The Garmin bands keep improving (becoming more flexible) with each generation. My first came with a F5+ and even those bundled with the F6 we’re a nice improvement.
What are your thoughts on the Garmin app?
I prefer Garmin Connect to the combination of Apple Heath/Workout. I like having all my data (sleep, workouts, steps, etc.) in one app. Whenever I've had periods of only using an AW I've exported those workouts into Garmin Connect (and supplemented the AW with a small Vivofit clip for steps).
Yeah the Garmin app takes some getting used to but it has improved. It always tended to work better on Android but I'm running iphone lately and it seems fine. They trick is getting it setup properly so it sees your watch/device...once it does an initial sync it seems to retain it. My problem is I have several Garmin devices (watches + bike computers) so the phone app tends to not know what to sync by default. The recent garmin devices have wifi sync which is awesome by letting you bypass phone sync completely.
Thanks for this idea.
A little background on my smartwatch history. I used an AW daily for about 3 years. I then decided to get a Fenix 5. It was great but i missed the AW so bought the series 5. My Garmin became the camping/outdoors watch while the AW 5 was every day use. After barely a year the darn thing died on me so i went back to the Fenix 5 but last year upgraded to the 6S Pro. I have smaller wrists so found the Fenix 5 to be too bulky for my tastes. A year later i love the 6S Pro and would only consider an AW if they came out with a rugged version whose battery life matched the Fenix series.
Steep learning curve, but I have been spending time at night playing around with settings and I’m starting to feel like I have a handle on the watch and app. Can’t believe that I’ve gone a week without charging it, considering how much I’ve been using it, though none of my use has included GPS.
I've had other Garmins before couple of years ago so the learning curve wasn't bad for me. But Yea Garmin and Connect can be complicated.
I got a set of the Abanen bands (green and black) over the weekend and swapped the original Garmin band for the green woven one and really like it. Even my wife commented on how nice it looks. I also put the watch through some rougher conditions, wearing it while sailing, including flipping the catamaran, getting banged up, and the Epix didn’t skip a beat. I still can’t believe how great the battery life is (compared to the AW), and I keep thinking I should be charging it, but won’t have to until later this week or next weekend.One thing I’ve always been surprised about with the titanium Fenix/EPIX watches is that they‘re the same weight as the stainless AWs (all with standard bands). I think the Fenix/EPIX appear heavier because the body is a bit bigger.
BTW these bands are great if you’re looking to reduce the weight and improve the fit for running or other cardio. And they’re easy to change out when you want to go back to a regular silicone band.
Abanen Hook and Loop Quick Dry Watch Band for Fenix 8 47mm / Fenix 6/Fenix 5/ Fenix 7/ epix Pro 47mm, 22mm Woven Nylon Ultralight Sport Wristband Strap for Garmin Instinct 2,Forerunner 955
Abanen Hook and Loop Quick Dry Watch Band for Fenix 8 47mm / Fenix 6/Fenix 5/ Fenix 7/ epix Pro 47mm, 22mm Woven Nylon Ultralight Sport Wristband Strap for Garmin Instinct 2,Forerunner 955www.amazon.com
Glad those are working out. A few other sellers have them on Amazon, but they’re of varying quality. These are Enduro-style and could be another option –
That’s a fair point.
With the MIP screen you have to learn to work with it, not against it. I have an ultra minimal white-on-black watchface on my Fenix 6X that makes it easy to read in any light.
Yeah, the AW battery should be made illegal. That thing is horrendous. I went to the pool having 30% battery left on S7 cellular without iPhone and it lasted less than 2 hours. They should be ashamed of it.
After 12 days of some heavy use of my new Epix 2, at 34% left, it’s showing 6 days of usage remaining. Even if Apple could figure out how to extend the battery on their Watches to 2-3 days, I’m not going back.
Personally, I'd never say "never," but the EPIX battery life even when in always-on mode is pretty remarkable.
Ha, I thought exactly that as I was writing the above. I’d consider a Watch again, but they’ll need to make some significant improvements AND it would need to include making the Watch round.
I'm sure after wearing a Garmin 24/7 for training this summer I'll be ready to resume answering calls and texts from my wrist after my marathons this fall 😁
The only thing I wish they offered, which I would pay even more for, would be an all titanium chassis version of the Epix, kind of like an update Marq version. For a device that you wear 24/7 and don’t have to worry about scratching or charging every night, the cost isn’t terrible.
One way to look at it - Garmin watches tend to last a long time. I've got a Fenix 5 coming up on 5 years. One button tends to stick a little and battery life probably lasts 8-10 days between charges rather than 14. But after 5 years it still works for fitness tracking and as an everyday watch. Meanwhile sitting in a drawer at home is a series 5 LTE AW with a battery that died after barely a year.
