Is The Polar Pacer Pro A Great Value?

[@DesFit]

Great review, Matt! I agree, it's a good value when compared to Polar's lineup and nice to see some of those nice-to-have features added. And don't lose too much blood with these reviews ;)

[@mlegrand]

I know right? 🩸 Thanks Des!

[@seanvk]

Good review and I concur. It’s a competitive price for core features. I tend to fall into the habit of comparing to the high end and you bring that back to earth in your review.

[@mlegrand]

Honestly, I think it compares very well to something like a Vantage V2. It's missing some of the testing options but I've only really used those to learn about and report on them. It is missing a touch screen which is a nice thing to have on Polar. I like having the quick menu options. Thanks Sean for checking this one out.

[@alicksasylum]

@@mlegrand Agree but, I can do without a touch screen.

[@logicsetsyoufree9052]

Very good, honest and non biased review. Subscribed and looking forward to more reviews. Also your delivery was just fine. Don’t beat yourself up over fumbling words. Barley noticed until you pointed it out in another comment. Great Job!💜

[@mlegrand]

I've made many videos and many mistakes. I don't stress out too much but it's hard to see a published video with mistakes that you can't fix. Thank you so much for watching and subscribing. I am planning on reviewing the Pacer and then doing a Pacer vs Pacer Pro video soon. 👍

[@logicsetsyoufree9052]

@@mlegrand Looking forward to that pacer pro vs video 🙌🏼 Your most welcome 🙂

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Hi Matt! Great video once again, and happy to see your impressions. So far, I have also found the GPS tracking to be much more "noisy" than Garmin's (Epix/Fenix/Instinct). The heart rate is hit and miss for me depending on the type of excercise, so happy to hear it works well for you. Anyhow, keep up that (B-)roll you're on ;-) , great stuff!

[@hanstenberg]

Other reviewers have praised the heart rate sensor on pacer pro, don't you agree The Qunatified Sceintist?

[@mlegrand]

So nice to hear another data point. I feel like the GPS tracking falls in line with a lot of the watches I was testing 2-3 years ago but then I noticed an uptick in GPS accuracy when Garmin released the 745. It's like they figured out the antenna design or something. I'd love to talk to a Garmin engineer about it some day. Optical HRs are so dependent on the type of exercise which is why I really like the way you broke down your 'best HR' video. So good. 👏🏻

[@alicksasylum]

Thanks for the review, you got down to the basics and were very informative. I think Polar have shot themself in the foo 'cos the Pacer pro has made the M2 obsolete (same price, less features etc). Also, if people do not need the build quality of the V2 then the Pacer pro is the watch to go for. I have been using Polar since 2005 currently have the M2 but will be looking at getting the Pacer pro later in the year. Perfect for me - not everyone.

[@mlegrand]

Yeah, I am with you. Personally, I don't think I need all of the additional features of the V2 but the touch screen is nice. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@ziverun]

Matt! it's been awhile since I saw one of your videos. Always a joy!

[@mlegrand]

Welcome back!

[@TheCelticClydesdaleShow]

Nice review. I think if I were strictly a runner, I might look into something from Polar, with this being high on my list. Being a triathlete, though, I think I'm going to stick to Garmin. Another well made video, Matt! Keep on keepin' on!

[@mlegrand]

Good call buddy. 👌

[@hanstenberg]

I think pacer pro is a great watch and a really good buy for entry consumers to Polar and to sports watches in general. I own a Vantage V2. I think the differences between V2 and pacer pro are slim. I belive it is only recovery pro and a more premium built that V2 offer, other than that they are quite the same. But there are not a bunch of new features on pacer pro. It feels more that Polar made a simplified V2 to a lower price. That makes me a little bit disapointed. Now I am expecting Polar to update V2 to the walking test and especially notification also when in traning mode (I have been waiting years for that). So to conclude, pacer pro is a great buy but not for them who owns av V2 and Grit x (also the pro version). Although it is a great buy for entry consumers pacer pro is quit surprising realease since it isnt a really clear and obvious product in polars line up next to the Unite, Ignite 2, M2 and V2. I was expecting Polar to realease more smart watch features in a new device. Polar pacer pro is built on the same hardware. I was hoping for att release of a updated m600. It will be interesting to se future updates from Polar, I hope it will contain new hardware and smart features, ANT+, built in music, better and bigger screen and 14 days of battery. Thanks for a great video.

[@mlegrand]

100% agree. It might be interesting to make a V2 vs Polar Pro video. 🤔 They are similar watches. I do like the touch screen because I like that quick settings menu that you get from swiping down. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@hanstenberg]

@@mlegrand I would really lika a head to head comparison between pacer pro and Vantage V2. For years Polar have advertised Vantage V and V2 as their flagship, but does that still stand with the realease of pacer pro?

[@mlegrand]

@@hanstenberg - I think the V2 still stands up as their flagship watch but the Pacer Pro is a good option. They're saving touch screen and all the detailed testing dynamics for their high end models. I'll see about making a comparison video. Seems like it might be helpful for people. I just need to work on a detailed list of every single difference. People get mad when I miss something. 🤦‍♂️

[@Asthbendriel]

The only downside of not supporting ANT+, is when doing something like Zwift or with old gear to be honest. Even cycling and power meters, most nowadays power meters transmit via ANT+ and BT Smart, which should catch in any Polar watch. I personally have used my Polar watch with both Garmin speed and cadence sensors without an issue, and both the watch and the bike computer connected to the same Polar Verity Sense HR at the same time.

[@mlegrand]

I agree, no ANT+ feels a bit like it’s a problem for old gear but then again there’s a lot of very functional old cycling gear out there. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@soomad]

I think you actually got to the core of what the purpose of this device is👌

[@mlegrand]

Ha! I feel like fumbled with my words the entire video. But basically it's a very good watch for this price point and I think it's going to eat up some of the market/sales of their other watches. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@mckonal]

have been watching all the reviews on polar pacer pro along with many other watches and everyone kind of underestimates the "energy used" metric. zone 2 trainings and MAF method trainings or 80/20 endurance all focus on adapting body to burn more fat and here in the polar watches we can see that percentage after each workout. garmin had an app for that but it didn't work for me. have been enjoying my garmin instinct 2 dearly for the last month but also flirting with the idea of getting coros pace 2 or polar pacer pro. coros pace 2 is kind of old and hard to find in turkey but someone is selling polar pacer pro, a clean one, for about 175 dollars. maybe i should just go for it... ty for the review, sir.

[@mlegrand]

You're very welcome. Let me know what you think of the pacer pro if you pick one up. 👌🏻 And I really hope Coros is working on a Pace 3. I would love to review it if it ever comes out. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@mckonal]

​@@mlegrand got the polar pacer pro and sold it after using for a run. the hr is quite off compared to my garmin instinct 2. did not know I was so used to the accuracy. garmin definitely sets the bar too high for others to catch up. :)

[@mlegrand]

@@mckonal this instinct 2 is a fantastic watch. 👌

[@karenswanson4209]

Thank you for the great info. I’m torn between Pacer pro and Suunto Race 2. I’m not a runner… mostly hiking, rucking, weight training, walking. PPP is on sale until 9/8 for $245. Race 2 is $349. Any advice?

[@mlegrand]

The Suunto Race S is the way to go for sure. I have a review of that watch due out soon. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@Estuardo305]

what keeps me from buying polar watches is that horrible black ring around around the screen, stretch the screen to the edge. I love polar for their heart rate accuracy and ecosystem. the screen is 1.2 inches long that is to small.

[@mlegrand]

Yeah, it would be amazing if they could make those screens go edge to edge. The Apple Watch does a good job with that. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@FadzliRealtor]

Currently the Polar Pacer Pro and Garmin Forerunner 935 are at the same price, which would be a better buy? Sleep tracking is my most important feature and football.

[@mlegrand]

I would probably lean towards the Polar at this point unless mapping was important for some reason. I wouldn't expect Garmin to do a good job of keeping up with softwrae on that older 935 model now that they're all the way up to the 965. Thanks for the question Fadzli!

[@FadzliRealtor]

@@mlegrand thank you very much for your input.

[@davidlewisohn4566]

Between the Pacer Pro and the Forerunner 245, if you could get either with their corresponding HR chest strap for the same price, what would you choose today? Is the 245 now obsolete because it is 4 years old or is it still superior to the Pacer Pro?

[@mlegrand]

What's the price point between these two options that you're seeing? The pacer pro might be the way to go if you really like Polar.

[@davidlewisohn4566]

@@mlegrand I can get both for about £240 (UK) including the Garmin HRM Pro Plus or Polar H10 total as a bundle. Is the GPS and other features less accurate in the 245 compared to the Pacer Pro given the age of it now? I don’t mind either ecosystem…

[@mlegrand]

I've actually never tested the 245 for GPS accuracy. Those are both really fantastic heart rate monitors as part of the bundle. You would get running power from the Pacer Pro. So if that's a metric you think you'd use, it would be a great option. The 255 is probably out of the budget but it's a big upgrade. 👍

[@tnan123]

Seems pretty competitive to me. I'm pretty intrigued as someone who doesn't require all the top end features that more expensive watches have.

[@mlegrand]

I *think* this might be one of Polars best options. The things that missing are things I tend to not care about. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@teeramate]

I wish polar add on audio alerts to this watch.

[@mlegrand]

Yeah but overall it's a nice slim watch. I'll be really curious if this watch cuts into the sales of some of Polar's more expensive options. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@alanramos4864]

Hey, Matt! I just got my Pacer Pro and I love it! There is only one thing missing: Aquathlon mode! Swim and Run! Is there any hack or something to make this possible?

[@mlegrand]

Hi Alan, I have no idea. My only recommendation (and this isn't great) is to do an open water swim, save. Then do a running activity. 😬

[@PhiyackYuh]

Good budget watch for triathlon short and long course yeh?

[@mlegrand]

This is a good option. I'd look at this, the Garmin Forerunner 255 and even the regular Pacer.

[@PhiyackYuh]

@@mlegrand thank you!

[@nimagholipour]

Thanks for sharing. I still have problem with simple interval with Polar. As a Middle distance runner I prefer Garmin and Coros interval running feature. Also I found that Polar mobile app was confusing.

[@mlegrand]

What races do you do? I always think of the mile as a middle distance track event. Lots of intervals. I actually think there's a lot of potential for more improvements in that track mode and getting functionality set up for people who do more interval training. The Polar Flow app is interesting. I initially thought the same thing but there's some really impressive graphs and details in there. The people who do get used to it end up absolutely loving it. But I agree that it seems to need a facelift or something. Thanks so much for watching this one Nima!

[@nimagholipour]

@@mlegrand I always appreciate your reviews 🙏🏼. I'm middle distance runner and most of my runs are interval. As I mentioned simple interval running mode on Suunto, Garmin and Coros is very useful and easy to setup without phone but on Polar there is jus something which is called Interval Timer which you can either use distance or time mode, even there isn't anything for repetition. I checked on Vantage V2.

[@groundsheet]

@@nimagholipour I've never bothered with setting up intervals on any make of watch. I just press a new lap when I'd like to do an interval. I find it much more flexible.

[@nimagholipour]

@@groundsheet I see but I don't have access to track. In Garmin just put my distance, rest and number of repeat but in Polar there is just distance or time and rest, there is no reputation.

[@kithinders1086]

Oh, your poor thumb. I bet that was a dark sequence of events.... How do you like running power? Does it work well? I loved the 'snow white' schtick. I laughed! How many times did you tongue twist "Polar Pacer Pro"? XOXO

[@mlegrand]

I was so cranky when that happened. And yes I messed up "Polar Pacer Pro" a few times. I noticed that I mixed up on the very first intro. Not ideal. 🤦‍♂️

[@Ordinary-Hendrik]

Thanks 🙏 how is the daily HR? My Vantage HR some time drop low. Is pacer pro doing that too?

[@mlegrand]

I’ve been wearing it and haven’t seen that happen but optical heart rate monitors aren’t perfect. I’ll keep you posted if I see something. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@Ordinary-Hendrik]

@@mlegrand Thank you and appreciate! I have vantage V2 and I was thinking to buy the pacer pro. V2 many times drop my hearty rate to 50 which is very annoying. I love the night charge and fitspark. Thanks!

[@t1g3r8]

How is the feeling between this and wahoo’s watch for budget conscious triathletes?

[@mlegrand]

Well this Polar watch is a lot slimmer and Polar's overall offering is very different. Polar offers a lot in the recovery tracking, fitness, more sports activity types, etc. It's a bit more full featured in some ways. Where as the Wahoo seems to be trying to do the swim, bike, run stuff really well. For example, Wahoo just updated swimming to allow for drill mode which really helps anyone who might do a kick set get accurate distances. I am also going to try to review the Garmin Instinct 2 here soon which (I think) has a triathlon mode and could be an interesting option. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@t1g3r8]

@@mlegrand thank you for such wonderfully explained thought! Thank you Matt! I enjoy your content!!!

[@t1g3r8]

I think I’m leaning towards wahoo for now

[@Coellieee]

Matt.. pacer pro or fr745?

[@mlegrand]

Hey did you see the mega discount on the 745? I'd probably snag that one unless you want to wait and see if those are on discount because Garmin has something else up their sleeve. The 745 has better GPS accuracy and a lot of very nice triathlon features. I much prefer swimming with Garmins but I know others who really prefer the detailed metrics that Polar provides for activities for things like running. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@christianherrera4422]

Ouch! Your thumb brother!

[@mlegrand]

I know right? 🤦‍♂️

[@wowfactorytv]

I couldn't dislike the Polar Pacer Pro more. I bought one and regretted it quickly. A few weeks after getting the Pro the user agreement was changed. To use the app you have to agree to give Polar full access to all the health data the watch collects. There is NO opting out. The watch also failed to record my workouts regularly. I didn't buy the watch to give Polar my personal health info for FREE. No thanks. I should have bought a Garmin.

[@mlegrand]

Dang, sorry this watch has been such a lemon for you. It’s still really good feedback for people to hear. I haven’t really examined the experience when you turn down permission on Polar or Garmin. I think that’d be an interesting topic to explore for reviews. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

[@ziverun]

Only issue is the design... so bland and lack of personality. I had the Vantage V2 and I sold it because I dislike how it looked on my wrist and keeped the Vantage V. I believe polar never ask users what they think on design decisions they take... :( At least, I have never received a survey asking what is my about my products look and feel. Anyway...

[@mlegrand]

I bet you're right. They have a design team that they are really proud of but I don't know that they are taking feedback from long term users. 🤔 Thanks for checking this one out. I do think it's a decent value option for a polar fan. 👍🏻 Hope all is well buddy!

[@murtazabanday]

Please never ever buy polar watches. I bought vantage and pacer pro. It is a nightmare to sync the watch with my phone. Random glitches . Got my watch replaced twice. Resets randomly where you lose all your data that is not synced yet. Horrible.

[@mlegrand]

Dang, that sounds like a horrible experience. Glad you’re posting this feedback here for people to read about.

[@Asthbendriel]

To be honest, all companies have QC problems. I've had a Vantage M2 for two years, and never had any serious sync issues. If I notice the watch hasn't synced my last workout to Strava (which sometimes happens) I just open the app and hold the back button and I don't remember a single time that sync has failed in these two years. On the resets, I probably had two or three throughout these years, however, at the moment these happened, I had a Garmin bike computer with me, and at least once, my Garmin Edge 830 did reset as well, which was caused by the humidity + the temperature at that moment, not because of the watch itself. On that end I do agree Polar should revamp their algorithm to finish the activity if the watch resets, but that's something really minor on my personal experience at least.