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Price & Availability
The Polar Vantage V3 watch comes in three colors: night black, sky blue, and sunrise apricot, with a price tag of $599.90 / €599.90. If you’re interested in a heart rate monitor, there’s a special deal where you can purchase the watch and the Polar H10 heart rate monitor together for $649.90 / €649.90.
As for the Suunto Race, it is available for purchase at a more competitive price point. The Stainless Steel version is priced at $449 / £389, while the Titanium version comes at a slightly higher cost of $549 / £479. Additionally, Suunto offers new watch straps in four different colors, with each strap priced at £49.
Suunto Race Vs. Polar Vantage V3 “Pros And Cons”:
Polar Vantage V3:
Pros:
- Offline Mapping: The introduction of offline mapping is a game-changer, allowing users to download maps directly to the watch, providing contextual awareness even in areas without an internet connection.
- AMOLED Display: The vibrant and bright 1.39-inch AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1,000 nits ensures excellent visibility in both bright sunlight and dark conditions.
- Multiband GPS: The new multiband GPS chipset enhances location tracking accuracy, addressing past concerns and providing a reliable navigation experience.
- Elixir Biosensing Technology: The inclusion of advanced sensors, including the Gen 4 Optical heart rate sensor, SP2 sensing for blood oxygenation, and a skin temperature sensor, adds depth to health and fitness tracking capabilities.
- Flashlight Feature: The addition of a flashlight feature using the display is a practical and fun addition, providing illumination in dark environments.
- Battery Life: The V3 offers a range of battery life options, catering to different tracking needs, from an impressive 140 hours in low-power GPS mode to 8 days in a gesture-based mode.
- Processing Power: The claimed 129% increase in processor speed results in a responsive user interface, improving overall user experience.
- Design and Connectivity: User-friendly upgrades, such as the switch to proper 22 mm straps without the need for an adapter, USB-C charging cable, and water resistance up to 50m, enhance the device’s durability and convenience.
Cons:
- ECG Feature Limitations: Despite being marketed as an ECG feature, the device lacks medical certification and does not offer abnormal rhythm detection, potentially misleading users expecting comprehensive ECG functionality.
- Limited On-Demand Routing: The absence of on-demand routing might be a drawback for users who prefer the flexibility of planning routes spontaneously during activities.
- Flashlight Brightness Levels: While the flashlight feature is useful, the absence of brightness level options and a red light option might limit its adaptability in different scenarios.
- Screen Protector Considerations: The slightly curved Gorilla Glass 3 display, while elegant, may require users to consider the nuances of applying screen protectors.
Reasons to Buy:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Vantage V3 caters to outdoor enthusiasts with its offline mapping, multiband GPS, and durable design, making it an ideal companion for activities like hiking, running, and cycling.
- Fitness Tracking: The Elixir Biosensing Technology, including advanced heart rate monitoring, blood oxygenation sensing, and skin temperature tracking, positions the V3 as a comprehensive fitness tracking device.
- Versatile Display: The vibrant AMOLED display with high brightness levels makes the V3 suitable for use in various lighting conditions, appealing to users who value clear visibility.
- Battery Life Options: Whether you’re a long-distance runner or someone who prefers a watch that lasts for days without charging, the V3 offers a range of battery life options to suit different user preferences.
- Improved Processing Power: Users who appreciate a responsive and fast user interface will find the claimed 129% increase in processor speed a significant improvement.
- Upgraded Design Features: The switch to proper 22 mm straps, USB-C charging, and water resistance make the V3 a user-friendly and durable smartwatch. Check out the full specs, and features here.
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Suunto Race:
Pros:
- Impressive AMOLED Display: The Suunto Race boasts a vivid and high-resolution AMOLED display, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
- Digital Crown Enhances Usability: The addition of a digital crown significantly improves navigation, making it more intuitive and efficient.
- Dual-Frequency Satellite Chipset: This feature ensures accurate tracking, especially in challenging environments with poor satellite signal conditions.
- Offline Topo Maps: While not fully routable, these maps provide essential context to your location, a valuable tool for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Extensive Training and Recovery Features: The Race offers a comprehensive set of training metrics, including recovery training, training progress, TSS, and HRV tracking during sleep.
- Competitive Price Point: Compared to similar sports watches, the Suunto Race offers a robust feature set at an attractive price, making it an excellent value for money.
- Solid Build Quality: Like its predecessor, the Vertical, the Race is built to last, with a durable design and 100m water resistance rating.
Cons:
- Limited Smartwatch Features: The Race lacks some of the advanced smartwatch functionalities found in competitors, such as contactless payments and offline music storage.
- Interface Lag: Despite the AMOLED display, there may be some slight interface lag, especially in certain areas of the watch’s navigation.
- No Full Routable Maps: The topo maps provided are not fully routable, which may be a drawback for users who require detailed turn-by-turn navigation.
Reasons to Buy:
Active Lifestyle Enthusiasts: For those leading an active lifestyle, the Suunto Race offers a range of features catering to outdoor activities, including accurate tracking, topo maps, and extensive training metrics.
Value-Conscious Consumers: With a competitive price point, the Race provides a robust feature set at a fraction of the cost of some high-end competitors, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Performance-Oriented Athletes: Athletes focused on training and performance will appreciate the wealth of metrics provided by the Race, including TSS, HRV tracking, and recovery training, enabling them to fine-tune their training regimen.
Sunlight Visibility Priority: The vibrant AMOLED display ensures excellent visibility in direct sunlight, a critical factor for outdoor activities where clear visibility is crucial.
Brand Loyalty or Vertical Owners: If you’re already a Suunto Vertical owner, the Race offers an upgrade with its AMOLED display, digital crown, and additional features, making it a logical choice for those familiar with the brand.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Polar Vantage V3 and Suunto Race bring impressive features and enhancements to the table. The Vantage V3 shines with its offline mapping capabilities and Elixir Biosensing Technology, while the Suunto Race boasts a groundbreaking AMOLED display and improved navigation with the digital crown.
Ultimately, the choice between these two exceptional devices will depend on individual preferences, priorities, and specific needs. Whether it’s advanced mapping, comprehensive biosensing, or a vibrant display, both watches offer compelling options for fitness enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike.
