I know nothing about fitness watches. I'm looking for something that tracks steps, heart rate, and anything else that may be important. My primary activities are walking, kayaking, strength training and cycling. I can't run due to knee issues, so those metrics don't matter.
I won't use Apple products, and want to keep the price under $350.
One friend suggested the Garmin Vivoactive, another the Garmin Venu.
I've had the Gramin Vivoactive line for years now and love them. My current one (Vivoactive 3) is 3.5 years old and still going strong.
It has all the basic functions, and I like the fact I can wear it in the shower and in the pool. The alerts from my phone are customizable, and it doesn't have the full functionality of the Apple Watch, but it has everything I need.
I have had various Fitbits over the years. Fitbit Charge HR, and Fitbit Ionic are the most recent ones I've had. The newest Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Sense are supposed to be pretty good, with the Sense reaching Apple Watch levels of quality.
Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) said:I know nothing about fitness watches. I'm looking for something that tracks steps, heart rate, and anything else that may be important. My primary activities are walking, kayaking, strength training and cycling. I can't run due to knee issues, so those metrics don't matter.
I won't use Apple products, and want to keep the price under $350.
One friend suggested the Garmin Vivoactive, another the Garmin Venu.
Apologize in advance because I am not going to address the question asked, but rather ask my own question.
As someone who's job was product development, I have to ask? What is the benefit of these devices? Yes, I see a lot of features in the form of data trivia, but none of them are of any real benefit to your stated goal.
Do you want to lose weight and feel better? Pick a walking loop that is about 4 miles long, Get an audio book from the library (for free) and go for a walk at least ever other day while thinking about your eating and (in my case beer ) habits. Repeat on a regular basis. Save the $$$.
Just a thought.
The venu is a vivoactive 4 with a AMOLED display.
the venu 2 is an updated version of that. if you have small wrists make a note of the size differences between the s and non s versions of some of the watches. I have the vivoactive 3 and my wife has the vivoactive 4 both do what you need but I am sure the 4 has some newer cool features.
if you are looking at those two go to a store and decide what display you like better.
I also suggest reading the reviews on the dc rainmaker site for more info than you need on any watch you are looking at.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/12/garmin-venu-smartwatch-sports-review.html
Garmin insight here. Does everything I need.
My needs are Similar to yours. Also the app is wonderful.
NOHOME said:As someone who's job was product development, I have to ask? What is the benefit of these devices? Yes, I see a lot of features in the form of data trivia, but none of them are of any real benefit to your stated goal.
Do you want to lose weight and feel better? Pick a walking loop that is about 4 miles long, Get an audio book from the library (for free) and go for a walk at least ever other day while thinking about your eating and (in my case beer ) habits. Repeat on a regular basis. Save the $$$.
Just a thought.
For me, there are a few benefits:
- Email/text/phone call notifications are less obnoxious on my wrist than on my phone. With a quick glance I can see if it's something important or not.
- I used to use a clunky Garmin watch to monitor my heart rate and running pace while I ran. It was huge, and required a chest strap, as well. This one is the size of a regular watch, I always wear it, so I can go for a run and don't have to think about it. It has GPS, so I can track where I went, elevation changes, etc. I can compare the same runs across time to see if I'm in/out of shape.
- It tracks my sleep every night, and I manually track my weight just about every day. It's the only way I stay consistent, and I can look back over time and see progress.
- They're not expensive, the Vivoactive3 regularly goes on sale for $150 or so. It's not much more expensive than any other watch I would buy, and far cheaper than the watches most other adults wear.
They're not for everyone, but for my running, having the heart rate and GPS functionality are a huge plus for me (purely recreational runner just trying to stay in reasonable shape). I look at the $150-200 (I always get the older model on clearance when the new one comes out) every 3-4 years as a good investment in my health.
NOHOME said:As someone who's job was product development, I have to ask? What is the benefit of these devices? Yes, I see a lot of features in the form of data trivia, but none of them are of any real benefit to your stated goal.
I never stated my goal, which is actually a huge requirement gap. Since I already exercise an average of four days a week, the possible benefits/goals are:
- Getting an app that will track efforts while exercising so I can improve. Yes, I can do that now with manual calculations, but apps don't lie to themselves.
- Tracking heart rate while cycling so I know if I have to stop before I go into defrib. I use a chest band and my phone at the moment.
- Being able to stow my phone while cycling instead of having it out where it can possibly get damaged in a fall.
- Accurate step count. I often leave my phone on my desk, so I'm not sure how much exercise I'm getting.
- Being able to track effort in weight lifting, kayaking, etc. I'm not sure exactly how this works and plan on researching it on the side.
- Synching with fitness apps (Wahoo, Strava) I already use, and possibly even getting rid of one or more of those.
- Being able to see who is calling/texting while active without having to mess with my phone.
Big Garmin fanboi here. Previously had a Fenix 3 HR, now have a Fenix 5x Sapphire/Titanium, Wife moved from a Fitbit to a Vivioactive 4S.
The good
The bad
I have a Samsung Galaxy 3, but the new Galaxy 4, will be much better due to the Google OS.
NOHOME said:Apologize in advance because I am not going to address the question asked, but rather ask my own question.
As someone who's job was product development, I have to ask? What is the benefit of these devices? Yes, I see a lot of features in the form of data trivia, but none of them are of any real benefit to your stated goal.
Do you want to lose weight and feel better? Pick a walking loop that is about 4 miles long, Get an audio book from the library (for free) and go for a walk at least ever other day while thinking about your eating and (in my case beer ) habits. Repeat on a regular basis. Save the $$$.
Just a thought.
I was actually going to post a similar question here so Brett's thread is timely, but to add a viewpoint:
My new employer pays all health insurance premiums but one of the conditions is that you have to wear a fitness tracker and report to the health insurance mothership.
I don't love it, but the amount of money I'll save is making me get over it. (I'll probably be going Apple, though.)
pointofdeparture said:NOHOME said:Apologize in advance because I am not going to address the question asked, but rather ask my own question.
As someone who's job was product development, I have to ask? What is the benefit of these devices? Yes, I see a lot of features in the form of data trivia, but none of them are of any real benefit to your stated goal.
Do you want to lose weight and feel better? Pick a walking loop that is about 4 miles long, Get an audio book from the library (for free) and go for a walk at least ever other day while thinking about your eating and (in my case beer ) habits. Repeat on a regular basis. Save the $$$.
Just a thought.
I was actually going to post a similar question here so Brett's thread is timely, but to add a viewpoint:
My new employer pays all health insurance premiums but one of the conditions is that you have to wear a fitness tracker and report to the health insurance mothership.
I don't love it, but the amount of money I'll save is making me get over it. (I'll probably be going Apple, though.)
My wife is on her second Versa now a Versa3. $189 on sale at Costco right now.
Loves it for all the reasons and links it to others for friendly fitness competition/comparison, this really helped my SIL, get off her butt. When you wonder why someone looks how they do and then see their fitness level it can be motivating.
NOHOME said:Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) said:I know nothing about fitness watches. I'm looking for something that tracks steps, heart rate, and anything else that may be important. My primary activities are walking, kayaking, strength training and cycling. I can't run due to knee issues, so those metrics don't matter.
I won't use Apple products, and want to keep the price under $350.
One friend suggested the Garmin Vivoactive, another the Garmin Venu.Apologize in advance because I am not going to address the question asked, but rather ask my own question.
As someone who's job was product development, I have to ask? What is the benefit of these devices? Yes, I see a lot of features in the form of data trivia, but none of them are of any real benefit to your stated goal.
Do you want to lose weight and feel better? Pick a walking loop that is about 4 miles long, Get an audio book from the library (for free) and go for a walk at least ever other day while thinking about your eating and (in my case beer ) habits. Repeat on a regular basis. Save the $$$.
Just a thought.
I think that most of the benefit is psychological. Tracking steps, calories burned, time spent at an elevated heart rate and other data gives you immediate feed back whereas the actual health benefits of exercise are more long term. There's also the ability to geek out over data with like minded friends.
I've had a FitBit Charge 3 since January last year, it was essentially free. My work offers incentives, gift cards and insurance discounts for meeting goal per quarter step counts, and random step challenges through the year. It's worked well for all it's intended uses, and lightweight breathable bands are available cheaply on Amazon.
Fitbit Versa 2 here. $150 from the Amazonian's. I love this thing.
I have had a good experience with my FitBit Charge 3.
Lower-tech than the Apple Watch competitor they make, but honestly I prefer to have fewer distractions on my wrist. It will do text and calendar notifications, but I personally keep them turned off. As a person who does a lot of different types of exercise (weightlifting, dance, cycling, hiking, etc.) I've found it does a pretty good job of noting my efforts. Tracks heart rate, steps, and cycling routes, and their support is pretty responsive. I had an issue with dead pixels in my screen once and they sent me a new watch for free. The app also has an area for tracking food intake, macros, sleep, and other health data if you're looking for that. Depending on your health insurance plan, you might be able to get a good deal on a FitBit product without them asking you to share your data or anything creepy like that.
Got a Fitbit Versa 3 as a bday present. Set it up five days ago and the bezel is broken. No idea how that happened - I have been taking it off when working in the garage. It's non-repairable. Seems not to be uncommon with these.
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