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.

Polar Vantage M2 30 hours or so battery They claim it can be extended to 100 if you reduce the GPS record rate.

I love mine. I wanted the same as you, somethin non distracting. So i got it in November i think. And i am so happy with it. For running i treated myself with the polar vantage m2 today as the loops tracking is so great for everyday data. Saying this as a former garmin User. I am not the biggest fan of the app, it is a little too full. But after getting used to it you find the data you need a bit quicker.

M2 does have multi sports functionality for tri and duathlon etc. I use mine everyday as my watch and for health tracking and cycling and hiking. I'm not a swimmer, but my wife also has an M2 and she is very happy w the swim metrics including SWOLF

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

The H10 strap is the key for indoor cycling - wrist-based HRMs are not reliable due to the hand gripping the bars and all the muscle activity in the wrist. If heart rate is the only metric you care about, then pick up a watch on eBay like the Vantage M2 for less than $100. The H10 is the gold standard for chest-based HRM. If you want to know more, there are great YouTube channels like DC Rainmaker - [https://www.youtube.com/@Dcrainmaker](https://www.youtube.com/@Dcrainmaker), Desfit [https://www.youtube.com/@DesFit](https://www.youtube.com/@DesFit), or for really nerdy in-depth reviews, The Quantified Scientist [https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuantifiedScientist](https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuantifiedScientist) Best of luck on your journey!

FR965, bought in 2024 and ditched my Polar Vantage 2. Because i didn't owned a Garmin before i cannot say which features are more useful for you. From my point of view i totally enjoy features for running splits on to have a more structured training in pools.