At a Glance: Quick Ratings
Heart Rate Functions
Fitness / Sport Features
Ease of Use
Battery Life
Where To Get It
A Deep Dive Into Polar V650
The Polar V650 is an advanced GPS bike computer with OpenSource maps, back to home, cadence (optional), power (optional), heart rate (optional) and barometric altimeter for accurate climb and descent data. The Polar V650 GPS Bike Computer has been tested and reviewed by Tristan Haskins aka CardioCritic.
Video Review
Pros
Cons
The V650 is for the cyclist with a desire to improve fitness and expand their training horizons. With the recent addition of OpenStreet mapping you can now dare to go beyond your normal local loops without the fear of getting lost. The V650 has the ability to support all the metrics a professional cyclist may have an interest in e.g. Heart Rate, Pedal Cadence (RPM) and Power (with compatible Bluetooth power meters). It utilises Polar’s 5 x Sport Zones giving accurate feedback of training time spent in specific HR zones. Polar’s unique Training Benefit provides the user with immediate feedback regarding the benefits of the latest session.
If you don’t know who Polar are, they started selling heart rate monitors in 1976. CardioCritic have tested the majority of Polar heart rate monitors & bike computers – using them for the first time in 1996
With options for 4 bikes and 4 different riding profiles (road, MTB, indoor and other) you are assured of the training views relevant to you and your style of riding. Just like the Garmin Edge 520/1000 etc, the Training Views are based on the style of riding so you may have a different set of windows for MTB riding to Road Riding. The V650 has features FREE OpenStreet mapping, perfect for those who want to know where they are going and how to get back. More about the Mapping later.
Main Features and Functions
Key Features
- FREE OpenStreetMap support
- Bright Clear Colour Display
- Training Benefit feedback post ride
- Easy to operate via single RED button on front of unit
- Configurable Displays for different cycling styles and training views (MTB, Road, Indoor, Other)
- Optional Heart Rate, Cadence and Power support
- Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate, Cadence and Speed sensor support
- Emergency Front Light
- Navigate BACK HOME function with as the crow flies directional arrow
- Barometric Altimeter with ascent/descent and VAM (vertical meters per hour ascent speed)
- Polar Flow web-service support (Mac and Windows PC)
- Please also take a minute to watch my Polar V650 video review here
Disappointments / Improvements
- A set of smaller stem mount ties (as per Garmin Edge)
- An extra bike mount (as per Garmin Edge)
- % Incline feedback WITHOUT having to purchase the Speed Sensor… (why is this anyway?)
More Features
Emergency Front Light
Training Benefit Feedback
FREE Maps
Training Views
Summary of a Training Session
GET HOME mode
Route Follow
Top Alternatives
Next Model DOWN
The next model down in the Polar range of GPS bike computers is the Polar M450. The M450 is less than half the size of the V650. It does NOT support the OpenStreet mapping like the V650 does, and it has a monochrome display (no colour, no touch screen). The M450 has a couple of things the V650 does not have (at time of writing review) like the Polar Fitness tests and Bluetooth synchronisation of data to Polar Flow App
Review Summary
In summary, the V650 is Polar’s answer to the Garmin Edge 510 with a little bit of 810/1000 thrown in. It’s NOT an autorouting GPS mapping device like the Edge 810/Touring Plus or Edge 1000, but it does show high resolution Open Source map detail, down to street names for an area 450km x 450km (it’s free, you simply highlight the area you want….. it’s a fantastic feature). The V650 is a competent GPS bike computer packed with performance monitoring functions and built in maps
