You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Can anyone recommend a watch that’s compatible with Strava routes? Ideally it’ll allow me to follow a route, record a ride and have a battery that lasts all day. I’m not hugely concerned about a full on training tracker but I wouldn’t rule it out, the main thing I want to do is follow routes without having to pull my phone out of my pocket every 5 minutes.
I reckon if the Apple watch supported Strava routes I’d get that. As far as I can tell it doesn’t so I’m considering the Garmin Forerunner series (probably 245?) but would love to hear other suggestions.
A forerunner would be my thought too.
Could you mount the phone on the handle bar?
Could you mount the phone on the handle bar?
That might be an option, I quite like the idea of leaving the phone behind entirely though.
I don’t pay for Strava now so can’t download routes. But if you can download gpx (maybe fit too) then you can upload them to an Apple Watch and display them on an openstreetmap using WorkOutDoors app. It won’t give you turn by turn directions but it’s better than following a breadcrumb trail.
I have a Garmin instinct and a Apple watch, prefer the instinct as a proper training tool but the apple for following routes using WorkOutDoors. You do have to buy the app but it wasn’t more than a fiver iirc
Strava to GPX app will let you download a GPX from anyone's Strava ride you can view.
I've got a Fenix 3, which will follow a breadcrumbs trail, I've mounted it on the bars for the few times I've used it (using pipe insulation for a simple handlebar mount), it simply shows "turn left in 100m", "turn right now" type directions. It doesn't need a phone signal which is a key requirement for me.
The newer fenix ones have funky full colour mapping, which is cool, but doesn't justify the upgrade cost for me.
iPhone. My Garmin was way off on height gain etc.
Garmin uses air pressure for altitude, on a calm day it's fine, when it's stormy it's rubbish. Strava can correct it to map calculations after upload which helps.
Fenix 5 sapphire here and it is great for what you want. Spendy but i exercise 3 or 4 times q week, wear it every day and charge it maybe once a fortnight.
Fenix 6 pro, you get maps, routes, music and more stats than you can shake a stick at. If like me you've tiny wrists get the S.
Stock answer is a Garmin. I quite like the interface of Suunto watches though you get considerable excitement never quite knowing if they App or upload services are working from one day to the next (slight exaggeration but can be very flaky).
If it's for a bike wouldn't you be better with a bike GPS? If you use a watch you'll always have to take a hand off the bars to check the route. I'd imagine a watch is going to struggle with a full day whilst showing a route on screen, recording the route and your heart rate. This is based on my vivoactive 3.
I bought a Garmin edge explore to do what you want.
I went with a refurbished Apple Watch and the Workoutdoors app and I have to say it’s perfect for what I was after. I can export a route from Strava into Workoutdoors and it’ll show me a map with my current location and orientation and a line showing my route.
Thanks for all the advice!
A Forerunner 235 has worked well for me for years. Downloaded the DW maps app for it and that will take a route from Strava to show a breadcrumb display. Can be a bit tricky around built up areas with lots of route choice but it definitely saves time not having to get a map out as often.
You on the bike or running? I recommended a forerunner but it’ll not be great for cycling, you want an Edge for that, the 530 would be a start point.
For a bike, get a bike gps. Trying to look at your wrist for navigation will just be annoying.
Fair enough, if an apple watch works for you, then great.