Polar Vantage V2 Review: Three runners' long-term review of Polar's flagship GPS running watch

[@scott_strool]

The touch screen is great.

[@samwis41979]

Great review In 2022 you can get the V2 + HR strap for £390 and the Garmin 945 for £450 with that little in it for an all round sportsman but not specialising in any who wants recovery and performance MI with sleep tracking is there any change in your view of which to go for?

[@hanstenberg]

Do you find the Fitness test and Running index accurate? I find my Running index beeing eqvivalent to my labresult when I do for exampel 3k all out run.

[@LiberaTeTutemetExInferis]

No question they have improved over the V1, even the gps accuracy seems improved, I live surrounded with mountains and this watch does amazing in that respect, everyone praises Polar ecosystem, I find the PC version of Polar flow to be confusing and counter intuitive, certainly behind Garmin.I know the cellular version of the app seems to be better but having survived a brain cancer I do not use any wireless technology... There is some potential for customization, 5 of 6 datas during training wouldn't hurt, I live at 6200ft and wish I could check my altitude whenever I feel like it, sadly you can't... I like datas, Polar could easily display much more data. Overall it is a good watch but sadly it feels like this is what the V should have been rather than a new release, and V owners may feel cheated as they will not get any update, Polar is on a slippery road .

[@TheRunTesters]

Some of The Run Testers would agree with you on Polar Flow. Though myself (Kieran), I find Garmin's to be equally as awkward. I think both just take a bit of getting used to. But just like Apple vs Android, people have their preferences.

[@sanderk9021]

Thanks for this thorough review. Could you do a brief review on the improved navigation? For me, this could be the deal maker or deal breaker for the Polar Vantage v2.

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi Sander, we'll see what we can do. What did you want to know specifically?

[@sanderk9021]

I am looking for an impression on how to use the navigation i.e. how to import routes, but of course most importantly the navigation itself. By that, I mean what does the map really look like, what type of cues are given in terms of direction and your general feedback after using it (pros and cons)

[@andrescarrenov]

Great review!

[@TheRunTesters]

Glad it was useful.

[@kenbourn8132]

Great review, thanks. Was Mike in a mirror?!

[@TheRunTesters]

Mike always appears like that when we ask him to, um, reflect, about the pros and cons of a watch.

[@gustavahenriksson]

Thanks for a thorough review! The 4-6 days that you managed to squeeze out of the V2, was that with 24/7 HR or merely "by night"? I use the latter on my V, and the watch seems to need recharging every 1,5-2 weeks or so... Regards, FinnGus

[@TheRunTesters]

That's with 24/7 HR on.

[@hannesaltenfelder4302]

Do you know if there is any difference when you use polar chest/arm straps with garmin watches or vice versa?

[@TheRunTesters]

Provided they are bluetooth, they will connect across brands.

[@verzinesiets]

Did you also test/have experience with battery drain when h10 is connected to the v2? I just recently bought a h10 and connected it to my current watch and battery drains much faster (on 2,5 hour run 10% battery drain with build in HR and more than 50% drain when h10 connected). Was wondering if V2 has te same "issue". I guess BT connection is a big power consumer.

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi, this wasn't something we noticed.

[@lukakolakusic30]

All the fancy features wouldn't be enough for me to consider a TOUCH SCREEN sports watch. What's the point?

[@TheRunTesters]

It's not just touchscreen. We mainly use the button controls and you can ignore the touchscreen almost entirely.

[@subliminallyinc]

When you are in an activity the touch screen is disabled. So your argument against this watch is pointless.

[@fawazghali]

This or pace 2?

[@fawazghali]

Coros pace 2 or vantage v2?

[@TheRunTesters]

V2 is a better watch. Pace 2 perhaps offers better value.

[@Chris-gq8ev]

Nick, did you say'Streets Ahead'? 😆

[@TheRunTesters]

He probably did. That's on his Top 10 lists of phrases to describe when something is better than something else.

[@coachalexroberts]

Garmin is still the play.

[@TheManOnTheRail]

Can't read it. It's dreadful. So dull.