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Best GPS watches?


Simonpurdon

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Looking to get myself a new or secondhand GPS watch below R3000.

 

Got three options so far:

 

Polar M400

Suunto Ambit2 or 3

Garmin Fenix 2

 

Main things I'm looking for:

 

1) Ability to maintain signal through forests.

2) Ability to follow a route. 

3) After ride/run program or integration.

 

Anybody got any experience with any of these or would recommend others?

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Fenix 2 would be your best bet. You might have to keep an eye on the classifieds to pick one up below R3k though.

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910xt is a nicer watch to train with than the fenix2 but misses out on the blue tooth connectivity. Saw one on the hub for 2500 the other day. Would highly recommend one.

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910xt is a nicer watch to train with than the fenix2 but misses out on the blue tooth connectivity. Saw one on the hub for 2500 the other day. Would highly recommend one.

 

Why do you say that?

 

Any idea of the main advantages of bluetooth besides HRM?

 

Thanks for the reply. 

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As much as I liked Polar, I wouldn't add the M400 to the list. As for the Ambit 2/3 vs Fenix 2 - this is the hardest decision you can make.

 

I like the Suunto's more because of their screens (Readability. Ability to invert the screen. Refresh rate. Resolution). Movescount works excellent. Also, it was cheaper in the classifieds than a Fenix 2.

 

Any idea of the main advantages of bluetooth besides HRM?

 

The Fenix's bluetooth allows phone connectivity so you can get notifications (SMS/ calls) and do live tracking. HOWEVER, you cannot connect to the phone and HRM belt simultaneously.

 

The biggest feature I miss from the Ambit 2 is that I'm not able to wirelessly sync data - I have to connect the charging cable each time, resulting in a once-a-week upload session. This is standard with the Ambit 3 but also available to the Fenix.

 

Disclaimer: buying one of these watches might lead to the enjoyment of activities like trail running

 

PS: If you want to test my Ambit 2 for a day, you are more than welcome.

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There was a whole thread on this that active less than a month ago

 

What about battery life? My forerunner 15 does all of that for 2500....battery lasts about 8 hours..longest I have used it is about 5....and it still had some bars

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As much as I liked Polar, I wouldn't add the M400 to the list. As for the Ambit 2/3 vs Fenix 2 - this is the hardest decision you can make.

 

I like the Suunto's more because of their screens (Readability. Ability to invert the screen. Refresh rate. Resolution). Movescount works excellent. Also, it was cheaper in the classifieds than a Fenix 2.

 

 

The Fenix's bluetooth allows phone connectivity so you can get notifications (SMS/ calls) and do live tracking. HOWEVER, you cannot connect to the phone and HRM belt simultaneously.

 

The biggest feature I miss from the Ambit 2 is that I'm not able to wirelessly sync data - I have to connect the charging cable each time, resulting in a once-a-week upload session. This is standard with the Ambit 3 but also available to the Fenix.

 

Disclaimer: buying one of these watches might lead to the enjoyment of activities like trail running

 

PS: If you want to test my Ambit 2 for a day, you are more than welcome.

 

Thanks for the offer and advice! Will pm you.

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There was a whole thread on this that active less than a month ago

 

What about battery life? My forerunner 15 does all of that for 2500....battery lasts about 8 hours..longest I have used it is about 5....and it still had some bars

 

Some people saying their battery life wasn't lasting for a long (5+ hours) ride/triathlon and the last few bars drained really quickly. 

 

Saw a thread about this but last reply was Dec 2014, thought it might be a bit outdated. 

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I got a ambit 1 and happy with it and the fact that it has the barometer in it. (suunto 2s doesnt) found 1 for me and my gf R1800 for one with hr(hers had one exercise on it)

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Some people saying their battery life wasn't lasting for a long (5+ hours) ride/triathlon and the last few bars drained really quickly. 

 

Saw a thread about this but last reply was Dec 2014, thought it might be a bit outdated. 

 

battery is reduced if you use pace alerts and hR zone alerts...which I find just plain annoying

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Have you read DCrainmakers reviews on these watches? They are pretty comprehensive, and has reviewed pretty much every watch you can imagine. Worth a look...

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Was at due Due south centurion yesterday and they have a few polar on special. Think the rcx3 gps is going for r3200.

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