Polar launch RC3 GPS watch

Polar have revealed details of its first fully integrated GPS training watch, the new RC3 GPS. Previously Polar watches used a separate GPS unit but they've now incorporated it into the watch.

And they've managed to do that while designing a slim and lightweight watch: it's just 38g and 1.37cm in depth. That makes it one of the slimmest GPS devices on the market, claims Polar. We can't verify that until we get one in for test, but it certainly looks slim from the photos here. Battery life is a claimed 12 hours,

Polar have always offered impressive training tools, and the latest Smart Coaching should make it a doddle to monitor your fitness. There's additional heart rate based features and tools that ensure you're working at the right intensity, avoiding any hit and miss.

With all that data recorded, you can upload it to polarpersonaltrainer.com to view in more detail and share on Facebook.

The RC3 GPS also includes the ‘Back to Start’ GPS feature that directs users back to their starting point in the shortest distance possible. So if you got lost, or hit the wall, you should be able to make it home easily. It's a useful, if not critical, feature.

For those serious about their training, Polar has always been an obvious choice, but Garmin's increasing dominance in the cycling market has seen a swing in favour towards integrated GPS devices. The RC3 GPS finally offers the integrated GPS technology that many Polar fans have been waiting for, and on paper at least it looks a serious rival to Garmin.

While not a cycling specific watch per se, it will carry out all the functions you need on the bike. And if you dabble in other sports then the wrist mounted design will appeal.

The RC3 GPS costs £199.50 (£249.50 if you want the heart rate sensor) and will be available in September.

See the new RC3 GPS in action in this video:

www.polaruk.co.uk