Polar Grit X2: The Outdoor Companion You've Been Waiting For
Introduction
We're putting the spotlight on Polar's newest outdoor GPS watch, the Polar Grit X2. Not to be confused with its more robust sibling, the Grit X2 Pro, the standard Grit X2 aims to strike a balance between advanced outdoor features, everyday wearability, and a more accessible price point. But does it hit the mark? Let's find out.
Credit: polar.com
Design and Build Quality: Rugged Elegance
The Polar Grit X2 is designed for the adventurer who values both durability and comfort. Polar has crafted a watch that feels less bulky than some of its predecessors, offering a more refined aesthetic that transitions seamlessly from the trails to daily life. With a 45mm diameter case and a thickness of 12.5mm, it's surprisingly lightweight at 62g (with the wristband), making it comfortable for extended wear.
One of the standout features is the vibrant 1.28-inch AMOLED display with a sharp 416x416px resolution. Protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass, the display offers excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. Gone are the oversized bezels, giving the watch a more modern and sleek look. While it lacks a dedicated hardware flashlight found in some premium competitors, the display-based virtual flashlight is a handy addition for navigating in low-light conditions.
The Grit X2 boasts MIL-STD-810H durability certification, ensuring it can withstand harsh environmental conditions. It also features WR50 waterproofing, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities. The controls are a combination of five physical buttons and a responsive touchscreen. While the touchscreen is great for general navigation, the physical buttons prove more practical during intense workouts or when wearing gloves.
Features and Performance: A Comprehensive Outdoor Toolkit
The Grit X2 comes loaded with Polar's extensive suite of training, recovery, and outdoor features, many of which are backed by decades of scientific research. It leverages Polar's Elixir biosensing platform, offering 4th generation optical heart rate monitoring, wrist-based ECG, SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation), and skin temperature tracking. For optimal heart rate accuracy during workouts, Polar still recommends using a chest strap like the Polar H10.
Credit: polar.com
GPS Accuracy and Navigation
Equipped with Sony's CXD5610GF dual-frequency GPS and a newly integrated ring antenna, the Grit X2 supports multiple global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for enhanced accuracy. It comes with full-color offline topographic maps for Europe and North America pre-installed, with free downloadable maps for other regions. While the maps include contours and points of interest, it's important to note that the Grit X2 lacks on-watch routing intelligence. Turn-by-turn guidance is available when following a pre-loaded route, but route creation must be done via Polar Flow or other compatible platforms.
Training and Recovery Insights
Polar's strength lies in its deep physiological insights. The Grit X2 offers a wealth of metrics to help you train smarter and recover more effectively. Features like Training Load Pro, Recovery Pro, and Nightly Recharge provide personalized feedback on your training stress and recovery status, helping you optimize your performance and prevent overtraining. It supports over 170 sport profiles and includes dedicated performance tests to track your progress.
Battery Life
Battery life is crucial for an outdoor watch, and the Grit X2 delivers solid performance. While specific numbers can vary based on usage and settings, it offers competitive battery life for various modes, including GPS tracking and daily smartwatch use. The AMOLED display, while beautiful, can be a battery drain if used in always-on mode, but a gesture-based backlight option helps conserve power.
Credit: polar.com
Software and Ecosystem: Polar Flow
The Grit X2 integrates seamlessly with the Polar Flow ecosystem, which includes both a smartphone app and a web-based platform. Polar Flow is where you can plan your workouts, analyze your data, track your progress, and manage your watch settings. While the app is generally intuitive and well-organized, some users might find the visual interface a bit dated compared to competitors. The web platform offers additional features and planning tools, though it also has its quirks.
Polar Grit X2 vs. Polar Grit X2 Pro: What's the Difference?
It's important to distinguish between the Grit X2 and the Grit X2 Pro, as they cater to slightly different needs and budgets. The Grit X2 Pro, while sharing many core features, offers a larger 1.39-inch display, a more robust titanium bezel, and WR100 waterproofing. It also comes with a higher price tag. The standard Grit X2, on the other hand, provides a more compact and affordable option while still delivering a comprehensive outdoor experience. For most users, the Grit X2 offers excellent value, packing nearly all the essential features of its Pro counterpart in a more wearable form factor.
Credit: polar.com
Conclusion: A Strong Contender for Outdoor Enthusiasts
In conclusion, the Polar Grit X2 is a compelling outdoor GPS watch that offers a robust feature set, a durable yet comfortable design, and Polar's renowned physiological insights. It's an excellent choice for weekend warriors, trail runners, hikers, and anyone who wants a reliable companion for their outdoor adventures. While the software interface could benefit from a modern refresh and on-watch routing intelligence would be a welcome addition, the Grit X2 delivers on its promise of providing a comprehensive and insightful outdoor experience at a competitive price point.
Where to Buy and Learn More
Polar Official Website: https://www.polar.com/uk-en/grit-x2 (Priced £399 at the time of writing)
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