New watch? Need advice please!

[OldSpeckledHen]

Can’t decide between (Garmin) Forerunner 46 or Vivoactive 4?

Does anyone have either? What’s the best/worst bits?

Struggling C25Ker looking to improve overall health/strength! (And general motivation) (with John Lewis vouchers burning a hole!)

Like the Vivoactive for workout animation prompts

Like the forerunner for HR/breathing (like I know what I’m babbling on about!)

Thank You lovely people! Oh ... and if anyone find my motivation- I need it back now please! Currently hiding under the bed or run off ((the irony)) somewhere me thinks?!)

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Hi, I have the vivoactive 4s and for me it’s the ability to play music without taking my phone, that was the sole reason I wanted it and it hasn’t disappointed, i don’t know enough though to advise

[OldSpeckledHen in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank You! I think I’d still take my phone (but that’s just me! Worry about everything!)

Do you use the other functions? Ie Pilates prompts?

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to OldSpeckledHen]

It has all sorts of things, i will have a look and take a screenshot for you if i find anything interesting

[Jalk in reply to SueAppleRun]

same here, much easier running without a phone

[PeggySusi]

I can recommend the Vivoactive 4S.. chosen for me mainly because it has the smallest face and therefore the only one to fit my slim wrist. It’s got heart rate, breathing etc., and connects to Strava and music so no need to take your ‘phone out. You get text message notifications but can’t reply to them.. the only thing missing for me is WhatsApp notifications but that’s being picky.. It hasn’t made me into a proper runner yet but I still love it! 😊

[OldSpeckledHen in reply to PeggySusi]

Ha! I’m sure you are a proper runner 😊😊 I like the idea of tracking heart rate / distance/ time mid run (as phone stashed away and a faff to get at, plus I normally end up pausing/stopping workout on phone whilst faffing!)

Do you use just Strava too? Or can you connect to Nike Run Club do you know?

Sorry for more questions! Thank You xx

[PeggySusi in reply to OldSpeckledHen]

You download an app into your phone called Garmin Connect , which took me a couple of goes to connect to the watch but I got there in the end by actually reading the instructions, which I usually resist..😄

It seems to be remarkably clever.. I did a few minutes running on a treadmill without setting it at all and the app then showed a treadmill run, but don’t ask me how it did that!

I haven’t tried it for swimming yet as the pool is still closed but I think it can recognise what stroke you are doing.

I only use Strava. I don’t use Nike run club, but I think you can connect it via the Nike app.

It’s very easy to connect to wireless headphones for Spotify music.. but you do need to have subscription Spotify, not the free version..

I like not having to carry anything at all when I go out (I hate handbags!) so it suits me very well.. there’s also a function to alert others if you are stuck/lost/have an accident without your phone..

Good luck with your decision..😊

[OldSpeckledHen in reply to PeggySusi]

Thank You very much 😊😊xx

[NetCadet Graduate10 in reply to PeggySusi]

I get my WhatsApp notifications on my 4S! Maybe you just need to activate it somewhere?

[PeggySusi in reply to NetCadet]

I’ve tried, but I can’t work out how to do it.. I think maybe you can get them with android but not an iPhone? But I’ll have another look..

[NetCadet Graduate10 in reply to PeggySusi]

Aaah could be, I have Android.

[Juliet202 Graduate10]

Ooh - I have same question and can’t decide !! Hope there are lots of replies !

[OldSpeckledHen in reply to Juliet202]

Hehe! Too much choice these days! But an expensive investment (one hopes) so it needs to be right! 🤞

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

I have the Forerunner 45S 💕- love it! More stats than I will ever need and I seem to have inadvertently enabled notifications on it, so now I get various messages from my phone too! Its my second Garmin Forerunner too. Good luck in choosing!🙂

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

It connects to Strava,Runkeeper etc

[OldSpeckledHen in reply to Sandraj39]

I use Strava and NRC together, always get different readings! 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ Prefer the Strava values but think NRC more accurate speed/distance

[Hidden]

💕 Love my Garmin 45s. I got it in April and it’s got everything I need and more. If buying again, I’d buy the same.

[taichi1 Graduate10]

I have the ForeRunner 45...its brilliant..dont think theres a 46 yet is there? With all the training plans and usual wellness info u wud get from the comparable fitbit 4 plus all the running breakdown data that fitbit cant compete with...I would really recommend it. Also I swam 10 lengths in the pool and completely waterproof...dropped it 5 times and never flinched. I have small wrists but still didnt go for the 45s as has smaller font..i have it on the 10th hole with 10 more to go so go with the 45 not 45s otherwise font gets really small...vivoactive 4 more a competition for fitbit4 .. but see forerunner 45 as a pure runners watch with still the usual health stats x

[NetCadet Graduate10]

I've had the 4S for a couple of weeks and I already love it more than I thought I would! My main worry was whether I should spend so much on something *just* for running but it does so much more.

I chose it because I also wanted music without phone but the workout prompts are great, it's MUCH less fussy during runs, and I actually find I look at my phone less the rest of the day because I can quickly glance to see if WhatsApp messages are urgent or can wait. (Almost always 😄). You can also reply with basic preloaded messages and load a few of your own.

I have it synced to Runkeeper and Spotify but you can also download songs and podcasts directly onto the phone from a PC so no need to have a music subscription.

Battery lasts 4 days with all day/night use and 2 runs with GPS and bluetooth headphones. Plus it looks like a smart watch (I have a regular analogue face on it). I forgot it today and really missed it!

I don't know the Forerunner and I'm sure it's fab too but 4S gets a thumbs up for functionality and style from me.

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

They all do heart rate. V4 you can download music onto if you have Spotify premium

[Fionamags Graduate10]

Another vote for the Vivoactive 4s. I love it!!!

[MoliJ Graduate10]

I have got the 45, I love it. You can get a music version or the basic, it does everything I need. I can see the screen easily. I love the fact that it alerts someone of your choice if you have an accident. My daughter has the 4s. She loves hers too.