Wanting to leave my phone at home, I'm wondering if I could put downloaded MP3 files onto a Garmin watch. I like to listen to comedy etc on BBC Sounds and wouldn't get a Garmin unless this can be done.
Does anyone already do this? And if so how easily is it done?
I use a Garmin Forerunner 35 GPS watch and I love it. £99 on Amazon at the moment. It does just exactly what I want it to do. But you can’t put music on it. Sometimes I run with music and sometimes I run without. If I want to run with music I bring my phone neatly tucked away in a running belt.
Damien
I have a Garmin 235 which is great, but doesn't play music. Garmin does offer some versions of their watches which allow you to download mp3 files on them, There have been offers running this week on some Garmin tech - including at Argos the 645 music @ £199, unfortunately out of stock in my local area now.
argos.co.uk/product/1513936...
For comparison I think the 645 music is currently £254 at Amazon.
That's just one example - Garmin offers a number of similar devices I believe, and now and then there seem to be good discounts on offer.
I recently got a Garmin and like it. I opted for one that doesn’t do music, but there are certainly some that do - bit more costly, but then it’s one device to fuss with instead of two. Just check carefully before buying. Maybe a trip to an actual shop? 😱🤣
Which model did you go for GS? Xx
Forerunner 235. It seems to do everything except play music & make tea. Three months on I am still trying to sort my way through it all. 🤣😄 I got that one because of reports it worked best with iPhone, but I think they are constantly adjusting all of them so best to look carefully at each one individually.
I'm sure many will recommend getting a Garmin, and you may still get a good Black Friday deal.
Leaving your phone at home though?
Personally I would never want to be without my phone when I am out.
I'm with Jell6 on this. I do a lot of running on my own so always have my phone with me in case of emergency. The Garmin vivoactive 3 can control my phone's music player by Bluetooth, so that works for me when I want to listen to something when I'm out.
I have an early model Garmin which records my run data but always have my phone with me for music and in case of emergencies. Wouldn't run without it personally. Good luck in your search for the right Garmin - they are fab!🙂
I have a garmin but it doesn’t have music, I think the newer ones do now. I’m with Jell6 and Sandraj39 as well I couldn’t go out without my phone. I have it tucked away and hardly feel it but it is like a security blanket for me. I live in London so I have a phone and an Oyster card and £5. Should I ever need to get home, incase I take a tumble or slip on wet leaves.
I did opt for the 645M for this very purpose however I do usually have my phone on me too unless it's a very short run which negated the much higher cost (400 at the time).
I don't use podcasts but you can put them on the music enabled devices but it does have to be from a PC not via the connect app. It's not difficult but if you don't have a PC or at least a tablet with a USB connection it wouldn't work.
Using the music player cuts battery life...a lot. It never occurred to me when I bought it that I might want more than 5 hours so if I'm doing a marathon then I need to use my phone for music to get the longer battery life from the 645M.
I've actually ended up buying a forerunner 45 too for spare which is actually excellent value for money (no music capability)
If you have a phone belt its not too cumbersome, or if you use a pack ad I do on long runs you don't even know it is there.
Might be worth thinking about your possible long term goals and plans before investing 👍🏻
How do you get music? Have you got Spotify? Have you tried turning off the heart rate monitor to get a longer use? I’d love to find a watch that could last 6 hours playing music as well as tracking my run. Hate carrying my phone!
No I download albums/playlists to it. I found returning the watch face to standard from my preference helps. If I stop music when I get the 10% warning I can get pretty much 6hrs. I wish I could get it to tell me at 30% but it's not something that can be altered.
I don't mind carrying the phone really as lets face it if we're out for 4+ hours we should have it for emergencies but I just want the tech to do what it says on the tin. I had to upgrade my phone as the old one's battery wouldn't cope with music for that long...
First world problems I know! But still! 🤣🤪
It’s only £199 in Argos! Tempted.
🤣🤣🤣 I'm a little disappointed with the 645m I have to say. I was tempted to upgrade to the 935... but now being sidelined... can't really justify it 👎🏼
I accidentally bought it 🤣
👍🏻🤣🤣🤣 well don't come crying to me the first time it crashes!! Seriously though, after you've had it a few months I recommend a reboot before a marathon length session to reduce the chance of it crashing at the save point. I've never actually lost the run yet but it makes you think that's what's gonna happen!
It better not crash!!!
It does, mine did, loads. And if you check the support forum its not uncommon. I found it usually after 3 hrs, you'd press stop, save and it would make like its saving but never change. I would grab my phone in panic, put bluetooth on and sync. 🤣Once I knew I had the data I'd have to do a reset to make it shut down.
If it stops playing music randomly, you'll have to pause your run, reboot it, start music again then restart your run👍🏻
OMG mind I would use my phone on long runs not watch. I mainly want it for up to a half. It’s got excellent reviews on most places.
I have the fr235 which I like, but the Garmin fr245 Music does the thinking. It even gets to know you, mile after mile and song after song. This GPS smartwatch has storage for your favorite tunes, so you can keep moving to the music without having to lug your phone along. It also tracks your stats, crunches the numbers and gets to know all about your performance, your running form, your training history and even your goals. All you need to focus on is putting one foot in front of the other.. 👣
Not sure about music. I always take my phone on a run, as you never know when you might need to call for help....
I’d definitely get a Garmin - I bought the Fenix 6X and I can play my Spotify playlists on it and podcasts. It syncs over WiFi, so you don’t have to plug it into a laptop. However, I pretty much always have my phone on me unless I’m just doing a parkrun. Get yourself a belt and bung it in. Sorted.
Thank you all for your recommendations and your advice re taking my phone. I'm stalling on a Garmin at the moment because...... Popping into my local garage I learnt that Nick (67, always running, fit guy) had had a stroke. Thankfully he is on the mend and will get better because he knew what was happening to him, he had his phone on him and the ambulance came very quickly. KEEP YOUR PHONES WITH YOU!!!! I certainly will not be thinking of leaving mine behind again!
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
