i hope so too. I got the definate impression that they are no longe trying to compete on NUMBER of functions. they just cant win that battle. so they will be focussing on what their target markets want. I *THINK* they are targetting high level triathletes and runners and what they need….then there is a trickle down effect of those who try to emulate them. not sure they are going for the ultra runers per se,…that’s just my impression

Oscar…yep they are all super valid points and right to the heart of the whole thing.
you sound like you are me pretending to post as someone else 😉

1. connectivity lower: yes but this is onyl beta. lets give them a chance.
2. yep stryd like me.
3. why do you NEED ant+ (I need it for all the squillions of sensors i use). but as me the runner i might make my project this year to migrate my personal data colelction and workout execution to ble and polar and see what happens
4. whr reliability…yep i agree. If they can just get 5 or 10% better than garmin’s elevate i would consider finally using it without a hrm strap. i have got bored with HRV so don’t need that except in the morning (and coffee)

the M DOES have interchangeable bands…not the V
yeah the is smartphone stuff…just not very exciting but agreed it needs to be covered at some point (review)
the productrion is just started so they are ramping that up…it takes time. Poalr are a large compnay and this will sell lots of units

@darren in theory power is your marathon pacer but, yep, i’ve no answer to the nav point that you and several others make.
@Oscar, some good points there. the early adopter is probably a truism you could apply to any manufacturer in this sector. your ‘fave feature’ that doesn’t work will always be done superbly by someone else (whose other features may well be sub par)

that’s a bit harsh but i see your angle. first thing is “how can polar bring a watch to market that justifies it being sold”. i think they have done that. the real question then is how can the platform be developed over the next 3 or so years. actually i see it as having pretty much most of what i need and maybe the oHR if it works properly. and it’s pretty. they specifically KNOW that they can’t compete with Garmin on features and so they have had to, i assume, do some market research and choose the most productive features to include for the release. the only real widespread gripes have been about NAV. doesn’t bother me…DOES bother others. notification is on the menu, it will be on I assume. power/hr…yeah may not be perfect but there are some interesting angles here that appeal to certian people eg those who don’t want to buy stryd. touchscreen…yeah i’d agree with that. “way behind the curve”…hmm. they ‘re not way behind the curve…just way behind apple and garmin software features (maybe wearOS maybe fitbit) if it can get accurate gps AND accurate ENOUGH HR. And then if they introduce custom… Read more »

i believe so. but it is something i need to double check as what you imply is usually that ‘lower’ models do not have bike PM support. and yes i would agree that it is a super important thing to know.
this functionality has not yet been enabled (although i have a new firmware waiting to upload)

yes, main review links to page showing compatibility of many power meters

i dont plan to take the vantage to bits
yes you can switch them off but even my M has been on watch mode for more than a week with power left (just got back home after holiday)