Recommendation for Watch for Runner with Poor Eyesight?

I'm still fine most days with 3 data fields on my Garmin FR 45, but when things are getting ragged in races, especially early in an overcast morning, I've definitely had to struggle. So for races I've set up screens with only 2 data fields so all the numbers are larger. At the end of a marathon, I no longer care what my heart rate is, just the current lap pace and overall time, for example.

So I'd guess your best option is to do something similar and set up the data screens on a standard running watch to show only 1 or 2 data fields. I'm content with my 45, although the 245 or 255 might have a nicer screen - I simply haven't compared them.

I have poor eyesight, so I went to a stopwatch instead of a wristwatch. Tried quite a few different models over the last ten years or so. The best I found was the Seiko Ultrax 100 Lap with LED light.

Bought it in November 2019, still going strong, run in all types of weather. Nice bright light, different types of timers.

You would think that carrying a stopwatch in your hand would be awkward, but it isn't. Your fingers rest naturally on the buttons; way better than reaching over to hit or touch the buttons on a wristwatch. Pretty easy to use with gloves on, even heavy ones.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check out the Seiko. Perhaps you were the one who posted about stopwatches in a previous watch thread. If not, then there are at least two fans.

I just looked at several models of Seiko stopwatches on Amazon and I'm concerned that the numbers are too small. They are smaller than the numbers on my watch. I to agree though that a stopwatch would be much easier to use in winter when I wear gloves or even mittens. A regular watch is just impossible to do more than start at the beginning of a run and stop at the end if wearing warm hand coverings.

Thanks for the great idea. I'll consider that, though the price is a bit above my range - since I don't use any of the fancy GPS, etc functions. The screen on this type of watch should be more easily readable.

Similar question, can you get a bigger font on the Apple Watch workout app? Maybe reduce the number of displays somehow? I can’t read it, lol. Getting old sucks.

I use a Coros Pace 2 and it allows me to configure “Activity data” that is displayed while doing the activity and you can choose for a single screen to choose anywhere from just one to up to six metrics, and the fewer you choose per screen, the bigger the font and easier to read, and you can dial easily with a physical dial button to switch screens.

I was thinking this as well. I also have the pace 2 and with just 1 field selected it would be (hopefully) easy to read. The knob could be a bit awkward though and it's definitely above the 100 dollar ceiling unless they could find a steal on a used one

My Garmin (Forerunner 645) can provide auto audio splits. I imagine there's probably an app in the Garmin store that can provide audio splits/info on demand by pressing a button.

There's also sticker lenses that you can use to convert your existing sunglasses and they work, but I prefer bifocal lenses.

Darby, thanks so much for this recommendation! This is approaching the problem from a different angle and something that would likely work for me. I often wear clear glasses on cold or rainy/snowy days - and of course on sunny days I'll wear sunglasses. Really don't want to wear eyeglasses/full prescription sunglasses because while it's fine when looking at the watch it's not so good when looking ahead.

I also knew that my idea of using a watch that has a smartwatch type of screen would only be a temporary fix, as once my eyesight gets to 2.0x I'm sure that I would not be able to read that screen either - and there's only so big of numbers a watch can have. I see your linked glasses come in at 1.5x and 2.0x and hopefully higher. This really could be the fix for me.

Thanks for finding this now somewhat dated post and going the extra step to include a link.

If you don’t mind bulky, I can send you my old Garmin 205. The display is massive and it even has a nice backlight feature you can turn on and off. Still works last time I checked.

At age 63 my eyesight started going downhill about 10 years ago. I just use a pair of generic readers (2.0) and don't wear them when running or cycling. I use an old school Timex Expedition with a velcro strap. It works pretty well for me.