Smart watch advice

Jay D

Just looking on some advice on a decent running smart watch.

I've never had one.

I'd like to get one primarily for running but also cycling. Could possibly find more motivation for swimming too.

Feeling a little alien to them though. Like how do the call and text notifications work? Do you have to have your phone nearby for Bluetooth to make them work and are they JUST notifications? As in you can or cannot reply to texts/emails or answer calls from your watch?

I don't mind spending but don't want to spend a fortune on loads of extras that might not work that great.

Ideally:
Nice looking, comfortable to wear when not running
Measures distance, time, elevation etc.
MP3 player
Sync to running apps other than Garmin (for example).

I've been doing a good bit of looking around online and am drawn towards Tom Tomand Garmin but looking to get people with a bit of experience using them to share some knowledge please.

wrstan

See this thread on the Garmin Fenix 3

I would highly recommend it if it's in your price range

uvox

I like the Suuntu Kailash Copper. It's about 900 -1,000 EUR. Looks quite swell.

http://www.suunto.com/de-DE/Produkte/Watches/Suunto-Kailash/Suunto-Kailash-Copper/

I also like the Garmin Fenix 3 (you can get the older non-HRM integral model now for sub 400 EUR).

General notifications (calls texts, etc) are not running functionality per sure and are a function of the parent smartphone. So you will still need to carry a smartphone to respond to say a text message anyway. They're bluetooth enabled. The better running watches have on-board notifications related to the activity but anything more complicated related to notifications needs the phone.

One of the Tom Tom models (yawn) has music capability, no idea how it works. MP3 capability is not a function of a serious running watch and in most models I've goofed with, the watch is merely a controller of what's music is on the phone or some other device ...

Cabaal

wrstan wrote: »

See this thread on the Garmin Fenix 3

I would highly recommend it if it's in your price range

Hope the GPS accuracy is better then the Fenix 2,

donutheadhomer

Cabaal wrote: »

Hope the GPS accuracy is better then the Fenix 2,

perfect if you turn on the 1second option ovr the 5second option. I'm selling one - month old if anyone is interested - adverts

Muppet Man

Garminn customer service is really fantastic. I have found them to replace watches with little or no arguments. They replaced 3 garmin forerunner 620's for me. I am on my fourth now.... So steer clear of that model.

Muppet man.

chrislad

I'm using the Garmin Forerunner 235 at the moment. I only got it about a week ago, but I'm happy with it so far. I had a TomTom for a couple of years, but this was much better in terms of comfort, syncing, and connectivity, so far. I didn't realise it has phone notifications when I got it, as I wasn't looking for that in a watch, but it's pretty good and works well so far.

Seanie_H

chrislad wrote: »

I'm using the Garmin Forerunner 235 at the moment. I only got it about a week ago, but I'm happy with it so far. I had a TomTom for a couple of years, but this was much better in terms of comfort, syncing, and connectivity, so far. I didn't realise it has phone notifications when I got it, as I wasn't looking for that in a watch, but it's pretty good and works well so far.

Looking to get one of those myself, selling my 920. How do you find the fit with the optical piece?

chrislad

Seanie_H wrote: »

Looking to get one of those myself, selling my 920. How do you find the fit with the optical piece?

I don't even notice it. It does look like it'll be uncomfortable but I can't say that I've noticed it, unless the strap is too tight. I've worn it sleeping and all day and it's never been an issue for me.

Jay D

Still haven't bought one. Fenix 3 seems a lot more than I'll actually be using it for so not going for that.

Had kind of narrowed it down Forerunner 225 and TomTom Runner 2 Cardio.

I think at this stage it's just a matter of going in and buying one. Or get one online. Thanks for the feedback.

Jay D

Ok so have decided on the 235. Again thanks very much for your feedback.

Also found this informative, for anyone interested.

Seanie_H

Jay D wrote: »

Ok so have decided on the 235. Again thanks very much for your feedback.

Also found this informative, for anyone interested.

I picked mine up on Tuesday. Besotted with it.... All I need to do now is some decent training

Jay D

Seanie_H wrote: »

I picked mine up on Tuesday. Besotted with it.... All I need to do now is some decent training

Where did you pick it up from Seanie? I've been checking instore with the likes of Snow & Rock, 53 Degrees North and that outdoor shop off Grafton St. Looking online with the likes of Lifestyle, Ebay.

Obviously the cheaper the better or any discounts going would be great

jameshayes

its a great price on Amazon now given the current exchange rate - its working out at 260 and you have the piece of mind of buying it from somewhere reputable

Jay D

jameshayes wrote: »

its a great price on Amazon now given the current exchange rate - its working out at 260 and you have the piece of mind of buying it from somewhere reputable

That's great thanks James. I saw one similarly priced on eBay with a 30 day guarantee. Wasn't feeling it.

Seanie_H

Jay D wrote: »

Where did you pick it up from Seanie? I've been checking instore with the likes of Snow & Rock, 53 Degrees North and that outdoor shop off Grafton St. Looking online with the likes of Lifestyle, Ebay.

Obviously the cheaper the better or any discounts going would be great

Got it in Wiggle for €290. I think Bike 24 had a similar price. Irish stores are awful for tech prices.

Slow_Runner

Picked up a Garmin FR 10 watch in Wiggle for 70 - works out at less than 85 with Parcel Motel included (compared to 100 on Irish Wiggle site). Shop around all the sites and compare Irish to UK prices and you may pick up a bargin - also got a pair of Mizuno Inspire 12s for 70 .

Pat 36059

Garmin Forerunner 110 , Works for running and cycling Costs about €120 , Have one for the last 3 years, a lot of watch for the money, Full back up warranty .if you have any issues.

Jay D

About to go on my first run with 235.

To say it takes long for it to come on after pressing power button is an understatement. It's taking at least 5 minutes. The Garmin text appears and disappears repeatedly.

Yesterday I was wearing it. Knocked it on. It kept vibrating every few minutes on my wrist so in the end I took it off as it still wasn't powering on. Very annoying. Is this normal? I came back from the shop then and it had come on.

Also time was wrong after I had set it previously. I've since worked out the day and date are only set when you connect to GPS for a run. So hopefully that's sorted today.

But seriously it's coming up on ten minutes now and still not on. Has anyone had similar experiences?

Seanie_H

Jay D wrote: »

Has anyone had similar experiences?

Hi Jay, longest I have waited is 60 seconds I'd say. Sounds like you either need a software update (stick it into the pc) or, given the range of issues you've had, might need to go back which would be frustrating.

Presume you're not in a multistorey car park or a huge apartment block while waiting for signal?

Jay D

Thanks Seanie. Yes in fact I am in a big apartment development. Could be it I suppose. I'm afraid to knock it off again in case it takes as long to come on before run. Although that would answer that theory so may just do it.

I really hope I won't have to send it back. Does your correct time hold? im going to try updating software now.

Seanie_H

Jay D wrote: »

Thanks Seanie. Yes in fact I am in a big apartment development. Could be it I suppose. I'm afraid to knock it off again in case it takes as long to come on before run. Although that would answer that theory so may just do it.

I really hope I won't have to send it back. Does your correct time hold? im going to try updating software now.

Yep, mine keeps time, I've had no issues with that. Everything's working fine.

The tip for apartment living is leave it by the window for a couple of minutes before you want to leave.

ThisRegard

His issue seems to be with the time it takes to it power on as opposed to getting a GPS lock?

Doesn't matter where you are in this case. Does sound like a fault or dodgy update, a reset might be worth trying.

Jay D

Well the day and date was fixed during run. I was expecting that. I had updated software too before run.

Then I knocked watch off and it came on quickly when I tried. Thought it may have been sorted. However tried it again a while later and took just over 9 minutes to come back on. Also the time is not holding. Really annoying.

It also loses distance when syncing with apps. I ran just under 16.3km yet it went to Garmin Connect as 15.01km and Runkeeper as 14.3. Didn't go to Nike, entered manually.

I'm not going to rush sending it back but so far it's not really simple as it says it is and it definitely does not seem to be working 100%.

Jay D

So just to update, if anyone experiences the same thing. I found it difficult finding anything about my issue.

Sent the watch back. Was definitely faulty. Very, very annoying first Garmin experience.

That powering on problem is not unique. I saw some other users have the same problem on Garmin forums and all the responses they got was software update or resetting the watch, which is not the solution. I tried all that and hoped it would sort itself out. After a week though it was clear it wasn't 100%.

Have received a replacement which is working perfect. 1 second to power on. It's holding the time after powering off and back on after a while.

Distance tracking is also accurate now when syncing to Garmin Connect and other apps.

Only bad thing is I had to get refund from Amazon for faulty watch and when I went to rebuy it was around €15 more expensive. Still happy enough with it.

Thanks again for any feedback from other users.

ThisRegard

At least a good outcome. If you're unfortunate to have it happen again might be better to go directly to Garmin as their customer service is good.

Why didn't Amazon just send you a directreplacement rather than a refund and you repurchasing it?

Jay D

ThisRegard wrote: »

At least a good outcome. If you're unfortunate to have it happen again might be better to go directly to Garmin as their customer service is good.

Why didn't Amazon just send you a directreplacement rather than a refund and you repurchasing it?

I checked Garmin's website and they had it stated that they would only deal with goods bought from them directly. Goods bought elsewhere need to be returned to the shop they were purchased from (or something to that affect).

When returning via Amazon there were two options. One to get Amazon credit and the other a refund. Naturally a swap would've been easier. Still it's a lifetime better than the last time I returned something. The watch was sent from Germany. When I put it in their paid for swift post (to an address on the Naas Road), the refund was issued the next morning.

robinph

Are you completely powering down the watch, or is this just when switching it between the regular "time" mode and "run" mode?

It can take a while to turn on if you are going from a totally powered down state, but there is really no reason to be switching the watch off totally unless you are going for a week between runs.

chrislad

I've had a 235 for the past month and a half, and I'm loving it. I've had no issues, as such, and it's definitely better in terms of connectivity, app, battery, gps lock and ease of use versus the TomTom Sport I was using. Plus, I'm now in a game of competitive heart rate with my brother

Jay D

robinph wrote: »

Are you completely powering down the watch, or is this just when switching it between the regular "time" mode and "run" mode?

It can take a while to turn on if you are going from a totally powered down state, but there is really no reason to be switching the watch off totally unless you are going for a week between runs.

I was completely powering it off. I understand there was no requirement to do this but I like powering things off when I am not using them. The fact that it was extremely erratic coming back on highlighted numerous other issues. According to their instructions it takes one second to power on (as in you hold the power button for one second), however this was totally not the case for me. It is totally the case with this new one thus far!

chrislad wrote: »

I've had a 235 for the past month and a half, and I'm loving it. I've had no issues, as such, and it's definitely better in terms of connectivity, app, battery, gps lock and ease of use versus the TomTom Sport I was using. Plus, I'm now in a game of competitive heart rate with my brother

My heart rate peak frightens me on runs tbh!! :pac: But downloaded a new interface yesterday and loving the watch more as time goes by.

chrislad

Jay D wrote: »

I was completely powering it off. I understand there was no requirement to do this but I like powering things off when I am not using them. The fact that it was extremely erratic coming back on highlighted numerous other issues. According to their instructions it takes one second to power on (as in you hold the power button for one second), however this was totally not the case for me. It is totally the case with this new one thus far!




My heart rate peak frightens me on runs tbh!! :pac: But downloaded a new interface yesterday and loving the watch more as time goes by.

I don't worry too much about my HR on runs (I have to take an inhaler before I run and that pushes up my HR by 10 - 15% anyway so it's not the most accurate indicator for me)!