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 !!!
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
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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