I’ve been attempting and testing the newest sports activities watches to hit the working scene since mid 2023 – of various makes and fashions.
From the Garmin Forerunner 265 to the G-Shock GBD-H2000 with Coros, Suunto, Huawei, Fitbit and Polar someplace in between.
And sure, I’ll admit some manufacturers have perks others dont – we’re speaking physique battery from the Garmin or the Navigation help on the Coros Tempo 3 all present glorious competitors for the Polar Vantage V2.
However right here’s the explanation why I’m but to commerce in or be persuaded to 86 the 2020’s V2, and go for a special mannequin (and sure that features its improve, the V3 launched October 2023).
1. The upgraded V3 is a let down
Sure the V3 seems to be just like the Polar design staff stepped up their recreation however what it had in pizazz it sadly lacked in performance and reliability. Forgive me however after three years I’d count on an improve on a whole lot of ranges not simply aesthetics – however clearly I used to be flawed.
The V2 outperforms the V3 on a variety of components that basically matter to runners similar to coronary heart fee studying reliability, water resistance and battery life – the remaining metrics and efficiency (navigation, post-run information, restoration stats) have been comparable so there was no actual want for the improve.
2. HR by tattoo
The V2 and the Coros Tempo 3 are the one two watches who efficiently and precisely learn coronary heart fee by a tattoo. The V3, Casio, Fitbit, Huawei and Garmin can not compete on this space in any respect so i needed to put on the opposite watches on the inside wrist while out working and sleeping. Nonetheless on the Garmin 265 for eg, i needed to put on it on the inside wrist 24/7 so my restoration metrics went unaffected.
3. Already good with navigation
V3 navigation help is incredible (providing breadcrumb and turn-by-turn help with nack to start out help too) and it doesn’t take lengthy for the GPS sync with the watch pre-run (we’re speaking max 20-seconds even in probably the most distant of areas). I’ve by no means wanted an offline map possibility however that characteristic got here with the V3 and truthfully had zero impact – once more even in probably the most distant of areas. So this watch is but to let me down on the navigation entrance.
4. Restoration metrics
The Orthostatic check, Leg restoration checks, evening restoration metrics imply you possibly can have a transparent understanding how your coaching is affecting your physique with Coronary heart Fee Variability as normal.
Sure Garmin comes shut with their restoration metrics – however can they provide me a leg restoration check? No.
The V2 comes out on high once more.
5. Battery life
The Coros Tempo 3 does beat this look ahead to its battery life capabilities (30 days for Coros in comparison with about 10-14 days for the V2). Each fashions are miles forward of their opponents on this division – may or not it’s as a result of lack in display graphics? I’ve raced in an Extremely that took me 10 ½ hours to finish with fixed HR measuring and GPS navigation and barely scratched the floor. In all of the V2 has over 40 hours of battery life in full coaching mode.
6. Holding it’s worth
You’d suppose that with the arrival of the up to date V3, that the V2 would drop in value – however it hasn’t. To me that screams the worth by which the V2 holds – how nice of a watch it’s at $499.99 from Polar’s Web site.
7. Newbie to professional stats
Submit run it additionally breaks down an array of knowledge that’s simply digestible for novices but in addition helps you be taught which metrics are essential and why that can assist you alongside your health journey. Shade coded particulars and bar charts are so easy but efficient to grasp efforts and the way a lot restoration is required.
8. Easy coaching
The Polar Model don’t can help you import coaching plans from a 3rd occasion platform nonetheless they make up for it for his or her thorough and tailored-to-you coaching plans that make coaching for 5k, 10, marathon easy. The watch tells you what you should do, when, how, and guides you thru on a regular basis.
It completely removes the ache of planning coaching and will get you outside. You’ll be able to actually click on go and let it information you thru the session be-it intervals, coronary heart fee targets, tempo and even drink reminders – you possibly can completely depend on this piece of equipment. – A incredible coaching companion for any capability runner.
9. Dimension and weight
For a smaller wrist, the V2 doesn’t look ridiculously massive whereas G-Shock, V3, Huawei GT3 all have. Its 52g (V3 is 57g, G-Shock H2000 is 63g but the Coros Tempo 3 was 30g) and has dimensions of 47 mm in width, 50.8mm in top and 14.5mm thick, with a 1.2” display.
Its center of the street in the case of bezel weight and bulkiness however the modern spherical design means sleeves don’t get caught on the watch – its simply coated if want be.
What I’d enhance on the V2
Clearly not every part will be excellent, however having examined a variety of completely different manufacturers, i want to see some adjustments on the V2 similar to:
- Embrace Interval/menstrual monitoring
- Higher display design (this did happen on the V3 however i’d wish to see extra design concepts as choices have been restricted)
- Completely different straps – just like the CP3 had magnificent fast-drying, light-weight and properly designed nylon straps
- Morning experiences – pulled from the Garmin 265, I actually loved realizing what sort of sleep I had and what was on my coaching diary that day proper from the second I wakened.
- Coaching plans that transcend marathon distance – with the recognition of 50k distances now… sustain with the instances Polar!
All in all of the V2 does have its drawbacks and there are shut opponents on the market such because the Garmin 265 and the Coros Tempo 3, however for me, the V2 comes out on high due to its restoration metrics (CP3 doesn’t do that), capability to learn HR by a tattoo (265 can’t do that), navigation and its capability to make coaching easy for me as an avid path and ultramarathon runner.
The Polar Vantage V2 is but to depart my wrist.
