Smart watches, so many to choose!

[yellowstang]

I'm looking at getting a smart watch, but mostly to track runs, I don't want to carry a cell phone at the same time. Does anyone have any experience with such an animal?

Fitbit Blaze requires a phone to use GPS. Surge does not need a connected phone, but is older, and harder to see (for me).

Garmin has several decent models (Forerunner), but most say the screen is not very bright (I want it bright).

Samsung Gear S3. I think the Gear however, also requires a phone to use GPS (read both answers in reviews on Amazon). I don't want the LTE version that requires a data plan either, no sense in paying for that.

Any advice, Stangers?

[FastFord19]

I have the Garmin Vivoactive HR. Gps works well and doesn't need your phone. I like how the screen is always on and can be seen during the day no problem. I get about 6-7 days out of a single charge.

The screen defiantly is not real nice like the Samsung watch.

[Jose]

I've been using a Garmin Fenix 3 HR for the past 8 or 10 months and I've been pretty happy with it. The heart rate monitor seems to be fairly accurate and I use it to track my steps, hikes, and bike rides. Doesn't require a phone either and the screen is always on but "dim" so at night it has a light to view it with.

[yellowstang]

Thx guys.
I think I'll get the Garmin Forerunner 235. Seems decent enough in reviews, and i like the built in GPS

[scootro]

i don't like 'em because most of them are too thick.

[yellowstang]

i don't like 'em because most of them are too thick.

I can't compare it to a regular watch, as I have not worn one in over 20 years. I hate watches. They seem fairly thin tho, especially considering all they can do.

I really wanted to like the Gear S3, it looks good, but it is just too busy, and I don't need all the shit it does, especially when tied to a phone. I can just use the phone then!

[scootro]

I can't compare it to a regular watch, as I have not worn one in over 20 years. I hate watches. They seem fairly thin tho, especially considering all they can do.

I really wanted to like the Gear S3, it looks good, but it is just too busy, and I don't need all the shit it does, especially when tied to a phone. I can just use the phone then!

all men's watches (smart or not) should be thinner but the fad these says is to sell behemoth monstrosities!

the real tech is in women watches

[yellowstang]

Got the Forerunner 235 today, ordered from Best Buy. I give it a 4 star rating. Really like the GPS, it tracked a sample jog down the street, across, and back home with very good detail. Nike + Run Club with the phone/cell towers paels in comparison, half the time it didn't even track me! They went down hill seems, since partnering with Apple.

Back to the 235, has several features I'll never use, probably should have gotten a cheaper model, but it does good for what I need, fits comfortably and does NOT need my phone to work! Only drawback, for me is the brightness. Shit, between getting old, and eye surgeries, I can't read dim screens, and this one in some screens is fairly dim (seems to be a common complaint). Over all tho, I'm pleased with it so far.

[yellowstang]

Nike Run Club SUCKS ASS! I turned both the Nike app and my Garmin watch on at the same time, 2 houses down so no Wifi interference with the Nike App.

Nike says I ran 2.32 miles, map is a straight line with a bend in it. Not even a complete circuit.

Garmin says 1.94 miles, and mapped the exact route I took.

I wonder if Nike + Apple watch works better, seems since they partnered, it went down hill on my Android.

[351Coupe]

I use a Garmin Forerunner 35 and I like it. I use it mostly to track runs. This one has a heart rate monitor built in it too. Brightness has not been a concern, it's very easy to see even in the sun. An added plus is that it controls the music on my phone which comes in handy when I'm mowing or driving my Fairlane. It was also only $155.