Garmin

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Big_G 23 Jul 3:33pm, 23 Jul 2024 3,780 posts	0 Big_G Bowman, I’m fairly similar. I was sceptical of it but when I got Covid it reacted correctly/dramatically in terms of stress and HR graphs as it had spotted something was up, before I had even got around to test for Covid at the time (obviously it didn’t know it was Covid I had). The HR wrist sensor is still poor whilst running for me and made worse that it’s not consistent with how poor it is; sometimes it reads very high and other times very low (I’m happy with the watch fit, tightness of watch strap, and I know others find it works fine, etc etc). I have confidence in it regarding RHR though, but I too ignore its training suggestions etc, mainly as it fairly often suggests a session, but I do most of my training to (low) HR.
larkim 23 Jul 3:38pm, 23 Jul 2024 25,277 posts	0 larkim Agree with that SPR. The only thing I actually pay any attention to on my watch is my RHR, everything else in relation to personal health I just treat with a pinch of salt as something I don't trust or need (even if I do have confidence that they are broadly correct). I've never let my watch tell me what to do, but that's more about me following "books" rather than any more live "coaching" approach.
Ness 23 Jul 4:02pm, 23 Jul 2024 43,288 posts	0 Ness That's interesting! I currently use a Garmin Forerunner 745 which I've had since May 2021. I bought it because I thought it'd be good for logging my running, walking, cycling and weight training. I've found it to be very useful for all of those but the battery life isn't so good any more. I'm thinking of replacing it for, maybe a Fenix 7 for better battery life. But what would others here recommend. The other factor I was thinking that might be problematic for a Fenix model is I have quite small wrists (14.5 cm) so I wasn't sure if some models might be too big for my wrist. TIA for any tips.
larkim 23 Jul 4:09pm, 23 Jul 2024 25,279 posts	0 larkim I'd take a guess that the 255s or 265s would fit the bill for being smaller and pretty competent. 745 was the triathlon watch, so if you need triathlon specific stuff then those probably wouldn't do the job, and I suppose it really depends how long you want the battery to last for.
SPR 23 Jul 4:11pm, 23 Jul 2024 45,394 posts	0 SPR 255 and 265 are full multisport watches now. dcrainmaker.com
K5 Gus 23 Jul 4:19pm, 23 Jul 2024 6,191 posts	0 K5 Gus Fenix 7 range comes in 3 sizes, in diameter they are : 7s - 42mm, 7 - 47mm, 7x - 51mm. In comparison your 745 is 43.8mm. The Fenix is a metal body which make is more rugged, but that also means heavier, the weight of the 3 models is 63g, 72g, 89g, compared to your 745 at 47g. The bigger the watch you go for the more battery life you get - so you have to trade off size, weight and battery life and work out where your priority lies. If you want all the functionality of the Fenix 7 ( not 7s or 7x ) in a lighter package, then go for the Forerunner 965, which has a plastic, not metal, body (similar to your 745) and comes in at 53g, so similar weight to what you have, but slightly bigger body. If you don't care for OLED screen go for the 955 - all the same function as the 965 but with the old MIPS style screen. Have you checked you actually require all the functionality of the Fenix ( or 955/965 ) watches ? The main differentiator over the next step down is full mapping - if you don't want/need full mapping then going for a Fenix is a bit of a waste, the Forerunner 265 is basically a 965 without mapping.
Autumnleaves 23 Jul 4:21pm, 23 Jul 2024 20,165 posts	0 Autumnleaves @Ness as you're probably aware, I love my 265s. I think it would do all you need. It has a couple of weeks of battery depending on what you do of course. I probably charge mine every 10 days or so. I quite like the morning report - I find broadly the sleep information is fairly accurate for me. The race predictions are wildly optimistic - although to be fair, gave me a bit of confidence to push harder in my recent 5k and 10k than I might otherwise have done! The paces it suggests for training sessions are broadly in line with other predictors though. I only do the suggested sessions when they are close to my own plan, but they can be quite fun.
Ness 23 Jul 4:22pm, 23 Jul 2024 43,290 posts	0 Ness That's really helpful. I wouldn't be using mapping so the 265 would probably have everything I need. Thank you for the advice.
Ness 23 Jul 4:23pm, 23 Jul 2024 43,291 posts	0 Ness Ah x post. Thanks Al.
Looby Loo 23 Jul 4:26pm, 23 Jul 2024 4,264 posts	0 Looby Loo Ness I went for a different Garmin the instinct 2 and opted for the small one as I have very small wrists. I have now changed it for a bigger one as it was hard to read some of the fields.