Another vote here for “when it stops working”. And even then, I rarely upgrade…pretty much just get a new one of whatever it was.
Timex Ironman?
Garmin 310XT
Garmin 920XT
Garmin 935XT
Garmin 945XT
Garmin 945LTE
Garmin 955 Solar
Garmin 500
Garmin 810
Garmin 820 Complete Turd
Garmin 830
Unless there is some other major update or something breaks, I won’t buy another until another LTE model is released.
Well figure I should provide an update. Just picked up a 2nd hand 955 for $300. Now question is does this go to me or to the wife (who wouldn’t use any of the features other than GPS for running).
Another vote here for “when it stops working”. And even then, I rarely upgrade…pretty much just get a new one of whatever it was.
Timex Ironman?
I bought my Garmin instead of a new Timex, because of Covid… started using Strava to maintain some kind of sense of community with my training friends, the Garmin auto-sync with Strava was the main selling point…
I would like to say whenever it dies, but they rarely fully die.
I started with 920Xt and used it until 2022, then got 745 as a birthday gift.
Now I’m on my 3rd 745, as the altimeter and barometer keep dying every 6-8months. Garmin sends a replacement when contacted. I have a feeling that i will be stuck with this forever, until they stop replacing it.
Garmin 305 (maybe 2009?)
Garmin 310XT (2010 or 2011?) - altimeter or maybe swim distance got wonky, did the REI warranty replacement upgrade
Garmin 910 (2013) - another altimeter or swim thing went wonky, another REI warranty replacement upgrade
Garmin 920XT (2015) - this thing is still working, my husband now uses it for his MTB riding.
Garmin 945 LTE (2022) - this thing is GARBAGE. Originally purchased in April 2022, REI warranty replacement Nov 22 and again in April 23 (altimeter or something else was glitchy). For the April 2023 replacement, REI gave me a very hard time b/c their warranty had changed from the time I purchased it to the current time (taking away the generous defect warranty). My 3rd LTE in 2 years died for good (like I went to sleep Friday and it died and won’t wake back up) and Garmin offered me $330 for a 965. Which is better than full price, but still irritating.
Garmin 965 - hoping this one lasts more than 2 years, b/c for $600, this shit should last a good long time.
Last: Garmin 920XT
Current: Garmin 920XT
Next: Garmin 920XT
Does 99% of what I need it to do, and if it doesn’t do it, I probably don’t need the feature.
If there’s a place to buy another refurbished 920XT, please pass along…the altimeter in mine is kaput so every run I do I gain like 10,000 meters of elevation and my rTSS on a 30 minute jog is like 1,000 lol.
920XT red band. Records OWS tracks better then my friend’s newer Garmin.
Currently 10 years AND COUNTING. I have the 920XT. No signs of it dying anytime soon. Replace the band now & then, that’s it.
I upgrade stuff when it breaks or is no longer functioning.
I’ve found w/watches it’s not so black-and-white.
I replaced my garmin a few years ago, mostly b/c the altimeter had stopped working and that annoyed me.
I’ve got a coros now which, after ~3 years, has a shot battery, so I’ll replace it in the near future.
I think I started using a gps watch in 2015. Those two watches, plus a sunto, have been my only watches during that time.
I upgrade stuff when it breaks or is no longer functioning.
I’ve found w/watches it’s not so black-and-white.
I replaced my garmin a few years ago, mostly b/c the altimeter had stopped working and that annoyed me.
I’ve got a coros now which, after ~3 years, has a shot battery, so I’ll replace it in the near future.
I think I started using a gps watch in 2015. Those two watches, plus a sunto, have been my only watches during that time.
I’m confused. Sounds like you upgraded because they broke/no longer functioned.
I upgrade stuff when it breaks or is no longer functioning.
I’ve found w/watches it’s not so black-and-white.
I replaced my garmin a few years ago, mostly b/c the altimeter had stopped working and that annoyed me.
I’ve got a coros now which, after ~3 years, has a shot battery, so I’ll replace it in the near future.
I think I started using a gps watch in 2015. Those two watches, plus a sunto, have been my only watches during that time.
I’m confused. Sounds like you upgraded because they broke/no longer functioned.
I mean… the Garmin worked fine except for the altimeter. It “functioned,” and on strava if I wanted the elevation data I could get it. So I wouldn’t say it broke or that it no longer functioned, it just no longer functioned as well. All the other features were fine.
This coros works fine as long as I charge it every day - which, that’s a lot closer to being broken, but it does work, I’m about to go for a ride with it in a bit.
So, more a question of tolerable levels of deterioration over time vs. my own inertia/laziness about getting a replacement.
I upgrade stuff when it breaks or is no longer functioning.
I’ve found w/watches it’s not so black-and-white.
I replaced my garmin a few years ago, mostly b/c the altimeter had stopped working and that annoyed me.
I’ve got a coros now which, after ~3 years, has a shot battery, so I’ll replace it in the near future.
I think I started using a gps watch in 2015. Those two watches, plus a sunto, have been my only watches during that time.
I’m confused. Sounds like you upgraded because they broke/no longer functioned.
I mean… the Garmin worked fine except for the altimeter. It “functioned,” and on strava if I wanted the elevation data I could get it. So I wouldn’t say it broke or that it no longer functioned, it just no longer functioned as well. All the other features were fine.
This coros works fine as long as I charge it every day - which, that’s a lot closer to being broken, but it does work, I’m about to go for a ride with it in a bit.
So, more a question of tolerable levels of deterioration over time vs. my own inertia/laziness about getting a replacement.
I get what you’re saying. I’m still using a Garmin 910XT, which I would call “broken” at this point. I can and do use it, but transferring data is a bit hit and miss, sometimes (well, more often than not) it will just shut off in the middle of data transfers. So I will replace it, but I need to decide exactly what I want and how much I’m willing to spend (I’m cheap when it comes to sports gear for myself).
If you just want “record my activity” then a 735 is still a decent watch. What I like about the newer batch of garmins is that you have a slew of watches that are relevant to different use cases/preferences.
I have an Instinct 2 after upgrading from my 935. I really love the increased battery life, but for some people they would think it’s too bulky and the screen sucks.
I got the instinct 2 because I wanted automatic HRV status information. So that was when I was like, “ok I need to upgrade”
What is your current watch lacking? Do you find that it sticks out in social situations because it’s bulky? Would you rather a vivoactive 5? Would you rather a 265? Do you need the top text of the 965 or Fenix?
How often ?
Depends how ofter my Garmin fails.
1st (910XT) in 2014, lasted about 4 years, maybe 5, then the altitude went wrong (that the old trick of warm soapy water and a Tepe brush to clean the baro port, wouldn’t fix)
Next one…about 8 weeks.
Next after that… 6 weeks.
Then went to Polar - still going fine, 5 years on - daughter uses it now. Just needed a new strap.
Got gifted a used 920xt - lasted a year then the battery was goosed and only lasting an hour or so. Did a trade in with that with Garmin for my current 955. That’s 2 years old and going fine
(After the 1st year of software feckup after feckup).
Was just looking at a replacement earlier this eve - as I age my eyes aren’t what they used to be, and wondering about a bigger display and AMOLED !
Debating on upgrading my current Garmin 735XT. Probably a 955, 965, 255, fenix series…to many different watches to look at honestly. Anyone notice a significant difference in moving beyond the old 735xt? I get its old tech, but current watch still works fine.
For me main uses are running workouts, biking, xc sking, hiking etc. Battery life is a non issue as I don’t need extended capabilities.
I don’t know what counts as an upgrade. My first watch was a 310XT that I got in 2010. I used it until it died then I got two more refurbished 310XT because they were pennies on the dollar to getting newer models. I got the 735XT on a black Friday deal for under $100.00 2-3 years ago.
The only functions I Iook at are time, distance, pace, heart rate, cadence. I can get those without any upgrades. I had to put the 310XT under my swim cap to get my swim distance and pace. It is a lot nicer keeping the watch on the wrist and being able to pair it with a swim HRM and count pool laps. I find a lot of the new metrics to be annoying. I am happy with just the basics.
When it breaks
Still using a 935 I bought 6 years ago
Running perfect as far as I can tell
.
No love for the Wahoo Element Rival hey? I was thinking of changing from my 5 year old 935 and wouldn’t mind the Wahoo since I have the Element Bolt. Reviews are mixed online though.