Been rocking the Pacer for 3 weeks now and it delivers. Probably for you especially because you have the Stryd. But gotta say, with the Garmin 255 Garmin has started to offer understandable metrics as well, so the Pacer Pro now has a tough competitor. And the basic Pacer will now compete with the 245, which is retailing at a similar price point. In the Pacer vs 245 the Pacer maybe still wins, but in the Pro vs 255 the 255 might actually come out on top.
You’re right about the 255 being competition for the Pacer Pro. Garmin has stepped up their game with the 255 and the $50 premium over the PPP is small enough for a lot of people to lean towards the 255.
I bought a Polar Pacer but I have to admit that my old Polar M400 has most of the basic options too. The Polar Pacer just looks way better and I love the shape and colour screen. The Polar Pacer Pro just has 'nice to have' options, that I am not really interested in. It would be if it could store music files and and play them via Bluetooth. The Polar flow environment is really great, though.
I agree! The Polar Pacer looks very nice, and one of the biggest differences you’ll find between it and the M400 is GPS accuracy and satellite acquisition. The Pacer is even better than the Vantage M2 and the Grit X Pro.
i'm new to these kind of things and i wasn't able to find an answer to this question online ! my question is : does this watch need internet to track your runs ? in my long runs i usually leave my phone in my car , will the tracking works without the phone ? than i sync it when i get back to my car ?
This is made to work without your phone. It has an internal GPS chip that will track your distance and pace. As you said, you only need to sync the watch to move the data to the app.
As someone who runs, and lifts weights very consistently, I'm interested in the wearables for the "recovery" or "TrainingLoad" quantitative offerings. But wearing a watch is such a bummer lifting. If you were to purchase this, link to my Flow account, then wear my H10 during lifting sessions (not wearing the Pacer), would the HR data from the H10 be pulled in to the TrainingLoad calcs? I know currently, with only the H10 chest strap, I do not have access to any of this TrainingLoad options in Polar Flow.
Unfortunately, no. The watch is the brains of the operation and the H10 only provides certain data so the watch can calculate your training load. The H10 does not have memory so needs a real-time connection to work.
Great video! My Garmin 245 music is starting to play up a bit. The GPS is putting me out by kilometer less than what I'm doing and is showing my pacing at nearly 32 minutes per kilometer. I'm not sure how to fix it so was thinking of trying Polar for the first time
@@its_Matt_B_ thank you! I didn't even think of a hard reset. I'll give it a try I want to make sure I'm ready for my first marathon attempt in October
@@its_Matt_B_ The heart rate monitor reads low generally and constantly gets locked to my cadence when running. Also the GPS is consistently short. It'll often be 150m wrong on a 5km run.
Hi Matt! Thank you for your review! I am a beginner runner and plan to buy a running watch. Polar Pacer and Garmin Forerunner 55 are the candidates in my budget. I need you advice among them.
Have you seen my review of the FR55? If not, you can find it here: ruclips.net/video/1ZNvn5jLxo8/видео.html You should also consider the COROS Pace 2. Check out this comparison: ruclips.net/video/6WhVMdxVcfk/видео.html
@@its_Matt_B_ Just watched the suggested video. I just found FR 245 are on big sale though it is not a latest watch with less standby time than 55. Will u suggest to pick 245 for a beginner?
@@gunnersgogogo4882 The FR245 is an excellent watch. It was the most popular Garmin for a long time so if you can get it for a good price, I know you’ll be happy with it.
Hey! I don’t know for sure but I can’t imagine why your H7 wouldn’t connect. It connects via Bluetooth so it should be easy by just pairing it to the watch like any other device.
Yes, this would work well as a tri watch. I would probably go with the Pacer Pro if you can swing the cost. The Pro is just a little more premium and has the barometric altimeter so you’re getting power and other training features.
Hey man, thanks for your review. I’m waiting for mine, not a runner but run a bit, will use it mainly for crossfit. From what I see it will be great for it too. I also use the polar verity sense so good to know that I can pair it with. I was a whoop user but stopped, and wasn’t happy about my sleep tracking etc… with gamin. Is the more important thing I’m looking forward with this watch, do you think for crossfit it will be a good overall tracker ?
The sleep tracking is very good. I’ve compared it to several other watch brands and Polar seems like it’s the best. The trouble with sleep tracking is that I sleep through most of the testing….😂 (sorry. Horrible joke). I think the Pacer will work well for CrossFit, although I’d be happy to hear your take on it after a couple weeks. I use it to record my strength sessions, but I’m really only tracking my HR and time spent working out.
@@its_Matt_B_ ahahah not that bad ( the joke ). Yeah that is why I mainly use it for too HR tracking. Yeah sure I will try it out for a couple of weeks and get back to you with my results. But I think it must be pretty good, some people said that it’s kind of replacing the vantage 2 which is more based on multisport, so I’m not scared to not like the pacer. Thanks for your answer, appreciate 🙏🏼
@@nadimabdallah3984 The Pacer Pro is a better replacement for the Vantage V2, but with both the Pacer and Pacer Pro Polar has improved their tracking capability. I’ve taken out the Vantage V2 and the Grit X Pro since I’ve had the Pacer and the Pacer’s GPS performs better.
@@its_Matt_B_ agree, I only took the pacer because it has in my opinion a better looking and also I knew I was not going to use the features on the pro like hill splitter…
@@nadimabdallah3984 Good choice! The Pacer Pro is only better if you’ll use the extra features. The Pacer will work for most people, and even still has more features than most will use!
Only the Pacer Pro can track elevation in real time because it has a barometric altimeter. However, all GPS watches will shoe elevation gain/loss once the track is uploaded as the data is gathered from map data.
Nice video, using a garmin and the gps is not the best, question : we where 3 running a halfmarathon , but after it was like we got a downside , litle training and hard to start pushing on milage running, is it normal. Its like after a orgasm and you dont have more to give, how to get starting again, I have pushed for spinning but not much running so far mybe 15 miles a week. 😊🇳🇴🇳🇴
Thanks for watching! 👊🏽 How long ago was your half marathon? Yes, it’s totally normal to not feel like running after finishing a big race, and it’s also very common to feel a little depressed. Give it some more time and try to do other things. The drive to run and race will be back soon enough!
@@its_Matt_B_ thanks for the motivation talk, we are going to meetup tomorrow, we have 2 goals, Oslo halfmarathon in september, and Valencia halfmaraton next year, Valencia does have one of the fastest courses will be fun to try it, are you running outside US much. 🏃♂️🏃♂️
@@lordjanuss I hear about Valencia every year because of how fast it is. No, I’m not doing too much running outside the US, especially since COVID. I’ll be in Spain for a few days in October and I’m looking forward to running there! Next year I’ll be over in Holland and the UK (and perhaps Sweden, but that could be the year after) for a few days each, so will def run when I’m there.
@@worldsmart02 Not yet, although I'm sure Polar will be dropping a new high-end watch in the next couple months and it seems like an easy addition to keep up with the competition.
@@its_Matt_B_ great . What model you recommend then polar has so many models . I need something which has sport tracking ( walking , running , bicycle) ..
@@worldsmart02 I recommend this model, the Pacer, or the Pacer Pro. I've used the last few Polar models and these two are the most recent releases and are the best yet.
Been rocking the Pacer for 3 weeks now and it delivers. Probably for you especially because you have the Stryd. But gotta say, with the Garmin 255 Garmin has started to offer understandable metrics as well, so the Pacer Pro now has a tough competitor. And the basic Pacer will now compete with the 245, which is retailing at a similar price point. In the Pacer vs 245 the Pacer maybe still wins, but in the Pro vs 255 the 255 might actually come out on top.
You’re right about the 255 being competition for the Pacer Pro. Garmin has stepped up their game with the 255 and the $50 premium over the PPP is small enough for a lot of people to lean towards the 255.
I bought a Polar Pacer but I have to admit that my old Polar M400 has most of the basic options too. The Polar Pacer just looks way better and I love the shape and colour screen. The Polar Pacer Pro just has 'nice to have' options, that I am not really interested in. It would be if it could store music files and and play them via Bluetooth. The Polar flow environment is really great, though.
I agree! The Polar Pacer looks very nice, and one of the biggest differences you’ll find between it and the M400 is GPS accuracy and satellite acquisition. The Pacer is even better than the Vantage M2 and the Grit X Pro.
Just bought one for Motorcross training and bought the h9 heart sensor as well for accuracy
Perfect! The additional HRM makes the watch 10x better with data you can rely on!
i'm new to these kind of things and i wasn't able to find an answer to this question online ! my question is : does this watch need internet to track your runs ? in my long runs i usually leave my phone in my car , will the tracking works without the phone ? than i sync it when i get back to my car ?
This is made to work without your phone. It has an internal GPS chip that will track your distance and pace. As you said, you only need to sync the watch to move the data to the app.
Would you still recommend this watch or are there newer alternatives at a similar price point
I haven't used it, but the Garmin Forerunner 165 seems like a great option as an well priced GPS watch!
As someone who runs, and lifts weights very consistently, I'm interested in the wearables for the "recovery" or "TrainingLoad" quantitative offerings. But wearing a watch is such a bummer lifting. If you were to purchase this, link to my Flow account, then wear my H10 during lifting sessions (not wearing the Pacer), would the HR data from the H10 be pulled in to the TrainingLoad calcs? I know currently, with only the H10 chest strap, I do not have access to any of this TrainingLoad options in Polar Flow.
Unfortunately, no. The watch is the brains of the operation and the H10 only provides certain data so the watch can calculate your training load. The H10 does not have memory so needs a real-time connection to work.
I bought a brand new Pacer two weeks ago for only 119€ and never again. I'm a swimmer and it's horrible watch tracking pools 😢
Are you able to return it?
Great video! My Garmin 245 music is starting to play up a bit. The GPS is putting me out by kilometer less than what I'm doing and is showing my pacing at nearly 32 minutes per kilometer. I'm not sure how to fix it so was thinking of trying Polar for the first time
Cheers! Try a hard reset on your Garmin before you spend the money on a new watch! 🤞
@@its_Matt_B_ thank you! I didn't even think of a hard reset. I'll give it a try I want to make sure I'm ready for my first marathon attempt in October
@@marcleong80 Nice! Which marathon will be your first?
Very helpful vid. I'm looking for an alternative to my POS garmin instinct 1.
This is definitely a solid option at a great price! What don't you like about your Instinct?
@@its_Matt_B_ The heart rate monitor reads low generally and constantly gets locked to my cadence when running. Also the GPS is consistently short. It'll often be 150m wrong on a 5km run.
Just bought one!
Nice! Have you used it much yet? What are your thoughts?
Hi Matt! Thank you for your review! I am a beginner runner and plan to buy a running watch. Polar Pacer and Garmin Forerunner 55 are the candidates in my budget. I need you advice among them.
Have you seen my review of the FR55? If not, you can find it here: ruclips.net/video/1ZNvn5jLxo8/видео.html
You should also consider the COROS Pace 2. Check out this comparison: ruclips.net/video/6WhVMdxVcfk/видео.html
@@its_Matt_B_ Just watched the suggested video. I just found FR 245 are on big sale though it is not a latest watch with less standby time than 55. Will u suggest to pick 245 for a beginner?
@@gunnersgogogo4882 The FR245 is an excellent watch. It was the most popular Garmin for a long time so if you can get it for a good price, I know you’ll be happy with it.
@@its_Matt_B_ I can’t afford the latest FR255 and found FR245 is still popular. Thanks for your advice and cheers for Kipchoge’s new world record!
@@gunnersgogogo4882 The FR245 is more watch than most of us will ever need!
Kipchoge is THE MAN! 🥳
Can you run a race with this watch and leave the cell phone in the car? Or do you have to have the phone on you in order for the GPS to work?
The GPS works without your phone. It’s all within the watch.
@@its_Matt_B_ great !! Thanks so much 👍
Hi, I have a Polar H7 hrm, is it compatible with the Pacer? Thanks a lot, great video.
Hey! I don’t know for sure but I can’t imagine why your H7 wouldn’t connect. It connects via Bluetooth so it should be easy by just pairing it to the watch like any other device.
Good entry level triathlon watch? Your thoughts with this or pacer pro? Thanks
Yes, this would work well as a tri watch. I would probably go with the Pacer Pro if you can swing the cost. The Pro is just a little more premium and has the barometric altimeter so you’re getting power and other training features.
@@its_Matt_B_ thank you
Hey man, thanks for your review. I’m waiting for mine, not a runner but run a bit, will use it mainly for crossfit. From what I see it will be great for it too. I also use the polar verity sense so good to know that I can pair it with. I was a whoop user but stopped, and wasn’t happy about my sleep tracking etc… with gamin. Is the more important thing I’m looking forward with this watch, do you think for crossfit it will be a good overall tracker ?
The sleep tracking is very good. I’ve compared it to several other watch brands and Polar seems like it’s the best. The trouble with sleep tracking is that I sleep through most of the testing….😂 (sorry. Horrible joke).
I think the Pacer will work well for CrossFit, although I’d be happy to hear your take on it after a couple weeks. I use it to record my strength sessions, but I’m really only tracking my HR and time spent working out.
@@its_Matt_B_ ahahah not that bad ( the joke ). Yeah that is why I mainly use it for too HR tracking. Yeah sure I will try it out for a couple of weeks and get back to you with my results. But I think it must be pretty good, some people said that it’s kind of replacing the vantage 2 which is more based on multisport, so I’m not scared to not like the pacer. Thanks for your answer, appreciate 🙏🏼
@@nadimabdallah3984 The Pacer Pro is a better replacement for the Vantage V2, but with both the Pacer and Pacer Pro Polar has improved their tracking capability. I’ve taken out the Vantage V2 and the Grit X Pro since I’ve had the Pacer and the Pacer’s GPS performs better.
@@its_Matt_B_ agree, I only took the pacer because it has in my opinion a better looking and also I knew I was not going to use the features on the pro like hill splitter…
@@nadimabdallah3984 Good choice! The Pacer Pro is only better if you’ll use the extra features. The Pacer will work for most people, and even still has more features than most will use!
Does the Polar Pacer also track elevation gain on runs? Or is that only the Polar Pacer Pro?
Only the Pacer Pro can track elevation in real time because it has a barometric altimeter. However, all GPS watches will shoe elevation gain/loss once the track is uploaded as the data is gathered from map data.
Does this watch allow you to upload running intervals and sync to strava?
Yes to both. You can make an interval session on the Polar Flow app and send it to your watch. Syncing to Strava is straightforward and works well.
Nice video, using a garmin and the gps is not the best, question : we where 3 running a halfmarathon , but after it was like we got a downside , litle training and hard to start pushing on milage running, is it normal. Its like after a orgasm and you dont have more to give, how to get starting again, I have pushed for spinning but not much running so far mybe 15 miles a week. 😊🇳🇴🇳🇴
Thanks for watching! 👊🏽
How long ago was your half marathon?
Yes, it’s totally normal to not feel like running after finishing a big race, and it’s also very common to feel a little depressed. Give it some more time and try to do other things. The drive to run and race will be back soon enough!
@@its_Matt_B_ thanks for the motivation talk, we are going to meetup tomorrow, we have 2 goals, Oslo halfmarathon in september, and Valencia halfmaraton next year, Valencia does have one of the fastest courses will be fun to try it, are you running outside US much. 🏃♂️🏃♂️
@@lordjanuss I hear about Valencia every year because of how fast it is. No, I’m not doing too much running outside the US, especially since COVID. I’ll be in Spain for a few days in October and I’m looking forward to running there! Next year I’ll be over in Holland and the UK (and perhaps Sweden, but that could be the year after) for a few days each, so will def run when I’m there.
Is Pacer water proof . Does it track sleep and blood oxygen?
It is water resistant to 50m. Yes, it tracks sleep very well!
There is no SpO2 sensor.
@@its_Matt_B_ any polar watch which has spO2 sensor . Looking to replace my Apple Watch 6 , tired of one day battery life .
@@worldsmart02 Not yet, although I'm sure Polar will be dropping a new high-end watch in the next couple months and it seems like an easy addition to keep up with the competition.
@@its_Matt_B_ great . What model you recommend then polar has so many models . I need something which has sport tracking ( walking , running , bicycle) ..
@@worldsmart02 I recommend this model, the Pacer, or the Pacer Pro. I've used the last few Polar models and these two are the most recent releases and are the best yet.