When my Garmin fr210 decided to kick the bucket, I was not happy.
The watch was just under 2 years old. It was supposed to be able to record up to 1000 activities. Instead, it clocks around 400.
Knowing my running statistics is something that I’ve really come to value, and I love having a GPS watch.
The question I asked myself was “Do I want to get another Garmin, or should I go down another brand avenue”.
Since this marks my 2nd Garmin in 3 years, I figured it would be a good idea to explore other brands.
My first pitstop would be to visit DC Rainmaker. He reviews every sports gadget out there. He’s reviews are comprehensive, honest and clear.
Every year he does a best of Gadget Recommendations.
It was his review that had me 95% sold on the Polar M400.
The other 5% that had me sold on this watch was this review by Carmy.
Since my watch died right before Christmas I had to use my old Garmin 405cx which is extremely unreliable (which is why it was replaced with the Garmin fr210), until my new baby arrived.
My new watch arrived just after Christmas and I was so excited to test it out. I decided to opt-out on the heart rate monitor, as I can always purchase that at a later date.
Since I’ve had my watch for a month now I figured it would be a good time to do a review.
I have small wrists so the watch looks huge on me. However, it does everything I want it to do plus more.
Some features are as follows:
- Integrated GPS
- Sports profiles
- Finish time estimator
- Daily activity tracker
Just to name a few.
I signed up for Polar Flow, downloaded the program and app, and I was ready to go.
There were a few hiccups starting out but they quickly resolved.
I love the website interface. It’s clean, and responsive, and I found it easy to use.
Overall the watch is on par with the Garmin 220 but without the price tag.
I love how I now don’t have to wear my Fitbit because it has an inbuilt activity tracker.
I love how it tells me how much further I need to run, walk or stand before I have to reach my daily goal.
I love how easy it’s to switch from running, to cycling or other (aka walking/hiking) mode.
I love how easy creating my own laps are.
I love this watch. It does what I want and more.
What GPS watch are you using at the moment?
What do you love/hate about it?
Sounds like a good option. I use my old Nike watch still, but someday I will look for a combo like this…HRM on the wrist would be a perfect fit for me 🙂
I believe tomtom offer a gps watch with the hrm option on the wrist.
I was barely using my hrm on the garmin. I ended up paying it forward (the straps), to mums who wanted them.
I do use a Garmin when I want my GPS for longer runs, but now that Fitbit also has GPS in the app, I have even used that a time or two.
I have another friend who has a Polar and she loves it too!
I totally forgot the fitbit has the gps option with the phone. Can you tell I haven’t worn mine since my fitbit challenge ended.
Woo! So happy you liked my review enough to be the 5% 😀 I’m honoured!
Don’t get me wrong, I respect dcrainmaker and his review’s but sometimes it takes an every day person and an every day runner to give you that extra push.
So thank you.
I’m debating on getting this.. My wrists are very small and was wondering if looked kind of ridiculous bc of having small wrists as well?
my wirsts are 15cm / 6″ if that helps, yep small.
I wish companies would cater for people with small wirsts, or have the option for a changeable band.
Hey Matilda, I’m an RMA, and I also have the M400 in white. I’m wondering what you use to keep it clean? I’ve been wiping it down with Magic Erasers, because I’m anal about keeping things pretty, but I’ve only had it for 2 weeks so it wouldn’t really be dirty yet anyway 🙂 What do you use? Have you found it’s stayed clean over time? Thanks!
Hi Bay,
Er cleaning what’s that?! lmao, yeah I don’t bother, I wipe the face down that’s it.
Mine is currently a bit carcoal-ly due to a hike in an area that had recently gone through a fire.
I did find this on their website.
*You can wash the device with a mild soap and water solution under running water. Do not use alcohol or any abrasive material such as steel wool or cleaning chemicals.
I’ll have to keep that in mind, and I think I’ll need to give it a good clean.
Thanks so much for your review, Matilda–it’s nice to find a woman’s perspective, since guys’ wrists are so much bigger! I’m actually trying to decide between the M400 and another of Polar’s products, the Loop 2, which is more of an every-day tracker (doesn’t include GPS etc.) My interest in the M400 is for all of its goodies, like the ability to map your route and get more precise data, but I’m afraid it will be too huge as an every-day tracker and sleep tracker. What is your opinion? Is the M400 really only best for your work outs, or is it passable for every day wear? Although oversized for women, can it pass as fashionable (in that oversized clunky way) if you wanted to wear a tracker while dressed nicely (say for work, or for going out)? Thanks for your feedback, I think it will help me with my decision! Glad you like the product so much!
I wear mine most days (especially if I have to go to work), I like the big face and it’s easy to read the date and time. The m400 now comes in pink and blue as well, so that’s another option for you (besides black and white).
I have never used it as a sleep tracker (as I tend to sleep on my stomach with my arms on my chest so it would just be awkward), but love it as an activity tracker. I find it very user friendly that’s for sure.
If I’m being fashionable then I don’t tend to wear my watch (as I have my phone with me to tell the time), but this is me.
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