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ScottCM

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Garmin without a doubt and the FR35

 

TomTom is bluetooth and unless you are going to go full on with the bluetooth architecture it is limited as well as the battery life

 

Fitbit Ionic, new on the block and already has issues with connectivity to your phone/app.  Plenty written online already where you have to unpair/repair and fiddle to get the data to transfer.

 

Vivoactive or FR35 depending on whether preference is for round or square face.

 

About to be released Garmin FR645 and 645 Music. Not sure when it will be available here  https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/01/garmin-forerunner-645-music-gps-watch.html

 

My preference is Garmin, it works and has great backup service.

thanks alot

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Talking of ASA licenses.  I am getting a bit miffed by the delays in issuing the 2018 licences.  As I was not licensed last year,  I have to pay a temporary licence for each race until ASA sorts out their mess........

My running club sent an e-mail where-in they confirmed that ASA stated that 2017 license numbers can be used up to 31 January 2018...

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Good day all you runners.

 

M wife wants to start running again.

 

I would like your help with a new watch for her.

She will be using it on the indoor trainer and out on the road.

 

The options

Tomtom runner 3

https://www.tomtom.com/en_za/sports/running-watches/

 

Fitbit ionic

https://www.fitbit.com/ionic

 

Garmin Vivoactive HR

https://www.garmin.co.za/prod_detail_vivoactiveHR.php?productid=627

 

Garmin forerunner 35

http://www.garmin.co.za/prod_detail_forerunner-35.php?productid=649

 

I have a FR 35. 

Very happy with it.  

It has now been replaced by the FR30  "the upgrade" but they have taken out some functions and it is now more running orientated.  But the price is less. Less then 3K at Sportmans Warehouse 

 

Does have a treadmill setting.

Screen very  easy "readable" when running (much better than my Garmin 410) 

FR 35 does have pacing and interval and some other settings. 

 

Two of the functions taken out that was stupid  is. (as far as I understand)  

FR 30 does not have "Cycling" mode anymore. 

FR 30 only does wrist based HRM and can not connect via ANT+ to a chest strap 

(The FR35 can)

 

Buy a FR 35   If you can. Was last on sale at Sportsman's Warehouse for around 3K

 

Battery lasts me  a week. 

Sync  to my Garmin Connect App on my Phone  and track many things like calories and steps and sleep  and ext. If you wear it as a watch. 

 

Runs and rides automatically sync to Strava  from Garmin Connect. 

 

Garmin Connect also sync with MyFitnesspal app if you want to log calories eaten  and calories in/out

 

Hope this helps.  

Cannot comment on the other products. 

Edited by IH8MUD
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Good day all you runners.

 

M wife wants to start running again.

 

I would like your help with a new watch for her.

She will be using it on the indoor trainer and out on the road.

 

The options

Tomtom runner 3

https://www.tomtom.com/en_za/sports/running-watches/

 

Fitbit ionic

https://www.fitbit.com/ionic

 

Garmin Vivoactive HR

https://www.garmin.co.za/prod_detail_vivoactiveHR.php?productid=627

 

Garmin forerunner 35

http://www.garmin.co.za/prod_detail_forerunner-35.php?productid=649

If she's using it for basic runs and daily tracking then the Tom Tom Spark is a great watch. The music and headphones make an excellent package and there are other nice motivation features, like virtual racer (as opposed to virtual pacer) which you'll only find in the 6xx and higher Garmins.

 

Where Garmin really jumps ahead of the pack is the custom apps that can be installed for free from their 'store'. The customised running screens, pacers, etc. make it a much more runner oriented watch. Note that you can't customise your data screens at all on the Tom Tom. However, the Connect IQ (the custom installable apps) feature isn't available on the FR35 as far as I'm aware.

 

I've found that the Garmin and the Tom Tom are pretty close in terms off around 10 hour activity recording battery life. You'll maximise it by turning off Bluetooth and even more so if you turn off HR. Both watches can synch to Strava automatically and both are recognised by Discovery Vitality, if you use it.

 

I don't know anything about Fitbit so can't comment on that.

 

So out of the watches you mentioned I personally think the Tom Tom offers more at better value. From the FR235 and up, however, Garmin is streets ahead.

 

My watch to wait for will be the Garmin 645. It looks like everything I've loved about my 235 but with the features I'm jealous of, like music, waypoints and Strava Live.

Edited by Barry Stuart
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My watch to wait for will be the Garmin 645. It looks like everything I've loved about my 235 but with the features I'm jealous of, like music, waypoints and Strava Live.

 

It looks like price wise the 645 will be closer to the 935 price.  For that price I might rather get the 935 for the multi-sport functionality, but then you don't get the music...

 

Hmmm, difficult one

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It looks like price wise the 645 will be closer to the 935 price. For that price I might rather get the 935 for the multi-sport functionality, but then you don't get the music...

 

Hmmm, difficult one

I gather then that the 645 will offer multiple sports but not a multisport mode?

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Sure

But just be prepared to pitch up at your marathon undertrained.

 

Soooo which marafun are we you aiming for?

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The Vaal sufferfest will be my first attempt at a marafun.

Not chasing a time, only a finish.

 

Joh that's quite soon...rather you than me

I ran that many years ago...in the good ole days

 

Hope your training goes well!!

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I gather then that the 645 will offer multiple sports but not a multisport mode?

That is how I understand it as well..

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Tomtom is getting out of the wearable market, this includes their gps watches. Although Im sure they will still provide support for a while. The problem is that updates might be an issue pretty soon, definitely not a way I will go.

 

Why not look at Suunto? You can pick up the Ambit range at insanely cheap prices, its all you will ever need for running with great battery life as well.

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...snip...

 

Why not look at Suunto? You can pick up the Ambit range at insanely cheap prices, its all you will ever need for running with great battery life as well.

 

I have an Ambit3 with the chest strap hrm.

 

Upgraded from a TomTom Runner to this.

 

Great watch - Suunto has an app store as well, gps accurate, great battery life - I have it on the "best gps" setting (think it's every second or something) and it last a whole week that includes about 7-8 hours of activities.

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I have a FR 35. 

Very happy with it.  

It has now been replaced by the FR30  "the upgrade" but they have taken out some functions and it is now more running orientated.  But the price is less. Less then 3K at Sportmans Warehouse 

 

Does have a treadmill setting.

Screen very  easy "readable" when running (much better than my Garmin 410) 

FR 35 does have pacing and interval and some other settings. 

 

Two of the functions taken out that was stupid  is. (as far as I understand)  

FR 30 does not have "Cycling" mode anymore. 

FR 30 only does wrist based HRM and can not connect via ANT+ to a chest strap 

(The FR35 can)

 

Buy a FR 35   If you can. Was last on sale at Sportsman's Warehouse for around 3K

 

Battery lasts me  a week. 

Sync  to my Garmin Connect App on my Phone  and track many things like calories and steps and sleep  and ext. If you wear it as a watch. 

 

Runs and rides automatically sync to Strava  from Garmin Connect. 

 

Garmin Connect also sync with MyFitnesspal app if you want to log calories eaten  and calories in/out

 

Hope this helps.  

Cannot comment on the other products. 

thanks for the info

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