Garmin - fēnix 2

Garmin are top-notch. I've had a Fenix 2, a Fenix 3, and currently use a Tactix 7. I've never been let down. I use my watch for swimming, cycling, running, skiing, paddling, and hiking. Between the Fenix 3 and the Tactix, I tried an Apple Watch SE Nike edition. It lacked a lot of the features of the Garmins and had crap battery life. After less than a year, it went into an unrecoverable boot loop after a swim. They replaced it under warranty, and 3 months later the same thing happened to the replacement. I would never buy another, and if I did, I wouldn't trust it for aquatics.

For sports, always Garmin. No one else comes close for multisport watches, and I don't need a bunch of useless "smart watch" features that just waste battery.

1-2 gen old garmin fenix should be around that much new old stock, or see if you can find a refurb epix 2. I used an Apple Watch 4 before I got the epix 2. It’s fine for heart rate and mileage if that’s all you want. In fact any watch that has a hr monitor will be fine for basic training.

I’ve had both and definitely have had more issues with Garmin. I have yet to experience a mid activity crash on my AWU in over a year, something that I’ve had happened multiple times on every Garmin device I have ever owned (a lot, I started with a FR 205 or 305). I still own a Garmin edge and it happened again last week. Riding along and you look down and the screen is just shut off. I do miss the battery life of my old Fenix but I got used to putting the AWU on the charger every time I shower and that seems to work 99% of the time. I don’t see a bright future for Garmin. There’s companies like Coros that make arguably better watches now for a fraction of the price (don’t take my word, look at all the pros using Coros now). When my Edge dies I’ll probably switch brands.

I switched from a Garmin Fenix to an Ultra 2 and I’m never going back to Garmin. Most of your peeves can easily be remedied by going in the Watch app on your phone and setting up what you want to allow to show up on your watch as notifications. It’s 100 times more fine grained than what Garmin does (pretty much all or nothing). Not that it’s Garmin’s fault, they just don’t have access to the OS on your phone the way Apple does. I was overwhelmed at first but quickly turned off notifications for all but a few apps. Now, if you want something more focused on sports then you’ll be better served with Garmin, although Apple’s Ultra variant is no slouch either, especially paired with an app like WorkOutdoors. If you’re going to go that route I would take a serious look at Coros though, they make arguably better watches for much cheaper in my opinion.

I have not tried the Fenix E but before getting the pro I tried the Fenix non sapphire model for 20% discount so it was the same price as new AW ultra. I just applied a screen protector to it. The pro gets minor brighter display, larger battery, satellite and lte it also only comes in titanium bezel but the bezel is also thicker and heavy by a few grams But I did not feel like there was a massive difference in looks, For me the looks wear out soon but what remains is the functionality that garmin brings to its watches and that for my usage is the same between cheapest and high end Fenix models so the short answer is yes but I would recommend looking for a 20% discount code and purchasing the amoled version for the same price as AW ultra.

Apple has more features, particularly if you pay for pro apps. I use a Garmin, it tracks my score, shows distance to greens and hazards, I can use it for running/sleep/gym and the battery lasts days. I wouldn’t change.

Yes, they’ll basically have whatever the phone app does. Garmin stats are the basic ones. (Penalties, GIR, FIR, Putts). No strokes gained is the biggest omission really. Can track shot distances. Keep score. Has distances to greens and hazards. Also different models will have reduced features, the Fenix are full featured of what’s offered in the Garmin range. Doesn’t really bother me though, and I like the Garmin for other sports.

Garmin with MIP display (non amoled, always on) and solar charging. I would vote for Enduro 3 or some from Fenix lineup if you can afford and if the size fits you.

It depends - try to try them at the shop :) Generally forerunner series for running (but they do all the sports too) - light, durable, long battery life. The higher the first number in name, the higher series it is, the higher middle number, the newer model it is. Fénix series - general all purpose watch, including even a flashlight :), more expensive, though.

There should be, but it isn’t. I have 255 and it’s great, capable, light watch, but it has weak display and no touch, changing straps is a hassle. So I waited long for 975, but I’ll go the Fenix way very, very soon :) Maps are definitely better on the 965 than on 255, navigation there is really rather basic.

I used Garmin for about 7 years, about 5 models (all from the Fénix line which is their flagship), I loved them, I really did, I was obsessed with them, and it is not just the battery life, the look, they look so gorgeous, like a proper watch compared to the black rectangle the Apple Watch was (Always On Display wasn’t so much of a thing back then). Then I received an Apple Watch as a gift , and everything changed, for starters it was so much more comfortable and light, I’m not a big guy so the massive Garmin Fénix didn’t really look that good on me looking back at old photos of me wearing them, a smaller profile watch looks much better. Then there’s the matter of the smart features, I am now an Apple Shortcuts power user (it is silly but it is true) I have so many and the fact that they integrate to the Apple Watch simply cannot be understated for me, I couldn’t go back to Garmin now, it is just so much part of my life now. There’s also Apple Music which just works fantastically on Apple Watch, albeit not Garmin’s fault but the integration with Spotify in their watches leaves so much to be desired in comparison. Every now and then I look a Garmin watches and still think they look better “on paper” but maybe not on me. In terms of Running, I have to be honest, Garmin does it much better than Apple’s simplistic implementation, but then again I don’t do that much running anymore, I used to run much more back then, probably encouraged by the watch 😄 , but now I focus more on weightlifting and other workout types, I found it is better for me.

“‘Best’ is kind of impossible without knowing your budget and what you care about most, but here’s the short version for 2025: * **If you mainly want fitness + crazy battery** → look at **Garmin** (Forerunner / Venu / Fénix / Epix depending on your budget and if you want AMOLED or not). Great GPS, stats, and works well with both Android & iOS, but smart features are more basic. * **If you want a “do everything” smartwatch and you’re OK with daily charging** → * On **iOS**: Apple Watch (if your iPhone is recent enough, that’s still the most seamless option). * On **Android**: **Galaxy Watch** or **Pixel Watch** families for the best apps + integration. * **If you want something cheaper but solid for fitness** → Amazfit (T-Rex, Cheetah, etc.) gives good GPS + long battery for the price, with decent app support. Since you have both Android and iOS, I’d start by asking: * Do you care more about **fitness metrics + battery** or **apps + smart features**? * Max budget? Answer that and people here can give you 2–3 very precise models instead of generic “get an Apple Watch” replies.”

This is what I did. I bought the Fenix with the intention on switching completely, but I realized that I missed a lot of things about my AW. So now my AW is my daily wear and also for occasional shorter runs, walks, etc. I use the Fenix for hiking, diving, long activities, etc.