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 Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated November 17th, 2022 @ 10:19 am New Window | ||
Price | $199 | $229 |
Product Announcement Date | Apr 30th, 2019 | June 26th, 2019 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Early May 2019 | July 2019 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | USB, Bluetooth Smart | USB, BLUETOOTH SMART |
Waterproofing | 50 meters | Yes - 30m |
Battery Life (GPS) | 13 Hours | Up to 17 hours |
Recording Interval | SMART RECORDING (VARIABLE) | 1s |
Alerts | Sound/Visual/Vibrate | Vibrate/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Great | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | Watchfaces only | No |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | Yes | Music | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Can control phone music | Yes | No |
Has music storage and playback | No | No |
Streaming Services | No | No | Payments | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Contactless-NFC Payments | No | No | Connectivity | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | No |
Group tracking | No | No |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | Yes (via phone) | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | No | No |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | No |
Strava segments live on device | No | No |
Crash detection | Yes | No | Running | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | YES (ALSO HAS INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) | No |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | No | No |
Running Power | No | No |
VO2Max Estimation | Yes | Yes |
Race Predictor | No | No |
Recovery Advisor | no | No |
Run/Walk Mode | Yes | No | Swimming | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Designed for swimming | NO (PROTECTED THOUGH JUST FINE) | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | N/A | Yes |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | N/A | Yes |
Record HR underwater | N/A | Yes |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | N/A | No |
Indoor auto-pause feature | N/A | Yes |
Change pool size | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | N/A | 20M/Y to 250 m/y |
Ability to customize data fields | N/A | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | N/A | Yes | Triathlon | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Designed for triathlon | No | No |
Multisport mode | No | No | Workouts | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes |
On-unit interval Feature | Yes | Sorta (offers structured workouts) |
Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | Sorta (offers daily workouts | Functions | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | |
Virtual Partner Feature | Virtual Pacer | No (but can give out of zone information) |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | No |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | No |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | Yes | No | Navigate | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | No | No |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | No | No |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No |
Back to start | No | No |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | No | No | Sensors | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Altimeter Type | No | GPS |
Compass Type | None | N/A |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | Yes | Yes |
SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | No | No |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | No |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | No |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | No |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | No | No |
ANT+ Lighting Control | No | No |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | No |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | No |
ANT+ Remote Control | No | No |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | No |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | No |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | No | No |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | No | Software | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
PC Application | Garmin Express (PC/Mac) | Polar Flowsync - Windows/Mac |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Polar Flow |
Phone App | iOS/Android | iOS/Android |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | Purchase | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Amazon | Link | Link |
Backcountry.com | Link | |
Competitive Cyclist | Link | |
REI | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Forerunner 45/45S | Polar Ignite GPS |
Review Link | Link | Link |