Running watch - any recommendations?

[Tartiflette]

I was thinking of rewarding myself with a running watch (now that Laura's told me I'm a runner 😄)

Any recommendations? I have a Fitbit blaze that will need straps replacing soon - but do I want/need something more technical?? Any recommendations?

[Tinker5393 Graduate]

The nice man from Amazon just delivered my garmin forerunner 25 . My graduation pressie to myself. Going to try it out later on my 2nd post grad run will let you know what I think if I get get it to work. Here's hoping. Did try and post a pic but don't have a clue how to do it

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to Tinker5393]

I'll look forward to hearing your views on it. Congratulations on your graduation 😃

[Tinker5393 Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

Hi again. Managed to sync watch with the app and it worked like a dream . Mind was only £75 on Amazon. Brought it mainly to track how my distance is improving . Very slowly but that's fine . I think it depends on what you want it for and how much you want to spend. Good luck on your progress.

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to Tinker5393]

Thank you! Sounds like a good buy

[T1gger Graduate]

I treated myself to a Garmin vivoactive 3. I have had it a couple of months now and I think its excellent. Built in GPS, HR monitor, links to your phone for email and texts. The screen is customisable to all number of watch faces and colours. Can also use for swimming and other types of exercise and workouts. I really like the Garmin app and you can see lots of other info such as cadence and HR overlays on your run too.

You can spend an awful lot on these watches. This wasnt the cheapest by any means but certainly a cut above your average wearable.

Only downside is the battery life, it needs recharging every five days or so. if you use a laptop just remember to plug it in whilst you use it and it charges fairly quickly.

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to T1gger]

Thanks for the review. I'm liking the sound of all that, especially swimming too, though not an essential for me at the moment.

[T1gger Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

In my head I am aim to fit swimming between running days although its not happening at present due to other work/ life time commitments. Im itching to try the swimming function though.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to T1gger]

Trust me, the first time you get in the pool you'll be super nervous of putting your arm in!!! 🤣🤣🤣

Don't forget to set size of pool, I set mine wrong (forerunner 645m) and it made my stats look great 😂😂😂

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

What's your watch GGJJ? Do you recommend? 😊

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

I've splashed out on the Garmin Forerunner 645 with Music built in. I do recommend it but its quite an investment. I love mine and wear it 24/7.

I probably have only mastered half of the capabilities of the unit. It does so many activities and things. Built in heart rate monitor and is highly rated as one of the more accurate wrist based, optical units available on the market.

I have recorded running, trail running, (it separates the two as trail tends to be slower so messes with your fitness stats) cycling, swimming, yoga, aerobics and cardio.

It has its own app, garmin connect on your phone but it will also work with other apps like Strava and uploads your activities for you.

I'm still learning with it but because it has the ability to store and play music to wireless headphones it means when I want to, I can run without the weight of my phone which is something I really wanted but is only offered by a few devices. 👍

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks for that info, useful. I use Spotify so don't own any music as such to store on a different device, but that sounds neat.

[Hidden]

I'm following this post as I also wear the Blaze and see lots of seemingly better trackers on here. Thing is, I can't do without the sleep monitor as that's one of my biggest hurdles, getting enough rest. Do I want separate logs for runs, hmmmm?

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Sorry, should have said, mine has a great sleep monitor too. Very accurate it seems so far. I believe all Garmin with heart rate monitors do. They've even recently updated it to split out REM sleep from deep sleep. 👍

[Hidden in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Now you're talking!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Hidden]

🤣🤣🤣👍😉

[T1gger Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thats right the vivoactive3 does the same as well as monitor your stress levels, how? no idea!!

[pingubox]

I bought a Garmin Forerunner 235 after my graduation. I wear it daily and it tracks all the usual bits (steps, sleep, HR) as well as GPS runs. I've been very pleased with it, and you can get them for a steal if you're willing to stalk ebay!

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to pingubox]

I haven't googled prices yet 🙈🙈thought I'd get some expert opinions 1st before I'm bamboozled by the ranges. Thanks for the tip 👍🏼

[MarkyD Graduate]

Another vote for Garmin ForeRunner 235.

DCRainmaker is the website for independent reviews of all running watches.

I’d recommend either staying with the FitBit ecosystem, or switching to Garmin. FitBit have been more focused on activity trackers, whilst Garmin have specialised in Running watches. Both have diversified and now have similar portfolios.

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

Thanks Marky. I'll get onto those reviews 👍🏼👍🏼

[YoureDoingGreatPet]

I have the Tomtom spark 3 gps/audio model. Can’t fault it but really it depends on the features you want.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to YoureDoingGreatPet]

I so nearly went for that one except I read that TomTom were leaving the wearables market and was worried about future updates and long term support. 🤔

[YoureDoingGreatPet in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I suppose it has become a crowded market for them, but it would be a shame. I would say their fitness tracking element isn’t as good as my wife’s Fitbit, but their gps is better than my garmin and the ability to create and upload your own work outs is very useful. Also like the fact it plays mp3 via wireless headphones letting me leave the phone at home

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to YoureDoingGreatPet]

The price tag was more attractive too 👍

You can create and upload workouts on the 645. Took me a while to figure it out though 🤣

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to YoureDoingGreatPet]

I do like the fitness tracking features of the Fitbit... so much to consider!

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to YoureDoingGreatPet]

Thanks. Will look at that too 👍🏼