Firmware updates for the Polar Vantage series:

Yes, Polar also has a page where they describe those – but not in German, which I’ll offer here. And I want to show the watches I use as they develop, thus also link to updates when the watch firmware has been updated.

You’ll notice what I mean in a second…

Polar Vantage V

February 11, 2019: Update 3.0

• Navigation features: route guidance, back to start
  [I have added videos on that to my YouTube channel and am working on expanding this series about navigation with sports watches]
• Quick menu in pre-training screen for fast access to favorites, timers, routes, back-to-start
• Phone notifications
• Do Not Disturb mode
• Dedicated sleep watchface

April 29, 2019: Update 3.2.10

• Activity tracking update: Polar has changed the algorithm used for activity tracking.
  For me and this blog, that means that the post comparing daily tracking on a Vantage V vs. a Fitbit Charge 3 is now outdated and I need to collect new data for further comparisons…
• GPS enhancements:
  – New GPS chip firmware
  – AGPS data now downloaded once a day via the app, not once a week
  – SBAS ground station data correction system enabled, which should improve location accuracy

October 2019: Update 4.0

• Fitness test, using oHR or a chest strap
• Zone lock (for training zones in workouts)
• Lap details on watch (time, distance, avg pace,…)
• Manual stride sensor (Footpod) calibration… This came after an outcry that the Vantage changed the calibration of e.g. a Stryd and this could not be disabled

December 2019: Update 5.0

• Strava Live Segments
• Race Pace

Vantage M

February 11, 2019: Update 3.0

• Back to start feature
• Quick menu in pre-training screen for favorites, timers, back-to-start
• Phone notifications
• Do Not Disturb mode
• Dedicated sleep watch face

April 29, 2019: Update 3.2.10

• Activity tracking update
• GPS performance updates

These updates are the same as for the Vantage V

October 2019: Update 4.0

Same as for the Vantage V:

• Fitness test, using oHR or a chest strap
• Zone lock (for training zones in workouts)
• Lap details on watch (time, distance, avg pace,…)
• Manual stride sensor (Footpod) calibration… This came after an outcry that the Vantage changed the calibration of e.g. a Stryd and this could not be disabled

December 2019: Update 5.0

• Race Pace

(Vantage M does not have navigation along routes, therefore won’t get Strava Live Segments support – or at least, I assume that’s the reason.)