Comparing smartwatches for a casual/sometimes runner

[Susie]

Calvin has not given me any ideas about what to get him for Christmas despite much prompting, so I'm thinking of going ahead with my original idea, a smartwatch. I have looked at Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple's offerings.

Distinguishing features that I'd like are:
- long battery life (relatively speaking)
- ability to store music.  We don't do subscriptions to Pandora, etc. so it needs to be stored on the device.
- onboard GPS capability is a plus
- fitness tracking and the usual smartwatch functions
- waterproof for swimming is not important (he doesn't swim much)

He is a sometimes/casual runner:  has done some short races, one sprint tri, and we did one half marathon together right before I got pg with #1.  He has expressed that he feels better when he's working out regularly, and I'm trying to encourage more of that.  He has a handmedown Forerunner that was mine (a 210?) that I gave him when I got a 910xt for tris.  He used to use that + an iPod Shuffle when he ran (which he has not done much of lately), but then I stole his Shuffle this summer when mine died.  So basically I'm looking to replace the 210 + Shuffle functionality in one device.

The Fitbit Versa ($149) looks like it gives a lot of these features except the onboard GPS, but if he's going to use this INSTEAD OF the Forerunner, then maybe that's not a great idea.  The Fitbit Ionic ($199) would have it.

Garmin Vivoactive 3 ($249 on Amazon) could also be a possibility, or an Apple watch (any thoughts on face size in mm?  Calvin is a big dude, 6'2, but slim/compact is always nice).  We are all in on Apple device (phones, computers, etc.) but not sure if the Apple watch is worth the price tag for these needs.

We both have used Garmin Connect in the past, but he has not used it as extensively as I have.  I have a Fitbit Charge 2, and it has been a little bit of a pain point for me to split between interfaces.  My regular activity monitoring is on Fitbit, but I have years worth of running routes/etc. in Garmin Connect that are hard to abandon, and I still use my 910xt if I go running to keep up that continuity.  My next fitness watch will probably skew Garmin because of that, even though I like the Fitbit interface and device.

Any advice on what you have, what you like, what has not worked well for you?

[Wines Not Whines]

I'm all-in on Garmin devices for running. I don't have an Apple watch, but I have a few runner friends who got Apple watches and tried to use them to track running. They all hated using it for running, and they went back to Garmins. There are several new Garmin watches that store music, but I don't have one of those.

[bostonmichelle]

Some of my friends got Tom Tom watches last year. I believe they store their music on them and love them!

[luckystar2]

I can only speak to the Apple Watch. I’m not a huge fan. I do like being able to control what I’m listening to from my wrist. I was running with my Garmin and my iPod shuffle, but I definitely prefer controlling things from my watch. However the watch just isn’t as accurate as I’d like. But as a casual runner, could be ok. I just didn’t find an app I liked that gave me all the data I wanted easily. On small runs around my neighborhood it was ok, but it completely let me down during a 10 mile race and was off by like 2 miles. So I will use just it for short easy runs, but on longer runs/training runs/races I have to have my garmin.

The Apple Watch was a gift so it wouldn’t have been my first choice. But like I said, for somebody maybe really casual it could be good. Especially if he is into other Apple products. But for me I think I would prefer something Garmin.

[lilypad1126]

My H and I are all in on Apple products including the watch. I really like it. I use Nike+ as my running app, and it works pretty well for me. I don’t like the Apple Workout app for running, but I do use it for tracking cross-training activities (hiking, elliptical, etc). I refuse to run without my phone (safety reasons) and I have an old school series 2 watch, so no cellular capability without the phone. Anyway, it works well for me. But I’ve never had any other running watch, so maybe I just don’t know what I’m missing. #shrug

My H is a casual runner these days due to injuries. The watch works great for him. He stores music on it and really likes it. Again, b/c I run with my phone, I haven’t bothered with that, as I can still control everything from the watch. Maybe it was too expensive for what he uses it for, but it motivates him to get some workouts in when he’d rather complain of pain. He has the larger size (42? 48?mm) and it’s the perfect size. He’s 6’0 and 210. He got the bigger size so he could read it easier.

Anyway, I don’t think you can go wrong with whatever you decide. I use the Apple Watch b/c that’s what I’m used to now, but when It dies, I could be convinced to switch to a different watch.

[gt7301b]

If he sis just a casual runner I would go with the Vivoactive 3 music. I didn’t like the Vivoactive as my running watch cause it sucked for speed work, but I imagine that isn’t a huge issue for him.

I would point out that the Garmin music interface is a bit clunky, but not clunky enough to make me not recommend it. I love having music on my watch.

[labbie]

I don't have direct experience with the Apple watch or the Vivoactive, but my boss sounds like your DH (casual-ish runner, wanted general fitness tracker, etc.) and he got the Vivoactive (not with music) over the Apple watch with no regrets when he lost his fitbit. He wears it to work and it looks good with business/business-casual dress. He's very happy with it. I actually didn't know it came in a music version, that's awesome- I don't think you could go wrong for that price on that watch.

[mrshandy]

My H is looking for something similar as yours for Xmas so this is very helpful. He's a casual runner but he wants music on his phone.

Random question how much music can you store on these phones? Can you store podcasts? He usually listens to podcasts. Is it easy to put podcasts ? How do you do it?

[brooke77]

I have the Apple Watch 4. It’s above your price point, but I’m not sure if the series matters.

I absolutely love it. I bought it as a replacement for my Garmin 220. (I originally bought the Garmin Vivoactive 3 as a replacement and haaaaated it and returned it. Too glitchy and the touchscreen was terrible.). The GPS is accurate. I like controlling music from my wrist. I use the Nike Run Club app, which shows time, distance, heart rate, and speed. You can also track mileage for your shoes and other stuff on the NRC app or use Strava or another app if you prefer. The battery life is fine. I used it for my marathon and had no battery issues. Be sure to invest in some nice long lasting blue tooth headphones as well if you plan to go totally wireless. I use the Apple Watch as my everyday watch now, so it was worth the extra $$. I love getting alerts from my kids daycare without having to check my phone. I use it mainly as a fitness watch, but I’m obviously a huge Apple Watch fan.

[foundmylazybum]

Nov 26, 2018 19:53:12 GMT -5 luckystar2 said:

I can only speak to the Apple Watch. I’m not a huge fan. I do like being able to control what I’m listening to from my wrist. I was running with my Garmin and my iPod shuffle, but I definitely prefer controlling things from my watch. However the watch just isn’t as accurate as I’d like. But as a casual runner, could be ok. I just didn’t find an app I liked that gave me all the data I wanted easily. On small runs around my neighborhood it was ok, but it completely let me down during a 10 mile race and was off by like 2 miles. So I will use just it for short easy runs, but on longer runs/training runs/races I have to have my garmin.

The Apple Watch was a gift so it wouldn’t have been my first choice. But like I said, for somebody maybe really casual it could be good. Especially if he is into other Apple products. But for me I think I would prefer something Garmin.

This would turn me off so much. Even I'm not sure why a casual runner wouldn't want accuracy! 😯

[gt7301b]

Nov 27, 2018 9:18:43 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

My H is looking for something similar as yours for Xmas so this is very helpful. He's a casual runner but he wants music on his phone.

Random question how much music can you store on these phones? Can you store podcasts? He usually listens to podcasts. Is it easy to put podcasts ? How do you do it?

I use the Garmin Music app on my computer to add music to my watch.  Basically I can upload anything that I have in iTunes and I have both podcasts and music on my watch.  (I'm assuming you don't have to use iTunes, but that is the easiest way for me to upload audio) The storage isn't huge, but I have a 3 hr + music playlist and tons of podcasts.  The one thing I do is create a podcast playlist so I can listed to various podcasts without having to switch from the running function to music function.  Sometimes it is difficult to get things to connect correctly, but overall it is worth it to have music/podcasts on my watch.

[Susie]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback.  It is much appreciated!

I ended up discussing with Calvin and pointing out the various pros and cons of each -- basically my gift to him was more the research than the surprise, lol.  He ended up choosing a Fitbit Ionic.  It's not the one I'd have picked for myself, but what's important is that he likes it and is happy with it.  He has a bunch of friends with Fitbits, so it was appealing to him to be on the same platform, and he is a lot less committed to Garmin Connect than I am (and a lot of us here are to our running app of choice).  When my Charge 2 dies though I will reread because I will probably choose something different!

[chitownbelle]

Nov 28, 2018 15:36:01 GMT -5 Susie said:

Thanks everyone for all the feedback.  It is much appreciated!

I ended up discussing with Calvin and pointing out the various pros and cons of each -- basically my gift to him was more the research than the surprise, lol.  He ended up choosing a Fitbit Ionic.  It's not the one I'd have picked for myself, but what's important is that he likes it and is happy with it.  He has a bunch of friends with Fitbits, so it was appealing to him to be on the same platform, and he is a lot less committed to Garmin Connect than I am (and a lot of us here are to our running app of choice).  When my Charge 2 dies though I will reread because I will probably choose something different!

Circling back to this old thread because my Charge 2 died 2 days ago!  I had to bust out my Zip and am constantly looking at my wrist for a watch that isn't there.  I am debating between the Charge 3 and Versa (the Lite doesn't have Floors Climbed, which is impt to me), but haven't even considered the Ionic.  In looking now, it appears too masculine for me, but I love the built in GPS. Is Calvin happy with it? Is your Charge 2 still working all these months later?  This will be by 3rd fitbit that I have had to replace out of warranty, so I am at a crossroads of whether to continue with fitbit, or switch to a Garmin or Apple Watch.  I love the Garmin for running accuracy and have been using Nike+ lately instead of my old ass Garmin, but not sure about it for an everyday watch, and have enjoyed the fitbit app and community over the years.  This decision shouldnt be this hard.  Do I stay with Fitbit, or switch brands?! Ah!

[itsme]

Aug 26, 2019 10:47:12 GMT -5 chitownbelle said:

Nov 28, 2018 15:36:01 GMT -5 Susie said:

Thanks everyone for all the feedback.  It is much appreciated!

I ended up discussing with Calvin and pointing out the various pros and cons of each -- basically my gift to him was more the research than the surprise, lol.  He ended up choosing a Fitbit Ionic.  It's not the one I'd have picked for myself, but what's important is that he likes it and is happy with it.  He has a bunch of friends with Fitbits, so it was appealing to him to be on the same platform, and he is a lot less committed to Garmin Connect than I am (and a lot of us here are to our running app of choice).  When my Charge 2 dies though I will reread because I will probably choose something different!

Circling back to this old thread because my Charge 2 died 2 days ago!  I had to bust out my Zip and am constantly looking at my wrist for a watch that isn't there.  I am debating between the Charge 3 and Versa (the Lite doesn't have Floors Climbed, which is impt to me), but haven't even considered the Ionic.  In looking now, it appears too masculine for me, but I love the built in GPS. Is Calvin happy with it? Is your Charge 2 still working all these months later?  This will be by 3rd fitbit that I have had to replace out of warranty, so I am at a crossroads of whether to continue with fitbit, or switch to a Garmin or Apple Watch.  I love the Garmin for running accuracy and have been using Nike+ lately instead of my old ass Garmin, but not sure about it for an everyday watch, and have enjoyed the fitbit app and community over the years.  This decision shouldnt be this hard.  Do I stay with Fitbit, or switch brands?! Ah!

That's a lot of replacing and due to that I'd look elsewhere.  The Vivoactive 3 and the Garmin Fenix 5s (not sure what the newer versions are called) are really pretty for everyday use.  I have a white Fenix 5s but the Vivoactive 3 is similar in looks and costs much less.  I have had no issues with my watch in the two years I've owned it and I am pretty sure I am a Garmin forever person now.  I was using a Polar watch before this.    

ETA: Vivomove is really pretty too and the Forerunner's looks have come up.  

[labbie]

Ditto the looks of the Fenix5S or the Vivoactives. I have a Garmin 935 and Love it (same guts as the Fenix5 but in a plastic (i.e. lighter) body). It seemed a little big to me on the wrist but I went from no watch to this. Now I feel naked without it. I changed the watch face to look like a traditional watch and the battery life is incredible (I had 50% left after a 12hr ultra). It's not as pretty as the 5S or the Vivoactives, but the battery life is worth it to me. 

[Susie]

Aug 26, 2019 10:47:12 GMT -5 chitownbelle said:

Nov 28, 2018 15:36:01 GMT -5 Susie said:

Thanks everyone for all the feedback.  It is much appreciated!

I ended up discussing with Calvin and pointing out the various pros and cons of each -- basically my gift to him was more the research than the surprise, lol.  He ended up choosing a Fitbit Ionic.  It's not the one I'd have picked for myself, but what's important is that he likes it and is happy with it.  He has a bunch of friends with Fitbits, so it was appealing to him to be on the same platform, and he is a lot less committed to Garmin Connect than I am (and a lot of us here are to our running app of choice).  When my Charge 2 dies though I will reread because I will probably choose something different!

Circling back to this old thread because my Charge 2 died 2 days ago!  I had to bust out my Zip and am constantly looking at my wrist for a watch that isn't there.  I am debating between the Charge 3 and Versa (the Lite doesn't have Floors Climbed, which is impt to me), but haven't even considered the Ionic.  In looking now, it appears too masculine for me, but I love the built in GPS. Is Calvin happy with it? Is your Charge 2 still working all these months later?  This will be by 3rd fitbit that I have had to replace out of warranty, so I am at a crossroads of whether to continue with fitbit, or switch to a Garmin or Apple Watch.  I love the Garmin for running accuracy and have been using Nike+ lately instead of my old ass Garmin, but not sure about it for an everyday watch, and have enjoyed the fitbit app and community over the years.  This decision shouldnt be this hard.  Do I stay with Fitbit, or switch brands?! Ah!

My Charge 2 is still going strong, although the face has two hairline cracks now.  It still works like it's supposed to, charges well and holds its charge, and even with the cracks has survived me forgetting it and jumping into a pool once and a couple showers.  

Calvin likes the Ionic, but yes, it is kind of big and masculine looking.  He's a much bigger person than me (a full foot taller) and he wears it fine, but I wouldn't want something so big.

I still think my next watch I might go back to the Garmin platform though, because I prefer not straddling the two with Garmin for workouts and Fitbit for "lifestyle" type tracking.  My favorite use of my Fitbit is actually sleep tracking (and stairs too).

[chitownbelle]

Aug 26, 2019 22:01:04 GMT -5 Susie said:

Aug 26, 2019 10:47:12 GMT -5 chitownbelle said:

Circling back to this old thread because my Charge 2 died 2 days ago!  I had to bust out my Zip and am constantly looking at my wrist for a watch that isn't there.  I am debating between the Charge 3 and Versa (the Lite doesn't have Floors Climbed, which is impt to me), but haven't even considered the Ionic.  In looking now, it appears too masculine for me, but I love the built in GPS. Is Calvin happy with it? Is your Charge 2 still working all these months later?  This will be by 3rd fitbit that I have had to replace out of warranty, so I am at a crossroads of whether to continue with fitbit, or switch to a Garmin or Apple Watch.  I love the Garmin for running accuracy and have been using Nike+ lately instead of my old ass Garmin, but not sure about it for an everyday watch, and have enjoyed the fitbit app and community over the years.  This decision shouldnt be this hard.  Do I stay with Fitbit, or switch brands?! Ah!

My Charge 2 is still going strong, although the face has two hairline cracks now.  It still works like it's supposed to, charges well and holds its charge, and even with the cracks has survived me forgetting it and jumping into a pool once and a couple showers.  

Calvin likes the Ionic, but yes, it is kind of big and masculine looking.  He's a much bigger person than me (a full foot taller) and he wears it fine, but I wouldn't want something so big.

I still think my next watch I might go back to the Garmin platform though, because I prefer not straddling the two with Garmin for workouts and Fitbit for "lifestyle" type tracking.  My favorite use of my Fitbit is actually sleep tracking (and stairs too).

My Charge 2 also had 2 small cracks (for quite awhile) and I wore it in the shower all the time, and a few days ago the screen just went black.  Still holds charge, charges, syncs to the app and vibrates, but the screen is totally dead and their troubleshooting steps dont work.  According to all the forum posts, it's a common problem, and all they did is give me a 25% discount toward a new purchase since I'm out of warranty.  I really enjoy the floors climbed feature of fitbit, and buying replacement bands on Amazon to change up it's look.  Not too many bands available for the Garmin.  This really shouldnt be a difficult decision!  I'm almost leaning toward getting a Charge 3 and a basic Garmin Forerunner 35 or something just for runs.  

[runblondie26]

I love everything about my Apple Watch 4, except the battery life. Running, using only the GPS (bluetooth and cell turned off), the battery lasts for just under 3 hours. So not a good choice if you do endurance activities.

Discovered that on my long run this week, and I’m feeling salty about it. Thought it was the perfect package.

[breezy8407]

I will chime in...I've had a Vivoactive 3 for a little over a year. I noticed a decrease in battery life in the past couple weeks, but otherwise its been great overall. If I don't use it for activity or GPS, it lasts longer. My workouts are about an hour each day, so I have to recharge every 3 days or so. I use it in Cardio mode for my bootcamp style workouts, and indoor cycling mode for spin classes (you can pair it with other devices if you want to track distance/watts/RPMs, I just haven't). It tracks calories, steps, stairs climbed, heart rate info, etc, all the stuff you would need I am guessing. I don't wear it when I sleep but it does track sleep pretty well (but I can't compare to FitBit for sleep since I've never owned one). I got a steal on a white one with silver accent, but I love the rose gold one.

I have noticed the GPS acting funny occasionally. Last night I went out for a quick 3.5 mile run and I was getting pace readings anywhere from 7:15 to 10:00 minutes per mile. I definitely don't vary that much and was realistically closer to about 8:15-8:30. But, since I am not training for anything and at most run 3x a week right now, I am fine with it and it seems to be the exception not the rule.

[labbie]

Aug 27, 2019 12:57:33 GMT -5 chitownbelle said:

Aug 26, 2019 22:01:04 GMT -5 Susie said:

My Charge 2 is still going strong, although the face has two hairline cracks now.  It still works like it's supposed to, charges well and holds its charge, and even with the cracks has survived me forgetting it and jumping into a pool once and a couple showers.  

Calvin likes the Ionic, but yes, it is kind of big and masculine looking.  He's a much bigger person than me (a full foot taller) and he wears it fine, but I wouldn't want something so big.

I still think my next watch I might go back to the Garmin platform though, because I prefer not straddling the two with Garmin for workouts and Fitbit for "lifestyle" type tracking.  My favorite use of my Fitbit is actually sleep tracking (and stairs too).

My Charge 2 also had 2 small cracks (for quite awhile) and I wore it in the shower all the time, and a few days ago the screen just went black.  Still holds charge, charges, syncs to the app and vibrates, but the screen is totally dead and their troubleshooting steps dont work.  According to all the forum posts, it's a common problem, and all they did is give me a 25% discount toward a new purchase since I'm out of warranty.  I really enjoy the floors climbed feature of fitbit, and buying replacement bands on Amazon to change up it's look.  Not too many bands available for the Garmin.  This really shouldnt be a difficult decision!  I'm almost leaning toward getting a Charge 3 and a basic Garmin Forerunner 35 or something just for runs.  

My Garmin counts floors climbed, steps, all of that. I think the 'official' replacement bands can be pricey and possibly limited, but I've heard good things about the generic bands on Amazon or Ebay that say made to fit Garmin model xyz. I haven't tried any yet.

[Wines Not Whines]

I love my Garmin Fenix 5s. It looks less sporty than some of the other watches.