How often do you replace your watch?

Every year. Roger banister would have run a sub 3:30 mile if only he had the technology of a GPS watch. It's amazing that our ancestors even had legs to run before GPS watches. This is such an insightful question - thank you.

I just run with a measuring wheel. Really it is just as good, if not better than a GPS watch.

Every time I break it. Wearing if for multiple sports, landscaping and construction work, I usually get about 3 years from a watch before I beat it to death or drown it.

KeepinTempo wrote:

I’m still rockin the Forerunner 620. Works fine.

How often do you replace your watch and is it really necessary for the upgraded features?

You should not change it at all unless it breaks. Stand up against consumerism!

the biggest problem I have with garmin watches is the battery slowly gets so weak that after couple years, at the start of a long run it might be at 87% and at the end 13% which can make the gps cut out

they pretty much force you to buy something new because you can't replace the battery, at least not without near surgery levels of work and trying to source the battery

if you have the 620 I think the weakness in that model is it cannot properly do other activities like cycling?

I just carry a calendar

Mr. November wrote:

I just carry a calendar

Why do you guys have to be @$$ holes?

Serious question is serious wrote:

Every year. Roger banister would have run a sub 3:30 mile if only he had the technology of a GPS watch. It's amazing that our ancestors even had legs to run before GPS watches. This is such an insightful question - thank you.

Pretty sure questions are asked to get insight, not give it you moron.

Dedicated Old School wrote:

I just run with a measuring wheel. Really it is just as good, if not better than a GPS watch.

You’re right, it’s so last year to wear a GPS watch. Never seen an elite do it. Oh wait.

Tyler Durden's grandson wrote:

KeepinTempo wrote:

I’m still rockin the Forerunner 620. Works fine.

How often do you replace your watch and is it really necessary for the upgraded features?

You should not change it at all unless it breaks. Stand up against consumerism!

Stand up against lame responses like yours!

KeepinTempo wrote:

Tyler Durden's grandson wrote:

You should not change it at all unless it breaks. Stand up against consumerism!

Stand up against lame responses like yours!

I thought that was a reasonable response, and I agree with it.

But if you want more detail, I have a nice one Suunto Ambit3 Peak. I won't change it unless it breaks or I lose it. Battery fading doesn't count for me. It would easily be worth replacing the battery if that ever gets to be an issue. As for features, most beyond the basics are not that necessary. I start it when I begin a workout, and stop it when I end a workout. Maybe hit the lap button if I'm doing repeats. Then it gets uploaded to strava. I don't even bother pausing when I stop briefly. Strava does moving time automatically.

In my opinion, it's not beneficial to geek out about features like running metrics (cadence, vertical oscillation, etc.). Not that I think running form doesn't matter. But it doesn't matter to me personally because my form is good and I wouldn't change anything based on watch data. And if your form needs improvement, video and a coach would be the way. I have at times used HR, but that's a basic feature.

KeepinTempo wrote:

I’m still rockin the Forerunner 620. Works fine.

How often do you replace your watch and is it really necessary for the upgraded features?

I have a 220. I had to replace the band once.

I had a 110, but the band broke and it wasn't replaceable. The best part of the upgrade was the longer battery life and it gets a signal quicker. The cadence data is nice I guess, and it's pretty enough I can wear it all day. The bluetooth function is key in the Strava age, as before I only uploaded data once a month or so.

My next watch will be one of the cheaper forerunners. I'll go for price over more features.

Oh, and I bet your fun at parties.

KeepinTempo wrote:

necessary for the upgraded features?

are you mentally ill or just stupid?

KeepinTempo wrote:

I’m still rockin the Forerunner 620. Works fine.

How often do you replace your watch and is it really necessary for the upgraded features?

i tend to wonder how the answers here correlate with mileage and ability.

im a maybe 40 mi/week 15:30 guy, early 30s. ive never actually owned a watch. ive not given much thought to whether i might be faster or slower with one.

I buy the cheapest one possible and replace it when it breaks. Do runners really buy a new one if the current one is functional? What do you do with it? Why not donate it to your local running store and they could have a basket with free watches for the frugal shopper like me?

I kept my 210 until the battery started flaking on me. Had problems getting in long runs on a full charge. I don't usually care to much about any features. The only reason I would consider ditching my 225 is because Garmin decided to abandon it when they released the 230/235 later that same year. It was never given the ability to handle the bike speed/cadence sensor or even set an activity as being biking (have to manually update in Connect and Strava after uploads). So now I'm in the position of either a bike specific Garmin, upgrading my watch or just saying f*** 'em and deal with it until the 225 dies. Of course the battery life on the 225 is way better than the 210, so it will take a lot longer to go through as many charge cycles even being 2 years old as it is.

Logan001 wrote:

KeepinTempo wrote:

necessary for the upgraded features?

are you mentally ill or just stupid?

I think he's just stupid. So let me say it one more time: the only metrics that can possibly improve your training are time, distance, and (as a function of those two) pace. maybe add heart rate, though I don't think it's useful, but I give you that. a lap function is convenient, and could even be necessary for low IQ individuals (yes, I'm talking to you OP). since the forerunner 620 has all those features (and more), there is no need to buy a new watch. now, if you don't like the design, want music on your watch, want to read emails etc etc, then you might want a new watch with more features.

I still have a wind up timex that works like a champ. No need to replace.

Before you insult my senseless response please recognize that you are an irritant on the board.

Watch? I don't wear a watch. I tell time what it is.