Polar Vantage V, Polar Vantage M

This is the Polar Vantage M. The looks are very similar to the more expensive V model. Colours are basic and only offered in 3 and I understand that the RED colour is only available directly from Polar. That's my least favourite of the three. Polar thought that there is a wider desire to customise watches at the price point of the M. So the M has interchangeable straps and the replacements are about $/Eu29.90. The straps are a standard 22mm width but the Polar ones that are provided on the watch when new have slightly chunky ends that provide a more snug fit to the watch casing - apparently it's meant to look classier. MORE INFO: You can find all related posts listed in this tag as I add them https://the5krunner.com/tag/PolarVantage. The Polar Vantage M model does NOT lay flat with the standard straps which is annoying for photos. I'm reasonably sure that when I saw some of the other coloured straps that some of them did let the watch lay flat. You might want to consider either the black or white models if you are thinking of changing strap colours as I would imagine that black/white will 'go' with more differently coloured strap options. A Polar Vantage Review will not follow until late October and that will be with a proper production model, not this beta unit. Band Lengths: The watch body is only available in one size however there are different strap length options in S/M/L Vantage M : Sizes S-M : Colour options black or white straps Vantage M : Sizes M-L : Colour options black, white, or red straps. Vantage M : Recycled PET, interchangeable accessory bands : Colour options white melange, orange and petrol Vantage V : Sizes M-L : Colour options black, white, or orange straps. Vantage V : Size S : Additional $/Eu9.90 So here, below, we have the Vantage V...the flagship model. It does have a slightly nicer feel about the construction of the body as well as the strap and the buttons feel better when pressed and are a different shape to those on the Vantage M - oval and not circular. Again there is the black and white option but this time there is an orangey colour as well. The straps are NOT changeable with standard bands but can be replaced if damaged. They require a pin to be pushed out to do that. Next we have the right hand side buttons on the Polar Vantage V (white and black coloured bands) with the two holes being shown in the side of the orange Vantage V. The holes are for the barometer which only the V has. The barometer is also used as an input for onboard running power. #CoolAsBeans Compare that to the right hand side of the Vantage M model (below) and perhaps you will also start to notice that the V model (above) has a larger amount of stainless steel in the casing that surrounds its buttons. Here, again, are all the barometer holes on the Vantage V model and you can also see the tiny pin in the strap which would need to be pushed though if you ever needed to replace these straps. To complete the set here is the left hand side of the Vantage M. On the underside is the most awesome-looking optical heart rate monitor ever. It's the same sensor array and implementation on both models and there is a separate post where we go into a bit more detail about that. And here we are with the Vantage V underside, below. This is getting repetitive isn't it? So I thought I'd use the flash on this one just so you couldn't read the writing on the back of the white colour ;-) I've just noticed an interesting tidbit of information in that all the models I have say the devices are 'beta and not for re-sale'. The 4 round, shiney metal circles are for charging and you can see a small red square on the left of each of the watches' sensor array. This is used by the charging cradle to align itself properly over the round metal circles. More about those mysterious circles elsewhere. I'll finish with this image where the lights are all a-blazin'. MORE INFO: 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 a better deal 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' [caption id="attachment_29267" align="aligncenter" width="1192"] https://geni.us/PolarVantage to buy in UK/Eu/USA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_25638" align="aligncenter" width="790"] Best REI/Wiggle/PMC price is linked to. Prices could fall below existing level from 2019 onwards £249/$259/Eu279. .[/caption] [caption id="attachment_25638" align="aligncenter" width="790"] Best REI/Wiggle/PMC price is linked to. Prices could fall below existing level from 2019 onwards £439/$499/Eu499. .[/caption]