Choosing a watch for running

[pubrunner]

Hi All,

I’m looking for a device to use for running (only) and what I would like, is a watch which offers (as minimum) the following features :

1 GPS – to measure how far I’ve run.

2 Wrist-based heart rate monitoring, with the ability to let me know when I’m training above/below a specific heart rate zone.

3 Although I wear contact lenses and my distance vision is fine, I wear glasses for close-up reading. I’ve found that digital watches I’ve worn previously, have displays that I struggle to read whilst running. Therefore, I’m looking for a watch which displays info with large easy-to-read characters.

I’ve identified a couple of watches that appear to meet my requirements, these being the Garmin Forerunner 35 and the TomTom Runner 3 Cardio.

Can anyone offer any guidance based on first-hand experience of either of these watches . . . or should I be considering something else ?

[pubrunner]

Hi All,

First, many thanks indeed, for the many replies that have been made in response to my original query.

It would appear, that a Garmin product is the way to go.

I'm still leaning towards the Forerunner 35; primarily, because the (large) size of the display will (hopefully) make it easy for me to read the screen in all types of weather.

I'm not interested in using it for anything other than running and I'm not bothered about listening to running whilst I'm training.

Do any of you have any experience of the Forerunner 35 ? . . . or can any of you give me reasons why it might not be a good purchase ?

Thank you again, for all the responses; it's all very well reading reviews, but far better to hear from those with first-hand experience.

[pubrunner]

RizzoTheRat said:

ETA: If you're not in a hurry for it it's worth tracking the Amazon prices as they quite often drop suddenly for a day or two
https://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/Garmin-Forerunner-R...

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 16th October 11:21

Many thanks for the info. re. the CamelCamelCamel price tracker website - one that's new to me and sure to prove very useful in the future !

[pubrunner]

selym said:

I have the 35 and I went from the old Forerunner 305. I was mightily impressed with both but the 35 is a much better little package; watch that can be worn when not running, it locks to the satellites quickly, the wrist heart rate monitor seems quite accurate and you can sync it to a Garmin app on your phone - well it does it automatically if you choose.

For approx £110-120 I'd recommend it. if you need to know anything else just ask.

Ha ! I'm currently using an old Forerunner 305 - it's been a robust and reliable device, but the battery is beginning to not hold the charge for very long . . . and I'd like to use a watch with a wrist-based HRM facility. What I really like about the 305, is that even with my ageing eyes, I can easily read the screen ! (The Garmin Forerunner 305 has been one of my best-ever buys and even when I get a new watch, I'll still keep hold of it.)

[pubrunner]

FredClogs said:

I have a garmin 235, since July, it's good, there's a host of widgets and apps you can get for it. Personally I think it's the sweetspot between cost vs functionality

Thank you all, for the suggestions made !

It was my original intention, to get the Forerunner 35; however, I found that a colleague has the Forerunner 235 and when I saw it, and found what it can do, that I had found my ideal watch.

It does all that I need and importantly, I can read the display easily - it's the best bit of kit that I've purchased in ages.

As mentioned by FredClogs , it is a great balance of cost and functionality.

I have, however, another query . . . having seen the Forerunner 235, my better half would like a watch with similar functionality - but one which is slightly smaller for her dainty wrist . . . can anyone suggest a similar watch, but in a slightly smaller case ?. Would one of the Vivosports be suitable perhaps ? (My missus isn't a runner, but she's a keen cyclist).

Thank you !

[pubrunner]

smn159 said:

If she's cyclist, you should look at the Elemnt Bolt rather than a watch IMO

I've not seen the Elemnt Bolt before, but I think she wants something wrist-based - which offers the same king of functionality as the Garmin 235 - hrm measures sleep patterns, steps etc., etc.

Thank you for taking the trouble to reply !

[pubrunner]

tenohfive said:

As a general fitness watch the Vivoactive 3 is a great shout for her.

Thank you for this ^^^ suggestion . . . which I feel inclined to follow.


The Vivosport really did seem to 'tick all the boxes' . . . however, it appears that quite a few users have reported the strap breaking prematurely and replacements cannot be purchased - it has to go back to Garmin. I'm not going to buy any device, if I can't purchase a replacement strap for it.

But for now, the Vivoactive 3 looks ideal - I wonder, is it 'better' than my new 235 ?

[pubrunner]

tenohfive said:

If money were no object I'd have one for day-to-day training and life, and the 935 for races (ultras in my case where I need the battery life and nav.)

I'm not surprised that you would use the 935; I know it is a great watch with a very good battery life. I'm looking into doing some longer runs next year and for that purpose, I was veering towards the Foretrex 601 - they've an excellent battery life and when they do run out, it's simply a matter of slipping in a set of AAA's.

Have you any experience of the Garmin Foretrex range ?