Fitbit/sports watch: Recommendations

[CatsRun]

Any recommendations for a sports watch, please. I want one that is GPS linked to give an accurate distance run and that can also measure heart rate. I don't want to wear a heart monitor chest strap as I get far too hot in chest. Thanks

[Hidden]

I'm using a garmin forerunner 235 nicely suited without overcomplicating stuff 👍

[CatsRun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

What do you like most about this watch. I can see the 245 is the upgrade to this watch, but the 45 is a little cheaper. Just wondering whether the extra bits are worth it.

[Hidden in reply to CatsRun]

Hi CatsRun I like it's simplicity and the way it operates. It links easily with my strava and the GPS has never failed 👍, you mentioned small wrists the 235 isn't by any standards a small watch but I think all sports watches are a little bigger..... Perhaps watch a video on Utube from "the running channel" cracking sports watch review it may help

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Don’t get Fitbit!

Garmin 45 and 245 are nice new models.

[CatsRun Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

I like the look of the Garmin 45 which comes in a Small size. I have a tiny wrist and most of these sports watches look so big so hopefully this would be ok. Hmm.. just the cost to consider now.

[mg1011 Graduate]

Im Apple Watch. I love tracking my run. Also, I like to see what my heart rate is doing. I don't mind getting really out of breath but like to make sure im not going to do any damage.

[CatsRun Graduate in reply to mg1011]

Do you need an iphone to go with this?

[mg1011 Graduate in reply to CatsRun]

Yes, sorry, should have mentioned that.

[RacingintheStreet Graduate]

I just bought the Garmin 45 after ‘humming and hawing’ and looking at them all.

What pushed me in the end was the local running shop ( that was hilarious , ME In a running shop ) 👌😂 had a £30:off deal and no waiting . ( once I decide I don’t want to hang about)

I chose it because for me it’s a balance between the watch doing what I want and being able to navigate it .

I really like it , the GPS, I can set up timed runs, a clear face that I can actually see, lots of interesting stats I can look at in the garmin app afterwards and my favourite thing I can set parameters for pace to ‘beep’ at me when I go too fast .

I had a habit ( getting better ) of setting off too fast and then wondering why fatigue setting .

I ended up getting the 45 not the 45s as there was little in it and personally felt the 45s was like a half way house 🤷🏼‍♀️ Just my opinion though 😂

I had decided on black but it had sold out when I got in , so I took the red which I really didn’t want , thinking I’ll get a cheap black strap online .

I won’t though because I love it ❤️😍 it’s a sporty orangey red , not pillar box red .

The reason I didn’t ‘go up’ a model was because I would just lose myself trying to navigate music and there was nothing that I wanted missing on the 45 🤷🏼‍♀️

Also I like the buttons , they are easy to find and definite , I wasn’t interested in faffing about with a touchscreen . Because I’m lethal enough with my phone

The guy in the shop said the 45 was a perfect beginners watch.

Really pleased with it ,I don’t have a big wrist and it looks absolutely fine .

[CatsRun Graduate in reply to RacingintheStreet]

Thanks. Your review is very helpful. I think the "s" bit of the 45s just denotes it is the small one, though I could be wrong.

[RacingintheStreet Graduate in reply to CatsRun]

No you’re right , same spec but I felt not much in it size wise.

I think it just depends how you want it to look 🤷🏼‍♀️

I thought I’d probably go for the 45s but when I saw it I felt it just looked a bit like a ‘bigger’ watch and the 45 looked more distinctive 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ Hard to explain 😂😂

Anyway whatever you eventually go for I’m sure you’ll find it really helpful in understanding what you are achieving .

Such a great programme C25k 🙂

[CatsRun Graduate in reply to RacingintheStreet]

Just seen that the 45s is £30 off on the Amazon Prime Day! Now, what colour..? I was thinking white because then I could wear it to work (black is too heavy a colour for what I do), but now you are saying you like the orangy-red one.. I am no good with choice! Lol, yes, I went into a running shop recently for a gait analysis and to get some new running shoes (my old ones were 12 years old!). I felt very odd, indeed, being in there. C25K is amazing!

[RacingintheStreet Graduate in reply to CatsRun]

Excellent deal 👌 the £30 off certainly nudged me 😂😂

[CatsRun Graduate in reply to RacingintheStreet]

When I checked yesterday the best deal was with Wiggle at £140. At Amazon today it is £110. Seems like it is meant to be!

[RacingintheStreet Graduate in reply to CatsRun]

Definitely 👌😂

[CatsRun Graduate in reply to RacingintheStreet]

Very pleased with the Garmin Forerunner 45s. Have used it on several runs, walks and whilst doing yoga and it's great to see all my activities in one place on the Garmin Connect app.

[RacingintheStreet Graduate in reply to CatsRun]

That’s good 👌 I do love it , a bit of a treat, but we’re worth it 😂🤣💫

[Petem56 Graduate]

Had 2 fitbits, forget those, now use Garmin Fenix 6 pro, expensive, but bought also for hiking and hillwalking (gps with built in maps), like I said expensive but brilliant for me.

One of their runner watches probably will be what you want.

One thing important to me was battery life, mine has approximately 21 days life on average.

[CatsRun Graduate]

That looks an amazing watch, though I don't think I can justify the cost of that one. I think the 45s is looking like the one for me, as a beginner. Thanks

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Avoid Fitbit.

[CatsRun Graduate in reply to John_W]

Thanks. Looks like I'm going to go with the Garmin 45s, a beginners watch which is what I am!

[david_now]

I am looking to buy a sports watch and have looked at several video reviews on YouTube.

The thing nobody seems to discuss is how large and clear the font is.

I have a Huawei band 4 tracker which is great for recording my walks and runs which I view on my phone afterwards but I cannot read the display without my reading glasses, which I don't wear when exercising.

It would be good to glance at the watch and see current pace and distance run.

Any fellow myopic runners care to share their experiences ?

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to david_now]

Garmin shave changeable faces which means you can download one that suits you

[CatsRun Graduate]

I have had the Garmin 45S for about 9 months now. Can easily see distance and pace.. but I wear my glasses while running