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tech_geezer
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Polar V800 review

  • Price Paid:$500.00
  • User rating:
    (4.3)
  • Would buy again from this company: Yes
  • Used product for: 1 months
  • # of logged workouts:

"This is the first experience with the device. I will update this as I learn more."tech_geezer

(5)

Ease of installation

I've not installed the speed and cadence sensors. Ease of connecting the wrist unit to a Mac computer was simple and painless. It took a bit longer to figure out how to get the iPad and iPhone to sync with the online Polar Flow program

(3)

Ease of use

Like any complicated device that does a lot of things, this watch is not easy to figure out. I spent a morning exploring the features on the watch and on the online Polar Flow program. Like most devices these days, there is no comprehensive manual. In this case, there is no online help button either. It is and exercise in trial and error to figure out where things are. Having used Polar products since I bought a Polar S610 when it first came out ten or twelve years ago, I already knew about Polar's OwnIndex estimate of VO2Max and the orthostatic test and some of the other built in test features. If I did not, the documentation would not be much help. This is a complaint I have with most complex tech products, the lack of adequate documentation.





A new feature for me is the activity monitor that uses accelerometers to recoginize sitting, sleeping and other states of activity. The same sensors are able to detect and count steps taken. I had to look around to find where these things are reported. It is complicated enough that I will need to use them frequently to remember how they work.





The GPS feature seems to connect to satellites faster than my Garmin Edge 305. It still needs a reasonably clear sky. I haven't tried in a city with tall buildings or with heavy tree cover.





(5)

Quality of Construction

Quality of the band and the case sports watches/HRMs from Polar. I have worn the two I have owned previously as an everyday watch. The batteries, buttons and bands eventually fail. Of course they can be replaced but not by the user and at a cost that sometimes seems out of proportion to the value of the device. So the defective device has wound up in a drawer.





This watch is a higher level of construction. The screen is Gorilla glass. The battery is a high tech rechargeable battery. The case is aluminum with nice metal buttons. The band seems more rubbery and flexible in texture than bands that failed on me. It is also user replaceable with conventional spring pins.





I just got the watch but I expect this to be used as a watch for several years at least. I hope it lasts a long time.

(4)

Fit

The wrist unit is in the clunky large category as all GPS units. Not much can be done with that.

(5)

Comfort

No issues with the chest strap for the HRM. The current generation of straps work better than the first generation straps.





I can get the watch band down to my size. I have a small wrist. It would go much larger if needed.

(5)

Adjustability

I am in the mid range for body size so I am pretty much the target subject for one-size-fits-all products. It appears to be designed for most people. I understand that both larger and smaller chest straps can be purchased for more extreme body sizes. The strap and sensor snap together so only the strap needs to be substituted.

(4)

Durability

No experience so far.

(4)

Value

If you need a high tech gadget for activity and training, this is a good choice. It is on the high end for comparable products. I bought it for the fun and motivation so it met my value requirements. Your sense of value could be much different.

(5)

Appearance

You can expect nontechny people to roll their eyes at the sheer geekiness of a large GPS HRM watch on your wrist. But in comparison to the competition, this one looks good.





I bought the Bluetooth speed and cadence sensors. This consists of three parts, on for the fork, one for the rear chain stay and one for the handle bar. It looks clunky. I am hoping Bontrager comes out with a Bluetooth Duotrap sensor that fits my bike. The only one they have now

(2)

Customer Service

I've not been impressed with Polar customer service in the past for installation of batteries, replacement of bands, etc. I hope I need them less this time. The farmed the service out to some shop in New York that took forever to do any work.

(5)

Performance

I have been looking at the sleep and daily activity data. This is a new feature for me. I think I like it. It is the sort of feedback that will make me try to up the score for myself. I am in need of some motivation so this performance/feature is good.





The performance of the GPS is good. It is much faster than the old Garmin Edge 305 in finding satellites that I also have.


The unit in combination with the online Polar Flow is capable of sophisticated data processing. One of the things I hope will prove beneficial is the recovery estimate. I have used the OwnIndex and Orthostatic tests on previous units. I use it mainly out of curiosity rather that feeling a strong need for the data.

Strengths

Good software. Good design. There is a lot of "play" value in a toy this complicated. I am enjoying it.

Weakness

I don't like the two-piece speed and cadence sensors.





I don't like having to put my data into an online program. I would prefer to have the data on just my computer.

Buyers clubV800
  • 1 people use
  • 0 workouts logged
  • 0 miles / 0 hours logged