I have a Garmin 945 that's going on 6 years, following a Garmin 910 that still worked when I retired it after 9 years. Right now the battery lasts ~6 days, down from ~2 weeks when I bought it. One button is starting to have intermittent contact issues.
On the water front, these are triathlon watches and are designed for swimming.
I have replaced each band once, and I use a quick-release leather band for daily wear and a quick-release silicon band for swimming.
My next one will probably be either the 955 or 970, once the button gives out.
I don't know if there's a "correct" way, but I count the rest time in the same way I count the rest during a run, bike or strength workout--it's all part of the total time for the session. The older Garmins, like the 910x, used to just lap as a split where the newer ones from at least the 935 on switched to a rest with the lap button press which I always found annoying since you couldn't split a longer interval nicely that way without fumbling with a double tap. Ended up just using my 910xt for swimming to also help save the barometer in my 935 lol. As another commenter said, once I got the FORM goggles I didn't have to worry about that anymore. 😀
I don't know if there's a "correct" way, but I count the rest time in the same way I count the rest during a run, bike or strength workout--it's all part of the total time for the session. The older Garmins, like the 910x, used to just lap as a split where the newer ones from at least the 935 on switched to a rest with the lap button press which I always found annoying since you couldn't split a longer interval nicely that way without fumbling with a double tap. Ended up just using my 910xt for swimming to also help save the barometer in my 935 lol. As another commenter said, once I got the FORM goggles I didn't have to worry about that anymore. 😀
Was GARMIN for many years, starting with Forerunner 910XT and progressing to Fenix 5Pro Saphire. Did last Tri event in 2019 and ended up switching to AWU when it first was released. I have no regrets, if I ever go back to Tri will probably use another GARMIN for racing/training but keep AWU as daily driver.
You buy a Garmin for what it does today, not for what it may or may not do in a year with some maybe-happening update.
As opposed to typical (real?) smart watches, a Garmin will keep working for years and will be compatible with the app even if it is not receiving further updates to its software. I can go for a run with my 15 year old 910XT today stick the ANT stick on my computer and upload all the data to the app with all the functionality the watch had the day I got it. I can probably do that even with my 18 year old 305 (I haven't tried in a while, but I would expect it to work).
So, buy something that satisfies your needs today. It will keep doing it's job for its lifetime. If you develop additional needs, well then you can consider an upgrade.
You won't get "very accurate hr sensor" in any watch, they all use the same technology which has its own disadvantages.
As long as I'm aware you can't program strength directly on any garmin watch.
Your best bet would be older fenix/epic/forerunner series 9
Here is my reason, have you noticed that the major reviewers even when they are testing Garmin or Suunto watches are always wearing the Apple Watch Ultra on their wrist? Here is why, as great as Garmin watches are and I back this statement up , I have owned 3 Fenix's and 2 forerunner 9 series over the years. Running and Cycling are in comparison small parts of my week, even though I run 30 K a week and cycle almost 200K a week. The rest of the week, I am an employee, check email, read and respond to texts, I am a husband, a father , a podcast / music listener , a walker ,a gym goer and the Apple Watch is just an all round everyday watch for me with all the smart features. Sorry for the long winded reply.... and with regards to your last comment, I totally agree , when I was a Garmin Wearer, 99% of the time I saw someone with a Garmin, it was easy to strike a conversation as they were a runner or a cyclist. With the apple watch.....not so much lol
Currently an Apple Watch user for personal reasons but I can tell you that in the last 11 years having owned various Fenix and Forerunner 9 models, Garmin makes solid built great products and every time I called customer service , they were supportive. I still own an Edge 1040 / Varia combo and my wife has the same plus an Epix 2. Don’t even worry about it, you’ll be fine!
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