Garmin advice

[Dee_s]

Hello,

My TomTom running watch is broken (2nd time in 4years) and rather than pay £95 for repairs, I’m going to put that money to a more reliable sports watch.

I cycle too and do weight training etc, so want one with multi sports capabilities.

I am petite and have tiny wrists, so was looking at the Garmin Fenix 5S. Someone also suggested the Forerunner 645. I like the look of them both, as they have similar features and because they both support the Spotify player function (from shopping about, there are deals to be had on both and there isn’t a huge difference in price if I move quickly). The forerunner seems to have WIFI capabilities, but I’m not sure how useful this is really!

Does anyone have any preferences/views or suggestions for something similar and equally amazing?! there are so many options!

[damienair Administrator]

Those 2 models are both way off my price point. I have a humble Garmin Forerunner 35 and it does everything I need a sports watch to do. Garmin are very accurate and rugged. I have used a previous one (Forerunner 15) I bought on eBay when I first started running and it was bullet proof. You'll have years of use from it.

Damien

[Dee_s in reply to damienair]

The full RRP is really £££ on them both and way off my price bracket, but there are a couple of great deals. Also, I’m considering holding off until dreaded Black Friday sales to see what comes up! My friend has a Forerunner 35 and it has been great. The music factor is a huge draw for me tho - to be able to run without a phone! 😆

[Magellan Graduate10]

I have a Vivoactive 3 Music. I like it a lot. It has my spotify playlists on it. I bank with Santander so I can use it for contactless payment too.

I don't know how it compares with the Forerunner or Fenix, but it collects data when I run, walk, swim, cycle, row or use gym equipment. I don't know if those other watches collect more data or less or the same.

It's quite large, and I have small wrists too, so I wasn't sure at first, but I soon got used to it. It's perfectly round with just one small side button, which makes it more elegant and less clunky than some other large watches. Mine's black. I can't remember if it also comes in rose gold and white or if that's just the Vivoactive 4 Music.

Also, it gives me a selection of coaching plans. Running plans for instance: it offers seven different 10k plans depending on whether you want one for beginners or intermediate, whether you want one that includes specific bouts of cross training or just running, or a heart rate based plan, and you can choose between 10 and 21 weeks. There are plans for all the main running distances, and also for cycling, triathlon and general fitness.

[Dee_s in reply to Magellan]

Ooh - I will have a look at this one! Thank you! X

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to Magellan]

I have the same watch (vivoactive 3 music) and I absolutely love it. It's also a lot more affordable than the newer version 👍😃

[CherryCore Graduate10]

245 and not happy 😁

Only works properly with Internet.

Their "app" is just a rendered Web page, so no connectivity or service = no access to data.

Impossible to transfer gps files without a wired connection (that's when WiFi kicks in, I think).

Lacks altimeter, making elevation data junk (even though having altimeter is not a guarantee of quality data!)

Jumpy connections under the trees, valleys and in densely built-up areas (not often around here), but that is expected.

3 out of 5 as a city gadget.