Polar Vantage V2 : Not enough of an upgrade

An effective training companion that’s packed with features but the Grit X is nearly as good and cheaper

Light and comfortable; New running fitness, cycling and leg recovery tests; Polar Flow is still great;

Lacks full maps; No local music storage;

Polar Vantage V2 in review: Great sports watch with useful smartwatch functions

Up and down. The hill splitter, which determines a separate pace on routes with inclines and declines, has been taken over by the successor of the Vantage V from the Grit-X. In addition, Polar adds further smartwatch functions with remote control for the smartphone player.

The sensors of the Polar watch were convincing in the test. This is not only true for the GPS and th...

good battery life; easy to read always-on display; customizable training screens; Multi-band GPS; Workout planning; Strava Live segments; compatible with running and cycling sensors; Pace for incline/decline;

no pulse oximetry; no motion detection; no quick settings;

Polar Vantage V2 review

So you want a watch that’ll track you through your workouts then back you through your recovery? With a full suite of fitness and feedback features, the Vantage V2 might be just the multi-sport wearable you need. There’s not much to customise and it won’t worry your smartwatch – which is sort of the point. The Vantage V2 is a training tool through and through. If you can look past the laggy touchscreen and the absence of apps, it’s one of the most feature-packed fitness aids around, with all manner of modes to support you before, during and after exercise. It’s also an alluring addition to any workout outfit, with a seamless aluminium shell that subtly stands out from the outdoor crowd. Add connected music controls and useful power saving settings – plus the fact that it’s significantly cheaper than several close competitors – and the Polar Vantage V2 proves an appealing package.

Alluring aluminium shell; Extensive recovery feedback; Connected music controls;

Stuttering touchscreen; Not much to customise; No apps or offline playlists;

Polar Vantage V2 review review

Alluring aluminium shell; Extensive recovery feedback; Connected music controls;

Stuttering touchscreen; Not much to customise; No apps or offline playlists;