Details
Brand
Polar
Model
V800
Battery Life
13 hrs GPS | 30 days
Use
Tracking
Latest Version
Yes
Key Features
• Very accurate• Affordable• Good website support• Aesthetically pleasing• Breathable band• Good battery life
Comfort
In terms of comfort, the Polar M430 has been praised as having a comfortable wrist heart rate monitor. This is important, because you don’t want a design that’s obtrusive and aggravates your wrist as you’re performing. The rest of the watch was also designed with your comfort in mind, including a band that has numerous holes in its design to allow for moisture to escape. This means that whether you’re sweating from running or just got out of the pool, you won’t have to worry about moisture getting stuck under the watch band and leading to discomfort.
Size
s Available;In terms of size, the Polar M430 comes in one band size that’s been specifically chosen for its likelihood of fitting for the vast majority of people. There will, of course, be outliers whose wrists are either too small or too large for the watch, but the vast majority of athletes should have no problem fitting their wrists inside of this multi-sport watch. The size of the face and the band are very reasonable, so the watch isn’t too chunky, won’t stick out in a way that would hinder your performance at all.
Style
When it comes to a multi-sport watch as affordable as the Polar M430 is, the last thing you’d expect is for the watch to be especially stylish. For instance, when you take a look at a much more expensive watch like what Apple is putting out today, the design is prioritized. Even so, the Polar M430 has a sleek and attractive appearance, remaining as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional. The watch face blends seamlessly into the band, something that not even the Apple Watch can claim. The band is strong and sleek, and the watch gives the impression that Batman would love to wear it.
Activities
In terms of activities that you can use the Polar M430 for, you can expect to utilize it for your standard walking, running, and biking, and you can also use it for swimming too. This means that you can definitely use this watch for triathlons, especially since the watch’s band has breathable holes that allow water to easily pass through without getting stuck and making your wrist uncomfortable. There are basically no restrictions when it comes to activities for which you can use this watch. So long as you’re not trying to dive to a great depth with it, you should be fine.
Basic Features
In terms of activities that you can use the Polar M430 for, you can expect to utilize it for your standard walking, running, and biking, and you can also use it for swimming too. This means that you can definitely use this watch for triathlons, especially since the watch’s band has breathable holes that allow water to easily pass through without getting stuck and making your wrist uncomfortable. There are basically no restrictions when it comes to activities for which you can use this watch. So long as you’re not trying to dive to a great depth with it, you should be fine.
Advanced Features
When it comes to advanced features on the Polar M430, you can expect a functional pedometer, a wrist-based heart rate monitor, and superb water resistance. This means that you can get the kind of functionality that you’ve come to expect from a top-of-the-line multi-sport watch, including the ability to swim without having to worry about the water damaging the watch. As long as you’re not diving to a great depth or swimming in fast rushing water, you should be just fine. The Polar M430 has you covered no matter what you might be doing with the watch.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, the Polar M430 recognizes how important it is to transmit data through something like Bluetooth, so the company has supported that functionality. You can transfer your data easily, whether that’s through your phone or your computer. This means that you can easily keep track of all of your data no matter where you are, which means that if you’re seriously competitive and want to track your progress and see where to improve, you can easily do that. The Polar M430 appeals to the average athlete, but it also does a great job of servicing the serious competitor.
Ease of Use
In terms of ease of use, the Polar M430 has been praised by many reviewers for having a simple setup, having a wristband that’s easy to fit, and a heart rate monitor that’s accurate and easy to use. There are few drawbacks to the Polar M430, and ease of use is definitely not one of them. On the contrary, the watch is tremendously easy to setup right out of the box, and you’ll be ready to get out on the road or in the pool in no time.
Power Source
When it comes to battery life, the Polar M430 multi-sport doesn’t just excel, it practically crushes the competition. Thanks in large part to the way that the watch displays its information without using up too much processing power, it can conserve battery life, to the point where some reviewers reported only having to charge the watch every three days. Compare this to the Apple Watch series that regularly needs to be recharged every day, and you see a stark contrast when it comes to the battery life of the Polar M430.
Accuracy
In terms of accuracy, many reviewers have noted that the Polar M430 has one of the most accurate wrist-based heart rate monitors they’ve seen. The GPS accuracy that you’ll be able to find during your runs has also been lauded, making a strong argument for this to be your next multi-sport watch, especially if accuracy is a priority.
Face
Despite the fact that the face on the Polar M430 doesn’t display as much as your average Apple Watch or other high-end multi-sport watch, it still looks super sleek and smooth, and it displays its information in a very aesthetically-pleasing way. The screen of the face itself lies flush with the band, which gives it an attractive, seamless look that would be befitting a stealthy competitor. This also serves an important function: Since the screen is flush with the band, there’s a far lower chance of it getting scratched or broken.
Band
The band of the Polar M430 is noted for its durability and strength, and its construction is tough enough that you shouldn’t have to worry about it breaking down on you. It’s sleek, dotted with holes that allow for breathability, and the black color of it matches very well with the black background of the watch’s face itself. If you’re looking for a watch that can make a statement without being too ostentatious, then the Polar M430 is it.
Apps
No multi-sport watch would be complete without a selection of apps, and the Polar M430 is no different. It fully supports the Polar Flow app, which monitors all of the data you generate as you exercise, sending it to a central profile where you can keep a good look at everything you’re doing as you exercise. There have been a couple of complaints about the app not quite syncing properly, but this can be easily remedied with a quick reboot of the app.
Sizes Available
In terms of size, the Polar M430 comes in one band size that’s been specifically chosen for its likelihood of fitting for the vast majority of people. There will, of course, be outliers whose wrists are either too small or too large for the watch, but the vast majority of athletes should have no problem fitting their wrists inside of this multi-sport watch. The size of the face and the band are very reasonable, so the watch isn’t too chunky, won’t stick out in a way that would hinder your performance at all.
Durability
You can tell just by looking at the Polar M430 that it’s a tank of a watch. The screen lies flush with the band, the band itself is thick and the opposite of flimsy, and it’s all one seamless design that lends itself to standing up to plenty of abuse. When you add in the fact that the watch is waterproof and breathable, it’s a no-brainer that if you’re looking for a multi-sport watch to use during a mud run, the Polar M430 is probably the right watch for you.
Price
As you’ve probably noticed by now, there’s next to nothing negative to say about this watch. And, funny enough, that extends to its price as well. As of the time of this writing, the Polar M430 can be purchased on Amazon for around $230. That is an exorbitantly low price when you consider all of the features that Polar has packed into this watch, whether that’s in terms of how it tracks your data, how it sends that data wirelessly to your other devices, or even how it looks.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that Polar has put out a superb watch that performs at a high level in basically every category that can be quantified. If you’re looking for an affordable watch that can do just about anything you need, all while looking very good, then this watch is definitely the one. This multi-sport watch is definitely worth a purchase.
