Started running once or twice a week ever since my company signed up for a corporate 5K and I’m interested in tracking progress and pacing myself without pulling a phone out (I use a Garmin bike computer when cycling).
I’m not looking for a full featured smartwatch, just a cheap way to track pace and distance, possibly a map option if I decide to spend a bit more. What are your recommendations for a beginner watch?
Thanks!
Garmin 45 or 55. 100%
Do these have the daily suggested workouts?
I use a 55 and it does have daily suggested workouts, although you can only see your current day. I vaguely heard that more expensive models are capable of showing workouts ahead of time. Nonetheless, very happy with my 55 - does everything a beginner runner could ask for imo.
@richard_wagner @ronalicious The 55 supports them (not used them but seen the menu) https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=79rEUftbNb60jd3GYqlYr8
(I use a 55 and it does everything I want/need)
No matter which model you decide on, try to find it second hand on a website like Craigslist (or your local alternative). That’s a general rule of thumb with all sports-related gear: there are always people who buy it new, never use it, and then sell it for much much cheaper.
I got my Polar HR strap for like 20€ (a new one would be 80) and my threadmill for less than 300 (new would be 500+). Same with my first Garmin watch, it wasn’t even taken out of the original package but still about half of the price of a new one. People are weird.
I think that with the forerunner 245 (€150 you can find it new) you have a watch with plenty of running and multi-sports features for years.
Lots of consensus I’ve seen online is going with garmin or Apple Watch if you are on iOS. Personally I have a series 8 and it’s amazing
Coros Pace 2. Inexpensive (relatively) and great for running.
Here’s an in-depth review of the Pace 2 from DC Rainmaker:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/09/coros-pace-2-in-depth-review-multisport-running-power.html
Since the review, the software has been updated, there’s an online training calendar and data summary, more sport modes, better models of running performance, and navigation (breadcrumb.)
The Coros site has some open box Pace 2s for 159 USD.
Lots of great options from Garmin. The Forerunner 45/55 is going to be your most basic and cheapest option. Still reliable, good battery life, accurate, etc. This is what I’d recommend if your buying new.
But if you can find a forerunner 245 on the used market (last gen device) or discounted at a retail store, I’d look for one of them. It’s a pretty solid upgrade over the 55. The 200 series is basically Garmins default best value line. The 245 specifically knocked it out of the park in price to performance and is probably their best selling model.
Of course the newer 255 is “better” but unless you got FOMO, there’s not a lot of reason to pay more for it.
I wouldn’t look at anything higher than the 200 line. The 600s are targeted towards long distance marathoners, the 900s towards multi sport triathletes, and the fenix/Epix towards hikers/rugged sports and people with more money than sense. And I can say that while wearing an Epix.
The Venus are comparably priced to the forerunners I recommended but are targeted more at people looking for a smartwatch first.
My wife got me a Fitbit, I think the Inspire 3, and it has more than enough functionality for me as a casual runner. I’m happy with it.
Can that work without a phone? A lot of the Fitbits I’ve seen are heavily reliant on the phone app.
My spouse’s required a subscription to get the data she needs from it. Sigh.
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