I’m actually really looking close at the Coros. Probably my #1 choice at this point. But I want to cover all my bases. When I do stop annoying people on slowtwitch about a watch I want it to be for a very long time.
I got the V and besides a few very annoying glitches that seem to be software-related, I really really like it. The battery life is outstanding. The swim tracking is pretty good. I don’t care about smartphone notifications, so that is less important to me… the screen is really good. And I love how it backlights up when you flip your wrist up to look at it (when running at night this is AMAZING).
So yes, so far, mixed reviews 
It will talk to my new power meter (Assioma).
-Eric
Hello Eric
I’m with a suunto spartan ultra and I’m wanting to go to the polar vantage v
Could you tell me a little more?
Do you know the spartan?
What do you think about the change ?
Thank you
PM me. I actually owned the spartan trainer and the vantage M for a month, then returned the spartan trainer. I have a detailed comparison I messaged to another user. Given the choice between the Suunto 9 and the vantage V I think I would go with the Suunto. But I’m happy with the Vantage M instead of the spartan trainer.
I’ve been using a Vantage V for about a month after having an original fenix 5 since its release (the last version w/o wifi since I work in a facility that doesn’t allow wifi devices). As a long-time fenix user, it seems like for every feature on the Vantage that I really like, there seems like there are at least 2 or 3 things missing. It’s hard to describe, but from a software stand-point, it just doesn’t seem to be a finished product. From what I can tell, Polar users seem to be anxiously waiting for the next firmware update to see where it’s heading.
I looked at the Coros too but I really like Polar flow, the vantage M is cheaper, and good triathlon watches need 4 or 5 buttons. Not one button and a touchscreen. Not three buttons and a touchscreen. Not one and a dial. 5 buttons-up, down, select, back, and light/calibrate. I run and bike and ski with gloves. No way I’m turning a dial while skiing up a hill or when swimming.
If I had more money I would have bought the 935 or the Suunto 9.
I’ve been using a Vantage V for about a month after having an original fenix 5 since its release (the last version w/o wifi since I work in a facility that doesn’t allow wifi devices). As a long-time fenix user, it seems like for every feature on the Vantage that I really like, there seems like there are at least 2 or 3 things missing. It’s hard to describe, but from a software stand-point, it just doesn’t seem to be a finished product. From what I can tell, Polar users seem to be anxiously waiting for the next firmware update to see where it’s heading.
Yeah, that’s a good way to put it. For every + there’s several -.
-Eric
DCRainmaker’s take - https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/02/polar-vantage-m-multisport-review.html
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I really wanted to like this watch but after that review the 735xt is looking a lot better for just an extra $50.
The big downside for the 735 is you need to go under 10 hours to avoid the battery running out. Which worked fine on my first Ironman with it but hasn’t worked that well for the 2 following I suppose you can also take that as a motivation
Or you can use it as an excuse to don’t do anything over 70.3 ;). I don’t plan on doing any full distance triathlons in the near future, doing sprints and olys at the moment, I’m still trying to conquer the half.
How’s the lap pool swimming functionality? It looks like the Polar has auto lap/pause similar to Suunto. Can one also record laps/intervals manually via button push? How reliable is it at measuring laps/distance? Also, treadmill running - how accurate is it without a foot pod?
How’s the lap pool swimming functionality? It looks like the Polar has auto lap/pause similar to Suunto. Can one also record laps/intervals manually via button push? How reliable is it at measuring laps/distance? Also, treadmill running - how accurate is it without a foot pod?
Pool swimming functionality is really good. Tracks stroke type, distance, automatic rest periods and heart rate. You can also hit the lap button and do laps manually. The auto laps/distance measurement is the best of any watch I’ve had between fenix 3 suunto spartan trainer, tomtom multisport and 310xt. On strava/tp, it won’t show rest periods as you resting-it’ll just show entire time, and distance swam. Only if you hit lap manually will it show the lap on strava or training peaks, though each length shows on polar flow.
Not done any treadmill running. If I did I’d get a stryd footpod.
Thanks - that sounds promising. Should I use the combination of the lap button and then the pause button or if I use only the lap button will the Polar V still recognize/measure rest between intervals and auto start when I push off the wall for the next lap/interval?
The big downside for the 735 is you need to go under 10 hours to avoid the battery running out. Which worked fine on my first Ironman with it but hasn’t worked that well for the 2 following I suppose you can also take that as a motivation
That’s why I ended up with 935. I’ll want to keep it for at least 3 years and can’t predict if I’ll be doing an IM. I’d hate to have to buy another watch
It recognizes when you are actually swimming vs standing at the end of the lane. Just don’t turn around in the middle of a length or switch strokes during a length. Sometimes I just hit pause (bottom left) to do drills or kicksets, then start when I want to swim again.
I’ve got the Vantage V currently and have been using it for the past two months for all my training, which was for a 50K I ran 1.5 weeks ago.
Auto-sync has been on and off for me, but frankly when it doesn’t work just holding the back button to make it happen isn’t an issue for me. The lack of ANT+ hasn’t been a problem as so many device makers have both Bluetooth and ANT+, so no issue there. Notifications haven’t yet come to either unit, but the V is getting back to start and navigation (along with notifications) this month, which will be useful for me. I have a Fenix 5x to compare it to and though I like having maps for when I’m lost in the woods, I’m not yet convinced the size of the unit is worth having that “just in caseâ€, feature.
When it comes down to it, it’s hard to compare the three big companies (Garmin, Polar, Suunto) fairly as Garmin is leaps and bounds beyond the other two, rather inexplicably so. You just have to decide which features matter most to you and which company’s basket you want your eggs in. If your jam is triathlon, Garmin or Polar, especially if you want recovery data, etc… as both platforms offer running and cycling GPS units and sync activity data across the board. Suunto doesn’t have a cycling unit, but if you do ultra/trail/hiking/travel, then Suunto or Garmin will be a better bet if you want more “durable†(e.g., sapphire glass)) units with more navigation features and watch faces that put elevation, sunset/sunrise times, time zone, etc… in reach easily.
All this to say, the new Polar line is great if you like Scandinavian design useful recovery/performance data and a lower price tag.
I’ve got the Vantage V currently and have been using it for the past two months for all my training, which was for a 50K I ran 1.5 weeks ago.
Auto-sync has been on and off for me, but frankly when it doesn’t work just holding the back button to make it happen isn’t an issue for me. The lack of ANT+ hasn’t been a problem as so many device makers have both Bluetooth and ANT+, so no issue there. Notifications haven’t yet come to either unit, but the V is getting back to start and navigation (along with notifications) this month, which will be useful for me. I have a Fenix 5x to compare it to and though I like having maps for when I’m lost in the woods, I’m not yet convinced the size of the unit is worth having that “just in caseâ€, feature.
When it comes down to it, it’s hard to compare the three big companies (Garmin, Polar, Suunto) fairly as Garmin is leaps and bounds beyond the other two, rather inexplicably so. You just have to decide which features matter most to you and which company’s basket you want your eggs in. If your jam is triathlon, Garmin or Polar, especially if you want recovery data, etc… as both platforms offer running and cycling GPS units and sync activity data across the board. Suunto doesn’t have a cycling unit, but if you do ultra/trail/hiking/travel, then Suunto or Garmin will be a better bet if you want more “durable†(e.g., sapphire glass)) units with more navigation features and watch faces that put elevation, sunset/sunrise times, time zone, etc… in reach easily.
All this to say, the new Polar line is great if you like Scandinavian design useful recovery/performance data and a lower price tag.
Very well said.
Swimming in Yards based pools - problem with the distance displayed.
I’ve been swimming a 40 yards (yep that’s right, 40 yards) pool.
I set the pool distance to this in the watch (and defo in yards not metres).
It’s showing the distance display in yards too.
But… at each lap its actually showing the yards-equivalent of it being a 40 Metre pool. So for example after 5 lengths, instead of showing 200 yards, its actually showing 218 yards (ie equiv to 200m).
Ive re-set and reried 2 or 3 more times and get the same fault, inc if I use the pre-set 25 yard pool option too.
If I set to say 25m then it gives the right distance.
Anyone else had this problem ?
S/w isup to date, and same incorrect data shows on Polar Flow if I Upload.
I would argue the opposite, Garmin hardware in my experience is much lower quality, software platform is abysmal and they tend to just stop supporting products on a whim.
I would run not walk away from Garmin every day all day.
Is have you found any issues using your Vantage with the Wahoo Tickr?
I am wearing my Polar M 24/24 since nearly a year. It just works and as mentioned above you charge once per week and can track your daily commute without problems.
If ever you are hesitating because of BT only: there is a nice HR monitor from 4iiii (called Viiiiva) that converts a Ant+ (from your cycle PM for example) into BT. I used this when I wanted to have PM data on the same time on the Polar Vantage M and the iPhone (for Rouvy or Zwift).