Garmin has run this market for years, and Polar has spent those years arguing it still has something to say. The Vantage M3 is its most recent argument. A 1.28 inch AMOLED screen, dual-band GPS, a full triathlon mode and offline maps, all of it well below the price of the flagship Vantage V3.
Specification
The Vantage M3 weighs 53 g. That is light enough to forget about on the wrist, and over a long race the difference counts. The 1.28 inch AMOLED display runs at 416 x 416 and stays bright and readable in full sun, with a smooth interface behind it.
Claimed battery life is up to 30 hours of training with dual-band GPS and up to 7 days in watch mode. That covers an IRONMAN 70.3 with room to spare. Over the full distance it is worth switching on the power saving mode, or simply starting with a full charge. Dual-band GPS delivers accuracy that older single-band watches do not reach, especially among tall buildings and under heavy tree cover.
On top of that there is wrist ECG, SpO2 measurement, overnight skin temperature and HRV analysis. One caveat: the ECG in the M3 does not detect atrial fibrillation. Anyone shopping for a watch specifically for that function should look elsewhere.
Triathlon and multisport
Polar has done its homework here. The Vantage M3 handles pool swimming and open water. Wrist-based running power, HRV and the Polar Running Index are all on board and all work.
The more important point is elsewhere. The M3 uses the same dual-band GPS as the much more expensive Vantage V3. Anyone who wants Polar’s algorithms does not have to pay up for the flagship. The differences come down mainly to a larger screen, an aluminium case and a bigger battery.
The triathlon mode works cleanly. Transitions between disciplines are quick and no data goes missing.
The drawbacks worth stating
Polar Flow, the companion app, is the weakest part of the package. The interface feels less finished than the competition and has gone years without a serious overhaul. Anyone moving across from Garmin Connect wired into TrainingPeaks or Strava will notice the difference at first.
Setup can also be less intuitive than on rival watches. The first configuration takes a while, and the menus are worth revisiting to get the watch set up properly. Garmin and COROS are usually friendlier to a new user here.
Two myths follow the M3 around and both are wrong. First, the watch does have offline maps: full-colour topographic maps with turn by turn navigation, loaded through Polar Flow and working without a phone. Second, the M3 does support Strava Live Segments, although that requires an active Strava subscription. It is a paid extra rather than a missing feature.
Price and alternatives
Polar’s list price is $399 in the US.
The COROS Pace Pro and the Garmin Forerunner 265 sit in a similar budget. Stretching further brings the Forerunner 965 into play. Polar’s case rests mainly on sensor quality, offline maps, and the health and HRV metrics.
Who the Vantage M3 is for
For an athlete who wants a solid triathlon watch with an AMOLED screen, dual-band GPS and offline maps, and who is not tied to the Garmin ecosystem, the M3 is a good choice. That goes double for a first watch at this level.
For someone already deep in Garmin Connect and looking only to replace a watch, the ecosystem switch needs thinking about. Flow against Connect is a real difference in daily use.
Polar is back on track. The Vantage M3 can be recommended with few reservations, provided the mobile app does not put the buyer off.
The next piece of the same puzzle is Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Review: A Triathlon Watch. When the training is ready for a start line, Racelify lists triathlons worldwide.