I used a Polar watch for years and now I own a Garmin 965. Well, as watch iGarmin is better, much better then my Polar Vantage 2. As data interpratation and web analysis of data, Polar is still way better. Delivers less data, but they give useful information. Garmin gives a bunch of data, most of them cannot be well interpreted and not really helps. Data not information. So, if Polar makes an affordable nice amoled watch, maybe the next gen, I might go back to Polar. Still, their ecosystem is way better. I miss the good sleep score, ANS is fantastic and the training load is realy nice.
I think they're OK with updates but I honestly think most of the updates are only related to fixing things that should have been up-to-date at the time of release. Like until this 2.1 update the heart rate accuracy and a workout was honestly the worst I have ever seen on a device six years of testing. Just completely an accurate and crazy high and crazy low. so I would not expect any new features to roll out necessarily. The features they have are pretty much what you would need or want
One worthwhile question is whether you are willing to bet on Polar to figure these issues out. In many ways the future of the company depends on it from a confidence standpoint in the market. On the other side, Garmin is the stalwart but resting on their laurels instead of innovating. On top of that, their product lineup just keeps growing, where they should really focus on less devices and the Apple threat with fitness 2-3 years out.
I’ve been looking at the Garmin Epix pro, fenix 7 pro and the Suunto Race and Vertical. If you had to choose between those and the Polar, which do you think is the best?
Thank you so much! Really appreciate the feedback on the format. And yes that is a real complaint that even the snooze or anything else related is all just dependent on one alarm!
Thanks great review. I'm also polar user and has noticed that app uses lot of background activity on iphone and also tends to drain battery a bit. I have started wondering could it be bad app that ios them manhandles that causes connection issues
Yes I don't know! I know whatever it is it is on Polar's side because of all the devices I've tested I've never seen this happen, whatever they are doing to build the Bluetooth connection is done under a faulty approach relative to every other device in the industry
Got a pacer for over one year. It has nearly every feature other Polar models have. As long you don’t need maps and navigation the Pacer is a great device with nightly recharge, training load and all other daily features you need. Battery lasts 5 to 7 days if you train 30 min every second day without using the gps. It is not bulky, super lightweight which matters while sleeping. Value is perfect considering the price around 150€, at prime day around 130€. The flow web service is unbeatable if you analyze even over years back. In my case the app doesn’t lose connection to my IPhone 14 Pro. Messages have same problem mentioned here. MIP display is absolutely enough in daylight… AND it is an always on display. User interface is the same. Alternative might be the Ignite 3… but no other features considering analysis except skin temperature (useful?). Get a Polar Pacer (the Pro Version has a poor navigation feature only in combination with the Koomot app and a barometer for some additional running features). I always compared the newer models even the IPhone to my daily needs of analysis, HIIT, Nordic Walking, Fitness Sports and Walking in the woods (yes it shows you the logged trail on maps after you finished). Get a heart rate belt (H10) too and you are very well equipped and it is still a “bargain” to many other devices.
Thank you for the great video again! 😊 Some thoughts: At least watchface configuration remembers the colors and the apps you have used so no redoing everything if you use the same colors/apps.. Alarms, oh my. Could not agree more. It's 2024. And only one alarm. Which I missed this morning. Have to put another alarm on my iphone... The heart rate is fine for me. But i'm mainly running. And like you, if using in gym, usually Polar verity sense on my arm or a chest strap... For that nightly recharge, would be great if naps were added also. Two main pros for me and why the watch stays on my wrist for now: It is the only watch to have a "true" always on display when doing sports. And I mean true. So it wont dim etc. Superuseful if using for example as a bike computer on your bikes handlebar. And I like that otherwise also. Do not care even if it burns a little bit more battery. And just like you said, the looks and the feel of the watch are just 👌🏻
I used a Polar watch for years and now I own a Garmin 965. Well, as watch iGarmin is better, much better then my Polar Vantage 2. As data interpratation and web analysis of data, Polar is still way better. Delivers less data, but they give useful information. Garmin gives a bunch of data, most of them cannot be well interpreted and not really helps. Data not information. So, if Polar makes an affordable nice amoled watch, maybe the next gen, I might go back to Polar. Still, their ecosystem is way better. I miss the good sleep score, ANS is fantastic and the training load is realy nice.
Great video! Finally felt understood about how good and valuable is the Nightly Recharge
I know! It is really excellently put together. Thanks so much for commenting
Good job dude I enjoy this format. I like the perspective of usability.
Thanks so much, it really helps me get out of my head in trying to over analyze backdrop and formality of reviews
One comment for the algorithm. Great review. Greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪
Hey thank you! Love that! Greetings!
Great review. Thank you. How is polar with regular updates? And do they add new features over time?
I think they're OK with updates but I honestly think most of the updates are only related to fixing things that should have been up-to-date at the time of release. Like until this 2.1 update the heart rate accuracy and a workout was honestly the worst I have ever seen on a device six years of testing. Just completely an accurate and crazy high and crazy low. so I would not expect any new features to roll out necessarily. The features they have are pretty much what you would need or want
I always enjoy your reviews. You give great information that is so useful to me.
Thank you so much! I very much appreciate that
One worthwhile question is whether you are willing to bet on Polar to figure these issues out. In many ways the future of the company depends on it from a confidence standpoint in the market.
On the other side, Garmin is the stalwart but resting on their laurels instead of innovating. On top of that, their product lineup just keeps growing, where they should really focus on less devices and the Apple threat with fitness 2-3 years out.
I’ve been looking at the Garmin Epix pro, fenix 7 pro and the Suunto Race and Vertical. If you had to choose between those and the Polar, which do you think is the best?
Does the polar pacer suffer from the same shortcomings as the grit x2 pro?
Nice vid. Snooze is based off one alarm though. Just being pedantic. Like the format out walking and wandering about. Good job.
Thank you so much! Really appreciate the feedback on the format. And yes that is a real complaint that even the snooze or anything else related is all just dependent on one alarm!
No save locations?
Thanks great review. I'm also polar user and has noticed that app uses lot of background activity on iphone and also tends to drain battery a bit. I have started wondering could it be bad app that ios them manhandles that causes connection issues
Yes I don't know! I know whatever it is it is on Polar's side because of all the devices I've tested I've never seen this happen, whatever they are doing to build the Bluetooth connection is done under a faulty approach relative to every other device in the industry
Would you recommend a polar pacer for purchase?
Got a pacer for over one year. It has nearly every feature other Polar models have. As long you don’t need maps and navigation the Pacer is a great device with nightly recharge, training load and all other daily features you need. Battery lasts 5 to 7 days if you train 30 min every second day without using the gps. It is not bulky, super lightweight which matters while sleeping. Value is perfect considering the price around 150€, at prime day around 130€. The flow web service is unbeatable if you analyze even over years back. In my case the app doesn’t lose connection to my IPhone 14 Pro. Messages have same problem mentioned here. MIP display is absolutely enough in daylight… AND it is an always on display. User interface is the same. Alternative might be the Ignite 3… but no other features considering analysis except skin temperature (useful?). Get a Polar Pacer (the Pro Version has a poor navigation feature only in combination with the Koomot app and a barometer for some additional running features). I always compared the newer models even the IPhone to my daily needs of analysis, HIIT, Nordic Walking, Fitness Sports and Walking in the woods (yes it shows you the logged trail on maps after you finished). Get a heart rate belt (H10) too and you are very well equipped and it is still a “bargain” to many other devices.
Thank you for the great video again! 😊
Some thoughts:
At least watchface configuration remembers the colors and the apps you have used so no redoing everything if you use the same colors/apps..
Alarms, oh my. Could not agree more. It's 2024. And only one alarm. Which I missed this morning. Have to put another alarm on my iphone...
The heart rate is fine for me. But i'm mainly running. And like you, if using in gym, usually Polar verity sense on my arm or a chest strap...
For that nightly recharge, would be great if naps were added also.
Two main pros for me and why the watch stays on my wrist for now:
It is the only watch to have a "true" always on display when doing sports. And I mean true. So it wont dim etc. Superuseful if using for example as a bike computer on your bikes handlebar. And I like that otherwise also. Do not care even if it burns a little bit more battery.
And just like you said, the looks and the feel of the watch are just 👌🏻