Which Fitness Watch?...discuss

[gregsmith01748]

OK, I'm thinking that I might buy a fitness watch.

My specs:
- track HR either built in or with a strap (need to support both)
- measure cadence for stroke rate
- gps for location (and speed and stuff)

The basic choices
- Garmin FENIX5
- some other Garmin
- Suunto
- Apple Watch3
- Polar

What experiences or preferences do people have to share? One thing that intrigues me about the garmin is that I could hook stuff up to it using ANT+, which seems unique.

Thanks

[jackarabit]

Have the Garmin Vivoactive HR. Wrist HR sensor is a joke; works great with ANT+ chest belt. Reliable download to Garmin Connect on my ipod. Printout of 18 pg. manual a must, imo. Gps track is very accurate for hiking. Would be an inexpensive knockabout OTW watch for you.

[Balkan boy]

Hi Greg,
I recently got a Suunto Ambit3 Run, mostly because my training log is tied to their site.
I wouldn't recommend any of the GPS Suunto watches, at the moment. My biggest annoyance is that they only use BLE, so I must choose to connect the HR strap either to the watch or the PM5. Screen is not easily readable in dim light, and I often need to keep the backlight on. I'm pretty sure that even the new ones don't track stroke rate. GPS seems to be solid. They're pricy, and not as pretty as in the brochure.
Compatibility with Wahoo Tickr (Ant+/BLE) isn't 100%.
This is the only current Suunto worth considering: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/08/spa ... eview.html

I think that only Garmin offers all the things you listed. They are the only who still support ANT+.
There was a post on this forum that a Garmin watch (don't remember which) tracks strokes on the erg pretty accurately.
Fenix5 is crazy expensive. Forerunner 935 is basicly the same watch at lesser price. It's what I'd choose this time around.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/03/gar ... eview.html

Polar has been off my radar for a while. I don't know enough about the current models.
Apple has too much tech for a sports watch.

[Droode]

Hi Greg, I have a Fenix 5s and I think the garmin f5 series are very good training watches that fit all of your criteria plus the ErgIQ app that can be downloaded from Connect IQ is a great feature for when you indoor row that none of the other watches offer. The erg iq app pairs with the C2 pm5 if you do not have a pm5 then maybe one of the other watches would be of more value.

[sander]

Hi Greg, I have a Fenix 5s and I think the garmin f5 series are very good training watches that fit all of your criteria plus the ErgIQ app that can be downloaded from Connect IQ is a great feature for when you indoor row that none of the other watches offer. The erg iq app pairs with the C2 pm5 if you do not have a pm5 then maybe one of the other watches would be of more value.

My Forerunner 220 is still going strong except for the fact that it longs for a charge much more often than it used to. So I am considering a new fitness watch too and was looking at Connect IQ functionality.

[Droode]

Hi Greg, I have a Fenix 5s and I think the garmin f5 series are very good training watches that fit all of your criteria plus the ErgIQ app that can be downloaded from Connect IQ is a great feature for when you indoor row that none of the other watches offer. The erg iq app pairs with the C2 pm5 if you do not have a pm5 then maybe one of the other watches would be of more value.

My Forerunner 220 is still going strong except for the fact that it longs for a charge much more often than it used to. So I am considering a new fitness watch too and was looking at Connect IQ functionality.

The ErgIQ app pairs very well with the newer Garmin watches and pm5 there tend to be more connection problems with Fenix 3 and I think some of the vivo smart watches. On the garmin forum there is a good thread full of info on the ErgIQ app and the developer is very responsive. Just to put it out there all the pm5 info as of now can only be seen on garmin connect, Garmin has not made the developers app metrics available to be stored on the watch so only the basics of the row are available in the watches memory.

[Paul N]

I bought a Polar M460 (bike computer) and H10 chest strap package. I then recently decided I wanted a watch for gym work and running - the choice for me was either the new M430 or its predecessor the M400. The M430 is optical (wrist) heart rate monitor only whereas the M400 is chest strap only. I bought the latter as a) it made sense to use the same chest HR monitoring method as I use with my cycling, b) I don't need to monitor HR when I'm not training, c) the M400 is now heavily discounted. GPS is good on both the M460 and the M400. M460 does altitude by barometer, M400 by GPS map data. M400 also has activity and sleep monitoring (accelerometer) (this bit is more advanced on the M430 apparently).

The M400 can be bought alone or as a package with the H7 chest strap; it also works with the H10 (which can also be bought separately. These straps use a slightly different method apparently, but the key difference is probably that the H10 has onboard storage capability (recording is started with the phone app PolarBeat). That's not important though if you are always going to have the watch on or your phone with you during the session...

Cadence is certainly available for the running "sports profiles" but not sure about the rowing. I will give it a try next time I go. Also not sure that a cadence measurement designed for running would give an accurate stroke rate measure...

I like the Polar Flow web service layout and flexibility to choose from a very wide range of sorts profiles to sync to the watch. You can set up the training views (displays) individually for each profile exactly as you want.

I haven't yet paired it to a PM5 at the gym but have just noticed I had that setting turned to off in the sports profile - I have corrected that now so will give it a go next time. Communication is Bluetooth Smart - no Ant+ unfortunately.

The watch is big (length and thickness mostly) and does not go well with tight fitting shirt sleeve cuffs. The strap has a big range of adjustment and is ok for my small wrists.

I would loved to have the Garmin with the scratch-proof glass - but what a price...

[Droode]

I bought a Polar M460 (bike computer) and H10 chest strap package. I then recently decided I wanted a watch for gym work and running - the choice for me was either the new M430 or its predecessor the M400. The M430 is optical (wrist) heart rate monitor only whereas the M400 is chest strap only. I bought the latter as a) it made sense to use the same chest HR monitoring method as I use with my cycling, b) I don't need to monitor HR when I'm not training, c) the M400 is now heavily discounted. GPS is good on both the M460 and the M400. M460 does altitude by barometer, M400 by GPS map data. M400 also has activity and sleep monitoring (accelerometer) (this bit is more advanced on the M430 apparently).

The M400 can be bought alone or as a package with the H7 chest strap; it also works with the H10 (which can also be bought separately. These straps use a slightly different method apparently, but the key difference is probably that the H10 has onboard storage capability (recording is started with the phone app PolarBeat). That's not important though if you are always going to have the watch on or your phone with you during the session...

Cadence is certainly available for the running "sports profiles" but not sure about the rowing. I will give it a try next time I go. Also not sure that a cadence measurement designed for running would give an accurate stroke rate measure...

I like the Polar Flow web service layout and flexibility to choose from a very wide range of sorts profiles to sync to the watch. You can set up the training views (displays) individually for each profile exactly as you want.

I haven't yet paired it to a PM5 at the gym but have just noticed I had that setting turned to off in the sports profile - I have corrected that now so will give it a go next time. Communication is Bluetooth Smart - no Ant+ unfortunately.

The watch is big (length and thickness mostly) and does not go well with tight fitting shirt sleeve cuffs. The strap has a big range of adjustment and is ok for my small wrists.

I would loved to have the Garmin with the scratch-proof glass - but what a price...

Unfortunately you can not pair a Polar watch with a pm5 the only indoor rowing metrics you can get are stroke rate and time, that is why I switched to a Garmin. I did prefer Polar Flow though I am not a huge fan of Garmin Connect but it is improving.

[keithhamil@gmail.com]

Anyone using a Garmin 935 and ErgIQ to connect to the PM5? I have not been able to get my 935 to connect to the PM5. The APP developer says it should work. I just updated to the latest PM5 firmware yesterday and am still not able to connect the 935 with the PM5. What is the trick?

[Paul N]

Unfortunately you can not pair a Polar watch with a pm5 the only indoor rowing metrics you can get are stroke rate and time, that is why I switched to a Garmin. I did prefer Polar Flow though I am not a huge fan of Garmin Connect but it is improving.

How does the Polar watch pick up stroke rate if it can't connect with the PM5?

[bisqeet]

garmin vivoactive 3 ?

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/08/gar ... -know.html


new kid on the block (and a bit lighter than the fenix5) -copy and paste from above link

– Round Watch Design: No longer a square, the Vivoactive 3 is all rounded
– From two buttons to one button: Removal of the two front-facing buttons, and now just a single side-facing button
– Ability to flip watch 180°: You can make the button be on the left or right, your choice.
– Addition of two swipe interface points on side of watch: These allow up/down movement through menus
– Garmin Pay added: Contactless payments that utilizes NFC so you can buy your coffee with just your wrist
– Structured workout support added: This allows you to download custom workouts and training plans/calendars to execute
– Pre-loaded workouts added: These are for run, cardio, strength, and bike workouts
– Automatic Rep Counting added: For strength workouts, this was seen previously on the Vivosmart 3 this spring.
– VO2Max Estimation Added: We’ve historically seen this on higher end watches, so this is new at this price point.
– Fitness Age Estimates added: This was also introduced in the Vivosmart 3 this spring
– Stress Monitoring Added: This monitors stress throughout the day, also a Vivosmart 3 feature this spring. (coming to F5/FR935 soon).
– New user interface in many areas: While not 100% new, there’s a ton of differences within how the user interface works (see my video below on it)
– New 2017 Garmin Elevate Optical HR sensor: The same more advanced HR sensor we’ve seen on the Fenix 5 and FR935 is here as well, bringing virtually constant 24×7 HR recording (no major gaps anymore)
– Connects to Bluetooth Smart Sensors: It can connect to Bluetooth Smart HR Straps, Speed/Cadence Sensors (both individual and combo), and Footpods.
– Up to four data fields per page: This used to be three on the Vivoactive HR.
– Ability to calibrate treadmill distances: This was quietly introduced on the Fenix5/FR935 this past spring, and allows you to match indoor runs to what the treadmill says you did (after the workout).
– Increased price from $249 to $299: Not much more to say on this one.

– Barometric altimeter included: Used for stair counting, but also workouts
– GPS with GLONASS for workouts: Also, this allows 1-second recording rate as is the trend on most units lately.
– Battery life: is 7 days in smartwatch mode, 13 hours in GPS mode (similar to Vivoactive HR)
– Connect IQ for 3rd party apps and watch faces: Again, standard on virtually all Garmin units these days over $200
– Music Control of your phone’s music: Note the unit does NOT store music on it. Again, there’s no music on the Vivoactive 3 directly.
– Numerous sport modes: This isn’t just a running watch, but has everything from cycling to yoga, pool swimming (not outdoor) to rowing. You can customize these individually (plus Connect IQ apps gets you more sport modes).
– Basic waypoint navigation: You can save waypoints and navigate to them, using the internal compass.
– Always on touchscreen display: Yup, the display is always on 100% of the time. There’s also a bright backlight if you need it.
– Re-broadcasts optical HR: You can select to re-broadcast your heart rate from the optical HR sensor over ANT+
– Connects to ANT+ sensors: Specifically the ANT+ HR strap, ANT+ Speed/Cadence sensors, Footpods, and Tempe units (also connects to Bluetooth Smart sensors per the above). It does NOT connect to power meters.

[Droode]

Unfortunately you can not pair a Polar watch with a pm5 the only indoor rowing metrics you can get are stroke rate and time, that is why I switched to a Garmin. I did prefer Polar Flow though I am not a huge fan of Garmin Connect but it is improving.

How does the Polar watch pick up stroke rate if it can't connect with the PM5?

I may be incorrect but I think it is measured like the steps are counted. I have not used my Polar it quite some time so I may be wrong but the Polar watches do not pair with the pm5 of that I am sure.

[Droode]

Anyone using a Garmin 935 and ErgIQ to connect to the PM5? I have not been able to get my 935 to connect to the PM5. The APP developer says it should work. I just updated to the latest PM5 firmware yesterday and am still not able to connect the 935 with the PM5. What is the trick?

Have you followed the developers step by step instructions? If you have I found that some people have more success with the pm5 beta firmware and others the most current firmware version 22, if you have version 22 installed I would suggest trying the beta firmware and making sure you have the most recent version of Erg IQ installed. I hope this helps.

[Balkan boy]

From the godfather himself >> https://twitter.com/StephenSeiler/statu ... 4673460224
https://www.polar.com/en/products/acces ... ate-sensor

Only thing that appeals to me is not hitting the sensor with the handle at the finish.

[gregsmith01748]

Cool! I was wondering about that sensor. I might give it a try.