Watch for runners

[unclejamaal]

A little background -



I have a 15 pro max I have AirPods



I run , especially on trails and like to use the OS Maps app, and sometimes All Trails to find my way around with routes



For the last few years I used a Garmin 945



Recently got a Coros Vertix 2s - too expensive for me brand new (close to £600) but got it for a good price second hand from an ebay store.



Coros is brilliant for battery life but I’m finding the user interface too fidgety. Maybe I’ll get used to it over time, I’m not sure .



I have a return window of just over a week left for the coros for a full refund



I was thinking of trying an Apple Watch instead. Never had one before but I know it will integrate with my iPhone and AirPods.



I was specifically thinking of getting a cheaper refurb Series 8 or 9.



Questions:

• ⁠any runners here which Apple Watch do you use and why?

• ⁠is the battery life good for trail runs and 10ks and HMs? When I’m out on the trails it’s typically around 2 hours.

• ⁠can I use All Trails or OS Maps on the watch to show me directions of a loaded up route ?

• ⁠on a WiFi only version can I load up a specific podcast episode or episodes , leave the phone behind and use AirPods to listen to the episode ? I’m specifically thinking just 30 mins walks where I don’t want to take the phone with me

 

[smirking]

I'm a light runner. I do 3-5 miles a few times a week. The regular Apple watches would need to be recharged everyday if used the way you intend to. If you're not consistent about always charging your watch up, you'll want to consider an Ultra.

I have one of those (an Ultra2). The battery life is great on them and you can load up a map or have it track your path in case you get lost. I've never used either of those features so I can't say how good it is.

You can load podcasts and listen to them.

The two things you should know about how Apple Watch is for running is that the Garmin has a better user interface and the Garmin app is better for running. One thing I find infuriating about the Apple watch is that everything uses touch controls. My Ultra has three buttons plus a cute feature where you can double tap your fingers and it'll register an action.

None of them will stop or pause my workout. If you want your device to log your exact times, this is not the watch for you.

You've just run as hard as you possibly could and think you just set a new personal record. Heaving, you fumble at your watch and accidentally press the crown, sending the workout app to the background. You swipe awkwardly to try and find that tiny dot that's the workout app. Ooops, wrong app. Try again.

OK, now you got the app back. You swipe right to get to the workout controls. The stop workout button is really hard to hit when you're breathing hard. You tap at it. Doesn't register. You tap again. Sorry boss. After three tries, you finally end your workout 35 seconds later.

No problem, you can just edit your workout... oh sorry.

It's a great watch, but the software is terrible.

 

[unclejamaal]

I'm a light runner. I do 3-5 miles a few times a week. The regular Apple watches would need to be recharged everyday if used the way you intend to. If you're not consistent about always charging your watch up, you'll want to consider an Ultra.

I have one of those (an Ultra2). The battery life is great on them and you can load up a map or have it track your path in case you get lost. I've never used either of those features so I can't say how good it is.

You can load podcasts and listen to them.

The two things you should know about how Apple Watch is for running is that the Garmin has a better user interface and the Garmin app is better for running. One thing I find infuriating about the Apple watch is that everything uses touch controls. My Ultra has three buttons plus a cute feature where you can double tap your fingers and it'll register an action.

None of them will stop or pause my workout. If you want your device to log your exact times, this is not the watch for you.

You've just run as hard as you possibly could and think you just set a new personal record. Heaving, you fumble at your watch and accidentally press the crown, sending the workout app to the background. You swipe awkwardly to try and find that tiny dot that's the workout app. Ooops, wrong app. Try again.

OK, now you got the app back. You swipe right to get to the workout controls. The stop workout button is really hard to hit when you're breathing hard. You tap at it. Doesn't register. You tap again. Sorry boss. After three tries, you finally end your workout 35 seconds later.

No problem, you can just edit your workout... oh sorry.

It's a great watch, but the software is terrible.

Some good points well made

The Apple Watch is not primarily a runners watch. All running features have been included as a secondary afterthought.

Back to the drawing board 😂

I’ll try and get used to the Coros and see how I get on

Still have a few days before refund window closes

 

[Ament]

None of them will stop or pause my workout

You can always press the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time. Works like a charm for me

Ofc Garmin is much better in almost every aspect as the watch for running

 

[sharpimage]

Heart rate was a problem for me when I owned an Apple Watch. For the 1st 10 minutes of a run it was fine, after that the heart rate just became a line. Happened on almost every run. Tried trap tight and lose. Gave up and wen back to Garmin

 

[Night Spring]

You can always press the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time. Works like a charm for me

Ofc Garmin is much better in almost every aspect as the watch for running

Which fingers do you use to press both buttons at the same time? I find myself twisting my hand and arm trying to get my fingers in position to push both buttons at once.

Ironically, the fastest way I know of to end workout is to use the shortcut from the phone. 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

[MarkX]

Which fingers do you use to press both buttons at the same time? I find myself twisting my hand and arm trying to get my fingers in position to push both buttons at once.

Ironically, the fastest way I know of to end workout is to use the shortcut from the phone.

Ultra 2: Action button and side button together, it's quite simple to do and works every time for me. Thumb and forefinger in a pincer like movement.

 

[tomstone74]

Can't say if this is something in particular with my device (Apple Watch Series 6) sensor-wise or perhaps watchOS related, but that heart rate measuring during workouts like running (with a heart rate going beyond X maybe?) doesn't work reliably, really sucks. The AW6 simply stops monitoring / recording heart rate, being greyed out on the display etc. Unpredictable in this regard.

As battery health of my AW6 after ~ 4 years of daily usage approaches 80%, with sudden low battery / restarts during / after workouts, I'm thinking about upgrading to something else. Again considering an AW (Series 10), but if the heart rate monitoring wasn't improved (if this is a hardware and not a software issue), I'm kinda looking into Garmin again.

Perhaps anybody else had similar heart rate monitoring issues with pre-AWS10 and think this has been fixed in Series 10?

 

[Night Spring]

Ultra 2: Action button and side button together, it's quite simple to do and works every time for me. Thumb and forefinger in a pincer like movement.

Do you mean you use your thumb to press both buttons? That doesn't work for me. I need a separate finger on each button.

 

[PatrickNSF]

Can't say if this is something in particular with my device (Apple Watch Series 6) sensor-wise or perhaps watchOS related, but that heart rate measuring during workouts like running (with a heart rate going beyond X maybe?) doesn't work reliably, really sucks. The AW6 simply stops monitoring / recording heart rate, being greyed out on the display etc. Unpredictable in this regard.

As battery health of my AW6 after ~ 4 years of daily usage approaches 80%, with sudden low battery / restarts during / after workouts, I'm thinking about upgrading to something else. Again considering an AW (Series 10), but if the heart rate monitoring wasn't improved (if this is a hardware and not a software issue), I'm kinda looking into Garmin again.

Perhaps anybody else had similar heart rate monitoring issues with pre-AWS10 and think this has been fixed in Series 10?

I have this issue with the optical HR sensor on my AWU 2 and the S10 that I passed on to a family member.

I’ve never had luck with Apple’s HR sensors over the years. If I’m running with my AW and not with my Garmin I wear an HR armband or chest strap.

 

[smirking]

You can always press the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time. Works like a charm for me

Damnit! I fell for it. This is the old childhood prank of convincing your friends that something cool happens on their digital watches if you push all of the buttons at the same time.

 

[Ament]

Which fingers do you use to press both buttons at the same time?

My thumb to press the action button and my forefinger to press the digital crown - something as shown below ;-)

 

[smirking]

My thumb to press the action button and my forefinger to press the digital crown - something as shown below ;-)
View attachment 2474225

You activate the siren to end the workout? I'm not sure what you're doing? This doesn't work for me.

Also, I tried pushing the crown and the button below it at the same time. Hold it down and it'll reboot your watch.

 

[MarkX]

You activate the siren to end the workout? I'm not sure what you're doing? This doesn't work for me.

Also, I tried pushing the crown and the button below it at the same time. Hold it down and it'll reboot your watch.

To activate the siren on the Ultra you just hold down the action button only.

To stop or pause a workout it's Action button and side button(not the crown)together. Or you can use Siri to end workout.

 

[smirking]

To stop or pause a workout it's Action button and side button(not the crown)together. Or you can use Siri to end workout.

That doesn't work for me. Is there a setting you have to change first? If I just press the two buttons, nothing happens. If I hold it down I get my emergency screen with a bunch of slide toggles to activate siren, call emergency, etc.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I'm a light runner. I do 3-5 miles a few times a week. The regular Apple watches would need to be recharged everyday if used the way you intend to. If you're not consistent about always charging your watch up, you'll want to consider an Ultra.

I have one of those (an Ultra2). The battery life is great on them and you can load up a map or have it track your path in case you get lost. I've never used either of those features so I can't say how good it is.

You can load podcasts and listen to them.

The two things you should know about how Apple Watch is for running is that the Garmin has a better user interface and the Garmin app is better for running. One thing I find infuriating about the Apple watch is that everything uses touch controls. My Ultra has three buttons plus a cute feature where you can double tap your fingers and it'll register an action.

None of them will stop or pause my workout. If you want your device to log your exact times, this is not the watch for you.

You've just run as hard as you possibly could and think you just set a new personal record. Heaving, you fumble at your watch and accidentally press the crown, sending the workout app to the background. You swipe awkwardly to try and find that tiny dot that's the workout app. Ooops, wrong app. Try again.

OK, now you got the app back. You swipe right to get to the workout controls. The stop workout button is really hard to hit when you're breathing hard. You tap at it. Doesn't register. You tap again. Sorry boss. After three tries, you finally end your workout 35 seconds later.

No problem, you can just edit your workout... oh sorry.

It's a great watch, but the software is terrible.

Perhaps my demands are not as precise. I find zero problems with going to the AW Ultra 1 and stopping a workout or marking lap times, but accuracy will be maybe +/- a second or so as I swipe once to the appropriate display. Works fine for me, but agreed it is not as specific as a Garmin for running.

Also I have never considered the software terrible, even with the earlier AWs.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

That doesn't work for me. Is there a setting you have to change first? If I just press the two buttons, nothing happens. If I hold it down I get my emergency screen with a bunch of slide toggles to activate siren, call emergency, etc.

The AW is a powerful tool, so yes it does need to be set up for each user's own preferences. In my case I have set Activity as one of six Complications. Once I choose and start an activity the AWU stays on that activity and a simple swipe to the right brings up the display that allows me to pause, end or mark a lap time. Easy-peasy.

 

[Night Spring]

My thumb to press the action button and my forefinger to press the digital crown - something as shown below ;-)
View attachment 2474225

Aaaah, ok. That may work on the Ultra, but the non-ultra watches don't have an action button, so we have to press the side button and crowns together to pause a workout, which, like I said, requires some contortion of my hand and arm.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Aaaah, ok. That may work on the Ultra, but the non-ultra watches don't have an action button, so we have to press the side button and crowns together to pause a workout, which, like I said, requires some contortion of my hand and arm.

No button usage is necessary. When in the running activity (for instance) you can simply swipe right to bring up the watchface display for the activity timing (see image below). There are well marked icons to tap to end, or to pause, or to "segment" which is the lap timer. It works very well and is easy.

 

[Night Spring]

No button usage is necessary. When in the running activity (for instance) you can simply swipe right to bring up the watchface display for the activity timing. There are well marked icons to tap to end, or to pause, or to "segment" which is the lap timer. It works very well and is easy.

There are situations where touching the screen isn't ideal or not possible. You may be sweaty, and this can prevent touch from registering, or it might be cold and you are wearing gloves. That is why the method of using the buttons to pause workouts exists at all -- for situations where touch doesn't work.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

There are situations where touching the screen isn't ideal or not possible. You may be sweaty, and this can prevent touch from registering, or it might be cold and you are wearing gloves. That is why the method of using the buttons to pause workouts exists at all -- for situations where touch doesn't work.

Sure there are situations where touching the screen isn't ideal. But I have been running for many decades in every kind of weather and those less than ideal situations are rare; skiing situations with heavy gloves only, not winter running where I run with running gloves that allow touching of displays. In the summer I have never had a case where simply swiping my sweating finger against my t-shirt was not enough to allow display touch to work.

No one should be choosing a watch that they will also use for running based on the fact that they cannot figure out button usage on an Apple Watch when button usage is essentially never absolutely necessary anyway. Folks who want multiple different exercise watches should buy a specialty running watch but personally I far prefer having one watch for everything.

 

[smirking]

My thumb to press the action button and my forefinger to press the digital crown - something as shown below ;-)

OK. I figured this out. This only works under specific conditions.

• Action button has to be assigned to Workouts.
• Quick Switch must be on.

I had my action buttons assigned to do something else because I don't want to pull up workouts everytime I accidentally press it.

I'm new to the Apple Watch and I'm amazed that it's the industry standard. The user experience is so very Google which is strange because the Fitbit's experience is actually as if Apple made it. And then Garmin's interface feels like it was made by someone at Google as a side project.

 

[smirking]

I’ve never had luck with Apple’s HR sensors over the years. If I’m running with my AW and not with my Garmin I wear an HR armband or chest strap.

I'm thinking of going this route. I've worn a Fitbit Sense, Garmin Forerunner 265, and an Apple Watch Ultra2 for workouts. They all underperform, but in different ways for HR tracking.

I didn't even realize they made armband HR trackers. How accurate are those and do you have a preference between arm or chest strap? Any suggestions for a basic no frills HR monitor for a simple fitness runner?

 

[Allen_Wentz]

OK. I figured this out. This only works under specific conditions.

• Action button has to be assigned to Workouts.
• Quick Switch must be on.

I had my action buttons assigned to do something else because I don't want to pull up workouts everytime I accidentally press it.

I'm new to the Apple Watch and I'm amazed that it's the industry standard. The user experience is so very Google which is strange because the Fitbit's experience is actually as if Apple made it. And then Garmin's interface feels like it was made by someone at Google as a side project.

Wrong. The Activity app operation is actually as if Apple made it. You are the one insisting on kludging it to function your way via button usage.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Any suggestions for a basic no frills HR monitor for a simple fitness runner?

Yes. The Apple Watch Ultra works fine as a basic no frills HR monitor for a simple fitness runner. Chest strap devices are superior if one really needs to be watching great detail, but personally I never saw the need. After a lifetime of counting pulse with a dive watch I learned to know my pulse without using the watch; the AWU pulse reading just confirms what I already know. The exception is that when weather is particularly hot my ability to know my pulse and my pace become non-existent and I really need the watch pulsimeter.

P.S. The AWU diagnosed AFib for me, later confirmed by MD.