Polar Pacer Review: Awesome for CrossFit - & vs Coros Pace 2, Garmin 245, Suunto 5, Grit X, Vantage

Polar Pacer Review: Excellent All Around for CrossFit - & vs Coros Pace 2, Garmin 245, Suunto 5
Polar Pacer:
amzn.to/3lS53D8
Time Stamps:
Overview - 1:00
Specs - 2:51
Hands On - General & vs Pacer Pro/Vantage V2 - 5:43
App - General - 10:11
Fitness: 12:24
Heart Rate Accuracy - 12:44
On Watch - 14:47
In App - 19:05
Wellness/Sleep/Recovery: 25:52
On Watch - 25:59
In App - 27:28
Summary - 31:13
vs Coros Pace 2 - 34:24
vs Garmin 245/255 -36:32
vs Grit X Pro/Vantage V2 - 37:44
vs Suunto 5 - 39:02

[@mikemontgomery8101]

Best review of the product by orders of magnitude! Thx! Keep up the excellent work!

[@fitgearhunter]

Thanks so much! Holy cow that means a lot. Appreciate it

[@hanstenberg]

I agree, Polar Pacer is great. It's affordable and yet really advanced. I use Vantage 2. I am happy with polar flow and the watch. I miss better notifications, ANT+ and recovery time after a workout.

[@fitgearhunter]

Yep! Spot on! I'm still baffled they took recovery time away bc they had it previously - oh well! Yes it's a great watch all around especially for the price. Thanks!

[@bempong]

I’m getting this watch. It looks perfect.

[@fitgearhunter]

So sorry for delay! Somehow missed this one. Yes - it is an all around capable and comprehensive watch for the price.

[@yokumato]

Great review! After 4+ years with the Garmin Instinct 1 I looked for an alternative that was more focused on the training/health functions rather than the outdoors/hiking functions of the watch. Also considered one of the latest Casio GShock with HRM but found them too clunky and still way behind Polar/Garming in the fitness tracking area. The Polar Pacer offers a great balance of features for non runners at a sensible price and with a good design. Wearing the Garmin Instinct in a business casual setting was difficult.Also, the Polar Flow interface and data screens are leaner but easier to understand that the Garmin Connect ones IMO. Of curse there is room for improvement but so far I am very happy with the change. Thanks again for the review.

[@fitgearhunter]

So glad it helped, and yes it fills a great space at the price. Hope you like it!

[@rolandholmgren6743]

Excellent review, thanks a lot!😊

[@grecuccionicola]

Very good review, top sport watches are Garmin , polar , and suunto.

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! Thanks! Yes totally - thanks so much

[@rammsteinfairy]

Thank you for the awesome review! It made me decide to buy it instead of the ignite 2! I have to say I am a bit disappointed about the screen light. It’s not very bright :( so I am in doubt to send it back and buy the ignite 2 in stead. Or is that screen also not so bright? Thank you!! Keep up the amazing work!

[@fitgearhunter]

Thanks so much! The Ignite 2 screen is MUCH brighter and visible. There is a slight lag time when you raise your wrist and the screen coming on, but otherwise useful - good watch. Thanks!

[@ИмяФамилия-ю6л2ф]

Thanks a lot for the video I have chosen this one

[@stprichal]

Which is better for health monitoring and training analysis - Polar Pacer/Pacer Pro or Garmin Venu 2? What is your choice and why?

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! since the venu 2 lacks advanced training analytics it won't have anything for training load or individual workout analysis other than heart rate and calories - so it would for sure be the Pacer. Thanks!

[@prefatto]

Very informative and helpful! How about comparing the garmin 55 to the polar pacer? These two watches are very nice, and I mostly run and hike. Or whether it is worth paying more money to buy the pacer pro rather than the pacer? Thank you!!

[@mayurgianchandani8803]

I am conflicted about this comparison too, as both are at a similar price where I live

[@coolrunner9317]

Great video, thanks!! Does it have a flight modus, like my M430? I don't need smart notifications and with the flight modus the energy consumption is very low....

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! I honestly don't even know what that is - it may have been specific to the M430 - so no, I definitely don't think it includes it. Sorry!

[@tigermantis3]

Nice review. So I have a Garmin 6x which I generally like except for the weight and bulk. Its a lot more expensive than the pacer of course but a bit older. Do you think the pacer would give a better idea of training load for calisthenic body weight type exercises/weight lifting than the 6x?Do you think it would do sleep tracking better?

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! So sorry for delay. Great questions. If you are not pairing the 6X to a chest strap or external HR monitor then yes - the Pacer would be better. I think both are comparable sleep and health metrics though, and the 6 has the mapping, music, and customization capability aspects the Polar in no way has. It's a tough call

[@xyz88239]

Hey there! Nice video! If you had to opt between Suunto 5 and FR 245, which one would you get and why ? Thanks in advance!

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! So sorry for delay - I've been swamped. Great question! In simple terms the Garmin 245 all day long. But then the bigger question - how long do you usually keep watches? If longer than 2 years you really really should look to the 255. It's got a new sensor and all new higher analytics. The suunto doesn't compete here at all. If you are truly budget limited to $200 I would even possibly look to the Polar Pacer - but would really encourage you to jump to the $350 of the 255

[@Ordinary-Hendrik]

Thanks! Hope thigh do you wear the watch to get this result? Thanks 🙏

[@manualex19able]

Excellent video, as always, really useful information. I would like to ask you a question. I am looking for a sports watch that is accurate in detecting heart rate. My workouts are based on strength training, HIIT, CrossFit. I've already seen hundreds of review videos and I can't decide...what would be your best recommendation my budget is tight between 250-350 dollars...I'm looking for accuracy in the heart rate sensor, being able to plan strength training and HIIT I do not practice running due to some injuries... if you could help me I would be very grateful... thank you thank you

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! Yes - happy to help. I would wait until Weds (June 1st) and buy the Garmin 255 for what is estimated to be 350. It will have all of the latest features and good heart rate sensor. If with taxes it is too much, then I would get the huawei gt3 if it is available in your country (it’s not in US). If not that then the last would be this watch - the polar pacer. I would spring for a used chest strap (polar H9 for affordability) or the polar OH1 arm band. This will help w CrossFit since a watch gets in the way a lot. Let me know what you decide!

[@manualex19able]

@@fitgearhunter Excellent thank you very much for the answer it is of great help all those options are very good. Thanks again and when I decide I'll let you know as well as my comments on it...keep it up you're doing a great job...thank you

[@АнтонУткин-д5н]

@@fitgearhunter Hello. Do you think the Garmin 245 is much worse than the 255?

[@Toruk9]

Nice review, rigth now the polar pacer cost 180 us dollar and garmin 245 music 192 us dollar, the garmin its a better buy???

[@soomad]

I ordered mine May 11th right away and an super happy coming from Vantage M(1). The feel of the product feels "less premium" because if the all-plastic-design, but in terms of functionality and hardware inside it's ofc an upgrade. Was really battling between getting the Pacer or Pro (I in fact run), but figured I don't need the added functionalities of navigation and running power from the wrist, so why pay more? I've also been happy with the HR sensor performance in all but swimming, but it's mostly because of physiology that it cannot really perform.

[@fragpack]

I find that HR performance to be very good for a wrist based sensor. Do you think this is significantly improved from the vantage v2 / grit x?

[@fitgearhunter]

Yes - analytically so as well. The VV2 and GXP came in at like 67% accurate vs the 87% accuracy here - the raised HR sensor on the others provides less accuracy. Thanks!

[@jacklauren9359]

Which one would you recommend for triathlon and all around watch between pacer and pacer pro? Thanks

[@fitgearhunter]

You have to go pro to get the Triathlon or multi sport training mode!

[@nadimabdallah3984]

Hey, I do crossfit about 5 times/week for 1h30 2h/day and run 1/week for 1h in zone 2. Would the polar pacer be enough for me ? Instead of the pacer pro?

[@theunknownsamurai7426]

How do you compare the features of the Instinct 2 to the Pacer for Resistance training and Health?

[@fitgearhunter]

Good question! The I2 has all of Garmin's advanced training metrics so will include Load, as the Pacer will, but will also include Load Type, Aerobic & Anaerobic training effect, and in depth recover time analysis and recommendations. So for all of those reasons - the I2 handily beats out the Pacer. Thanks!

[@theunknownsamurai7426]

@@fitgearhunter thank you, i appreciate it. Now all Garmin needs is a dedicated sleep tracker, so we don't have to wear a big watch to bed.

[@paullonj]

quick question ..should i just get the Polar pacer and not the Pro version?

[@fitgearhunter]

I personally think so if just primarily doing CrossFit or HIIT training and not a lot of running. I don't miss any feature of the Pro

[@thepinkfloydpig5]

Is this better than Vantage V (not V2)? Il Can find a Vantage V at the same price wat’s the best choice?

[@fitgearhunter]

Yes - in my opinion much better the Vantage V original is a little outdated now, on a number of levels - the Pacer offers more just in a more basic casing. Thanks!

[@thepinkfloydpig5]

@@fitgearhunter for Hiit / CF?

[@thepinkfloydpig5]

Wich of the two for Hiit /crossfit? Many thanks for the big contents of this channel

[@chrispietersen1415]

Hi! Keep up the great content! Hoping you could provide some advice. What is the best budget watch option for a track and field athlete (javelin thrower) who follows a high intensity and very variable training program (think anything from powerlifting, hill sprints, plyometric workouts and obviously throws training on track)? I currently have a Garmin Vivoactive 3, but it does not cater for all the training aspects. I am specifically looking for a device which would aid me in analysing my recovery levels and load/strain from workouts (and if it has offline music storage like the 245, it would only be an added bonus). Also keeping in mind I'm situated in South Africa, so prices are a bit out of sync. Currently I'm looking at the following options in my budget range: Polar Pacer - ZAR3999 (USD255) Polar Pacer Pro - ZAR5999 (USD385) Coros Pace 2 - ZAR4785 (USD310) Garmin Forerunner 245 Music - ZAR4499 (USD290) Suunto 5 Peak - ZAR4999 (USD320) Which one of these would fit me the best?

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! Thanks so much. The Garmin 255 that was just released will be by far the best. And if you could afford it the 955 will add some additional training features that are also great

[@fitgearhunter]

And yes the VA3 is def not the right Watch for you!

[@chrispietersen1415]

@@fitgearhunter Thanks for the response! The 955 doesn't seem to be available in South Africa yet, and would probably be out of my budget. Even the 255 is quite a bit more expensive than the other options at ZAR6999/ZAR7999 (USD450/USD515) for the non-music and music versions respectively. Is it really worth the extra investment over the others? And if my budget really doesn't allow the stretch, which of the other options would be the best alternative?

[@bernardogalvao4448]

Conflicted beween this and the forerunner 55

[@fitgearhunter]

Yes that's a tough call, but between the two I would say the polar pacer wins because it has a more comprehensive training load tracking that the 55 doesn't offer

[@keo337]

Does it count reps like Garmin or Coros?

[@fitgearhunter]

No - it doesn't - that I'm aware of - I don't believe any Polars do - but I haven't looked into it honestly. I don't like rep counting from the watch - no one seems to make it super easy so it's more work than actually counting the reps yourself, to me at least.

[@keo337]

@@fitgearhunter Thank you. I was thinking about transferring my logs from Excel to a fitness app and Garmin 245 still seems like a better choice. I can get both for about 180$ with some promo codes and I was really tempted for the new Polar, but good old Garmin still hold its ground 😃

[@fitgearhunter]

@@keo337 gotcha. Let me know how it goes! Get a chest strap for the 245 though. Not as accurate stand alone w HR built in if doing exercises that spike heart rate or have intensity to it

[@thecooldude4564]

I think this watch is for those who want a minimalist smartwatch.

[@ChrisSzulwach]

Thanks for the great review! FWIW, you can push your fitness at lower heart rates, check out MAF Heart Rate Training ;-)

[@fitgearhunter]

Interesting - I will have to check out - thanks!