Polar Vantage V3 Running Watch Review
The Polar Vantage V3 positions itself as a competitor to the Garmin Forerunner 965 in the running watch market. With recent advancements in features and design, it aims to close the gap that Polar has faced in innovation compared to its rivals. This review evaluates its design, accuracy, battery life, and connectivity.
Design of the Polar Vantage V3
The Polar Vantage V3 boasts a sleek and recognizable design that’s distinctly Polar. It features a prominent 1.39-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels, housed within a lightweight yet durable aluminum case. At a weight of 57 grams, it is slightly heavier than the Garmin Forerunner 965, but still comfortable for long wear.
The display is vibrant and clear, providing excellent visibility in various lighting conditions. While it is not at the level of an Apple Watch, it competes well against the Forerunner 965 and new Suunto Race models. The touch responsiveness is generally reliable, although there were occasions when the raise-to-wake feature lagged.
One point of critique is the silicone strap. Users may find it less comfortable than nylon alternatives common in other models, as adjusting it for workouts versus daily wear proved to be a challenge. Comparatively, the Garmin Forerunner 965 offers a more comfortable user experience with its silicone strap.
Accuracy of the Polar Vantage V3
In terms of accuracy, the Polar Vantage V3 was put to the test against competitors like the Suunto Race and Garmin Forerunner 965. Its dual-frequency GPS system performed commendably, offering precise measurements for distances and detailed GPS tracks. However, in lower-power modes, the accuracy faltered significantly, resulting in unreliable distance readings and unusable GPS trails.
When assessing heart rate monitoring capabilities, the new Prime sensor setup was compared against chest straps, including the Polar H10. Overall, the Vantage V3’s optical sensor provided consistent results, particularly during steady-paced runs, indicating a strong performance against the H10. In interval training, it outperformed the Suunto Race, which displayed lag and erratic readings.
Battery Life of the Polar Vantage V3
The Polar Vantage V3 claims a GPS training time of 61 hours, extending to 140 hours in power-saving mode. In practical tests, a one-hour run in high GPS accuracy mode consumed only 3% battery, suggesting a competitive efficiency similar to its rivals. However, the performed results were not quite aligned with the advertised 61-hour claim.
In regular use, without intense training sessions, the battery usage remained modest, using around 5% overnight with the Always On Screen feature disabled. Notably, Polar appears to have addressed previous issues with excessive nighttime battery drain.
Nevertheless, when compared to Garmin, the Vantage V3’s smartwatch capabilities are somewhat limited, lacking features like contactless payments or support for music streaming services such as Spotify and Deezer.
Connectivity Features of the Polar Vantage V3
Users have reported difficulties connecting and syncing the Polar Vantage V3 with the Polar Flow app, often requiring repeated pairings and manual syncs post-run. This contrasts with Garmin’s more seamless integration process. Despite these concerns, the review unit operated without issues, though complaints about the watch freezing or experiencing screen glitches have been noted in user forums. Ongoing software updates may potentially resolve these bugs.
Technical Specifications
| Display | AMOLED |
|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels |
| Display Size | 1.39 inches |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+ |
| Weight | 57g |
About the Reviewer
Kieran Alger, an ultramarathon runner and professional product tester, used the Polar Vantage V3 extensively in varying conditions over a four-week period. His evaluation included both long-distance runs and regular gym sessions, providing a comprehensive overview of the watch’s performance.