New Garmin or something else?

[pinkxray]

I am hoping to sign up for the 1/2 marathon in Nov. I’ve been out of really running for about 4 years due to 2 pregnancies and 2 babies since 2013.

Back when I was running I had a Garmin 210, I think. I need something similar. I just want to be able to see my current running pace, pace per mile and distance as I go. I am looking at maybe a Garmin 10 or 15? Is there any new brands or models I should be looking at?

 

[MilesMouse]

I am hoping to sign up for the 1/2 marathon in Nov. I’ve been out of really running for about 4 years due to 2 pregnancies and 2 babies since 2013.

Back when I was running I had a Garmin 210, I think. I need something similar. I just want to be able to see my current running pace, pace per mile and distance as I go. I am looking at maybe a Garmin 10 or 15? Is there any new brands or models I should be looking at?

Have you found anything you like yet? I've done Fitbit and Garmin, but I think I'm going to stick with Garmin. If you're looking for a good option with pretty basic info like you mentioned then you're going to have plenty of options with most brands. It probably comes down to which manufacturer's app you like better. Garmin is going to be data heavy (which I love) but the fitbit app is a lot "prettier" and easy to read with their dashboard. Or, most third party apps now integrate with almost any device if you have a preference. Fitbit also has a pretty strong community to join virtual groups and has more of a social media feel to it...but I get that from this board already

 

[GreatLakes]

If you are interested in a fitness tracker that can also be used as a running watch take a look at the Garmin VivoActive series. The original is pretty old now but the HR and 3 are both excellent choices for a daily watch that tracks your steps, heart rate, sleep, etc along with a GPS watch for any activities.

 

[pinkxray]

Thanks for th responses. I am not going to buy anything or a few Weeks so I will look into the ones you guys mentioned. I am leaning towards a Garmin 25 but that’s just bc I know Garmin forerunners. I haven’t bought anything new for like 5 years so there are so many new options nowadays.

 

[opusone]

The current version of the Garmin 210 is the Garmin 230 or 235 (same as 230 but with optical/wrist-based HR). The entry version is the Garmin 35. All of these would give you "current running pace, pace per mile and distance."

 

[crewmatt]

https://www.wareable.com/garmin/best-garmin-watch

this has a good breakdown of the offerings. if you’re just looking for the absolute basics get the 35. then if you want more running features then that i recommend the 235.

if you’re into lots of different activities i’ve had both the 735XT and 935 and i prefer the 935. it also hasn’t died on me 3 times (i killed 3 735’s swimming - not sure how they’re supposed to be triathlon watches).

 

[cavepig]

I have a Garmin 10 & 15 since all I want is pace distance and it's worked great for me. The 15 has a longer battery than the 10 and like step counter as well. My original 10 died after just a few months but was still under warranty so I sent it back and they replaced it but while I was waiting I went ahead and just ordered a 15.

 

[lovingeire]

I currently have a 15 and am looking to upgrade to a 235. Mostly because I run intervals and I'd like some more options with that. Also, I am toying with the idea of my first full, but I'm not the speediest, so I think I need something with a better battery life and I'm hoping this would be it. And it does have some other features I'd find handy, but that aren't totally necessary.

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

I as well am looking to replace my Garmin. I have a Forerunner 110. I have it narrowed down to the 235 and Vivoactive 3.

For whatever reason I can't seem to order the Vivoactive though. I think even though it is listed as a running watch on Garmin's website, I still think of the Forerunner series as the true running watch series. But, all I care about in running is one screen; shows me mileage, total time and current mile pace.

The other issue I'm having with the Vivoactive is that it only stores 7 activities vs 200 hours on the 235. I do not know why I'm having the hang-up on that. The only time I could see it as an issue (as most times I could sync to my phone) is if we are traveling outside of the US and don't have data on our phone. We use our GPS watches for hiking and biking, so there are many times we're gone 10 days and it has 10 activities on it. But DH has the Fenix and would have that and would have storage.

Who'd think a $250-300 thing would cause me to contemplate it this much?

 

[GreatLakes]

I as well am looking to replace my Garmin. I have a Forerunner 110. I have it narrowed down to the 235 and Vivoactive 3.

For whatever reason I can't seem to order the Vivoactive though. I think even though it is listed as a running watch on Garmin's website, I still think of the Forerunner series as the true running watch series. But, all I care about in running is one screen; shows me mileage, total time and current mile pace.

The other issue I'm having with the Vivoactive is that it only stores 7 activities vs 200 hours on the 235. I do not know why I'm having the hang-up on that. The only time I could see it as an issue (as most times I could sync to my phone) is if we are traveling outside of the US and don't have data on our phone. We use our GPS watches for hiking and biking, so there are many times we're gone 10 days and it has 10 activities on it. But DH has the Fenix and would have that and would have storage.

Who'd think a $250-300 thing would cause me to contemplate it this much?

When you connect your Vivoactive 3 to a computer it appears just like any other drive. You could copy any activity files off and then manually upload them to Garmin once you have a connection again.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I have a Forerunner 15. I’ve had it two years now. I’d like to upgrade to either the 35 or 235, but won’t until this one starts giving problems.

 

[AerialGael]

https://www.wareable.com/garmin/best-garmin-watch

this has a good breakdown of the offerings. if you’re just looking for the absolute basics get the 35. then if you want more running features then that i recommend the 235.

if you’re into lots of different activities i’ve had both the 735XT and 935 and i prefer the 935. it also hasn’t died on me 3 times (i killed 3 735’s swimming - not sure how they’re supposed to be triathlon watches).

I looooove my 935. So far it's gotten me through three full distance Ironman's with battery to spare, and I'm solidly average. I wanted the Fenix S, worrying about the size on my little bird wrists, but 14 hr battery life was cutting it way too close!

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

I ordered the Vivoactive 3 today so when the temps warm up and I get a chance to run outside (which might not be for a month or so) I'll give a brief report.

For me though, I don't care about about most of the running stats. When running I want to look down and see current pace, total time and distance. When I'm done with a run, I want to go back and just see how each mile ended up being. When we are on vacation, I like the ability to use it as an activity tracker and see how far we are walking each day (without tracking on GPS) which I know the new FR's do but at the price point of $250 for this watch vs $300 on the FR235 I figured I'd give it a shot.

 

[Keels]

The other issue I'm having with the Vivoactive is that it only stores 7 activities vs 200 hours on the 235. I do not know why I'm having the hang-up on that. The only time I could see it as an issue (as most times I could sync to my phone) is if we are traveling outside of the US and don't have data on our phone. We use our GPS watches for hiking and biking, so there are many times we're gone 10 days and it has 10 activities on it. But DH has the Fenix and would have that and would have storage.

I have the Vivoactive 3 and I upload data from activities (to Garmin Connect/Strava/TrainingPeaks) as soon as I complete them ... so no need to store them on my watch.

In Alaska and at sea, I didn't need "data" to upload to my apps. I just needed Bluetooth to my phone. The data was saved in the app and updated when I had cell service.

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

In Alaska and at sea, I didn't need "data" to upload to my apps. I just needed Bluetooth to my phone. The data was saved in the app and updated when I had cell service.

This makes me happy! We cruise a lot and it’s nice to be disconnected from online for a week. Now I know on our excursions I’d be able to still get saved if more then 7. Even after an excursion and just wandering around the port town I like to turn on GPS so I have in my Connect history roaming around neat cities.

 

[MilesMouse]

I got the VA 3 about 2 weeks ago and still feel like I’m in the “get to know it” phase. It’s exactly what I was hoping for and I was somewhat familiar since I had the HR before. Play around with the data screens for each fitness activity. It’s pretty awesome how customizable each one is and giving you options for multiple screens so you can set your favorite “data” preferences to your liking.

 

[NYIrunDisney]

I recently got a Fitbit Blaze and I absolutely love it.

The app is easy to navigate, it helps track your work outs, and I love the ability to add friends to the app and compete in challenges. This was a replacement for my older, more basic fitbit that I wore every day for two years. It just wore out in time but for the $80 I spent on it, I got my money's worth.