Forerunner 945

I used to be on an Apple Watch. It's super okay as a smart watch and also for tracking (okay nga din for Multisport, autodetect during transitions). I switched back to Garmin since deal breaker for me yung battery life. I was on an Apple Watch 9 and have to charge at least every day (I didn't let it go below 30% para hindi maabutan na low battery during activities). So I switched to the Instinct 2x since it can charge via solar and the battery life is waaaay longer. It works for my runs, but when I used it for multisport, I didn't read up the instructions. So hindi pala automatic yung pag detect ng transitions. So for sports tracking, yeah it's worth it for me. I also use the Garmin ecosystem with cycling so it's an easy decision for me. I can use my chest HRM with the watch for accuracy and since I use the stuff from the brand. I am unsure which model you're looking at so, I can only say if the smart features are a big deal, I'll stick with Apple. Heck, I miss replying to messages using the watch or even taking calls on it. But, ayun deal breaker lang yung battery life. Even my brother's AWU2, couldn't go head to head with the battery life on my Instinct. Btw old Garmin ko was a Forerunner 945 Music. I got this back in 2020 and initially that was my wife's watch. I used it from 2023-2024 and now my bro-in-law uses it. Parang 4 days nalang battery life niya. Still going solid...

Fenix 8 47mm Sapphire. I've had a range of Garmins (Forerunner range: 35, 235, 935, 945, 955) but the 970 didn't appeal to me (accent colour on side and domed glass) so I got my first Fenix and first AMOLED watch (solar was thicker than my 955 which was already a bit thick under clothing). Love the look of the Fenix a lot more, plus better battery life

I have been a Whoop wearer for 4 years. I have had a Garmin 945 for 5. This is exactly my use case—run and strength (and whatever else) with the Garmin and whoop for the overall experience.

Garmin Forerunner. I have the 945 and it still going strong. Does a great job with running, swimming and biking. Add in a Garmin Edge eventually for your bike. I do know several people that are quite happy with their Coros though. Not sure what they offer for cycling computers though.

I have the Forerunner 945. The battery is eternal, watch face isn’t too big (small female wrist here), and it doesn’t everything I could want a watch to do. It interacts with and displays my varia radar and power meter pedal data as well as with my Wahoo trainer without issues. It has pool and open water tracking and uploads workouts. The HR is pretty spot on even in the water. The only time it fails me is when I’m climbing out of the saddle and put a sharp bend in my wrist. Watches use a different algorithm to measure gain than the computers, so I believe my Edge between the two, but if you yse Strava you can have it elevation-correct after the fact.

This location seems like it would chafe like the dickens swimming and running. Jelenew makes a bra with an hrm hole to help keep it in place. I upgraded to the FR945 from my 2-series when I got into triathlon because it has openwater and triathlon activity tracking modes and a massive battery life to get me through an IM. It’s not perfect but it’s pretty darn good in open water. Also, Form 2 goggles use a HR sensor on your temple. They work best with an open water GPS-compatible watch for tracking, but the HRM is independent. I just got a pair so too soon for me to give my own review

My Garmin Forerunner 945 has really inaccurate (underreported) heart rate when skiing, especially skate, unless I use a chest strap. I'm not sure if the newer 9x5 models are better. But it does has activities for both.

Can't speak for the Instinct, but I got my Garmin Forerunner 945 in 2019 and it's still going strong. Passive battery life a week+, GPS battery is still close to 24h (I think, haven't done a race that long in a bit). No issues with connectivity, bluetooth, charging, nothing. Some of their newer models are a little bloated and they're adding a ton of features at the cost of battery life, which is the only disappointing part. For ultras the only thing I _really_ care about is battery, and their out of the box battery life says 26 hours or something now, instead of 32+. Either way though, they make really good devices.