With a price displayed at 599 euros, we were eager to test this model in order to better understand its positioning, its qualities but also its faults.
Answer in this test.
The positioning of the Vantage V3
We can affirm this from the outset. The Polar Vantage V3 will not overshadow Garmin's outdoor offering (Fenix 7, Fenix 7 Pro, Epix 2, etc.), nor, to a lesser extent, that of Coros or Suunto.
For what ? Because the Vantage V3 does not have in its DNA the characteristics of a true outdoor watch, although it can do the job on trails in certain circumstances.
Polar, despite the arrival in the cartography, remains with this Vantage V3 in line with what it has done best for years. A reliable watch, designed for a structured approach to training (before, during and after), especially for road use. At this level, it is a continuation of the Vantage V2, even if the improvements, particularly at the hardware level, are numerous. The competition is rather to be found on the side of the top of Garmin's Forerunner rangeFor example.
The level of look and handling, those accustomed to the Polar environment will not be disoriented. We remain in what makes the tradition of the brand, with a light watch (57 grams), both discreet and attractive, and an identical operating logic, structured around five buttons (three on the right and two on the left) and a touch screen.
Her price positioning, at €599, nevertheless raises questions. This is the price at which you can find a Garmin today Forerunner 965 for example, high-end multisport watch with excellent mapping and also an Amoled screen. It's also more than the new Suunto Race, also with Amoled screen, available at €499.
The Amoled screen, difficult to do without it
An Amoled screen brings a huge plus to the readability of a running watch, while enhancing its look. Once you have tried such a screen, it is difficult to do without it and return to a darker but more energy-efficient display. A feeling that we also feel with the Amoled of the Vantage V3, the first Polar watch equipped with this technology.
The screen of this Vantage V3 (touch) is pleasant and readable in all circumstances, even if it consumes a lot of energy (see below). With 35 mm in diameter, this is the first time that Polar has offered such a large screen on one of its watches. What's more, there is no longer a black band around the screen. A success.
The only downside is that the Gorilla Glass has a rounded edge that seems exposed to scratches. Caution.
Cartography: good, but could do better
We were very curious to try out Polar cartography. This is a first deployed on this Vantage V3. In the end, there is both good and bad.
On the plus side, the visual aspect is successful, especially with an Amoled screen. We can clearly see the differences between rural and urban areas, between fields and forests. On the other hand, there are no visual differences between the trails and the roads, with the exception of large roads in yellow.
Another limitation, as soon as we tested trail running with the Polar map, we noticed that quite a few trails in the woods did not appear on the map. This confirms the “road” DNA of this watch and not “outdoor”. A little frustrating if you don't pay attention to it before purchasing.
On the other hand, the ease of navigation on the map is there. To zoom or move, which is not always the case with the competition.
Another limitation, to follow a track drawn in advance with turn-by-turn guidance, it is obligatory to use the Komoot application, the Polar Flow app does not allow you to draw routes. In terms of user experience, it is heavy and, above all, it requires having purchased the desired map area in Komoot.
Another small feature (or bug): if you leave the route to follow, your GPS location remains correct but the track traveled (in blue) indicating the path taken so far does not follow you and remains stuck on the route initially planned .
In short, an excellent map, when you stay on the road and don't follow the route. A bit paradoxical all the same for those who associate cartography with adventure and discovery.
All the test information and running equipment
Autonomy: good and bad
The Vantage V3 was announced with increased autonomy compared to the previous range, despite the arrival of an Amoled screen. This is a statement that needs to be qualified, depending on how you use your watch. Your satisfaction with autonomy will therefore depend on your use and your expectations. But it is a very important point to pay attention to before choosing the model or not.
Polar says the watch can accompany you during 140 hours in training. But this is autonomy in economy mode, where the functions that make the watch so interesting are not or barely used.
So we need to be more precise and translate our training experiences. By default, the Amoled screen of the Vantage V3 turns off after 2-3 seconds, as is the case for this type of model. To turn it back on, all it takes is a brief flick of the wrist. Personally, when training, we prefer to leave the watch in “always on” mode so as not to have to fiddle with our arm to have the desired information directly in front of our eyes.
In automatic screen off mode, we consumed 9% of the battery over a 2h30 outing, manipulating the watch but not excessively. Extrapolating, don't expect much more 25 hours of battery life. Which is already very interesting.
On the other hand, if you leave your watch with the screen in always-on mode, the battery life drops quickly. Even dizzying. Particularly because the brightness is always at its maximum on this model, where it decreases a little after a few seconds on other brands with an Amoled screen.
During a 60-minute “always on” outing, for example, we consumed 6% of the battery life. Which brings us to 4/5 p.m. maximum. Worse, one would be tempted to say, the watch held up in our case 5 days when left in “always on” mode for daily activity monitoring. This is little.
The best compromise, in our eyes, is to set the watch to automatically turn off the screen in daily monitoring (with autonomy increasing to 12 days then) and to switch it to “always on” during practice. athletic. Knowing that this can be a limiting factor for a long trail ride or, worse, on a bike.
His major asset: a loyal training partner
In our eyes, the Polar Vantage V3, despite its mentioned limitations, is indeed the best watch released to date by Polar. A top-notch screen, mapping that does the job on the road, super-reliable GPS and a huge step forward in health and training data analysis.
Personally, this last point is not what we look for most in a connected watch. Still, the performance tests, recovery analysis, wrist power and even the different training suggestions are a real strong point. Here, Polar does better in our opinion than the competition.
We note in particular the presence of an ECG sensor. Please note, however, it is not approved for performing medical electrocardiograms. There is also a widget called Sleep Boost which, based on the data collected, will project the energy level you will have at different times of the day. Interesting.
In terms of cardiac data, despite the progress announced, we have still seen a lot of volatility, even inconsistencies, in the data transmitted. Especially at the start of the session and in cold weather, as far as our tests are concerned. It was better in other circumstances and this heart rate on the wrist constitutes a good basis for interpretation. But there are still failures which make us continue to affirm that it is essential to associate a cardio belt with such a watch to use all its sensors coherently, especially with a view to training on the road and with a progress goal.
In terms of training programming, Polar is on its playing field and does the job very well. Once you get to grips with the Polar Flow app, it's very easy to program different workouts and integrate them into the watch. When you start your activity, all you have to do is validate your choice of training and follow the instructions, which are displayed clearly and effectively.
The Vantage V3, for whom?
Beyond the effect of curiosity aroused by the arrival of mapping and an Amoled screen at Polar, we must understand the positioning of this high-end watch. It is not primarily aimed at outdoor enthusiasts but rather at those looking for a quality partner to make the most of their potential, primarily on the road or on the track.
If you recognize yourself in this description, this watch will do the job for you. It remains to be seen whether its price positioning will be enough to convince you.
WE love
- The Amoled screen
- The arrival of the map and its use on the road
- Training suggestions
- Tracking performance analysis
We don't like
- The price, too high compared to the competition
- Battery life drops when you leave the screen on
- No outdoor DNA as the arrival of the map might have suggested.
Technical sheet in brief
- Model : Polar Vantage V3
- Weight : 57 grams (without bracelet 39 grams)
- Price : 599 euros
- Screen : Amoled, touchscreen, 454×454 pixels, 1.39 inches.
- Memory : 37 MB
- Dimensions: Thickness: 14.5mm; Width: 47mm; Length: 50.8mm; Thickness: 14.5 mm
