First look: Polar Pacer Pro

Running shouldn’t be complicated, and the all-new Pacer Pro from Polar is a simple but very capable watch that can help you achieve your running goals in a variety of ways. This watch gives you all the essentials such as time, pace, distance, laps, accurate GPS, and precise heart rate tracking, plus the specialized training, sleep, and recovery tools they need to do one thing better: run. It also has some great navigational tools, weather features, and music controls.

The Pacer Pro is the most capable sports watch Polar has produced at this very affordable price point ($450). The Pacer Pro has a handful of features from the higher-end GPS watches in the Polar lineup.

Here’s a look at the features:

Ultra-light design

The watch comes in at 40 grams, which is 12 grams lighter than the Polar Vantage V. The Pacer Pro was engineered for running and designed for maximum comfort and performance using a thin, lightweight silicone shell and grippy buttons for improved usability.

Bright display for readability in all conditions

See your stats more clearly with MIP (memory-in-pixel) reflective colour display. The thinner glass lens and improved backlight function for enhanced screen contrast will give users clarity to view their stats at any time of day.

Accurate GPS and 35 hours of GPS battery

The Pacer Pro has a new integrated antenna for improved movement tracking to accurately measure every turn and every stride on your run. The battery life has up to 35 hours in GPS mode or up to seven days battery life in standard watch mode with continuous heart rate tracking. There are multiple power-save options available on the watch to conserve the battery for extended periods.

Specialized training and recovery tools

After a few days of using the Pacer Pro, the watch offers personalized training guidance and feedback based upon short-term and long-term monitoring of your training strain and cardio/muscle load. The Pacer Pro will also show how well your body recovers overnight – with quality of sleep, sleep duration, and time spent in each sleep stage.

Smart lifestyle controls and applications

As long as your smartphone is within a 30 to 40-metre radius, users will have the option to control their music on the watch and receive push notifications. The Pacer Pro is also compatible with third-party Bluetooth ANT+  devices to connect with your favourite running apps, wireless headphones, cadence pods or chest strap.