The Polar Grit X2 Pro is the latest addition to Polar’s lineup of rugged outdoor watches, designed to meet the needs of serious adventurers and athletes. With significant upgrades in hardware, software, and design, the Grit X2 Pro aims to compete with top-tier outdoor watches like the Garmin Fenix 7X Solar and the Suunto Vertical. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore the features, performance, and overall value of the Polar Grit X2 Pro to help you determine if it’s the right watch for your outdoor adventures.
Design and Build Quality
The Polar Grit X2 Pro boasts a robust and premium design that is built to withstand the harshest conditions. The watch features a stainless steel case and bezel, providing durability and a sleek look. The 1.39-inch AMOLED display is protected by sapphire crystal glass, ensuring it remains scratch-free even in rugged environments. The display itself is bright and vibrant, with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels, making it easy to read in all lighting conditions.
One of the standout features of the Grit X2 Pro is its MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability, which means it can handle extreme temperatures, humidity, and shock. The watch is also water-resistant up to 100 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities. The overall build quality of the Grit X2 Pro is impressive, and it feels solid and well-made on the wrist.
Display and User Interface
The AMOLED display on the Polar Grit X2 Pro is a significant upgrade from the previous models. The colors are rich and vibrant, and the high resolution ensures that text and graphics are sharp and clear. The touch screen is responsive and easy to navigate, even with gloves on, which is a crucial feature for outdoor enthusiasts.
The user interface has been redesigned to be more intuitive and user-friendly. The main menu is easy to navigate, and the watch face can be customized with various widgets and data fields to suit your preferences. The Grit X2 Pro also features a new always-on display mode, which allows you to see the time and other essential information at a glance without having to wake the screen.
Performance and Features
The Polar Grit X2 Pro is packed with features designed to enhance your outdoor adventures. One of the most notable upgrades is the dual-frequency GPS, which provides more accurate location tracking, even in challenging environments like dense forests or urban canyons. The watch also supports multiple satellite systems, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS, ensuring you have reliable navigation wherever you go.
In addition to GPS, the Grit X2 Pro includes a barometric altimeter, compass, and gyroscope, providing comprehensive navigation tools for outdoor activities. The watch also features topographic maps, which can be downloaded and used offline, making it easier to plan and navigate your routes.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Polar has always been known for its advanced health and fitness tracking capabilities, and the Grit X2 Pro is no exception. The watch features Polar’s latest optical heart rate sensor, which provides accurate and reliable heart rate monitoring during workouts and throughout the day. The Grit X2 Pro also includes ECG functionality, allowing you to take electrocardiograms and monitor your heart health more closely.
The watch tracks a wide range of activities, from running and cycling to swimming and hiking. It also includes advanced training features like Training Load Pro, which helps you monitor and optimize your training intensity and recovery. The Grit X2 Pro also offers sleep tracking, providing insights into your sleep patterns and quality to help you improve your overall health and well-being.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor for any outdoor watch, and the Polar Grit X2 Pro delivers impressive performance in this area. The watch features a 10-day battery life in regular mode and up to 5.8 days in training mode with GPS and heart rate monitoring enabled. This extended battery life ensures that you can rely on the Grit X2 Pro for long adventures without constantly worrying about recharging.
The watch also supports fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed. This is a great feature for those who are always on the go and need their watch to be ready at a moment’s notice.
Navigation and Mapping
Navigation is a key feature of the Polar Grit X2 Pro, and the watch excels in this area. The dual-frequency GPS provides accurate and reliable location tracking, even in challenging environments. The watch also includes topographic maps, which can be downloaded and used offline, making it easier to plan and navigate your routes.
The Grit X2 Pro also features turn-by-turn navigation, which provides real-time directions to help you stay on course. The watch can also sync with popular navigation apps like Komoot and Strava, allowing you to import and follow routes from these platforms.
Smart Features
In addition to its outdoor and fitness features, the Polar Grit X2 Pro also includes several smart features to enhance your daily life. The watch can receive notifications from your smartphone, including calls, messages, and app alerts. You can also control music playback directly from the watch, making it easy to manage your tunes while on the go.
The Grit X2 Pro also includes weather updates, providing real-time information on current conditions and forecasts. This is a useful feature for outdoor enthusiasts who need to stay informed about the weather during their adventures.
Value for Money
The Polar Grit X2 Pro is priced at a premium, but it offers excellent value for money considering its features and performance. The watch’s robust build quality, advanced navigation tools, and comprehensive health and fitness tracking make it a top contender in the outdoor watch market.
While it is more expensive than some of its competitors, such as the Garmin Fenix 7X Solar, the Grit X2 Pro justifies its price with its superior performance and additional features. If you’re looking for a high-end outdoor watch that can handle the toughest conditions and provide accurate and reliable tracking, the Polar Grit X2 Pro is definitely worth considering.
Conclusion
The Polar Grit X2 Pro is a significant upgrade over its predecessors, offering better performance, improved navigation, and longer battery life. While it does have a few drawbacks, such as the high price and the lack of some advanced mapping features found in competitors, these are minor issues compared to the watch’s overall strengths.
If you’re in the market for an outdoor watch that delivers top-notch performance and a premium experience, the Polar Grit X2 Pro is an excellent choice. Its combination of powerful hardware, thoughtful design, and advanced features make it one of the best outdoor watches available today.
Whether you’re a hardcore adventurer looking for a reliable companion or a fitness enthusiast who wants to track your activities with precision, the Polar Grit X2 Pro has something to offer. With its impressive specs and user-friendly design, it’s a device that truly stands out in the crowded outdoor watch market.
