Polar's new software makes me (almost) want to switch from Garmin

Polar's new software makes me (near) want to switch from Garmin

(Image credit: Futurity/Tom'southward Guide)

In addition to launching two new watches this week — the Grit 10 Pro and the Grit X Titan — Polar released deals of its Vantage V2 iii.0 software and two new watches in the Vantage V2 series.

The existing Polar Vantage V2 is a multisport scout aimed mainly at runners who want to go along rail of all their grooming, as well as their recovery data. With upwardly to 40 hours of battery life with GPS, running and cycling performance tests and sleep tracking, information technology's like shooting fish in a barrel to come across how the V2 apace became one of the best running watches on our listing.

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On Oct 6, Polar appear a software update for the Vantage V2, which volition roll out to Polar users on October 20. The software update will give Vantage V2 users new outdoor and navigation features.

The Vantage V2 line is also expanding with two new watches. The Polar Vantage V2 Shift is the largely the same as the Vantage V2 but with a different, easily exchangeable wristband. The Vantage V2 Shift comes in silvery or black, with a perforated leather wristband and a functional FKM wristband, with a quick-release bar that allows you to swap between the ii. The Vantage V2 Shift costs $549.95 and is available now.

Polar as well announced the Polar Vantage V2 Red, which is the same sentinel in a new, brighter colorway.

Polar Vantage V2 3.0 software — what to expect

The software update gives Polar Vantage V2 users some of the latest features from the new Dust X Pro watches. Compared to Garmin, the Vantage V2 e'er had some gaps, for example, the lack of music onboarding and map navigation on the watch. The new update addresses some of these problems.

We received a sample of the new Polar Vantage V2 Crimson, which is extremely bright on the wrist, and came loaded with the new software, which will be released on October 20. Here are the main updates for users:

New outdoor features: including an e'er-on altimeter, location coordinates, sunrise, sunset, and twilight times, and a compass. When we got the sentry out of the box, the spotter screen displayed the sunrise and dusk times, but this can exist customized in settings.

New road and acme profiles: While Polar still doesn't accept its own map feature (users have to sign upward to Kamoot to load maps onto the lookout man), the update does amend the routes role on the picket with the new 'Track Back' feature, which lets you navigate dorsum to the start of your run or ride from the watch.

A new Eye Rate Sensor mode: which allows you to employ the sentinel as a heart charge per unit sensor, which you can connect to gym equipment or mobile apps via Bluetooth.

Polar Vantage V2 3.0 software — the verdict

It seems that Polar is focusing its attending on its Grit X line, every bit for now, there's no give-and-take of a new Vantage running picket hitting the market. While the updates to the Polar Vantage V2 software are beneficial for runners who similar to explore, they aren't anything particularly new.

The similarly priced Garmin Precursor 745 has always had the power to create staff of life nibble trails and top profiles, likewise every bit other useful features, such as distance to destination, and the Climbpro ascent planner. Hopefully, we'll see further releases soon which volition permit Polar Vantage V2 users to improve what is already a brilliant running watch.

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Jane McGuire is Tom's Guide's Fitness editor, which ways she looks after everything fitness related - from running gear to yoga mats. An gorging runner, Jane has tested and reviewed fitness products for the past four years, and so knows what to await for when finding a good running watch or a pair of shorts with pockets large enough for your smartphone. When she'south not pounding the pavements, you lot'll find Jane striding circular the Surrey Hills, taking far too many photos of her puppy.