Well I would still recommend my Garmin 735xt after using it for over 3 years. Meets all your requirements including slim and lightweight and has an optical HR built in. However with slim you also get less battery life and fwiw, I am on my 3rd one. Garmin has replaced each under warranty but I can be exceptionally hard on my gear in general. Garmin has always been very good about replacing my own gear, no affiliation with them, but it can be hassle. I keep a spare 910xt on hand just for this reason.

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thanks for the recommendation. it definitely checks the boxes and some. a bit on the pricier side of things and difficult for me to justify the biking/swimming and other non-running features of the watch for $250+

Garmin forerunner 230/235.

Just wondering what it failed for each time and you managed to get it warrantied for free.

Garmin Forerunner 25

/endthread

DCRainmaker's basic running watch recommendations are the Garmin Vivoactive 3, Polar M430, and Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR. I have a 735XT and love it. And my friends who only run love thier 735s as well. However, the Vivoative 3 packs a ton of features for its price.

What is the budget?

For me I have a 735xt, which is great but sounds like you just want a basic running watch with GPS. In that case the forerunner 25 or 230 should work just fine.

The Vivoactive 3 is a touchscreen. For me that made it undesirable for running due to sweat, rain, etc. It’s definitely a good all-arounder.

For pure running watch I would agree with earlier recommendations of Garmin 25/230/235.

Good catch-- I didn't know that. Ditto: scratch the Vivoactive 3 from the list.

Of the Garmins, that leaves the 25, 35, and 235 as the all-arounders, depending on budget. The 25 lacks wrist HR, if that is important. The 35 is incredibly capable for the price, and only lacks a few of the advanced training and FirstBeat analytics of the 235.

I would like to stay under $200.

As someone pointed out, I think I would prefer buttons over a touchscreen. I can't imagine trying to swipe a small screen full of sweat. The Garmin Forerunner 35 is comparable to the 235. Lacks the Race Predictor and Pace Alert, but offsets with a Virtual Pacer so I think I'd be covered. And I see the 35 is on sale at Best Buy for $100, so half the price of the 235. I think this will be the one...

Timex Ironman.

Honestly, the Apple Watch if you want to keep things simple. I use this all without my phone. I have used the Strava app, can listen to music on headphones if I want, and have Apple Pay and Starbucks card so can stop and get post run meal, etc. when traveling out of town. I don’t find it as accurate as my Garmin but it is small and simple. I do tend to default to my Garmin just because it is more accurate and I have a more dressed up band on my Apple Watch than the sport band, but it does work and you only need one watch.

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I miss you "Sports Night"

I used a Garmin FR25 for years. No HR, but other than that, great watch.
Get the FR35 if you really need HR (you don't).

Now I use my Coros Apex which I use for SBR, indoor and outdoor training. It kicks ass. Best bang for the buck. But way more than a FR35.

I'm watching this thread. Don't think you'll get what you want for under $200 so I'm curious too.

I use a Casio w-201 because it's only 2.08 ounces with a 9mm thickness. I'm so thin and weak that everything else seems bulky and heavy to me. Good water resistance and sweat resistance. The watch bands fail after several years. Cost $15.

In the last two weeks, three people raved about their iWatch. I was impressed too. Heart rate, GPS, lap counting and calorie function. However it's $250 plus it's clunky compared to the Casio, I'm staying put for the $15 replacement cost.

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Indoor Triathlete - I thought I was right, until I realized I was wrong.

FYI, the Garmin 45-- successor to the Garmin 35-- is also imminent at $200. That is probably why the 35 is on sale for so cheap. If the latest-and-greatest matters, it might be worth waiting a few days to see that one.

The specs in the leak are light, but here is the link: https://www.activejr.com/...and-45-specs-leaked/

thanks, this was helpful. i think i'll be OK with the 35. the only thing i'd be interested in is the smaller size 45s, but can't justify the price.