Polar has simply introduced their Vantage M3, a watch that goals to finish a trio of watch {hardware} choices from the corporate, and finally, full their transition to AMOLED gadgets. I kinda actually thought that they’d skip making an M3 and would let the Polar Pacer line deliver up the rear, however M3 it’s. Finally, it doesn’t a lot matter what they name it, as a result of as you’ll see, the variations are purely {hardware} primarily based.
And that’s the notable factor. Over the past 12 months (nearly to the day), Polar has now launched three AMOELD watches: First, the Vantage V3 final October, then the Grit X2 Professional final March, and now the Vantage M3. All watches AMOLED, all with mapping, and all with equivalent software program options. Sure, equivalent. The concept being that customers can select which {hardware} they need, with the variations merely being exterior case/band design, battery life, and show dimension. That’s it. And Polar says that’s the course going ahead as effectively, and doubled down on that by asserting their subsequent set of options for early 2025 that’ll come to all three watches.
In any case, I’ve been testing the M3 for the final couple of minutes, placing it although it’s paces on runs, rides, swims, and all the pieces in between – together with simply 24×7 put on. I’ve bought a reasonably good really feel for the place it really works effectively, and the place it falls a bit brief. With that, let’s dive into it.
What’s New:
In some methods, that is a simple part, as a result of the reply is ‘not loads’, when in comparison with the Vantage M2, a minimum of by way of massive ticket gadgets. Nonetheless, the satan is within the element, as a result of there’s truly a ton of little ticket gadgets which have been rolled into the Vantage V3/Grit X2 Professional software program platform over the past yr, which may in any other case be omitted. In any occasion, right here’s what’s new:
– Switched from MIP-based show to 1.28” AMOLED show
– New show consists of touchscreen (that M2 didn’t have)
– Switched from 2nd Gen Optical HR sensor to 4th Gen Sensor
– Added SpO2 monitoring
– Added Pores and skin Temperature Monitoring
– Added ECG function (notice: doesn’t embody Afib detection)
– Added dual-frequency/dual-band GPS/GNSS
– Added offline maps (sure, full colour offline maps)
– Added route/navigation following/steering
– Added voice steering (with paired headphones)
– Added Hill Splitter function
– Added watch face widgets/changes
– Added Restoration Professional with Orthostatic Check
– Added SleepWise
– Added FuelWise
– Added Strolling Check, Working Check, Biking Check
– Added Vertical Velocity & VAM metrics
– Added 3D Velocity
– Added operating energy
– Added show flashlight function
– Added barometer (M2 didn’t have one)
– Weight is 53g, case dimension is 44mm broad and 12mm thick
– Makes use of normal 22mm bands
– Show is Gorilla Glass 3
– Bezel is stainless-steel
– Maintained identical 7 day smartwatch & 30 hours GPS monitoring spec
– Inside storage is 32GB (identical as Vantage V3/Grit X2 Professional)
– Processor is 275Mhz, RAM is 37MB, and battery is 310mAh
– Show is 325ppi @ max brightness of 1,500 nits
– Helps temp vary from -20*C to +50*C (identical as Vantage V3/Grit X2 Professional)
– USB-C charging cable utilizing identical as Vantage V3/Grit X2 Professional
– Worth is $399USD/EUR or 349GBP. Provided in white or black
– Battery is totally replaceable through Polar Restore Heart (sure markets)
Right here’s a couple of photographs of it (and clearly, there’s your entire video of footage up above, together with a person interface tour):
I feel it seems fairly good truly, particularly the accents and button design.
So then, what’s the distinction between the three watches? Effectively in brief:
– Grit X2 Professional is $749USD, Vantage V3 is $599USD
– Vantage V3 & Grit X2 Professional have 43HRS GPS & 140hrs in Eco Coaching Mode, vs 30hrs/70hrs on Vantage M3
– Grit X2 Professional/Vantage V3 is 1.39” show, M3 is 1.28” show
– Grit X2 Professional/Vantage V3 have 1,050 nit show, M3 is 1,500 nits
– Grit X2 Professional has 100m water resistance, Vantage M3/V3 have 50m water resistance
– Grit X2 Professional has 810H sturdiness mil spec, others don’t
– Grit X2 Professional/Vantage V3 has 1.39” AMOLED show, M3 has 1.28” show
– Grit X2 Professional is sapphire crystal glass, versus M3 is Gorilla Glass
– Grit X2 Professional has a stainless steal case, Vantage V3 has an aluminum case, plastic case
– Vantage M3 doesn’t have audible alerts, simply vibration alerts
– All three have some type of metallic bezel
Right here’s a take a look at all of them side-by-side:
And from the aspect:
I’ll end up saying I’m nonetheless a bit stunned Polar determined to proceed the M3 sequence. Whereas long-time Polar regulars/followers will perceive the variations between the M & V sequence, most individuals new to the model gained’t simply decode these on first sight/search. Thus, I’d have thought that the Polar Pacer/Pacer Professional sequence/branding would have made extra sense to deliver up the rear (plus Grit + Vantage sequence). Clearly, corporations like Garmin have much more byzantine and sprawling naming and mannequin layouts, however given Polar’s purpose of attracting new prospects, simplification is vital. In any case, I needed to match my two cents in right here someplace. I’m positive we’ll speak about it extra within the FIT File Podcast.
A Look At Accuracy:
Now, taking a Fast Take a look at accuracy, on the entire issues appear fairly good – and appear truly improved over the Vantage V3 & Polar Grit X2 Professional that I’ve examined over the previous yr. It’d be fascinating to see if updates arrive on these watches to deal with HR accuracy points I’ve seen from an optical coronary heart fee sensor standpoint.
In any occasion, let’s take a look at a handful of exercises from the previous couple of minutes, beginning with final night time’s interval exercise:
Right here you’ll be able to se that is just about spot-on, albeit with a couple of second delay on among the interval restoration items. However no main errors right here to be involved about.
The identical is true of one other interval (operating) exercise from a couple of days prior, additionally very strong efficiency there:
In the meantime, a coach exercise I did was OK-ish. Not wonderful, however not dangerous both. Only a tiny bit latent at instances that you just don’t normally see optical HR sensors be latent on indoor exercises (open air is completely different).
Nonetheless, the center fee accuracy on this longer trip was positively scorching dumpster hearth mess standing. Whereas some watches battle open air on roads, this could have been fairly straightforward, however alas, you’ll be able to see the battle bus was actual.
Switching over to some GPS tracks, total issues look moderately good right here. For instance, I did an interval run with a gazillion loops round this circuit, and the tracks are very a lot spot-on:
Some very slight variations (by a couple of meters) between watches, however all very shut:
Right here’s one other run, this one from final night time, a bit extra meandering at first:
Notably, this part new some high-rise lodges/buildings, the M3 did battle barely in comparison with the Apple Watch Collection 10, and Garmin Fenix 8. Not massively, however only a tiny bit chopping some corners:
That stated, up within the mountains on twisty-turning roads whereas biking (together with at velocity), it had zero points nailing the tracks:
And talking of these mountains, right here’s the elevation profile. I see a couple of meters distinction to the devoted bike computer systems, however it’s a reasonably constant offset, and total, very shut:
Finally, Polar appears to have executed a usually good job with each coronary heart fee and GPS accuracy on the Polar Vantage M3, throughout each these units above, in addition to different exercises I’ve executed with it.
New Options Subsequent 12 months:
Along with asserting the Polar Vantage M3, Polar has additionally introduced a brand new software program replace for the M3/V3 & Grit X2 Professional, that’ll come early subsequent yr someday (Q1 2025). That replace has 4 core elements (screenshots under):
– Including new watch faces
– Including a brand new exercise launcher
– Including POI (factors of curiosity) information to the offline maps
– Including ‘Discover my Telephone’ function
Notably, with the POI function, you’ll be able to each present and navigate to varied POI factors. Do notice that POI is completely different then highway/path names.
Right here’s what the brand new exercise launcher will appear like (photos all from Polar):
After which the brand new discover my cellphone function:
After which lastly the brand new watches:
As well as, in that very same Q1 2025 timeframe, Polar will (lastly) roll out TrainingPeaks integration for structured exercises. Thus, you’ll be capable to push a structured exercise from TrainingPeaks to your Polar Circulation account, after which onwards to your watch.
Notably, it will mainly assist nearly each midway latest Polar Watch from the final lengthy whereas, together with:
– Grit X, X Professional, X2 Professional
– Vantage M, Vantage M2, Vantage M3
– Vantage V, Vantage V2, Vantage V3
– Nacho Cheese, Nacho Cheese Professional
– Ingite, Ignite 2, Ignite 3
– M200, M400, M430, M460
– Pacer, Pacer Professional
– Unite
– Circulation for Coach, Circulation for Net Service
Obtained all that? Good. I’ll dig into it as soon as it’s launched subsequent yr.
Closing Ideas:
Whereas I’ve been important of Polar’s pricing of their different two new watches (Vantage V3, and particularly Grit X2 Professional), I feel the Polar Vantage M3 is definitely fairly moderately priced for a considerably premium mid-range watch (by way of seems/really feel). Polar actually has the backend options now on the Polar Circulation platform to justify a $399 worth level, even when that Polar Circulation platform is displaying a little bit of age lately. By way of the M3 and my testing over the previous whereas, it’s usually doing effectively by way of accuracy and value throughout exercises. I’ve seen a pair bizarre show quirks (reminiscent of seen whereas recording my video), however on the entire issues are working as anticipated.
If I take a look at Polar going ahead although, they actually need to broaden and make investments extra of their firmware (and platform) growth groups. Given the following function replace is 3-6 months away (relying on when in Q1 2025 it lands), we’re speaking mainly a yr between function updates for his or her watch platform. And stated deliberate replace set is barely 4 options, 3 of that are fairly minor. Most of their rivals are dropping 3-5x that variety of function updates every quarter, throughout huge swaths of watches (see COROS or Garmin, and even Suunto in case you embody their flotilla of apps they develop every quarter).
That stated, I feel Polar is heading in the right direction hardware-wise, and I enormously admire the idea of a single software program platform (and single set of options) shared throughout quite a few {hardware} choices. Thus, you’ll be able to choose which worth level matches your price range and nonetheless have the identical software program options because the watch twice the value. I really like that idea, and want extra corporations would do it. However that may’t come on the expense of sluggish function growth.
Nonetheless, I feel for the meantime, the Polar Vantage M3 will probably be a strong improve possibility for present Polar customers that will personal a large swath of older Polar watches that may be ripe for improve to one thing just like the M3, gaining these customers a heap of options.
With that – thanks for studying!
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