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Garmin Sports Watch

penfold

By penfold
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penfold

penfold

Posted
Posted

My training used to be more "intensive" but as I'm getting older I am a bit more conscious that I can't/shouldn't be doing the workouts I used to do. I took up cycling a few years back and also started running (which I only used to do for keeping me fit for other sports). I used to use my phone but the really poor GPS made me look into a watch with GPS so I bought an Amazfit bip u pro last year which has been good so far. However, last year I started getting a bit more serious into my running as main source of cardio and I have been looking at what the Garmin offers in terms of helping with the run itself and training modes and the fact you can upload routes and set training plans to use on the watch. As I'm over 40 I am not expecting any records to be broken soon, but I am looking at making more structure into my workouts and recovery and I am not sure if upgrading to Garmin would be worth it. I was looking at the Garmin forerunner 55, from what I can see the app is much better than zepp, but is it enough to justify upgrading a perfectly working watch?

 

My main cardio exercises will be running & cycling but I also do some weights. Anyone have any experience with Garmin and did it really help with your exercising?

pooley

pooley

Posted
Posted

I have a Garmin Fenix 5x (bought 2nd hand), have had garmin watvhes for around the last 7 years, good brand, great quality and battery life. Whether they improve your exersising is down to how you use it, if you want GPS accuracy and to be able to analyse the activities then yes it helps, I use the workouts option to enter my training plans, tells me when to run faster and if i'm too slow/fast etc(normally to slow).

 

You won't go wrong with Garmin, i'd look on FB marketplace and pick up a 2nd had one, better value.

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hardtailstar

hardtailstar

Posted
Posted

I have the Garmin 735XT and used it all for my marathon training. Its a beginner triathlon watch.

 

You can create runs in the app and sync with the watch so that your pacing/time is set.

 

Or if you are just going out for a run then it works just as well, I have mine sync'd with strava.

 

Its not touch screen so you cant accidentally hit the wrong button.

 

I dont see myself getting another watch unless this breaks.

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MYK-IT

MYK-IT

Posted
Posted (edited)

@penfold

 

Go for it!

 

I started off with the Garmin Forerunner 310XT (what a beast - didn't know it was still being sold!). Then the Garmin Forerunner 735XT (still have it) and now the Garmin Fēnix 6 - Pro Solar Edition (certainly didn't pay that much!). I love the battery life, and the Garmin App. LOTS of analytical information to keep you busy! Plus you can get HRM Pro that does running dynamics, as well as heart rate. And you can get swimming variants as well as cycling sensors (as you mentioned cycling) that monitor speed and cadence etc.

 

You could start off with something like the Forerunner 245. However, that does not do multi-sports (e.g. cycling) so you may be better getting a XT (Triathlon supported model). And then there's Music editions, if you run with music (I don't).

 

There's always promotions on somewhere, the Garmin Fēnix 7 has recently come out, which in turn has brought the costs of the Garmin Fēnix 6 (and other models) down too. If you are in a running club, or know of someone who is you could ask them if they have a Garmin; either to look at and try. Or even to see if someone is selling one second-hand as they have just bought a newer model. (Runners always love to buy new kit, it makes them run quicker... that's what I keep telling myself!).

 

And as for being over 40... that's not a reason at all. You're in your prime... I didn't start running properly until then and I've ran many kilometres and marathons since. We have some very fast runners in their mid-50s in our running club, that even the young 'uns can't keep up with either!

 

As for coaching, the newest / higher spec watches do have this facility and can suggest workouts or training programmes for you. Of course, you can program in your own workout too and a vast amount of physical activities are pre-programmed.

 

And checkout DC Rainmaker for very thorough in-depth reviews of Garmin (and many other products!)

 

Hope this helps!

Edited by MYK-IT
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Davit2005

Davit2005

Posted
Posted (edited)

Same here, got a Fenix 5, had it about 3-4 years now. Occasionally I need to reboot my phone to get it to sync but apart from that it has been very reliable. I do around 1,000 miles a year running. Used for Marathon, training runs and fun runs/races.

 

But I had a Garmin before, a Forerunner which came off my wrist during mountain biking, that was 2nd hand but was reliable.

Edited by Davit2005
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muppet

muppet

Posted
Posted

I've got the Fenix 6 Sapphire and it's brilliant.

I bought mine second hand at a very good price and haven't had any issues with it. Highly recommend Garmin's having had a TomTom and Polar watch before hand.

 

Coros watches have had some really good reviews, but I've not actually used one so don't know how accurate they are.

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Localtechie

Localtechie

Posted
Posted

Forerunner 245 Music here, love my Garmin watch great for notification - battery lasts ages and auto sync to strava with ease.

 

Would consider upgrading for Garmin pay, but I haven't felt the need to yet.

 

Go for it!

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RobD

RobD

Posted
Posted

I have the Garmin Venu Sq Music, love it. Copied music to it so I don't carry my phone on runs, has gps and battery is great.

 

Would defiantly recommend it.

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penfold

penfold

Posted
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Posted

Well that seems overwhelmingly positive;)

 

My current watch has good gps, at least I think it is good. But the one thing that is really missing is the ability to custom workouts so I can run intervals. Plus the HR sensor is OK so long as it is not intensive training, but I see this is an issue with most wrist based monitoring. I did read that you can add a chest strap monitor to your garmin watch. Is this something that all models do, and do you need a garmin strap or you can use any generic one? (I have a decathlon chest strap)

 

So on the basis of the feedback so far, would you say the watch is good, or it is the combination of the watch plus the app which makes the experience so good? The reason I am looking at the forerunner 55 is because I am not sure if I can justify spending 100's on a watch. Maybe I need to change the way that I am looking at it, more as a fitness training aid (like trainers for example) than just a watch.

@muppet - I was also looking at Coros, but I am leaning towards Garmin due to the app maturity.

Davit2005

Davit2005

Posted
Posted (edited)

I'd say both in the case of the Fenix 5 I have. I done all my marathon training which included custom Intervals, warm ups >run > warm downs, etc. I can also tell it the distance and time I want to run that distance in and it will say how much behind or in front I am whilst I am running. I do this on the App, you can do basic things on the Fenix 5 watch too. You can also customise the screens on the watch and remove those activities that you don't have the need for. The app gives a lot more features and when you tie in with Strava syncs automatically.

 

Can give false pace in tree cover from what I have found.

 

The only issue I have had was the failure to sunc which was always resolved by restarting the phone. There was about 2 years back for about a week that the Garmin Connect service was down.

Edited by Davit2005
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  • 2 weeks later...
penfold

penfold

Posted
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Posted
I have a slight problem now. I have kind of made my mind up between the forerunner 245 and 55. Primarily based on budget but also trying to hit what my what my requirements are. One of the questions I have - can you pair any chest strap to the watch? I mean you are not limited to Garmin only devices? I already have a chest strap and would like to use that.
headoned

headoned

Posted
Posted
Got a Fenix 3 HR that i got second hand maybe 3/4 years ago its done me pretty well. Its starting to show its age now (its probably nearly 7 years old) as the battery isn't as reliable and the altitude sensor is all over the place but i guess its what happens with older technology.
penfold

penfold

Posted
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Posted
The one thing I noticed is that not all watches offer an option for trail run. As a lot of my runs are trail runs and up hills, I wondered if this is a requirement to get the best out of the watch features - I read that trail runs can give some odd results when Garmin calculate your fitness based on standard running. But one thing I'm conscious of is that whatever I buy, I want it to last at least 5 years for all the things I will be doing (which I don't expect to change much). Maximum I see is a half day bike ride so as long as the battery is still working I should be good.
  • 2 weeks later...
penfold

penfold

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I got the forerunner 245 and have used it his weekend. To be honest, I'm pretty impressed. Got connected no problem to my phone and GPS is fast and seems accurate. The only problem I have is that I tried conencting it to my Chest stap but it can't find it. the Chest strap I have is this - https://www.decathlon.com/products/running-heart-rate-watch-onrhythm-500?variant=12214175170671 and from what I can see, it should be OK? I only have this 1 chest strap so I can't check it with anything else. I have had some issues with this chest strap conencting to some apps on my phone before, but I don't know if it is the watch that is the problem or the chest strap (or they are just not able to talk to each other) From what I understand the FR 245 should be able to conenct to any Bluetooth or ANT+ heart strap?

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