Polar has rolled out Firmware 4.1.5 for its Vantage V3 and Grit X2 Pro smartwatches, bringing a few significant upgrades and fixes. The update introduces turn-by-turn navigation for all routes, a PIN code security feature, and more control over heart rate broadcasting.
New Turn-by-Turn Guidance
The latest firmware now provides turn-by-turn guidance for all saved routes, not just those imported from Komoot. You can now enable or disable this feature directly from your watch’s navigation menu before starting any session.
When active, the watch provides sound and vibration alerts, as well as on-screen prompts, to guide you on your path. This means you no longer have to constantly check the map to stay on course. For Komoot routes specifically, turn-by-turn guidance remains enabled by default.
PIN Security Feature
The update adds a new security feature that lets you protect your watch with a six-digit PIN code. The watch automatically locks itself when it detects that it’s not on your wrist, using its continuous heart rate monitoring to determine skin contact. This feature can be a lifesaver if your watch is lost or stolen.
Another benefit of the PIN is that it blocks USB access while charging. This allows you to safely connect your watch to any public computer without the risk of data being transferred.
Setting up the PIN is straightforward. You can either configure it during the initial watch setup or later by going to Settings > Data & security > Set PIN. You will need your current PIN to change or disable it. Be careful, though. After three incorrect entries, the watch locks for one minute, with the wait time increasing with each failed attempt. If you continue to fail, you may eventually be prompted to factory reset the device, which will wipe all your data. Your synced data on Polar Flow will remain safe, and you can still manually sync your watch even when it’s locked by pressing and holding the BACK button. During workouts, the PIN protection is temporarily disabled so you can mount the watch on a bike handlebar without it locking.
Heart Rate Broadcasting Controls
Live heart rate broadcasting is no longer enabled by default on any sport profile. This gives you more control over your data. You can now easily toggle this feature on or off directly on the watch by navigating to Settings > Share HR with other devices > Heart rate visible to all in the pre-training menu.
This feature allows your watch to transmit your heart rate over Bluetooth to compatible apps, gym equipment, or external displays, which is useful for things like group workouts or platforms like Zwift. If you want to keep this feature enabled for specific sports, you can still do so through the Polar Flow app or web interface, and the settings will sync to your watch.
Additional Enhancements
Firmware 4.1.5 also includes several other smaller but welcome improvements:
- Heart Rate Fixes: Polar has fixed occasional interruptions in optical heart rate readings, ensuring more accurate data.
- Mapping Updates: The map view now offers a wider zoom-out range outside of training sessions. The ‘track up’ orientation setting will also no longer reset to ‘north up’ when you pan or zoom during an activity.
- Sleep Data: A new sleep structure graph has been added to the sleep data screen for a more detailed view of your sleep patterns.
The firmware update is now available and can be installed through the Polar Flow mobile app or the FlowSync desktop client.
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