Garmin - Forerunner 610

Lots of options. Check out the Venu series, Vivofit, and Vivoactive. IMO the value-added aspects of the Forerunner are around running and other aerobic endurance sports. Are those relevant to you?

I had a 610 years ago and a 700-series a different time. Might be getting it backwards. I think there's always been a 900-series? The intermediate models tend to wander, though I think they've usually had a 200-series as well. I had a 230 for a while and I know there was a 245, 255 and 265, so it was a reasonable assumption that there'd be a 270. DC Rainmaker kind of hated the 165 and 265. Like his reviews really read like he thought we should get Instincts instead. He's also been talking about how Garmin is maybe trying to rationalize their line. So maybe now it's Lifestyle watches -> Instinct -> FR 570 -> FR 970 -> Fenix -> higher-end Fenix variants. I dunno... I was really waiting for this because I wanted to at least wait a generation before replacing my 165. But the price hike in the 970 is kind of a shock. Maybe I'll do a 965 in a bit, now that there's something to make it last year's model. Now that I have AMOLED I don't really want to go back, especially if part of my deal is wanting maps.

Forerunner can be a great alternative to Fenix if you're price conscious. Or just last generation Fenix. Do you care about maps?

Forerunner does that stuff too. In general, higher-end Garmins add, they don't take away. Are you serious about any of your sports? Like planning seasons, building for events, that kind of thing?

Changed my mind... I think without an explicit indoor rowing activity profile and VO2max, the extra analysis stuff on the Forerunner won't really work. Not sure if any of the watches have that. I know there are some accepted equations to estimate that stuff, though I think you'd also need a reasonably accurate power meter on your rowing machine. So yeah, Venu or whatever is fine.

My opinion, go with the Forerunner. Check out all the chatter from people moving on from their Apple Watches - I get that some of the newer ones have much better support for running but you say you have an older one. And you're not going to want to carry your phone either. How much running have you done up to now?

You need to set your expectations appropriately. Wrote too much, deleted it. My first Garmin was a 610 something like fifteen years ago. I think the mid-range Forerunners are pretty good. I'm skeptical of the 970 and Fenix and inclined to laugh at people who buy the MARQ. I suspect that part of my attitude here is that my current 165 (don't buy, get the 255 if this is your pricepoint) is way better than my 610 was and a bit better than my 230 and mostly good at what I want to be its core competency. People are pissed off when they're comparing to a fantasy watch that's as good as an actual sleep study, lab VO2max test, educated, attentive human coach, and Google Maps on their phone or at least the Edge or one of the handhelds. And yes, as good at being a smart watch as the Apple Watch. Especially at higher pricepoints, some modules are a shitshow. You need to come in with some idea of what features are important to you and research if they actually work. Or come in with open expectations and just move on when some features don't work.

Garmin faithful (though not fanboy) here… 305>610>935>255s (middle numbers might be wrong and I’m too lazy to doublecheck). Wrist issues are going to happen to a small slice of the population with silicone straps… emphasis on small. As far as training readiness… these are consumer grade devices… squint when the garmin (or coros or suunto or apple or whoever) tells you stuff and you’ll be fine. 

The same I was big on the Apple ecosystem and felt like it was a cool watch just because it integrated so well, but I never even downloaded any apps for it. All I ever used it for was timers and reminders and stuff like that and basic fitness tracking, and my forerunner does all the same stuffbut way better. Should’ve switched sooner

There is Garmin Swim (IMHO essentially it is a ForeRunner, but swim has been put in focus; review here https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/10/garmin-openwater-review.html). However, modern Garmin watches are all able to track pool swim as well as gym workouts (you might have to set exercises later in the app if you want to track muscle groups affected). Essentially ForeRunner is for runners mostly, Forerunner 9xx is focused on triathlon, Fenix is mostly for outdoors - but again, all of them can do almost the same. I’d go with Fenix if budget allows.

All true except advanced metrics. They are also present in Fenix (it has even more features for hiking) and Instinct. Forerunner is not more advanced. The rugedness is mostly about the bezel. In fenix and instinct it has a rim which gives extra protection to the screen. But that means rugged watches are more bulky what can be a problem in the gym. The real question is lightness of forerunner vs battery life of fenix /instinct

I’ve had and loved garmin forerunners and a coros pace. Slight preference for coros over garmin for battery life. Slight preference for garmin for multi-app interoperability.  I’m actually planning to buy an Apple Watch because it’s fine as a fitness tracker and has better health tracking capabilities on top of the fitness stuff. 

Depends on what you need, if it’s mainly for running, I’d go with one of the cheaper Forerunner models. An AMOLED display is a nice upgrade though. Also, definitely check the battery life if that’s important to you. I recently switched to the 965 and can say it’s been a solid watch.

I have both and just got the forerunner. I really enjoy the fitness data from garmin. AW is just a superior smart watch and I am coming to the conclusion that I don’t need it any more. At my age I just need to focus more on my health and fitness.

I've gotten a lot more consistent with my running with my Garmin forerunner. Week long battery life, and basic notifications. I don't think there exists any watch that tracks lifting correctly though.

Not having a screen doesn't really seem like much of a selling point. It's nice to have the watch function and access to other data bits on the screen. I have an older Garmin Forerunner that I've used for about 8 years.