What Garmin watch

Sorry to hijack, but whilst here any recommendations for a suitable & basic (pool & open) water swimming Garmin? Seem to be about 1504043 different models

@paddy0091 I’ve used a Fenix 5 and my current Epix Gen 2 for that, paired with the Garmin HRM-Swim chest strap heart rate monitor. I’m not really a swimmer though, so as long as it tracks laps (which they do reliably), and I don’t get lost in a lake (not likely), it works for me.

They do a swimming specific one as well, the Swim 2, which is a lot cheaper.

https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/p/665374

Ive said many times before that when the fenix breaks ill go and buy another. It just works without any of the faff. in all conditions.
Yep. I have a Fenix 6 Pro Solar (47mm) and feel the same.

I’m 18 months into owning a Fenix 6 Pro Solar and I find it great for running, riding and general activity tracking. Not the most exciting watch to look at but I like the fact it is not shouty and attention grabbing.

The only thing I would change and when I come to replace it I’ll sort is the solar element. For the life of me I cannot say it makes any difference. I have a ridiculous tan line under the watch so it gets sun and the tracking element shows that it is recording this but … it makes no difference that I can tell.

The solar glass isn’t a mineral glass so can pick up a scratch – ask me how I know this.

So in summary the Fenix is a great package but dubious solar use.

I have literally just replaced my Vivoactive 3 with an Instinct Solar and I’m feeling very smug about it after reading this thread.

Not having a touch screen is a bonus in my eyes, they’re a PITA whenever it gets wet.

Pretty sure most of the newer Garmins allow you to switch off the touch screen during activities.

For biking

For normal life

For.running

Got a vívoactive 3 which does everything I want but battery life is rubbish!

I have the 945 and it does all of these things fine, had it for 4 years with no issues so far.

b) Don’t bother paying extra for the Fenix solar, it’s barely worth it unless you are in bright sunlight all day and even then it’s a minor contribution to battery life

I’ve got a 7 solar, and I definitely get a couple of extra days out of it in summer vs winter.

If you’re actually outside all the time in sunlight, and you’re not using it too hard, it’s pretty epic. I think in 8 days bikepacking (was using something else for navigation) last year, it only went down about 10%.

I am using a 7x Pro Solar now started with 5x, the non solar models screens are brighter.  The Epic battery also does not last as long the Fenix my colleague charges his weekly , I charge mine every 2-3 weeks and used daily in gym, pool and wattbike.

Fr255 here. Get about 10 days between charging, riding and running 5 days a week. As mentioned, choose the ones you like the look of and read a bit of dcrainmaker.

Fenix 6 Pro user, does everything the OP wants. But if I was in the market now those Epix look very nice..

I’ve had a Vivoactive 4 for a couple of years (second hand from ebay). I need to charge it a couple of times a week but I have a charging cable on my desk so just plug it in when I’m on a call.

I went from Vivo 3 to instinct 2 solar. Functions and battery life are leagues ahead, but my failing eye site makes the fenix more appealing now, or probably the enduro 2

Fenix is the best by far. I had an Instinct and felt I didn’t need the full mapping of the Fenix, but once you’ve had it, it’s impossible to go back. Basically, I’ve got a full GPS mapping and routing on my wrist and it can last for 3-4 days without charging.

@paddy0091 I’ve used my Swim2 for a couple of years doing regular lane sets. It tracks lengths well, though you do have to make sure not to switch stroke mid length. My son has the Instinct and even when I swim behind him it can sometimes miscalculate a length, when the Swim2 gets it right, though this might be down to stroke style.

Open water works surprisingly well considering the GPS is underwater half the time. It also tracks runs, sleep, steps etc.

However, what I’m less pleased with is the feature set. For Garmin’s only dedicated swim watch, it lacks some basic data fields/screens that a pool swimmer would want to see.

Rob I’d go for the Ti Fenix 6 on SP (if it’s still on there).

I have decided to sell my perfect condition Instinct Solar Crossover, in blue, I bought it new from Garmin Nov 22 and it’s hardly been used, as I wear my Apple Watch daily.

PM me if anyone interested please at £150, iain.clow@gmail.com

Thanks

Iain, as a previous happy purchaser from you, my advice is- get it in the boosted advertising and pay your £5!!

Indeed, will be doing that when I get home from swim (with Apple Watch 😜) and take some pics !

@iainc – how do you find your Apple Watch for accuracy when swimming? I have an instinct 1 which I really like, but it does miss off the odd length here and there when swimming.

^^^ the Apple Watch (series 9) is very accurate in the pool, much more so than my original Instinct. I haven’t tried the Instinct Crossover in the pool though.

It’s very easy to set variable pool lengths and it logs my usual swims of 2.5k (100 lengths of outdooor pool at gym) perfectly every time.

Edit : Instinct Crossover now in classifieds 😁

Hmmm not what my bank balance wanted to hear 😂 Thanks very much

Have we mentioned the member discounts on Garmin?

Forerunner XT920.

A bit chunky compared to newer designs .

A secondhand bargain.

Used daily for my commute.

Straps are weak so does need replacing once in a while.

But a great device .

Marq Adventurer Gen 2 – only £1900 😉

I do fancy one though…

I found that Garmin member discounts weren’t across the board, just selected items.

some good deals on the higher end ones here (Epix and Fenix 7 at close to half price) :

https://amjwatches.co.uk/product/garmin-epix-pro-gen-2-sapphire-edition-47mm-4460?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyJqzBhBaEiwAWDRJVOBHR7Rh4216xDjgy0G874b_zCuWlDgIL9ZxjFOgszRRctrvnpVN7hoCKsQQAvD_BwE

I, and some friends, have used them before and they seem a pretty reputable outfit.

Another one in the Instinct 2X Solar fan club. Had it a couple of months and it’s never off. The heart rate seems a lot more accurate than previous Garmin watches. Charge wise agree with all others, it lasts for ages, long enough the solar is probably irrelevant in Scotland. Golf app is pretty good too. Only gripe with it is it keeps telling me I’m unfit. It’s right but I don’t need constantly reminded…

Have had a few Vivosctives in the past, thought I’d miss the touch screen and colour but absolutely don’t. Couldn’t shower with the VA on or it would change all sorts of settings, last time it took me ages to work out how to remove the heart rate zone warnings the water drops had somehow set!

Just (I think) agreeing with above. I’ve got an Epix 2 and I really like it, but realistically a much cheaper Instinct 2 would be just fine. Had an Instinct which was really good, but, for reasons, wanted something which would talk to power meters, which I thought meant Instinct 2 but then that Epix 2 PSA came up…

H Samuel’s Epix Gen 2 deal is back on

https://www.hsamuel.co.uk/garmin-epix-gen-2-black-silicone-strap-smartwatch/p/V-9119900

I’ve had a sequence of running-based models, the 255 is very impressive. Really like it. Your usage may vary of course. It does other sports obviously but isn’t particularly aimed at biking.

Another vote for AMJ watches. I was looking for a replacement for my old Samsung watch that died last week and found them via Google. The price for a Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar seemed too good to be true, so I did some research and they are a proper bricks and mortar shop that happen to have a big sale on Garmin watches at the moment. Ordered Friday afternoon, in my hand Saturday morning via DPD. Very happy!

sorted with a fenix 5 from a lad down the road/off here

cheers all

@bensales & sgn23 thanks for info on swim watches. Will probably keep an eye out for more a more basic (distance/lengths) tracking type Garmin. Can’t really justify £300 odd even at swimming 3 times/week.

Although having said that the Fenix comes up a fair bit, and would also be useful for walking, cyclocross, etc.

Thanks

Id avoid a fenix if you want to use it for running. Mine weighs a ton. My instinct is far more suitable for the job, although it does feel far cheaper

Fenix 6 here. I probably only use 2% of the features, but its been great. Also being in the ‘Premium’ end of the range they’re not as buggy, which I’ve found with the forerunner 2 ranges. I record 6 or so 30 minute activies and one 4 hour activity over the course of a week on a single charge possibly?

They are quite big, but you get used to it, it depends how thick your wrist is. Some shirts need the cuffs unbuttoning to get them over the watch.

Maps are handy, but the UI is so fiddly its quite difficult to use, and you may forget which combination of buttons to press.

Definitely worth getting second hand as they are pretty indesturctible, probably more so than a Casio G Shock.

@mrbadger heavy? I’m like a piece of string and can’t say that I’ve noticed a watch being heavy!!

Id avoid a fenix if you want to use it for running. Mine weighs a ton. My instinct is far more suitable for the job, although it does feel far cheaper

I used to run all the time with my Fenix 5. Can’t say I particularly noticed the weight after I’d been wearing it 24/7 for a few days. Although I certainly noticed when I retired it and changed to an Instinct… So I wouldn’t say it’s an issue unless you’re regularly swapping watches.

As pointed out, if you are running or cycling a lot with the watch, be aware of the weight of the fenix+epix. Not that they are that heavy, but more the bashing they can give your hand. This is the main reason I’ve always had forerunners (and they are a little cheaper for pretty much same functions).

My previous 305xt,310xt, 745, 945, and currently 965. All been brilliant. I turn off touch screen permanently btw.

When I say ‘heavy’, it’s not giving me arm ache but I’m certainly more aware I’m wearing it compared to my instinct when I run. Whether that will bother you or not I don’t know, but it bothers me

As pointed out, if you are running or cycling a lot with the watch, be aware of the weight of the fenix+epix. Not that they are that heavy, but more the bashing they can give your hand. This is the main reason I’ve always had forerunners (and they are a little cheaper for pretty much same functions).

I too found the size and weight feel of the Fenix abit much, Forerunner series for several watches now.

@superfli we basically have the same watch history, I’m still on the 945, how are you finding the 965 versus the 945?

I wear my Fenix 24/7 and I’m completely unaware of it. It’s the 47mm version though – I have skinny wrists and small hands.