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sensors | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric | Barometric | Barometric |
Compass Type | - | - | GPS | N/A |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | No | No | No | Yes |
SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | No | |||
ECG Functionality | No | |||
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | YEs | No |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes | YEs | No |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | No | No | No | No |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
ANT+ Lighting Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | No | Yes | No |
ANT+ Remote Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No | NO | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | No | Yes | No |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | No | Yes | No |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | YEs | YEs | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | No | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | No | No | No | Software | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
PC Application | Mac/Windows | Mac/Windows | Garmin Express | Polar Flowsync - Windows/Mac |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Polar Flow |
Phone App | iOS/Android/Windows | iOS/Android/Windows | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | No | No | Purchase | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link | Link |
Backcountry.com | Link | Link | ||
Competitive Cyclist | Link | Link | ||
REI | Link | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Edge 130 | Garmin Edge 130 Plus | Garmin Edge 520 Plus | Polar Vantage V2 |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link | Link |