114 thoughts on “the Polar Vantage V2 Review”

1. How is the integration with Stryd? Is it as good as Apple watch or Garmin? Why is the power not calculated by Stryd?

   1. If you connect Stryd, the power comes from Stryd. You won’t get Stryd specific metrics like leg stiffness or form power though, like you would with COROS during run or Garmin post-run.

      Polar does integrate with Stryd PowerCenter, so it automatically pushes the workouts in there and you can later merge in Stryd-specific part via the app.

      1. yes, you can get the form metrics in power center after the workout via the pod

   2. power can come from either the watch or stryd
      power support is native in terms of metrics and reporting
      missing is power for structured workouts but that is coming this year
      power zone lock is unique
      so its different, in some ways better in some ways not

      1. Power Zone lock is available in the v800, so only unique in “current” models (I run exclusively with my v800 and Stryd with this feature on many training runs)

      2. I think he meant Zone Lock is unique to Polar, which it is. Suunto lets you setup intensity zone based on power, but it’s hardly an instant process. Neither Garmin, no COROS have ad-hoc running power based alerts, though COROS now has power based structured workouts.

      3. yes,ty.
         i have a v800

      4. Makes sense. Sorry, I’m still a little miffed about Polar’s marketing of the V2 as having “new/unique” features, when in reality, they are at best catching up with themselves. Sorry for any confusion on my part.

2. Will Vantage V/M get the power-based structured workouts or is it a V2 only feature? Thanks

   1. I wouldn’t be personally surprised about the later. Though it would be a really nasty move on Polar’s part given that the actual sports profiles and workout builder are mostly watch agnostic and V/M had support for power from day one.

      1. According to DCR, this is going to be a V2 only feature. Nasty, indeed.
         Coros, here we come!

      2. yes that is not good , if true. i didn’t ask polr that question. dcr must have done. (I did get the same presentation materials)
         i’m guessing they will but dont’ know for sure
         polar tends to have system things rolled out to all appropriate devices eg recently v650 got komoot

      3. IMO Polar acts like Garmin. Different watches with similar hardware , only software differences and then always upgrade. If VV1 doesn’t get fuel source planning, hill rep functionality and power structured workouts then it’s a bye bye baby from me. I won’t follow stupid marketing tricks. Polar Flow is the best but I will find another lover. Power as an indication only and always inaccurate because GPS is inaccurate. It’s a pity to have trail marathons and ultras with the indication on the map (right top corner) “Low accuracy GPS used”. Seriously? Once I run trail 100miler with Amazfit Pace and it literally nailed, GPS was spot on. Huawei watch gt2 is excelent. Coros same features across the board. There are plenty of solutions nowadays. Kisses

      4. Well…I hear ya!
         I think it is fair(ish) that Polar doesn’t include fuel and hill on VV1 as they are wholly new features.
         however i agree with you that the structured power workouts complete a cohesive, existing product set and so should be updated retrospectively to previous versions. i hope they do that. they should do that.
         power from polar DOES rely on GPS and so inevitably will be inaccurate, as you say. same is true of Garmin running power and coros (on the wrist version of power). STRYD is different, IMHO STRYD is better and seemingly more accurate.
         yes there are plenty of solutions but you need to have as accurate data as possible fro the source sensors to make most of them meaningful.

3. What do you make of the running test? More specifically, “max aerobic pace”? Is it a pace/HR for aerobic threshold? How’s the heart rate zone update handled afterwards?

   1. Never mind… Details of the test can be found at https://support.polar.com/en/running-performance-test

4. 1. Is there a drill mode in pool swim?
   2. Can You input less than 1000 wheel size when pairing to smart trainer?
   3. How lap screen looks like? (automatic and manual)
   1. 1. no

      2. keep bugging me i’ll answer that one, when i can get to the trainer 😉
      3 lap/lap time/durtion – one per line stacked vertically for a running manual lap . IIRC autolap is same.

      1. https://scontent-waw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/121016015_348788403030733_3001962074707417195_n.png?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=o1lcwthtLHMAX8M1F2Y&_nc_ht=scontent-waw1-1.xx&oh=ca6c7f7f9768d596cf057963bf5b7ae4&oe=5FA4D5C5

      2. https://imgshare.io/image/N9mDRF

      3. you must have a V2 to see that screen (Which i also see)
         do you know the answer 😉
         i’ve either forgotten about that or it’s not yet implemented. there is no option on flow web that i can see and i would expect that sort of thng to be implemented via a full screen ‘widget’, similar to the interval timer ie so that the middle button enters drill mode. but i can’t get anything like that

      4. Its screen from another tester, i dont have vv2, that was one of my concerns also with that wheel size im asking everyone and No one checks that

      5. a 2017 wahoo kickr can have a wheel size of between 100mm and 3999mm
         these things take time !

      6. what ? You decide what wheel size it will have ?

      7. kickr broadcasts speed.
         was the previous answer the one you wanted?

      8. so I can forget that VV2 will collect speed, distance and power from smart trainer direct drive

      9. DRILL MODE: it’s a mistake by Polar. the feature doesn’t exist.
         clearly it will in the near future ! (tho it took power zone lock a long time to come into public existence)

      10. by the end of 2020? or more than 1 year? this is clearly joke from polar

5. @the5krunner

   So, if you had a Grit X, would you upgrade?

   My Grit w/COROS nylon strap is 53g, pretty much the weight of V2. Same screen, same battery, same GPS/OHR setup and accuracy. I haven’t cared for Orthostatic test in a long-long while. My headphones music controls are every bit as convenient.

   So, apart from leg recovery and running tests, both of which I find of questionable utility at least for myself, the only improvements are ability to select the watch face widgets and a few more watch faces.

   Hardly something worthy $100 price tag?

   1. no that wouldn’t be worth MY while upgrading
      then again i wouldn’t have bought a grit x over a V1 as i prefer (like!) the vv format.

6. I am happy to see Polar put out a V2. I liked the V1, though the 24/7 metrics were awful. The only thing I have to add is Polar, if you’re reading this, your app is ugly as sin and desperately needs a visual overhaul.

   1. get off that fence Justin. just say what you think, man.
      😉

      1. I thought I was being nice.

         To be clear, Polar’s app interface looks like it was developed in 2013 and never changed. There’s a bunch of numbers and metrics that look like they should be more interactable, but aren’t, while some metrics are buried underneath some other header or category that you wouldn’t think it should be.

         The color tones in the app are stomach turning (for me) and it’s white. Introduce a dark mode at least! Some customizability for users to move a few things around would be nice.

      2. takes time and money…

7. All of that stuff could EASILY be implemented into the Vantage V. The V2 is a laughable update, definitely targeting newcomers to Polar. I cannot see a Vantage V (or V800 for that matter) owner in their right minds shelling out €500 for even more tests that become dead features after two or three times of using them when the novelty factor has worn off. Jump test, seriously? I can do three box jumps in short succession and get the exact same information, or, you know, like any experienced runner, feel into my legs during warm-up, and ABC/drills to get a feeling for their condition, and adapt my run accordingly. So many useless stuff that’s simply there to get paid reviewers rave about them.
   The VV was a good looking watch, this thing has the aesthetics of a cheap smartwatch, how come the bezel looks even larger than on the Vantage V/M?
   Glad I ordered a Pace2. Speaking of which, when do they actually ship to Europe?

   1. my v800 battery is just about eol…so i’m guessing lots of people will be in the same boat and be forced to upgrade to something
      vv2 has a lot of new hardware over the VV, as i said above.
      yes all this firmware probably could easily be put into the vv, which was only released 2 years ago.
      the jump test is a novelty. it is easier to do than you carrying your boxes to the track to jump onto ;-). minor feature at best admittedly and, as i say above, probably only really of relevance to people who are sticking a lot of fatigue into their bodies. it does quantify your readiness tho. after using it my initial scepticism waned a little
      the bezel (black ring) is very similar, the circular case edge is rounded on the vv2 and more angular on the vv. its a different colour too. i like it. must be me.
      i just chased NRG about the pace 2 yesterday as it happened, or was it earlier today, life’s a blur. to answer your question: IDK, but am trying to find out. !!

      1. Any updates on the shipping date?
         TBH, people who are sticking a lot of fatigue into their bodies very well know what fatigued legs feel like. So, a test is telling you that your feet are tired because your vertical jump isn’t as high as your baseline (aka avg.). There’s no actionable data gained other than what you already know by the lack of “springiness” or “pop” in your stride. Someone training seriously to (semi-)professionally (12+ hours a week according to most literature) will run on tired legs A LOT, that’s just the nature of training. Which renders the test irrelevant.
         There lies the crux of recent sports devices: You cannot quantify “readiness”. There are just too many variables that cannot be weighted properly in their influence. However, companies in their naive approach think the more metrics they keep track of, the more accurate their predictions are. Physiology doesn’t work that way. There will be days when you crush a PR despite being told not to overdo it, and other days when you feel like shit on an easy run despite a green light from your watch. How many Elites have a bad night before a big race, or even suffer from a sprain or a bad stomach but still show up at the starting line time, and time again. Nightly Recharge or what have you would in short tell them to stay in bed. And yet athletes regularly win races, even Olympic gold, who weren’t 100% fit/healthy et cet, in short: not ready “on paper”. But that’s the thing, days when your body feels at 100%, no niggles, no pains, well rested, ready to take on anything you throw at him are few and far between. Getting your workouts done even though your legs are barking at you is the rule rather than the exception.

      2. Reached out to them (NRG), and they said second half of Oct. (15-30th). Bummer.

      3. they got back to you before me then !!
         ty
         i suspect Coros are holding onto their exclusivity for a while. selling direct is more profitable

8. What last lap metrics are included? Are last lap averages included?

   1. there’s a few. these for running: last autolap dist/time, last lap hr/hr avg,last lap speedpace/speedpace avg.

      1. wait, what??! Are these available in the normal training views or just the screens flashing up right after a lap is completed? VV2 only?

         I don’t seem to have these available on my Vantage V and last lap speed/pace avg and time would be awesome for progressions and speed work.

      2. last lap metrics are vv2 only as of today ie to specifically add as a datafield

         you should get lap metrics on vv1…both autolap and if you press the red ‘lap’ button for a manual lap

      3. Thanks for the quick answer. Let’s hope last lap metrics find their way to the VV1 eventually. I’ve not seen them being mentioned anywhere besides your review, so at least it doesn’t look like polar is trying to differentiate the VV2 by having those.

      4. I hope you are right

9. Hate to be overly analytical, but at least 3 of the “totally new to Polar” features listed, are NOT totally new, they were in the v800 (and arguably a few others are derivatives)

   • Music control on your iOS/Android smartphone – v800 had this already
   • New watch faces – v800 had several choices (“new” is aesthetic, not functional differences)
   • New ‘last lap’ metrics – v800 had this already

   There is literally nothing new with any Vantage, that the v800 didn’t have, other than Fitspark and the “tests” being different (some of which are still the same since the v800 day, because they worked, the others are more “convenience” driven as far as I can tell)
   Yes, the Vantage have new features, but from a sport-tracking perspective, there is NOTHING new here for the 3rd generation in a row. And the activity tracking has been questionable as to whether it’s actually worse than was in the M4xx, 600, and v800 models.
   Still doesn’t support ANT+.
   Still has (permanently it appears) lost GymLink which allowed true, accurate, HR recording while swimming.
   STILL doesn’t have interchangeable “industry standard” watchbands (WHY????? The GritX has this, this is just FOOLISH!!!)
   This is NOT a “Vantage 2” even though they call it that, it’s a “Vantage+” at best.
   Is it better than the Vantage series? Yes. But that’s not saying much at this point. To do any route integration, you have to now use Komoot… but if you want a route not in your initial setup area, you have to pay MORE for Komoot to get other areas… with v800, you’d just upload whatever route you wanted, have a nice day, and get routes (and Strava Segments, GoPro controls, etc)…
   I just don’t get why it’s forgotten that this watch, and all Polar watches since the v800, are actually steps backwards, except the addition of color, touchscreen, and OHR, NONE of which improve the ability of the watch over the v800 when it comes to core, sport, functionality.
   Also worse GPS tracking still than v800 (or M430, M600)…
   But the battery life is 40 hours, versus 13 hours, so that matters to a small portion of their base.
   Sorry, just frustrating, when you get disappointed by someone you’ve been loyal to, time and again, it has to be vented. And stuck on round screens, when the square worked so flawlessly, and didn’t cut off corners on nearly every display forcing scrolling to be required when not needed. And not native power integration with Stryd (although the upcoming “Power Training” updates, may save a LITTLE face in that regard, waiting to be seen)…

   1. So much this! With Polar since 1998 or 99, Vantage V was my last product. They keep selling old features under new labels. And at less or worse functionality, at that. The old “proper” orthostatic test after Heikki Rusko was ditched, Recovery Status was ditched in favour of the less actionable Cardio Load. What basically was Own Zone is now Running Test, Flow is a mere shadow of the powerhouse PPT5 was. They bought a new much less accurate GPS chip for battery life which is important to a tiny fraction of their user base. They ditched functions like data fields (last lap) for the og Vantages only to reintroduce them now. That’s what I meant when i said they target newcomers. The maiden user will be impressed by those spec sheets, loyal Polar users look right through their marketing shenanigans.
      They had so many novel features back in the V800 and earlier days. To me it seems they replaced the whole software team, and lost old code. VantageV/M/V2, Ignite, Unite, GritX don’t feel like successors, building and improving on what’s already there, but like complete reboots of Polar’s line-up.

      1. I think there’s quite a difference between Own Zone test and the running performance test. Wasn’t Own Zone only estimating max HR and setting 1-2 zones for exercises based on HRV?

         The running test actually gets the real max HR, MAS, MAP, and updates pace/power zones accordingly. OR you can get MAS/MAP and zones based on pre-set max HR and submax effort.

      2. Yeah, OwnZone was pretty much a “get ya started easy, the first time out” feature from an accuracy perspective. Zones back then depended on the watch model (some had 3, some 5)… which was why I had a real fun time manually moving page after page of workouts from PPT to Flow, because they wouldn’t dynamically upgrade (due to zone mismatches on past models I determined from the export files).

         Fully agree with Flokon’s perspectives above, and that if this is an upgrade from “Fitbit/$100 models, to a “real” sportwatch, the “test suite” is potentially very useful. After 6 months though, that initial “getting into it” utility is 95% gone, and the basic feature/functionalities of sportwatch become the critical items, and those just aren’t improving even back to 5-years-ago standards.

         Compared to Coros, or Garmin, Suunto, etc, at these price points they all offer MUCH more than Polar, and wider compatibility by far (Polar is getting more into the corner, and the completely unreliable “KIckr Core/Kickr” pairing issues, makes them incompatible with what is likely the #1 selling “smart trainer” (not bike) on the market… so… where is the “new” market going to come from?
         I’d love to try out the V2 new “test suite” features, and have hill tracker (buggy though it’s reported to be) and the nutrition features, etc… but again, the CORE features (GPS, HR) are just simply not good enough and haven’t been since the Vantage changeover, and compared with the feature losses from v800 to new gens, and others in the game (and 3rd party training data services)…

         There is just no compelling reason for anyone new to a $500 watch, to look twice at Polar (and most stores, don’t even have Polar on display anymore, or just the Ignite and Unite (REI, private bike/running stores)… People are going to upgrade to what they can see and feel, and hear good buzz about… loyalists are going to die off the brand, realizing it’s a dead-end at this point.

         Coros Apex Pro Premium – $500, has every functional feature the V2, plus onboard maps, active compass (nice for hiking), ANT+, SpO2, standard changeable watchband, elevation acclimitization tracking, Sapphire glass… and I’m sure a lot more… don’t know why I’m still typing, need to update my Xmas list… LOL

10. Now, that you have tested V2, which one would you suggest FR745 or V2? Let’s say music and paying are not important, just sport features.

    1. easy one
       either way i would get H10/hrm-tri/pro and stryd
       then each pretty much do the job that the non-the5krunner would want.
       the 745 is too small for my tastes.

       945 vs vv2 would have been a harder question.

       1. Good point on the size. Can you please take a photo of both side by side? Thanks.

       2. you asked so politely…

          https://the5krunner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Capture-27.png

          vs 945 and i think the s720i

          I’m suspecting other aspects of this photo my change the direction of the debate.

       3. Thanx for the photo, that was fast. Such evolution, style has really come a long way. And V2 in this combination with grey metal housing and red band really looks nice, better than original combinations. FR745 is not so stylish, too much plastic and thicker bezel.

       4. Mmmm…coffee!!!

       5. it’s the best coffee as well. Illy. tightly pack it into a clean espresso machine. with a milk frother to get the milk temperature just right, i make a better latte than you can buy almost anywhere else. this pretty frother will change a latte lover’s life https://amzn.to/3nAhF18 , even more so if your kids like hot chocolate made with milk

11. I’ve got a V with H10 (oHR isn’t remotely accurate in my experience) and Stryd so the V2 isn’t that appealing as an upgrade. Apart from the new recovery tests the only item I’d really want to try out is the power-based structured workouts. If they’re anything like the HR based ones then they could be excellent for training.

    My V800 is still going strong (and the battery is fine), hoping the V keeps going without any issues until the V3 is launched.

    1. yes.
       I’m going to to try to get Polar to make the power workouts work on the V.

       1. If it works I’ll probably buy an old v800 – mine died 3 weeks before an IM race, so I had to urgently buy a Grit X (the only thing I like about it is the battery life). If power based workouts don’t come to Grit X, then I don’t see many reasons to keep it. You can still attach external power banks once a year to finish long races with v800.

       2. The V800 is my emergency backup, I love the fact that it just works even if it’s been sitting there unused for a couple of months. I make sure to keep the battery charged once a month and sync it at the same time.

       3. And Vantage M please 🙂

12. Nice watch but it’s pretty clear that polar has some problems to keep up with the bigger competitors. The economical difference between garmin ad polar it’s noticeable. I feel really bad for them because the were the best and some features are really good but at this price I feel more confident to buy a garmin watch and polar H10. Maybe coros will add some competition with a better version of Coros apex . Any news about version 2 of coros apex ?

    1. Polar’s model has been to put out incremental watches over long periods of time while slowly refining those models software.

       As for Coros, I think they’ve said there won’t be a Apex 2 (the Apex pro is kind of the Apex 2 in a fashion).

       Coros, as a Pro owner, Seems to believe in a unifed update and upgrade across their watches with nearly in lock step. Take the Pace 2 and the Stryd integration. After that, every other model got that update.

       Coros has a very high ceiling for growing their current devices, what they don’t have is any clue about how to really work with 3rd parties.

    2. yes.
       polar sell significantly more watches than coros. garmin significantly more than polar.
       polar’s strategy seems to be to mainly focus on sport-related features and key smart features, to appeal to the more sporty market and to the polar-fans.

       1. Polar sells more, because Polar is a long standing company with a long standing install base. If they were coming into the market fresh right now with this model, they’d be bought by Apple or Google within two fiscal years.

          Coros has a lot of potential as I have said before. They just can’t figure out how to play nice with 3rd parties beyond Strava and everything under the sun is paired with Strava.

          One other thing I want Coros to do and fix is uniformed time. Some things in the watch are exclusively on 24 hour time (the sunrise/set widget) and then in the app it is also in 24hr time. Just give us a option for one or the other, please. It’s not that I don’t understand 24hr time, but I don’t deal with it on a daily basis.

13. How does it adjust HR zones after taking the test? Does it still uses 90 80 70 60 50% based on the max HR, or does it set zone 5 to the anaerobic threshold and zone 3 to aereobic threshold values?

    1. One million dollar question, and unfortunately there’s no answer anywhere. But based on thresholds not found anywhere in V2 support pages, I’d imagine the only thing it could do is to set pace zones based on MAS.

    2. they use hrmax rather than ant/aet or %ant/lthr/obla
       https://www.polar.com/blog/running-heart-rate-zones-basics/
       however it may be different for this.

    3. My understanding is it just gives you the results, then if you want, you manually update your zones. The defaults are always “default” based on your max HR that you put in (I could be wrong on this, but that’s my general understanding)… it doesn’t “dynamically” change any settings.

       In their defense and contrary to a lot of perspectives saying it should be “automatic”, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as you might do a lab test and work hard to customize your zones based on very scientific/expensive data, and then to have the watch change it when you aren’t noticing and your next training zone-based run is all out of whack, would be irritating at a minimum.

       1. ha! exactly so.
          garmin changed mine and i cant change it back to get the auto LTHR detection working.

          but there SHOULD be an automatic process. just needs checks and balances and ways to reset it

          when these things change it affects EVERYTHING that flows from the zones…all the physiology metrics (garmin/polar…unless based on power.)

14. Hi,

    I’m looking into a new GPS watch for quite some time now. My Forerunner 935 developed some flaws over the last months – Elevation is to high in 95% of the time and sometimes totally off (up to 250% increase), heart rate readings are inaccurate especially in colder conditions (I had a intervall session this week and always when I picked up the pace for my 1200m reps the HR actually fell down for the time of the rep. Interestingly the watch seemed to catch the right HR again everytime I finished a rep and got into the rest phase). Both are things that bother me alot, but Garmin isn’t willing to offer a replacement as I’m out of the warranty period. 

    I initially planned to wait for the Forerunner 955 (especially the leaked LTE version – I hope for a possibility to send an emergency notification without needing a phone nearby). But as things get worse with my current Garmin, prices seem to creep up again with the new iterations. After releasing the 745 for 499€ I’m afraid the 955 will be 699€ at least. And no release date is on the horizon. Therefore I’m thinking of ditching Garmin and go for an Apex Pro or the new Vantage V2.

    I’m really curious about the power on wrist of the Vantage V2 and what you write in your review sounds really promising. But what scares me away is the lack of maps in comparison to Garmin as I’m hiking and trailrunning a lot. I learned to love the Strava route explorer lately and the easy export from the Strava routes to my Garmin watch. Do you know if that’s possible with the VV2 / Apex Pro? I’m hopefull that the navigation is atleast no step back from my 935.

    Long story short: What would be your suggestion for a new GPS watch right now? Vantage 2, Apex Pro and 945 are all in the same price range here in Germany right now. The 955 would be probably 200 more. The Coros Pace 2 on the other hand sounds great as well at a much cheaper price range, but this one has no navigation at all, right? I don’t care for swim metrics at all and on an occasional biking session GPS is all I need. My main focus would be running, trail running and hiking.

    I would appreciate your advice!

    All the best!

    1. If by maps you mean offline maps, only premium Garmin watches and Suunto 7 have them. If you mean GPS route guidance in general, V2 has it including turn-by-turn navigation. You can use Komoot for automatic route sync, or you can import your route manually from anywhere — Strava and the like. It works perfectly fine for trail navigation: I did it last week with Grit X going off common trails deep in the forest.

       COROS route guidance is not as good at the moment: it doesn’t have TBT, it doesn’t have automatic route import from anywhere, and to get a route on the watch, you have to export it as GPX file, get that file transferred to your watch, and opened in COROS app there. So, if you are used sitting in front of your desktop or laptop, setting up routes, and automatically pushing them to the watch, well… ain’t gonna be that easy with this iteration of COROS firmware.

       1. I think TBT would totally do the trick for me. Maps would sure be helpful if they are really detailed. At some occasions I missed a turn in the past or had to search for it 1-2 mins. But we are speaking single trails that you easily miss if you don’t know that they are supposed to be there. In such cases some fixpoints on a map would be helpful. But are Garmin’s maps THAT detailed on the 945? I think Suunto 7 is a no-go for me because of it’s battery life.

          Thanks for your help, Nick!

    2. hi
       noprobs
       1. 935: clean the barometer hole in the case
       2. electronic goods have a 2-year legal guarantee in the eu/uk regardless of what garmin says. that aside they still legally must be fit for purpose, you can decide if a Eu500 should only work for a bit over 2 years…I don’t think so.
       3. yes lte wont be cheap.
       4. garmin are prob the only sensible way to get TRUE maps onto the wrist unless you have devices that leverage a phone that you carry with you. so get the 945. (If you can work with a bread crumb trail/line and no rerouting abilities then the answer is different)
       5. power is cool. try the free garmin running power first if you are only intrigued
       6. pace 2 has no nav

       1. 1. I did that and it seemed to improve the barometer performance for normal runs. But then for a 7h hike it missed the mark by 1000m elevation (+40% of what I actually did).
          2. Unfortunately my watch is over 3 years old. Got it pretty close to the release. Garmin offered a refurbished 935 for ~140€, but I decided against that.
          3. Yeah and I would be willing to pay a premium for a safety feature that enables me to leave my phone at home. How high are the odds for that in your opinion?
          4. I think TBT would totally do the trick for me. Maps would sure be helpful if they are really detailed. At some occasions I missed a turn in the past or had to search for it 1-2 mins. But we are speaking single trails that you easily miss if you don’t know that they are supposed to be there. In such cases some fixpoints on a map would be helpful. But are Garmin’s maps THAT detailed on the 945?
          5. Haven’t known that this exists! Thanks! I’ll give it a shot!
          6. So this one is out for me.

          Many thanks for your help!!!

       2. watches with LTE have inbuilt phone capabilities but they require you to be within range of a phone mast. there are quite a few of them but they are smart watches like the apple watch . there could be some high end lte garmin out within the next 6 months .

15. Looking through the comments on DCR site, Ray is implying the Running Performance Test gives you aerobic/anaerobic thresholds. Is this true?

    I’ve searched all Polar docs and watched frame-by-frame the test results in a couple of videos about the test, but I fail to see anything other than VO2 Max, MAS, and MAP. Nor the thresholds are mentioned in the reports.

    1. polar never seems to explicitly work that way. (with Ant, AeT). but their 5 zones should give you the equivalent of those thresholds. Polar works as if there is automatically only one generic hr zone rather than one for each sport
       The official line is: Running performance test allows you to update Heart rate zones, speed zones and power zones. cycling performance test allows you to update power zones and VO2 max.

       1. So, the test *will* update the HR zones in running profiles, i.e. use AnT and AeT to set 5 zones setup but not explicitly state those values? What about AnT and AeT in user settings?

       2. 1 can update
          2 yes i think so, sort of
          3 where exactly are you thinking?

       3. In Polar Flow web, in upper right corner name/avatar -> Settings

          There are two fields for AeT and AnT as well as VO2Max, MAS, MAP and all that jazz. I’d imagine the running test should be updating these values in addition to HR zones.

          The reason I’m asking is because if the test indeed provides a stable, repeatable values on submax effort for AeT and AnT, this is huge. The alternative for me currently would be either to rely on guesstimates, or buy an LT blood monitor and perform the test myself, or head to the lab.

       4. ok right, i’m with you now.
          IDK is the answer.
          it must update them in some form but you’re asking if they are specifically targetted to be updated rather than incedentally coming out of an HRmax based zone determination (i believe)
          i asked related questions a couple of times but never got any of that back in an answer so i’m guessing that NO is the answer, otherwise they SHOULD be shouting more about it.

       5. Yeah, that’s what I thought. Emailed Polar support with explicit questions about AeT and AnT. It would be tricky to do AeT, though I feel Adidas SmartRun did get it in their assessment test years back, but AnT should be relatively straightforward. Not sure why they aren’t doing it.

       6. Let us know on their answer

       7. 3 days later, no reply from Polar. But reading closely through Polar support docs, it appears that heart rate zones are only updated after max HR test (not sub-max), and I have a feeling they are updated off the max HR achieved, i.e. it will be a standard issue 90/80/70%… setup Polar is doing by default.

          https://www.reddit.com/r/Polarfitness/comments/j7g88d/will_v2_running_performance_test_provide_ant_and/

       8. • Polar default training zones are not adjusted according to aerobic or anaerobic thresholds.
          • Current zone definitions are:
          o HR: 1) 50-60; 2) 60-70; 3) 70-80; 4) 80-90; 5) 90-100% of HRmax
          o Speed: 1) 55-70; 2) 70-85; 3) 85-100; 4) 100-115; 5) >115% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS)
          o Power (running): 1) 55-70; 2) 70-85; 3) 85-100; 4) 100-115; 5) >115% of maximal aerobic power (MAP)
          o Power (cycling) : 1) 60-70; 2) 70-80; 3) 80-90; 4) 90-100; 5) >100% of functional threshold power (FTP)
          • Default values for HRmax, MAS, MAP and FTP are determined based on user’s background information.
          • HRmax, MAS and MAP are determined from Running performance test. Once the test is conducted, user has an option to update default zones based on test results. Note that HRmax and consequent HR zone updates are only available through maximal test (submaximal test gives you MAS and MAP but not HRmax).
          • Cycling performance test determines FTP and gives an option to update power zones. HR zones are not updated from cycling test.
          • We would like to note that we currently offer custom zones. Thus, possibility to set training zones according to aerobic and anaerobic thresholds is available for those who have had their threshold determined.
          • Read more about how the current default training zones are defined: https://www.polar.com/sites/default/files/static/science/white-papers/polar-running-performance-test-white-paper.pdf

       9. This was provided by Polar?

       10. yes

       11. Thanx. Just curios, which way to define heart rate zones is better, from max hr and then divide heart rate zones according to percentages or from lthr?

       12. good question
           answer:
           1. monthly lab test for LTHR, tested each time in similar, caffeine-free conditions
           2. perhaps also a half-way test between those monthly tests where you find your LTHR when dosed-up with your race supplements like caffeine, as they will elevate your HR and hence change your zones.
           3. even then your zones could be wrong. if you’re even just an average athlete you should be able to use RPE to validate the Z2/Z3 boundary that your LTHR test predicts (lthr is Z4/Z5)

           years ago, I used to write LOTS of stuff on that topic on this blog. so there are various spreadsheets and calculators and charts if you search. I got distracted from all of that by gadgets.

           power zones are the way to go. with your zones automatically calculated from maximal efforts at different durations

       13. Thank you for explanation. I am asking from a point of recreational runner, not focused on lab tests, races but rather on improving running performance and fitness thru running plans. Is it enough to run fast for 30 min, then use average HR during last 20 min as LTHR and calculate zones in TP? Or buy Garmin watch which does it automatically for you? Regarding power I assume you are referring to Stryd. It means extra $$$ besides sports watch. OK, Polar and Garmin also work on power field. I mean, do you see benefit in power running for people who barely find time for running among job, family, kids etc?

       14. ah, you asked for the best way 😉
           yes go hard for 30 mins and take the best (last) 20.
           there are various platforms which will automatically calculate stuff for you for free (eg golden cheetah,runalyze…many more)
           coros/suunto/polar/garmin all have flavours of run power
           I guess bannister broke the 4-minute mile with a stopwatch and running shoes. none of this tech is a requirement.

       15. Cheers. 🙂

16. Do You think vv2 will receive ANT connection ??

    Heard that even vv1 was capable

    1. i think that ship has sailed.

17. Ha, a no gimmick, pure bread sports watch. Eat it G-brand.

    I don’t get why a con is the price tho, don’t buy it now. Simpel.

    Wait a year and by doing so, you also aren’t a beta tester for Polar.
    No one in their right mind would be a Garmin upon it’s release, right?. 😉

    The “old” V is currently sold for around 350€ and the average price
    for over a year now, according to some price comparing website, has been 390€.
    Since the V is from 2018 and the price for it was around 390€ in 2019,
    wait a year and all the kinks will be ironed out and you’ll get it for a fair price.

    If you are in need for a new sports watch right now, why not buy a 2nd hand
    one of ebuy as an inbetween? That’s even a great opportunity to test out
    a different brand imho. Here in my country the Suuntos are sold pretty
    cheap on ebuy for example.

    What I don’t like about the new V2 is how the buttons are integrated into the case.
    I find the way it was done on the “old” V more appealing. Even moreso I wouldn’t
    mind a square watch at all.

    1. buttons on vv2 are very similar, perhaps they are very very slightly more recessed than vv1?
       yes vv2 price will fall over time, i think one reason for releasing now is that the price can be maintained leading up to christmas…we will see.
       i would say the firmware is stable now. it’s effectively the same that has been developed with grit/vv1/ignite over the last 2 years. i’ve found a couple of minor bugs but nothing at all that concerns me. garmin has got better on this front too and for a similar reason.

18. I have the Vantage M and I don’t like the sync-time (BT) for uploading trainings.
    Question: Is the upload with the vantage v2 faster now?

    1. no, sy. still fairly slow on bt and cable.
       although it depends what is syncing eg if you have routes

19. Excellent review!
    I think it is very good to have nice GPS tracks, however using Stryd it is not necessary to have the best one for correct distance and pace reasons. It is also very good to have accurate WHR on your whatch, however it is always better to have chest strap or at least good  OHR (Polar OH1+, Scosche..) for exact monitoring of HR during activity.
    However, accurate WHR is crucial for sleep and recovery monitoring and all 24/7 associated metrics. Does any comparison dealing with 24/7 metrics monitoring and interpretation exist or what is your feeling (opinion) about it, if you compare different Polar, Garmin, Suunto or Coros sport whatches.
    Thank you

    1. exactly so. Welcome to the H10 + STRYD club)

       Most oHR/WHR is relatively accurate at resting levels.

       1. thanks. And as for these 24/7 metrics interpretation, do you favorize Polar, Garmin or another app. (ecosystem) ?

       2. garmin is the most extensive, for sure.
          polar gives me what i need

20. Great review !
    What you recommend for training purpose, the Polar Vantage 2 or the Garmin 745 ?
    What you think is the best one ( about the features, workout suggest…) ?

    1. garmin has more features.
       I like the features of the polar for my training, especially running power support
       neither device meets my needs perfectly

       1. Thank you !

21. Hi! does the watch also have real time audio coaching during running for example?

    1. no, sy

    2. This feature is available in Polar Beat app, for what I know

22. Third party chest straps are compatible with Ortho Test (At least the Decathlon one).
    Were compatible also on the VV1.

23. Hi,
    Do you think it always makes sense to buy a Polar V2 today?
    I’m still debating whether I should keep my Suunto S9B (nothing really bad to say about it…GPS is top notch, so is altimeter, simple interval counters covers 95% of my needs, despite having a heavily structured running training plan, navigation and more importantly its integration with the SuuntoApp and heatmaps is second to none as a tool to create routes, ans lap swimming works damn well (as precise as the Fenix 6 I had for a year). Operation is as straightforward as it gets….
    But…I like trying new things 🙂
    I’ve almost bought a Rival, but I’m pretty sure that’ll miss navigation features some days (namely during vacations…)…but I’m still hyped by Wahoo marketing (the touchless transition is nice, but frankly, for the 2 or 3 HIM and one IM I do in a year, I can long press a button during transition, it won’t make any difference to how far from the podium I’ll end 🙂 ).

    The V2 (or Grit X Pro) seems to blend what I like from Suunto (Scandinavian approach, design, useful features that are easy to access) and the geeky stuff from Garmin (recovery insights, tests, workouts, navigation and Strava live segments).

    I can’t see any real drawback to the V2?
    (and if one day Wahoo releases breadcrumb navigation on the Rival, which they stated as in development…I might go into the same process of buying/not buying….)

    1. it sounds like all I have to do is tell you that the V2 has a nicer shade of black and you’d jump for it !! 🙂
       V2 is a good watch. if you are looking for a drawback then lack of CIQ type features might be it. With your Suunto at least you have Suunto Plus

       1. Well, CIQ field is typically the kind of stuff that the geek in me finds incredibly nice but….that I never use actually.
          SuuntoPlus fields are nice but I rarely use them also (sprints…but the lag between you actually sprinting and the display/time displayed at the end is bothering me….SuuntoClimb is nice for my very moderately hilly region…Where hill splitter might be as efficient.

          Actually I find lots of things nice in the V2 – at least bu reading reviews.

          You can probably answer to this question: on the V2, during lap swimming, do the watch automatically splits intervals when detecting pauses at the wall (like Garmins and Suunto…and the Rival?) or do you have to press lap to keep track of the intervals?

       2. i cant remember for sure.
          but i’m reasonably sure it’s automatic (just had a look at my last polar pool sessions a while back and it had lots of pauses that i don’t think i would have bothered to press lap for)
          i think even the verity sense auto records swim pauses.

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