I still can t believe that this watch costs so little. Polar Ignite - review

I have been testing Polar Ignite for almost a month and it is still hard to believe that it was priced at less than PLN 860. Yes, 860 PLN.

Ok, 859 PLN costs one of the available versions - the one with the black band. For a variety with a black or yellow band (tested) you have to pay PLN 989. But it's still ridiculous if we can survive a few shortcomings.

Let's start then.

From the outside - solid, nice, no fireworks.

But also without too many vulnerabilities. Ignite, although not too expensive compared to the competition, is made surprisingly solid. The bezel and button are made of stainless steel, while the housing is made of fiberglass-reinforced polymer. The whole thing is of course waterproof - after all, in Ignite you can swim and monitor swimming training as much as possible.

With all this, the most important thing was kept - lightness. The whole construction, including the strap, has a weight of just 35 g (21 g without the strap), so there is no question that it disturbs us during training. Even a fairly protruding module with LEDs is not overly noticeable when worn - I easily carried Ignite around the clock for weeks, they only take it off from time to time to charge.

The only minus that catches the eye at the beginning? The display is not only surrounded by a fairly large frame (although it does not have pathological dimensions), but in addition it is not quite round in itself. The lower part is quite brutally undercut, limiting the space in which information could be displayed.

The second minus is revealed on closer inspection. On the Polar Ignite housing you will find only one button. It has a decent jump (though it could be a little better), but so what if we are doomed to hybrid operation using a touch screen?

And right now, we can go to the screen now.

Screen - color is not everything.

At first glance, everything is fine. The display is colorful, has a sufficient resolution of 240x204 pixels (and looks really good), a lighting sensor, and the whole is protected by Dragontrail glass, which is quite important, considering that it is only minimally recessed.

In addition, although it is IPS TFT, visibility in a stronger light is most satisfactory.

So why do I cling to you? First of all - it is a screen from the category of those that are not always illuminated. As a result, we are forced to either press the button or make the appropriate gesture with the wrist. And unfortunately, the latter way does not always work, causing that we have to make sense from time to time. Fortunately, there is an option to turn on the backlight permanently during training, which significantly reduces the level of frustration.

The second problem concerns the screen's very sensitivity to touch. Most of the time it is doing fine. We may have sweaty fingers, it may rain on us - everything works. But sometimes ... it just doesn't work. One brush, second brush - nothing. One press, second press - nothing more. And suddenly everything returns to normal and works as it should.

Yes, I know, we live in a time of touch screens. Yes, I understand perfectly that you have to differentiate between watches for beginners and watches for pro (although the division is really only about the price level). But I'd still like Polar Ignite to have these few more buttons.

So let's get to the menu.

And there we will find something a little different than what other producers offer us.

What is so unusual here? Even the fact that on each screen we see ... a clock. When scrolling sideways, only the information below and above the clock changes, while it remains unmoved. A convenient solution that allows us to have a screen with our favorite data / shortcuts all the time, without having to go back to the main menu to check the time. Well, it's a watch after all.

In addition, most UI rules are standard. Pressing the button in most cases means going up a level, dragging the screen down - calling the list of shortcuts, while up - notifications.

Notifications - in a fairly basic form - are also one of the few smart watch functions of Ignite. There is no payment, no music, no even music control. There is no weather application or any additional applications that can be installed on this watch. The only thing we have available is sport modes and related functions - timers.

And that would be enough. For consolation - notifications work efficiently and quickly reach the watch.

This is now the boring part of the review is behind us.

Because when it comes to the external appearance or the menu layout and additional applications - Polar Ignite is not very exciting.

But the options related to activities are a real firecracker.

Let's start with the list of supported sports

And at the beginning of a bad (though at this price - predictable) message - no, there is no support for multisport. And now it's time for the better news.

In addition to multisport, Polar Ignite supports virtually all major sport profiles. From gymnastics and strength training, through running, running in the mountains, cycling, road cycling and mountain biking, to swimming, kitesurfing and judo (ok, probably it doesn't count the parameters relevant to judo, but it's always something). No matter what we want to train - Ignite will allow us to save such training without having to manually change the type of exercise after it ends. Let's set it up with the competitive Forerunner 45 (about PLN 800), which supports many times less modes.

You just have to remember to add these sport modes first from the application level. By default, only running is on the list, and the remaining 19 (yes, there is a limit of 20) must be added manually. Fortunately, by the way we can immediately configure the data screens, so I include it as a plus rather than a minus.

And when we have chosen all the disciplines of interest to us, it's time to move and sweat. The only problem here can be ... a multitude of options. We have been put at our disposal (I remind you that this watch is PLN 859):

Free mode

That is the standard training record, which can be further enriched. For example, with timers, intervals (set from the watch) or goals from the Polar Flow website.

Training plans and your own trainings

Although Polar Ignite is the cheapest watch of this brand, it fully supports training plans and single training with Polar Flow.

FitSpark

So the function that debuted for the first time in this watch and which can really impress. Especially those who do not implement specific training plans, and simply want to move and be more efficient.

How does FitSpark work? This solution analyzes data on our regeneration, sleep and rest (Nightly Recharge - about it in a moment), current condition (VO2 max) and training history every day, and then proposes for each day from 2 to 4 training sessions from 3 categories - cardio , strength and complementary workouts (strength and stretching exercises).

One of these trainings is always suggested as optimal, but if we don't have time or desire on a given day - or we want to do more than one workout - we can choose any other. We do not have to make a choice blindly - we can review each proposed training in detail and only then decide if it suits us. And let it not be - these are not trainings like "20 minutes of light jogging" (although they also appear). They include long, quiet runs, and real squeezers. It all depends on how much and how we train and how much FitSpark learned about us based on this data.

Of course, no matter what training we choose, we are led by him step by step. If we chose running intervals - the watch goes into the appropriate mode, squeaking at us when we leave the zone or the recommended load changes. However, if we choose any of the other trainings, we are presented with subsequent exercises (in the form of amusing animations), and we are instructed when to do them and when to rest.

And while I don't have any reservations about cardio training, strength and supplementary training can be slightly improved. First of all - the animations are shown only at the beginning of the training, and then the next exercises are described only in words, which leads me to pause and search the Internet for what exactly is going on.

Secondly - I could not only warn in detailed instructions that additional equipment will be needed and what equipment it will be. The more that in one of the exercise packages was ... lift. Hello, Polar, I don't have it at home!

After completing the exercises, we can check how it went in the application and on the website - of course, taking into account the individual exercises, and not just in the form of one continuous record.

But why did I say at the beginning that FitSpark can impress? At least because I often have no idea what to do today. Watching long-term training plans is rather meager, so such a hint, what to do on a given day to simply be more fit , is at a premium. The more that Polar uses data not only from training history, but also recovery - the chances of overloading are therefore relatively small (especially if we look into the detailed analysis ourselves, but also in a moment).

Not to mention the fact that Ignite and FitSpark also remind me that not just running is a man alive and maybe from time to time it would be worth doing just some strength or general training. Well - beginners (which I consider myself) are learning all their lives.

So if I should give one reason why I would recommend Ignite, especially beginners or those who sometimes lack motivation, then this is FitSpark. Anyway, this is one of the reasons why it is still difficult for me to believe in its price. Even if FS is just a software function that could be stuffed into every watch.

And how is it with accuracy?

Let's start with the heart rate, because this heart rate is ultimately crucial - and to determine our condition, and to analyze training and load, and to schedule subsequent training sessions.

Pulse

Let's go straight to the intervals, in this case 5 short accelerations of 2 minutes each:

Ignite (blue) and my daily equipment - Garmin Forerunner 945 and Polar OH1 Plus, took part in the duel, connected to the Polar Beat application on the iPhone XS Max.

Result? Almost identical results at every place of recording. Ignite went head to head with almost three times (!) More expensive Garmin and a dedicated heart rate monitor (though also optical). Differences in average heart rate? Almost zero (144, 145 and 144 BPM, respectively). Let it not be that I was blind - it wasn't perfect.

While the first interval went flawlessly, in the second, fourth and fifth Ignite noted quite strange peaks, about 7-8 BPM higher than the other two devices. You can still understand the latter, because it was registered around the summit, but the earlier ones appeared when the rest of the equipment indicated an increasingly clear rest between accelerations. Similarly, at the beginning of training, Ignite jumped more than Garmin and the band, but quickly returned to normal.

So - it's good and maybe even very good (considering the price). It is possible that the momentary jumps were a matter of the perfect positioning of the watch. The more that in most cases such peaks did not appear. But I warn - they can (although it is still better than in Suunto 5).

And what does the situation look like with a straight run?

Like the intervals. It's ... just very good. Yes, in some places the graph you can see that for a change Ignite scored minimal holes, but on the other hand - much more expensive scored 945 in a few places (even larger number of them) as symbolic przestrzały the other way.

One thing to keep in mind - the main problem with optical heart rate sensors is not just the quality, but the fact that they work best in the right conditions. You need to place them on your hands, properly tighten them, preferably also have skin of the right color, etc. Therefore, it does not guarantee that everyone will have equally good results - although there is a good chance.

GPS

Here, in turn ... it is different. Below is a run with three devices that registered a very similar distance - 6.32 km (Polar), 6.40 km (Suunto), 6.34 km (945):

When we look at the details, it can be seen that the worst of the three managed ... 945, which when running through the low buildings ... went sideways, cutting the corner earlier (Ignite did the same, Suunto 5 was the best):

A bit further, Garmin got along with Polar, while Suunto, unmoved, still ran almost exactly as I did:

A moment later - although there was only a field around, Ignite decided to fall across the street:

Soon, not very well coping with a double run under the viaduct (ok, Garmin decided that I was running on the tracks, so he doesn't get a plus):

On the other hand - during another run as the only one (out of the three Ignite, iPhone XS Max, 945) well recorded the course of a relatively straight route (although some run near the forest):

In this case, 945 indicated 10.32 km, iPhone - 10.34 km, while Ignite - 10.38 km. However, let there be no praise alone, here - on a similar route to the previous one - Ignite could not cope at all:

Ouch.

Moral? Initially, I was very worried about GPS accuracy, because the first reviews were not very optimistic in this matter. For some reason, however, I was unable to repeat the mistakes that others had with Ignite. Yes, GPS recording has not always been perfect. Yes, he happened to be very, very painfully off the road once in a few runs.

But also no device that I had so far was so accurate. In fact, in some GPS scenarios it was better in Ignite than in competitive equipment. In others, it is worse.

However, it would be as dramatically bad as some write - I cannot confirm this.

And after training - time for analysis.

And this is another place where Polar Ignite shines. We fly one after another, starting with new products:

Sleep Plus Stages

So nothing else but really, very, very extensive sleep analysis. Covering not only the time to go to sleep or wake up, but a whole bunch of other parameters, probably in the best possible way I've ever seen.

There is, of course, a complete division into sleep phases, together with their duration, awakening detection, measurement of sleep stability , regeneration, as well as well-presented assessments of each of the individual elements. One glance and we already know what to improve and what we do best. However, if we do not have time to analyze each of the lines in detail, we have a summary in the form of an assessment - we can get a maximum of 100 points. If, however, we want, we can additionally independently assess the quality of our sleep, giving it a rating in the form of the appropriate emoticon.

However, while the data from a single day are not so important - after all, we know if we have a good night's sleep or not, Polar allows what is most important, i.e. monitoring trends.

Nightly Recharge

Much more interesting than SPS, however, is the Nightly Recharge system (also new, for now only in Ignite), which monitors not so much sleep as the regeneration it provides. NR uses data on sleep (i.e. based on SPS measurements), as well as so-called AUN (autonomic nervous system) status, recording and analyzing heart rate, heart rate variability and respiratory rate during sleep.

After sleeping through the right number of nights on the watch (minimum 3), we get another graph, which specifies the above parameters and a summary. In the application and on the watch we will also find the most important, i.e. information on whether we are fully regenerated and time to conquer the world , or maybe it's better to let it go for now.

Of course, you can not delve into this data, but their mere presence and their use by FitSpark is a really powerful combination. And, by the way, a reminder that without proper regeneration, intensive training may not work out as planned, or even harm us.

Analysis, training activity, fitness and training load

Here I will not go into details, because these are features known from other Polar watches. But what deserves attention is the fact that Ignite - although it is really cheap - has a lot of features known from more expensive watches.

I skip standard monitoring of the number of steps or heart rate covered during the day. On the other hand, though, it's great to share time during the day, sitting, resting, at low, medium and high load levels.

Polar Ignite can also monitor our training load, warning against moments when we risk overtraining and injury. We have four zones at our disposal - Under Training, Balance, Fatigue and High Fatigue. Our head in it (or Fit Spark) to stay in the other one. Of course, the load graph can be viewed for both days, weeks and months, adapting workouts to our capabilities:

And do not think that Polar has limited itself to one chart. There are two cardio loads in the summary - cardio load status and cardio load distribution. Yes, there is definitely something to choose from.

Ignite can also determine our level of training, calculating on this basis the probable times that we can get during individual races.

It is even able to determine what gave us a specific training - whether we have improved our base, or maybe this time we have positively influenced our pace, or maybe the benefit is elsewhere.

And that's not all that Polar Ignite offers in combination with Polar Flow. So if you are fans of bars, charts and data - Polar will give you what you need.

Battery

According to the manufacturer, Polar Ignite should last up to 17 hours in GPS mode and up to 5 days with active heart rate measurement. And in most cases such results are possible to obtain - maybe only the time for GPS would be a bit lower, but I will also admit that I never managed to discharge it completely. The more that a small battery (165 mAh) charges very quickly, so it definitely doesn't hurt to take it off your wrist from time to time and put it on the charger.

Just beware - place it properly. Although the charger seems universal , only one watch system provides us with charging.

What was missing

Including only things I didn't mention before. But to a large extent they are small things:

• lack of any, even the simplest navigation functions (e.g. returning to start or running along the line )
• lack of several training functions, such as e.g. race with activity
• targeted training (e.g. for time, distance, calories) must be created from the application on the phone / website
• no information on current training data during pause
• no option to manually mark laps (only predefined time or distance)
• it is not possible to set the frequency of notifications about leaving the training zone - the watch vibrates so often that the hand almost falls off (vibration can be turned off, but this is not the point)
• no option to automatically activate the touch screen lock during training (only manual)
• lack of care when designing the UI - some elements are arranged so that they look simply ugly (e.g. battery indicator on the main screen)
• only two clock faces
• no contactless payments
• no support for other sensors except heart rate sensors (and only Bluetooth)
• no barometer, but that should not come as a surprise

So ... yes, I'm picking on. The more that this watch costs PLN 859.

Worth it?

Let's start with who this watch is not for. And it's not for:

• triathletes
• button fans instead of the touch screen
• people who like bigger and more massive watches

It is also - and here my biggest caveat - for people who do not agree to fight from time to time with how the touch screen works in Ignite. If I had to choose the biggest (and only significant) disadvantage of this watch, it would be just that - the fact that from time to time the display requires more touches and brushes than it really should.

But here the price comes into play. 859 PLN in the cheapest version (differing only in the strap, which can be easily replaced later) is a really great offer. Competitive (and slightly cheaper) Garmin Forerunner 45 has fewer sport profiles, does not have the function of automatic training prompts (only Garmin Coach and training plans), does not monitor swimming and does not have such an extensive analysis of training load, and the battery without charging will last less. On the other hand, Garmin can be used to control music (although I do it myself from the headphones), it supports ANT +, has buttons to operate and even an alarm function in the event of an accident.

And if I had to choose myself, I would have a very big problem, because Polar Ignite is in many respects an almost complete sports watch (with the exception of earlier exceptions). It has a very good heart rate sensor, good GPS, good battery, supports training plans and adaptive workouts, generating them based on our actual capabilities of the day, not good habits in general . In addition, it provides a detailed overview of our daily activities and analysis of training levels for some, even too detailed. By the way, we get a very good - though not very beautiful - application in the package and we have almost everything.

Yes, for 859 PLN.

I still can't believe that this watch costs so little. Polar Ignite - review