Help choosing a watch: Gear S, Garmin 220, others?

[QCassidy352]

Hi all, I'm hoping you smart folks can help me find the watch that most closely meets what I'm looking for.

The primary reason I want a new watch is for running. If it works for other things that's cool, but meeting my running criteria is by far and away the #1 goal. I don't care about other types of fitness tracking (steps, sleep, calories, etc.) -- in fact, I'd rather not have that stuff.

My ideal watch would have:

• Stand-alone GPS (meaning without a phone; this is absolutely mandatory -- so watch is out)
• Nike+ support (have used this for years and prefer it to other options such as Garmin Connect or map my run)
• Cadence tracking and/or ability to install a metronome app
• Play music through bluetooth headphones

My research indicates that no watch currently available can do all of these things. The two strongest contenders I've found are the Samsung Gear S and the Garmin Forerunner 220. They are very different from one another and check off different boxes on the above list, but each is very appealing in different ways.

The Gear S has nike+ and can play music through headphones. My concerns with it are (a) I don't have an android phone, and loading apps seems to require one (b) is there a decent metronome app for it (c) could the metronome app and music be playing at the same time?

The Garmin has no nike+ support and no music. But, Garmin has many years experience making excellent GPS running watches, and the 220 has on-screen cadence information. For music, I could use an iPod shuffle.

Can anyone share experiences with either of these two watches, and/or suggest an alternative I may not have thought of? Thanks so much!

 

[mi7chy]

Most serious runners use Garmin Forerunner series. For marathons and training I use a Forerunner 310XT since it has a large easy to read display, about 8 hour battery so plenty for marathon and doable for triathlon, it's water resistant and reliable. It includes a wireless dongle to connect to your PC to upload data points that you can view graphically overlaid on a map with elevation, terrain, etc. It's relatively inexpensive too at ~US$170.

For music I use a tiny Sony NW-E505 MP3 player/radio stuffed in a cap or visor to keep the cords to ear short to avoid annoying cord slap when running.

 

[MRU]

I think its likely a very bad time to buy a smart-watch. Even if the apple watch doesn't live up to expectations - it may drive android wear devices to go further and have greater capabilities.

Battery life is universally rotten at the moment, that needs to be updated and we also need greater onboard storage if they ever mean us to use the devices for music playback whilst exercising too.

I expect much of the things you mention will also arrive at some stage this year on a device.

It's a wait this one out - kind of thing.

 

[QCassidy352]

Most serious runners use Garmin Forerunner series.

I know; I myself currently use a Garmin Forerunner 10. But because of recent professional advice to change my form, the cadence thing has become very important to me, and the 10 is useless for that. I've also never liked running with wired headphones; they always seem to fall out. Hence looking for BT watch options.

I think its likely a very bad time to buy a smart-watch.
...
Battery life is universally rotten at the moment, that needs to be updated and we also need greater onboard storage if they ever mean us to use the devices for music playback whilst exercising too.

I expect much of the things you mention will also arrive at some stage this year on a device.

It's a wait this one out - kind of thing.

Yes, the technology needs another 1-2 years to mature. But I think everything I want exists on one model or another already; the question is what model would get the most of them on board at once.

I'm actually fine with the battery life as-is, though more is always better. 4 GB on board storage, which is common these days, is Ok too, since I don't want a lot of apps, mostly just music.

I think you're right that I should probably make do with what I have for now (running with an iphone or Garmin 10).

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I think its likely a very bad time to buy a smart-watch. Even if the apple watch doesn't live up to expectations - it may drive android wear devices to go further and have greater capabilities.

Battery life is universally rotten at the moment, that needs to be updated and we also need greater onboard storage if they ever mean us to use the devices for music playback whilst exercising too.

I expect much of the things you mention will also arrive at some stage this year on a device.

It's a wait this one out - kind of thing.

I disagree. I have the Gear 2 Neo, and it's worth every penny. My battery life is still at 75% after 2 1/2 days, while connected and recieving notifications. I thought I wasted $200 on something I didn't need the first week of owning it. Now I wouldn't want to live without it.

I will agree that, smart watches have plenty of maturing to gain. But at the moment, it's still a very productive wearable tech.

 

[Fernandez21]

Have you looked into the Microsoft band?

 

[QCassidy352]

Have you looked into the Microsoft band?

I had not; thanks for the suggestion. Don't think it checks enough boxes for my uses, but it does look pretty cool.

 

[Fernandez21]

You know, after looking at your list, take a look at the Moto Actv, it seems to have most of the features your looking for. It is 3 years old though.

 

[Ffosse]

Loving my Sony SWR50 - it has GPS and the Walkman app plays flawlessly via bluetooth. That workout was more of a leisurely walk, but the GPS is as accurate as my phone. With music and fitness on the watch, I don't need to carry my phone everywhere now

 

[epicrayban]

Loving my Sony SWR50 - it has GPS and the Walkman app plays flawlessly via bluetooth. That workout was more of a leisurely walk, but the GPS is as accurate as my phone. With music and fitness on the watch, I don't need to carry my phone everywhere now

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Wait is this the Sony smart watch 3?

 

[Ffosse]

Wait is this the Sony smart watch 3?

Yes - been out for a couple months now.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Hi all, I'm hoping you smart folks can help me find the watch that most closely meets what I'm looking for.

The primary reason I want a new watch is for running. If it works for other things that's cool, but meeting my running criteria is by far and away the #1 goal. I don't care about other types of fitness tracking (steps, sleep, calories, etc.) -- in fact, I'd rather not have that stuff.

My ideal watch would have:

• Stand-alone GPS (meaning without a phone; this is absolutely mandatory -- so watch is out)
• Nike+ support (have used this for years and prefer it to other options such as Garmin Connect or map my run)
• Cadence tracking and/or ability to install a metronome app
• Play music through bluetooth headphones

My research indicates that no watch currently available can do all of these things. The two strongest contenders I've found are the Samsung Gear S and the Garmin Forerunner 220. They are very different from one another and check off different boxes on the above list, but each is very appealing in different ways.

The Gear S has nike+ and can play music through headphones. My concerns with it are (a) I don't have an android phone, and loading apps seems to require one (b) is there a decent metronome app for it (c) could the metronome app and music be playing at the same time?

The Garmin has no nike+ support and no music. But, Garmin has many years experience making excellent GPS running watches, and the 220 has on-screen cadence information. For music, I could use an iPod shuffle.

Can anyone share experiences with either of these two watches, and/or suggest an alternative I may not have thought of? Thanks so much!

Might want to look into the FitBit Surge.

 

[Markyboy81]

Omate Truesmart certainly ticks all the boxes, but not sure I can recommend it, as the GPS isn't that good. Music streaming via Bluetooth works well though

 

[QCassidy352]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I'll check all of these out...

 

[TimelessOne]

I own the 220. I like it for running as it gives everything I need in terms of pace. There are several ways oils out there that are out let you convert Garmin files into one Nike ones.

 

[AustinIllini]

Pebble. Android and Apple watches are expensive in comparison and they just aren't market-ready.

 

[QCassidy352]

Pebble. Android and Apple watches are expensive in comparison and they just aren't market-ready.

Thanks, but no gps is a complete deal breaker.

All of your great suggestions have been much appreciated. After exploring them all, my conclusion is that what I want doesnt yet exist. Many come close, but none quite get there. Fortunately, this is an exploding product area, and I'm sure there will be some great new entrants this year -- hopefully one that does all I want.

 

[AlexPorter]

Hi! I recommend watches Suunto. I recently bought in online store AuthentiC watch store (http://www.authenticwatchstore.com/suunto.html) watch Suunto SS014522000 Elementum Terra. I wear this watch during a month, yet I like everything. Good luck!