In the professional sports world, data is the backbone of many training programs and workouts because it helps coaches and trainers identify strengths and weakness.
Thanks to technological advancements for fitness watches, a typical athlete can very easily gather data throughout a workout.
Polar is leading the way in the fitness watch field. The company’s top-selling products are the Polar Vantage V2 and the Polar Grit X.
Both watches are well-designed. However, the Vantage V2 is a more refined product.
Polar Vantage V2 vs Polar Grit X
Polar Company Background
Polar is a large company that manufactures great technologies for various industries.
There are more than 35,000 Polar outlets in over 80 countries and over 1200 Polar employees around the world.
What is the Polar Vantage V2?
The Polar Vantage V2 has advanced technologies under its hood. It’s a GPS system, a heart rate monitor, a fitness tracker, and more.
However, the main Polar Vantage V2 selling point is its data management capabilities for training.
This feature has created a lot of buzz in the professional sports world, which is why pro race driver Valtteri Bottas wears the Polar Vantage V2 during his workouts.
From a design standpoint, the Polar Vantage V2 has flair because it was carefully crafted with precision.
This is a premium fitness watch, so it has a trendy aluminum case and soft wristbands that are made of silicone.
What is the Polar Grit X?
The Polar Grit X is built like the Polar Vantage V2. However, it has a different fan base because its base design and features are more suitable for rugged activities.
Head to Head
Design
The Polar Vantage V2 has a basic design that is respectable, and the colorways aren’t very dramatic. Each colorway for the Polar Grit X is bold because the Polar Grit X caters to a different crowd.
This watch is available with a white colorway, a black colorway, and a military-green colorway. Two-tone colorways with patterns are available for the Polar Grit X as well.
In the design department, the Polar Grit X wins because it has more designer options.
Winner – Polar Grit X
Strength
Both watches are Polar products, so they’re quite durable. However, the Polar Grit X is marketed as a rugged watch.
This means that it performs better than the Polar Vantage V2 in the great outdoors, so if you need a product that can track your progress throughout the roughest activities, the Polar Grit X is the best choice.
Winner – Polar Grit X
Weight
During a workout, weight is encouraged since it can provides resistance. However, weight can have a negative effect if it causes interference throughout a routine.
Typically, light fitness accessories are best for athletes who train. Both Polar watches are very lightweight, which is a good thing.
The Polar Vantage V2 weighs 52 grams, and the Polar Grit X weighs 64 grams. Since the Polar Vantage V2 is lighter, it’s the winner.
Winner – Polar Vantage V2
Materials
The Polar Vantage V2 and the Polar Grit X are constructed out of professional materials.
In a head-to-head battle, quality matters because a watch must be able to withstand different conditions throughout a workout.
The Polar Vantage V2 case is made of an aerospace aluminum alloy, which is enhanced with a reinforced glass fiber polymer.
This polymer is also a part of the Polar Grit X‘s design; it’s found on its back cover. However, the case design is different as its crafted out of high-strength stainless steel.
The Polar Grit X‘s lightweight heavy-duty housing wins.
Winner – Polar Grit X
The Standout Features
Because the Polar Vantage and the Polar Grit X are made by the same company, both watches share quite a few features. The highlights include
- FuelWise: FuelWise is an smart assistant by Polar. Following workouts, it provides information that reflects your energy levels. This data can help you learn how to refuel before every workout.
- Running Index: Running Index estimates a runner’s performance. If you’re training to be a professional athlete, this app will let you know how your skills are developing.
- Route planning: The route planning tool is powered by Komoot. If you create a route via Komoot, you can import the data to the Polar Vantage V2 or the Polar Grit X. Then you’ll get turn-by-turn directions to your destination.
- Running programs: Both watches have running programs with adaptive training.
- Precision Prime: Precision Prime is a sensor. It interacts with the Polar Vantage V2 and the Polar Grit X‘s wrist-based heart rate monitor. The sensor is tucked away underneath each product’s case.
- Hill splitter: Hill splitter gathers data on challenging trails. It can gauge your performance along downhill and uphill sections on a course.
- Training Load Pro: Training Load Pro is a highlight feature for both watches. It can identify training strain so that you can uncover how it happens during your workout.
- Nightly Recharge: Nightly Recharge tracks your vitals while you’re sleeping. The data can help you determine how well you’ve recovered overnight.
Unique to Polar Vantage V2
The Polar Vantage V2 has many features that aren’t included with the Polar Grit X. Its standout features include
- GPS: The Polar Vantage V2 has integrated GPS along with QZSS, GLONASS, and Galileo. The fix times for the assisted GPS system are fast. The GPS setup pairs nicely with the Polar Vantage V2‘s integrated barometric and compass.
- Color Touch Display: This advanced feature prevents glare in direct sunlight. The Color Touch Display is always on, and it’s enhanced with a protective layer that reduces the appearance of smudges.
- Performance tests for runners: The running performance tests track different aspects of a runner’s development. It can measure power zones, heart rate functions, progress, and speed.
- Performance tests for bike riders: Every rider has a power threshold, and you can find your threshold using the Polar Vantage V2 via the Cycling Performance Test. You’ll need a power meter to run this app.
- Leg recovery tests: Many high-intensity workouts can put a lot of stress on your legs. The leg recovery tests are highly useful because they can determine when your legs are ready for another workout based on data.
- Music and more: By tapping the screen, you can access music controls and more. The Polar Vantage V2‘s navigational layout is very practical and organized. It has a playlist, volume button, weather forecast, and notifications.
Unique to Polar Grit X
There are several features that are only included with the Polar Grit X. The highlights include:
- A smart calorie app: The smart calorie app tracks and counts your calories using an advanced formula. The formula considers your heart rate, age, height, gender, and weight. It also has a setting that can track the intensity of your workout.
- A weather app: On the Polar Grit X‘s display, you can review the current weather conditions or a two-day forecast in your area.
- Phone notifications: The Polar Grit X sends notifications for calendar events, messages, emails, and phone calls.
- Continuous heart rate monitoring: Continuous heart rate monitoring is a smart feature that benefits dedicated athletes and older athletes. The technology is nonstop, so it gives you strategic opportunities to track your heart functions throughout the day. From a technical standpoint, continuous heart monitoring is extremely useful because this monitoring method is the best way to get the most accurate readings. Also, continuous monitoring is the easiest way to identify your highest and lowest heart rate within a 24-hour time span.
- Route guidance: Route guidance is a tool that can direct you on the right path during a training routine. To get started, you’ll only need to upload a route.
- Training benefits: Follow every workout with a Polar Grit X watch, you can review motivational feedback that can fuel your next routine.
Polar Vantage V2 Pros and Cons
Polar Vantage V2 Pros
- Great performance data: The Polar Vantage V2‘s data adds value to different aspects of various workouts. Thanks to refined formulas, the software can provide tactical recommendations, which could be valuable to an athlete in training.
- Sport modes: Sport modes are apps that focus on the most important aspects of development. There is a mode for runners, bicycle riders, swimmers, and more.
- Battery: One of the Polar Vantage V2‘s biggest selling points is its battery. The battery is a major pro because it can give you more opportunities to train confidently without interruptions.
- Metrics after a workout: Every metric that the Polar Vantage V2 creates is a building block for an athlete. From a coaching standpoint, the Polar Vantage V2‘s data tools are quite useful since they can create metrics for a full season.
Polar Vantage V2 Cons
- No practical everyday features: Although the Polar Vantage V2 is a well-rounded fitness watch, it lacks a few practical solutions. For example, it doesn’t have a storage option for music.
- Size: When compared to other fitness watches, the Polar Vantage V2 is somewhat bulky. The largest part of the watch is its case.
Polar Polar Grit X Pros and Cons
Polar Polar Grit X Pros
- Balanced: The Polar Grit X is very balanced because it’s stylish, rugged, durable, and lightweight.
- Military-grade: This watch gets extra points in the durability department because its housing is constructed out of military-grade material. To earn the grade, the watch had to pass a drop test, a humidity teat, and a test for harsh temperatures.
- Appealing band designs: All of the bands for the Polar Grit X have a colorway that stands out. If you care about flair, every two-tone and pattern colorway is a pro.
- Calories: The calorie app is a pro for many reasons. For example, the app complements the Polar Vantage V2‘s continuous heart rate monitoring feature. When calories are tracked, it’s easier to complete cardio routines during a workout. The calorie app also adds more value to the running program.
Polar Grit X Cons
- No music: Since it’s a Polar product, the Polar Grit X doesn’t have music storage as well.
- Less features than the Polar Vantage V2: The Polar Grit X has less apps when compared to the Polar Vantage V2. This isn’t a big deal for a typical trainer. However, the Polar Grit X‘s reduced app selection can make some aspects of gathering data a bit more challenging.
The Verdict
The Polar Vantage V2 may be worth buying if:
- You need training programs that focus on specific sports.
- You need a watch that you help you better prepare for new workout routines.
- You can a recovery suite that’s optimized for frequent high-intensity workouts.
- You need a fitness watch that has coaching tools.
A Polar Grit X is worth buying if:
- You’re going to train in an environment that has dirt and grit.
- You need a watch that can monitor your heart rate around the clock.
- You only need access to key fitness tools during a workout.
- You need a rugged fitness watch that won’t clash with a modern outfit.
Our Pick
Either watch is a great accessory for a training routine. If you’re driven by features, the Polar Vantage V2 shines because it has a lot of them.
Buy one of these watches today and optimize your training efforts.
