Polar recently unveiled their premium smartwatch, the Vantage V3, packed with new features aiming to rival top brands like Garmin, Suunto, and Coros.
With this release, a wave of confusion has washed over many Polar fans: should they upgrade or not?
For those grappling with this question, especially those who currently sport the Polar Pacer Pro on their wrists or are contemplating a new Polar smartwatch purchase, this article will be your guide.
We’ll delve deep into the contrasts between the two, ensuring you’re well-equipped to make an informed choice.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
Polar Vantage V3 vs Pacer Pro: Price & Availability
If we talk about money, the Vantage V3 costs more than the Pacer Pro. You can order the Vantage V3 in colors like sky blue, night black, or sunrise apricot for $600.
If you add an extra $50, you can get it with a heart rate strap called the Polar H10. They’ll start sending these watches out on October 25.
On the other side, the Polar Pacer Pro is cheaper. In the US, it’s priced at $299.99. In the UK, it’s £259, and in Australia, it’s AU$495.
Where to Buy?
| Model | Deal |
|---|---|
| Polar Vantage V3 | View on Amazon |
| Polar Pacer Pro | View on Amazon |
Polar Vantage V3 vs Pacer Pro: Specs Comparison
| Feature | Polar Vantage V3 | Polar Pacer Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Aerospace aluminum alloy with glass fiber reinforced polymer | Plastic case, Aerospace aluminum bezel |
| Dimensions | 47 x 50.8 x 14.5 mm | 45 x 45 x 11.5 mm |
| Weight | 57 grams | 41 grams |
| Display Size | 1.39 Inch | 1.2 Inch |
| Display Resolution | 454 x 454 | 240 x 240 |
| Display Type | AMOLED | Always-on color display (MIP), Corning Gorilla Glass 3.0 |
| Touch-screen | Yes | No |
| Water Resistance | WR50 | WR50 |
| Sensors | Elixir biosensing, GEN 1 ECG, SpO2, Skin Temp | Accelerometer, heart rate, barometer, compass |
| GPS | Yes (dual-frequency) | Yes |
| CPU speed | 275 MHz | 192 MHz |
| Storage | 32GB | 32MB |
| Colours | Sunrise Apricot, Night Black, Sky Blue | Carbon Grey, Snow White, Midnight Blue, Autumn Maroon |
| Price | $600 | $300 |
Polar Vantage V3 vs Pacer Pro: Design & Display
Both the Vantage V3 and Pacer Pro have round shapes and look sporty. Each watch has two buttons on the left and three on the right, but there are small design differences between them.
The Pacer Pro is a bit smaller and might fit everyone better. Its size is 45 x 45 x 11.5 mm. The Vantage V3 is bigger and looks stronger. Its size is 47 x 50.8 x 14.5 mm.
When it comes to screens, the Vantage V3 stands out. It has a bigger 1.39-inch screen that’s brighter and clearer with 454 x 454 pixels. The Pacer Pro has a 1.2-inch screen with 240 x 240 pixels.
Another cool thing? Only the Vantage V3 has a touchscreen. This makes it easy to move around the watch. But if you’re running or cycling, buttons can be easier to use, especially if your hands are sweaty.
The materials of the watches are different too. The Pacer Pro has a special aluminum ring around it, which looks nice. The Vantage V3 feels more premium because it’s made from a strong mix of aluminum and plastic.
Both watches can be used in water like when you’re swimming. They’re rated WR50.
And lastly, you can choose different colors for both watches. You can also easily change their straps if you want a new look.
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Polar Vantage V3 vs Pacer Pro: Health & Fitness Tracking
The Vantage V3 has more health-tracking tools than the Pacer Pro.
Both watches can measure movement and heart rate. But the V3 has some extra tools. It can measure special health stats like Elixir biosensing, GEN 1 ECG, skin temperature, and even blood oxygen. It also has a special air pressure sensor, just like the Pacer Pro.
For location tracking, both watches can connect to satellites like GPS, Glonass, and more. But the Vantage V3 is special. It has a “dual-frequency GPS.” This makes it even better at finding your location, especially in places with weak signals.
The Vantage V3 has other cool features. It can show maps even if you’re not connected to the internet, thanks to its big 32GB storage. This is great for places with no network. It also has a virtual flashlight and can measure more health stuff like ECG, skin temperature, and blood oxygen. It’s a big step up from other models.
The Pacer Pro, on the other hand, is cheaper but still good. It doesn’t have all the V3’s advanced tools, but it does track your activities well. It also has a tool to measure air pressure and direction, which is good for outdoor adventures.
| Feature | Vantage V3 | Pacer Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Flashlight | Yes | Yes |
| Offline Maps | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Splitter | Yes | Yes |
| Recovery Pro | Yes | Yes |
| Komoot Route Planning and Turn-by-Turn Guidance | Yes | Yes |
| Wrist-Based Running Power | Yes | Yes |
| Strava Live Segments | Yes | Yes |
| Orthostatic Test | Yes | No |
| Cycling Performance Test | Yes | Yes |
| Leg Recovery Test | Yes | No |
| Walking Test | Yes | Yes |
| Trackback Navigation | Yes | No |
| Route and Elevation Profiles | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Sensor Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Alerts | Yes | No |
| Outdoor Dashboards | Yes | Yes |
Polar Vantage V3 vs Pacer Pro: Smart Features
Both the Vantage V3 and Pacer Pro can connect to satellites like GPS, Glonass, and a few others to show your location. But the Vantage V3 is a bit special. It has a feature called “dual-frequency GPS” which helps it find your location better, especially in tricky places with weak signals. This makes the V3 top in tracking location among Polar watches.
Both watches also work faster because they have new, speedy processors. The V3 is even faster with a CPU speed of 275 MHz and has a big storage of 32GB. This is more than the other watches.
Neither watch can store music inside them, but they let you control your music during workouts. So, you can skip or pause songs easily. This is great for people who like to listen to music while exercising. Plus, both watches can show you the weather and any messages or calls from your phone.
Polar Vantage V3 vs Pacer Pro: Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, the Vantage V3 is the winner. It has a 488 mAh battery. This lets you use it for up to 61 hours when you’re exercising and an amazing 288 hours just as a watch while it still checks your heart rate.
On the other hand, the Pacer Pro can last up to 35 hours when you’re working out and 144 hours as a watch. So, if you want a watch that lasts a long time without needing a charge, the V3 is a better choice.
| Battery | Battery Capacity | Battery Life (Training Mode) | Battery Life (Watch Mode with HR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VANTAGE V3 | 488 mAh | Up to 61 hours (GPS and wrist-based heart rate). Training time with power save options 140 hours. | Up to 288 hours |
| PACER PRO | 265 mAh | Up to 35 hours (GPS and wrist-based heart rate). Training time with power save options 100 hours. | Up to 144 hours |
Polar Vantage V3 vs Pacer Pro: Which should you buy?
Buy Polar Vantage V3 if…
- You want the best tracking: The V3 has more advanced features, especially with the dual-frequency GPS that gives better location accuracy.
- You want a touch screen: Only the V3 has a touchscreen, which can be more intuitive for navigating menus and features.
- You’re after top health tools: It measures more health stats like ECG, skin temperature, and blood oxygen.
- You want a long battery life: The V3 can last up to 61 hours when exercising and 288 hours in watch mode.
- Storage is important: With its 32GB storage, the V3 can store offline maps which can be very handy.
- You prefer a premium feel: The V3 has a more premium design with its strong mix of materials.
Buy Polar Pacer Pro if…
- You’re on a budget: It’s more affordable than the V3.
- You want a simpler design: It’s slightly smaller and might fit a wider range of wrists better.
- Basic tracking is enough: It still offers solid health and activity tracking even if it lacks some of the V3’s advanced features.
- Buttons work for you: Especially useful if you find them easier to use during sweaty workouts.
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