Garmin FR 235 ($300), Fenix 2 ($150), VivoActive HR ($150) or FR 610 ($50)?

The 610 is older; not a bad deal at $50 but also it may fail you quickly. You say you don't care about features, but are considering 2 models with optical built in optical HR monitors... you need to decide what you want. 235 is a good watch, but the built in optical HR monitors have a bug called cadence lock; google it and you'll see. I'd look at the 220 or 230; you can always add a HR monitor later if you want. The Scosche rhythm is an optical monitor that goes up the arm and is less prone to cadence lock.

The Vivoactive price makes me think it's used or you're looking at the activity tracker without GPS.

The cadence lock was what drove me away from the 235 to the 230. This watch is a tremendous improvement over some of the older models. I would highly recommend sticking with the 230 and using an old HRM strap (if you have one) when you need it for your runs.

I have the VivoActive HR (also where did you find one for $150, that's amazing considering mine was $250 and still is on the Garmin website..) and I think it is one of the best purchases I have made.

-I have never had an issue with taking more than 30 seconds to acquire a link

-Long battery life, even with the constant monitoring of HR

-Charges amazingly fast

-Strangely comfortable band, almost more comfortable than my Citizen watch.

-Cool features such as monitoring of sleep, (deep sleep, light sleep, etc...)

-The face itself is very nice/bright.

-The amount you can customize the data fields for runs is great

- Holds information for up to 8 runs at a time, though with Garmin connect on your phone (automatic transfers make this easy) you can look at them whenever.

-Overall just a wonderful watch.

-Twist

Twist wrote:

I have the VivoActive HR (also where did you find one for $150, that's amazing considering mine was $250 and still is on the Garmin website..) and I think it is one of the best purchases I have made.

-I have never had an issue with taking more than 30 seconds to acquire a link

-Long battery life, even with the constant monitoring of HR

-Charges amazingly fast

-Strangely comfortable band, almost more comfortable than my Citizen watch.

-Cool features such as monitoring of sleep, (deep sleep, light sleep, etc...)

-The face itself is very nice/bright.

-The amount you can customize the data fields for runs is great

- Holds information for up to 8 runs at a time, though with Garmin connect on your phone (automatic transfers make this easy) you can look at them whenever.

-Overall just a wonderful watch.

-Twist

Used, as the other guy suggested - definitely in contention. I worry about the lack of buttons (and the ones it has are quite small) when running workouts, or even just stopping at a stoplight in the city... I presume it works okay?

Though no one has mentioned it, I'm sort of thinking about the Fenix 2. Supposedly any GPS bugs have been fixed, and it's a relatively (relatively!) good looking watch, compared to the other guys. Also, just can do about everything and get beat to shit.

read up on the vivoactive hr; I doubt you'd have any issues with stop/start buttons.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/05/garmin-vivoactivehr-review.html

It will be subject to cadence lock on the HR, but you might be able to overcome it by cranking it down tight on your wrist. If you don't mind that I'd get the VA HR.

I haven't looked in awhile but I know many people were not happy with the Fenix 2 for a variety of reasons including the GPS problem and other bugs. When Garmin released the Fenix 3 they pretty much left Fenix 2 owners hanging. The other problem with the Fenix series is they're significantly heavier; it's like going backward to the 305 brick on the wrist. The 230 /620/630 are featherweight; I think the the 235 and VA HR are a lot lighter than any fenix too.

INeedaWatch wrote:

Which one of these should I pick up? Looking for it to last a good while (obviously), so I'm willing to put money big into it if it's worth it.

All I do is run (no cycling or swimming) and I don't reallllllly care about extra features. I just want a fast GPS lock (My FR10 did not do so), and wireless upload (BT or ANT+).

Any tips?

You should look at the Tom Tom Cardio Runner as well. The cadence feature is particularly accurate.

miles and miles of texas wrote:

read up on the vivoactive hr; I doubt you'd have any issues with stop/start buttons.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/05/garmin-vivoactivehr-review.html

It will be subject to cadence lock on the HR, but you might be able to overcome it by cranking it down tight on your wrist. If you don't mind that I'd get the VA HR.

I haven't looked in awhile but I know many people were not happy with the Fenix 2 for a variety of reasons including the GPS problem and other bugs. When Garmin released the Fenix 3 they pretty much left Fenix 2 owners hanging. The other problem with the Fenix series is they're significantly heavier; it's like going backward to the 305 brick on the wrist. The 230 /620/630 are featherweight; I think the the 235 and VA HR are a lot lighter than any fenix too.

Awesome, thanks to you (and everyone) for the help. I'll pursue the Vivoactive HR and look into some of the non-HR Forerunners!

I've been using the OHRM on the 235 since July and don't have issues with cadence lock. My HR never comes close to my cadence.I strap it on pretty tight so it will not move unless I force it.

Casio G shock. The Rangeman.