Is there any particular watch recommended for use with Stryd?

There are various brands of watches that work with Stryd: Garmin, Suunto, Polar, and the Apple watch. Each manufacturer makes great watches, and personal preference often determines what is the best choice. As Stryders ask us at times, this article provides a high-level overview of the pros and cons of each watch when using it with Stryd. We do not recommend any specific watch, and the list below likely is not complete.

Garmin

Pros:

1. Can record all Stryd metrics
2. Completely automated flow to get data into PowerCenter
3. Many Garmin watches can get pace and distance from Stryd as well as the GPS map
4. Possible to fine-tune the accuracy of Stryd by setting a calibration factor

Cons:

1. Uses ANT+ to connect with Stryd, which is less reliable than Bluetooth
2. Initial setup more complex
3. Many Garmin watches have problems staying connected to Stryd (drop-outs)

Suunto

Pros:

1. Uses Bluetooth to connect to Stryd, which is more reliable.
2. Easy setup (requires Movescount to setup)
3. Some Suunto watches (Spartan / 9) can get pace and distance from Stryd as well as the GPS map
4. Native power fields.

Cons:

1. Cannot record all Stryd metrics, only power (and pace, distance, and cadence in for Spartan / 9)
2. To get advanced metrics in PowerCenter, Stryders need to upload data from Stryd with the Stryd app on the phone (offline sync).
3. Ambit can only get power from Stryd (or only pace and distance)
4. Cannot set a calibration factor to fine-tune accuracy.

Polar

Pros:

1. Uses Bluetooth to connect to Stryd, which is more reliable.
2. Easy setup (requires PolarFlow to setup)
3. Can set a calibration factor to fine-tune Stryd accuracy and can get pace, distance and GPS map.
4. Native power fieldss.

Cons:

1. Cannot record all Stryd metrics, only power (and pace, distance, and cadence)
2. To get advanced metrics in PowerCenter, Stryders need to upload data from Stryd with the Stryd app on the phone (offline sync).

Apple watch

Pros:

1. Uses Bluetooth to connect to Stryd, which is more reliable.
2. The Stryd app is amazing! Records all metrics (including HR and GPS map) and data flows automatically into PowerCenter.
3. We can quickly address issues as they come up
4. The Stryd App, On Apple Watch, can now get premade Power-based workouts from TrainingPeaks

Cons:

1. Requires use of an iPhone
2. Some Stryders find it harder to setup
3. Inherent Apple watch limitations: need to raise wrist to activate the screen, limited use of buttons (need to use touchscreen), battery life.
4. Cannot set a calibration factor to fine-tune Stryd.
5. Activities longer than 5 hours will not be able to upload to PowerCenter from the Stryd Apple Watch App

Sigma

Pros:

1. Uses Bluetooth to connect to Stryd, which is more reliable.
2. Can also use ANT+ to connect with Stryd
3. Easy setup (requires Sigma Link or Sigma Data Center to setup). 
4. Native power fields.

Cons:

1. Cannot record all Stryd metrics, only power (and pace, distance, and cadence)
2. To get advanced metrics in PowerCenter, Stryders need to upload data from Stryd with the Stryd app on the phone (offline sync).
3. Cannot grab pace and distance from Stryd.