I’ve been with Garmin forerunner 101–virtually a brick on your wrist that only connected to your pc via serial port. I’ve had just about every edition, or every other forerunner or fenix, since then.
https://preview.redd.it/9y3djmlqs2wf1.jpeg?width=447&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8970e4e3b30a7ac16290c35ee5912fd8935f3b7f
Garmin does excellent running/hiking/exploring watches but it’s only nominally in that other smartwatch or lifestyle market segment since other brands do that much better.
Though there is a lot of competition with Coros & even Apple Watch Ultra in some cases, most people I know like Garmin for their ecosystem and I don’t think for that specific athlete market it’s even close. So I think one ought to think of it like that rather than Garmin as a smartwatch brand
So affordable is a subjective term. For me, I wouldn’t part with my Garmin because there’s always a compromise with “lifestyle” type watches passing for a training device. Plus I have Garmin edge for cycling and Garmin power meter pedals as well.
Get an older model if your concerned about budget. The new features are usually not that compelling. Only go 970 if you have to have a torch and 965 if you need maps. 265 is a great watch and sounds like it will do what you want along with the 100 series too. Great MIP options out there as well because...MIP is better!
I can remember running before GPS running watches came about, but I wore my candybar garmin for years! Wish I wouldn't have given it away, because it was still working great when I decided to downgrade to a smaller/newer model.
I usually keep mine until they break or die. I spend enough on shoes every year, I'd hate to have to buy $500 watches more often than I have to.
My current Garmin is going on 7 years. Still works great, still wear it as my daily and running watch. Replaced the band a couple of times, but still holds a great charge.
i second that. wrist HR with F8 is also faulty for me like 30% of the times, could be because of a wrist or a strap. But i did not see any with F8 improvement compared to F6 or older forerunners
Garmin Venu 1, 2, or even one of the newer Vivoactives would be great. You can get a Venu 2 for probably about $100-$130 on Facebook Marketplace right now. You can also get one of the older Garmin Forerunners for about the same price as well, if not a little cheaper
taverenturtle4
