Which Garmin watch?

[Mandaree]

Hey Everyone, I currently have a Fitbit Charge 3, but I am looking to upgrade to something more running focused. I also find that my Fitbit really varies in its accuracy when tracking distance of a run.

I am interested in Garmins, but there are so many different watches that it is a bit overwhelming!

I am looking for something that tracks running, other fitness activities, steps, sleep tracking, heart rate, and is water proof. Not bothered too much about smart watch features such as Pay or music.

Suggestions? What fitness watch do you use?

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Based on your needs I’d recommend the Vivoactive 3. The 4 is the newer model which I’m assuming is similar, but will obviously have a higher price tag. 💰

I used my husband’s redundant Vivo for a while, but it’s overkill for what I need so I’ve given it to my daughter and stuck with my trusty Forerunner 235 (also excellent). The Vivo does so much more though, including being waterproof. There’s also a music version, but you say you don’t need that.

Have fun choosing. 😀

[Mandaree Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you! I had been looking at the Vivoactives

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I have a garmin forerunner 235 too. Has been fab for me. I would say the sleep recording isn't as accurate as fitbit ... but hey, you want it for running right? The forerunner is defunct now I think ,but that means you may be able to get a bargain of course.

[werekitty]

I have just bought a vivoactive 4 as the Fitbit wasn't able to measure pace etc. Now trying it out but it seems very intuitive.

[Hidden]

I switched from Garmin to Polar. I have the Vantage V. I find HR and GPS more realistic, and the battery lasts 40 hours active use, so you wouldn't have to recharge during a massively long run. But the biggest bonus for me is that i can read the screen so much more easily than the Garmin I had. They do the Vantage M with 30 hours active battery, and the Ignite which is a lot cheaper, does all the running stats but not such a long battery.

[Mandaree Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I have heard that the Garmin screens are a bit hard to read and dark!

[Hidden in reply to Mandaree]

That’s what I found, and that was on the Fenix5s. The Polar is easy for my old lady eyes to read without glasses and is full colour

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Wanting a waterproof watch restricts the choice available mandaree, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one that suits. My friend has a vivoactive which she uses for swimming as well as running. Do shop around, prices vary enormously.