Polar Pacer Pro - Just as Good as Polar Vantage V2?

Рет қаралды 29,790

Күн бұрын

The Pacer Pro is a new watch from Polar. And it seems to do everything that Polar’s high end watches do. But it does it for a few hundred dollars less. So what’s the catch? It’s time to put on the Pacer Pro and take it for a run.
0:00 intro
0:58 disclosures and caveats
1:48 specs
5:41 features
11:40 pacer pro vs vantage v2
caveat: these watches have tons of features and functions that I won't cover today. my coverage of the specs and features isn't intended to be exhaustive. rather, I'm spotlighting the things that are most relevant to me and how I use the watch as a longtime Polar user.
disclosures: Polar provided all the watches for this review. No one is paying me to make this video or to use this watch. No one will get a chance to preview any of my footage or my thoughts before this video goes up on KZfaq.
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Пікірлер: 77

@ZeRo-22- 2 жыл бұрын

It’s great to see different viewpoints on the same device. Just watched DCR’s video and he called it an okay running watch, but a great multi sport/triathlon watch. It seems to come down to preference of the polar eco-system, and what you find important in a watch (functionality over form? Amoled or MIP? Great GPS/heart rate, or more easily digestible data?). One of my biggest gripes with Garmin is they give you so much information, but nothing to do with it. It seems Polar does a better job with showing you how to build off that data. I’m compelled to try a Polar watch, coming from Garmin/Apple. I still may give it a shot. You definitely make them look good, Ko! And if I don’t like it, I guess that’s what return policies are for 😂

@mlegrand 2 жыл бұрын

Great review Ko!!! I am glad to see Polar head in this direction. They'll need to do something bigger and better with the V2 and Grit watches. I also think the Pacer is a great option for people wanting to save even more money. Don't even get me started on the M2. 😬 And I have been seeing good HR data on the Pacer Pro. 👍🏻 Thanks so much for posting this one!

@franzkuntschnig1320 2 жыл бұрын

Excited if there will be a vantage v3 and the planned feature set. I really like my v2 except that it already lost some paint already and the Aluminium shines through quite shiny.

@grahamtricker4103 2 жыл бұрын

Great review. 👍 I would hope the Polar Vantage V3, if one comes out, would have a larger display. Not a larger watch but the inner screen increases in diameter nearer to the outer bezel. After all Huawei have done this with an excellent clear hi-res display, so I am sure Polar could too. If they did I would certainly buy one. P.S. Great to see you covering Ben Parkes at the Brooklyn half 👏

@ponderingfox 2 жыл бұрын

Congrats on 100k, btw.

@soomad 2 жыл бұрын

I got the basic model of the Pacer right when it started shipping. Positively surprised with the HR responsiveness and I feel like as a person getting back into running it's got everything I need. Plus my internal compass has always been very good, so don't need the navi and can still get Stryd to pair the Pacer with if I at some point want running power. Although on paper this seemed like a miniscule upgrade compared to the Vantage M, I've been super happy with the upgrade and def got my 179e worth of product. (Plus I signed up for my first half marathon with the money I saved 😁) And I'm also rocking double watches with the Galaxy Watch 4 on my other wrist to have a phone, wallet, music and map with me, if needed.

@user-gn9uw7wd9w 2 жыл бұрын

Good! Ordered it too

@kerry_runs 2 жыл бұрын

Almost purchased the grit x but I'm glad I waited for the pacer pro, it does everything I want at a fraction of the cost of the grit x.

@scott_strool 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry I missed you in NY. Been happy with the Vantage V2 and I am experimenting with the Coros Apex Pro. Nice features in the PP IMO, not enough to upgrade. I am hoping for a firmware upgrade to get some of these features and UI refresh.

@evanfortune-cabrera8887 2 жыл бұрын

As someone who has owned all but the Ignite series since the release of the Vantage V1, I believe the Pacer Pro is the best value watch Polar have released and I'm hoping we see the same approach with future offerings. Doesn't match Garmin (features for price) but I think Polar is doing something unique in offering great, usable features for a more competitive price. My red VV2 has been my daily until I got the Pacer Pro and I don't see myself going back to the VV2.

@jamal6509 2 жыл бұрын

Hey man. Once again you does a great job with the videos, they are so accurate and understandable. My polar v has some gps issue. Polar customer service offer me to swap it to a v2, wish I think i will do. I have only one question. Are the v2 and the pacer pro gps good in the city with all the high buildings? And are the pace accurate in the city?

@jkadbhjadhboa Жыл бұрын

Great video! Great channel! Glad you you did Grandma’s Marathon!

@kofuzi Жыл бұрын

Me too

@koenroekens8949 2 жыл бұрын

Nice video! Little question here though. Could you say what your issues were with that pre-roduction unit? I've had two Pacer Pro watches by now and returned both for immensely bad GPS tracking in the woods (while performing good in open air). I was wondering if you encountered something more or less the same.

@Fireinthestubble 2 жыл бұрын

This video made me get a Pacer Pro. Thanks it is a great watch. 👍

@kofuzi 2 жыл бұрын

glad you enjoy it!

@ChaseTheSummit 2 жыл бұрын

I’m here for the intro B-Roll and dramatic music 🕺 🏃‍♂️ 🎶

@kofuzi 2 жыл бұрын

that's really all I got. after the intro, it's pretty much all downhill

@greyrunnings9725 9 ай бұрын

Nice! Thank you, glad to see your recently enjoyed your trip to Chamonix 👏👍🙏

@kofuzi 9 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@imanmanan 2 жыл бұрын

great review!! can this connect to other brand chest strap HRM? support earphone pairing?

@sagarkore20 Жыл бұрын

Great review!!! Hope there is no pace lag like Garmin forrunner255 or COROS PACE 2, you reply will easy helpful to make my decision.

@Ordinary-Hendrik 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! How is the daily HR compare with Pacer pro? My daily vantage V2 HR sometimes just go crazy dip low. I wonder if pacer pro is not doing that.

@colinsnexus 2 жыл бұрын

I may finally have found the replacement for my m430

@tsubakichan 2 жыл бұрын

I'm hoping the success(?) of the COROS Pace 2 is driving other companies - like Polar - to offer their watches at better prices. At least, that's how I see the PPP coming about.

@lorenzocapitta4490 10 ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for your great review! I've just bought a polar pacer and I'm super happy with it (coming from a fitbit versa)! Could you please help me getting on the same menu as at min. 8:46, in order to be able to manage the "related to device" features from the computer? That would be great, thanks in adavnce :) :) :)

@adamfeerst2575 2 жыл бұрын

Give them credit for migrating premium features to a lower price point.

@GyulaJentetics 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

@fabricioluna2621 8 ай бұрын

Dear Kofuzi... Now that Polar V3 has been announced... What are your thoughts regarding polar pacer pro? Seems to me that still pacer pro is good value. Cheers.

@garryjennings3899 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video Kofuzi! It’s exactly what I wanted to know about - comparison of the Vantage V2 and the Pacer Pro. My dilemma is that Polar has a sale (Fourth of July) right now and the Vantage V2 is on sales for $299 while the Pacer Pro is not on sale and is $329. I’m not a runner. I road bike and strength train. I have worn a polar HRM strap for years and want to add the watch to my health “monitoring”. I am definitely interested in the sleep and recovery features. Since the Vantage V2 is on sale, do you see any reason that I shouldn’t go with that versus going with the Pacer Pro?

@kofuzi Жыл бұрын

I think you should be fine with the Vantage V2. it's just an older model, but the recovery metrics are solid

@sdnalyam Жыл бұрын

How does this compare to the Coros Pace2.

@iansansford1997 2 жыл бұрын

Would you consider a gps watch to be as accurate as an iPhone with cellular and gps using Strava. I have found recently that my garmin 45 is consistently 200-500 meters shorter than what Strava on my phone is calculating.

@kofuzi 2 жыл бұрын

I think iPhone gps is typically the least accurate

@editor0range Жыл бұрын

Why is the pacer pro becoming you new daily driver when you just said the v2 has better materials?

@istvanlorincz9094 Жыл бұрын

Hello. I am planning to purchase the Polar Pacer Pro & Polar H10. I know that they are compatible. What I don´t know is if I set the maximum heart rate in Zonelock, would the watch give me the notification (vibration) of exceeding it based on the H10 transmission or the watch´s heart rate sensor itself? Can you help?

@beppeci Жыл бұрын

Yes once the HR Monitor is connected to your watch it works just as an extension of it, so the watch will buzz whenever you come off the training set's HR. It works really well! FYI I own a Polar M430 + H10 HR Monitor ( think of the system working already on the M430, I think produced from 2017 on)

@pablopelenur2544 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Kofuzi, could you expand on the HEART RATE monitor aspect? for the Pacer Pro (as a wristwatch). I have been testing it for over a month now, swim, bike, run and the biggest issue is the plain inaccuracy and reliability of the Heart Rate monitor data vs. my Polar chest-band. So far disappointing as I do use the hear-rate metric a lot when training and the Pacer Pro data varies like crazy, ie: super hard 100mts lap in the pool, feeling my heart-rate pounding and the Pacer Pro shows a measly 130bpm ... same for testing on the treadmill runner, the Pacer Pro fails to capture the increases BPMs when I sprint, and has sudden drops and also sudden surges (super high), I was actually beginning to think mine was defective until watching your review. If you could shed some light into this it would be very much appreciated ... ie: Polar started as a Heart-Rate monitor company so I expected this function to be the best.

@kofuzi 2 жыл бұрын

I mention this in every single watch review I make. but it's a limitation of optical heart rate sensors vs chest straps, specifically when the optical sensor is placed in a difficult place for an optical sensor to get a good reading, such as a wrist. I mentioned that I use an armband, which also uses optical sensors. but that band uses elastic and is placed on the arm, which is a meatier place that allows for better elimination of light intrusion. chest straps use a different type of technology, so it's not as susceptible to light leak due to motion/jostling. as I mentioned in the video, some people, whether due to skin tone and/or wrist shape, will never be able to get an accurate reading from a watch. my implication is that, for some people, it works completely fine.

@pablopelenur2544 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!!! I think I’ll give the arm-band a try … looking for a way to effectively monitor my heart-rate while training for a marathon (42k), and also triathlons … and the chest-band is not that confortable to wear for very long periods.

@abellozano3929 Жыл бұрын

Can the Polar pacer pro do a VO2 Max estimate? Or should I wait for the Vantage V3, and hopefully get a discount on the Vantage V2?

@kofuzi Жыл бұрын

I believe the answer is yes

@louisechelsey1823 Жыл бұрын

I’m a long distance runner who is training for my first marathon. I also weight train. I need fuelling reminders for my runs and currently have an ignite 2 so looking to upgrade to v2? What do you think?

@davidosolo Жыл бұрын

Vantage V2 or Pacer Pro will both serve you.

@Dyu07 2 жыл бұрын

Does the Garmin HRM Run work with the Polar Pacer Pro?

@evanfortune-cabrera8887 2 жыл бұрын

Yep

@giacomo9650 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, the pacer pro is more comparable to the garmin forerunner 55 or the forerunner 245? Would you suggest the pacer pro over the forerunner 55/245?

@kofuzi 2 жыл бұрын

I think I would disagree with the presumption that the Pacer Pro is comparable to only the 55 or the 245. Neither of those has a barometric altimeter or a magnetometer, if I recall correctly.

@giacomo9650 2 жыл бұрын

@@kofuzi You recall correctly, the garmins cited don't have those things. Thank you for the video and the answer. I was undersitmated the polar. Greetings from Italy!

@FadzliRealtor Жыл бұрын

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.

@kofuzi Жыл бұрын

I've not tested any watch with football before. but I love Polar for sleep tracking and analytics

@lucaagresti 2 жыл бұрын

What about a comparison with the new FR255?? Would be great!!!

@kofuzi 2 жыл бұрын

Garmin never sends me test devices, so I had to wait to buy one. Just arrived and am testing now

@lucaagresti 2 жыл бұрын

@@kofuzi 👍 good to know! Definitely waiting for a review and possibly the comparison as i'm looking to upgrade from the FR45 and I always appreciate your point of view! 😊

@davidkajdewicz2583 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the review! :) I'd like the Pacer Pro, but is it just me or isn't anyone else annoyed by the fact, that I cannot use Spotify on the Polar watches? How are you guys listening to music? Linking it to my phone and using it as a remote control isn't an option for, since I won't carry my phone with me on my runs. It seems like any other brand solved this issue by downloading Spotify-playlists onto the watch. How come Polar isn't solving this?

@casperm4634 Жыл бұрын

Does the pacer pro also have the leg recovery test and the running tests? Basically all the tests?

@kofuzi Жыл бұрын

It has some of the tests. I don’t think it has the ones you’re looking for though

@casperm4634 Жыл бұрын

@@kofuzi okey thanks! I watched almost all of your videos with the polar watches and it was verry helpfull!

@adamfeerst2575 2 жыл бұрын

What about comparing the base Pacer to the Pro?

@kofuzi 2 жыл бұрын

Testing the regular Pacer next. They sent the Pro first.

@dextersuarez9948 2 жыл бұрын

If you had a discount that would give you a Polar Vantage V2 for 200 would you buy it over the pacer pro? Asking before I buy.

@kofuzi 2 жыл бұрын

I think if a discount brought them to the same price, I would pick the Vantage, as I believe there are some additional features that it has over the Pacer Pro. I’m not sure off the top of my head what those are, but they may be features that another person might find useful

@merkoutios Жыл бұрын

Sorry wrong question .Reviews from sites that do scientific research how good they are as devices how correct they measure sleep and gpc are bad . They speak about no so good GPS and bad overall metrics in sports with fast changing heart rates. You like it as a polar watch or in general . Is it good compare to other brands you used or you prefer polar system in general .

@kofuzi Жыл бұрын

I was not aware a Polar Pacer Pro 2 had been released

@yakiweiss546 2 жыл бұрын

Polar ecosystem is the best , But as for accuracy this is a different story.

@LuisBecerra79 2 жыл бұрын

Yo, what’s going on!!!

@affepost8520 Жыл бұрын

It`s about the battery (replacement) ...

@rafadawid1456 Жыл бұрын

Which one, pacer pro vs. Fr255

@kofuzi Жыл бұрын

I like the screen and maps of the Garmin. but I reach for the pacer for the wrist based power and recovery metrics

@christiaanbester252 2 жыл бұрын

Do you need to carry your phone with you to get the GPS routes?

@LEGALMAVENS_2023 Жыл бұрын

They are loaded from the pc and then you use them offline. You don't need your mobile.

@jasoncooper1898 Жыл бұрын

Hi mate what watch do you recommend?...

@kofuzi Жыл бұрын

I do not have enough information to answer this question for you. if you are shopping at this price point and looking for this general range of features, I think this is a great watch. also at this price point and feature set, I like the Garmin 255 but your preferences may vary depending on what kind of smart features you want, battery life requirements, what sports you enjoy, etc.

@TheZlantan1926 2 жыл бұрын

I have vantage v for 2 years and the second year the watch has many many problems with gps and battery and heart rate...there are days which is working fine but most of the time is a disaster!I can for sure say no more polar in the future

@mitza2001 2 жыл бұрын

Also experienced some battery issues with Vantage V after 2+ years. However after turning the watch off and on it seems to solve the rapid drain of battery issue. Maybe this also works for you. Navi is terrible and HR has some strange drops but the chest strap(H10) solved this quite quickly.

@murtazabanday Жыл бұрын

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.