Garmin suggestions please

[Sybilw]

Can I ask which Garmin you have? I had a lovely run yesterday (intervals - just a simple app) and feel I’d really enjoy something that offers structured plans again. My watch is showing it’s age - strap is disintegrating so this might be the time for an upgrade.

[Wibble_wobble]

After much deliberation I went with the Garmin Venu (£100 off for Black Friday). I am relatively new to running and have to admit have a slight magpie tendency, so I wanted a watch to use to track runs but that also looks pretty. I also wanted a watch that showed at least 4 data screens when running which this does. This is my first running watch so I have nothing to compare to.

I’m currently following a 10k training plan on there, although only 3 runs at the moment. It seems to work quite well for training plans using Garmin Coach, although the first interval programme on the plan had intervals so short I only managed a few steps before each speed interval ended, but that’s the plan not the watch. I believe you can also manually program in intervals. It vibrates for each interval change.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Wibble_wobble]

Thank you. I just felt motivated by some posts where there was a plan to follow.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Forerunner 45s here .It does everything i want and more .

Love it !

[Hidden in reply to Instructor57]

☝👏👏👏👏👏

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

That’s the one I suspected I’d hear about. Thank you.

[damienair Administrator]

I have a Garmin Forerunner 35. It is a great watch and it does everything I need. Easy to get replacement straps too. Although the Forerunner 45s is a newer watch and I would be going for the 45s now I think. But the Forerunner 35 will do me for a few years. The Garmins are great, very accurate.

Damien

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thank you. It does probably make sense to buy the later one.

[CherryCore Graduate10]

245

Works fine if you've more running-centered, offers a good range of plans, does need Internet connection to the "app", and relies on the "app" for quite literally everything.

So if you'd like to go hiking off the mobile network for a couple of days and will not have mobile data for some reason, it will store activities locally, but will synchronise once you have mobile or data network.

But that will be true for absolute most of the devices, no matter the brand.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to CherryCore]

That sounds one to check - I’m not likely to be out in the wilds. Thank you.

[Hidden]

Forerunner 45s 💕😊🏃🏼‍♀️. I bought it in early summer as my first running watch and I love it. Does everything I need. I’d buy it again now if I had to. Happy shopping 🛍 ⌚️😊

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. That’s a glowing report!

[Hidden in reply to Sybilw]

I did consider the 245 because of the music, but because I always run with my phone which has a Spotify app anyway, there didn't seem much point spending the extra and I haven't regretted it.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I’ll always take my phone just in case. I’ve been known to trip up. More than once 🤕

[Speedy60 Graduate10]

If I had been buying my own Garmin, I would have bought the cheapest one that I could download music onto - for me that is important. As it is, I have a fenix 6s, which is gorgeous for both daywear and running, expensive and was a gift. Good luck with your search and look out for black Friday deals 👍

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Speedy60]

It had crossed my mind this was a good week to look - can justify it more perhaps 🤔 😆

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

I’ve had garmin forerunner 35 for a year, love it.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you. I think 35 or 45 looks the way to go. Now just to suggest it to the other half! 🤣

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Sure any suggestion will be very welcome unless you are really lucky to have a rare other half who thinks up good ideas themselves 🤗

[Mormor1 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Does it fit a small wrist?

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Mormor1]

My wrist is really small and when I 1st got my garmin I thought it seemed really bulky and I wouldn’t be able to sleep with it on, it may be cumbersome during the day etc. That was October 2019. I only take it off to charge it.

[Sybilw Graduate10]

To give him his due he’s very good. It was our 45th wedding anniversary recently and he happened to hear me mention it was sapphire (just a comment on the phone to my daughter - not a hint!!). Anyway a few days later we walked to the neighbouring town for lunch (not unheard of) and after he bundled me into the jewellers and bought me a gorgeous sapphire necklace. Feel free to retell as an inspiration!! 🤣

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10]

You need to work out what you need your watch to do. I started with the very basic FR 10, it really did nothing more than track your run and show pace and elevation. Then when the time to treat myself came (after a serious illness) I went for the FR 35, that showed the same stuff plus cadence and heart rate. It developed a big black blob in the centre of the screen so I returned it to the supplier - they agreed I was due a refund but trying to actually get the money out of them has been another story...

Cue the FR 245, paired with a running dynamics pod, it shows all sorts of stats, some you'd find useful, some you'll never understand. It can download my own workouts, and also workouts and training plans from Garmin Connect.

I recommend you look at the Garmin website, they have a comparison tool. Be sure you have the watch you want before you shell out.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Curlygurly2]

Oh thank you - I didn’t look so was unaware of the comparison tool. That’s very helpful

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

I went for a garmin vivoactive 4s back in January and can’t fault it, I download music playlists from Amazon although you can hook up to your computer and add your own music, this means not needing my phone with meWillow has forerunner 645 which is bigger bust has same music facility although not touch screen mBoth have benefits the other doesn’t but I think any garmin is brilliant

My reason for a music version was dropping my phone on new year’s day and smashing the screen

The downside is I take less photos

Enjoy whichever you choose

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you. I think I’ll still take my phone whatever as I have been known to fall over 🤕. Like you say I’m sure it’ll be a matter of swings and roundabouts. Ill have a look at those.

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

I also have the vivoactive 4s and love it! I have small wrists and this is a watch that fits me. If you definitely don't want music on the watch then you can get the vivoactive 3s much cheaper and I think it does everything else including garmin plans.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

Thank you - I’ll look at those as well.

[triumph-tiger Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

I have the Vivoactive 3 Music. Generally its a good watch and I liked the looks of it compared to some of the other Garmins. However I've had it reboot a few times when playing music (seems to be known issue) so I tend to use my phone more. Also the touch screen can be a bit sensitive (particularly if its wet). Hopefully these are things that are fixed in the Vivoactive 4, so certainly worth considering this one.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to triumph-tiger]

Thank you. I’ve certainly got lots of food for thought.

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

If I needed a new one, I’d get the 45s

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Enough said. Thank you.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

It’s on offer on Amazon at £109 at the minute

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Oh thank you so much

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Only for today or maybe tomorrow

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

👍🏻

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

I’ve done it!! Purple 😍. Training here I come. I’m hoping it’ll keep me going over the winter - I managed to keep it up last winter but every little helps. Thank you so much for remembering me. ❤️

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Excellent! I wish I needed a watch 🤣

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

I don’t know that I really NEED one but I wanted one with a training plan!! 🤣 And it was a bargain!

[Jonno34 Graduate10]

I got a Vivoactive 4 to replace several troublesome fitbits. Great functionality but display not as good as FB Ionic which it often gets compared with. Very happy other than that, also ties in with my chest strap. The Venu has the AMOLED display if you are looking for a bit more crispmess.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Jonno34]

That one has cropped up before. I’ll consider that. Thank you

[Arbey48 60minGraduate]

Based on my recent experience, I suggest you download the manual of the device you're interested in before committing to a purchase. I wish I'd done that before buying a Garmin Forunner 45.

I found setting up and accessing the data too complicated. Even recording a simple run led to the device not recording my PB of running 9.74km. Fortunately, I was using another app on my phone as well and could see the data there. So, despite fairly rigorous market research, I still got it wrong, for me. Hence, my recommendation to read through the manual first.

The Polar M430 looks fairly straightforward, but let's see if I can get it to record my basic runs when it arrives! 🤔

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Arbey48]

That’s a very good point as it’s very easy to buy something that has TOO many bells and whistles!! Could be very off putting as you’ve discovered. Thank you.

[Jonno34 Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

I just start with the basics and take it from there. You tube usually has videos that help more than the manual which is usually written by a tech geek!

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Jonno34]

🤣 sooo true!! Thank you

[WeavingWonk Graduate10]

I have had my 45s since late August. It's brilliant. Like a poster above I was a bit baffled by it at first. But once I figured out how to get it going I am totally won over. I finally figured out how to customize the screens so that I can see the particular stats I want to when I run.

I always carry my phone because I too am inclined to falling over. But so far have only had to be collected once. And I was walking the dog, not running. I listen to books and podcasts rather than music, so I decided not to waste the extra on music storage.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to WeavingWonk]

You sound like me! Podcasts, falling over! 🤣 I’ve not needed to be collected (yet) but I have tripped on the same section beside a stream twice!! At least it wasn’t on the same run but the phrase once bitten . . . . comes to mind. 🤷‍♀️ Sounds like I need to decide if I’m up to reading a lot of instructions! Thanks you.

[Daiwalker]

I was very indulgent and bought the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar. I absolutely love it. The training plans are dynamic, well structured, and allow for rescheduling or even removal of individual training days.

The battery life is fantastic. If I set it on battery saver it is 47 days! Typically it's around 10 days battery before needing a recharge. The "solar" part of the name refers to the glass being a solar panel and while this has helped keep the battery charged a little, it's now November and sunlight is pretty sparse so I won't see the benefit of solar glass for a while!

Workouts sync and are uploaded/shared to Garmin (then Strava) before I've even taken my running shoes off. The time saving here is huge for me. I spent ages before exporting/converting/ uploading to different sites. It's now all automatic.

The stats are plentiful and even measures VO2 max, showing your training areas that are working for you (and those that are lacking). The training plans will inject short videos on the app to explain what the particular training is trying to accomplish.

I could go on but suffice to say you get what you pay for and the price tag is worth it imo

10/10

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Daiwalker]

Wow. I’ll admit it sounds a bit more than I might need but I’ll take a look. Thank you.