Forerunner 110

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’m shocked to hear people talking about maps on watches not being good. Anyone who has used a high end Garmin (not commenting on other brands) will know how good the maps are. Easy guidance, fully rendered roads (including street names), paths and trails. You can add POI (can be a bit annoying) and anyone who says they’re too small has obviously never seen you can zoom and pan and adjust all the settings on size. They can auto reroute, can send you back the way you came or get you back to your starting point on shortest distance. If you frequently enough go running on trails and you want to explore more, or just want to do longer runs or loops that you’re unfamiliar with they’re fantastic now. In terms of replacements I’ve gone Forerunner 110 (2010) 920XT (2014) 935 (2017) 965 (2023). The cut down size from the 920 to the 935 was the reason I replaced it earlier than planned as it allowed me to wear at in the office.

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 use a Garmin Forerunner watch, and it displays heart rate while tracking activity. The reading is pretty visible to me even with slightly foggy goggles but ymmv. They have a lot of models with this capability, so maybe you can find one with a bigger screen. The default heart rate screen also has a colored Zone indicator, if that's easier to see & you're not looking for exact numbers https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=kbOXNev7NS4DQcc3IjAV49

I got a Garmin forerunner watch and on the mats I use the Garmin hrm pro. Had no complaints while rolling. Just makes it feel like you have a hard sternum

I have a Garmin Edge bike computer and chest based heart rate because I like to see my speed on the handlebars rather than having to look at my watch. It also navigates for me on more adventurous rides and race courses I'm unfamiliar with. For local social rides I just track on my Garmin Forerunner watch.

A Garmin head unit. You could buy used to reduce the cost. I do ride wearing my forerunner watch, however it is purely for heartrate (linkeded to display on headunit) In reality you could buy the headunit and an inexpensive chest heartrate monitor such as magene. I do however like that my watch provides lots of other daily data such as resting heartrate, steps and so forth. There is benefit to headunit + basic level sports watch.