In-Depth Review of the Polar Vintage V3 Watch by Patrick Pakt

Patrick introduces himself and the video, stating that he will review the Polar Vintage V3 watch, which he purchased himself. He emphasizes that his opinions are personal and that he has been using the watch for three months. He hints at discussing both the pros and cons of the watch, particularly in relation to its price.

The Polar Vintage V3 features a 1.39-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 450 x 454 pixels and an always-on function. The watch weighs 57 grams in total and 39 grams without the strap. Patrick mentions a small scratch on the protective film, which he purchased separately, and provides a link in the video description.

The watch has an aluminum case, except for the plastic back where the sensors are located. It includes an Elixir biosensor with an optical heart rate sensor, blood oxygen monitoring, and an EKG function, which can be activated using a specific button on the watch. Additionally, it measures skin temperature.

The Polar Vintage V3 is equipped with dual-frequency GPS, incorporating GLONASS, which enhances accuracy. Patrick notes that the always-on display dims to save battery, which he finds effective. He mentions that the battery lasts between 6 to 7 days, based on his recent charging experience.

Patrick prefers using the physical buttons on the watch for navigation over the touch screen. He encourages viewers to ask questions in the comments, promising to respond promptly.

The watch tracks daily activity, displaying the number of steps taken and active hours. Patrick shares that he has taken 3,000 steps and was active for nearly 3 hours that day. However, he notes that the step count may not update immediately, which can be frustrating compared to other devices.

Patrick discusses his weekly activity metrics, revealing that he has logged 2 hours and 6 minutes of activity and has run a total of 17 kilometers across two sessions. He is currently testing a Polar program for marathon training, which provides insights into his performance across different heart rate zones.

The speaker discusses a weekly plan feature that allows tracking of workouts. They mention the ability to review past weeks' activities, highlighting the convenience of monitoring progress and performance over time.

The speaker explains the 'nightly recharge' feature, which assesses recovery based on heart rate variability during sleep. They note that while the trend indicates improvement, their sleep quality was poor, as evidenced by a lack of restful sleep.

The speaker describes the 'boost sleep' feature that suggests optimal times for workouts, such as 8 AM and 4-5 PM, based on energy levels. However, they express skepticism about its effectiveness, stating they have not noticed a significant impact on their energy.

The speaker mentions the skin temperature monitoring feature, which can potentially detect illness early. They share a personal experience of noticing a rise in skin temperature before falling ill, although they consider this feature more of a novelty than a necessity.

The speaker discusses the 'cardio load' status, indicating they are currently undertrained. They mention a target value of 100 for optimal training, expressing confusion over how to achieve this, as their training has fluctuated between undertraining and overtraining.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of following a structured training program. They recount experiences of being in overtraining when not adhering to a plan, noting that the watch suggests workouts based on selected training types, which can lead to confusion regarding their training status.

After completing a half marathon a month ago, the speaker experienced overtraining. They expressed confusion over their fitness watch's suggestion of a one-hour easy run, questioning why it didn't account for their recent two-hour run. The speaker wished for the watch to recommend rest days when necessary, unlike other devices that suggest taking a break after intense workouts.

The speaker discussed the navigation feature of their watch, noting its effectiveness but also the inconvenience of needing to calibrate it each time. This calibration process can take one to two minutes, which the speaker found frustrating. However, once calibrated, the navigation works well, providing useful data such as elevation changes during runs.

The watch displays useful information about sunrise and sunset times, which is particularly beneficial for planning outdoor activities in the mountains. Additionally, it provides hourly weather forecasts and allows users to check the weather for the upcoming days, which the speaker noted was currently showing bleak and cold conditions.

The speaker highlighted a limitation in the watch's messaging feature, where only the most recent WhatsApp message is displayed. They expressed frustration at not being able to view previous messages or select messages from different contacts, contrasting this with the functionality of other watches.

The speaker explained the training setup options available on the watch. Users can start training immediately or follow a suggested plan created on a computer, as the watch does not allow plan adjustments via the app or directly on the device. They mentioned the ability to customize display settings during workouts and the option to connect to a heart rate monitor, which they preferred over wrist-based measurements.

The speaker demonstrates a training app feature that tracks performance in real-time. As they run, an animated figure indicates whether they are on pace to meet their goal. If the figure is ahead, they are running faster than the target time; if behind, they are slower. The app allows for pausing and resuming training, which is useful for situations like waiting at traffic lights.

The app includes options for breathing exercises, which the speaker found beneficial. It also has Strava live segments that remind users to push harder at specific points during their run. Additionally, reminders for hydration and carbohydrate intake are available, which the speaker believes would be particularly useful during long events like marathons.

The speaker has set their alarm for 5:15 AM but notes a limitation in the app's alarm functionality. It cannot differentiate wake-up times for different days, which they find disappointing given the price of the app. They mention that the app also features a stopwatch and countdown timer, which they consider unremarkable.

The app includes various fitness tests, such as an ortho test that measures pulse over a few minutes to assess fitness levels. The speaker describes a leg test that requires jumping while keeping hands on hips, which can feel awkward in public. The app calculates fitness based on jump height and provides feedback on readiness for training.

The speaker conducts monthly running and walking tests, where the app guides them through different paces to determine maximum heart rate and speed. They find this test particularly informative compared to other assessments, such as a cycling test that follows a similar format.

The speaker praises the app's GPS functionality, stating it works exceptionally well even in wooded areas. They recount an experience where the app accurately guided them along a narrow path that was not clearly marked, demonstrating its reliability in tracking routes.

The GPS functionality of the device works exceptionally well, even in dense forest areas. The speaker was able to navigate through the entire forest without knowing the paths, highlighting the reliability of the GPS feature.

The battery life is a significant advantage, lasting over six days depending on usage. The speaker notes that by disabling features like WhatsApp notifications, the battery could last even longer. They mention that with regular exercise, such as training three times a week for at least an hour, the device can last up to a week, which they consider impressive.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of considering the price of the device, which has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (UVP) of €500. This price point is crucial when evaluating the device's features and drawbacks.

The speaker expresses frustration with the misleading training suggestions provided by the device. For instance, after running for two and a half hours, the device suggests a long run, which confuses the speaker, especially when it later indicates they are overtraining. They question why the device does not provide consistent and sensible training recommendations, unlike other brands.

The speaker critiques the cardio loadout feature, which is supposed to inform users about their training status. They believe it should alert users when they are overtraining, but it lacks visibility in the app, forcing users to check on a computer instead. This inconsistency is seen as a significant drawback for non-professional athletes who rely on clear guidance.

The speaker is perplexed by the requirement to download maps via a computer and transfer them to the device using a cable. They find it inconvenient, especially when modern devices typically use USB-C connections, which the speaker believes should be standard for charging and data transfer.

The speaker is disappointed with the alarm feature, noting that it cannot be personalized. They prefer to be woken by vibration rather than a sound, but find the vibration too weak, especially after a long day at work. This weakness in the alarm function could lead to oversleeping, which the speaker finds unacceptable.

The speaker expresses frustration over the inability to adjust the vibration strength of their smartwatch. They wish to set different wake-up times for different days of the week, especially since their work schedule varies with home office days and part-time hours. The current system requires them to manually set the alarm each evening, which is inconvenient and leads to concerns about waking up too early or too late.

The speaker highlights a significant issue with the smartwatch's software, noting that while the PC version provides comprehensive data and training forecasts, the mobile app and watch display a much more limited version. They mention that the PC can show predictions for running times based on training improvements over the past 30 days, which they find lacking on the mobile device. This discrepancy is particularly disappointing given the price of the watch.

The speaker explains their primary reason for purchasing the smartwatch was its superior heart rate monitoring capabilities, essential for marathon training. They compare it to previous smartwatches that performed poorly in this area, recommending the use of a chest strap for better accuracy. Despite the high price, they question whether the investment was justified, as the heart rate monitoring was the main feature they sought.

The speaker appreciates the aesthetic appeal of the Polar smartwatch, stating that its stylish design was a significant factor in their decision to buy it. Additionally, they commend the long battery life, contrasting it with their previous smartwatch that required daily charging. This improvement in battery performance is seen as a major advantage.

In conclusion, the speaker hopes to have addressed potential questions about the Polar smartwatch, encouraging viewers to consider whether the discussed points are relevant to their own needs. They recommend a protective film for the watch's glass and provide a link for purchasing it on Amazon, which also supports their channel. They invite viewers to leave questions in the comments and encourage subscriptions for future content.