Which watch

[FormulaRun]

Hi all

In preparation for trying some slightly longer distances over the lovely summer months when the footpaths and bridleways are accessible, and I have the delight of some early morning runs in daylight, I’ve been looking at running watches. I have an Apple Watch which links to MMR which I Run on my iPhone adding the extras like heart rate, and means I can stop the run without having to try to extricate my phone from the depths.....

I ramble.....my question is, if I was to get a running watch what would you guys recommend? I need something easy to use. I had one a year or back (can’t remember what it was though...) but couldn’t make head nor tail of it so sent it back unused- hence the Apple Watch- I know what to do with that!!!!

I live rural so GPS isn’t always the best. I know my Apple Watch is out or drops GPS sometimes, either that or Park Run is measured wrong (I think the former...). My phone with MMR running seems closer to reality...

Any suggestions welcome 🙏

Happy running 🏃‍♂️ 🏃🏻‍♀️😊🏎

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

I’ve swapped from Apple Watch to a garmin 35. Apple Watch was complete inaccurate. I love my 35. Only thing is I can’t stream music through it so I’ll have to start taking my phone with me which I hate!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

But if you set up your music on your phone, and pair it with your watch, you can just put your phone in your flipbelt and forget about it, as you can skip tracks via your watch.

Personally, I wouldn’t run without a phone , just in case I or someone I come across needs help.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Yes I know that. It’s just a pain to run with. On Apple Watch I can phone people through it and not carry anything

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

I didn’t realise you could phone through an Apple Watch ⌚️ too. Very clever!

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Thank you. I also find the Apple Watch inaccurate on its own but it’s good paired with MMR on my phone. I actually use the music on my phone - which I do take out for safety purposes. The Apple Watch is great at the gym though as it does music & records various machine workouts. Thanks for your suggestion- I’ll take a look 👀🙏😊🏎

[damienair Administrator]

I bought a second hand Garmin Forerunner 15 on eBay 2 years ago for £20 and it does everything I want. Plus it is very accurate and works out in the countryside no problem.

I would also recommend the Garmin Forerunner 35, it’s a lovely running watch, you don’t need anything fancier than that.

Damien

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thanks Damien, Garmin seems to be the theme here.... I’ll check it out!

👍😊👀🏎

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Another garmin forerunner 35 fan here. It must be easy to use if I understand it 😂

You can set it up to download to Strava too, if you like.

You can receive notifications on it too.

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy5. There is such a mind boggling array available with so many different reviews it’s hard to know where to start. Hence why I’m asking the experts!!!! 👍😉🏎

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to FormulaRun]

To be honest I didn’t do any research, everyone recommended that and the 235 and I went for the cheaper one. 🤔

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Fair play - as good a reason as any!! 😄

[Dave58 Graduate10]

I've just bought a Garmin forerunner 30 off eBay second hand for £50. It only arrived this morning so I'm still getting to grips with it but so far I'm delighted with it. GPS is spot on accurate and fast locating satellites. Wrist based heart rate monitor is really accurate and it pairs to my phone simply. I've used it to record my run this morning and several walks. It uploads instantly to the Garmin connect app installed on my phone and also then links to Strava. I still carry my phone for safety and communication purposes but it's so much easier to just use the watch and leave the phone in my pocket

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to Dave58]

Hi Dave58. That sounds perfect. Garmin seems to be the way forward- now it’s down to which one!!! Thanks for your help 👍🏎🏁

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

I was given (I chose it and put it in the Amazon basket!) a Garmin Forerunner 235 for Christmas. I saved my husband some money by getting it in the Black Friday sale. 😇

I love it to pieces. It does more than I’ve used it for, but it’s easy to navigate.

Just another watch to throw into the mix. 😀

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you. I believe I’ve seen that on special offer on Amazon. Then they offer me all sorts of other options and I’m in a quandary again!!! I’ll check it out 🙏🥴🏎

[Trying83]

I have just purchased Garmin vivoactive 3 after i posted a similar question to you last week, only had it for 3 days but I'm impressed with it.

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to Trying83]

Thank you - I should have read your post first! What helped you to decide between all the different models? 🤔🏎

[Trying83 in reply to FormulaRun]

Well I read reviews and liked the sound of vivoactice3, but ultimately I preferred the look of it, I did pay a little more and chose special edition version as I preferred the more feminine style.

[Deals1 Graduate10]

I've only just got the garmin 235 (at the weekend) so still playing with it. But I like it so far.

Happy buying

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Garmin 235 seems very popular here. I’ll take a closer look 👀. Thank you &!good luck with yours......👍🏎

[Flyingred Graduate10]

I have a Garmin 235 and am very pleased with it.

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to Flyingred]

Hi Flyingred. Thanks for the suggestion- looks like a few people are recommending this watch so I’ll investigate further....... happy running 👍🏎

[Jonno34 Graduate10]

I have a Fitbit charge 3. It is selective about what it does when and has been nothing but trouble. The help forum is full of platitudes but nothing of substance. After 6 months they have offered a replacement of an upgrade at 50% off. I have opted for the Ionic at 50% off as I do not want to repeat the issues with the Charge 3. Actually getting it may be interesting, on average they reply to emails in 48 hours plus which is additionally frustrating so it is like pulling teeth.

The reason I have opted for the upgrade is the built in Sat Nav which has been one of the major problems I have experienced with failed connections and runs starting on minus time so my splits are all wrong.

If you go down the fitbit route make sure your phone is compatible as they state versions of android on the website yet only when you dig deep do you find the point which tells you if it is compatible or not. I have 5 android phones and 3 android tablets, all have 5.0 or above but none of them are certified compatible therefore will not get the support from Fitbit. THAT IS ZERO OUT OF 8 DEVICES, all popular makes. It gives fitbit massive wiggle room to cover many issues which certainly the Charge 3 has.

help.fitbit.com/articles/en...

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to Jonno34]

Thank you. I have to admit I had a couple of different fit bits a few years back before my running days to record steps and sleep (i think?). They fell by the wayside one way or another- sounds like you’ve had a nightmare. I hope the new one works out! 👍🏎🏁

[sTrongFuse Graduate10]

I'm a Garmin Vivoactive 3 user. So long as you don't mind the sleep tracker being totally useless (apparently I sleep from 8pm to 7am every night and must, therefore sleepwalk up a flight of stairs to get to bed around 11pm) it's great. GPS pretty accurate. HR monitor usually spot on, and as I always have my phone on me when running, I like being able to control the music on the phone from my wrist.

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to sTrongFuse]

Hmmm sleep from 8pm to 7am. If only that were possible........ If a Watch could make that happen I’d buy it now!!

Like you I always have my phone on me for safety- particularly out here in the sticks but also like to be able to control music & start & stop my run without fishing my phone out.... thanks for input into my suggestion bucket. 👍🤔🏎

[MarkyD Graduate10]

Simples. Garmin ForeRunner 235.

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to MarkyD]

Thank you 🙏 I’ll be checking it out! Oh my - so many to choose from🤔🏎

[Langley-Loper Graduate10]

Another vote for the Garmin Forerunner 35 from me. Looked at the 30 but there were many terrible reviews about the strap breaking.

I picked up an "as new" 35 on eBay for about £70, much better than the £100ish for a new one.

But I agree about taking your phone anyway, in case of emergencies. You never know when one will strike.

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to Langley-Loper]

Agreed. On some of the trails you might not see anyone for hours. I’ve already had one lucky escape when my toe caught a tree root. Face plant for me - but got away with a few scrapes & bruises. A few feet further and it would have been a different outcome!!!! My phone is coming whatever other tech is with me. Thanks for the suggestion 👍😊🏎

[Jay66UK Graduate10]

Another Garmin 235 fan here. They’ve just brought out the 245 which has some nice features if you can afford it, but will push 235 price down.

[FormulaRun Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

Great timing - perhaps that will help me with the budget!!!! (With the 235 that is!) 🤫

[K8nno Graduate10]

I own 2 Apple watches and a Garmin 235. I use my original Apple Watch for work and my Series 4 Apple Watch in the evenings and weekends. For all my running I use my Garmin Forerunner 235. The Garmin is an excellent runners watch and will do everything you need without being over complicated. I bought 2 Forerunner 235s - one for my wife, and one for me, both were second hand but in excellent condition. You should get a decent one for around £90. Or you could wait for the new 245 Music........ might have to get one myself 😉