Hi you lovely lot, I’ve been a Fitbit Versa user for many years, but would now like to try Garmin as disappointed in Fitbit app. It’s stopped showing your splits/time and just shows run as 1 lap.
My main question is can I use Garmin with iPhone as most of the ones I’ve looked at, Forerunner, Vivo active, venu, say Android and not IOS? Any help and recommendations appreciated please. I like to get message notifications through on watch too.
Thank you😊
I have a bottom of the range (🤣) Garmin Forerunner 45s and it syncs with the Garmin Connect app on my Apple phone and iPad. It does everything I need it to and more. Happy shopping!🙂⌚️
Hi Sandraj39, thanks for your reply, good to know there’s an app to use it with iPhone. It’s a big decision to make isn’t it🤣
hello Tetleyteagirl . Yes I have a Garmin forerunner 35 (now extinct ) but the base model is now 55. You can Bluetooth pair it with your iPhone, and there is a Garmin Connect app where you can see your runs in addition to what you see on the watch. You can also ask it to download data to other apps such as Strava.
Although I’ve not used Fitbit, I understand Garmin offers better data for a runner.
It’s not as feminine, but you can buy one with turquoise strap which is less macho. Mines been going 6 years now and I would be lost without it.
Hi Dexy, thanks for your reply. I’ve been using Fitbits for about 6 years. so ready for a change now! Sounds like you’ll be after a new one soon eh! So many to choose from, I’m liking the look of the Vivoactive 5, comes in nice colours too!!
No I’m hoping my watch keeps on going. The attraction of the forerunner 55 for upthestsnley was that it wasn’t touch screen. I think cheekychipmunks may have the vivoactive.
You’re right Dexy5 , I have the Vivoactive 3 and I love it.
Tetleyteagirl as the others have said, it’s easy to pair your watch to any Garmin with Garmin Connect, and there are plenty of Garmin models to choose from. It’s a case of personal preference.
I had a Forerunner 235 which I gave to my daughter, and also a Forerunner 255 which I simply didn’t like (although it’s a great watch). My Vivo does everything I need - it’s a bit quirky with certain stats, but all the important info is there and I personally love the touchscreen. The battery life is a bit suspect as it’s 6 years old now, and I’m hoping Santa will be bringing me a shiny Vivoactive 5! 😅
Morning cheeky, thanks for your reply, gosh you’ve tried a few then haven’t you, I’ve been through a few Fitbit’s too! It’s the pairing with my iPhone with IOS, I wanted to be sure about, and sounds like the Garmin app works fine. So decision will be made soon. Hope Santa delivers for you😊.
Hey Tetley! Great to see you, I switched from Fitbit to garmin 18 months ago. I spent absolutely ages researching, listing pros and cons and deciding on a particular model. Then when I actually went to buy it, I got a different one as a bargain 🤦♀️. I love my forerunner 265s. I don’t use all the features but it does everything I want. It works perfectly with my iPhone through the connect app. The GPS is much better than Fitbit around here too.
Happy shopping!!
Morning Misunderstanding, thanks for response, good to hear you’re happy with Garmin/Iphone, I think I’m liking the look of Vivoactive 5, so decision soon and good deal on Amazon at mo too! Happy running to you. 😊 regards
I was a forerunner 35 man until last week! It was 6 years old, a faithful servant, but the lugs to which the watch strap is secured disintegrated. I went for the Forerunner 55 as a replacement for the reasons attributed to UpThe Stanley above; I don’t like touch screen. Probably my age! The 55 has 5 buttons rather than the four on the 35. Our relationship is up and running, but we need to work on it. It has more features than the 35; but I really didn’t need more than the 35 offered. The 55 tells me to speed up if I want to hit my target (targets?). I don’t really do being ordered about, so I invite it to visit a taxidermist and carry on my own sweet way. It will learn who is boss over time.
Have used IPhones with my 35 and now with my 55 through Garmin Connect, so I am not sure where that information is coming from?
Morning Beachcomber, your reply made me chuckle 🤣, you make sure you’re the boss! They’re very clever these watches aren’t they! It’s good to know I shouldn’t have any problem pairing with my iPhone, so looking forward to switching to Garmin now. Happy running to you. 😊
🙂 you too Tetleyteagirl ! I find the Connect data really helpful. It took a while to work it all out but I got there. Enjoy it 👍
Garmin works fine on iOS. I went from Fitbit versa to Garmin forerunner 255 as was on. clearance/ cheapest. On reflection I wish I’d done more research, got one with oied screen and got a smaller version as just too big on my wrist. Ended up donating it to my partner and use a Garmin HRM plus paired with Zwift/ Strava . Was also allergic to the metal contacts on the back so that drove that choice but perfect for the metrics I want. I believe Fitbit were bought by google a couple of years ago and were phasing out support for iOS.
Morning southerrunner, so you went for the smaller forerunner you mean? I’ve got a small wrist and also quite skin sensitive , I prefer a leather strap if I can get one. Thanks for replying, happy running to you 😊
I wish I’d gone for the smaller forerunner. I didn’t try on beforehand but subsequently have tried on a smaller one - looked much better!
Do you know which model is smaller please, as all the Garmin watches look really huge to me!?
If you look on the Garmin page at the models you will find all the specs . I think the s after the number means it’s a smaller face and it will have the dimensions there too
Thanks southernrunner, I realised that, I’ll go try and find a jewellers I can see them all in., and make a decision hopefully! 😊
hello Tetleyteagirl hope you’re all well and having a good weekend. I have been using the garmin 245 music version for almost 3 years and love it. I’m allergic to the silicone strap so use a canvas style material instead which is probably cheaper than a leather strap although saying that I am getting through quite a few of them!. I also have an iPhone and use the garmin connect app. Highly recommend!
Hi jogger22, thanks for reply, good to hear your happy with Garmin for your iPhone, I’ll look into canvas style strap, do amazon do them? Happy running to you 😊
thanks Tetleyteagirl. Yes Amazon do them. I’ve just checked and mine is actually a nylon strap and I am on strap no. 4 in almost 3 years . My suggestion is don’t set them too tight so they don’t break as easily 🤗
I've got a Forerunner 735XT (now discontinued) and it works perfectly with my iPhone 13 mini using the Garmin app. I use an HRM strap when running as the optical HRM function built in to the watch isn't as reliable when you are exerting yourself in my opinion. I've got a metal strap as I broke the silicone one twice in a 18 months or so. Leather is an option too.
Hi survivor 1952, thanks for your reply. I’m a happy plodder of 5k’s so no HRM ‘s for me 🤣, good to hear no problems with iPhone and app. Happy running to you.
Not fast myself but need to keep an eye on HR due to cardiac history.
Hello ! I have a Garmin 245 now, and love it.. works just fine
I started with a vey basic Garmin and just worked up as I moved on
Like MissUnderstanding , I donlt use all its little tricks, but it does exactly what I need
Hi Oldfloss, lovely to hear from you. I’ve been looking at so many on line, getting myself confused! I have a small wrist so definitely want an ‘S’ version, and either limited in colours, black, white, grey. Think I’m going to go visit a watch shop to actually see/feel them!! Happy Sunday to you 😊
I have very small wrists..but the lovely soft adjustable strap on the Garmin is good..
I've got small wrists too but I like a big watch face. I've got a full size Forerunner 45 and it fits perfectly 😁
Morning to you, not keen on the huge watch face really, but I need to go see before I make a decision I think. Happy Sunday to you 😊
Hi, any update on your watch hunt, please?
Did you manage to find a shop where you can see/try the Garmins on? I can’t find anywhere other than Curry’s, and their selection is poor! 😔
Hi millywhizz, apologies on time as on hols in Thailand and 7 hours difference😎. I went for a Vivoactive 5, which is about the same size as my Fitbit Versa was, although a round not square. I live on south coast and there is a Garmin store in West Quay Southampton, they have displays on attached cords so you can try on your own wrist. I never bought from them as shopped around, Argos had a deal on at the time. Very happy with it so far, and a lovely lilac color, if used just as watch I get 10days without charging it, like here as not jogging and using gps, back home I get about 5 days worth. It’ll be about 4 weeks since my last run when we get home, so that’ll be interesting!! Good luck with your search.😊
Thank you so much for all the info. I will have a look at that model. Enjoy the rest of your hols 😎🍹
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