Activity tracker, smart watch....

[Chris9R]

I'm looking at getting myself a new device. I just wondered what people have and how they rate them

I want something that has a heart rate monitor, connected gps is fine I don't need one with its own built in gps

I have been looking at a Fitbit charge 2, they seem to fit the bill as I don't want to spend a small fortune

Chris

[Bonkersbrit Graduate]

I have the older version, Fitbit Charge HR, which has been fine except that it has no gps😞, it's nearly two years old now. I started using strava on my phone to measure distances more accurately. Think the new one would be good but there are other devices more specifically for running as I am sure lots of experts will be along to tell you very soon, Garmin etc.

I am beginning to think that the more data you have, the more it motivates you, but also distracts you! It's like the whole running thing, it's addictive!

Good luck, keep us posted on your runs and your tech feedbacks!

[naedoot]

I'm using a vivosmart hr - connect to my phone but I am toying with upgrading to vivoactive hr or a forerunner 235. I like my Garmin it is waterproof and does most of what I need. I want to upgrade so I can cut down on gadgets as I also have a cycle comps.

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to naedoot]

+1 vote for ForeRunner 235. Does everything that I want and more. I've worn it 24:7 since Christmas 2015. Bomb-proof, easy to live with, no rash etc on my wrist and the only niggle is that I broke the strap at the end of last week. Amazon Prime and £16 had a replacement out to me in less than 24 hours.

Wouldn't claim that it was the cheapest running gadget, though.

[Chris9R Graduate]

I'll have a look into it 👍🏻

[damienair Graduate]

I put in a bid on eBay for a Garmin Forerunner 110. Old tech but all I want is a watch which will map my run and display pace, distance and time. It will be second hand but is all I want at the time being. I'm using runtastic on my phone but it is awkward to check whilst I am running.

The Polar M200 looks pretty good too and brand new would not break the bank.

[DawnRun]

I swear by and sometimes at my Garmin ForeRunner 25. Its an older version but I found it reasonably priced. It doesn't do H.R. but you can get a band for it which you have to buy seperately. For a few quid more than the FR 25 you can get one with a H.R but don't know the serial name of that one. (I'm guessing the FR 235 does do all that). The thing I like about the Garmin is its more discrete and I don't even know I'm wearing it unless it beeps of course. And the Garmin has a good app with it. I don't have much knowledge of the fitbit tech but they look clunky to me and expensive (but I may be wrong on price). I believe you have to send the garmin to the manufactorer if you want to change the battery - its the only negative I can find on it- oh and the FR 25 doesn't do (doesn't measure accurately) other activities like cycling but other FR probably do. FR 25 doesn't have touch screen buttons which for me is a bonus. I hate that stuff. Oh, and it also tells the time.

[Mrsmc10]

I went for an Apple Watch, it's amazing and you can wear it all the time as it looks good! Provides good data and the summaries post run are really good

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

To measure distance accurately you need GPS in my opinion. Maybe one day the Fitbit technology will get there, but at the moment it doesn't seem to even match the accuracy of the average smart phone, from what I have read.