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Comparison Garmin Fenix 6 vs Suunto 9 Baro vs Polar Vantage V vs Amazfit Stratos: the differences, which one to choose?

Comparison Garmin Fenix 6 vs Suunto 9 Baro vs Polar Vantage V vs Amazfit Stratos: the differences, which one to choose?

March 31, 2020

The best multisport and triathlon cardio-GPS watches 2018-2019 compared
Price and physical characteristics compared
Autonomy: the Garmin Fenix 6X and the Suunto 9 stand out from the crowd!
The sensors
Compared features
Our opinion on these 4 multisport cardio-GPS watches: which is better?
Where to buy these models

Buy the Garmin Fenix 6

Trader

Price (from)

Pope

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€ 699 € 664.05 (* 1)

i-Run

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€ 599

Alltricks

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€ 599 € 570

Amazon

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€ 599 € 521

Rakuten

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599.99 €

(* 1) Discount of -5% on this product with the promo code 5A15 !

Buy Suunto 9

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Price (from)

Pope

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€ 599 € 529

i-Run

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€ 599 € 549

Alltricks

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€ 599 € 549

Amazon

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€ 456

Rakuten

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€ 640

Buy the Polar Vantage V

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Price (from)

Pope

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€ 499 € 419

i-Run

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€ 499

Alltricks

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€ 499 € 429.99

Amazon

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€ 499 € 370.44

Go-Sport

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€ 473

Buy the Amazfit Stratos

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Price (from)

Amazon

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€ 159

Gearbest

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137 €

Commercial links. Non contractual prices. Please consult the merchant website.

The best multisport and triathlon cardio-GPS watches 2018-2019 compared

We have compared in this article the best multisport and triathlon watches today. They seem to us the most complete currently on the market. Three of them are considered Premium or high-end. Released in 2018 (Polar Vantage V, Suunto 9 and Amazfit Stratos) and 2019 (Fenix 6), they are therefore relatively recent and should still be very successful in 2019 and 2020.

Packed with sensors and rich in functionality, they represent to this day the top of GPS watches for sport. They are aimed at a demanding public looking for advanced functions, regular sportsmen, competitors, professionals. They are of course also suitable for the amateur looking to progress or to have fun.

It is difficult to say which is better since it depends above all on the objective, the sport practiced and the expectations of the user without forgetting the budget. Some will seek the precision and reliability of the measurements, others a great autonomy, others a plethora of tools to help the sportsman, others of the ancillary functions used during sport and in everyday life (music, payment, mapping ), yet others a chic watch that can be worn both in town and for sports! There are also watches that are less complete but better suited and perhaps also less expensive than those in this comparison. We have chosen here to highlight real multisport watches (with change of activity without stopping the watch), intended for triathlon and outdoor.

Garmin Fenix 6

Improved model of the famous La Fenix 5 Plus, the Fenix 6 is a watch with extraordinary features available in 9 versions including one with solar charging. It is currently the most complete cardio GPS watch on the market, but this luxury comes at a price! It offers record autonomy and intelligent battery management. In addition to numerous sports support functions (performance analysis, physiological measurements, health monitoring, coaching, etc.), it also includes color mapping (roads, cycle paths, paths, ski slopes) and an mp3 player. It has advanced smart health connected functions (live monitoring of other athletes, possibility of being tracked online, etc.), full GPS navigation, a contactless payment solution Garmin Pay, assessment of blood oxygen level . It has more than 41,000 golf courses. The Fenix 6 exists in 3 case sizes (for fine to large wrists) and 3 versions (standard, Pro and Solar).

Read our detailed review and our opinion on the Fenix 6Buy Fenix 6

Suunto 9 Baro

This high-end watch with sapphire crystal and integrated barometric altimeter (hence the "baro") emphasizes autonomy and precision. Thanks to the FusedTrack system, it offers up to 120 hours of autonomy and high accuracy of GPS measurements thanks to the use of accelerometer data to extrapolate the GPS track and thus save battery. It also has an intelligent battery management system to be able to extend the use of the watch according to the route and habits of the user. There is a model without barometer, the Suunto 9.

Read our detailed review and our opinion on the Suunto 9 BaroBuy Suunto 9 Baro

Polar Vantage V

Replacing the famous Polar V800, the Polar Vantage V brings interesting innovations: power measurement on the wrist without external sensor, new revolutionary optical cardio running underwater, new Training Load Pro and Recovery Pro functions. It offers advanced sports monitoring functions.

Polar is developing its own heart rate analysis algorithms and offers reliable and sometimes more comprehensive measurements than the competition.

This watch should not be confused with the Vantage M which is less sophisticated, more running oriented and significantly cheaper.

Read our detailed review and opinion on the Polar Vantage VBuy the Polar Vantage V

Amazfit Stratos 2 / 2S

Comparable to the above high-end watches in terms of functionality but with a certain number of limitations which can be prohibitive depending on the objective sought, this Chinese watch presents an unbeatable value for money. It is the cheapest GPS smart health connected sports watch on the market for the functions offered! It is available in 2 versions: the Stratos 2 (silicone strap and ordinary glass) and the Stratos 2S (or Stratos +): the premium model with leather strap and sapphire glass.

Read our detailed review and review of the Amazfit Stratos 2Buy the Amazfit Stratos

Go directly to our opinion

Price and physical characteristics compared

(1): depending on version (standard, Pro, Pro Solar), type of glass (Corning Gorilla or sapphire) and bracelet(2): depending on version / case size: 6S, 6, 6X

The price: from simple to quadruple!

The price is often a decisive criterion in the choice of a cardio watch. Apart from the Stratos which is an exception but which we have retained in this comparison for the richness of its functions, the Garmin, Suunto and Polar watches were sold around or above the psychological bar of 500 €. At this price, you must be sure to choose the model that best meets your expectations! The Fenix 6 stands out with a high price, that of a computer, especially for the Pro model with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal (100 € more than the model with ordinary glass) or the Solar model, with solar charging . The Stratos, on the contrary, is offered at less than 200 €, an unbeatable price, for functions comparable to the most expensive watches on the market today. It is a very good compromise for athletes with a limited budget.

Design, structure and robustness

In terms of design, each watch has its charm with a stainless steel or titanium bezel and a look suitable for both the city and the sport. The type of bracelet (interchangeable or not, with or without tools) and the choice of available materials (silicone, leather, titanium, steel, etc.) are criteria to take into account when choosing your cardio-GPS. Finally, the sapphire crystal (resistant to scratches) is a plus for the protection of your watch in risky sports. However, it adds a little weight (about 10 g) and above all increases the price (count at least 100 € more).

Fenix 6: we particularly appreciate this model for its 3 case sizes (42, 47 and 51 mm) for adaptation to all wrists, in particular thin wrists! Finally, a high-end cardio watch that knows how to be discreet (see also our comparison of the best cardio watches for women). The strap is interchangeable without tools and its thickness depends on the size of the watch case (thin straps for fine wrists, etc.). In addition, the brand offers chic bracelets in leather, steel and titanium and braided nylon in addition to the silicone bracelet intended for sport. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is available as an option on the Pro version. The standard version and Pro Solar still benefit from an ultra-resistant Corning Gorilla 3 glass. It effectively protects the screen from scratches, an interesting point for sports where friction is frequent (climbing, exploration, etc.). Also note that the Fenix 6 is available in 3 versions. The standard, more economical version is available in only 2 case sizes (6S and 6) without mp3 player, without mapping and without Wi-Fi. The Pro version offers the same functions, 3 case sizes but, in addition, a mp3 player, mapping, Wi-Fi and, optionally, sapphire crystal. The Pro Solar version, available in 6X version (large format) offers a Coring Gorilla glass and a solar recharge to extend the autonomy.
Suunto 9 Baro: Suunto offers a robust model with a single case size (51 mm), the size of the largest model of the Fenix 6 (51 mm) but several bracelet sizes to adapt to all body types. The watch's glass is made of sapphire, the hardest material that exists after diamonds! The bracelet is interchangeable without tools but only exists in silicone version.
Vantage V: unlike the Vantage M, the strap of the Vantage V is not interchangeable. The watch comes in a nice round stainless steel case, unlike the brand's previous models. The glass is made of Corning Gorilla, an ultra-resistant glass.
Stratos: a nice look also for this watch whose strap is interchangeable without tools. The Stratos + or Stratos 2S version offers a leather strap and a spare silicone strap as well as a sapphire crystal.

The screen

More and more watches offer a touch screen, color and high resolution. This is explained by the multiplication of data displayed, the customization of watches with the display of wallpapers and the arrival of cartography. For the 4 watches selected, the size and resolution of the screens vary significantly. Suunto and Amazfit offer a wide screen. Garmin and Polar favored a more discreet design better suited to small wrists, except Garmin and its 6X model of the same size as the Suunto 9.

Suunto and Amazfit offer a large color touch screen (35 mm in diameter) and a resolution of 320 x 300 px, which, over time, should become widespread on high-end watches. Garmin, more flexible, offers a screen of size and definition proportional to the size of the case: 30.4 to 35.56 mm (1.2 to 1.4 ") and 240 x 240 to 280 x 280 px. People thin wrists will therefore have to adapt, and this is understandable, to a slightly less comfortable screen, especially for mapping. Polar, for its part, offers an intermediate screen of 30.4 mm (1.2 ") and 240 x 240 px (like the Fenix 6S and 6S Pro).

Only regret at Garmin: the absence of a touch screen for a watch offering mapping.

Weight and thickness

Weight and thickness are important criteria depending on the sport. A light and thin watch is less felt on the wrist than a bulky and heavy watch. The Fenix 6 (6 and 6X) and the Suunto 9 are among the “heavyweights” with 83 and 93 g for the Garmin 6 / 6X (82 g for the Solar model with crown and case back in titanium) and 81 g for Suunto 9 (72 g for the version without barometer).

The Vantage, Stratos and Fenix 6S all seem light next to it (66 g, 60 g and 61 g respectively). The 60 g of the Stratos is a surprise given its size and more than honorable autonomy. These models are better suited for sports use aimed at performance while the Suunto 9 and Fenix 6 are more intended for exploration, adventure, outdoor.

Note that of the 4 watches, the Vantage V is the thinnest with a reasonable thickness of 13 mm compared to the 13.8 to 14.9 mm of the Fenix 6 and 17 mm of the Suunto 9! It must be said that it has fewer components than other watches. In addition, Garmin has progressed since its Fenix 5 Plus, which is 15.8 mm thick.

Go directly to our opinion

Autonomy: the Garmin Fenix 6X and the Suunto 9 stand out from the crowd!

Autonomy is today an important criterion in the choice of a cardio-GPS watch. It is even an eliminatory criterion for the followers of races of type "ultra" with durations of use which can largely exceed the 40 h. For shorter outings, autonomy also remains an essential criterion: what a frustration to run out of battery during an outing because you forgot to charge your watch the day before!

Record autonomy for Fenix 6 and reliability of Ultra mode measurements for Suunto

The number of sensors and functions on board cardio-GPS watches is increasing steadily, resulting in increased energy consumption. It is especially the GPS chip which is very greedy. To save battery and extend battery life, manufacturers sometimes offer an energy saving function (ultra mode) which consists of spacing out GPS readings. This decreases the accuracy of the measurements all the more. The manufacturers of GPS chips, for their part, are working to reduce the consumption of their chip, sometimes to the detriment of the accuracy of the measurements … That said, the Broadcom company announced in 2017 the release of a much more precise chip ( about 20-30 cm instead of 2 to 10 m currently) for a consumption 2 times lower. It is starting to equip our smartphones and may soon be able to integrate cardio watches!

Garmin, which was lagging behind with its Fenix 5 Plus (32 h in GPS mode and 70 h in Ultra mode for the large model, the Fenix 5X Plus) is making huge progress with the Fenix 6 by offering a range of 25 h (6S model) at 60 h (6X model) in GPS mode and 50 h at 120 h in Ultra mode. With the Solar model, we can still gain between 6 and 50% more autonomy, provided that the watch in full sun during the activity (at least 3 hours in a smart health connected watch). The American company also offers new battery modes (Shipping and Battery saving) to last several weeks or even months during very large trips. Like Suunto, it also offers an intelligent battery management mode with display of the consumption of the sensors and the possibility of deactivating them individually. You can also define custom profiles to decide which sensors to activate for a given type of sport).

Suunto, for its part, offers a revolutionary solution (FusedTrack function): an energy saving mode which does not alter the accuracy of the measurements too much. Thanks to the combination of data from the GPS, the accelerometer, the gyroscope and the compass, Suunto "guesses" the missing measurements from the GPS to finally obtain an accurate trace. This allows you to go from 25 hours of autonomy to 40 or 120 hours! Suunto 9 also offers intelligent battery management based on previous trips and user choices. It is thus possible to request an "extension" of autonomy to make an unexpected detour without running out of juice! In addition to these innovations, Suunto uses a more energy-efficient Sony GPS chip.

Polar surprises us with an announced autonomy of 40 hours in GPS mode 1 second. This good result comes mainly from the use of the Sony chip which consumes less energy than the SiRF chip on board the old Polar V800 model. We regret however that the watch does not offer any energy saving mode as was possible on the V800 or other older models. Polar seems to believe that 40 hours of autonomy is enough!

The Stratos is also doing well with 35 hours announced and a full recharge in 2 hours.

Charging without stopping the watch

Another positive point for 3 of the watches in our comparison: the Fenix 6, the Suunto 9 and the Stratos can be recharged during the activity, without stopping the watch. However, it will need to be removed from the wrist for a break because all 3 are recharged via a connector located under the watch. The Polar, on the other hand, must be stopped to be charged.

Go directly to our opinion

The sensors

The top-of-the-range watches are riddled with sensors which provide numerous measurements on the environment and on the physiology of the sportsman. Certain sensors may be superfluous depending on the sport practiced. The 4 watches compared are multisport and specially designed to be versatile. The on-board sensors are intended in particular for triathlon and its activities, outdoor (adventure, hiking, trekking, exploration) and of course many other indoor and outdoor activities

The barometer: thunderstorm alerts on Suunto and Garmin

The 4 models are equipped with a barometer. It allows you to measure atmospheric pressure, deduce altitude, measure elevation and detect changes in weather. Garmin and Suunto offer thunderstorm alerts triggered in the event of a sudden change in pressure, a plus for hikers.

The altimeter: barometric for the 4 models, mixed at Suunto

Essential for measurements of altitude and elevation in particular, it can be barometric (altitude deducted from atmospheric pressure measured by an internal barometer) or operate from GPS measurements. For good accuracy, the ideal is that it be barometric. This is the case of the 4 models compared.

As the pressure changes over time, it is preferable that the altimeter can be calibrated manually. This is not the case with the Vantage and it is a shame. Suunto, for its part, goes further by combining data from the GPS and the barometric altimeter for increased accuracy and reliability of altitude and height difference readings (FusedAlti algorithm).

GPS: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo: inequalities with no real impact

A few years ago, GPS watches operated with a single satellite network (for example the American GPS system in Europe). Today, other systems are accessible such as the Russian (GLONASS), Japanese (QZSS or Michibiki), European (Galileo) or Chinese (Beidu) satellite system. Having more satellites does not necessarily improve signal acquisition time and accuracy. Even if the current GPS chips are compatible with the main networks (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo), watch manufacturers do not always use them. Some suggest choosing between the GPS network and a mix of 2 networks (GPS + GLONASS for example). The latter option consumes more battery.

Suunto 9 and Polar Vantage V operate four networks. The differences between the 4 watch models is not significant. If necessary, manufacturers can always activate compatibility with one or other of the satellite networks via a firmware update. The accuracy of the measurements is more linked to the software developed by each watch manufacturer to use the data from the GPS chip. Note that the 4 watches embark on the new Sony chip, which consumes less energy than the SiRF Technology chip which fitted most cardio watches 1 or 2 years ago.

Optical cardio: a step ahead for Polar caught by Garmin

Polar has always been the leader in measuring heart rate and its variability. It is the Finnish company which developed the first cardio sensor (measurement with the finger then by thoracic belt).

On the Polar Vantage, Polar uses an innovative sensor with 9 LEDs, 4 electrodes and 4 sensors to improve the quality of the measurements, especially in difficult conditions (aquatic environment, interval sessions, profuse sweating, thick skin, etc.). The cardio monitoring ensures in particular that the sensors are in good contact with the skin.

Thanks to this revolutionary system, the measurement of the heart rate is more reliable and is made possible where other optical cardios fail, for swimming for example. On the other hand, if you cannot do without your HRM-Tri or HRM-Swim belt to swim, you will have to find another watch because Polar has removed this possibility on the Vantage V!

According to user feedback, this new optical heart rate monitoring is not yet fully developed. Be aware anyway that an optical pulse measurement system will never be as accurate as a chest strap.

Garmin, in its latest watch models, such as the Fenix 6, offers a sensor of 3th generation running underwater.

Power: a step ahead at Polar!

Each of the 4 watches makes it possible to estimate the power developed during running. To do this, you must couple a power sensor to the watch (Stryd sensor, Foodpod, HRM-Run or HRM-Tri belt, etc.). Only the Vantage V is an exception. It is the first watch to integrate power measurement without an external sensor. The estimate is made using the watch's sensors: accelerometer, GPS, altimeter. Power is estimated from the assessment of kinetic and potential energy (more details in our article on the Polar Vantage V). Of course, the measurements are approximate, but as much as those obtained with an external sensor. Polar is therefore one step ahead of the competition here.

The other sensors

ABC sensors (altimeter, barometer, compass) are essential for hiking and exploring. These sensors are present on the 4 watches except on the Vantage V which does not have a compass.

Garmin stands out from the competition for its pulse oximeter. This sensor is integrated into the optical heart rate monitoring. It measures the blood oxygenation rate, a parameter to monitoring for high altitude sports (mountaineering for example) and for divers but also to assess the acclimatization of the sportsman at altitude, correct the VO2max and more. The watch can detect a lack of oxygenation and alert the athlete in the event of an accident risk. The measurement is also used for sleep analysis.

In addition to the ABC sensors, the Fenix 6 and the Suunto 9 carry a thermometer. They also offer weather functions (trend, thunderstorm alerts, sunrise and sunset times).

The external sensors

Today, 2 standards are used to connect a GPS watch to an external sensor: ANT + (a low energy consumption wireless protocol developed by a subsidiary of Garmin) and Bluetooth. ANT + is used less and less. Among the 4 watches compared, only the Fenix 6 supports it, hence compatibility with almost all current sensors. If you have ANT + sensors, these will not work with Suunto 9, Vantage V or Stratos. For the Stratos, it is even more limited: it is not compatible with any external sensor except the Bluetooth chest belts.

Go directly to our opinion

Compared features

Navigation: the ultimate with the Fenix 6

GPS navigation (route monitoring, route planning, return to departure, navigation to waypoints, etc.) is an essential function for hiking, exploring, trekking but also for organizing a bike or running outing on unknown paths.

At this level, the Fenix 6 stands out clearly with a complete navigation tool, the color mapping of the country or continent of purchase (city maps, roads, cycle paths, paths, hiking maps with contour lines according to the options , ski slopes in more than 2000 stations in the world), the possibility of letting the watch propose a route in loop, on road or cycle tracks, from a given distance or even to propose a course recorded by others Garmin community users (Trenline function), the possibility of obtaining the route profile (ClimbPro function). It also allows you to find a hotel, a refuge, an inn around you. A new voice guidance function allows you to navigate without looking at your watch. She is really excellent for that.

In addition to these functions, Garmin has generalized the LiveTrack function on its watches, which allows it to be followed on the Internet. The Fenix 6 also offers the GroupTrack function to follow other athletes wearing a Garmin watch that has this function.

The Suunto 9 also offers advanced navigation functions (route tracking, navigation to waypoints, waypoint records, small thumb track, return to departure, estimated arrival time, altimetry profiles, climb speed, etc. ).

The Stratos allows you to follow a route and to be guided and even alerted if you leave the track.

The Polar Vantage V, on the other hand, suffered from the complete lack of navigation functions but some functions were integrated in 2019 by a firmware update: download of popular routes (Polar community), route guide ( followed by a route), return to the starting point by the shortest route (straight line).

Sport profiles and sports functions

These high-end watches all offer many sporting profiles, up to 130 for the Vantage! The number of profiles does not necessarily indicate that the watch is more complete. With Polar (130 profiles) and Suunto (80 profiles), each profile is similar with generic data (distance, GPS track, calories expended, etc.). Sometimes it's just the name of the sport that changes!

At Garmin, each profile is studied to provide relevant data for each sport: race dynamics for running, number of strokes and cadence for rowing, number of descents for skiing, etc. The Garmin Fenix 6, with fifteen profiles and much more downloadable via Garmin Connect, is ultimately more complete than Polar or Suunto. A noter également qu'elle est bien adaptée à la pratique du golf avec plus de 41 000 parcours embarqués et des fonctions spécifiques à ce sport.

En plus des profils, la Fenix 6 et la Stratos apportent des fonctions pour l'entraînement : programmation d'entraînements (uniquement pour la course à pied pour la Stratos) avec prise en compte des sorties précédentes, fractionné, course contre un adversaire ou contre soi-même pour la Garmin, estimation du temps de course (Garmin), assistance en montagne pour le vélo et dans les côtes pour le running (Garmin et ses fonctions ClimbPro et PacePro), coaching audio, programmation d'alertes, définition d'objectifs, etc. Ces montres sont très complètes. Ces fonctions, associées aux mesures physiologiques, offrent des outils puissants pour les sportifs exigeants.

Polar propose également la programmation d'entraînements (mais pas encore du fractionné), avec prise en compte des mesures physiologiques pour conseiller le sportif (voir plus loin). Dommage que la fonction ZoneLock, qui permettait de définir des objectifs de fréquence cardiaque, vitesse ou puissance, ne soit plus proposée.

Chez Suunto, les fonctions sportives sont nettement plus limitées. Le focus est mis sur l'autonomie, la fiabilité et les fonctions outdoor.

Les mesures physiologiques et les dynamiques de course

De plus en plus présentes sur les montres sportives, les mesures physiologiques aident le sportif à gérer son entraînement et optimiser ses performances voire prédire un temps de course (fonction offerte par la Fenix 6). A partir de la mesure de la fréquence cardiaque et de sa variabilité et d'autres paramètres (puissance, cadence, etc.), la montre peut estimer la condition physique du sportif, sa VO2max, son âge physiologique, son niveau de stress, le niveau d'entraînement, l'effet de l'entraînement sur l'organisme (training effect, statut et la charge d'entraînement, etc.). Chez Garmin, on peut même prédire un temps de course en fonction de la distance à parcourir, du niveau d'entraînement et de la condition physique du sportif.

La société Firstbeat propose un algorithme pour exploiter ces données. Garmin l'utilise sur ses dernières montres ainsi qu'Amazfit dans sa Stratos. Les 2 montres proposent donc des fonctions similaires (un peu plus complètes chez Garmin). Suunto, depuis la fin 2019, évalue également la VO2max, le niveau de stress et le temps de récupération.

Polar propose également des fonctions poussées de suivi et d'aide au sportif comme la VO2 max (OwnIndex) et surtout les nouvelles fonctions Training Load Pro et Recovery Pro. Ces fonctions avancées permettent de bien gérer son entraînement et sa récupération. Elles prennent en compte les sorties précédentes, la charge cardiovasculaire et la charge musculaire, une première.

En plus des mesures physiologiques, Garmin et Amazfit proposent les dynamiques de course (running dynamics), des fonctions avancées pour les coureurs : puissance de course, longueur de foulée, cadence, temps de contact au sol, oscillation verticale, équilibre du temps de contact au sol, rapport vertical et plus.

smart health connected functions

Chacune des montres propose des fonctions plus ou moins évoluées. Le minimum des montres connectées actuelles est d'offrir les smart notifications (notification des mails, appels et SMS). La Vantage ne le propose pas encore. La Fenix 6 sort encore du lot avec la possibilité de refuser les appels entrant d'un Smartphone ou d'envoyer des SMS prédéfinis. Elle offre les fonctions LiveTrack et GroupTrack, la possibilité d'écouter de la musique en local ou en streaming avec Spotify ou Deezer ou Amazon Music, la possibilité de régler des achats (fonction Garmin Pay), le contrôle d'appareils compatibles (caméra 3D VIRB, etc.). Les modèles Pro peuvent par ailleurs se connecter en Wifi (comme la Stratos) pour le téléchargement des données et de la musique et les mises à jour du firmware.

Activity monitoring

La montre mesure votre activité quotidienne et même votre sommeil si vous la portez 24h/24. Elle vous informe sur votre activité (nombre de pas, distance parcourue, calories dépensées, etc.) et vous encourage à bouger. Garmin propose des fonctions complètes, incluant l'évaluation du niveau de stress, le nombre d'étages gravis. La Polar Vantage V est la moins fournie des 4 montres.

Les fonctions annexes

Ces fonctions peuvent faire la différence dans le choix d'une montre cardio, même si certaines peuvent sembler un peu gadget et ajoutent du prix à la montre.

La cartographie couleur : seule la Fenix 6 Pro offre cette fonction. Les cartes de l'Europe (pour un achat en Europe) sont embarquées dans la mémoire gigantesque de la montre et incluent les pistes cyclables (Garmin Cycle maps) et les pistes de ski de plus de 2000 stations dans le monde.
Un lecteur de musique : présent sur l'Amazfit Stratos et la Fenix 6 Pro, il permet d'écouter sa musique préférée sans Smartphone grâce à des écouteurs Bluetooth
Un système de paiement : seules la Fenix 6 et l'Amazfit Stratos (en chine uniquement) offrent cette fonction. Elle permet de régler ses achats sans avoir recours à son Smartphone ou à une carte bancaire.
Un oxymètre de pouls (ou saturomètre) : disponible uniquement sur la Fenix 6, il mesure le taux d'oxygène sanguin et aide à prévenir les accidents en haute altitude (voir plus haut), à fournir une analyse plus approfondie du sommeil et à évaluer l'acclimatation en altitude.

Notre avis sur ces 4 montres cardio-GPS multisports : quelle est la meilleure ?

Il nous est difficile de dire laquelle de ces 4 montres est la meilleure montre cardio-GPS multisports puisque cela dépend du budget visé (du simple au quadruple selon le modèle), du type de sport principal pratiqué (notre sélection est néanmoins basée sur l'activité triathlon) et de l'objectif recherché (performance, fiabilité, nombre de données, fonctions spécifiques recherchées, confort, etc.). Nous résumons les avantages et les inconvénients de chaque modèle dans un tableau ci-dessous.

Garmin Fenix 6

Elle est sans aucun doute la montre la plus complète du marché aujourd'hui, que ce soit en termes de capteurs, de fonctionnalités, de mesures physiologiques, de navigation GPS, de convivialité de l'interface. L'autonomie du modèle 6X est par ailleurs excellente et convient aux courses d'ultra-trail. Elégante, elle se porte bien en ville et au travail en plus du sport.

C'est la montre que nous recommandons pour une utilisation professionnelle, pour les compétiteurs ou pour les sportifs exigeants à la recherche d'outils et de statistiques avancées.

La version standard (sans carto, sans lecteur mp3) sera suffisante pour la plupart des sports et pour la compétition. La version Pro, avec cartographie, intéressera les randonneurs et les aventuriers mais aussi les sportifs qui aiment courir ou rouler en musique. La version Solar pourra intéresser les ultra-trailers qui recherchent l'autonomie la plus grande. Elle reste toutefois chère et le gain d'autonomie n'est pas assez conséquent pour la rendre plus intéressante que le modèle 6X Pro.

C'est aussi la montre la plus complète pour le triathlon et un outil parfait pour l'entraînement. En plus, elle s'adapte à toutes les tailles de poignets, un atout certain pour les personnes aux poignets fins et celles et ceux qui recherchent une montre suffisamment discrète pour pouvoir être portée au quotidien. Garmin offre par ailleurs des bracelets chics pour la ville et le travail et un système d'attache facile (sans outils). Difficile de faire mieux ! Le revers de la médaille est son prix élevé. Lire notre revue détaillée et notre avis complet sur la Garmin Fenix 6.

Pour une utilisation exclusivement sportive, nous recommandons la Garmin Forerunner 945, une montre triathlon très complète, plus légère que la Fenix 6 et moins chère selon le modèle (mais moins chic aussi).

Suunto 9

La Suunto 9, aux fonctions nettement moins développées certes, est toutefois une montre très recherchée pour son autonomie record (120 h) et la précision de la trace GPS malgré le mode économie d'énergie. Le système innovant FusedTrack permet en effet d'offrir la fiabilité de la trace GPS (même quand le signal vient parfois à manquer) tout en offrant une autonomie impressionnante que recherchent les fans de course ultra. La gestion intelligente de la batterie est également une belle innovation. Elle permet de changer de mode à tout moment pour rallonger la l'autonomie sans trop altérer la précision de la trace. Fini les compromis entre durée de batterie et précision des données ! Enfin, les fonctions FusedAlti et FusedSpeed sont un plus par rapport à la concurrence. La Suunto 9 est par ailleurs jolie et robuste. Elle convient davantage à l'outdoor, la randonnée, le trail et bien sûr toutes les course longues (ultra), les sorties sur plusieurs jours, le trekking. Dommage que les fonctions offertes ne soient pas plus développées. Cela dit, Suunto a effectué une mise à jour importante du firmware en novembre 2019, ajoutant plusieurs améliorations, notamment de nouvelles métriques (VO2max, stress, récupération) en plus d'une analyse plus approfondie du sommeil. Lire notre revue détaillée et notre avis complet sur la Suunto 9.

Polar Vantage V

Cette montre intéressera les sportifs recherchant un assistant puissant pour l'entraînement. Les nouvelles fonctions Training Load Pro et Recovery Pro et la mesure sans capteur externe de la puissance développée à la course à pied sont parfaites pour les sportifs exigeants, qu'ils soient pros ou s'entraînant comme des pros. Elle est très bien pour le sportif qui désire optimiser ses performances. Son capteur optique innovant permet une utilisation dans des conditions difficiles (natation, fractionné, vélo, etc.) mais demande à être amélioré. Elle convient bien à la pratique du triathlon. Elle offre une excellente autonomie. Cette montre, sortie un peu trop tôt, manquait encore un peu de maturité mais Polar a amélioré le firmware depuis. Certaines fonctionnalités utiles ont disparu, elle offre peu de fonctions de navigation GPS, ni de smart notifications, ni de watchfaces, ni de mode d'économie d'énergie. Polar a déjà apporté des correctifs mais il reste encore à faire. Lire notre revue détaillée et notre avis complet sur la Polar Vantage V.

Amazfit Stratos

Cette montre bon marché mais très complète est séduisante pour son prix défiant toute concurrence et ses nombreuses fonctions embarquées dont les mesures physiologiques et les dynamiques de course offertes par la Fenix 6. Elle offre également un lecteur MP3 embarqué et une fonction de paiement qui n'est cependant disponible actuellement qu'en Chine. Elle souffre de quelques anomalies et limitations que le prix peut justifier. Elle est un bon compromis pour les personnes dont le budget est limité. Lire notre revue détaillée et notre avis complet sur l'Amazfit Stratos.

Où acheter ces modèles

La Garmin Fenix 6, Polar Vantage V, Suunto 9 et Amazfit Stratos sont disponibles sur internet. Découvrez ces modèles chez nos partenaires et profitez de nos codes promos.