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Hi
My watch has died and currently using a Timex Ironman but thinking of entering the age of tech???
Ease of use is very important as I’m a bit thick and big numbers as I only wear glasses for reading and don’t have them on most of the time.
would like to have gps, comms integration, fitness tracking HR etc. Working with iOS would benefit too
Budget about £250
Any thoughts or am I miles away from the real world?
Cheers
Steve
From here I recently purchased an Apple Watch for the wife. Without being rude, she needs something that “just works” with the least amount of user input.....she doesn’t like technology.
incredibly easy to use and set up. She uses it for running and gym sessions. Slightly over budget if purchased new, but might be worth having a look at the second hand market?
A quick Google brought this link up, no idea about the site, but again be worth some reading to find out if it’s legit....
Garmin 235?
You can get the latest Apple Watch under your budget, keep an eye on hot UK deals website. I guess some retailers are clearing stock as the new one is just around the corner. Paid under £200 a few weeks ago for the cellular version, off the Nike website. Was a bit sceptical before I bought it but it’s a great device, very simple/intuitive.
Garmin Vivoactive HR is what I have. I’d rather have an Apple Watch but the Garmin was miles cheaper and is great for training, HR etc and does some call, text, reminder, calendar integration.
Forerunner 35, does everything you need well and very easy to use too.
My Garmin 235 is very flaky ... personally I would find it difficult to recommend
Hi
Thanks for the replies.
Quite fancy an Apple Watch actually.
Excuse my ignorance but what’s the difference between cellular and non cellular?
Is it important to have cellular?
Cheers
Steve
If you are on EE network (only, unfortunately) then the cellular version has a virtual SIM card that allows you to use it to make calls, access the net etc without requiring a mobile phone. It means you can go for a run or swim, leave your phone behind but still be contactable. Very cool but requires you to be on or change to EE plus pay an extra £5/month for the service.
Samsung Galaxy Watch looks very good. World with iOS and Android
Garmin Vivoactive 3
I have a vivoactive HR, it's brilliant, can't recommend it enough, Apparently the Vivoactive 3 is lots better though.
Working with IOS is a red herring tbh, all devices will integrate witch any platform, via garmin connect or whatever they use.
Apple Watch is excellent if you're using an iPhone and can deal with daily charging. I only find that an annoyance if you stay away from home and have another cable to pack.
Cellular only if you want to be contactable when away from your phone. I can see the benefit if you like surfing, kayaking, etc where it's not practical to carry a phone, or if you run for long enough and need to keep in touch. I run to get a break from calls and texts though.
Forerunner 235HR works for me.
Vivoactive 3, use it for everything. If I'm using my Garmin edge I use it to broadcast hr, or for shorter rides great for standalone device. Works well, lots of watch faces to choose from and Bluetooth link to my phone has been perfect.
I like the TomTom watches - the adventurer you can even follow breadcrumb trails.
Leyzne do one as well.
This guys pretty good at reviewing whats out there:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews
If you are not looking for anything to go past 4 hours then the Tom Tom Runners not a bad watch, if you are planning anything that will require all day performance though then maybe better to look at a Garmin or Suunto.
Sports Pursuit are knocking out the Garmin Fenix 3 with wrist based HRM at the moment. I bought one at Xmas and love the thing. Worth a look, although think around £290
I recently got Garmin 235hr and I've found it spot on for me. Good battery life (7+ days), always on screen, notifications from the phone (does both but I'm on ios), gps works well, hr tracking (though not for proper activity tracking - it's good for resting hr monitoring but I find it inaccurate against a proper hrm for harder activities)
I have had 3 apple watches and originally thought they were ok. I got fed up with the last one and bought a Garmin fenix 5. Its like night and day. The Garmin is more of a sports watch that does a bit of lifestyle stuff and the apple watch is a lifestyle watch that does a bit of sports stuff. I got fed up of the apple watch poof battery life and inaccurate gps tracking and heart rate monitoring. No good at all for serious training. The garmin is much better. you can tell its a dedicated sports watch. The hr monitoring is constant and accurate and the GPS tracking is very good. The battery last ages too. I would struggle to get a day from the apple watch when tracking.
Garmin are not perfect but they seem to have done a good job with the watches.
I like my 235 but after two years the battery life is starting to drop off quite dramatically.
Interesting to hear that. Wonder if you can get them replaced like you can on their GPSs
i've read they will do a replacement for £85. given you can pick them up on sale for the £150 mark fairly frequently I'm not sure that stacks up. I'll keep it going for a while longer and probably get a fenix 5s.