MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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I've long been after a smart watch with running features and maps and navigation as I (used to, in the beforetime) can end up in foreign cities walking or running. But I also fancy a swimming tracing feature.
I don't want to spend Fenix money, but the Forerunner 645 looks good. Anyone got one? Like it or hate it? Is it wearable as a watch generally?
I’ve got the 645 music . I’ve had it about 3 years and I use it constantly . The only real issue I have with it is the battery life is woeful when you’re using music and gps together . ( approx 6-7 hours ) . Apart from that it’s sound . You can definitely wear it as a watch but I tend to just use it for running
The 645 doesn't have maps. You need the 945 or fenix 6 Pro for those or the older fenix 5 Plus.
It does do breadcrumb navigation though and back to start.
That said it is getting on a bit now and the 245 Music does everything pretty much the 645 does but with the new HRM sensor and GPS chip. It's where my money would be going if you do not need full mapping.
Am I going to be able to get proper navigation on my wrist for under £500 without getting old refurbished stuff?
Yes
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I've included the fenix 6X Pro because whilst £25 over budget the screen is that bit bigger and that makes the maps really useful. And the maps are truly brilliant. Turn by turn nav on footpaths, Poi's, etc. Really very well done.
Note the 945 does not have music. The 6 Pro and 6X Pro do
I would add I have the 6X Pro and its bloody brilliant...
I've got the 645 Music and would echo the above that it#s fine. Battery can be a bit crap, and it can be a bit slow to wake up as any older devise can be, but it'll do what you want as long as you are happy with breadcrumb mapping and not a proper map.
No I need mapping. Breadcrumbs aren't mapping really. Ideally I'd be able to find a destination on my phone and beam it to the device.
My budget isn't £500 really, or at least it wasn't. That would put me well on my way to a new trail bike which is more important. Maybe I can get a cheaper one if I can deal with breadcrumbs. But it's not really what I want so why bother?
@molgrips. Both the fenix 6 Pro and 945 are under £500. The 945 is now only £410. The fenix 6X Pro is worth the extra imo for the larger screen 🙂
Have you had a look at Coros watches? I've moved away from Garmin as I found them to be utter rubbish with terrible battery life.
No I need mapping. Breadcrumbs aren’t mapping really. Ideally I’d be able to find a destination on my phone and beam it to the device.
You can plan a route on your phone/tablet/computer then send it to the watch as a gpx, or download a Strava route etc. I use OSMaps on the iPad, then send it to the watch - works really well for biking. If I need to look at a map I stop and get my phone out, I think a watch would be too small to plan routes on while you’re riding along so may as well stop and look at your phone.
Have you had a look at Coros watches? I’ve moved away from Garmin as I found them to be utter rubbish with terrible battery life.
Well the thing is I'm already into Garmin because I use an Edge all the time which is nicely linked to Strava which is my main tool for logging and routing. I'd want any other device to be well integrated. I had a quick look at Suunto but it seemed like you needed yet another platform.
works really well for biking.
Wouldn't use it for biking. Only for running, walking to and from places e.g. stations hotels etc and for swimming.
Cheaper options: does the 55 have breadcrumb navigation and can it use the Strava iQ app? Might be rethinking the map idea for the short term.
@salad_dodger - no full mapping. Newer Garmin watches with the Sony GPS chip set have much better battery life. My 6X Pro will give most Coros watches a good run in this respect.
Note the 945 does not have music. The 6 Pro and 6X Pro do
My 945 does.....
Upload Talkytoaster maps for better maps than what comes with the garmin, very similar to OS maps.
@pieface - the maps on newer devices are OSM sourced and excellent. On my fenix 6X I've not come across a missing footpath yet. Really very impressed...
Dcrainmaker will tell you more about any wearable tech than you'll ever need to know.