Which cheapish smart watch for running?

[Deactivated] on 29/07/2020 - 12:12

Hey gang

So I've got some rather specific requirements for a smartwatch and it's been really hard to figure out which one out there actually meets these, so taking it to the people.

  1. Accurately (relatively) track my run while leaving phone at home, sync to strava or equivalent after
  2. Show distance, time and cadence on display
  3. Be not $500 or too huge (small wrist bois know what's up)
  4. HR monitor is a pro but not necessary

This is literally all I need. It's just for running so I don't have to take my phone and can track distance, time and cadence. Won't be wearing it at all other than running.

What should I get?

Mobile Smartwatch

Comments

  • MS Paint on 29/07/2020 - 12:22
    +1

    (small wrist bois know what's up)

    You know the saying. Small wrist big…

    • [Deactivated] on 29/07/2020 - 12:25

      That's what I keep telling myself anyway!

  • muzzamo on 29/07/2020 - 12:33
    +1

    Most of the garmin wearables that are <$500 will meat your needs. The Forerunner 245 is probably a reasonable bet.

    As you spend more money on garmin watches you get mapping, bigger screens, sapphire, more sports, and better features. Out of all of these the one that might be essential to some people is mapping - ie knowing where you are on a trail run and following a course.

    I've got a Fenix 5 plus sapphire and have a Fenix 6 sapphire on the way - these are multisport sapphire watches and don't come cheap ($1300+), but for running only and your needs the Forerunner 245 will probably do the trick.

  • stygian on 29/07/2020 - 12:34

    I had a sh** Bit Ionic, which after 4 months left me with a burn on my wrist. I complained to them and they gave me a no questions asked full cash refund.
    Bought mum a sh** Bit Versa, which burnt her after about 3 months. Same thing; full refund.

    I now have a Galaxy Watch 46mm 1st gen. Don't have the biggest wrists either but find it a pretty good fit. Does heart rate, GPS tracking etc.
    Battery lasts 1 day with heavy heavy use though. I get a lot of notifications through to my watch.

    Can run it without a lot of the 'Smart' features and battery life can improve dramatically. Love it so far.

    And it hasn't burnt me once!

    • Brianqpr on 30/07/2020 - 20:47

      I had the same thing with a fitbit Versa watch. This red mark appeared on my wrist and slowly disappeared after I stopped wearing it.

      Maybe I should try and get a refund too. They clearly know its an issue if they are refunding without questions.

  • scotty on 29/07/2020 - 12:47
    +2

    If you want a simple GPS smartwatch, Xiaomi Amazfit Bip S, which is around US$70 on Aliexpress.

    It's an updated version of Bip which I have been using for running in 2018. 30+ days of battery on a single charge, or 20+ hours of GPS tracking. Small & very light weight. The current Amazfit app also sync to Strava.

    • anthman on 29/07/2020 - 12:55

      Agreed, but also consider the amazfit pace - I use one and it is tough, accurate and has good battery. Around $110 mark delivered.

  • Numpty21 on 29/07/2020 - 12:53

    something like this should meet your needs

    https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/garmin-forerunner-735xt-gps-…

  • Hessian Sack on 29/07/2020 - 12:53

    If you use an iPhone, then the Apple Watch presumably needs to come into calculations. The smaller size is very accommodating to narrower wrists.

    At ~$300 entry point, there are probably cheaper options, but it would otherwise tick your boxes

    • [Deactivated] on 29/07/2020 - 12:58
      +1

      No iPhone :/

      I really want to avoid paying for stuff I don't need if possible. Like, I don't need it toget messages and phone calls. don't need to pay for stuff. Don't need a fancy screen or apps.

      • jv on 29/07/2020 - 14:58

        I don't need it toget messages and phone calls

        Dick Tracy used to say that too…

        • [Deactivated] on 29/07/2020 - 15:08

          Bit before my generation there jv :)

  • fifonerd on 29/07/2020 - 13:13
    +4

    The Forerunner 45 is Garmin's base running option which is a great place to start. It gives you everything you've asked for without all the bells and whistles plus comes with a decent mobile app. Stores like Rebel will have display models you'll be able to take a look at and determine whether they'll suit you.

    I have small wrists and comfortably wear a Garmin 645 daily. I would prefer a slimmer watch with a slightly smaller dial but I've got used to them.

    Brands like Suunto and Polar make similar watches but I haven't used them so can't vouch for them.

    • dtxau on 29/07/2020 - 15:11
      +1

      Another vote for the FR45 else you can go for the FR245. Cant go wrong with these options!

      • raisinberry777 on 29/07/2020 - 15:50
        +1

        And another vote here for a ForeRunner 45 or 245.

  • CyberMurning on 29/07/2020 - 13:18

    i have or had probably 5 and my advise, get the good one and you will use for for years, get a cheap one and it will collect dusts in 2 weeks and you buy another cheap one, and the same story repeats, at the end you spend more money and get nothing good but disappointment after dissapointment
    your choice.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/07/2020 - 13:27

      I mean cheapish as in sub $300, not sub $100. If you can't get a decent one for sub $300 I'm not having one haha

      • CyberMurning on 29/07/2020 - 14:34

        oh sorry…..
        yeah on or about 300 sure can.
        if me i will pick samsung.

  • GangGang on 29/07/2020 - 13:35

    Fitbit Versa went on sale for $99 a while back and links with strava & a few other apps. It's pretty basic but I enjoy it.

    Pretty much does all the same things the more expensive ones do but to a lesser extent. Can read texts but only return custom replies etc.

    • scotty on 29/07/2020 - 14:11
      +1

      Versa uses phone's GPS so it would not be possible to have a properly tracked run without carrying a phone, which is what OP wants.

      • CyberMurning on 29/07/2020 - 14:37
        -1

        oh OP wanted standalone gps?
        hmm too bad since dinosaurs age we human are unable to invent new battery technology

        with lithium, the more features you get or wish from a gadget the less on-time you will get.

        • [Deactivated] on 29/07/2020 - 14:42

          less on-time you will get

          That's absolutely fine by me. As I said in the OP, I don't want to wear it all day, just for runs. I'm never gonna be running for more than a couple of hours so even the crappiest battery life should be fine.

          • jv on 29/07/2020 - 15:03

            @[Deactivated]: What if you have a heart attack during your run? A phone will come in useful then.

            • [Deactivated] on 29/07/2020 - 15:08

              @jv: @jv Well I don't take my phone currently, so I'll die with or without a clever smartwatch.

        • scotty on 29/07/2020 - 18:12

          That's nonsense. OP was asking for a smartwatch for running, and you can't really call it a running watch without GPS tracking.

          There are plenty of watches offer both GPS tracking and good battery — it's not that you'll use it for multi-day trekking in the bushes. Amazfit Bip / Bip S (~$100) can last 30 days running continuous HR, or 20 hours with continuous GPS (good enough for an ultra). Garmin FR45 (~$300) can last 7 days as smartwatch and 13 hours with continuous GPS, which might be a better option for OP with that budget.

          Many people are fine without installable apps & fast processors, but for running watch, I'll say accurate GPS & HR are essential.

  • Ashbargin on 30/07/2020 - 08:09

    The other thing to think about is do you want to be able to play music through it without the phone? I have the Garmin 735 just after the 745 came out. I couldn’t justify the price difference but really would have like music so I can run without the phone.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2020 - 08:31

      Nup don't need music, just the features I listed :) thanks tho

  • Gus68 on 30/07/2020 - 08:51

    I'm currently using Samsung's Active 2. I get 2 days of battery life that usually includes a 4-5k walk every day. I've got Map My Run installed on the watch plus it has it's own trackers. You might also consider having a look at the TicWatch range from Mobvoi (can also buy locally via Amazon). I had the TicWatch E as my introduction to smartwatches - used it happily for about 18 months before I decided to "upgrade" to the Active 2.

  • shanesimmo on 30/07/2020 - 16:47

    I have a Garmin Vivoactive 3 which I find very good for running. It regularly comes on sale for $299 at JB Hifi and Rebel.

  • md333 on 30/07/2020 - 17:42
    +1

    Another vote for Garmin, this is what they are made for and they work really well. If you get the most basic one you may even avoid having problems when they get hacked and shut down by ransomwear like last week. I think as others have mentioned the cheapest option 45 will do what you want. You may find the other features useful when you have them though. I've been surprised how handy the smart watch features are.
    My 935 only uses about 5% battery over a typical day with an hours GPS use. Happily recorded a 10 hour hike last week with battery to spare.
    Can manually download tracks by USB if the web infrastructure is down, otherwise it magically appears on your phone and computer.
    Had vivoactive before but didn't like the touch screen - hard to operate in the rain/water. My son has one and likes it though.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2020 - 18:03

      Thanks mate, yeah gonna go with a Garmin I think - lined up a used Fenix 3 for $250 that I think might be a goer. Fingers crossed.

      • md333 on 30/07/2020 - 18:45

        I didn't like the Fenix, they are much heavier than the other garmin watches, can really feel it there when running, which you don't with the lighter ones.

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