Garmin - Enduro 2

If you could do like $50 more, I'd get a used Garmin Enduro 2 or maybe a Fenix 7X if you get a really good deal. Battery life is ridiculous (infinite on solar and battery saving mode, or can run GPS for weeks straight too), they're tanks, and they have tons of functionality for the outdoors. Great flashlight too which has saved my butt a few times when I didn't have a headlamp or it died.

I have an Enduro 2. Love it. MIP for life. Battery life is excellent. When at home I charge it once a week but it’s seldom below 45% when I do so. Have taken it for seven day section hike and only had to recharge once.

When I had a fitbit, I walked, hiked, lifted weights and did elliptical. I lost about 80 lbs between following a keto diet and exercise (295 lbs to 215 lbs). I'd obsess with hitting my 10k steps, 10 flights of stairs and 10 active When I got a Garmin, I pretty much did the same for the first few months. I had been in a long weight-loss stall, so I thought maybe running would help me break through. I started a Garmin Coach 5k program last September. I finally dropped the other 20 lbs. I have run some 5k's and a 10k. The feedback I got from Training Status helped me realize I needed more low aerobic, so I started mixing in some zone 2 elliptical on my non-run days, which helped recovery. Based on sleep data I've gotten from my Garmin, I've almost completely cut out drinking alcohol to improve sleep quality. Now it's only special occasions instead of weekend warrior, and it's 2-3 drinks max. I started swimming in April, and then switched from elliptical to cycling in May of this year. I'm hoping to do sprint triathlons next year. Now, would all of this be possible without my Garmin? Yes, but it would have been highly unlikely. The kinds of data & insights I have gotten are extremely useful and the challenges have been very motivational. I've done a few of the 40k cycling challenges, which is father than I've ever rode in my life, and up until May, I hadn't rode a bike in over 30 years.

Enduro 2.

I mostly use my HRM Pro+ when swimming. There have been a couple of times when I forgot it both with my Instinct 2 and my Enduro 2, and they both seemed to capture similar data to the HRM. If it's really important though, I'd recommend getting an HRM. They're not too expensive, and they are FSA/HSA eligible if you're in the US.

They're very good at what they do. Most of the reviews that pan them have unreasonable expectations, because they want a smart watch an not a fitness watch. I use my Enduro 2 a lot. It does everything I want it to do. It's not perfect (I had an issue last week), but most of the time it works exactly the way I want. The watch lasts more than two weeks with about 20+ hours of activity (about 5 of those are GPS), so I'm not sure what else people are looking for.

Are there any issues with the Enduro 2? That’s what I have.

Garmin ecosystem is chocked full of goodness. Since I run and cycle, it’s great for multi sport. A lot of folks who only run seem to love Coros watches and their environment. I think either of those (with Strava integration) would be an improvement over your Apple Watch.

People have to stop comparing these. These are for two different people. I would never wear an Apple Watch based on battery life alone. I specifically got the Garmin for a wrist based gps and mapping tool to track and orient myself. You buy an Apple Watch to use smart features and be connected to your phone. Garmin has never been in that market. It’s a whole company based on gps systems for outdoor activities . You buy an Apple Watch to have Apple ecosystem. you can’t use half the feature of the fenix on an iPhone bc they only want you to use their watch… Garmin are all specifically made for their audience even down the the model . Apple watches are just to keep you plugged into your phone and have no bearing on actual outdoor activities despite calling it ultra. The Millitary has been orienteering with Garmin wrist based gps systems forever. You’d never catch an Apple Watch on patrol in Afghanistan. 😂