Polar - Grit X2 Pro

From a quality perspective, the polar gritx2 pro is superior. I would go for Polar that has more health features and a solid science background. Good recovery tools is probably more important than too much data you won’t use anyway

When I had a Grit-X2 Pro I set it do Nightly Recharge as it was just more convenient

This is exactly my use case as well. No need to wear the chunky Grit X2 Pro all the time but still all data in one app. 

It enables me to wear my automatic watch while still tracking activity throughout the day. I will use my Grit X2 Pro for sports. 

My use case for it is as a complementary device. I will wear it in daily use and switch to my Grit X2 Pro for sports (except Water Polo where I use a Verity Sense). This way I can wear my automatic watch again instead of a chunky sports watch. 

You can get the Polar Grit X second hand for around 100-150 EUR/USD these days. Never had any issues with HR or GPS accuracy. I also use it almost exclusively for running.

When I was swimming regularly in a 25m pool with grit x and vantage V, I found that taking a little longer from pushing off from the side before taking the first stroke on each turn makes a huge difference to accuracy of recordings. Only issues I’d ever have were the occasional missed turn.

Polar Grit X. Polar is like Garmin but much cheaper.

I use a Polar Grit X. Reliable and robust and easy to sync with a phone. Already survived multiple crashes. Compared with other Polar models the Grit-models are more robust. It’s not a smartwatch but a regular sportswatch the can receive notifications from a connected phone. Imho a real smartwatch is too fragile and/or too expensive for offroad usage (with chance of crashing). The Grit X works fine on most routes/trails. Only when S-curves are very tight it gets confused and cuts off the route and in the end the total distance shown is not correct.

A fairly old and battered Polar Grit X Didn't want to splash out on my first sports watch, so bought this second hand for under $100 and it does the job for me!

Well, I compared my polar gritx watch to polar h10 chest strap in a threshold session, the difference was still within 1-2bpm, mostly exactly the same. The chest strap was slightly faster, but unless I'm doing 10 second intervals I don't really care that much. It is also more hassle, more uncomfortable, and more susceptible for dropping data in regular use. I just gave it away.

I am not an apple person but the Apple watch is routinely the best one on the market from independent studies and scientific studies. Personally I use a Polar GritX that's a couple years old.

Don't get a Polar. My Grit X lap tracking is all whack with no way to fix the data, and the strokes misinterpreted all the time. Maybe it's just my shitty form.