Rugged fitness tracker

[van cleef]

I’m on my forth Fitbit in four years now, and I’m struggling to find something that’ll last for work, being a roofer I keep smashing screens.

I’ve been looking at the g-shock fitness watch but it doesn’t have a heart rate monitor. Have you people out there have any experience on any products...... preferably under £150 as it’ll be in for a tough life.

[FerdiZ28]

Bit over budget but I managed to get one of these on a good deal before Christmas, for £200.

Has a good solid feel, almost like a g shock. Usual bulletproof garmin features and links to Strava etc.

Would reccomend, ship around as prices vary massively.

Garmin Instinct, Rugged Outdoor Watch with GPS, Features GLONASS and Galileo, Heart Rate Monitoring and 3-axis Compass, SeaFoam light blue https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PRPNFZ2/ref=cm_sw_r...

[TeaNoSugar]

You could try looking for a Suunto Ambit or Suunto Core watch - you'll want the "sapphire" version as these have a steel bezel and sapphire crystal glass rather than the regular versions where it's all plastic.

Some models also have built-in HRM but I cant remember exactly which.

Probably wont be £150 though...

[alorotom]

That’s pretty normal wear for a Fitbit tbh ... wife and I used to go through them 2-3 per year each! And vat was without anything more strenuous than general wear, dog walking, swimming, etc.

We have found that iPhones have been very rugged for us and handled all sorts that’s been thrown at them with minimal impact (mine has a scratch on the screen from a brick wall when moving house but that’s all)

[Greendubber]

Garmin are miles ahead than fit bit in every single way.

Lads I work with have them and they survive a fair bit of abuse.

[ADogg]

I’m interested in this too, I’ve got a forerunner 235 and it’s great but a bit battered now. The instinct doesn’t seem much of an upgrade though m, but nicer looking!

[FerdiZ28]

It’s not really an upgrade apart from the display is a bit crisper and it’s more rugged.

Does everything I need (naked as I write)

[scotlandtim]

Coros.

Little known, but exceptional brand. I swear by them.

Used daily for last 2 years (Pace) - not a scratch on screen (have screen protector on)

Unbeatable performance / battery life / support.

Latest model is the Vertix. Looks fantastic. i haven't upgraded yet...

https://en.coros.com/vertix.php

[van cleef]

Update on this..... I ended up buying a gamin instinct after a bit of advise on here and a bit of homework, ok it was a bit more on price than I initially wanted to spend.

It got delivered today and just started using it...... first impressions are good and it looks great, only thing I miss is the touch screen I had on my Fitbit.

[Beachbum]

scotlandtim said:

Coros.

Little known, but exceptional brand. I swear by them.

Used daily for last 2 years (Pace) - not a scratch on screen (have screen protector on)

Unbeatable performance / battery life / support.

Latest model is the Vertix. Looks fantastic. i haven't upgraded yet...

https://en.coros.com/vertix.php

Took a look at those and they look quite impressive on paper. My Fitbit Ionic is driving me nuts, as its only a year old and the battery now lasts about 30hrs at best. So looking for something to replace it
From your knowledge of the brand, do you know if they have other Exercise categories that relate to the gym ? Those listed all seem related to outdoor walking/running

[scotlandtim]

Beachbum said:

scotlandtim said:

Coros.

Little known, but exceptional brand. I swear by them.

Used daily for last 2 years (Pace) - not a scratch on screen (have screen protector on)

Unbeatable performance / battery life / support.

Latest model is the Vertix. Looks fantastic. i haven't upgraded yet...

https://en.coros.com/vertix.php

Took a look at those and they look quite impressive on paper. My Fitbit Ionic is driving me nuts, as its only a year old and the battery now lasts about 30hrs at best. So looking for something to replace it
From your knowledge of the brand, do you know if they have other Exercise categories that relate to the gym ? Those listed all seem related to outdoor walking/running

You can record an indoor ride / indoor run / Cardio session / Pool swim etc. IS that what you mean?

[Coolbanana]

scotlandtim said:

Coros.

Little known, but exceptional brand. I swear by them.

Used daily for last 2 years (Pace) - not a scratch on screen (have screen protector on)

Unbeatable performance / battery life / support.

Latest model is the Vertix. Looks fantastic. i haven't upgraded yet...

https://en.coros.com/vertix.php

Does look very good, great reviews etc. The Vertix construction is identical to the Garmin flagships too. Almost want one!

I've used a few watches but, for me, nothing seems to come close (maybe the Coros does?) to matching Garmin's database over the years for Navigation Maps (cycling, running specific that show the details of, for example, the climb you are on, how far to go, your performance at the time) and the, literally, pages of metrics to analyse every aspect of your performance. Good auto links to Strava and MyFitnessPal too.

I have the Garmin Fenix 5+ Sapphire, Titanium. Tough, reliable, great battery life and gives the best performance metrics. I also have a Samsung Galaxy which, while the better Smartwatch, is nowhere near as good as a sports tool.

I'll definitely be keeping an eye on the Coros watches from now on though!

[eyebeebe]

Coolbanana said:

Does look very good, great reviews etc. The Vertix construction is identical to the Garmin flagships too. Almost want one!

I've used a few watches but, for me, nothing seems to come close (maybe the Coros does?) to matching Garmin's database over the years for Navigation Maps (cycling, running specific that show the details of, for example, the climb you are on, how far to go, your performance at the time) and the, literally, pages of metrics to analyse every aspect of your performance. Good auto links to Strava and MyFitnessPal too.

I have the Garmin Fenix 5+ Sapphire, Titanium. Tough, reliable, great battery life and gives the best performance metrics. I also have a Samsung Galaxy which, while the better Smartwatch, is nowhere near as good as a sports tool.

I'll definitely be keeping an eye on the Coros watches from now on though!

Worth reading the DCRainmaker reviews of Coros. From what I remember they are good for the price, but are going to be a step down from what you are used to with the Fenix.

[Coolbanana]

eyebeebe said:

Worth reading the DCRainmaker reviews of Coros. From what I remember they are good for the price, but are going to be a step down from what you are used to with the Fenix.

Yep, they are an intriguing alternative but they don't have the depth and range of Garmin's databases and experience where it really matters. Also, I use a Garmin Edge cycle computer so it makes sense to stick with Garmin as they sync. Plus, the Fenix 6 is only 6 months or so away and it'll jump further ahead until Coros plays catch up again.

Still, for those who don't need / want what Garmin can provide in terms of in-depth tracking, then the Coros is a viable alternative.

[scotlandtim]

Coolbanana said:

Yep, they are an intriguing alternative but they don't have the depth and range of Garmin's databases and experience where it really matters. Also, I use a Garmin Edge cycle computer so it makes sense to stick with Garmin as they sync. Plus, the Fenix 6 is only 6 months or so away and it'll jump further ahead until Coros plays catch up again.

Still, for those who don't need / want what Garmin can provide in terms of in-depth tracking, then the Coros is a viable alternative.

Interesting opinions - based on what? I've never noticed any difference between my coros or Garmin products - other than price, and in my opinion improved performance with Coros. Am I missing something, or simply not using my Garmin to it's full potential?

[eyebeebe]

scotlandtim said:

Interesting opinions - based on what? I've never noticed any difference between my coros or Garmin products - other than price, and in my opinion improved performance with Coros. Am I missing something, or simply not using my Garmin to it's full potential?

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/05/coros-vertix-adventure-gps-premium-watch-hands-on.html
Summary at the end of the hands on is quite interesting.
I also hadn’t realised that the Vertix is priced so high.

[scotlandtim]

Thanks for that - very interesting.

I use the Coros Pace, and have done for a couple of years. haven't noticed any issues, and generally pic it over the garmin but interesting review of the higher up models. One may come my way for testing in the near future, so I'll keep you posted!

[feef]

I've been using a Suunto Spartan Baro HR which has a stainless steel bezel and sapphire glass screen. I'm not a roofer but it's withstood everything I could throw at it so far.

[Heres Johnny]

Ive had a fenix 3, not even the saphire one, but without the HR function (you can get them with that but I use a chest belt which is said to be more accurate) for 3 or 4 years. I wouldn't say indestructable but its showing no real signs of wear

The newer models are slimmer and probably better too, but I recon you;d pick up a used F3 for your budget in good condition (except I've spotted you've already bought something)

Edited by Heres Johnny on Thursday 4th July 20:54

[feef]

Heres Johnny said:

Ive had a fenix 3, not even the saphire one, but without the HR function (you can get them with that but I use a chest belt which is said to be more accurate) for 3 or 4 years. I wouldn't say indestructable but its showing no real signs of wear

The newer models are slimmer and probably better too, but I recon you;d pick up a used F3 for your budget in good condition (except I've spotted you've already bought something)

Edited by Heres Johnny on Thursday 4th July 20:54

veering off topic a little:

My Suunto has the LED wrist HR monitor (photoplethysmography : cracking terminology) and I was concerned that, due to my HR reading high for my age, that it was inaccurate. I did a long run with my Suunto monitoring via my wrist, and with a bluetooth chest belt connected to my phone to compare. At various spots, I paused and checked my pulse with the old digit and stopwatch too.

While the wrist monitor maybe didn't respond as quickly to rapid changes in rate, it's overall accuracy was pretty much spot on (and I just seem to have a hear that runs like a train).