Polar Grit X2 Pro One Month Later - Here's the deal...

[@amyeb8362]

It’s expensive, but I love Polar. After trying just about every ecosystem, polar is my favorite and their watches are great.

[@Sinasi08]

I've seen many reviews of this watch... Polar should most likely drop the price a little. But I think that Polar is on the right direction. Competition is great for us consumers

[@hanstenberg]

Price is high but it is a great watch, really high quality materials and a great platform for analyzing your training, your recovery. I've tried Garmin Epix. It's a great watch but garmins eco system can't compete with polar flow. Especially the polar flow webb app is fantastic to get the details of your training and planning. So I gave my Garmin Epix away and continue with my vantage v2 and looking forward to buying the grit x pro 2 titanium.

[@tadejdanev5030]

wait you say polaw flow webb app is better then garmin connect?

[@hanstenberg]

@@tadejdanev5030 Yes I think so, you get a good overview of the most important metrics like sleep, recovery. But the webb app from polar is the absolute best if you want to deep dive in jour training journal.

[@mrnicbst]

Ordered one, cancelled order after a day because I realized as an owner of an Epix Pro 51, there is simply no point to it. Maybe when Polar halves the price eventually I'll see what Polar's ecosystem is about.

[@OnYourLefty]

I switched from a polar watch to a Garmin watch last year….i wish I switched sooner!

[@briancross4415]

Agreed. I’ve got the same Epix. Absolutely killer watch. Don’t need any other model / brand.

[@Ado_Bielo]

I watched a stack of videos and did the same. I owned a few Polar products, now a Garmin Epix Gen 2 owner.

[@corneheesakkers7102]

@@OnYourLefty 😂 i switched from garmin to polar gridx pro. Never looking back.

[@mrnicbst]

@@corneheesakkers7102 What Garmin did you switch from?

[@fitgearhunter]

Awesome review. Great summary all around.

[@fhforbes]

Had mine for 1 months and I like it. End to end good.

[@Mauricemeijer81]

Wrist flipping over and over, love MIP❤

[@dnserror89]

Lol yup. Sticking with my Fenix7. Amoled seems cumbersome and distracting

[@ChaseTheSummit]

You get used to it

[@jeversace]

I thought I was the only one that prefers MIP! I can't imagine how annoying the flicking would be. I love always on display

[@mikem4215]

@@dnserror89just keep it always on. Get 13-14 days on avg w 1 hr gps a day on epix 51

[@astasuleo]

i dont understand why they promote the AMOLED on an activity sport watch, which its purpose is to have it out doors, for ease to use, clear display and visible anytime, not to mention the battery consumption. Cant get it really. I understand that is a fashion to have an Amoled, but they could give us an option to have on the same watch an MIP display. Then they could estimate also the request and the needs from all the real users. Now they force us to get an AMOLED display which are not offering what we really need the watch for.

[@reineroberhaus]

Totally agree with this. For some Reaon i come back always to my Grit X2 Pro.

[@erva1976]

Great video. Glad to see that Polar stepped up their game. Great watch and even better ecosystem!

[@caderik1386]

Great video. There are many metrics I preferred on my Vantage v2 compared to my Garmin 955, esp daily activity percentage. Garmin has too many metrics and are all over the place, between some only on the watch and others buried in a menu in the app. Will keep an eye on the price of the new polar models

[@nicolasm.3708]

So true

[@AutoRitYLNX]

i am the owner of Suunto Vertical... so I am very curious about the difference between them :) Suunto Heart Rate sensor is random generator so expecting much better results :)

[@JoeDirt-oz1bk]

And for the third person - the Polar watches are on the NSA approved list for SCIFS - I have to de-evolve to the Garmin Fenix 5 or a 6s to wear at work.

[@FareAlert]

That’s good know 🫡

[@JoeDirt-oz1bk]

@@FareAlert I took the paperwork for the GritX2 in - but they req. a serial no. to run thru the approval. The old version is on the NSA approved list. If the new one doesn't have WiFi (don't think it does) it 'should' be ok -- but a big expense to take a chance without prior knowledge.

[@Asthbendriel]

Looks like the firmware in the end redeemed many things, although no firmware update can redeem the price 😅 I love Polar ecosystem, the website is very handy in long activities when I like to take a deeper look into the data, and I agree is a beautiful watch indeed. My only problem (and probably many people's problem) is the price. My Grit X Pro is still functional, and it gives me what I need, I guess I'll keep it for a year or two, and I bet by then this would be at a much more competitive price. AMOLED on the other hand still worries me while doing MTB, I hope you can get used to it, as it seems the industry is so fixed on switching.

[@mikem4215]

Ya everything is going oled in future just it what it is

[@SteveShankles]

Great review and great looking watch there Dave, great looking trail you were running on to, makes you want to jump on a lily pad

[@jonr6680]

Agreed, love the look of the hardware. But I'm old skool - I still can't love smart watch screens, and touch even less. I still crave a G-Shock with real hands(!) - it's a problem... Polar taking on Garmin etc, ok. Features, ok. Cost, meh. Nothing makes me want to switch brands. Nostalgia for Polar isn't enough, although they were my go-to brand back in the day. Like many folks I guess.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Polar does have that brand loyalty thing going for it!

[@lamsailait4114]

Most of your videos is primarily discussing about the features of the watch.Wish you can teach how to use the watch in all its features.Anyway very good review.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I’ve been trying to think of new videos like that. Thanks for the feedback!

[@JasonRaneses]

Compared to say the Epix 2 Sapphire Edition (non pro), which regularly goes on/off sale for $599 of late, Polar has an uphill battle on their hands. That said, I really want to rock this watch for a while and experience the Polar ecosystem at a deeper clip. I've had a Verity Sense for a while and have been really happy with it.

[@JasonRaneses]

Side note, what is going on with Polar's retail strategy? They would have better success if these new models were available at say REI locally in the U.S.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

@@JasonRaneses great question. I’ve been wondering that myself. It seems the new models are only available direct from Polar.

[@astasuleo]

GREAT REVIEW once again. One concern here, i cannot understand why the companies are not listening to the customers and update their top of the line watches with an AMOLED displays. They do not listen to us, also the youtubers and reviews are not listening to us as well. They just try to promote what the marketing and the fashion of this no sense Amoled world offers for this particural sport activity area of interest. Please guys give us the option to have top of the line watches with an MIP display. We do not like AMOLED for the sport watches, WE DO use the watches for our everyday out-door activity and we do not use the watch for going for a coffee. MIP is much more clear and visible outside where we need to have this clearance and visibility and ease of use. What is so difficult to understand? These marketing guys they want to gather money for their companies, but that is not the case sometimes, as after this happy period, then companies will realise the mistake they made and then there is no come back. I'm true believer of the MIP. If in the near future an AMOLED display is usable outside under the sun and there is no need to turn the watch all the time to check the data, then i will get it and accept it.

[@pehuyghe]

In my experience, recent amoled displays are better than mip displays, also in direct sunlight. I used to have Garmin watches with mip display, which was nice outside, but my latest Garmin watch has an amoled and the display is just perfect. During runs I can read it just fine also in direct sunlight. Maybe also because the screen is a bit bigger. That doesn’t mean that customers shouldn’t have the choice of course. I don’t see any drawbacks for the amoled especially not in Garmins and Polars where battery life is also not a concern.

[@astasuleo]

@@pehuyghe Battery life is not a huge problem and i agree on that. But let me have my concerns for the Amoled Displays. I do have a Polar V3, a Polar Grit X2 Pro, a Garmin Fenix 7 Pro, a Garmin Instinct 2X and a Garmin Epix 2 Pro. In direct sunlight there is no choise and no comparison at all. MIP is the clear winner and there is a huge difference between MIP and AMOLED on outdoor activity. If you are a active person with an everyday long activity you understand that MIP is much more usable and clear to read than the Amoled. For me MIP is the only way to go. I spend all these money myself on the Amoled display watches because i wanted to compare it and have my own sense and preference. I want to be honest to myself and say the truth. Amoled is nice, is clear and very useful on certain areas. But not for a sport watch or to say it better, Amoled is not for an out-door activity especially in a sunny countries. I would love to see a combination of dual MIP and AMOLED displays.

[@highseastrader4190]

Unfortunately we don't represent a big part of the market. I know people who bought a Fenix and just use it for an occasional jog. They would be happy to get an Epix for the fancy screen. The outdoor enthusiasts love their watch as a tool for their activities. Many people are happy with a second smartphone on the wrist and don't care about a lack of visibility during activities outside. Hope some future watches still get MIP (at least the Instinct series, maybe the Fenix too).

[@astasuleo]

@@highseastrader4190 that is for sure that we are not represent the big part of the Market. But which market? Garmin, Polar, Suundo, Coros etc. are all making a sport watches specifically for this kind of area, which is focused on out door sport activities. They understood that there is also a big market out there, that havent got their interest because of the simplicity?, the complexity? the display? there are lots of factors we can discuss here! So what they ended up is to get closer to the bigger market place, which people that just want to get a nice watch that doing everything, looks nice is fashionable and has a nice vibrant colorful Amoled screen no matter if that screen is not clear or useful for the purpose that this watch is made for. Really i still cannot get at least why Polar used Amoled in this particular watch, which they claimed and proposed as the king of hiking watch they ever made! (i bought it and yes it is my mistake because i wanted an MIP watched but their mistake as well they didnt use an MIP). I told myself that my next sport watch will be with MIP display. If they all go to the Amoled direction i will stay with the watches i have right now, especially the ones with MIP display till they die!

[@astasuleo]

@@highseastrader4190 i have replied to you in detail, but it looks like they have deleted my answer. Any how, i agree that we do not represent the big part of the market. but on the other hand what is the market those watches actually now represent? I'm dissapointed with the direction that companies like Garmin and Polar chosen to use Amoled displays.

[@grllaspeak]

Man i bet your wrist hurts with these Amoled displays. Man the Garmin 7xpro is becoming a more and more justified purchase. Nice review 👍

[@davidbraswell1481]

Who wrist flicks lol I glance at my new Epix pro gen 2 51 the exact same way you look at your MIPs watch not 1 bit different.

[@MrKihor]

Wonderful review. I am the happy owner of Polar Vantage V3 since it is more suitable to my sport life style than Grit X2 Pro. But those watches have very much in common. Great watches.

[@gustavahenriksson]

Thanks for the updated review on the Gx2P @chasethesummit ! Is the vibration as weak and the beeps as dinty as in eg. the original GxP? How quickly does the map react to changes in direction, I.e. how quickly does it rotate, especially compared with Suunto Vertical and Race? Keep up the good work! Gus

[@ChaseTheSummit]

The map is quite responsive. I’d say a bit quicker than the Suunto watches since they do have a little lag. Vibration is similar to the original GX.

[@gustavahenriksson]

@@ChaseTheSummit Thanks for your prompt reply!

[@anthonyrampino7734]

Great review! Looks like a great watch. But is it worth the extra money for a Garmin Epix pro or a fenix 7 pro?

[@chipsmann8286]

The good design was enough for me to buy one

[@wcm3968]

Outstanding review Dave...best one out there. I'm at the juncture of replacing my Fenix 6 and am considering this but the price is a barrier.... and also the ecosystem change after many years. There are some good deals on Epix Gen2 at the moment so will probably stick....but the Grit does look very good. How about things like the Web and App based interface? Thoughts on those compared to Garmin?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Polar Flow has a great app and web interface but as mentioned in this video doesn't provide the same level of metrics when it comes to daily wellness (like stress tracking and body battery) but Polar does have it's own set of useful metrics which does make it a close call. At the end of the day it's sort of down to personal preference.

[@erva1976]

Any chance of doing a video on how those metrics compare? I’m in the Polar camp and wondering if Garmin would provide anything I don’t have today that I might find useful.

[@evanfortune-cabrera8887]

I love Polar’s approach to training & recovery, but I stopped using them due to unstable software and weird implementations (I.e., notifications) over the past 5 years of using Polar devices. I’ve owned over 15 different watches from Polar and enjoyed most of them, but it’s the lack of software innovation that has lead me back to Garmin. I have an Instinct 2 ($200USD) and it is more featured than the Grit X2 Pro.

[@listrahtes]

But if you look at how many features are actually backed by trustworthy data there isnt much difference. Garmin is the master of gimmicks. I like the garmin watches but they flood their watches with candy like metrics that do not build on solid data. Now its the new hill score...etc but for example sleep analysis via wrist sensor is so far of (forget acurate HRV measure) that its more of a toy. Still there are great benefits to Garmin but the amount of features is more of a overconvoluted store were you have to look for the actual useful stuff under layers of flashy trash.

[@listrahtes]

Honestly these gestures to get the display on are destroying any enjoyment of AMOLED screens for me on a watch. I dont run doing these moves looking at a watch and it would be very distracting if such movements would be a requirement. Even in AoD at least Garmin dims their screens after seconds and make it impossible to read well which means not usable at all on a bike and a pain while navigating. Polar going full AMOLED in their top products sadly means I wont buy Polar in the future. An outdoor watch with 3 days of battery life in full use. Great. The design is extraordinary. Imo the most beautiful watch out there right now.

[@DonGib888]

For some unknown reason, apart from Apple Watch S8, the original Grit X gives me the best HR data from any watch !! No clue why.

[@DonGib888]

Absolutely f***** if I'm paying for that watch no matter how good it looks.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I also had great results from the original sensor!

[@LD-eo8vc]

I am still using GRIT X because of its accuracy for HR and ecosystem. I will not switch to other watch. Why should I do it ? I have all features I need on it.

[@BfSkinnerPunk]

As for the price, isn't it notably below the similar Garmins? The top Garmin Epix and Fenix are $1,000+. The top Polar (titanium) is $850.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

It comes down to the feature set. At $850 it simply doesn't compete with a $599 Garmin forerunner 965 or Epix Gen 2 at a lower price.

[@michaellanger5671]

I like the Ti looks, but I’ll stick with Garmin

[@blackharley]

Ordered 😊

[@knuton79]

I am considering buying this or Vantage 3, This Grit 2 pro is very expensive. One thing nobody mentions , that Polar and Oura counts calories much more accurate than Garmin and Apple. Those 2 shows way too much calories burned, 1,5 - 2 times more. It could be problem to someone who trust those numbers. I bough Garmin Venu years ago, it was my first and last Garmin. Terrible quality. screen burned, HR is not accurate, charger plug is worst I ever seen. wrist band broke too. Still worried those amoled screens, I would like to use same watch for years, maybe 4 years or more.

[@listrahtes]

What Garmin and Apple imo do is deliberate upscale calory burn to get you hooked on the metric. Much like the new hill score that will put normal runners into the "elite" bracket just so they get an ego push.

[@erikguzt]

No improvement on OHR, My Vantage V3 seems to think that my dogwalk is a harder workout than a HIIT session the built in OHR is at 145 bpm after 10 minutes compared to chest strap at 84 bpm 😞

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Thanks for sharing!

[@flitschflatsch1096]

U lucky guy. My grid x2 pro, shows me 245bpm. 😂 i am shure my heard would explode.

[@AutoRitYLNX]

ordered :)

[@mouahmong]

Is it just me or does the UI seem really laggy compared to something like the Apple Watch Ultra?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Yeah the Apple Watch is smoother than just about every dedicated sport watch. That's the trade off you make for a watch with 2 days of battery versus a sport watch which can have weeks of battery.

[@brunopistelli_]

Hello, what would you do.... FR965, Grit X2 Pro or Epix Pro 51mm?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

If you want something that feels “smaller” and lower profile go for the 965. If you want the most features and best battery life go for the Epix 51mm, if you love polar… go for the grit x2 pro.

[@anthonytorgerson4175]

Any running stats? Like records, or coros running performance, or Garmin endurance and hill scores? Vo2 max?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Records yes, VO2 max yes, no hill score or performance score though.

[@parkerkerth8446]

did you have the same compass issue DC rainmaker had?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I didn't notice anything

[@savagedriver1967]

Nitty gritty! Nice one 😅

[@tdhd]

What’s the story behind your tattoo?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I get asked that a lot so I made a video about it a while back you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoHKZZuOjLmlaZYsi=oksqSWIpZdFGB-ap

[@tdhd]

@@ChaseTheSummit thanks for sharing this. You mom would’ve been proud of you, stay safe dude.

[@fulldaywork4200]

I have Forerunner 965 for some months already. Is Polar Vantage V3 or Suunto Race better? Or even this polar Grit x2?

[@NickLitvak]

965 is much better.

[@Fischxx1]

How is the GPS and Heart rate compared to the Grit X Pro Titan 1 ?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Similar, the original Grit X might perform slightly better in the heart rate department but those were also known to have "spikes" in the HR data pretty regularly. It will boil down to your specific use case.

[@lukienduro]

How long does it take to fully charge Polar Grit X2 Pro (with usb-c cabel/ computer) ?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Depends on what's charging it but around 90 minutes from completely dead to 100%. However from 0% to like 70% it does seem to fast charge in just 30 minutes or so it's only the final percentages that take longer.

[@lukienduro]

@@ChaseTheSummit It's totally different in my case - it takes really long to charge around 60-70% and the rest takes just 10 to 20 minutes.

[@silv3rArrow]

Ordered…the Epix 2 for 450 on Amazon 😅

[@josejr.8671]

over priced ! Garmin is King