I've had access to the Polar 625x model (foot pod & HR monitor), plus a Timex GPS Speed & Distance 50 lap model. (no heart rate monitor). Personally, I prefer the Timex because I like the fact that I just strap it on, link up, and go forth. The Polar one needs the heart rate strap hooked up before the pod will work and read for you. (At least from my trials with it, it only works this way) I'm not one to train by heart rates all the time, even though I'm a trainer, I tend to think that some heart rate based training is overrated and misinterpreted. I'm more of a speed-based trainer for correct paces & speeds to run at, and this has proved to be more beneficial for me, hence me leaning towards the speed/pace output readings given instantly by the GPS modes.

I really won't go out and say that one is superior to the other, because they both can tell you a lot of key info that will help you 'learn' paces better, versus the time trial method of track workouts and waiting for your time to judge your effort at the end of the run. I'd much rather judge my effort during my run and have an instant feedback monitor to tell me. I often tell people its like getting treadmill readouts outdoors, and you act as the treadmill speed control.

If you like heart rates, go ahead and get the Polar one, especially if you are going to be in wooded regions for a majority of your training. If you just want open air, real-time speed information, get just the regular GPS units. If you want the GPS info plus the heart rate stuff too, pony up and get the Bodylink system by Timex, as well as the Garmin Forerunner 301. I think both have options to hook up your training data collected to your computer.

In the future, I'd like to get the Bodylink system with the data recorder to read everything I ever wanted to know about my running or cycling adventure outdoors.

Rick Karboviak, CSCS

I went thru 2 Timex GPS both quite after a couple months, they would just shut off and both did not work well on the wooded trail I usually run. I tried the fitsence but found I had to recalibrated every couple days and then it was usually by 1/2 mile. I finally bought the Polar s625x. Its accurate most of the time with in 100ths of a mile and when it is off usually within a 10th of a mile. IF you keep your stride pretty even its fairlry accurate, I can use it with or without the HRM. So I would recommned the Polar out of these 3.

I have not used my Forerunner in a city so I can't speak to its accuracy in the city. I love my Forerunner right now, but I have to admit, I do most of my running in a subdivision terrain.

Here's a COOL link that I just picked up from a message board to map my runs. If you zoom in on the roads you're running, it is very accurate on calculating your distance. If you're not interested in your pace while you're running, you could use this map and an old fashion stopwatch to calculate your workout pace.

http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/