Polar Vantage M, Polar Vantage V – What’s New

We have two completely new and different watches both branded Polar Vantage.

The Polar Vantage V is the top-end model and effectively replaces the V800. I would call it a triathlon watch and a pro running watch.

The Polar Vantage M is still a ‘pro’ running watch and it’s still a triathlon watch too. In a nutshell, the Vantage M differs from the Vantage V because it has: a shorter battery life; no onboard running power meter; and less of the less usual stuff that is peripheral to some and a key pro feature to others. Let me explain…

The Polar Vantage M probably sits a little higher than both the M600 + M430 in Polar’s range and is possibly intended to replace them both. Although it is also possible that a cut-down M model could later be introduced.

The Vantage V and Vantage M are themselves similar and, other than strap colours and interchangeable straps the Vantage V has everything that the Vantage M has … and more.

You can find all related posts listed in this tag as I add them https://the5krunner.com/tag/PolarVantage.

I’ll give an overview here but the logic and execution of the V and M models looks sound to me. Part of  Polar’s way forwards to compete with Garmin is through ‘accuracy‘ – I can’t give an opinion on that yet – and ‘pro features‘.

• 40 hour battery life for the Polar Vantage V and 30 hours for the Polar Vantage M – more than enough for an Ironman. Perhaps enough for most ultra runners? And yes that is full GPS and per second recording with oHR.
• The Vantage V has a barometer and a touchscreen. The barometer is used as an input into the onboard running power meter #NoMoreFootpods ? Buttons can do everything (almost) that the touchscreen can.
• Running Power – STRYD/RunScribe compatibility is continued IN BOTH VANTAGE MODELS. BUT, to save you buying one of those 3rd party units, Polar can instead give you a power figure from their own algorithm. Polar say that the results will trend in line with other devices but the magnitude of their algorithm is more like RunScribe’s (with STRYD’s being lower and Garmin’s being higher). My understanding is that there is no change in how power is tagged in exports to other systems. eg a TCX file exported from  FLOW contains ‘POWER’ and not ‘RUNNING POWER’ 0 the recipient has to discern what it is (unlike FIT files) …more
• New GNSS chip. The new chip is GPS+GLONASS and made by Sony ie probably either the CXD5603GF or CXD5600GF model. The Suunto 9 also uses one of those two chips and so the two probably use the same chip. The CXD5603GF is the super low power one and probably the one used by the Polar Vantage and Suunto 9. The low power is one of the things that enables a good battery life without having a massive physical battery.
• There is new COACH functionality which is free. And enables coaches to schedule athletes’ workouts and view results.

• Polar Precision Prime is not one of the Antarctic Transformers (Kids’ series) but rather a super-impressive looking optical heart rate offering. There are lots of multicoloured LEDs. These are combined with 4 charging sensor posts that essentially check for correct positioning of the watch. I would assume that this then gives degrees of confidence to the algorithm that manipulates the optical HR sensor data. BUT Polar claim to do a super-clever thing here and post-process the HR data during the workout. The data is recalculated every minute or so in order to make what is recorded more correct. So what is recorded COULD be different to what is displayed live. Or you could just use a chest strap and indeed you will NEED a chest strap like the Polar H10 for the Orthostatic (waking HRV test) that feeds into the recovery algorithm….more
• Specifically, the optical HR algorithm behind Precision Prime will treat different sports in different ways if required – for example during strength training, when good oHR readings are notoriously difficult to get right.
• Polar have NOT introduced a custom multisport profile. If you do not use the duathlon or triathlon profile then it’s easy enough, in training, to switch from one sport to another on-the-fly
• ANT+ is NOT supported and probably never will be. With most new sensors (HRM, power meters, etc) being multi-band (BLE+ANT+) then the need for Polar to support ANT+ is becoming less and less. Additionally Polar DO have a BLE sensor pool and, in any case, many sensors themselves can be simultaneously paired to many watches/head units – although only one can be active at a time. You knew that.
• The V has Recovery Pro which looks at daily recovery as well as well as your balance between training stress and the recovery from it. (Polar H10 required)
• M & V both have training Load Pro. This looks at: the load from your workouts based on HR (Cardio load using TRIMP); the sports-specific physical loads placed on your muscles during workouts (Muscle Load – measured by power in running and cycling); and your Perceived Load (like RPE). I’ve used TRIMP for years and it’s mostly a good estimator of load IMHO. However there are scenarios, such as when performing weights or competing in team sports, where the true load is not picked up from heart rate alone, so in these special circumstances RPE is used (I know there is a RPE based TRIMP formula but I don’t know if Polar use it)
  • Training Load LEVELS are also produced and it looks like these are used in an adaptive way still based on TRIMP but also on your recent workout performances.
  • Some of the new metrics introduced are comparable with those from Firstbeat eg Cardio Load Status. However other insights like Injury Risk look genuinely innovative and useful

• There is a new charging cradle. Somewhat similar to the Wahoo Tickr Fit charging disc.
• The physiological algorithms are made by Polar (not Firstbeat) and the optical HRM is designed by Polar (not Valencell or anyone else)

So that’s JUST THE SUMMARY. There are lots more posts appearing today and, maybe tomorrow too, covering some of those aspects in more detail.

 You can find all related posts listed in this tag as I add them https://the5krunner.com/tag/PolarVantage.

Price, Availability & Discount

The Polar Vantage M retails at $260/GBP250/Eur280,

The Polar Vantage V retails at $499/GBP439/Eur499

The Polar Vantage now has general availability. There do not seem to be widespread discount yet in the EU. I’ve included some deals below but you will find the best deals at New Running Gear and Power Meter City. New Running Gear (NRG), below, were also bundling in GBP50 of running freebies.

• Power Meter City (USA) with the coupon code ‘the5krunner10’
• New Running Gear in the EU/UK with the code ‘the5krunner10’