Watch Series 9

I have Apple Watch Series 9 right now but previously had a Garmin. Yeah, you can set target heart rate and target pace in the run settings. They can be used for all run types. For example, you can set a target pace or hr (instant value or range) on a distance goal run. Then there is a completely separate pace goal run type that has a special data screen that shows if you’re ahead or behind target pace. Here’s what sucks about pace on Apple Watch: instantaneous pace estimate is a lot worse and more delayed than Garmin. There’s also no pace gauge like Garmin has which I always found a nice screen to use. No, there is NO dynamic run coaching or daily suggested workout like Garmin has. There is a “Workout Buddy” feature that interjects little pep talk blurbs at the start of your run, during various run events like finishing a mile split, and at the end of your run. This feature requires the paired phone to be nearby, at least for my Series 9. Overall a very lame “feature” There are apps on the App Store that try to offer what Garmin has for training and recovery, but I don’t trust them to be as accurate and don’t really find them to offer anything insightful. I tried a trial for all the ones that are frequently recommended on Reddit. Meh. Otherwise, I love having Apple Music on my wrist and no phone needed to be called or texted by wife and kids. I like Garmin and Apple both, and I’m considering buying an Ultra 3 myself in spite of Apple Watch downsides. Just being objective about the downsides of AW compared to Garmin for running.

I love Apple and Garmin products, and I’ve been waiting for the Ultra 3 release to replace my Apple Watch Series 9. Here’s where my AWS9 falls short for me: camping and hiking because of battery, maps and navigation while biking and hiking, and the dynamic running workout suggestions that Garmin has. I can get Fenix 8 Solar for $880 through a discount with my health insurance which makes it comparable to AWU3. Things I like about Fenix 8 Solar: maps, battery, daily suggested workout, Garmin coach, MIP screen doesn’t look like a mini phone on my wrist. Things I like about AWU3: being reachable by my wife and kids while running and cycling, running errands sans phone, love the design, my watch bands will fit, my Apple Music subscription works, etc. I feel like the AWU3 fits my actual day to day better than the Fenix; although, when I do make it out for that couple times a year backpacking trip, Fenix is the clear winner. But on the day to day I mostly am tracking running and weightlifting. And a weekend gravel bike ride. Anybody have both?

Just picked up a stainless steel series 9 for $200 from Wal Mart, and it looks brand new. Not a single scratch or mark. No idea why anyone would be stumping for this or a series 11!

Refurbs usually have a scratch or two, no matter how minor. This thing looks brand new. It was $219.

Ridiculous right? Snapped it up and expected something awful, but there’s not a single minor scratch on it. Absolute steal.

Upgrading my Series 5 which I've worn almost 24/7 since I bought it in Nov 2021. Looking to get either a Series 10 or Series 9. Looking at a secondhand AW from Cex, they have the S9 for £160 and S10 for £205. Is the extra £45 worth it for a Series 10? The battery will be 1 year older on the S9, so there's that. And I guess you get at least an extra year of updates. But main thing I want are the temperature and oxygen sensors, more responsiveness, and just getting updates since the S5 is no longer supported. So an S9 would already be a big upgrade.

Garmin users are built different. Apple Watch users just try to fit into society, and the watch itself isn’t great. I owned a Series 9: it basically only checks your oxygen level (always 98%, so the feature is useless), the heart-rate tracking is nice, and a few sports features are okay but most of the other features are disappointing Apart from providing the distance metrics, that's all.. The Apple Watch is mostly a style accessory to say “I have an Apple product.” I also don’t like the watchOS UI. Garmin keep skeuomorphism and love it Garmin have a lot of features and capacity and look nicer

If you dont have an iphone dont get an apple watch. You need an iphone to use an apple watch. (To clarify: the apple watch works with surfr pro without the iphone being with you on the water. But separate to surfr apple watches cannot be setup without someone activating it with an iphone, and all data is tied back to that iphone) That being said, you don’t need the latest apple watch for Surfr. So buying new old model or used is an option. Bear in mind surfer uses a lot of power. I have a 2 year old apple watch 9. It still lasts 2 days of use, i turn it off at night and i have the display turn off automatically. But surfr+always on display, 4hrs will use 50%+ battery. So used id make sure its got decent battery health 90%+. Else id get Garmin.