Daily wearable GPS run watch

Triathlon Forum
1

Peeps.

Can anybody recommend a watch with basic (or advanced, but basic will do) GPS run capability that will also serve well as a daily wearable watch?

Only really need basic run stuff like distance, time, average pace, mile/lap pace, and probably HR either via strap or built in.

Important to me is the ability to use without GPS enabled with a “watch-like” time display that extends battery life to something that doesn’t make you hate the thing for having to recharge all the time. But can use as GPS sports watch on demand.

Not that arsed about aesthetics.

Does such a thing exist? Is this a Fenix or something?

Thanks ST. Cheers, Rich.

2

I really love my Garmin 645 as a daily watch. It’s a dedicated run watch that looks good in the office. I’ve got the non-music version as I’ve always got my phone with me anyways.

3

The Apple does basic GPS fitness tracking. However, I like Garmins way better, unless the advanced device options of the AW are a priority. The 735XT, 935, and 6xx watches are all good daily wear devices. The Fenix adds some style but are essentially the same as the 935.

4

The wife has a Samsung Gear 2 Sport. I think checks all your boxes.

5

Garmin Vivoactive 3.

6

I use a Garmin Vivoactive HR for workout tracking and daily wear as a watch. It’s not great-looking compared to an Apple watch or something, but works fine for what I need it for.

7

I’m also going to recommend the Garmin Vivoactive 3. Decided to replace my Garmin Vivoactive HR with it, since it looks more like a watch. I actually get a lot of questions and compliments from non-runners about it.

8

I just picked up an AmazFit Bip watch for $65 on Amazon and have been very impressed

Pros:

  • low cost
  • 1 month battery life
  • GPS syncs in 1/3 time of my Garmin 910
  • sleep tracker
  • step tracker, calorie counter, optical HRM
  • accuracy agrees with Garmin on HRM and Distance

Cons:

  • not waterproof rated ( but I’ve gone swimming and showering many times with it)
  • cheap but durable materials, looks like a timex iWatch
  • phone sync is not super stable
  • doesn’t seem to sync to social training apps on Strava, Apple, TP, etc…but I haven’t tried too hard.

This got a great review in WSJ as ‘ the smart watch we’ve been waiting for’. The ‘Activity’’ tab has running, treadmill, cycling, and a few more. Easy interface and great battery are my favorite features

9

I’m also going to recommend the Garmin Vivoactive 3. Decided to replace my Garmin Vivoactive HR with it, since it looks more like a watch. I actually get a lot of questions and compliments from non-runners about it.
I just got this as well (music version) I like it alot, though the battery life does not seem as good as the Vivoactive HR

10

Vivoactive 3. Good for running, gym, like others said non runners at the office often compliment it.

11

I bought a Garmin 230 to do just that.

In hindsight I wish I’d bought the 235.

12

I’ve got a ‘new’ reconditioned Vivoactive (the original one) that you can have if you pay shipping and PayPal fee - maybe $15. I had one for about two years, then one button stopped working. Garmin sent me a replacement, but I decided to go with a 735, which is more daily watch. It doesn’t do wrist HR, but can work with a HR strap, which I prefer to inaccurate optical HR.

13

That AmazFit thing looks cool

The Garmin Forerunner 35 is great. GPS and optical HRM, very durable and waterproof. $169.

14

I have the first generation vivoactive and love it.

15

Suunto Spartan Trainer HR wrist. Multisport too…

16

I want to hear more about this.

I just picked up an AmazFit Bip watch for $65 on Amazon and have been very impressed

Pros:

  • low cost
  • 1 month battery life
  • GPS syncs in 1/3 time of my Garmin 910
  • sleep tracker
  • step tracker, calorie counter, optical HRM
  • accuracy agrees with Garmin on HRM and Distance

Cons:

  • not waterproof rated ( but I’ve gone swimming and showering many times with it)
  • cheap but durable materials, looks like a timex iWatch
  • phone sync is not super stable
  • doesn’t seem to sync to social training apps on Strava, Apple, TP, etc…but I haven’t tried too hard.

This got a great review in WSJ as ‘ the smart watch we’ve been waiting for’. The ‘Activity’’ tab has running, treadmill, cycling, and a few more. Easy interface and great battery are my favorite features

17

I just took it on a 5 day cross country trip - by the time we landed my wife put her iWatch into power save mode reducing it to a dumb digital watch, meanwhile I tracked a couple runs, my day’s sightseeing step-count and a few dips in the water without ever getting below 75% charge.

The screen is not very ambitious, it is I think backlit LCD. It looks like my kids old game boy, but that is the key to the great battery life. There are colors, GPS tracks following a workout and a push-button backlight for night time viewing.

It’s hard to go wrong at the prIce.

18

Thanks all for suggestions, lots of good info to digest. At the minute I think I’m toying between Vivoactive 3 and FR 235, but have to admit I’m fascinated by this Amazfit device.

ST delivers, thanks guys.

19

I wear the Fenix 5x.

20

I had the vivoactive and replaced with a Fenix 3 (support for bike PM). Both wore daily. I think I charge around once a week (more if I actually use GPS).

I think the fenix is a sharper looking watch, bit the vivoactive 3 has a very similar look. My original vivoactive was smaller, definitely.

Vivoactive is a touch screen; Fenix is not. Can’t comment on other watches (I had a 910xt but very seldom wore, not a daily use watch in any case).