Polar Vantage Vchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Build quality and daylight screen visibility impressed many owners. Users repeatedly praised the metal body, Gorilla Glass display, and touchscreen usability, calling it the best-looking sports watch around. Screen visibility in daylight was called excellent even without backlight. However, several noted the screen brightness was poor in dim rooms or at night, with some calling it nearly unreadable, and the strap design was described as awkward to put on and remove.

Heart rate accuracy was solid for steady running but unreliable elsewhere. Many commenters found the optical HR close to chest strap readings during runs and swims, with one comparing it favorably to a medical ECG. But numerous users reported wildly inaccurate HR during strength training, HIIT, and treadmill runs, with readings swinging 10-40bpm off or lagging severely, prompting several returns and recommendations to pair a chest strap instead.

Missing features and GPS inconsistency were the biggest complaints at launch. Buyers were frustrated by the absence of navigation, smartphone notifications, music, and ANT+ support at release, feeling misled by promised future updates. Several compared GPS unfavorably to the older V800, citing route drift and altitude errors. Firmware updates over months improved the experience for many, with some users reporting the watch became 'solid' by 2020, while others still felt features arrived too slowly.