I’m looking for the best watch for running only. Don’t need it for swimming/biking.
Which garmin is best? Are other brands catching up?
What functions do you want? I’m partial to Garmin but Timex and others are making decent watches. Some are loaded with features, others are really basic, so it comes down to what you need it to do.
If you want something super basic for speed, distance, time, and splits, it’s hard to beat the Forerunner 10. If you need all the bells and whistles like a customizable screen, virtual partners, and a touch screen, the Garmin 610 works.
Garmin 210 is all you need. Very happen with mine for last 2 years. 405 was a pain and 110 just not enough
Soleus Running, headquartered here in Austin, has been providing us with watches for just over a year. I’ve recently been wearing their GPS Fit 1.0. For a basic running GPS without any bells and whistles, it’s hard to beat for $100. We’ve also got a 3.0 that Amy’s wearing and a Vibe on the way. But, so far the 1.0 and 3.0 (if you need a HR monitor) have been doing the trick.
Garmin Forerunner 10. Check out DCRainmaker’s review of it on his site. Plus he offers a discount through a vendor. Both my wife and I have one.
The 310 has been on buydig for awhile under $200 with a HRM. It is more customizeable and has a better battery than the 210. It is 90% of the 910 at 60% of the price. Just search around for a 15-20% coupon to get to that price.
As an run only watch I don’t think you can beat the Garmin 210. It’s solid and does exactly what it needs to do every. single. time. It’s never crapped out on me once and is also compatible with a footpod for indoor or ultra marathons. It’s small, unobtrusive and I also wear it as an everyday watch. If you don’t need gps then the fr70 is a cracking watch too.
Soleus Running, headquartered here in Austin, has been providing us with watches for just over a year. I’ve recently been wearing their GPS Fit 1.0. For a basic running GPS without any bells and whistles, it’s hard to beat for $100. We’ve also got a 3.0 that Amy’s wearing and a Vibe on the way. But, so far the 1.0 and 3.0 (if you need a HR monitor) have been doing the trick.
Could you give more information on the Soleus GPS Vibe 2.0 watch? All I could find is the manual.
I can’t as I haven’t looked at the manual yet or actually seen on in person. We didn’t give those a look at The Running Event that was here in Austin and haven’t got our hands on one yet. I suspect they’ll have ‘vibrating’ splits in addition to the beeping, but I don’t know for sure. They’ll be basic, probably downloadable. I’m going to pilot/beta strava some of my runs to see how the interface on the 1.0 fit and 3.0 are.
So, for a purely running watch, the Polar RC3 is pretty sweet. It’s a bit more spendy than a Garmin 210, but it is very svelte…I wear it as my every day watch. It is also far better at instantaneous running pace than any Garmin I’ve ever owned (and I am generally a big Garmin fan, having the FR305 and the 310XT).
Spot
I’ll second the forerunner 210…a no fuss gps watch for running…works great.
I have the Garmin 610 and couldn’t be happier with it. I also have a 910xt for swim / biking but if I’m just running I go to the 610 every time.
I have the Garmin 610 and couldn’t be happier with it. I also have a 910xt for swim / biking but if I’m just running I go to the 610 every time.
Why’s that?
My wife got me the Garmin 10 for Christmas. I love it! It can show pace or speed so it works running or cycling. Four fields tracking stats while on the move (two screens to scroll between). It is one of the only gps watches that you can wear swimming. All for an entry level price.
Highly recommended. Never had problems with dropping signal after 50 or 60 sessions.
I don’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles but to be honest I would probably like them. I’ve looked at the 610 and 405 a bit but wanted to check out polar and Nike as well
Garmin Forerunner 10. Check out DCRainmaker’s review of it on his site. Plus he offers a discount through a vendor. Both my wife and I have one.
+1
Best GPS watch I’ve used for “current pace” (which is really what I care about…I know how far all my routes are).