Polar - Ignite 3

Polar is considered among the better of mediocre bunch when it comes to sleep tracking and the recovery tools (orthostatic test, leg recovery test, nightly recharge) are state-of-the-art. Definitely better than Suunto and I'd wager better than Garmin as well (though there are more recovery-related features on Garmin) Latest 4 of Polar watches come with the exact same software and Ignite 3 does not miss much either (maps and some tests, most crucially)

I have Ignite 3 and Garmin vivioactive 4. Garmin is much more accurate. Ignite 3 at the distance 1200m is loosing 150m. In both cases there is no problem with Strava.

Today it was even better. I swam 1000m, but Polar reports 3000m 😆 I have the latest software. Polar is not good for swimming.

No alarm, isn't the whole point to wear this to sleep? I probably value the alarm on my ignite 3 more than the sleep tracking itself. I was interested in this to replace wearing other Polar devices 24/7, what is the selling point if my existing device has better features for wearing 24/7? Polar just kick themselves in the nuts over and over

I have ignite 3 and I love it! If I was rich, I would maybe get Vantage M3. Polar is nice and simple. I have tested (a bit) Garmin and Polar with wrist HR, they are pretty similar. Polar maybe doesn't take the highest point HR on intervals, but average HR was same as Garmin.

Yes, the Pacer is the newest of the three watches you mentioned and sounds like it would be a decent choice. Both the Ignite and the Vantage M series are now on version 3. You could use your H10 with any of these watches to get more accurate heart rate data. There is no official way of importing workouts done with a non-Polar device into Polar Flow. There are third party apps that can kind of do this, but the training load may not be calculated. The easiest way would be to record your bike rides on both your Garmin and your Polar device.

Love my Ignite 3 but absolutely find Polar Flow app dreadful. Love my Whoop for all its meaningful information!

Garmin counts repetitions of weight lifting, but Polar tells you when to start a new set (HR recovered) Garmin has many overall health metrics, but many were evidenced as imaginations. Nevertheless, they are looking nice. Polar is combining all in a few sentences. Sleep is mainly tracked by movements. That’s accurate at both. The sleep phases are determined by best guess. Garmin works well for my wife, Polar works much better for me. This includes the training recommendations. Polars training recommendations are limited to a handful of offers, but consider general health aspects. I like them.

Blood pressure and that stuff isn’t working at all. I recommend a fitness watch. Either the ignite or the vivoactive. Finally a personal decision.  Garmin shows tons of raw data, Polar combines them to some core metrics. 

I second this. Had an original Ignite and loved it. It finally died after many hard years of use so I got the 3. It’s amazing. Comfortable, accurate, and fairly affordable.

I second this. Had an original Ignite and loved it. It finally died after many hard years of use so I got the 3. It’s amazing. Comfortable, accurate, and fairly affordable.

I love the Ignite 3. Upgraded from original Ignite. I’m not a runner but it has been great for everything I do (stationary bike, weights, hockey).

I own the ignite 3 because it is barely noticeable when being worn. That is a pro for me especially at night. I did try garmin before and polar gives me more usable values while garmin just throws numbers at the user. (In connect+ and the watch). On the other hand other people think the polar UI (web and watch) is outdated and miss the body battery feature which simplifies sleep, recovery, stress in one value. You have a lot of watches on the list, I would recommend to look at the ecosystem first.

I would go for the Grit X2 (latest, just a bit more expensive than the M3). Polar watches have the same OS, so the only difference will be design, materials (for sturdiness go for the Grit X2), weight and battery life. For premium feel and long battery life go for the V3 or Grit X Pro. Pacer is old, it has MIPS display, the above mentioned have nice AMOLED. Ignite does not have maps and navigation. You cannot import workouts to polar flow platform, but if you wear your watch during workouts it will sync them to Strava. You can even pair your compatible sensors too (H10, speed/cadence), so you won’t miss any data.

I own a Polar Ignite 3 Titanium too, and yes, it’s designed exactly for what you described. I wear it day and night - it’s lightweight so it’s barely noticeable while sleeping. The M3 and the X2 are newer models with maps and navigation, so it may be worth the price.

The Ignite 2 and Vantage M have metal bumps on the back as part of the sensor. The Pacer sensor is flat and non-metallic. If you are at all prone to watch rashes, your skin will likely be happier with the Pacer. If you like touch screens it could be worth trying to get a used Ignite 3. I have one now and it is my favorite watch I've ever owned. It's flat and plastic on the back, has most of the major features, decent battery life, and feels very thin and lightweight compared to the Pacer.

I'm a woman with small wrists, and I really like the Polar Ignite 3. It is small, thin front-to-back, and lightweight. I don't need something as dainty as the Garmin Lily 2 - I just need something that doesn't feel big and heavy and clunky. I didn't have a great fit with the Polar Pacer Pro because I like elastic bands and it was heavy enough it would flop around on the band, and thick enough front-to-back that it felt "big" on my wrist. But the Polar Ignite 3 (and also the Polar Unite) are thin and light enough that they don't feel too big even on my tiny little wrists.

Polar Ignite is still perfectly fine as a software machine, but there are 2 buts... 1) Buying such an old used device you risk battery life to be 1-2 days pretty soon and it's not replaceable; 2) If you're serious about tracking your fitness, some external device like a Verity Sense or H9, H10 chest strap for accurate HR tracking is a must - these also could be used with multiple apps to get more accurate recovery data.