Don't have the X, so no flashlight...
The touchscreen mainly stands out during trail runs/hikes. The point-and-navigate have been useful for ad-hoc navigation on many occasions. I found the unofficially supported OSM maps just adds to the whole package as the offical Topo maps are really lacking in SA (applicable to older devices as well).
Unfortunately Garmin is a hit and miss in this price range. You will always feel that you're missing just that one feature for R1000 more. Still good devices though. That said, my recommendations would be:
Suunto 5 peak. Quality device, multi sport, loads of features. R5k on the dot.
Coros Pace 2. Relatively new to the market compared to other brands, but a proper competitor nowadays. R4.75 through official distributors
Samsung? Had that problem when I got a new watch. There's a phone setting where you reset all your network connections (you lose all saved bluetooth devices and wifi connections). That sorted it out. Quite a common problem for Samsung and Garmin devices.
Lekker. I've been enjoying these virtual events ever since Ryan Sandes started his FKT series for mountain running. A good way to deviate from the monotony of doing the same weekend rides and runs and to to challenge mates.
On the budget, remember that a good headlamp would last you at least five years. I bought a Petzl Aktik Core in 2017. Rechargeable battery still going strong. Water resistant, so all good when running in rain. Strap still fine. Not saying that a Kaufmann won't last, just consider the capital-vs-lifetime.
Unlike your shoes, which cost between R1k to R3k and last half a season.
Hoka, Adidas, Saucony, Nike, On Cloud, Salomon, New Balance, Pivot and Run... you get the point.
Go to a proper running store, e.g. RUNStore in Cpt. Where about are you based?
It doesn't have to be mutually inclusive. There are multiple departments that can address multiple relevant issues simultaneously. The City has a difficult job of serving the needs of the full range of the income (or lack thereof) spectrum.
Why don't the city do what the always do:
Use tax payer money to put one of these guys there with a VW Golf 8 GTI S-Works Turbo Levo to chase down those pesky cyclists that are causing issues to everyone.
Where exactly did it fail? The thread between of the caps? Did they crack?
My bite valves starting failing after 5 years. There was an option to replace those, but they were half the price of new bottles. So I got new bottles instead (larger opening, hard bottom for easier entry to pack).
Those look like the speed-flasks, I'm not aware of any cheaper brands sharing caps with those.
I would like to think that I would have been content with a 935 or even Forerunner 7-series if I didn't do trail running. But I can just rave on and on about how awesome it is to have the maps with touch. Its so easy to pin to a location mid-activity, e.g. if you quickly want to activate climb-pro while on the run. Wouldn't do that on a bike though..
The stamina feature is also one of the greatest gimmick. X amount of km's or minutes until you bonk.
yeah. My decision to go for the F7 is that I want something that can last 5 years or so. I'm still not convinced the AMOLED of the Epix would do that.
But the Instinct? Nope. The 2nd gen seems like a great watch, but I'm not down for the Casio look. But the biggest miss is the mapping features - understandably so for a B&W screen. If Garmin started releasing full mapping features to their mid-tier watches I'd definitely consider those options....
Got my F7 hand delivered from the US at last 😀
Opted for sapphire solar because I'm planning to use it until it dies (like my F3 did... RIP). Also, I'm hoping the multiband GPS does add accuracy. Not only for mountain missions, but also for site-work - marking POIs and such. If there was a cheaper option without solar I would've went for that.
The performance with touch and maps is awesome. I got a subscription of BirdsEye sat imagery for the fun of it - works okay (colors are a bit dull obviously), but I think the Epix would really bring the best of that.
While in South America I bought a second hand XCaliber very similar to this one. Really liked the geometery. And even though it was specced well below my "SA" bike I still had a lot of fun on it.
From the pics looks like it had little use, but Hubbers always tend to be on the cautious side 😉
Yeah well Garmin now made the difference more than physical - multi-band GPS support (seriously, why not on base models?!) + larger onboard memory. The titanium casing is contributes to a slightly lighter watch
For the same $$$ I would rather get a non-sapphire pro than a sapphire without the pro features. But to each their own.
Edit: NVM, Garmin models are too confusing.
