Grit X

A Grit X (original version) sounds like it might be a good fit. Just make sure it doesn’t have the original barometer design with the holes on the underside, as that version had problems with the altimeter.

No Polar at all?? (I use a Polar Grit X)

I have been using Garmin, Suunto and Polar watches over the last decade. I was most satisfied with Suunto. Imho it has the best build quality and the best GPS and heart tracking. Garmin on the other hand has the best software, but I am not a fan of the hardware, plus they are pretty expensive for the higher end models. Polar is a bit in between. I stumbled upon the Trex 3 which is on sale for 145 euro atm. This is a bargain compared to the other brands. Plus it seems a bit of a crossover between sportswatch and smartwatch. I read a lot of reviews where most complaints are about software, coaching, sleeptracking, etc. Most of the reviews being pretty old and I read there are still updates upto 2027. I don't really care about sleeptracking, but some sort of coaching would be nice, because currently non of my watches so this (accurately). What I especially care for is (very) accurate GPS tracking, preferable accurate barometer and if even possible accurate heartrate tracking. I also like the smartwatch gimmicks, the long battery life and the screen. Daily tracking is a nice add on. I will use the watch on a daily basis. Other than that I'll use it for triathlon, running, swimming (both open water and pool), cycling and time trial and mountainbiking. Preferably of coarse with reliable data like strokes and stuff while swimming. I currently use a Polar Grit X which which has accurate tracking, but the software isn't all that either. Plus it hardly has smartwatch features, no amoled screen and minor issues lately. Would this Trex 3 be a step up? Or should I just cough up some more bucks and go with the big brands?

You can get the Polar Grit X second hand for around 100-150 EUR/USD these days. Never had any issues with HR or GPS accuracy. I also use it almost exclusively for running.

The day you really need a watch in the middle of the woods, in the forest, and reliable, routable maps, etc., then you'll realize that Garmin is  years ahead of the crap mentioned in the thread. I've had over 15 Garmins, all Fenix, and I've had Polar Grit X, Suunto, Coros, and those Samsung toys, Pixel, etc. The day you're actually in a real forest and need routable maps and a battery life of two days or more using GPS, you'll never again mention those plastic toys you're mentioning. Until then, keep using those toy watches and considering these idiotic trade-ins.

I've been pretty loyal to the Fenix/Enduro line for 12 years aside from one year with Polar. I found Polar very good (Grit X) and I would argue that Polar Flow is a bit more elegant in terms how the data is presented in a more actionable format for the user, but Garmin is just in a different league with battery life and features.

I left Polar with pain in my heart. Couldn't find a good successor for the Grit X. Really wanted to try the X2, but I couldn't trust it would be well. Also the app of Suunto looked better. :( Sometimes I hope Suunto and Polar will fuse :)