Opinion

Polar V810 / V850 / V900 – or something else for 2018 ?

11 July 2017
tfk, the5krunner
21 Comments

FTC: Affiliate Disclosure: All links pay commission

New Polar V800 Strap Colours? – We can expect a little more Polar excitement than that in 2018 I hope.

The V810 (V850, V900) replacement for Polar’s successful V800 triathlon watch has been semi-confirmed for Spring 2018 by Stan Brajer, SVP Sales and Marketing (Polar, US)

Source: Interview at http://www.babbittville.com/radio/ just after 11 minutes, search for “Brajer” on that site

Although it has not been confirmed as a V8XX numbered model. Indeed I suspect it won’t be.

 

My best guess, as of 7April2018, and based on various rumours, is that the Spring2018 aspirational date is not going to happen and we are now looking at Fall/Autumn 2018 for the next Polar tri watch.

Polar strategist, Suvilaasko, is now on record as saying “We definitely see that space is going to be active going forward” when talking about the mid-range Polar M600 AndroidWear smartwatch. So Polar may be working on a mid-range running watch as well as a tri watch. Personally, I suspect that they are.

Edit: Source Wareable.com

I originally said “I think it will be reasonable to expect a high-res colour screen and 6-LED oHR on an updated V800.” but other rumours suggest even that might not be true ie not true about the 6-LED oHR ie a new oHR sensor array.

Until recently, one of the key unknowns was whether Polar are merely updating the V800 with a few components, like they have done with the M430 or with some new software like the M460 and V650; or if they are re-inventing the watch eg including ANT+.

With the software-revamped V650 coming out in Q2 2018 then, perhaps, the chance of a revamped V800 is also back on the cards – but I think not. Although re-vamping a V800 for the middle-market AND introducing a high-end super tri-watch would be VERY interesting – but I think not !!!

Best REI/Wiggle/PMC price is linked to. Prices likely to fall below existing level from 2018 onwards £240/$340/Eu300. .

Polar Pro – new functionality for the V800 replacement?

Summary:

  • Replacement V800 – Autumn/Fall 2018. It will NOT be called anything like Vxxx.  It will be a new watch and not a modified V800. It may not have a 6-LED Polar OHR array.
  • Possibly a release of a running/sports/fitness watch on WearOS or Polar platforms but that will more likely also be Autumn/Fall 2018
Best REI/Wiggle/PMC price is linked to. $72 or £60 and UNlikely to fall in 2018/9.

But what else? thoughts (here) and below if you want to comment.

Polar 2018 Strategy Looks Good? – A370, M460, M430, H10…V660? V810?

 

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Justin

Well, it’s a year Garmin has to really retain my interest, otherwise Polar might have my money next year. Currently I have the forerunner 935 and it is beyond a shadow of a doubt the single best watch I have ever owned by Garmin (and i’m upwards to watch 8 in about 3 years time now). If the V810 is the superior watch though, gonna go there.

I’ve already stated how much I like Polar’s ecosystem, match that with a really sleek looking watch that outperforms Garmin and i’m in.

Reply
tfk, the5krunner

I like to wear and use something that does the job but that also is a little different to other people (hence I’d never buy an apple watch)

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Vlad

Apple Watch is the most customizable watch on the market. No two watches will ever look the same at any given moment in any given place (yes, even in the Apple store). Having said that, owning a Polar V800 for 3 years I only saw a couple more people owning those. However, I sold my V800 and bought myself an Apple Watch 3 LTE, because it suits my needs better. I’m not a triathlete, and my training sessions never go past 2 hours at a time. I really like the HR at night during sleep, just to see how my heart is doing. In any event, both Apple Watch and Polar V800 have their niche and use.

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tfk, the5krunner

true, true

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naiboo

again almost a year to wait, i think i´ll go with 935, enough waiting for you guys@Polar

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Andrey Nikanorov (@nikanorov)

Spring 2018? They are really kidding. It is good that I decided to stop on F5X currently.

Reply
tfk, the5krunner

🙁

Reply
runnershigh

Once upon a time Polar released V800 before M400. Obviously M400 was a massive success. Nowadays they launched M430 first. In what way will this influence the expected sale to an V8xx?
My expectations are that the V8xx is much more than just an “advanced” M430 because “yesterday” the M400 was the “little brother” of V800. Today the M430 is not anymore a derivated product of anything.

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tfk, the5krunner

maybe the v800 heralds the start of the next new series? eg M440…who knows?

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PJ

Maybe Polar use Sunto strategy and will release 2 or 3 V900 versions: Tri, Mountain, Explore (?) etc.

Reply
TK

That would be great !
I would love a few mm slimmer watch without a barometric altimeter. Fine with GPS altitude.
Or with little bit less battery life. 10-12h 1s sampling is fine for most disciplines.
And something that can be worn at the office (similar to V800 all black).

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Hans

I dont give up! I still hope that your information is right that the V800 successor will be unvield in Q1 / 2018. But there is not much time left… Are there any news if or when it will be unvield?

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tfk, the5krunner

no news i can say yet.
the audio was from a polar exec describing the v800 successor….

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Buzz

“No news you can say yet”. But can you say whether or not I would be kicking myself if I went out and bought a Garmin. I’ve been waiting patiently for 6 months now, but with the weather changing, I’m afraid I’m going to crack.

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tfk, the5krunner

you might crack

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Hans

This means there will Not be a Real Triathlon successor wach from Polar in the 1. Half of 2018?

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tfk, the5krunner

maybe , maybe not.
polar had lots of announcements last year…quiet this year so far.
maybe they have saved the best until last.?

Reply
herewego

From Polar, the entry-level Heart Rate Monitors will be available at the end of September.

Vantage M

color display

-black / white

– Price 280e

Vantage V

-gorillalasi

Touch Screen

-Price 500e or 540e (with heart rate monitor)

In addition, there will be a new application.

Polar registered brands:

https://www.trademarkia.com/ctm/polar-vantage-v-017916565.htm

https://www.trademarkia.com/ctm/polar-vantage-m-017916559.htm

Reply
Andrew Knox

3 years ago, I upgraded a Garmin Forerunner to another Forerunner but the GPS accuracy wasn’t great. Tried the V800 and the routes were a lot closer to where I actually was (wore the watches on separate wrists and uploaded the co-ords).

http://fellrnr.com/wiki/GPS_Accuracy seemed to comfirm it too and the reason I’ve not bothered trying the new Garmin 935.

So, I continue to wait for the new Polar watch…

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tfk, the5krunner

yep I generally agree with fellrnr GPS accuracy conclusions. although I arrive at them via a different method. you will see that other reviewers are happy with garmin’s gps accuracy

suunto Spartan sport /whr /baro are great too

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Will

I am with you Andrew and also waiting for the next Polar Tri Watch. I have both the v800 and the Garmin 935. I do not find any concerns with GPS accuracy with the Garmin, but frankly I do not watch it that close (key markers on my routes are always within 1/10 – if not 1/20th of each other between the two devices; that is good enough for me). I tend to switch back and forth between these two devices. Garmin is great in features that are sometimes really nice (i.e. better integration with other products/systems). But on the whole I am frequently delighted with Polar, especially because of it’s Flow website.

I am hoping we hear something on Polar’s next Tri watch soon.

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