Garmin Fenix 2 Special Edition vs Polar M400

Garmin Fenix 2 Special Edition Polar M400

Basic Info

Wear TypeWristbandWristband
Price$18000
Ratings

Activity & Fitness

Activity No YesPolar M400 tracks your activity
Calories Yes YesBoth show estimated calories burned
Sleep No YesPolar M400 monitors your sleep pattern
Heart Rate / Pulse No NoBoth don't track heart rate
External HR Monitor No Yes
VO2 Max No YesPolar M400 tracks the maximum consumption of oxygen per minute
Distance Yes YesBoth track your stride length
Steps No YesPolar M400 counts your steps
Pace No Yes
Stairs / Floors No YesPolar M400 has built-in altimeter for elevation feature
Exercise Tagging Yes NoOnly Garmin Fenix 2 Special Edition provides exercise tagging
Smart Coach No YesPolar M400 provides real time fitness coaching
Goal Setting Yes YesBoth can help with your goals setting
Inactivity Alertn/a YesPolar M400 helps you stay active with inactivity alert

Additional Features

GPS Yes YesBoth have integrated GPS modules
Compassn/a NoBoth don't have a compass
Watch / Clock Yes YesBoth have watch
Alarm Clock Yes YesBoth have alarm clock
Reminders No YesPolar M400 has a reminder option
Stopwatch Yes NoGarmin Fenix 2 Special Edition has a stopwatch
Music Playbackn/a NoBoth don't have music playback
ReportsActivity, Sleep

Smartphone Remote Features

Notifications Yes YesBoth show smartphone notifications
Caller ID Yes YesBoth show caller ID notification
Music Control No NoBoth don't have phone music control
Call Controln/a YesPolar M400 allows you control phone calls
Camera Controln/a NoBoth don't have camera control
Find Phonen/a NoBoth don't have a find phone feature

Battery

Duration35 days24 daysGarmin Fenix 2 Special Edition battery life is about 1.5 times longer
Battery TypeRechargeable BatteryRechargeable Battery

Physical Specs

Weather Resistance Yes Yes
Waterproof Yes No
IP Ratingn/a3 ATM
Weight85 grams57 gramsPolar M400 is 28.0 g lighter

User Interface

DisplayLCD Screen Yes
Display Sizen/an/a
Screen Resolution n/a 128 x 128 pixels
Color Displayn/a No
Touch Screenn/a No

Compatibility

Android Yes YesBoth compatible with Android devices
iOS Yes YesBoth compatible iOS devices
OS X/Mac No YesPolar M400 compatibles with MacBooks and iMacs
Windows Phone No YesPolar M400 compatibles with a range of Windows Phone devices
Windows No YesPolar M400 allows you to locate your phone
Web Portal Yes YesBoth have access to online web portal
Social Featuresn/a YesYou can integrate Polar M400 with social networks and share information

Connectivity

Bluetooth Yes YesBoth have Bluetooth data transfer technology
Wi-Fi No NoBoth don't have Wi-Fi connection
NFCn/a NoBoth don't have NFC connectivity
ANT+ Yes NoOnly Garmin Fenix 2 Special Edition has ANT+ wireless technology
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Which one should you buy?

Wristband watches have come a long way over time. Since the first watch, all created with little cogs and wheels, the new generation of wristwatches are smart items. The lack of manual batteries or expertise make them more desirable in this technological age.

Two particular wristwatches that are of interest include the Garmin Fenix 2 Special Edition and the Polar M400. Both wristwatches in their own right are beautifully designed and aesthetically pleasing. The Garmin Fenix 2 Special edition is quite attractive and comes in a bright colours like orange. It tends to look bulkier on the hand but stands out comparatively with such a beautiful range of shades including darker colours like black. Comparatively, the Polar M400 comes in neutral and paler colours like white but typically carry a smooth, sleek look. They do look a little less bulkier on the hand with a smoother finish but are just as eye-catching.

Whilst there may be some pertinent differences, both wristwatches also have many similarities. Both the Garmin Fenix 2 Special Edition and the Polar M400 contain functionalities to measure calories, distance travelled and can help with goal setting. They have GPS incase you ever require navigation help as well as typical clock functions like a watchclock display and alarm setting. The Garmin Fenix 2 and Polar M400 are also smart watches which mean they can provide notifications, caller ID and are compatible with both iOS and Android. Alongside this, they are weather resistant with bluetooth functionalities. They also contain web portals that are great for surfing the web. The fact that they do not require manual batteries and are rechargeable is another advantage of both wristwatches.

There are some notable differences between the two wristwatches, for instance, the Garmin Fenix 2 has exercise tagging, stopwatch function and is also waterproof. It comes with ANT+, a revolutionary wireless technology that allows for your devices to talk to each other. Whilst the battery duration is about 35 days on this watch, it is a lot heavier compared to the Polar M400.

The Polar M400 is just as great for counting steps, stairs/floors with a smart coach and inactivity alerts for the user. It also allows for call control and is compatible with OS X/Mac, windows phone and windows softwares. It's social features also make it an ideal wristwatch. All these functions are not available on the Garmin Fenix 2 Special Edition making the Polar M400 a unique wristwatch. It's also lighter on the hand, with an IP rating of 3ATM. The battery however only has a 24 day duration which is a much shorter duration than the Garmin Fenix 2 Special Edition.

When it comes to preference, whilst the Garmin Fenix 2 is waterproof and perhaps more suitable for rough wear and tear, the Polar M400 is more compatible with softwares and phones making it great for general wear. Both wristwatches have great health and fitness related functions as well which must be taken to consideration, but overall, the Polar M400 suits a professional environment and the Garmin Fenix 2 is built for expedition-style adventures.

Garmin Fenix 2 Special Edition

Polar M400