Polar - Vantage M2

After my M2's 2 buttons died, I had a Forerunner 954 for a week. The watch was excellent, but the backend (ecosystem) was too complicated for me. First, I wanted to set my maximum HR. I couldn't find an option for it in the app, nor on the watch, only on the web UI, hidden somewhere. Then I thought I set a custom watchface. To do it, you need to install another application. Not a problem, I did, found one, downloaded. Configuring it was again a negative experience, because I wasn't able to set up completely in the app, only the basics (like the main and secondary colors) and the fine-tuning, for example what data I want to see on the screen can be set only on the watch. On a 45 mm screen. Crazy, I spent a good amount of time to complete it. Then I checked the collected data. Body battery? Charge +34, drain -63. Take and understand whatever and however you want. How useful it is? Once I had a very exhausting day and the body battery counter went down to 5 at 5 PM and didn't decrease. Meaning, I had more time at the peak, otherwise I'd be dead, I guess. The app is loaded with screens and data. My feeling was they just added newer and newer features without thinking where that should be, how logical that is. The training feedbacks are good and correct, but if you pay a lot of cash, you want more than only that. In the end I bought the V3.

I love my Polar Vantage M2. It has an accurate GPS, good activity tracking, including sleep and recovery. Battery life is also great (approx. 35 hours GPS, 6 days in smartwatch mode). I can go on for long hikes with GPS without worrying about battery. I don't really use the smartwatch features (notifications etc.) so I can't comment on that. M2 is an old model but you can check the Pacer Pro and Vantage M3 from Polar. M3 has maps, I think I'll choose that one if I'll have to replace my M2. The maps would be very handy in unfamiliar locations (e.g. on vacation or on a new trail).

just buy used, you can find good models. I've bought used Polar Vantage m2 for 1/6 of the price

If you have the bucks Garmin Felix 7X is your ticket. But costs a lot. Similarly, Garmin Quatix 7 , which is better for OTW. Polar Vantage M2, would be my choice. But it doesn’t count stroke rate.

Its about as good as you are going to get. Apple does lock certain features to apple watch only - so an apple watch ultra 2 is an alternative option you can look at - as does include recreational diving features - but not as much as the fenix 8, and you can cover the gaps the F8 misses via 3rd party apps - but does leave out the cohesive eco system garmin provides - and considering that you barely mention any smart features would then say you are looking at the right watch (definitely from fitness tracking and progress tracking point of view). Fishing - actually it does - you can log your catch and log the spots where you catch..... [https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-EECCAC99-90D6-4AB1-9A3A-EC433D3365E2/EN-US/GUID-A6881EE1-DB08-4922-925F-C7526EFAE8A2.html](https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-EECCAC99-90D6-4AB1-9A3A-EC433D3365E2/EN-US/GUID-A6881EE1-DB08-4922-925F-C7526EFAE8A2.html) and then you can used those saved location spots to navigate back to them at any point (can be very useful for fishing holes whether out on the water or fishing from bank/beach). All garmin have a built in coach for running - think C25K but does up to half marathon distance, then F8 incldues a Daily suggested workout option which you can then add a race event to it, to get the DSW to try and get you to peak for your event - so if you want a hassel free experience and a watch to build your training programme - hard to beat what garmin offers. Hiking- get offline maps and offline navigation (think satnav from car on watch) - so can create routes and get tbt directions on watch and via audio. Plus love the climbpro feature. Maps will work with all outdoor activity so can use for paddling as well as running / hiking etc (have a couple of paddle routes for when on canals / rivers especially canals in towns - great way of seeing parts of a town via water). So yes there isn't really anything else that comes close to matching it. Nearest alternative options would be apple watch ultra 2 (and losts of 3rd party apps); polar grit/vantage and coros pace pro /apex pro / vertix all include built in training systems and with training metrics and analytics like garmin to track progress; suunto at this stage is training metrics and analytics - though their suunto ocean is a full dive watch (garmin equivalent is the descent mk3 which is basically a fenix with full dive capability);