Bytagand the publication "Test of the new Polar Pacer Pro cardio/GPS watch"
Polar, the Finnish brand well-known to lovers of heart monitoring and the evolution of their own sports performance, is launching two new models of watches particularly intended for running enthusiasts, the Pacer and Pacer Pro. And even before the product is available to the public, we had the privilege of testpreview this little technological gem in real conditions, on the occasion of the 2022 Paris Marathon: the Polar Pacer Pro.
By Jean-François Tatard – Photos: ©3bikes.fr / ©Polar

It was 1975 and at that time there was no accurate way to record heart rate during training. The idea for the first wireless wearable heart rate monitor in history was born on a cross-country ski trail in Finland… And it wasn’t until two years later, in 1977, that Polar actually saw the light of day. That was the year the Finnish company filed its first patent for wireless heart rate measurement. Its late founder Seppo Säynäjäkangas (1942-2018) thus became the only real first inventor of the wireless ECG heart rate monitor. The story began. Since The technology and devices of the Scandinavian manufacturer are widely used in various sports where their usefulness is proven..
The new Polar Pacer Pro watch
Without a product sheet… Here is a real one test blindly! But visibly multiplying technological sensors and software innovations, The Pacer Pro aims to concentrate the best of Polar in this small, initially very light case.

The Polar Pacer Pro relies on its software developments and visibly on the simplification of its sophistication to make the object even more accessible to all.. In addition to the sports functions that our population is eagerly awaiting, this sports watch opens up to features that most watches on the market at this level of range lack.

At first glance, this watch appears to be the lightest instrument that can be worn to measure time and performance.. It's hard to do more. and, too. All while maintaining very conventional dimensions. We therefore find an aluminum case that is a priori very solid, adorned with a 1,2-inch screen. And even if the slab with a fairly modest definition in terms of pixels is content to be readable, its color palette is limited. I also appreciate the automatic backlighting that is activated by wrist movement or via a dedicated button. As for the back, the heart rate monitor is surrounded by a pulse oximeter and magnetic attachments necessary for the proprietary charge of the watch.
The main functions of the Polar Pacer Pro
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The Polar Pacer Pro interface
Without any grandiloquence, what we can say is that the interface of this Polar does not abuse big words and easy or useless effects. Sobriety, efficiency and simplicity are the order of the dayThe menus are airy, the fonts are imposing and the readability is maximum, even if it may lack imagination.
However, it must be admitted that the runner who equips himself with a connected watch to monitor his performance is not looking to buy a trinket. Besides, Focused on running, the Pacer Pro offers only a limited number of features. The main menu is divided into less than ten alternatives. And all of them are designed for running as a priority. And also, in addition to being able to launch your physical activity or configure your watch, it is possible to plan supplies, select your favorite segments in Strava or even launch Serene. By the way, what is Serene? I discover… Serene is an aid to learn how to soothe your body and mind, as well as your stress. This guided deep breathing exercise option guides its user to breathe at a slow and regular pace, or six breaths per minute, the optimal breathing rate to relieve stress. I learned it here. So, When you breathe deeply and slowly, your heartbeat begins to synchronize with your breathing rhythm, and your heart's RR intervals begin to vary moretage.
During the breathing exercise, the Polar Pacer Pro helps us maintain a slow and regular breathing rhythm through on-screen animation and vibrations. Serene evaluates our body's response to the exercises and gives us real-time feedback on our breathing. After the exercise, we receive a summary of the time spent in each of the three serenity zones. The higher the zone, the better the synchronization with the optimal rhythm. The more time we spend in the high zones, the greater the benefits will be in the long term.
The menus inside the Polar Pacer Pro
At first glance a little disappointing, this weak range of features nevertheless has the advantagetagand to make navigation much smoother than most competing watches. It didn't take me long to understand it and make it my own. I received it on Friday and by Sunday I was already at the start of the Paris marathon with it. Then, in three clicks we launch the activity, and ultimately, when you're a runner, that's what you expect most from your GPS watch. During outings, the screen remains on and its readability is indisputable. The confusions that are still possible are written in a way that is sufficiently obvious so that we can understand them at a glance, even when the intensity of our effort disrupts our understanding. A real comfort that I appreciated this Sunday morning in the streets of Paris…

The app linked to the Polar Pacer Pro
This watch syncs with Polar Flow, available on Android and iOS. And this app obviously focuses on our workouts themselves, of course, but it also offers a broader view of user activity (number of steps, sleep time, calories burned, etc.). The overview is really very relevant. It is general enough that everyone can find what they are looking for. The app offers a report on our physical activity. It also indicates our progress towards our activity goals and indicates if we are training too intensely, for example. Or on the contrary, if we are behind because we are not putting enough heart into our work, no pun intended. It is also via this app on the smartphone that the watch is synchronized and updated. This is where we will identify most of the parameters useful for optimal use of the watch. For example, it is possible to configure the mode: Do not disturb, the display of notifications, an alarm or even the language. Polar Flow also allows you to create personalized sessions that can be transferred to the watch. It's very ingenious and very convenient.

For use with Polar Pacer Pro
In addition to the traditional heart rate monitor and GPS, the watch offers a whole bunch of sensors: compass, accelerometer, altimeter, barometer, slope incline, ascent, pulse oximeter, power in watts, etc.. I really enjoyed my first experience! No GPS wandering even in the long tunnels on the banks of the Seine at the Paris Marathon. Moreover, the GPS is generally very precise and the result given once the activity is finished is completely consistent in terms of calculating distances.

As for the heart rate monitor, it offers near-perfect monitoring. The watch manages to faithfully reproduce the evolution of the heart rate. And so, faced with my old Garmin Fenix, which has long since gained my trust and which I wore on my other wrist as a reference value during this marathon, the Polar Pacer Pro offered me results that were extremely close. It convinced me…
Simple and understated in its use but no less highly relevant and effective, the Polar Pacer Pro is an eloquent running watch that proves to be persuasive.. The GPS and heart rate tracking is also very good. This makes me want to extend my experience for a few more weeks, in order to discover in more detail the other features of this little ornament. The music function in particular, which I have not yet completely understood. Finally, continuing this taming should allow me to make this watch a real training and challenge buddy and with which I would like totagand other great adventures…
La FLEECE PACER PRO in short… Note: ***** The pros: precision, efficiency, complete functions, lightness, ease of use Price: The Polar Pacer Pro watch is available today on polar.com and in retail stores worldwide at a price of 299,90 € in Carbon Gray, Snow White, Midnight Blue, Autumn Maroon and Aurora Green. Aurora Green will be available later this year. |
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Bytagand the publication "Test of the new Polar Pacer Pro cardio/GPS watch"
I have strong doubts about the heart rate recorded by the Polar Pacer.
A Polar Pacer on the left and an M430 on the right do not give the same result.
Many HR spikes (180 and up) on the Pacer remain unexplained. My old M430 never had this kind of result.
Hello Alain,
Thank you for your message! The differences can be due to the positioning of the watch, different sensors or a missing update on the Polar Pacer. Make sure it is properly adjusted and up to date via Polar Flow. If the discrepancies persist, a heart rate monitor like the Polar H10 can help verify the measurements.
Have a good day !
Jeff TATARD