Thinking of upgrading my garmin. It's the basic 35 model I believe, was around $100. I have an Android phone but am thinking of going back to Apple. Would you go with a new garmin watch or the Apple watch? Which is better for running? I want to be able to program speed workouts and such into the watch.
Garmin. I've known several people that have tried Apple watch for running and all ended up going back to Garmin. They like the Apple better for smart watch functions, which Garmin can do a lot of too (not sure why you can't just look at your phone). As a running watch though, Apple is inferior.
Was always a basic timex user. Got a Garmin 645 (no music) in Dec, does everything I need (and more). I wanted a watch that didn’t look to ‘smart watch like’ (the big square look) and would fit a skinny wrist. I program workouts ( paces, heart rates, cadences). I’ve got garmin connect synched to Strava (I’d bet apple does that too of course).
Never owned an Apple Watch, so cant say head to head. Did seriously consider (and am typing on iPhone now :-P )
HTH
In the end, it depends a lot on your preferences and use case scenarios.
I have an Apple Watch and use it for running. Out of the box, it is vastly inferior to most Garmin watches. However, there are really good apps that lift it to a similar level as a real GPS sportswatch. I use WorkOutDoors and HealthFit and I think it adds a lot of features you would otherwise miss:
WorkOutDoors is my workout planning, tracking and routemapping tool, it also has great analysis features in the iPhone app.
With this app, you can plan structured workouts, it has audio-guidance through each intervals, you set a target range for pace, heart rate, cadence etc... It has configurable screens with a lot of metrics, so you can choose to display all kinds of data such as cadence, interval paces, configurable rolling paces, step length and so on and so on just on your tracking screen on the watch.
Also, you can show a map on your watch screen and import GPX-files to show your path while walking (I only use that while hiking, not for running).
With the HealthFit app (RunGap does similar stuff), you can then (automatically) syncronise your activities to all kind of platforms (Strava, Runalyze, TrainingPeaks, I believe GarminConnect as well etc...)
So, of course if you need all the physical buttons, the watch is lacking that. Also, the battery life is much shorter than on most Garmin watches. And it might take some time to set up those apps, it does not work as a running watch straight out of the box. If you go mountain climbing, a garmin is also more robust than an apple watch.
But, there are those people who religiously defend Garmin watches and say an Apple watch is never really a sports watch, but they can not really give a conclusive list of what features the Apple watch with the right app is missing...
Former 230 forerunner user, but family preempted and gave me the Apple 5 cause they liked the 911 function (I spend much time on the AT, in the mtns.) I like the versatility of the Apple - I use it all day, everywhere, and I like apple pay being accessible w/out a wallet, etc.; whereas, I used to use the Garmin just for workouts. I don't like the fact that I have to charge it every day. I only track pace/distance/elevation, so I'm pretty basic. Only thing I want to know: Which is most accurate? ...and why? The Garmin always gives me a different pace than the Apple. I know I'm at a perceived 8:30 and it tells me 7-something. Distance is usually .01-03. off, also. Mind-boggling.
Number one issue with Apple Watch is that their default apps for workouts locks your data. Not going to export it anywhere else. I'm still not convinced their GPS algorithms are all that great either.
I have an Apple watch 5, and I also tried with version 2 when it came out. In all cases, I was coming from Garmin and went back to Garmin.
Problem is, I like the Apple Watch for everything else. So there is no perfect answer right now.
DC Rainmaker is who you should search for when you want to know about GPS watches. Best reviews out there and he's been doing it a long time, more than a decade.
Coros is better than either. More bang for the buck and much longer battery life.
Apple Watch is great as a do-all, assuming your OK being locked into the Apple ecosystem. You cannot even activate an Apple Watch without a companion iPhone. Still, it is a sophisticated little device. Also no need to upload or connect, since everything you do that gets recorded on the watch is seamlessly passed to the phone as well.
The Garmins are great at being running watches but will never link as smoothly with your phone/laptop. They require syncing with an app that works, most of the time. Their software is also much more gludgy compared to Apple. Still, they are fantastic as running watches and can do everything and anything you might want from a running watch, all better than an Apple Watch.
Trade-offs. Oh, the Garmins tend to be much less expensive too, if that matters.
Oh Please wrote:
DC Rainmaker is who you should search for when you want to know about GPS watches. Best reviews out there and he's been doing it a long time, more than a decade.
Thanks for the DC Rainmaker tip! Site is awesome and exhaustive; wish I’d seen in Dec ?.
I have a Fenix and an LTE Apple Watch. Garmin is much better for running, but I still use the Apple Watch because it's a lot nicer when not running. The loss of the extra data isn't worth charging two devices and swapping back and forth for me. A lot of people who own both end up feeling the same way.
Garmin benefits:
- Much better battery life (Apple Watch is probably not going to last for anything longer than a 2 hour run w/ GPS, most garmins are good for 8-24 hours of GPS activity tracking)
- Has built-in maps that don't need cell service, and don't need you to download your route ahead of time
- For trail runners, shows a breadcrumb map of your steps, making it easy to back-track if lost
- Extra sensors not built into Apple watch: Temperature, foot steps/cadence, barimeter for altitude
- Usually comes with a HR strap in addition to the optical HR sensor on wrist. For me the optical sensors are worthless during exercise
- Having real buttons is much better. Using the Apple Watch touch-screen while sweaty or wearing gloves is a pain
The Apple Watch is only nice if you plan to wear when not working out. Specifically, the smart watch features are a nice luxury. These require you have an LTE watch (which is $14/mo for cell service after taxes) or you have your phone with you. You get all your text messages and can screen or answer phone calls through the watch. You can talk to text without stopping or picking up your phone, or interact with Spotify by voice. You can store your credit cards on the watch and use it to pay at stores. Spotify works really nicely from the watch, especially with bluetooth speakers where you can use switch songs from your wrist and use the dial to control volume on connected devices. Plus you can find almost any style of wrist band on eBay/Amazon/etsy for under $30.
The Apple Watch can get some of the missing data by pairing with external sensors - any bluetooth sensor will work so you can get a chest HR strap, cadence/stride sensor, or bike sensor, so the short battery and touch screen are the only lasting annoyances.
Some of your points are right, others not so much:
- battery life: Apple Watch should last 4-6 hours tracking a workout with GPS. However, if carrying the phone with you, it will use the phone’s GPS, extending the battery life greatly (easily +12 hours then). Of course Garmin watches have a much longer battery life, but the 2 hours you mention sound pretty much useless. But 4-6 hours without phone is more than enough for a marathon and most other long workouts I can think about I’d bring a phone anyway.
- about the maps you are right. However, there is this WorkOutDoors app, which has maps features built-in. As long as you are carrying your phone, it will access the maps via your phone, if not it will try LTE if you have a watch with this feature. But it’s also just one button to download.
- breadcrumb trail: WorkOutDoors does that as well.
- sensors: I assume your Garmin watch counts steps/cadence just from the watch without external sensor. Apple Watch does the same thing, the built-in running tracker just does not display it. Either you use another tracking app such as WorkOutDoors. Or you use HealthFit to show/export workouts, it will show there. Newer Apple watches do have an altimeter. You are right about the missing temperature sensor.
- HR strap: you are right, however it can also pair to third-party straps.
- you are right about the buttons.
About the LTE function: you don’t necessarily need it, as long as you are bringing your phone, or there is WiFi around you, the watch without LTE will do the same thing as the one with it (including calls, notifications etc...)