Is it worth upgrading my Garmin forerunner 4... - Bridge to 10K

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Is it worth upgrading my Garmin forerunner 45S to another watch?

17 Replies

As I get more into my HM training, I realise I am a geek I love the running metrics, not that it gives me wings when I run, but I like the idea of telling whether I have improved or not, there has been days I thought I was going backwards.... 🤣. Anyway, I have this forerunner 45S I like which I bought when I was doing C25K last year, but somehow it is too basic.... I have found out about the forerunner 45 plus, which surprisingly is less what I paid for!!!! 🤣 Anyway I really really love the forerunner 945, but it is very expensive. I don't want the fénix series as they would look big on my wrists. So worth the upgrading or not? To any watch... What are your thoughts? Thank you!!!

17 Replies
Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10

What else do you want it to do ?

I also have the forerunner 45s and love it

in reply toInstructor57

I do cycling and swimming, not in a triathlon mode, but I do quite often besides running...

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10 in reply to

I see, but your question referred to running metrics and HM training

in reply toInstructor57

Well would like to see that training load helps, and recovering thing does for example, ah pace pro maybe help me.... I am bad at pacing 😂

I have the 45s and to be honest it's all I need and I have run plenty of HM's and am slowly increasing to a Marathon. Having said that you can look on YouTube for some excellent comparison videos and reviews. Good luck 😃

in reply to

This why I am so undecided, it is such a vast choice, but ultimately comes down to what it offers most for your buck... Thank you

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10

Its entirely up to you - I find mine does more than I need but then I still grudgingly look at my heart rate after 5 years back running!

If, as you say, you like the stats - and it also puts the kettle on☕️😉😂 - then go for it!🙂

in reply toSandraj39

Love stats as I have a science degree I love interpreting results... Not that it gives me wings but hey ho!!!

I love my 45s too. It does so much alongside the Garmin Connect app - Tracks my runs & other exercises, keeps my stats, records my progress, provides training plans, though I’m yet to use them (perhaps after the Magic Plan is complete), so I’m going to stick with mine as I don’t need other features.

There are some great comparison sites that will help you if you’re looking for an upgrade.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10

The 45 is a very capable watch... and I’m not too sure what extra stats you’d like? The difference 45-245-645-945 is negligible between each level, so it’d be an expensive couple of stats. The Fenix and 945 are pretty similar, with the head to head I saw calling it a tie, with a win for the 945 if it was just for running... but as you say, it’s expensive.

I was fine getting to HM with my 35... now I’m using a 245, but the difference isn’t massive on a training run. The only thing I’d upgrade for now is mapping, but I rarely run in places I don’t know my way around anyway.

in reply toUnfitNoMore

Thats great. I was thinking of upgrading or not. Mapping is not a feature I would like....😂

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply to

Don’t blame me if you get lost in the wilderness 🤣🤣🤣. I think if I get to the stage where I’m running that far from civilisation I’ll be carrying my hiking GPSr in my pack anyway, so unlikely to use the watch in an emergency, and for a run, any trail will do 😎

in reply toUnfitNoMore

If that mapping tells me if there is a field of cows.... Yesterday I came across while I was running 😂.... Yes I would have liked that, those animals were scary as hell,.... 🤣 Well I rarely do trails.... Very clumsy runner here....

LeeU profile image
LeeU60minGraduate

I don't do HM, 5k, I've done some 6-7k runs too.

I have a 735XT, its a triathlon one, I use it for running, swimming and cycling and I have various different sensors, speed and cadence, etc and I've used it for uploading cycling routes to.

I get a very good discount from Garmin but even at that I'm struggling to justify (to myself, Mrs LeeU said just do it) an upgrade from the 735 to 945 even though I'd be getting some things like body battery and slightly different information/screens.

Yes the 945 can do music, would it save me taking my phone, I doubt it, having a phone handy in case of emergencies is invaluable.

I would look at what the upgrade would give you in terms of extra data, functionality and then weigh up if it's something that is required, wanted or fun/nice to have.

Assign each feature, dataset one of those 3 definitions and see where you are at the end of it.

Chances are, most would be fun/nice to have, very few would be wanted and probably fewer still would be required.

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10

I can’t understand what more you’d want? Isn’t the 45 really new? Maybe the 245 might have more data? Not sure.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toTasha99

It’s an interesting point... and as far as I know the difference in running stats isn’t visible straight out of the box between the 45 and 245... but the latter can take the running dynamics pod accessory which opens up 6 new metrics, at a cost of about a tenner each.

The main difference between the watches at different price point is sensors... so 245 adds pulse ox (which is turned off during the run) other levels add barometer, thermometer etc... which are handy for athletes training at altitude, not so much use for people running where they live all the time! The only runners who don’t do altitude and need a high level watch are triathletes really... unless doing other sports that aren’t covered in other models.

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl

When I read the review for the new 45 plus, the only niggle for the reviewer was that it doesn't work for swimming, and it's not that easy setting up training sessions. So those are the features to look for in other watches, then it's up to you to decide if they are worth the expense.

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