Polar Vantage V3 In-Depth Review - Lots of Potential / Some Letdowns!

[@rob9709]

Surely the best review made of this watch. I've the Pacer that I'm happy with, Polar's ecosystem is outstanding which also justifies the price of the watch. Clearly not a geek brand, no catchy catchy stuff, no bling bling. Made for sportsmen.

[@jswong8200]

Great review. It'll be great to follow up with a long-term review a few months later to see what new firmware versions bring to the table.

[@aslam7952]

Honest Review, pointing out the shortfalls, unlike some other reviewers 👍

[@mlegrand]

Amazing video as always! I'm so hopeful for Polar. Great company. They just need a home-run super badly these days. 🤞🏻

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Thanks Matt!

[@ukulanne]

Waiting for your video!

[@mlegrand]

@@ukulanne - Thank you Ukulanne! I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to cover this watch. I'm going broke buying watches to review! 😂

[@kokonstant]

Switched from polar to Garmin years ago. Never regretted it. They need something others don't have. Still good upgrade for polar though.

[@dominicjrf]

I got mine and played with it. Workout, running and general wear. It’s miles better than v2. It is very comfortable and the doom sensor is much needed, much like Apple Watch. It’s comfortable on my wrist, doesn’t dig in like v2 does. It’s snappy for the most part. The only problem or nicpick is the gesture wake is slow to response. It would take half sec to display. It is very noticeable while running. Kinda annoying so I changed it to always on display for running only. Strap is great. Wish they use quick snap like Garmin. Overall it’s a great upgrade.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@gustavahenriksson]

I have a Grit X Pro, which I’m quite happy with, so I’ll be happy to have Polar iron out the kinks with the V3 and successfully implement the needed improvements in time for an updated GxP.

[@TheRiseofKorolev]

Great summary. There is so much I like about the watch, and it's a dang good looking watch, especially coming over from V2 but it definitely needs a firmware update to address several things you mentioned to make it great and worth $600. The biggest thing that bugs me is the lack of features in maps such where the heck you came from! I ended up getting Suunto Race initially because of that price tag, but could no stay away from V3 due to me being used to the Polar ecosystem and love for their metrics. One correction from your video to make is on the skin temperature sensor; it only measures and builds a baseline for skin temp during sleep. I also think it would be great to see SPO2 being used during sleep and skin temperature during workouts to see how your body adapting to environment and strain.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Thanks for sharing! Yes, I should have been clear the skin temp is a sleep metric only. That's pretty typical for most devices with this metric including Oura.

[@davephippard]

Was on the brink of upgrading from V2 to V3, but will now consider Garmin 965. Thanks!

[@cutterdevil]

I used to have Apple, Polar and Suunto but I ended up being a Fenix 7x guy. Polar uses its own algorithm to analyze all biometrics and gives some interesting results compared to other brands. This may be a hard-core reason for Polar fans. However, I agree with you the FR965 is more attractive especially since they have the same price tags.

[@fitgearhunter]

Great review man - holy cow they didn't fix the notification process/functionality! A reset brings any past notifications back all at once (and at 1am apparently). Yikes yikes yikes all around - mine arrives tomorrow. Great job!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Oddly there was no "reset" just a random deluge of notifications in the middle of the night that crashed the watch. The other crash occurred randomly without notifications oddly. Hope you enjoy your V3!

[@TheAlPaca02]

Was really hyped on this watch and I am a bit sad about the software difficulties that it is facing. I remain hopeful that it will be fixed in a few weeks so I can still pick one up before the holidays. Really hoping that Polar gets their stuff together as I love their platform, plus the product is actually still made in Europe compared to Suunto and Garmin which are both 100% Chinese.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Not 100%. The Suunto Vertical and 9 / 9 Peak / Pro are all still made in Finland though the company is now owned by a Chinese company.

[@shashi566]

My V3 was already crashing regularly in everyday use. It did not do this in two training sessions. Later I reset the watch to factory settings and noticed no more crashes and was already happy, but this afternoon the watch crashed after I synchronized it with the app. Really sucks! I have never experienced a Polar top watch this bad. The V2 also crashed, but one only after over a year, another after just over 2 years ... Both watches were repaired. The circuit boards were replaced. 🤮

[@dogmanfitness2552]

Thanks for the review! I was really hoping Polar was going to nail it with this watch, but it looks like they aren't quite there yet. The HR sensor problem you talked about appears to be a firmware problem and was talked about on DC Rainmaker's video. He had excellent HR tracking until they did an update, then the HR tracking was off. I'm sure they will fix it with further updates. I'll still wait to upgrade my Polar Vantage M.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

It would be great if the HR issue was firmware related. At least then it could be fixed!

[@Gabrielerf]

Excellent review, thanks Dave.

[@chrisar2252]

Good review thanks. I'll still buy one when I can get a discount, as I did with the V2. It's my favourite interface, though I've only used Garmin (never liked it much or bothered much wth the app) and Coros (good value & app), and it has tools I don't think I can get from anyone else. Serious issues? Restarting during activities is obviously really bad, and needs sorting. If the the display can damaged more easily becasue of the shape that's not great either. Not being able to use the map outside an activity is a shame, but I'll just start a walk. 6 fields would be very nice in an activity now the screen is bigger, but I'll cross my fingers that they'll add that sometime.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I have faith Polar will address the concerns I have. I hope you enjoy it!

[@ProductivityRunner]

Elixir has so much potential. Polar just need use cases for all that data

[@hardmtnbiker]

I’ve had that “random restart” happen with my Vantage V2. Not just once but several times. I agree that the user interface with the Smartphone Flow app and desktop app is good. The other features that I think set Vantage Flow and Watch ahead of some others is the Fitness testing, especially the cycle testing that uses power from my Garmin Rally XC pedals.

[@kh-rx2il]

Great. I will keep my vantage M. 🎉

[@vpnconsult]

Great review!

[@aidanbroadbridge]

Thanks for the great review, Most helpful and insightful. Any news on how it is today, 10months on? Any significant improvements, through updates? Long, long time Polar user, I really would not like to leave the eco system if possible..... but Vantage V is showing its age a little...

[@crayons987]

Nice video. No watch is perfect, my Garmin up an died in the middle of a marathon last week. If i could take the garmin maps, apple smartwatch features, polar recovery metrics and put them all into the new suunto watch body for a coros price that would be sweet!

[@jiribouda3191]

Exactly 😂

[@KC-UT4rmAZ]

DC also said the watch randomly crashed when he would be out on a run/hike.

[@brunobgiovinal]

my favorite watch, thank you !!!

[@marcomarabello9318]

I was waiting for this review, thanks a lot! I am thinking about changing my Fenix 6 Sapphire and was curious about the V3. I think I will abandon the idea of getting the V3 even though I really like how it looks. Still undecided between the Forerunner 965, the Apex 2 pro, and the Suunto Race. Probably will end up with the Forerunner as the Suunto intrigues me but, as I understand, it doesn't have the same training tools as Garmin, for instance the suggested workouts and adaptive training programs which I like to have, or am I wrong?

[@astasuleo]

The HR monitor is very accurate. Please for those that having issues, compare it with a professional HR presure monitor which i guess we all have at home. Do not just make comments which may cause Polar to think about to change or update the firmware. I understand that crashes may happen. Those crashes as i checked on the interent are happening to the Garmin Forerunner 965 as well. So it is not only Polar that having issues.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

What are you basing your accuracy claims on? The data shown in my video is comparing the Vantage V3 to another optical sensor along with a third Chest worn ECG sensor which is far more accurate than any optical sensor on the wrist. In my testing the Vantage V3 hasn't performed well after several runs and steady state workouts. Not only does it not line up with the other test devices, it shows erratic behavior like spikes/drops during steady state workouts where the HR wouldn't have behaved like that. Of course, this is only in MY (sample of 1) testing and could vary from person to person. So we'll have to watch as more reviewers get their hands on this device. That said, I've tested every modern day sport watch from Apple, Garmin, COROS, Suunto, Polar, and more and know how to wear a watch properly to give it the best chance. In fact, I've always had decent luck with Polar watches in the past. Take it for what it's worth. I can only share my experiences to help educate buyers. Side note: I've been wearing a Garmin Forerunner 965 since it was released and it has never crashed on me or erased any of my data while this has happened 3 times in a short period of time with the Polar Vantage V3. I don't take sides with brands, in fact I really like Polar as a company but objectively there's something going on here.

[@shashi566]

@astasuleo: What did you get from Polar for this statement? Or are you an employee yourself?

[@crazymusto1495]

Great video, can you make an update whoop 4.0 review.

[@ukulanne]

Can't wait to get mine :)

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Hope you like it!

[@shashi566]

I see: you would like to experience the crashes of the V3 for yourself. Have fun! I've already had mine. I'm currently sending the watch back to Polar. 😄

[@steveforde7475]

I think you can download detailed maps of specific areas which do have some labels included.

[@TheRiseofKorolev]

No labels in the west region map.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

There are generalized labels for cities and major bodies of water but not for roads or trails.

[@DamianSieradzki]

00:59 or Suunto RACE which costs 449$

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Wait until the end of the video 😉

[@jcap8391]

​@@ChaseTheSummitThe polar ignite 3 looks so lightweight and nice besides the strap. Why can't polar get right 😢? Do they even watch what any of you reviewers say?

[@grantrussum9560]

The way you end the video is great and I appreciate your review! @@jcap8391

[@u.e.u.e.]

My Polar Vantage M (1) is worn out and almost falling apart. I have not decided yet if I really spend so much money for the V3, if I try to get the M2 for cheap or if I should wait for a potential M3... 🤷‍♂️ - let's see!

[@jimbeam4736]

Amen, to your conclusion. I guess in a year this watch will be what it should have been in the first place. If the next Garmin Forerunner 975 gets ECG I might buy one. The Suunto Race has an inaccurate HR-sensor, so that one is not on the list, which is a shame. Or I will wait for Amazfit (yes, that´s right) and the T-Rex 3.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I certainly wish the Race's HR sensor was a touch more accurate. That's really the only issue with that watch other than the slight UI lag.

[@shashi566]

Yes, Polar takes 4 years to bring a new watch to market: 3 years in the factory and 1 year worldwide with customers ... But they get the money for the watch after just 3 years. 🤣

[@MABBAS22]

As I was watching this review just wanted to see if I can see the maps on the watch and my v3 crashed

[@ChaseTheSummit]

No way really? Curious what triggered the crash for you. In my case it seemed like panning too quickly caused it to happen while map tiles were refreshing. Very odd!

[@MABBAS22]

@@ChaseTheSummit I went into running activity because I had downloaded detailed map for northeast region and while I was watching your review I was curious to see how detailed maps are and it crashed

[@АлексейКоваленко-ш4з]

Could you please explain how to export gpx track from your vantage v3 to the PC or share it via Bluetooth if you are offline, in the mountains for example? An another question: could I add custom maps not from PolarFlow?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

You might be able to use the Polar Flow app on a PC to retrieve data but I think even that will require an internet connection. Polar doesn't support custom maps at this time... only their maps.

[@АлексейКоваленко-ш4з]

@@ChaseTheSummit thank you!

[@Sinasi08]

Ray also had some crashes...

[@astasuleo]

very nice review. I have already bought the Polar Vantage V3. As for the menu i like it a bit more than the Garmin's one. Garmin has more features which are wellcome but in general i find Polar inteface better. Dont know if i need more the map details which Garmin offers (of course is an advantage to have). For me at the moment there is no crash in 2-3 days im using it. (i see a tatoo in your hand "μου λείπεις" ! Do you have any contact with Greece? Thanks once again for the detailed review.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Enjoy it! It seems like a great watch. Maybe I just have bad luck! The tattoo is in memory of my mom who passed away. She was the Greek one.

[@astasuleo]

@@ChaseTheSummit sorry for your mother. You have our Greek support here.

[@ZordidMuc]

My Polar Grit X Pro crashes almost once a week - at night, during sessions, anytime! I have had fights with Polar since it started in JUNE 2022! Polar just does not care. I have had the unit replaced - of course that just did not fix anything. I have lost hundreds of activities. Polar sucks big time and NOBODY helped me for over a year. Now I have my money back from Polar - but honestly: seeing that FINALLY KZbinrs have the same issue with the new V3... makes me laugh..... it's such a shame how BAD SOFTWARE will eventually kill a whole company. Sick!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

To be fair, I used the Vantage M, M2, V, V2, Grit X and Grit X Pro quite a bit and other than occasional quirks with phone notifications they never crashed on me. The Vantage V3 has been a different story. Hopefully they can clean things up with a firmware update.

[@shashi566]

@ZordidMuC: "but honestly: seeing that FINALLY KZbinrs have the same issue with the new V3... makes me laugh..... it's such a shame how BAD SOFTWARE will eventually kill a whole company. Sick!" That's exactly what I was thinking.

[@DiogoFilipeR]

Try contacting their support, I have a grit X pro and it wasn't syncing with my new phone and they fixed the software, took them a couple months to do it but it was fixed and I never got any reboot or problem besides that.. try also resetting the watch to factory settings

[@HKbiketravellers]

I would have freaked out...

[@KC-UT4rmAZ]

Now what would you choose, if they were the same price. Suunto Race Titanium or Polar Vantage V3?

[@grantrussum9560]

the race titanium- for mostly the sapphire screen and battery life improvements. I do really like the nightly recharge though....

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I'd lean towards the Race at this point particularly due to the bugs I've found with the VV3. Hopefully they are addressed!

[@li37444]

Is it big face and its only for less mills and walks what is the cheapest polar watxh u would recommend xx

[@thomasgronwall5039]

The oled display with non-usable always-on is a dealbreaker for me as a cyclist. I must have the display on always while touring for several days. I’ll guess I will stick to my old Vantage V Titan for ever. I have a Vantage V2 also, that I am selling (it’s too unreliable).

[@imirish4702]

I have a Polar H10 will this auto pair with other watches? Or only autopairs with Polar branded watches only? I do like the chest strap HRM but wanting a watch to go with it. Thinking suunto race as I like accurate GPS and nice looking watch.

[@NickW90]

Glad i went garmin

[@thomasreux7661]

I really like Polar eco system and app but it is a bit sad that they did not redesign the software, the visual. And the watch is still very "close" from personalization, watch faces etc ... particularly if you get amoled with so much possibilities.

[@Plasmatek87]

That's the thing Which is preventing from from updating from my pacer pro which I sold to this one. Extremely disappointed by polar

[@collynmaroncelli2996]

Do u think there’s a big difference in gps accuracy with the vantage v3 and grid x pro? I need an accurate device for tracking lap times on a motocross track an am unsure on which one to get

[@romantrochanowski6107]

The one things that watch reviews totally miss is privacy policy. Garmin’s privacy policy is awful. Polars is amazing. This needs to be transparent in reviews. Garmin selling your data is supplementing R&D. This is not something to take lightly.

[@RallihSarl]

Say that to Joe Rogan 😂

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I'd say that's a broader discussion about brands and how they handle data from a high level and not something I'd include in a product review. It's also something I have no interest in producing content around personally. I'd say if you feel strongly about it you should consider creating a KZbin video or blog post about it. I'd love to read/watch it myself!

[@Ordinary-Hendrik]

Dave, Great work ! how is this compare with the ignite 3 heart rate sensor? Thanks!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

The Ignite 3 uses Polar's Precision Prime 2.0 sensor which I've always had decent results with. That sensor however, doesn't have an SPO2 sensor, ECG, or Skin Temp.

[@Ordinary-Hendrik]

@@ChaseTheSummit Thanks Dave!

[@scriptosaurusrex]

Real bummer about the crashes. That's the kind of crap because of which I ditched garmin. Was hoping for more from polar. Especially disappointing is the HR.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I'm hopeful these are just early adopter issues and they can be ironed out. Hopefully they can address these issues quickly before too many units are shipped and users start complaining on forums/social media!

[@scriptosaurusrex]

@@ChaseTheSummit agreed. DCR was saying the HR was super accurate until an update. So that's a sign that it will be fixed. I am a coros lover, but have been running a v2 just for comparison and lifestyle/sleep monitoring. I am glad I did not preorder the v3, as it could have replaced both my sport watch and my sleep tracker - but if they fix that shit it may well be a second hand option.

[@browngrizzlybear]

Does this vantage v3 has fiture slap to lap like polar ignite 3?

[@fabricioluna2621]

Thanks Dave. Suunto is back. Vertical or Race?. Finland VS China. Cheers. Saludos desde México.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

That's up to you. Personally I think the Race is a much better value proposition with essentially the same features. It's got less battery life but still quite good for an AMOLED watch. They just need to work on their HR Sensor!

[@Ordinary-Hendrik]

I end up not using polar watch because for some reason, everytime I am starting a work out, it takes 2 to 3 mins to get to my proper heart rate , I have to wait and wait and wait while it goes from low heart rate to high heart rate ….. And , I really don’t feel it is reliable for my daily heart rate because it really jump from high to low many times a day. I don’t have problem with Garmin, or even Casio gbd h2000, within a minute they get my heart rate when I need it. Not sure if vantage 3 improve on this issue. These days, I give up my vantage 1, 2, ignite 3, grit X. Seem everyone including Casio which is using polar algorithms have improved but polar stay at the vantage 1 ignite 1 era.

[@anthonyrampino7734]

If you had to choose between this watch and the Suunto Race and the eco system which would you prefer?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Didja watch the end?

[@anthonyrampino7734]

@@ChaseTheSummit yes, lol. I sent my question before I watched the whole video.🤪

[@anthonyrampino7734]

@@ChaseTheSummit so , if I understood it correctly you like the race and the Suunto eco system better ?

Hi, is there a alternative to Garmin gym reps/sets counter (automatic)? Not sure if Polar has that option? Or anyone else?

[@grimkur]

very disapointed, I was expecting more for this price range... still no rep and set counters like the pacer pro or every other sports watches, polar is stricktly aimed for running / trail / cardio training but lack more frequants firmware updates and taking into account other sporting profiles (gym, pull ups, sqats etc ... ) Neverthe less, nice video man, keep up the good content !

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Polar is sending me a new Vantage V3 that they claim has updated firmware and hardware fixes. Stay tuned!

[@Sidew1ndR]

Hi @@ChaseTheSummit! Any news on this one? My Vantage M died (stuck lower left button) and I'd love to know if they fixed the HR accuracy. All the bad reviews are holding me back to buy the V3, but then again I saw some Reddit posts indicating the situation improved. Keep up the good work!

[@adammillsindustries.]

I don’t know if I should get Suunto Race Fenix 7 or V3. Suunto is much cheaper.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Fenix 7 / Epix has the most features at the highest price tag. Suunto Race is the best value and arguably the highest build quality. Vantage V3 has a great build and display but a few issues to be ironed out for $599 price tag! The choice is yours!

[@rubarb1275]

No update to the interface and features falling behind other brands, plus the hardware issues, I don't think this is the best option at this price point. I would go for a Garmin forerunner instead.

[@RallihSarl]

Can be found for 490€ already. Edit: As a Polar fan I couldn't spend 599€ on this and got my self an 955. I felt a bit bad when I saw it for 490€, but with the 955 I at least get a developed watch already.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Where are you seeing it for that price?

[@RallihSarl]

​​@@ChaseTheSummit In a local store in Estonia. Can be found from 490-595€, but the official reseller asks 599€. Edit: I canceled my 955-order and got the V3. Price was just too motivating. Thank you for the review. Always the best source.

[@jjsampo]

Which is the better Polar Vantage V3 or Sunto Race?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Didja watch the video?

[@mikeb5613]

The download of maps doesn’t work, spent 5 hours on a MacBook trying with the latest OS. Looks like rinky dink software. Very, very disappointing.

[@josejr.8671]

sucks you got a bad apple lol . My Polar grit x pro works amazing !

[@DonGib888]

If this watch was circa 300 dollars / euros it could do well. But absolutely not at this price. Die hard Polar fans have moved on methinks.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

It's got potential. I wish they baked the firmware a bit further before releasing it.

[@eriktaasti]

Is there a segment that is such die-hard Polar fans that they would spend their cash and use training time not knowing if a core metric like heart rate is measured correctly? The V3 looks more like an early-stage beta product, except for the mapping features that look like something from the past.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Seems like it may have been a bit rushed. Hopefully they can clean it up with firmware updates.

[@user-h1j6c]

I think you meant a “price point with a lot of competition” instead of a “competitive price point” at the opening there - that would more likely apply to the Suunto Race.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Sure why not lol

[@silv3rArrow]

The moment it costs the same as a Fenix 7/ Garmin Epix 2 (on Amazon at least) it could never be a contender

[@danielcanovas341]

it still looks super laggy. Shame

[@ChaseTheSummit]

It’s pretty responsive for a sports watch.

[@MrHenkfromHolland]

Is way what it is. Doesn’t sound good 😢

[@Sinasi08]

Indeed

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Fingers crossed they can address some of the issues in software!