Garmin watches

[Captainfussy]

Looking for recommendations for a garmin watch

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

I think it really depends what’s important to you and how much you want to spend.

Entry level forerunners are much loved on here. I have a 265s which I absolutely love (and hate when it’s too bossy!). The more expensive models have fans too.

Garmin has a tool to help here…

garmin.com/en-AU/which-watc...

It recommended me the one I have and love so might be useful!

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate]

I've had the Forerunner 45 for a couple of years and am very happy with it. My husband has a much more sophisticated watch -955 possibly? It has far more bells and whistles, he can control the stereo on our boat with it, not something I particularly ask for in a running watch

His watch has a lot more options than mine but I tend to get a bit too fascinated by numbers and stats so it suits me better to keep it simple. Plus it was a lot cheaper.

Have to say I'm very tempted by the top of the range solar powered Garmin watches if anyone wants to buy me a Christmas present but they are a bit too pricy for me!

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Ive got the Forerunner 45 too, had it about 18 months and I have to say it does most of what I need, although the battery doesn't seem to last very long, but then I get all my notifications etc too. I keep looking at the other models but I guess its a bit of, I don't know what I don't know, so because I don't know what else I want I don't know f I need to upgrade!

[Pugwash Graduate]

As always with such 'advice', it depends on your needs. Mine are simple and so the bargain basement (relatively) of Amazfit's 'Bip' range have served me well over the last five years. I know it isn't a Garmin but it covers all of the essential data and lots I don't need. The cheapest in the Bip range use your phone's GPS via bluetooth so caveat emptor; make sure it has GPS integral to the watch.

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

I have an old forerunner 35 ( I think?) - the square one. It's fine on a run but not comfortable enough to wear all day.I'm about to upgrade to a 255s (the smaller size of the 255). I thought about the 265 but I've decided I don't need anything fancy. I always take my phone on a run anyway.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

You can spend anything between £100 and £700 ... I spent £130 on a Garmin Forerunner 55 ... and I do a lot of running - it has all the functions I need.

[Deals1 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Hi John. can i please ask a question re yr forerunner 55? I got one for Christmas 😁 but I'm not sure if the VO2 max is working right. The date on my watch is 6 jan for VO2 max screen. I get how the VO2 works.. but I thought the date would change each time I recorded a new activity?? I've recorded several outdoor runs since 6 jan... But the date hasn't changed. Thanks in advance

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Deals1]

That sounds a bit odd. Can you take a photo & post here?

[Deals1 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Yep I think a bit odd too. I've actually just emailed me garmin support... So see what they may respond. Here's some pics. Thanks

Watch face

[Deals1 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Screenshot of app

Screenshot

[Deals1 Graduate in reply to John_W]

And another. App also says 6.jan. I've tried on and off on both devices and checked for updates etc....

Screenshot

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Deals1]

Obvious question - have you checked the time & date settings on your watch?

[Deals1 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Yep.... That's upto date with today's correct date. Thanks. Sometimes it's the obvious that's missed.. So good question. Thanks

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Deals1]

Another thing to check - the heart-rate monitor is switched on. If there's no HR reading, likely you'll get no VO2max measure.

[Deals1 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Yep heart rate monitor working and on. Thanks.

[Jell6 Graduate]

I recently got the Venu 3S ( there's a Venu 3 for larger wrists) I love it❤️

[nowster Graduate]

It all depends on what level of activity you're doing, especially how long your activities are.

I started with a vivoactive3, but needed to move on to something a little more running specific when I started to have problems with the battery charge barely lasting long enough when my runs were getting to be 2½ hours and longer.

Bells and whistles are just that. If all you want to know is how far you've gone, what your heart rate was doing, and how fast you went, pretty much any current watch will suffice.