Polar V800 GPS Sports Watch with heart rate sensor

Long known as a manufacturer of heart rate monitors, Polar has, in recent years, also produced more cycling specific technology as well. There's a developing trend for wrist-mounted tech, and specifically a 'one gadget to rule them all' mentality, nurtured by the continuing rise in numbers of multi-sport enthusiasts. The Polar V800 Sports Watch with GPS is part of this new breed, and although there are better value, more useable cycling-specific computers out there, this genuinely does deliver on its multi-sport promises at a good price.

The V800 is squarely aimed at the multi-sport market rather than being an out and out cycle training gadget. It has more features than you can shake a stick at, with standard GPS-enabled options including speed, distance and pace. Heart rate information comes via the strap and sensor supplied with the watch.

Find your nearest dealer here

Buy this online here

The watch is fully customisable, online at Polar Flow, with training alerts, smart coaching, activity trackers, sport-specific tailoring and predicted recovery times. Actual attachment to the bike is only an option by using an aftermarket bar-mount block.

Cycling-specific functionality is increased by the V800's Bluetooth capability, meaning it will work with most Bluetooth Smart-enabled cadence sensors (there is one available from Polar at £34.50), and speed can also be non-GPS managed (ideal for indoor training use) with a Bluetooth Smart Speed sensor, which Polar does in a package together with the Cadence sensor for £54.50.

Aside from heart rate, speed, cadence and so on, the V800 also makes use of its GPS enabling to provide route info in a pictorial form on the Polar Flow website, though not on the watch itself, and there is no turn-by-turn navigation facility. The GPS also enables barometric and altitude information.

The data collected by the watch is definitely best viewed and managed via the Polar Flow website and software (there's an app for smartphones too). Viewing data as you ride can be tricky and it's best set up via the website to display what data you're particularly interested in, and then left to display that rather than trying to change it on the fly. The website isn't quite as easy and intuitive to use as Garmin's software, but it is far more comprehensive and customisable. The number of options available are quite mind blowing and unless you're an elite athlete, or training to be one, chances are you won't be getting even close to maximising its potential.

One of the most entertaining functions of the website is the 'relive' option which allows you to go through your route data as a little film, accompanied by cheesy music and clips from Google street view to make things more interesting. Endless hours of fun!

The one thing that was quite difficult to get used to was Polar's activity tracking mechanism. It was hard to see exactly what was being included as 'steps' and how. In essence, to make the most of that, you'd need to be treating the watch as a 24/7 activity tracker and it's a little bulky for that in my opinion.

The GPS took a little while to pick up the requisite number of satellites but wasn't tediously long and reception was strong and reliable once it got going.

Comfort levels aren't wonderful for those with a smaller wrist, but they're acceptable and the watch strap design means it does at least stay put. Comfort would be fine for a larger wrist, and the chest strap is fine.

All in all, it would be an expensive and slightly inconvenient investment for cycling alone, but for those who also run, swim (pool or open water), tri, walk, or even 'other outdoor', it's a brilliant and comprehensive piece of kit. Time and effort does need to be put in, though, to really get to grips with setting it up correctly for your needs and working with its full training potential.

Verdict

Extremely sophisticated training gadget for multi-sport athletes rather than just cyclists