Polar Loop 2 Announced

An updated Polar Loop 2 is about to hit the streets. It’s an updated version of the original Polar Loop, which was quite nice. There’s some of the standard info listed below from the Polar website. First some of my thoughts.

It doesn’t have optical HR. You will still need an H7 chest strap if you want HR. The Loop 2 is cleverer than some trackers as it places a higher rating on more vigorous activity. This can only really be done properly with HR but, putting that to one side, Polar make a better stab at assessing your true day’s efforts than others.

You now get smartphone notifications from iOS and Android. Which is a nice function for this quite sexy-looking wrist band. For these features to be useful you have to want to wear the device! I’d wear it.

It links to Apple Health and Google Fit, which is probably where the future of your data storage is going to be. So that’s good.

It’s about £100 and will be available in the UK towards the end of the year (in time for Christmas!!)

Having played with the mightily impressive Polar M400, I have a lot of faith in what Polar do in the activity and sports spaces. I’m still waiting for an M400 with optical HR which would be a near-perfect device for some segments.

The Loop 2 seems reasonably priced. Probably a little on the high side for the features but, unlike some other vendors, as least those features will work or at least be made to work fairly promptly.

Personally I’d spend £50 more and buy the superior Microsoft BAND. If you haven’t got that £50 to blow then the Loop 2 will be a good choice.

Oh and it’s got vibration alerts.

—– Polar’s Stuff Below ————

Steps and Distance

Tracks your steps and distance from steps.

Inactivity Alert

Reminds you with vibration to get up after 55 minutes of sitting and add active breaks to your daily routines.

Smart Calories

Lets you know exactly how many calories you’ve burned. The individual algorithm is based on your data: weight, height, age, gender and the intensity of physical activity.

Activity Goal

Shows how active you’ve been during the day and gives practical guidance for reaching your daily activity goal. Breaks up your activities into five intensity levels: resting, sitting, low, medium and high.

Sleep

Automatically tracks your sleep time and quality. See and learn from your sleeping patterns in Polar Flow web service and app.

Smart Notifications

Vibrates and notifies you about incoming calls, messages and calendar reminders.

Measurements

With soft silicon wristband

Weight	38g
Thickness	10,8 mm
Width	20,0 mm

With TPU wristband

Weight	36g
Thickness	10,5 mm
Width	20,0 mm

Tech

Rechargeable 38 mAh Li-pol battery
Battery duration up to 8 days with 24/7 activity tracking and 1h/day training

Connectivity

Easy wireless sync via Polar Flow app with Bluetooth® Smart
Custom USB connector for charging and data sync with PC or Mac via Polar FlowSync
Bluetooth® Smart
Polar Flow web service compatibility with Mac OS X 10.6 or later and PC Windows XP, 7, 8
Updatable software
UI languages English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, German, Italian, Finnish, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese

Activity Guide

Shows how active you’ve been during the day and gives practical guidance for reaching your daily activity goal.

Activity Benefit

Gives feedback on your daily, weekly and monthly activity, showing how your active choices help you stay healthy.

Smart calories

Lets you know exactly how many calories you’ve burned.

Energy Pointer

Gives clear guidance on how to get into shape faster. Polar H7 required.

Training Benefit

Motivating feedback straight after exercise. Polar H7 required.

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Heart rate during training

Shows your current heart rate with the touch of a button during training. Polar H7 heart rate sensor required.