Smart watches and bracelets polar. First look at the Polar M600 smartwatch

The Polar A300 fitness watch appeared on the wearable electronics market three years ago, immediately winning the hearts and wallets of sports fans. One of the first heart rate trackers at a relatively low price will become an indispensable training partner.

The model can serve as either a regular (very accurate) pedometer and physical activity counter, or an advanced training assistant using a number of additional sensors and an application.

Technical specifications

The device was released in 2015 - almost an eternity ago for current electronics. You shouldn't expect the Polar A300 to have the capabilities of a modern smartwatch - it's a specialized gadget that does its job well.

The characteristics of the device look like this:

• OLED screen with a diagonal of 0.5 inches and a resolution of 28x64;
• processor with a clock frequency of 90 MHz;
• RAM 16 MB, built-in 4 MB;
• Duration of uninterrupted operation - up to a month;
• connection with a smartphone or computer via Bluetooth 4.0/USB.

Polar A300 is optimized for long, trouble-free operation, constantly collecting data about your activities. All the clutter is stripped away to give you another day of use without charging, or an extra hour of uninterrupted heart rate tracking.

Screen design and performance

The Polar A300 White/Black watch has a minimalist design typical of electronic devices of the 90s. A simple silicone strap with six colors to choose from, a black and white screen, five large function buttons on the side panels. The OLED display has extremely low power consumption and sharp images, but the black and white color gives designers very little wiggle room.

Compared to LCD displays, OLED technology based on organic light-emitting diodes boasts instant response, almost complete absence of the concept of “viewing angle”, and a permissible temperature range from −40 to +70 °C. The disadvantages are the relatively low service life (up to 5 years) and the price of using the technology.

The device screen is always on, showing the time, date, charge level and goal completion. Bright lighting will help in the early morning or late at night - the manufacturer recommends wearing the device around the clock for accurate statistics collection.

Equipment and assembly

The gadget comes in two versions with a sensor Polar H7 and without it. Keep in mind that the sensor is a big part of the price and the reason to buy this tracker, be sure to check availability in the store or check with the seller.

In addition to the sensor, the package contains the watch itself, Polar A300 instructions, and a charging extension cord. Nothing unusual or interesting was found.

According to reviews, some users do not like the watch strap due to its stickiness and unpleasant texture. The “sticky” layer disappears after some time after use, but if wearing the watch is completely unpleasant, straps for the device can be purchased from third-party manufacturers.

Watch functionality

The basis of the Polar A300 HR functionality is its synchronization with a proprietary application Polar Flow, running on mobile operating systems iOS and Android, as well as desktop Windows and MacOS. When connecting, the user is led through the account registration procedure and activation of the gadget linked to the online diary.

The setup is quite complicated for beginners; before use, we advise you to review the instructions for use and thematic forums.

The main set of functions includes:

1. Pedometer.
2. Calorie counter.
3. Odometer (distance meter).
4. Physical activity counter.
5. Sleep monitoring and smart alarm clock.
6. Customizable set of notifications.

Once set up, the device will automatically track your chosen training pace. Long-term planning with increasing load through the application is possible.

Combined with an optional heart rate sensor, the device can track aerobic and anaerobic training zones, changing the rhythm of work from maintaining fitness and burning fat to serious training and building muscle mass.

Heart rate sensor

In 2018, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of fitness tracker models with a heart rate sensor on the wearable electronics market at a price three to four times lower. Why buy a device released three years ago today? To answer, you will have to delve a little deeper into the operating principles of modern heart rate monitors.

Not so long ago, the pulse on “civilian” devices was measured in the only way - a sensor located near the heart. This made it possible to collect data with high accuracy and minimal energy consumption. The Polar A300 HR heart rate monitor has exactly this type of sensor, which is attached to the chest on a special belt before training.

Modern fitness trackers use a different trick - they illuminate the skin in contact with the inside of the watch bracelet with a green laser, removing the pulsation of the blood. This allows you to abandon bulky sensors and obtain statistics at any time, on the fly.

But the accuracy and response time of chest sensors is still higher. They don't need to turn on the laser every five seconds to get up-to-date information. The chest heart rate monitor also lasts much longer, and the information is transmitted to the watch via Bluetooth. The sensor is waterproof, like the watch, and works great while swimming.

Fitness test

The target audience of the device is people who want to exercise to maintain their health. The Polar A300 smartwatch allows you to conduct a standard fitness test that will assess your physical condition and help you create a training program.

The test will only take a few minutes. Based on the results, you can evaluate your progress since your last workout and reconfigure the “red” zones of the scales based on your current condition.

Autonomy

Thanks to energy-saving technologies, screen and components, the A300 model can work without recharging for up to a month. An excellent result for a device with a display. One of the main competitors is Xiaomi Mi Band 2, released in 2017, with similar parameters it only holds a charge for 2 weeks. Battery life varies depending on how often you use Bluetooth and your workouts. Due to constant screen activity, the deadline will always be approximately the same (plus or minus a week).

The device is partially autonomous and can work in the absence of a smartphone, saving data to the internal memory. In conjunction with a smartphone, Polar A300 will work as a personal trainer, signaling when you are insufficiently active or sitting at the computer for too long.

Advantages and disadvantages

The price and characteristics of the Polar A300 speak about the pros and cons of the gadget better than any words. The well-known manufacturer of fitness devices did not try to create a cheap machine that does everything and is poorly made. The Polar tracker is a specialized device that will help you create a training program, maintain rhythm in your workouts, and track your own health. None of the competing straps for $100 or less will give you anything close.

Cons - outdated pulse collection technology, which, despite its accuracy, is quite inconvenient. The device itself has not wanted to fall in price for the third year, successfully selling and updating even after the release of new models.

The application settings and working with heart rate are quite complicated for beginners, so we absolutely do not recommend the device as a first smart watch or fitness bracelet. First, decide whether you need this device and what exactly it is for.

The Polar M600 sports watch is an indispensable item for any athlete. Its main feature is a full-fledged Wear OS by Google™ base. By purchasing this compact device, the user always stays connected even without a smartphone. We begin a detailed review of the Polar M600 watch.

Peculiarities

The Polar M600 smart watch is characterized by:

• Built-in 6-LED optical heart rate monitor
• Waterproof housing
• Hassle-free synchronization
• Availability of two connection modules
• Abundance of useful functions
• Menu support in 14 languages
• Low price of 28,000 rubles

Equipment

The Polar M600 watch includes:

• Charger
• Instructions for use
• Warranty card

The functionality of the device is wide. Use the manual to understand in more detail the capabilities and operation of the device.

Design

Two watch models were released for sale:

• Polar M600 Black
• Polar M600 White

In white, the watch looks more solid, but the black version is more advantageous in terms of convenience. It masks all appearance imperfections that have appeared over time.

The device weighs only 63 g. The body dimensions are small - 45x36x13 mm. The case is square, built into a silicone bracelet. Soft hypoallergenic material does not cause discomfort to wear.

Design

The manufacturer did not bother with the design. It is simple and clear, which is an advantage for the user. There are no management issues. There are only two round physical buttons in the case. One is responsible for turning the device on and off, the second is intended for training mode. The buttons are large, easy to press, and respond instantly.

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Description

Technical characteristics of the Polar M600 sports watch:

• The screen is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• 1.30-inch TFT display with 260 ppi resolution
• Powered by dual-core MediaTek MT2601 processor
• Powered by a full Android Wear™ base
• Syncs with Android 4.3+ and iOS 8.2+
• Connects via Bluetooth2, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n modules
• Stores data on 4 GB (RAM – 512 MB)
• Built-in 500 mAh battery
• Waterproof up to 10m IPX8
• Navigation system – GPS and GLONASS

Heart rate monitor

The Polar M600 heart rate watch can accurately measure these indicators. Thanks to the hypersensitive touch sensor, the user does not worry about inaccurate calculations.

An optical heart rate monitor with 6 LEDs is built into the watch. This indicates his independent work. To start measuring your heart rate, you don’t need to download apps or pair with your smartphone. Everything here is done for user comfort.

Autonomous operation

The watch has a battery with a capacity of 500 mAh, i.e. battery life is quite good. But! Let us note one feature. Battery life varies depending on timing. If the user connects the watch with Android, the battery life will last one day, and if with an iPhone, it will last one day shorter.

Polar M600 battery life:

• Passive use mode – 1 day for iPhone, 2 days for Android
• Active use mode – 8 hours for both systems
• Normal use mode – about 12 hours for iPhone, 36 hours for Android

Synchronization

The model in question connects freely with two devices – Android, iPhone. Users note a smooth connection and smooth operation.

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Thanks to its own operating system, Polar M600 is able to work independently. Now you don't need to take your smartphone with you when you go jogging or training. A smart watch with a full-fledged operating system is a small computer that contains everything you need.

Functions

Polar sports watch model M600 can:

• Determine the user's fitness level
• Create an individual training plan
• Monitor achievements and adjust classes
• Switch training profiles depending on the sport
• Show location and build running and cycling routes, etc.

The device supports 14 languages, including Russian. The settings can be adjusted. To do this, go to the menu options and select the design in Russian. The device is equipped with other useful sensors. These are an ambient light sensor, a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The design contains a microphone, and the watch sends signals using a vibration drive.

Finnish company POLAR exists since 1975 and from the very beginning was engaged in the research, development, and then production of wireless heart rate monitors and now heart rate monitors, for which there was a huge demand among coaches and athletes.
The lack of manufacturers of sports heart rate monitors in the 70s made it possible for POLAR to be pioneers in this direction. Now POLAR is rightfully considered No. 1 in the world in the production of heart monitors and smart bracelets.

The manufacturer POLAR offers today the widest range of heart rate monitors for sports, fitness and any type of activity. In addition to wrist-based heart rate monitors, POLAR produces expensive systems for group fitness training (for example, Polar Team System 2), which are rightfully considered world-class fitness training systems.

The manufacturer POLAR is rapidly developing and moving forward in its research and development of wireless heart monitors and the search for new technologies in heart rate monitoring, software and service, and with each new development we see this progress. The software has become as simple and convenient as possible, heart rate accuracy has become maximum, the heart rate monitor’s response to heart rate changes has become instantaneous (unlike other brands of professional heart rate monitors), GPS accuracy has become at the level of Garmin, whose main priority is GPS navigation.

Not everyone can afford to buy a POLAR watch today; the price of a heart rate monitor is quite high. In such a situation, we offer our customers to take advantage of a loan with a term of 3 months to 2 years. It is also possible to pay for the heart rate monitor through the official website of the store with a bank card or card when receiving the goods through a mobile terminal. As a bonus, anyone who wants to buy a heart rate monitor will receive free delivery in St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg) and Moscow (Moscow time), as well as an official guarantee in the Russian Federation for 2 years.

• Operating system: Android Wear™
• Compatibility: Smartphones running Android 4.3 and later, iPhone 5 and later running iOS 8.2 and later
• Processor: MediaTek MT2601, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor based on ARM Cortex-A7 core
• Memory: 4 GB internal storage + 512 MB RAM
• Display: 1.30", 240 x 240 pixels, 260 ppi TFT display, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
• Battery: 500 mAh
• Battery life: 2 days / 8 hours of training (with Android phone), 1 days / 8 hours of training (with iPhone)
• Heart rate sensor: Optical heart rate measurement with 6 LEDs
• Sensors: Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, vibration drive, microphone
• Waterproof: Can be used while swimming, 10 meters, IPX8
• Weight: 63 g
• Connectivity: Bluetooth® 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• Dimensions: 45x36x13
• Physical buttons: 2 buttons: power button and front button for quick workout control
• Bracelets: Silicone
• Location: GPS and GLONASS
• Language support: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin), Japanese, Indonesian, Korean, Thai

Introduction

Just the other day in Moscow there was a presentation of the leader and pioneer in the field of heart rate monitoring, activity trackers and training computers - the Polar company. At the event, they showed a new wearable gadget called M600 - a GPS sports watch based on the Android Wear operating system. It can measure your heart rate thanks to a new, more accurate sensor and track other important body indicators, such as 24/7 activity level and calories burned. It also simultaneously gives owners access to Polar's sports offerings and more than 4,000 third-party apps via Google Play.

Eva Hilf, commercial director of Polar Electro Europe BV (consumer products division), spoke about the new product from Polar. In addition to the officials, two people were invited who tested the gadget, as they say, “on themselves”: theater and film actress Maria Shumakova and Denis Gusev, a Russian bodybuilder, master of sports in bodybuilding.

Independent “experts” shared their impressions of the rhythm of their training with the Polar M600, how they spent their time, and what data they received using sensors.

Maria, naturally, represented an ordinary person who leads an active lifestyle, taking frequent walks, jogs, bike rides, and so on, and Denis, no matter how hard it may be to guess, is an athlete. Of course, it was more interesting to listen to the opinion of someone who has been working with various technical devices (sensors) for many years due to his profession, that is, Gusev. It turned out that the Polar M600 almost completely replaced special sensors like the polar H7, although some of its parameters are still more accurate, for example, when accelerating in training. The M600 does not always have time to read the difference in heart rate, so it shows the average value.

Appearance of Polar M600

The device is made in a classic version, that is, in the form of a watch with a color touch screen and a removable main unit for easy replacement of the strap. There are two strap colors: black and white. They are made of silicone, which is very pleasant to the touch: soft and slightly slippery.

The 1.3-inch screen is protected by third-generation Corning glass, with metal inserts on the sides. On the left side there is a “Back” or “Stop” button, and below the display there is a mechanical button to start training. The rest of the things are done by touch screen controls. There is a micron in the lower area for voice recognition.

Below the watch is the main element: an optical heart rate sensor (provides more optical channels for pulse measurement) with six bright LEDs. Nearby there is a platform for connecting the charger.

The smart watch is protected according to the IPX8 standard and is not afraid of immersion in water to a depth of 10 meters, which greatly distinguishes the Polar M600 from other similar devices.

They fit perfectly on the wrist, the strap can be adjusted to the required size, the fastening and grip are reliable - two metal holders.

Key features of Polar M600

The device is equipped with a chipset for wearable devices MediaTek MT2601 (2 cores), inside there is 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB for loading various data, such as music. These parameters are quite sufficient for the smooth functioning of the M600.

Some points highlighted at the presentation:

• Heart rate based training
• Polar's exclusive Smart Coaching features provide detailed information about your fitness level in different areas and recommendations for further improvement
• Create and customize profiles for different sports, getting the information and guidance you need to get the most out of your workout.
• 24/7 activity tracking
• Automatic tracking of sleep time and quality. You can easily learn more about your sleep in the Polar Flow app and web service.
• The special Polar Flow service records detailed information about each training session, which allows you to track progress and plan further actions.
• The watch is equipped with a GPS function that allows you to measure speed and distance, as well as view your route.

As for the operating time, it is worth saying that the M600 uses a built-in 500 mAh battery. According to official data, the watch “lives” up to two days with an Android device and a day with an iOS device.

Conclusion

The appearance of the Polar M600 smartwatch seemed somewhat rustic to me, however, it fits into the general concept of all Polar gadgets. Among the positive aspects, it is worth noting the accurate and fast 6-LED sensor, water resistance (you can even swim), the presence of GPS and GLONASS, many training modes and quick strap replacement.

The only negative point is, perhaps, the price, it amounts to 28,000 rubles. However, other devices from the company are not cheap.

The Finnish company Polar was created in 1975, when mobile heart rate monitoring tools did not exist. But already in 1979 she patented the world's first wireless heart rate monitor, and in 1982 - a wireless heart monitor. Since then, the training regimen of athletes around the world has changed qualitatively.

Today, anyone can buy a portable Polar heart rate monitor, including in the form of super popular smart watches and bracelets. The manufacturer produces a huge range of models for both professional athletes and ordinary people leading an active lifestyle.

The lineup

• Sports watch Polar V800 (HR).

Professional model from a Finnish manufacturer. These Polar watches are supplied with a heart rate monitor (an additional option), made in the form of a chest strap. They are also equipped with a built-in GPS module, an activity counter, support for cycling sensors and more than 20 sport profiles - from simple running to triathlon.

• Smart watch Polar M600.

The most innovative model and the world's first fitness tracker based on Android Wear OS. The main feature of the device is the built-in optical heart rate sensor. It does not require wearing a chest strap to operate. In essence, this Polar model is a heart rate monitor with a watch that can be worn anytime and anywhere as a stylish accessory. The case is waterproof, and the color screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. There is support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.

• Smart watch Polar M430.

A simplified version of the previous model with a small monochrome display and no Wi-Fi. But the most important thing has been preserved - the built-in optical heart rate sensor, as well as GPS and the basic functions of a fitness tracker. Another nice feature is the price; the Polar M430 heart rate monitor costs 25% less than its “big brother”.

• Smartwatches M400 and A300.

They differ from the previous version in the absence of a built-in heart rate monitor (but if necessary, you can use an additional chest strap), and the A300 model also does not have GPS.

• Smart watch Polar M200.

This model is the cheapest way to get a modern optical heart rate monitor with a built-in GPS sensor. The manufacturer positions the device as an inexpensive fitness watch for runners.

• Smart bracelets.

The most advanced fitness bracelet, A360, has a built-in heart rate monitor and a small screen. Simplified models - Polar Loop (2) do not have a screen, and heart rate is measured only through a chest sensor. The bracelets can track the wearer’s activity, sleep phases, count calories, distance traveled, etc.

You can buy a Polar heart rate monitor of any model in the Watchsport online store.