Complete Review of the Polar smart health connected bracelet smart health innovation

Introduced to the small world of smart health connected bracelets in 2013, the Loop bracelet is back in a second generation. Discover our first use of the Polar Loop 2 activity tracker in this Review.

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyShJU_j604 (/ embed) 

Mark : Polar

Category: smart health connected bracelet

Price: from 119,90 €

Tested with: iPadMini

Unboxing Polar Loop 2

The activity tracker is available in a simple box, red white and blue with a slightly particular shape. Plastic lets glimpse the bracelet of the color of your choice, with around, drawn on the cardboard five characters. These icons, all in different postures, are in colored rectangles, going from gray to dark blue, and forming a halo around Loop 2.

At the back of the pack, there is all product information; its functionality, such as a step counter, calories burned or even a sleep monitoring and the devices on which it can be used, with an overview of the application interface to download on smartphone and tablet.

Polar Loop 2 design & ergonomics

When it is off, the Loop 2 looks like a normal silicone strap. We appreciate its simple and unadorned side, on the left: the brand name engraved, and on the right, a small unpretentious button that will be used to control the device. Between two metal bands at the top and bottom delimit the future location of the text. As soon as the bracelet is removed from its case, one thing is obvious: the metal clasp, incredibly easy to undo : just press two small clips and hop direction the wrist … in theory, putting on the device is a little more complex, we will address this point in the grip.

The Color of the Polar Loop 2 bracelet can vary: pink, white or black and the material is very pleasant to the touch. The accessory seems rather robust, we expected no less from it, knowing that it is intended to be worn all the time and that it must, normally resist water. Almost a faultless therefore.

Polar Flow app

The app can be downloaded from both the Apple Store and Google Play. Once installed and launched, you will have to log into your Polar account to view all the data recorded by the bracelet. On the main page, we find the date of the day, as well as a 12 or 24 hour clock and a pie chart around dissecting the different activities carried out during the day. The little characters seen on the box are also present and indicate the type of activity performed or position taken during the day:

• Position sitting and other passive behavior – color code: very light blue

• Rest, which includes sleep and rest in a lying position – color code: white

• Position standing, small household chores – color code: light blue

• Walking and other moderate activities – color code: blue

• Jogging, running and other intense activities – color code: dark blue

Below each icon is noted the time spent on such activity or position, as well as a daily goal bar that will fill up throughout the day depending on what you do. Tips are provided by the app to help you reach your goal, for example: “perform 38 minutes of Football, mow the lawn for 1 hour 30 minutes and do 3 hours 59 minutes of cleaning (at ABsmarthealth.net we are maniac, but we will not go all the way …) suggestions vary depending on the goals set. If you remain inactive for too long, a notification will appear on the bracelet and a "penalty" stamp will be affixed to your recap of the day if you do not remedy the situation quickly.

By scrolling the screen, we then come across the day and night statistics, it is even possible to put a different mood per day, rather nice. The application is divided into “activity”, “training log”, “notifications” and settings. Users can thus establish a daily training program according to their preferences. Last good point, the app does not crash.

Using and getting started with Polar Loop 2

We were talking earlier about the super clasp of the bracelet, that's right. Once unpacked, we put it on and … necessarily the bracelet is ten times too large for the wrist, so far nothing abnormal, we will have to adjust it. This is where things get spoiled and indeed. In the box is supplied the device's USB charger and a small transparent pouch where there is a small metal tray and a rod. At the time we do not see what it will be used for until we discover in the instructions the intended use of the tray.

So, as the paper indicates, we press the small holes on each side of the end of the clasp and release the silicone strap. As indicated, we measure the size of his wrist and cut carefully the band by following the lines provided for this purpose on the band (inner side of the wrist for aesthetic reasons). And here we put back … or rather we try to put the clasp back using the simple diagram drawn on paper. Except that in reality it is not enough simply to wedge the rod in the notch laid on the metal plate and press. You have to arm yourself with a patient and repeat the operation many times before you can actually push the rod without slipping and missing everything.

In short, once everything is ready, we connect the Polar Loop 2 to your computer first thanks to the USB cable. After downloading, installing the app and creating an account with your size, weight, frequency and intensity of activity, the bracelet synchronizes with the computer. Once done, and the Polar Loop 2 smart health connected via Bluetooth to his smartphone application, Let's go !

The Polar Loop 2 screen lights up with LEDs whose color is slightly darker as the color of the bracelet. If indoors this is not a problem, reading the screen is less pleasant once outside. The button on the right will be used to scroll through the menu options: the time, the activity, the number of calories burned and steps. If you want to consult these, for example, tap the button until you reach “STEP” and you wait 1 or 2 seconds for these to appear. This principle applies to all other categories.

Activity, or “ACTV”, displays a more or less filled rectangle depending on your activity, and the time you still have to spend on this or that thing to fulfill your goal. Very easy to use so, we regret not being able to follow live the number of steps taken, it it takes a little while before the Polar Loop 2 is updating. We also deplore the absence of a heart rate sensor, which can, however, be coupled to the device provided that it is purchased separately.

Polar Loop 2 VS Jawbone Up3

From a Design point of view, the Polar Loop 2 is much larger than the simple black bracelet from Jawbone. The latter works with a color code without displaying the notifications which is not the case for Loop2 which stands out on this point. If theattach Jawbone and an ordeal, that of Polar Loop is simple, once the wrist fit Review has passed.

Price level, the Jawbone Up3 is offered on some sites at 160 €, more expensive therefore than I Polar Loop 2 therefore, but the first still has additional features, like food. Those interested in very precise follow-up or ultra-targeted training will be tempted to put a few euros more and turn a blind eye to the defect of the Up3: its screen.

Conclusion

Overall, we are satisfied with the simple use of the Polar Loop 2 as well and the very well organized application. The bracelet is design and very comfortable to wear, and the LED display is very useful to know if you are close to your goal or not, the reminders sent by the bracelet are a great way to motivate yourself to move at the risk of seeing a penalty appear.

By using the bracelet for at least 10 hours each day for five days, the application will be able to comment on the activity, these little encouragements are not to be refused to keep up with regular training. We regret, however, that there is no more functionality for a price close to that of the Jawbone Up3, and we keep quite a bad memory of the adaptation phase on the wrist. Aside from that, the bracelet does the job and that's all we ask for.

Overview

Design: A simple and pleasant design, the bracelet is very comfortable to wear. Application : Very clear, we like the interactive visas and the features offered, although we would like to have more …Use : Once the stage of adaptation to the wrist relatively painful passed, the device is simple and pleasant to use. Too bad, however, that we cannot see the number of steps changing directly and that there is no heart rate sensor on the bracelet.Value for money: The price of the Polar Loop 2 remains correct for an activity tracker. The device still gives a pretty good idea of ​​its evolution thanks to the objectives and daily statistics. A good product therefore, which targets sportspeople at heart as well as those of Sunday, who still want to move … gently.

3.39

 3.39 out of 5 

In the average

Review: first use of the Polar Loop 2 

Reviewed by Elisa P  

we 2015-09-28

   Design: A simple and pleasant design, the bracelet is very comfortable to wear. Application : Very clear, we like the interactive visas and the features offered, although we would like to have more …Use : Once the stage of adaptation to the wrist relatively painful passed, the device is simple and pleasant to use. Too bad, however, that we cannot see the number of steps changing directly and that there is no heart rate sensor on the bracelet.Value for money: The price of the Polar Loop 2 remains correct for an activity tracker. The device still gives a pretty good idea of ​​its evolution thanks to the objectives and daily statistics. A good product therefore, which targets sportspeople at heart as well as those of Sunday, who still want to move … gently.

Rating: 3.39 

AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW