**Heads up:** went with [**Garmin fēnix® 8 – 51 mm**](https://reddit-links.com/GarminFenix8) and decided to use it for my 5K training since it seemed like a long term option. Hoping it keeps things simple enough while still giving useful running data.
I just started running a few weeks ago and I’m trying to build up to a solid 5K without stopping. Right now I’m using my phone to track runs, but it feels kind of annoying to carry it around and I keep missing stats anyway. I’m thinking a watch might make things easier but I have no idea what actually matters at this level.
Would a basic GPS watch be enough for someone just starting out, or is it worth getting something with heart rate tracking too? Also curious which ones are actually reliable and easy to understand without a bunch of extra confusing features. Thanks
Bevel is a health app not a fitness tracking app. It lacks a great deal when It comes to fitness and it is highly biased to strength training. It is a great app for those converting from Whoop - the closet thing they will get to the Whoop app, but if you actually know anything about Whoop - it is a health and wellness app despite how much marketing would tries to make it seem like it is for elite athletes.
If you wanted data that is more comparable to Garmin you were/are using the wrong app. Livity, HeathFit,PeakWatch, FitIV, The Outsiders, Athlytic, any of these are going to give you more fitness related metrics that Bevel.
Bevel is attempting to be the all-in-one app for everyone but doing none of it at a high level and even claims it is an all-in-one a health app not a fitness tracker.
You can only make a phone call or or reply to texts on your F8 if you have your phone close by. With Apple and LTE you don't need your phone at all. There is also the issues of actually getting the watch assistant to work on your F8 which seems to be hit or miss because of the issues with Garmin software and all the bugs that come with it.
That is another significant issue to address- yes all watches have bugs but Garmin is on a whole other level. Either Garmin users accept them, ignore them, outright deny them, or complain about them and eventually get frustrated enough to move on. The software issues at Garmin are beyond being acceptable for a company of that size, the updates seem to be bi-weekly and they create more issues than they fix.
You are going to get downvotes from those who are in denial, loyalists who will never say a bad word about the brand, or from those who are so invested in the brand they are either so locked in that they won't change or they truly believe that Garmin is the best available. That said, what you have stated is true, they are just selling old models with new faces, the internals are the same. They haven't really changed for years. Garmin's software is outdated, laggy and so buggy it is an embarrassment. The Fenix 8 release was a catastrophe. Most folks know not to buy a new release Garmin for at least 6-8 months these days or they are just going to have paid to be a Garmin beta tester for months. You didn't even mention the laggy heart rate data for activities. Other brands have caught up to what at one time was the best in the business - not anymore. Garmin has been relying on the reputation for a while now. Prices go up, features get more gimmicky, and UX and UI go down.
I would say that the Fenix used to be geared toward the people who are going to use the 'adventure' watch as intended but the Fenix 8 is no longer an adventure watch, it is a daily driver for the everyday Jo who hikes on the weekends and goes on one or two multi-day adventures a year. It isn't what it used to be, it has a speaker and mic now, come on, it is trying to be a smartwatch. The Enduro is the Adventure watch meant for trekking and extreme conditions.
Most people saying battery life is not a problem on the AW have to be kidding themselves .
Who wants to charge each time you take the watch off, also charging constantly will reduce battery life over time.
But if you are doing half marathons, marathons, ultras and the like, the battery life doesn't stack up on the AW.
Running a 50km ultra on my fr965 I could use navigation and music from the watch and had battery life left.
For a 100km ultra I could not do the music, so eventually went to the 51mm Fenix 8..
Best thing, is if you forget to charge, no biggy plenty of battery life..
And the torch, have to agree with others, it's so underrated, use it heaps. Even when my ribs go a bit longer then intended, getting into night, works well for lighting the paths / tracks when you don't have a headlamp.
I would love to have the AW, but battery is a main factor, and not sure how well it plays with Android.
Oh and do they have equivalent to Garmin Connect? All your metrics in one spot?
I would (and do, 8 Amoled 51 owner) have zero fomo for the LTE. I always had cellular on my AWUs, and see the value, but having to use Garmin Messenger is silly. So anyone I want to message has to create a Garmin account and message me via messenger for the infrequent times I’m actually using LTE standalone? I’d rather just carry an inreach for remote and my phone for normal usage. I just don’t see the value here.
I have AWU1, Epix, Epix Pro 51, and Fenix 8 51 AMOLED. I like the AWU for smart functions, additional cellular connectivity on runs, Apple Music, unlocking my Mac, Siri actions,etc. But I only wear it mostly as a 2nd watch on runs. I’ll focus on why it’s Garmin for me, 24/7:
\*Real onboard maps
\*Integration (I don’t want Bevel plus Athlytic plus WorkOutDoors plus BodyState plus Pedometer++ just to get functionality or info on watch faces I want). I don’t want to have to pay for an app to get stress metric or download an app to see steps taken on watch face.
\*Web interface (Connect)
\*Morning Report
\*Superior GPS performance with SAT IQ.
\*ANT+ device connectivity
\*Customizable activity data screens
\*More complete and customizable watch faces
\*LED flashlight
\*Buttons, and “hot keys” with many functions programmable to a button hold or combination button hold.
\*More reliable training metrics due to more frequent HR and therefore HRV sampling. Stress, body battery, etc.
\*Working Pulse Oximetry
\*Suggested workouts
\*Garmin coaching plans
\*On-Watch Activity review.
I have AWU3 as well as Garmin Epix, Epix Pro 51, and Fenix 8 51 AMOLED.
I like AWU for connectivity to equipment in the gym as well as as running Gymaholic app for weight workouts from the watch. I also often run outside with it as second watch for music and emergency connectivity. I also like it unlocking my Mac, running smart home automations, reminders, Siri, etc. Currently wearing both AWU and Garmin Epix for a month or so to compare health metrics.
But it's Garmin 24/7 for me for the OP's mentioned reasons--integrated metrics without subscriptions, Garmin Connect web platform if I choose, watch face customizability, battery life, sensor variety and connectivity with ANT+, workout suggestions, customizable hot keys, workout data screen customizations, working pulse ox on the watch, etc. Garmin battery and low processing power enables all day HR sampling and very frequent HRV sampling, as well as pulse ox during sleep, which IMO makes related metrics that much more usable. I can also see HR updating every couple seconds on the watch face as well as steps updating in real time without tapping and waiting on pulse taken or app to update. I also like being able to change the order of my workout types, widgets, etc. on the watch.
I don't mind working out with either watch only (like AW in the gym or Garmin on outdoor runs). I use RunGap to sync everything to Garmin Connect.
I have Fenix 8 51 AMOLED, Tactix 8 47 AMOLED, Epix Pro 51 and AWU3. Honestly, you can't match Garmin for the features you cited in your use case. I wear a Garmin 24/7 minus charging time (every 2-3 weeks, lol). I DO love the AWU3 in my gym, where it connects to StarTrac treadmills, bikes, stairs, etc. and also runs Gymaholic for programming and following lifting workouts. I helped Ian with early beta testing of WorkOutDoors, and it's the go to app for AWU, but it still doesn't match Garmin for me.
I use Fenix 8 and Ultra. Would never give up Garmin platform for Apple. And the F8 has working EKG and will identify AFIB as well as Apple. F8 also has working SP02 (it never left).
I have AWU1 that I like for wearing to gym due to connection with Gymkit enabled cardio stuff and for using Gymaholic to track lifting workouts. I also double wrist it with AWU on right wrist for music and LTE on outdoor runs. I’m really a Garmin guy and wear F8 (at the moment) or my Epix 2 or Epix Pro 51 for 24/7, sleep, all my favorite stuff on the watch face, etc. I use RunGap to get AW workouts over to Garmin Connect. I do like the AWU for its smart features like unlocking Mac, Siri, etc, but my older eyes prefer the larger F8 51 screen and general Garmin platform including web interface. I also can’t stand battery anxiety, which I never have with my Garmins.
I have both, along with Tactix 8 and Enduro 3 (I bore easily and rotate frequently). I'm Garmin 24/7 with the AWU3 on second wrist with runs for music and connectivity or as primary in gym for Gymaholic and GymKit cardio equipment connection. When I use AWU only at the gym I use RunGap to get the activity over to Garmin Connect.
If I could have only one? Garmin, because it's a watch. I have my phone to run apps when needed. And the newer Garmins with microphone and speaker work well enough for the rare phone call on wrist and using Siri. I can customize the many free or cheap watch faces to my content, including steps and real time HR native on the face. With a free OpenWeather API, I can get hyper accurate nearby weather right on my wrist. I get HR by the second 24/7 and very frequent HRV sampling during sleep, for better HRV derived metrics. Though I think the AWU HR sensor is excellent , in my use case all my Garmin Gen 5 HR sensor watches test identical against the Polar H10 strap just like the AWU.
On the Garmins I can customize my widget "glances" on the watch and scroll down to see real time HR, stress (like when I get on the phone with an insurance company), HRV, sleep score, weather, steps, intensity minutes, and much more in good detail. I can customize my activity screens with up to 8 metrics including color charts and graphs and with multiple screens if I want.
I can't open my garage door, arm the house, or unlock my Macs with the Garmins. But I don't have to load or pay for Athlytic, Bevel, WorkOutDoors (which I help Ian with in early beta testing), Autosleep before Apple came around, nor am I limited to the Apple Watch faces. I get SP02 properly on the watch. I don't need to fish around in Health and Fitness apps for my data and rely on other apps for analysis. I have an all inclusive Connect app and even a customizable web platform which makes comparisons simple. I used a free Garmin 5K coach plan successfully. If I follow the Garmin workout recommendations I can increase my V02 max.
Battery life? Meh. Not a major concern either way since I don't head out for days at a time. Though I did get the Enduro 3 to check out the hype, and wow.
Top Fitness Trackers on Reddit
1
Garmin
Forerunner 255 Series
86% positive of 466 users
Long battery; but wrist HR tracking is inconsistent.
IbizzyAroca87
