You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I’m looking to upgrade from my FR35, mainly for improved notifications and something a bit nicer looking. My short list is
Forerunner 45
Forerunner 245
Vivoactive 3
They are all very similar, the original thought was a Vivoactive but I’m a bit concerned about reports of elevation recording errors. A few of you seem to have the Vivoactive, anyone experience this issue?
Thanks,
A reduced price 235 as new ones are out now, still a great watch, similarly fenix 5 and 5s selling cheaper now too
Thanks, I’d looked at the 235 but it’s a little large and the 245 looked a good bit better in a recent review. The Fenix whilst reduced is too speedy for me.
Elevation on vivoactive 3 was less than 1% out on Ben Vane today, checked against map and OS app.
That's good by my reckoning.
I upgraded from the VAHR, it's a great watch.
jsync, this probably sounds very cheeky, but are you going to sell your 35? My wife keeps borrowing my Fenix 3 for her runs!
The 235 and 245 are the same size I believe
The 235 and 245 are the same size I believe
That's what I thought as well. You can get some incredible deals on the 235 and I couldn't see what the 245 has that you would actually use. It's newer and shinier though but unless you are going for the music version I think that's about it
Standard STW recommend what you have response-
Garmin Instinct? Had mine since Christmas and I really like it. No touch screen is a bonus and it's tough. I wear it everyday (work as a fabricator) and it never misses a beat.
I've had the 245 for a few weeks as an update to a Polar m400, mainly for battery life. I did have the m430 but sent it back as the wrist based hrm was very inaccurate on my wrists.
I was really unsure about the 245 as generally, the other Garmin kit I have is a bit crap (except an old etrex h that I still use, it's from the 90's).
The 245 has been fine and I'm getting to grips with Connect rather than Polar's version which is excellent. The only thing I've found I don't like is the way it takes a lap. The m400 takes a manual lap from the start, the 245 from the last auto lap. Minor but it makes timing an 9ut and back more if a faff. The hrm is accurate to within 1 or 2 beats vs a chest strap over 100 bpm which is fine. There's also a lot of extraneous options and 'stuff' that I'm just not interested in but YMV.
I couldn't decide between that and the Polar Vantage M so bought them both. The Vantage is still in its original packaging unloved so that tells you something...
I've had the 245 for a few weeks as an update to a Polar m400, mainly for battery life. I did have the m430 but sent it back as the wrist based hrm was very inaccurate on my wrists.
I was really unsure about the 245 as generally, the other Garmin kit I have is a bit crap (except an old etrex h that I still use, it's from the 90's).
The 245 has been fine and I'm getting to grips with Connect rather than Polar's version which is excellent. The only thing I've found I don't like is the way it takes a lap. The m400 takes a manual lap from the start, the 245 from the last auto lap. Minor but it makes timing an out and back more of a faff. The hrm is accurate to within 1 or 2 beats vs a chest strap over 100 bpm which is fine. There's also a lot of extraneous options and 'stuff' that I'm just not interested in but YMV.
I couldn't decide between that and the Polar Vantage M so bought them both. The Vantage is still in its original packaging unloved so that tells you something...
@NoBeer - Sounds promising, although there are reported issues of it randomly starting to give false readings. Some users have been able to remedy by clearing the sensor hole on the unserside of the watch, so maybe a non issue.
@Firestarter + Leffeboy - The 235 is 45mm and 245 is 42mm, and the flat screen maked the 235 seem even bigger still. The HRM is reported to be a lot more accurate on the 245 and it has the new incident detection feature that appeals.
@Piesoup - Yes , assuming a riding buddy doesn't want it and I actually decide. I'll let you know if that's the case.
@Boblo - Sounds good, how well are the notifications handled?
Thanks all.
Notifications from a Smartphone? If so, fine. Instant messaging, email, WhatsApp, SMS etc all good. The only gotcha was when testing I was messaging me to me on the same phone and that's not picked up which made me think it was NF until I tried from another phone. All easy peasy but not for me as I don't run with a phone.
If anyone is still interested in this, for your referral I’m pretty certain it is only the Vivoactive music that has incident detection. I guess that leaves the 45 or 245 then 🤔
I'd be getting the 245 non music tbh I don't listen to music very often and most of the time I have my phone anyway so I can just listen to that if need be
@piesoup Amazon have the 35 for £80 on their prime deals.