Being totally objective here on AW vs Garmin...

[RichP74]

I replaced a Forerunner 945 with an Ultra (long time Garmin fan). I can already tell when full training starts next spring, I'll probably go back to Garmin. Apple's software just isn't there. Right now I'm using the on-watch Strava app, and it works reasonably well, but it's sort of reinforced that a) I really hate touchscreens on workout watches, and b) Apple's baked in fitness apps are where Garmin was 8 years ago. I also super enjoyed having to download a third party app (Pedometer+) so I could see my daily steps on the watch face. Are you freaking kidding me?

Apple's focus still seems to be overall smartwatch functionality, which frankly I can't blame the for at all. The watches are designed for everybody, like all Apple products, and the Garmin crowd still appeals to a relatively niche market. But c'mon, man. I kind of feel like I was sold a bill of good with this Ultra. The software just isn't there for serious workouts. I'd also love to know why, when using the Apple baked in apps I have to manually pull them into Strava, but I'm guessing that's a Strava thing.

Finally, that extra button on the left side of the button is freaking useless. I want to be able to do more than 3 very specific things with it that Apple says I can (let apps be able to use it, for crying out loud). I set it to flashlight for the fun of it, which is also useless, because the watch blocks you from using that button in the middle of the night when the watch is in sleep mode. When in the hell else are you gonna use that function other than the middle of the night to navigate to the bathroom or whatever so you don't wake anybody up? If you're relying on that flashlight for any kind of activity, you're probably going to die.

I don't know. For an Apple product, the whole Apple Watch experience just feels poorly thought out for people who want to use it for anything other than just a day to day smartwatch.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

For the serious amateur sportsman upwards you’re better off sticking with the standard AW for general wear and picking up a cheap Fenix for workouts. The Ultra is a bit of a gimmick really as the series does 99% of what it can do at half the price. The Garmin mip display is awful but that doesn’t really matter so much out in the field.

 

[msackey]

I replaced a Forerunner 945 with an Ultra (long time Garmin fan). I can already tell when full training starts next spring, I'll probably go back to Garmin. Apple's software just isn't there. Right now I'm using the on-watch Strava app, and it works reasonably well, but it's sort of reinforced that a) I really hate touchscreens on workout watches, and b) Apple's baked in fitness apps are where Garmin was 8 years ago. I also super enjoyed having to download a third party app (Pedometer+) so I could see my daily steps on the watch face. Are you freaking kidding me?

[...]

Yeah, if you aren't willing to use and accept third-party tools on the Apple Watch to help organize your workouts and help train you, the Apple Watch (no matter if it's an Ultra or not) is definitely NOT for you.

 

[memento mori]

To me, the debate between Garmins and AW starts and ends with cellular. To not bring my large and heavy phone when I’m out on a run, and still be able to call my partner in case I have, for example, an injury 10km from my home, while streaming my recent playlists without pre-loading them has been way bigger game changer than any metrics Garmin could provide. Which is a shame, since I prefer the aesthetic and other features on the Epix/Fenix series more, however, unless Garmin decides to finally include this on their $999 devices, I won’t even consider it.
Especially now with Ultra, where I don’t even have to worry about battery life when going on a 21k run, and still having it for a full day of office work, social events in evening and sleep tracking.

 

[MrEcted]

AWU is the clear winner for me. WorkOutDoors closes a lot of gaps that a stock AW has when compared to Garmin (not every gap, but enough for me).

The biggest clincher though for me is having cellular. I don't even bring my phone with me a lot of times now, so I don't have a phone flopping around in my shorts at the gym, or flopping around in my pocket when I run, etc. I love being able to stream music, podcasts, etc without needing my phone, and I don't want to mess around with updating playlists or any of that type of thing.

 

[NickYanakiev]

Having Stryd's fantastic app makes up for a lot of the AWU's native software deficiencies. I have been wearing the Ultra, rather than my Epix 2.

Now, will that still be the case come spring? Only time will tell (nothing beats longer battery life and fully routable topo maps);

 

[Fthree]

I replaced a Forerunner 945 with an Ultra (long time Garmin fan). I can already tell when full training starts next spring, I'll probably go back to Garmin. Apple's software just isn't there. Right now I'm using the on-watch Strava app, and it works reasonably well, but it's sort of reinforced that a) I really hate touchscreens on workout watches, and b) Apple's baked in fitness apps are where Garmin was 8 years ago. I also super enjoyed having to download a third party app (Pedometer+) so I could see my daily steps on the watch face. Are you freaking kidding me?

Apple's focus still seems to be overall smartwatch functionality, which frankly I can't blame the for at all. The watches are designed for everybody, like all Apple products, and the Garmin crowd still appeals to a relatively niche market. But c'mon, man. I kind of feel like I was sold a bill of good with this Ultra. The software just isn't there for serious workouts. I'd also love to know why, when using the Apple baked in apps I have to manually pull them into Strava, but I'm guessing that's a Strava thing.

Finally, that extra button on the left side of the button is freaking useless. I want to be able to do more than 3 very specific things with it that Apple says I can (let apps be able to use it, for crying out loud). I set it to flashlight for the fun of it, which is also useless, because the watch blocks you from using that button in the middle of the night when the watch is in sleep mode. When in the hell else are you gonna use that function other than the middle of the night to navigate to the bathroom or whatever so you don't wake anybody up? If you're relying on that flashlight for any kind of activity, you're probably going to die.

I don't know. For an Apple product, the whole Apple Watch experience just feels poorly thought out for people who want to use it for anything other than just a day to day smartwatch.

this is 100% spot on. I feel like people are hopping on the ultra train that were crapping on the AW6,7,8 but the ultra is EXACTLY THE SAME except for more battery life. The complaints they had with the software is still there nothing has changed.

 

[msackey]

To me, the debate between Garmins and AW starts and ends with cellular. To not bring my large and heavy phone when I’m out on a run, and still be able to call my partner in case I have, for example, an injury 10km from my home, while streaming my recent playlists without pre-loading them has been way bigger game changer than any metrics Garmin could provide. Which is a shame, since I prefer the aesthetic and other features on the Epix/Fenix series more, however, unless Garmin decides to finally include this on their $999 devices, I won’t even consider it.
[…]

If Garmin ever decides to offer cellular and the kind of connectivity to a phone, the battery life of their watches will take a serious hit. They won’t be able to brag in such a way anymore ;-)

[edited for typo]

 

[bcalvanese]

I went the opposite direction. I have been using Garmin since the first vivoactive came out, and have had every fenix model up to the 7x sapphire solar. With the introduction of first beat (or worst beat as I like to call it), their devices seemed geared more toward advanced athletes and not every day normal people. Take VO2 max for example... Garmin has always told me my VO2 max was poor, where the whole rest of the world says it's above average, and it's very frustrating having my watch constantly telling me that I am not fit enough.

Also they are getting to the point of too many features, many of which don't seem to be very accurate (at least not for a normal person, but maybe for advanced athletes). I'm 65, and I know I will never be an advanced athlete, but I do get 30 minutes to an hour of exercise in every day, and my apple watch ultra is telling me that I'm above average, so I am getting a good user experience with it. The fitness features used to be too basic on the AW, but with the software updates, the fitness features are more than enough for a regular person just trying to stay in decent shape.

I sold my fenix 7x sapphire solar to a friend who is much younger, and much more of an athlete than I will ever be.

 

[PatrickNSF]

this is 100% spot on. I feel like people are hopping on the ultra train that were crapping on the AW6,7,8 but the ultra is EXACTLY THE SAME except for more battery life. The complaints they had with the software is still there nothing has changed.

Agreed. I preferred running with my Garmin 955 vs the Ultra so I returned it and am back to using my Garmin for running and cycling (and sleep tracking) and my AW S7 Graphite for daily wear. I use the 955 for recovery metrics also, since I found Athlytic pretty erratic.

I have all of my runs and rides dating back to 2011 in Garmin Connect (and my shoe mileage), so that's a factor for me as well.

 

[262Runnr]

I was tossed between the AW Ultra and the Garmin Fenix 6x Sapphire....I ended up going for the Garmin ultimately due to not only the deep discount in price (cost me $439) but also due to the fact that Garmin had so much more metrics built in natively for health/fitness. Also a big plus is that my Fenix 6X has basically a 3 week battery! I rarely think about it needing a charge.
I actually wear both my AW6 LTE and my Fenix now everyday. My AW6 is LTE and is actually very useful for me during the day for responding to messages, mail, phone etc...

 

[262Runnr]

I went the opposite direction. I have been using Garmin since the first vivoactive came out, and have had every fenix model up to the 7x sapphire solar. With the introduction of first beat (or worst beat as I like to call it), their devices seemed geared more toward advanced athletes and not every day normal people. Take VO2 max for example... Garmin has always told me my VO2 max was poor, where the whole rest of the world says it's above average, and it's very frustrating having my watch constantly telling me that I am not fit enough.

Also they are getting to the point of too many features, many of which don't seem to be very accurate (at least not for a normal person, but maybe for advanced athletes). I'm 65, and I know I will never be an advanced athlete, but I do get 30 minutes to an hour of exercise in every day, and my apple watch ultra is telling me that I'm above average, so I am getting a good user experience with it. The fitness features used to be too basic on the AW, but with the software updates, the fitness features are more than enough for a regular person just trying to stay in decent shape.

I sold my fenix 7x sapphire solar to a friend who is much younger, and much more of an athlete than I will ever be.

LOL....you're just a youngster at 65.... , I hit 71 in July and have been running for about 20 years....it's never too late to start running no matter what your pace is....

 

[bcalvanese]

LOL....you're just a youngster at 65.... , I hit 71 in July and have been running for about 20 years....it's never too late to start running no matter what your pace is....

Yeah, I used to run more. A few years ago I did the Hal Higdon 12 week half marathon program. I didn't run any actual races, but just wanted to see if I could run 13.2 miles at the end of the course. My last run I ran 13.57. It took me 3 hours and 28 minutes, but I ran the whole distance. It almost killed me too... lol

I do power walking, hiking, cycling, kayaking (some times), and add run intervals into my walks and hikes here and there.

I just wanna get my HR up for a half hour to an hour each day, because it's good for me, but I don't want to constantly have to do all the training needed to maintain any long distance running.

Kudos to you for still running at 71.

 

[memento mori]

Just sold my AWU ad will go back to a Garmin Fenix watch, as I can live without the smartwatch features, but can't deal with charging my watch every other day and the limited activity tracking.

To me, the Ultra is still just a regular AW, but with 2x the battery life and a factory-set protective case. You still need to baby it (I had scratches on the bezel and sapphire crystal just from regular use), you still need to pay attention to the battery if you, for example, run once a day two days in a row and maybe also take a 20km walk, and you still need to juggle between multiple apps for all your health and activity data.
Most importantly, and this is completely a subjective feeling, a Garmin watch is a single purpose-built device, and it feels like a tool watch that is a companion in your journey whether it's running a marathon, going on a 100km hike, or cycling to a different country. There's something to be said for a purpose-built tool, not everything has to do be a jack of all trades.

For the people who must have the smartwatch features of an Apple Watch, but who find even the Ultra lacking in sports features, maybe should get both. For the price of Ultra (or Epix 2 top model), you can get a Fenix 6, (which is still a very competent sports watch), and an AW 7, which, would let you eat your cake and have it, too.

 

[NickYanakiev]

Fair enough but the battery life on the Ultra is a bit of a game changer. I will, personally, continue to use it alongside my Epix Gen 2.

 

[dj1891]

Just sold my AWU ad will go back to a Garmin Fenix watch, as I can live without the smartwatch features, but can't deal with charging my watch every other day and the limited activity tracking.

To me, the Ultra is still just a regular AW, but with 2x the battery life and a factory-set protective case. You still need to baby it (I had scratches on the bezel and sapphire crystal just from regular use), you still need to pay attention to the battery if you, for example, run once a day two days in a row and maybe also take a 20km walk, and you still need to juggle between multiple apps for all your health and activity data.
Most importantly, and this is completely a subjective feeling, a Garmin watch is a single purpose-built device, and it feels like a tool watch that is a companion in your journey whether it's running a marathon, going on a 100km hike, or cycling to a different country. There's something to be said for a purpose-built tool, not everything has to do be a jack of all trades.

For the people who must have the smartwatch features of an Apple Watch, but who find even the Ultra lacking in sports features, maybe should get both. For the price of Ultra (or Epix 2 top model), you can get a Fenix 6, (which is still a very competent sports watch), and an AW 7, which, would let you eat your cake and have it, too.

I feel the same. I'm planning on selling mine and getting either FR255 or a new Fenix. As u say Garmin is a tool, I also miss my health metrics such as the body battery and training load, played around with various AW apps and they don't come close

 

[sarc]

Just sold my AWU ad will go back to a Garmin Fenix watch, as I can live without the smartwatch features, but can't deal with charging my watch every other day and the limited activity tracking.

To me, the Ultra is still just a regular AW, but with 2x the battery life and a factory-set protective case. You still need to baby it (I had scratches on the bezel and sapphire crystal just from regular use), you still need to pay attention to the battery if you, for example, run once a day two days in a row and maybe also take a 20km walk, and you still need to juggle between multiple apps for all your health and activity data.
Most importantly, and this is completely a subjective feeling, a Garmin watch is a single purpose-built device, and it feels like a tool watch that is a companion in your journey whether it's running a marathon, going on a 100km hike, or cycling to a different country. There's something to be said for a purpose-built tool, not everything has to do be a jack of all trades.

For the people who must have the smartwatch features of an Apple Watch, but who find even the Ultra lacking in sports features, maybe should get both. For the price of Ultra (or Epix 2 top model), you can get a Fenix 6, (which is still a very competent sports watch), and an AW 7, which, would let you eat your cake and have it, too.

What activity tracking is limited on the ultra?

 

[Fthree]

Just sold my AWU ad will go back to a Garmin Fenix watch, as I can live without the smartwatch features, but can't deal with charging my watch every other day and the limited activity tracking.

To me, the Ultra is still just a regular AW, but with 2x the battery life and a factory-set protective case. You still need to baby it (I had scratches on the bezel and sapphire crystal just from regular use), you still need to pay attention to the battery if you, for example, run once a day two days in a row and maybe also take a 20km walk, and you still need to juggle between multiple apps for all your health and activity data.
Most importantly, and this is completely a subjective feeling, a Garmin watch is a single purpose-built device, and it feels like a tool watch that is a companion in your journey whether it's running a marathon, going on a 100km hike, or cycling to a different country. There's something to be said for a purpose-built tool, not everything has to do be a jack of all trades.

For the people who must have the smartwatch features of an Apple Watch, but who find even the Ultra lacking in sports features, maybe should get both. For the price of Ultra (or Epix 2 top model), you can get a Fenix 6, (which is still a very competent sports watch), and an AW 7, which, would let you eat your cake and have it, too.

I like your perspective on the purpose builtness of the garmin as a tool. Its def best to have the best tool for the job one you need it.

 

[AnthroMatt]

Finally, that extra button on the left side of the button is freaking useless. I want to be able to do more than 3 very specific things with it that Apple says I can (let apps be able to use it, for crying out loud). I set it to flashlight for the fun of it, which is also useless, because the watch blocks you from using that button in the middle of the night when the watch is in sleep mode. When in the hell else are you gonna use that function other than the middle of the night to navigate to the bathroom or whatever so you don't wake anybody up? If you're relying on that flashlight for any kind of activity, you're probably going to die.

I don't know. For an Apple product, the whole Apple Watch experience just feels poorly thought out for people who want to use it for anything other than just a day to day smartwatch.

I use the side key with a shortcut to unlock my front door with a press of the button.

 

[Indianwin2001]

Yes. It also shows that Garmin has no magic trick to save battery.

A big and bright always on display, a strong CPU, large memory, dualband GPS, cellular all come to the expense of battery usage.

My Forerunner 965 gets 6 days with 1 hour GPS and streaming Spotify EVERY day. It has a big and bright always on display. No running to charge my watch for me. I know you wrote this post last year but my have times changed.

 

[msackey]

My Forerunner 965 gets 6 days with 1 hour GPS and streaming Spotify EVERY day. It has a big and bright always on display. No running to charge my watch for me. I know you wrote this post last year but my have times changed.

Isn't the Forerunner 965 streaming Spotify via Bluetooth connection to a Phone? In other words, it's not an independent device using cellular signal to connect to data? That's a big difference. Using cell signal to connect or even ping takes up a lot more battery energy than low energy consuming Bluetooth.

Here are Garmin's figures regarding battery life ( https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/886725#specs ):

Smartwatch mode: Up to 23 days
GPS-only mode without music: Up to 31 hours
SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode: Up to 22 hours
All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band: Up to 19 hours
GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 10.5 hours
SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode with music: Up to 9.5 hours
All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band with music: Up to 8.5 hours

I'd hazard a guess that the mode that is most comparable to the AWU would be either of the bolded lines above.

 

[Indianwin2001]

Isn't the Forerunner 965 streaming Spotify via Bluetooth connection to a Phone? In other words, it's not an independent device using cellular signal to connect to data? That's a big difference. Using cell signal to connect or even ping takes up a lot more battery energy than low energy consuming Bluetooth.

Here are Garmin's figures regarding battery life ( https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/886725#specs ):

Smartwatch mode: Up to 23 days
GPS-only mode without music: Up to 31 hours
SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode: Up to 22 hours
All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band: Up to 19 hours
GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 10.5 hours
SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode with music: Up to 9.5 hours
All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band with music: Up to 8.5 hours

I'd hazard a guess that the mode that is most comparable to the AWU would be either of the bolded lines above.

My phone is miles away when I stream music. It's directly from the watch.

 

[AnthroMatt]

Isn't the Forerunner 965 streaming Spotify via Bluetooth connection to a Phone? In other words, it's not an independent device using cellular signal to connect to data? That's a big difference. Using cell signal to connect or even ping takes up a lot more battery energy than low energy consuming Bluetooth.

Here are Garmin's figures regarding battery life ( https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/886725#specs ):

Smartwatch mode: Up to 23 days
GPS-only mode without music: Up to 31 hours
SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode: Up to 22 hours
All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band: Up to 19 hours
GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 10.5 hours
SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode with music: Up to 9.5 hours
All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band with music: Up to 8.5 hours

I'd hazard a guess that the mode that is most comparable to the AWU would be either of the bolded lines above.

You are correct that it is not streaming via cellular, but you can load music onto the Garmin from Spotify, Amazon, etc. to use it while away from your phone.

 

[Indianwin2001]

You are correct that it is not streaming via cellular, but you can load music onto the Garmin from Spotify, Amazon, etc. to use it while away from your phone.

👍

 

[bsmr]

Ohhh, where to start?

Things were initially ok when I first got it and my first Garmin device, back in 2013.
It was simple, with simple stats, and worked alright on my iPhone 5 at the time.
There were some periodic synch issues, where the device wouldn't synch smoothly, but I never lost data.
The Connect app would crash sometimes, but not any more often than it seemed like other apps.

...

Interested in your opinion half a year later?