Who has one and what brand/model?

Any recommendations?

I have the basic Fitbit now but wanting to upgrade. Likely going garmin but not sure what model.

TIA

Pretty much every company makes one now with varying degrees of "smart".
2 most common on this board are Apple and Garmin watches. If you want a smarter watch and not as intense activity tracking/GPS/sport modes go Apple. If you want more basic smart features but a great sport and tracking watch go Garmin.
From there sky is the limit. I have the Garmin venu and love it. Shows notifications but you can't interact (reply or talk on the phone) but you can control music, answer the phone, and some other basic controls. It's a cheaper but solid entry level watch that has a lot of pre loaded activities on it.

The new Galaxy Watch 5 comes out next week.

I had a fitbit Ionic for a year or two, but, while I thought it was a great fitness tracker, i thought it was a mediocre-subpar "Smart Watch". I switched to the Galaxy Watch 3 a few years ago and love it. Have been waiting for the 5 since my company reimburses for fitness trackers.

Ignore this if you arent in the android/Samsung ecosystem.

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/samsung-galaxy-watch-5-and-watch-5-pro-ongoing-review-better-battery-bye-bezel/

I just preordered my Pro and they give you a pretty good discount for trading in your old watch on top of a $50 credit for new accessories. I just got two new wall chargers since i always seem to lose those things.

I'm leaning toward the new Garmin Forerunner 955. Pretty expensive but man, does it have everything!

Can confirm, 955 is awesome if you're settled on a running focused watch. I ordered mine right when they dropped and it has been excellent. I'm a data nerd, so all the info you get from wearing regularly is really interesting. HRV is very cool and has been fun to watch over time. If you haven't already looked, DC Rainmaker probably has the most comprehensive Garmin reviews on the web.


I came from a 245, which also worked really well for me. Shameless plug: I just listed my 245 in classifieds if you want a cheaper trial run into the running focused watch world.
https://texags.com/forums/50/topics/3309054/replies/62728849#62728849

BackRoad Dan said:

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I'm leaning toward the new Garmin Forerunner 955. Pretty expensive but man, does it have everything!

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Don't look up the Fenix line.

My smart watch is a g shock with daily atomic time sync and solar power.

It sets itself and powers itself. It's all the watch I need.

I think the Garmin watches are pretty badass.

If you go for a Garmin, check out whether your insurance company offers a discount. BCBS does 20% off through the blue365 site.

I have a fenix 7 solar and enjoy it. It's the same internals of the 955 with a metal case. Can't go wrong with either.

The instinct 2 solar also looks pretty sweet. Shares many of the features with a more durable case and for much less money.

Apple is a better smart watch that is getting better at sports. Garmin is a better sport watch that can do some smart things.

Fenix 6s

Prior watch was the 5x

The Pilot said:

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BackRoad Dan said:

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I'm leaning toward the new Garmin Forerunner 955. Pretty expensive but man, does it have everything!

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Don't look up the Fenix line.

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What does the fenix have that the 955 doesn't?

htxag09 said:

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The Pilot said:

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BackRoad Dan said:

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I'm leaning toward the new Garmin Forerunner 955. Pretty expensive but man, does it have everything!

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Don't look up the Fenix line.

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What does the fenix have that the 955 doesn't?

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I'm not familiar with the 955 but when I bought my Fenix 5x the other Garmin watches all had shorter battery life. The Fenix also has a sapphire glass option.

Fenix has:
-Better battery life (larger battery)
-Metal case
-Sapphire glass with the solar version
-More expensive

955 has:
-HRV monitoring
-Plastic case
-Less Expensive

HRV is a software feature that's coming to the Fenix at some point. Assume that there's software parity between the high-end watches (Enduro, 955, Fenix 7).

DCRainmaker Comparison Tool

The larger battery and sapphire glass likely will keep me in the Fenix line. My previous Garmin watches (all in the forerunner family) the face would start showing its age after a couple of years. I wear my Fenix all the time, still looks great.

I'd say the battery delta is negligible at this point. The 955 solar gets 20 days in smartwatch mode. The fenix 7 sapphire solar gets 22 days.

To me, the main difference is do you want a nicer looking, bigger, heavier watch vs a lighter sportier looking watch. That and the sapphire.

But as far as features, they're about the same. Used to be the fenix line had lots of software upgrades over the forerunner, not so anymore.

I just got the 955 a few weeks ago. I have never had a "smart" watch before so still getting adjusted to it. I just used my phone and a heart rate monitor for many years but it feels great to leave the "world" (phone) at home and run. When I race I use an old timex ironman watch that I have to ducktape to my arm because the band broke off years ago- it is sentimental and superstition
So far I am very happy with the 955. I was going to get either the fenix 7x or Epix 2 but thanks to DC rainmaker I finally pulled the trigger on the 955 at half the price.

I "bought" the 955 after a few years of slowing accruing health insurance rewards points. It has been pretty great, GPS with the multiband or whatever is extremely accurate when I go back and check my tracks, even under trees, near buildings, etc. Old Garmin would wander and cut corners. I'll say however, that it burns the battery pretty quickly. I charge it at ~20pct up to ~80pct about 2 times a week with probably 8 hours of running/week. I put a screen protector on it, so not too worried about the screen. Nice watch. They priced the 255 too high and the 955 lower, such that it made the 955 more enticing. I would recommend it.

I've heard there is a battery drain issue with the 955 they are working on. Basically if you use another sensor, like a hr monitor, the watch keeps searching for the sensor even when the run is over, so drains really quickly. The work around has been to restart the watch until they release a fix.

ETA: I don't have a 955 so not personal experience. But just what I've read in reviews and online. But I would be surprised if this isn't happening to you, the watch shouldn't need to be charged twice a week.

I went with the Forerunner 955. Loving it so far! I was stuck between it and the fenix. Chose it because it's a lightweight watch, which I'm use to a Fitbit. And a bit cheaper with the same capability.

I also like the music function, which wasn't on my radar when I started looking. Basically I downloaded a handful of Amazon Music playlists and it syncs up to my AirPods. No need to bring my phone on runs!

Does anyone get much use out of the HVR Status? Does it guide your activity in any way? How so?

I think I'm supposed to wear it for 3 weeks at night before it's 'dialed in'.

No. I haven't read much into it, or it's meaning. It's not news to me that I didn't sleep enough, am tired, etc. If it's a workout day, I run hard, if it's not I don't. Don't want the watch hurting mentality before I've even started. Some running friends will say "my hrv is ___. Going to be a tough day, etc". You've already given yourself an excuse.

I monitor my HRV via an Oura ring, not my Garmin (to preserve battery life). I use HRV as an indicator to my body's reaction to stress. If I see my HRV trending down I might back off a little bit and focus on better self care as I might be getting sick or my body just needs a little rest. I don't change my workouts drastically unless I start feeling bad.

Garmin Enduro after 4+ years with the Fenix 5x. Just didn't have the juice for 100-milers so required an upgrade but still a great watch.

Fenix 5

Love it.

I bought a used Fenix 5+ Sapphire off FB Marketplace last week and I love it. Cost me $150 and has some minor scuffing on the outer border but I'm very happy with my buy.

Another vote for the Fenix 5 Sapphire. I also like that it looks like a real watch, not a small computer on my wrist (personal preference, obviously). I got mine certified refurbished a few years ago and you absolutely cannot tell that it wasn't brand new.

I have used the Apple Watch, Garmin Felix and Polar Vantage. All worked well and had a lot of info and feedback. I used a heart rate monitor with both the Felix and Polar. The Garmin and Polar excelled at keeping me with in the proper heart rate zones. The Apple lacks in that capacity. I primarily use all Apple products so I keep going back to the Apple Watch. I am 57 so I do not need all the deep metrics. If you want feedback and metrics go with the Garmin or Polar. If you are an Apple user and need basic fitness info stick with the Apple Watch.

if anyone is looking, i have a Fenix 3 that i need to sell. I upgraded to a Fenix 6 a while back for longer battery life, but its still a great watch. I was getting about 16 hours of GPS use out of it, so probably good for 100K and down without having to charge on the go. Just the watch and the charger, no HR monitor. Its still in great condition. I'll let it go for a $100.

I'm a fan of the Fenix for the golf and skiing capabilities.

Intrigued. I've had a refurb venu sitting in the amazon cart for about 2 weeks now. It's $144 and I doubt it goes much lower.

I lost my vivoactive 2(?) this summer.

I don't need to make calls or reply to texts or emails from my phone.

I've had a Garmin Fenix 3 since 2016 and love it. The new Apple Watch Ultra, however, looks so bad ass I might have to make the switch. The only thing that sucks about it is the 2.5 day battery life.

https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-ultra/

I'd be curious how well the Apple "precision dual frequency" GPS compares to Garmin.

My old fitbit GPS was terrible (lost reception, cut corners, etc.).

Been very impressed with Garmin so far.

Garmin is having a sale on their website on some of their watches today.