I'm coming from Forerunner 230 (with strap), a running watch that also gets notifications and has some apps/watchfaces through Connect IQ. So far I'm loving the M600. Android Wear is super fun, slick, and working perfectly with my Moto X. No complaints on the smartwatch side of things, tons of apps, instant notifications, great watchfaces, double thumbs up all around. M600 wins there, no problem.
For exercise tracking: I run, lift, and do yoga. I'm enjoying easily tracking all of these things with just a wrist device (no straps, no phone) and all in one app (Polar Flow). Heartrate: I've done some comparing of the HR with a Wahoo Tickr and Rhythm+ paired with Forerunner. At first I thought the m600's HR was garbage, but then I realized I was strapping it on too tightly! It doesn't have to be tight at all, and I now find the m600 brilliant at steady state runs, tracking +/-3 or so with any of the other straps. It's a little less strong with intervals, as it seems to lag about 10 seconds before it realizes my effort has changed--it gets there, it just catches on slower than the HR straps. This isn't really an issue in intervals that are longer than, say, a minute. However, in intervals shorter than 30 secs, the m600 can miss things, not getting there before the interval is over, for example a quick lifting set, or a vinyasa (in yoga, a jump-plank-pushup-up/down dog-jump move, dynamic, heart jumps 15-20 beats in 10 sec). In addition, the m600's HR falters pretty badly for me if there is any weight on my hands (as in a pushup). No problems in running, but the watch misses a 10 sec, weighted-hand, vinyasa every time. Clearly it is optimized for running, where it excels. Still, I don't really need HR for yoga, so it doesn't feel like a big loss. On the whole, HR is not as good as a strap, but it is good enough. If you need super accuracy, go with a strap. (m600 can pair with a strap if you prefer.)
The Polar Flow app is good, has all the data there that Garmin has (at least that I'm noticing), maps, charts. My daughter also has a polar watch and we can see each other's feeds and comment. Seems like exporting data might be more of a pain with Polar than Garmin (except with Strava and TrainingPeaks). I've used Endomondo and Smashrun and it doesn't seem like I can link to those accounts with this new watch. It might be possible, but it isn't obvious. Garmin was easier for this.
The m600 screen is bright and colorful and easier to read than the sorta dim Forerunner. For outdoors training sessions, turn on the "leave screen on during activity" and then the backlight stays on during my run and is perfectly visible the whole time. This setting is a single swipe up from training screen. Keeping the backlight on hits the battery a little--more of an issue if you train for multiple hours. With the backlight always on, there is zero trouble seeing the screen outside in full sun and there is no dimming when your arm is down. But I think the screen is great. I have a watchface (Muzei) that shows me a different famous painting every day, very beautiful and colorful, I smile every time I look at my watch. The touchscreen, too, is easy to use, responsive, but not freaking out (except when water runs on it, as in the shower, then it has a seizure). Sometimes it's too responsive as it brushes against the thigh as I run (I wear the watchface on the inside of my wrist) but it's not a big deal to flick it back.
Vibration: definitely less buzzy than the Forerunner. Which I kind of like--it's more discreet. I get a text on the Forerunner and everyone looks at me because they all hear the buzz, too. On the m600, I'm the only one who feels it. It's sufficient to signal me while running. I haven't tried it as an alarm.
Other qualities: the GPS is fine. The screen customization (to get the fields I want) is great. These are equal to Forerunner.
Complaints: I wish there was an on-watch interval function the way the Forerunner has. You can have structured workouts with the Polar Flow app on the computer and then download whatever you want with intervals based on time, pace, or duration (or a combo)---but it's a bit of a pain. I liked the ease of an on-watch, simple, a/b interval timer. Also, it doesn't have a manual lap button. You can set the autolap to whatever distance you want, but sometimes I don't want an autolap, I want my own lap. Maybe it will come in an update. Also doesn't have cadence. These are not deal breakers for me.
Battery: I've been plugging it in every night. With a couple hours of GPS with backlight on, there is no problem getting to the end of the day (but definitely you won't get two full days). Charging at night means I'm not sleeping in it, so I'm not using the sleep tracking function, nor the alarm. The Forerunner goes a week or more on one charge, so Forerunner wins that one. On the other hand, the m600 charges really fast, reaching full charge in an hour or so for me.
I have tiny, bony wrists, and it is a little chunky. But not really more than the Forerunner, as the m600 curves around my wrist. Maybe I'm just used to having a chunk of stuff on my wrist from the Forerunner. I'll call this one a wash.
On the whole, this watch is a great step up for me. Some learning curve, as with anything that has this much customization. But it's doing everything I wanted it to do for exercise tracking, and the Android Wear has been lots of fun. I feel like a dork talking to my wrist, but it's cool to be able to answer texts right from my watch, or get my pulse, or check the weather, etc. I'm looking forward to Android Wear 2.0 coming in the next few months. I haven't tried any of Polar's training plans, but that might be fun to try, too.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 5 x 4.5 x 3.1 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.25 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.53 x 2.95 x 4.92 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.56 Pounds |
| Brand Name | POLAR |
| Model Name | 90063087 |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Elasticized-Fabric |
| Manufacturer | Polar Electro, Inc. |
| Part Number | 90063087 |
| Model Year | 2016 |
| Style | M600 |
| Included Components | Polar M600^Charging Cable |
| Size | One Size |
| Sport Type | Running, Swimming, Fitness |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 4 GB |
