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 V800
The Polar V800 is a GPS multisport heart rate monitor watch from Polar aimed at triathletes and other competitive level athletes from ANY discipline. The V800 has replaced Javier Gomez’s (ITU multiple World Champion) Suunto Ambit 3 Sport. Why? Because it’s the best TRIATHLON dedicated watch on the market at time of release. With regard to innovation, functionality (planning, realtime and post session) and overall build quality there is nothing better. Needless to say I was very impressed with the performance of the V800 and hope you enjoy this review by Tristan Haskins aka CardioCritic
Update Nov 2021 > The Polar V800 has been upgraded to include LIVE Strava Segments. This follows on from the Polar M460, also featuring live Strava Segments
Video Review
Pros
Cons
The Polar V800 is for anyone who wants to know they are doing everything right while preparing for and racing in triathlon or in any single sport at a high level eg running, mountain biking, sailing etc. It has been designed to help you plan your training programs, train, recover and analyse. The V800, with it’s Gorilla Glass, not only looks the part, it is a smooth operator with everything in the right place for the right reason. Little things (well not that little really) like the Bluetooth 4 (BTLE) connectivity that allows you to DIRECTLY connect the V800 to an iPhone 4S or above (or Android device) are a great technological leap of faith by Polar.
The move away from their own Wearlink system to BTLE (Low energy Bluetooth) means that you can pair the V800 with a range of data-collecting hardware like cadence sensors, third party power meters (like Stages Power Meter and PowerTap), running stride sensors, and their own Polar Look Keo Power pedals.
Main Features and Functions
The Polar V800 really is one of the most complete fitness monitors / activity trackers I have ever used. Everyone has their own specific requirements, so I am sure there is a very small portion of the population that might have a few criticisms of the V800. However, for me, it’s pretty much perfect. I really love the big clear display, the overall QUALITY of this watch is exectional. Little “gimmicks” like being able to switch the display from digital style to a traditional analogue clock face (with hands) and the subtle reminder “It’s Time to Move” all add up to make it a highly desirable training tool. It’s not quite a smartwatch, like the Garmin Vivoactive, but it’s seamless data download to your iPhone or Android device put it up there in the tech department.
Remember, this is a multisport training device. As such it has all the main features I’d expect. Configurable displays for different sports, seamless transition from ONE sport to ANOTHER (one file per session if required).
With so many great features it’s hard to pick THE BEST one … but I will say one of my favourite feature is the STATUS MODE. In status mode I can see precisely if the V800 thinks I am UNDERTRAINED, BALANCED, STRAINED or VERY STRAINED. If I am strained or very strained, it will even give an indication to the specific DAY and TIME when I can expect to have returned to BALANCE training status. Simple, but very effective at prevent over/under training.
Expected Battery Life of the V800
The V800 has an above average battery life for a GPS HRM sports watch … but it can’t do a full 16 hours, something that FULL DISTANCE triathletes often desire from their watch. The battery life in continuous training with normal GPS and HR recording at their highest sample rate is approximately 13 hours. There is an option to switch the watch to GPS/HRM power save mode. When in this mode Polar quote a whopping 50 hours. (the GPS/HRM is only recording samples every 1 minute, so small, short changes in pace/speed/altitude will not necessarily be recorded. PS. Realtime Heart Rate on the watch is LIVE and continuous as normal. When in time mode only with daily activity monitoring the battery will last approximately 30 days.
FYI. If ultra long battery life with high sampling rate is critical, then you may wish to consider the Forerunner 920XT with a Garmin quoted – “Up to 24 hours in normal GPS mode; up to 40 hours in UltraTrac mode “
Could have been better?
OK, I never like this part … especially when a company has tried so hard to make the perfect product. However, this is constructive criticism that I hope they will take on board. Here goes…. Polar, please could you consider these improvements.
- VARIABLE DAILY GOALS. How many people have the same amount of time to train 7 days a week. I don’t. Maybe this is just me… but I think it would be great if you can set an ACTIVITY level on a daily basis. Monday to Friday I am a sedentary desk worker… I am lucky if I am active for more than 1 hour. From Monday to Friday I am have to work quite hard to achieve/fit in my 100% daily activity. HOWEVER.. come the weekend.. the Weekend Warrior emerges. I am regularly achieving 350 – 450% of my activity level on Saturday and Sunday (a long run, gym session and bike ride). So, how about letting me set a DIFFERENT goal for particular days of the week? The perfect solution would be to set a DAILY GOAL. Still use the current levels 1,2 and 3. Monday 1, Tuesday 1, Wednesday 2 (I have a bike session most Wed nights), Thursday 1, Friday 1, Saturday 3, Sunday 3.
- POWER. I am happy to be corrected here, but as it stands I think the V800 only supports POWER from the Polar / Look KEO Power Pedals (more information here, Polar site) I would have really liked it if they had offered support for other third party Bluetooth Power pedals like Powertap and Stages.
MultiSport GPS / HRM for Triathletes
The POLAR V800 is a hard hitting performance monitor holding it’s own in the MultiSport / Triathlon arena. Up against the established professionals such as the Garmin Forerunner 910XT/920XT and Suunto Ambit2/Ambit3 Sport it’s got to be good if it’s going to convert years of dedicated Garmin and Suunto customers to switch allegiance.
It has to be smooth during transitions, low profile so it doesn’t snag your nice new wetsuit and it has to give you every metric available for each inch of your race, whether your swimming, biking or running.
You’ll find more pictures of the V800 here and our V800 Video Review here
The V800 has the advantage of coming AFTER the Forerunner 910XT and Suunto Ambit2. It’s always nice being first to market with a new product, but it leaves you open to replacement by a competitors product that addresses all the criticisms and niggles directed at the original.
I really think they have read through all the reviews and forums on the 910XT and Ambit2, popped them all in to a spreadsheet and addressed them all with the V800. Really, it’s that good. BUT, please read on, there are a couple of minor improvements that could be made….
Polar have been innovating heart rate monitors since 1976 – we’ve tested most of the Polar heart rate monitors here.
>>Looking for something other than just a running watch? Check out the Polar m200 here!<<
Original Functionality
Yes, it is obvious that Polar have been keeping an eye on the competition, who wouldn’t, but they have also been adding their own unique innovation. Unique functions in the V800 include
For those wanting to know more technical data, we have reproduced the V800 Technical Specifications on this page for convenience
Latest Update News
* Smart Notification Update (June 2021) : The M400 now has the ability to support smartphone notifications from iOs 8 devices (not Android, sorry). An alert message is displayed on the watch display when your phone receives an email, text, call or diary event. More details will follow shortly.
* Swin-Metrics Update (July 2021) – the V800 now has swim-metric data included in BOTH the Open Water and Indoor Pool sport profile modes
* Race Pace – just like Garmin’s Virtual Partner, simply set (in the Favourites section) the distance and the objective finishing time and run/ride. The V800 will pace you along to ensure you don’t drift too far from the desired pace. The end result? a new PB?
* Route Follow (GPX/TCX) – the Polar V650 and V800 can both FOLLOW a GPX/TCX route. The route can either be one that you’ve already ran/ridden and saved in your favourites or one you’ve IMPORTED from anywhere else (another web-service for example). As long as it follows the GPX format it can be loaded in to the Polar Flow web-service then uploaded to the watch. To follow a route just move to Favourites mode and select the ROUTE you want to follow. The V800 will direct you (with compass arrow) to the start line and then you’re off. The V800 will prompt when you to turn and when you move off track. There’s not map detail other than a bread-crumb trail but it works very well and opens up running / riding new rides in unfamiliar places.
Interval Training and GPX Route Import
Route Import – follow a GPS track
Triathlon Mode
Accessories
Polar have on offer a number of Bluetooth accessories for the V800 like the Stride Sensor, H7 heart rate sensor, Cadence Sensor (pedal RPM) and the Keo Smart Power Pedals.
Top Alternatives
Next Model DOWN
The model directly below the V800 is the Polar M400. The M400 is a competent GPS sports watch for runners, cyclists and anyone else who wants heart rate plus GPS speed and distance feedback. The M400, like this model, acquires heart rate from the Polar H7 heart rate sensor. For those looking for something with wrist based heart rate, there is Android Wear that comes with Polar M200 and M600 Polar review here.
- The main difference between the M400 and V800 is the lack of MULTISPORT support. The M400 is great for runners and cyclists, but it does NOT support the transition from one sport to another on the fly (in the same FILE). Other key features omitted from the M400 (found in the V800) are:
- Training Load (via Polar Flow)
- Daily Activity breakdown view (base activity versus exercise)
- Recovery Status (via Polar Flow)
- Orthostatic Fitness test
- Jump Tests
- Swim Metrics
- Power Pedal support
- Cadence sensor support (pedal RPM)
- Bike Speed Sensor support
- Race Pace (the V800 can PACE you to achieve a distance in a set time)
- Altimeter (GPS based)
- Temperature
Closest Competitor
There have been several new product releases from Suunto and Garmin since the V800 was released. The best alternatives to the Polar V800 are the Garmin Forerunner 920XT, Suunto Spartan Sport/Ultra and the Forerunner 735XT / Forerunner 935 with wrist based heart rate. They all offer true multisport functionality with multiple disciplines being recorded in one exercise file. Each has it’s own pros and cons over the others and we would, in all honesty, be happy to use any for the duration of a triathlon and the training leading up to it.
- Garmin Forerunner 735XT reviewed here – wrist based Heart Rate
- Garmin Forerunner 935 reviewed here – released in May 2021 – ultimate GPS sports watch with wrist based HR
- Garmin Forerunner 920XT reviewed here – needs chest strap for Heart Rate, but still an excellent performance monitor
- Suunto Spartan Ultra Review – released Oct 2021 – up to 26 hours battery life
- Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Review – released in Oct 2021 – hand finished in Finland with wrist based HR
V800 Summary
In summary, the Polar V800 is a well designed, VERY WELL MADE multisport integrated GPS/HRM sports watch. I have used the Garmin Forerunner 910XT and I train daily with a Suunto Ambit2 and now I have used the Polar V800. The V800 is the SLEEKEST of them all. It’s low profile design make transitioning less of a stress as your wetsuit will slip over it without snagging.
The display is clear and full of essential training data for each discipline. Will it be replacing my Suunto Ambit2? For the time being it has (Swim-Metrics added July 2021) Power Pedal support would be nice.. but as I don’t own any Power meters (who’d fit them to a £800 Merida!!??), I don’t have any issue with the lack of generic Power support… although I am certain many people with bigger budgets than me probably will. That said… we should trust Polar when they say that all these things will be addressed shortly.
Remember, this is Polar’s first true MULTISPORT GPS watch, and it’s in their best interest to make it perform better than the competition.
>>Know an exerciser who's looking for a fitness tracker? Check out the Polar M400 here!<<
Review Summary
I have been lucky enough to test dozens of top spec GPS sports watches including the best from Garmin, Suunto and Polar. The Polar V800 is a brilliant watch for triathlon and other multisport / endurance events. Polar are the world leaders at measuring training load, benefit and recovery status so you can trust the V800 to look after your well being. I have given the Polar V800 a review rating of 5/5 stars which puts it right up there with the Garmin Forerunner 735XT/935. The 735XT/935 has the benefit of wrist based heart rate, but the V800 has the benefit of better training analysis. They are BOTH brilliant watches and I can recommend them without any hesitation.
