Best Running / cycling watch for turn by turn navigation
Discussion
Any watch with GPS will perform 99% of what I'm after, but if I want to specifically download a gpx file, load it onto the watch and follow the route prompting me which way to go (vibration or sound, I guess), which is best for that?
Considering Suunto, Coros, Garmin, Amazfit really. Toying with the Suunto Race 2 but thats a bit spendy for me TBH, so I'm setting a £400 limit.
Thanks
Considering Suunto, Coros, Garmin, Amazfit really. Toying with the Suunto Race 2 but thats a bit spendy for me TBH, so I'm setting a £400 limit.
Thanks
I'm a Garmin guy, currently using a Fenix 8 which is probably overkill for your needs as it's their flagship model.
I don't have experience of other brands (I did have an Apple watch for a spell). A friend of mine did have a Suunto for a while but it was completely mis-reporting speed/steps etc when we were out together, they quickly changed to a Garmin. It could have been user error or just a dodgy single device, but it's my only view of Suunto.
I don't have experience of other brands (I did have an Apple watch for a spell). A friend of mine did have a Suunto for a while but it was completely mis-reporting speed/steps etc when we were out together, they quickly changed to a Garmin. It could have been user error or just a dodgy single device, but it's my only view of Suunto.
Ideally you want one with full Topo maps rather than breadcrumb trail that the cheaper ones tend to offer.
Then it's battery life to consider if using gps nav for more than just a few hours.
Garmin etc have a lot to offer but the Amazfit T-Rex 3 seems an absolute steal at under £240, and is likely to be a bit cheaper still during black friday long weekend.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazfit-T-Rex-Smartwatch-...
Saw this comparison video to the Garmin Fenix 8 at more than three times the price that put it on my watchlist (
):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpWDzYYsKs8&t=...
Then it's battery life to consider if using gps nav for more than just a few hours.
Garmin etc have a lot to offer but the Amazfit T-Rex 3 seems an absolute steal at under £240, and is likely to be a bit cheaper still during black friday long weekend.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazfit-T-Rex-Smartwatch-...
Saw this comparison video to the Garmin Fenix 8 at more than three times the price that put it on my watchlist (
):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpWDzYYsKs8&t=...
Polar Vantage V3? You might have to get pre-loved though.
You can import GPX files, and also get a bike mount for the watch.
https://support.polar.com/uk-en/how-to-import-rout...
You can import GPX files, and also get a bike mount for the watch.
https://support.polar.com/uk-en/how-to-import-rout...
I'd stick to Garmin if you can. I recently bought a Garmin Fenix Pro 2 for £369 from H.Samual of all places (Cheaper than everyone else). This is my third Garmin product. Before that, I had a Fenix 5 and Fenix 3 (over 10 years)
These watches are incredibly durable and mine took several knocks and still kept working pretty well. However, at £400, you have limited choices without resorting to used watches, hence I'd recommend the Epix.
I'd also consider Venu 5 as well as they are slightly cheaper than a Fenix and a bit more of a modern look.
The Amazfits are reportedly quite good, but Garmin have been building sports watches since 2004 and even Apple have brought watches out in a bid to take some of that market. Garmin are also so strong in the market, that they have managed to replicate what Hoover achieved. IE people use the term hoover to describe a vacuum cleaner. You ofetn hear people just use the term 'Garmin'
There is even stories of sponsored racers having to quickly remove their Garmin from their wrist and replace it with their sponsored device at the end of a race.
If you want detailed reviews, go have a look at DC Rainmaker. He's been doing it for years.
There is a downside to Garmin.....and its the model line. Over the years, its become incredibly confusing and grown significantly. Someone told me that my Epix is essentially a combination of a Fenix and Forerunner. I have no idea if that's true, but its smaller than a Fenix 8 and I quite like that.
These watches are incredibly durable and mine took several knocks and still kept working pretty well. However, at £400, you have limited choices without resorting to used watches, hence I'd recommend the Epix.
I'd also consider Venu 5 as well as they are slightly cheaper than a Fenix and a bit more of a modern look.
The Amazfits are reportedly quite good, but Garmin have been building sports watches since 2004 and even Apple have brought watches out in a bid to take some of that market. Garmin are also so strong in the market, that they have managed to replicate what Hoover achieved. IE people use the term hoover to describe a vacuum cleaner. You ofetn hear people just use the term 'Garmin'
There is even stories of sponsored racers having to quickly remove their Garmin from their wrist and replace it with their sponsored device at the end of a race.
If you want detailed reviews, go have a look at DC Rainmaker. He's been doing it for years.
There is a downside to Garmin.....and its the model line. Over the years, its become incredibly confusing and grown significantly. Someone told me that my Epix is essentially a combination of a Fenix and Forerunner. I have no idea if that's true, but its smaller than a Fenix 8 and I quite like that.
Not sure if other watches are better but the Garmin's charging/data transfer cable connection on the back of the watch is crap. Had several cables stop working as the connector gets corroded or works loose and the three prongs are a pain to try to keep clean so have to fight the watch to get it to connect to the computer for syncing in Garmin Connect.
Wish they'd go normal USB-C instead of proprietary.
Wish they'd go normal USB-C instead of proprietary.
Virtual PAH said:
Not sure if other watches are better but the Garmin's charging/data transfer cable connection on the back of the watch is crap. Had several cables stop working as the connector gets corroded or works loose and the three prongs are a pain to try to keep clean so have to fight the watch to get it to connect to the computer for syncing in Garmin Connect.
Wish they'd go normal USB-C instead of proprietary.
Couldn't agree more with thisWish they'd go normal USB-C instead of proprietary.
I'm in a running club, and everybody ends up with a Garmin. Plenty of people swear by an Apple or a Polar or whatever for a while, but they invariably get replaced by a Garmin after a while.
Other brands can be cheaper or a better spec, but Garmin have got the essentials spot on IMO.
Other brands can be cheaper or a better spec, but Garmin have got the essentials spot on IMO.
Freakuk said:
It's a well documented issue and frankly overplayed. As long as you keep the connector clean the watch itself is bulletproof, the cables are the weak point and how they lock onto the watch, easy to remedy though.
Yeah, keep buying new cables. I can see how the connection design is limited by the space in the watch and the need for waterproofness, but it does feel a bit Apple iPhone and "you're holding it wrong" that the problem is put on the user not the designer.
Don't have a specific model in mind but I've been using my Garmin Vivoactive HR for about 8 years now and still have no problems with the watch or charging cable, so also team Garmin (might not have the smartphone functions but I don't need nor want that).
Edit: quick Google suggests it's over 9 years I've had the watch (and last year they still produced an update for it, quite rare in this age of planned obsolescence).
Edit: quick Google suggests it's over 9 years I've had the watch (and last year they still produced an update for it, quite rare in this age of planned obsolescence).
OP - it might be worth getting one from Amazon, try it, and if you don't like it then return and try the next one.
I've used Polar for years and don't feel any desire to change to Garmin. I don't feel anything is missing. But then I can be awkward sometimes and often choose something just to be different
I've used Polar for years and don't feel any desire to change to Garmin. I don't feel anything is missing. But then I can be awkward sometimes and often choose something just to be different
Many thanks for the valuable feedback from everyone! 
Good idea about the amazon try before you buy. never done that before TBH...
Agree with full topo maps - have tried with breadcrumbs before and it doesn't cut the mustard for me TBH.
Good shout about the 955 - hadn't realised that was in budget. That would probably be the logical chouice given I'm currntly (still!) using a 735 - in fact the only thing I want the upgrade for is topographical maps / turn by turn navigation. Still works like it just came out the box (though on 2nd charge cable, but with a replacement at about £10 it's hardly an issue given it lasted 6 years or so).
One thing I'm intrigued by with the turn by turn navigation is how the thing actually works in principle...
Lets say I download a route to follow which is a circle like a clock face whereby the route starts at 12, and goes clockwise to 12 again...
...what happens if I start at 6 oclock? Would it just take me to 12 or keep going? Do different brands work in different ways for this? Possibly an odd question but key to my buying decision possible.
Looks like its between 955 & Suunto race 2 (cracking value of the Amazfit notwithstanding!) & my entire decision is down to how good the turn by turn navigation & maps is (not fussed by the suunto lack of names is on the maps as I'm not road running).
Good idea about the amazon try before you buy. never done that before TBH...
Agree with full topo maps - have tried with breadcrumbs before and it doesn't cut the mustard for me TBH.
Good shout about the 955 - hadn't realised that was in budget. That would probably be the logical chouice given I'm currntly (still!) using a 735 - in fact the only thing I want the upgrade for is topographical maps / turn by turn navigation. Still works like it just came out the box (though on 2nd charge cable, but with a replacement at about £10 it's hardly an issue given it lasted 6 years or so).
One thing I'm intrigued by with the turn by turn navigation is how the thing actually works in principle...
Lets say I download a route to follow which is a circle like a clock face whereby the route starts at 12, and goes clockwise to 12 again...
...what happens if I start at 6 oclock? Would it just take me to 12 or keep going? Do different brands work in different ways for this? Possibly an odd question but key to my buying decision possible.
Looks like its between 955 & Suunto race 2 (cracking value of the Amazfit notwithstanding!) & my entire decision is down to how good the turn by turn navigation & maps is (not fussed by the suunto lack of names is on the maps as I'm not road running).
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