Can an Apple Watch and a Garmin live side by side?

[dj1891]

So ive been struggling to make this combo work. Ive got an AW 7, also own a Garmin Instinct 2 and to be honest I’ve been struggling to fit my Garmin in anywhere and feel guilty.

My main interest is running. With AW I don’t need a chest strap as HR is so accurate, GPS also better on the AW. The only thing Garmin does better is battery life and the Connect app, I’ve about 4 apps on AW just to get the same metrics as the connect app and they’re still not great. Garmin does metrics better but everything else worse.

Have you been able to make this combo work? Or should I just admit it’s time the Garmin went to eBay.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

Yea I had the same, sold my instinct in the end. The features of a smartwatch outweighed the Garmin stuff in the end for me. I did love the simplicity and excellent contrast on the instinct screen though, much better than their mip offerings.

 

[plnr]

I really hope that Apple is working on improving their Fitness and/or Health app. They should take a look at what their "competitors" (at least in the fitness tracking sector; Whoop, Garmin, etc.) are doing. The Health app is awful compared to this. And the Fitness app does not focus at all on relevant metrics such as HRV, RHR, etc. and interpreting all the available data.

 

[dj1891]

I really hope that Apple is working on improving their Fitness and/or Health app. They should take a look at what their "competitors" (at least in the fitness tracking sector; Whoop, Garmin, etc.) are doing. The Health app is awful compared to this. And the Fitness app does not focus at all on relevant metrics such as HRV, RHR, etc. and interpreting all the available data.

Well I guess if they did that then they’d put devs out of business, say the likes of Athlytic, problem is these apps ok they do the job but not as good as Garmin or as accurate

 

[plnr]

Athlytic is a one-person development team. So yes, they would put these developers out of business, but this should not stop them from constantly improving their apps. I mean, they introduced sleep stages, which made me stop using third-party apps for sleep tracking. Apple could do much better when it comes to making the most use of the data that is available. However, I think they really do not care and do not see their Watch as a real fitness tracker that is supposed to deliver valuable insights.

 

[Significant1]

Apple watch really miss a stand alone broadcast HR functionality. As it is, you must either bring your phone or buy a watchlink pod. However watchlink pod was not sold in europe, so I ended buying a Polar Verity Sense HR monitor on sale. It might actually also be the better no fuss solution. Not used it much yet because of injury, but so far it has shown great accuracy on my upper arm (pairing it with my garmins), whether it is cross training, strength training, running etc.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

I really hope that Apple is working on improving their Fitness and/or Health app. They should take a look at what their "competitors" (at least in the fitness tracking sector; Whoop, Garmin, etc.) are doing. The Health app is awful compared to this. And the Fitness app does not focus at all on relevant metrics such as HRV, RHR, etc. and interpreting all the available data.

They will eventually, it just takes Apple a looooooong time to implement things, but when they do they tend to do a solid job.

 

[plnr]

Absolutely... And I hope they will do something. They could even integrate it into Fitness+ or whatever. Many "more serious" athletes are willing to pay for Whoop, Athlytic, etc. - so I am sure Apple could make some money with it.

I am not a big fan of using too many third-party apps, when Apple has all the relevant data available. I love Apple's products, but software/app-wise they need to improve if they want their Watch to be recognized as a real asset for fitness enthusiasts.

 

[CUAviator]

So ive been struggling to make this combo work. Ive got an AW 7, also own a Garmin Instinct 2 and to be honest I’ve been struggling to fit my Garmin in anywhere and feel guilty.

My main interest is running. With AW I don’t need a chest strap as HR is so accurate, GPS also better on the AW. The only thing Garmin does better is battery life and the Connect app, I’ve about 4 apps on AW just to get the same metrics as the connect app and they’re still not great. Garmin does metrics better but everything else worse.

Have you been able to make this combo work? Or should I just admit it’s time the Garmin went to eBay.

Sure. I use my Garmin Felix 5x now for auto / housework (I’ve always got to have a watch on) where I don’t care if it gets banged up. Otherwise, no.

 

[CUAviator]

I really hope that Apple is working on improving their Fitness and/or Health app. They should take a look at what their "competitors" (at least in the fitness tracking sector; Whoop, Garmin, etc.) are doing. The Health app is awful compared to this. And the Fitness app does not focus at all on relevant metrics such as HRV, RHR, etc. and interpreting all the available data.

Having the Watch App, Health App, and Fitness App to do the same thing Connect does is insanity. But hey, at least it syncs regularly. My Garmin Connect app is a crap shoot.

 

[xDKP]

Well I guess if they did that then they’d put devs out of business, say the likes of Athlytic, problem is these apps ok they do the job but not as good as Garmin or as accurate

Some of them are okay, but stuff like Athlytic and the subscription model they all use turn me off. Quite expensive subscription just to crunch data from Apple health

I hope Apple focuses more on recovery with WatchOS X

 

[fin1]

I have both but my daily driver is the AW for all my running/training. My Garmin only comes out for long ultra races (100K+) where I need more than 16 hours of GPS tracking.

 

[Significant1]

I have both but my daily driver is the AW for all my running/training. My Garmin only comes out for long ultra races (100K+) where I need more than 16 hours of GPS tracking.

I have it the other way around. Well when I am not injured. Garmin gives me all the training load/recovery info I need, but requires me to wear it. Apple Watch on the other hand is only needed to close the stand circle. But I don't do the circles anymore and I don’t trust all those third party apps I have for recovery/readiness information as much as Garmin (which would otherwise require me to wear it). But as a smart watch AW is more convenient. I like that I can tell Siri to set an alarm, timer, turn off/on my lights on AW (I don’t use digital assistants including Siri on any other device). I really wanted the Apple Watch to be my do all device, but I double watch and I honestly don’t like the design of Apple Watch that much (even my natural Ti s7, which I find to be the best looking variant).

 

[DontGetTheCheese]

I have both an Ultra and an Epix 2. I've mostly worn the Ultra over the last few months but the last couple of days it's been the Epix 2. I'm trying to restart running after an illness and the Garmin is just enough better for that purpose that I'm willing to give it a shot, again.

On the other hand, Garmin, outside of the single use case of endurance athletics and a couple of the metrics it's really no contest between the two. And even on the metrics, you always kind of question Garmin's accuracy if you've been around them long enough, something I simply don't do anymore with the Ultra.

And even in those cases, for most of us, the AW is more than good enough. I'm not doing a triathlon, or marathon, or half marathon anytime soon or probably ever.

One last thought, regarding Athlytic, I find the app mostly useless. It's not really the app's fault, the HRV implementation just isn't great on the AW. This is something that Garmin does better, but really, does it matter that much?

 

[dragon4ever]

Apple Watch + Oura Ring is the best combo.

 

[CUAviator]

Apple Watch + Oura Ring is the best combo.

This is way I roll. Also helps for when I like to wear my nice watches.

 

[xDKP]

And even in those cases, for most of us, the AW is more than good enough. I'm not doing a triathlon, or marathon, or half marathon anytime soon or probably ever.

One last thought, regarding Athlytic, I find the app mostly useless. It's not really the app's fault, the HRV implementation just isn't great on the AW. This is something that Garmin does better, but really, does it matter that much?

I consider myself a pretty avid runner with around 60 km a week at the moment and to be honest, the Apple Watch is amazing for that. I know some like to persuade themself to need tools and equipment that 99,9% don’t need, but this is a great piece. Could they improve? Of course! But it’s a pretty good training partner. Love my Ultra on runs with music, connectivity if needed and just big clear display and great accuracy on gps and heart rate.

Agree in the recovery department. They could really improve in that area and incorporate it in the ring system to allow you a rest day, the day after a marathon with 500% movement goal achieved for example.

 

[WhoDatWayne]

Apple Watch + Oura Ring is the best combo.

This is my combo as well.

 

[Darre80]

I love both Garmin and Apple. And i own now Garmin Epix 2, Apple Watch Ultra and Oura Ring 3. I'm running with all of them on me and for me the GPS is almost identical. Puls is always a single beat different and now when its cold im using Garmin Pro Plus with both my watches.
For me Garmin is clearer to see my "stats" when running, AW is more difficult to read (but its maybe just that i need to get used to it). I love Garmin Connect and like Garmin "prompts". But the ability to have LTE in AW is Gold for me.

 

[torbjornhb]

I love both Garmin and Apple. And i own now Garmin Epix 2, Apple Watch Ultra and Oura Ring 3. I'm running with all of them on me and for me the GPS is almost identical. Puls is always a single beat different and now when its cold im using Garmin Pro Plus with both my watches.
For me Garmin is clearer to see my "stats" when running, AW is more difficult to read (but its maybe just that i need to get used to it). I love Garmin Connect and like Garmin "prompts". But the ability to have LTE in AW is Gold for me.

Agree.
I have actually turned off health tracking on my AW to avoid double recording when I use one of my Garmin watches on the other hand. The reason for why I can't put away the AW is the smart functions.

 

[PatrickNSF]

I tried to switch Ultra, but ultimately ended up back with a Garmin (Forerunner 955) for running, cycling, sleeping and recovery metrics, and my AW (S7 Graphite) when I want the smartwatch features. I train for marathons and the Forerunner is still a superior running watch for me. I’ve set up custom screens and can easily check heart rate and pace with a quick glance. None of the apps I’ve tried with my AWs over the years work as well as Garmin’s native running app.

 

[kylew1212]

For runners such as myself, I have a half marathon goal this year.. this means I am doing shorter distances where battery life is not an issue to need a Garmin. Apple Watches have been fantastic for me.

The issue I have is the software side. The watch collects all of the data needed, but in order to attempt to understand the bigger picture I need several 3rd party apps. I use training today to try and understand my recovery. I use HealthFit for a variety of things. I even have the recovery app (which I don’t actually use much) to help with stretching.

That’s at least 2-3 third party apps, plus health and activity. Let’s not forget Strava as well. And when I’m biking I use WorkOutDoors because we do not yet have cadence sensor support. The software is where apple needs vast improvements.

The other thing is that this is ALL done from my iPhone.. Apple health is synced to the cloud, why can’t I review my runs from my $2,000 MacBook or my iPad?? Another huge area that needs improvement.

The dream is a single application that I can view all of this data and Glen something meaningful. Especially recovery metrics.

Let’s not forget titles, notes, tags etc. why can’t I mark the race a few weeks ago as more than a generic run? I’d sure love to put a note on yesterday’s run saying that my leg was bothering me.

Apples hardware is great, especially since I have the ultra. I wish the software could catch up.

 

[torbjornhb]

I tried to switch Ultra, but ultimately ended up back with a Garmin (Forerunner 955) for running, cycling, sleeping and recovery metrics, and my AW (S7 Graphite) when I want the smartwatch features. I train for marathons and the Forerunner is still a superior running watch for me. I’ve set up custom screens and can easily check heart rate and pace with a quick glance. None of the apps I’ve tried with my AWs over the years work as well as Garmin’s native running app.

Yeah... I ended up returning it myself. Again. I want to love it, but my Garmins are so damn perfect.

 

[richxps]

For everyone using both AW and Garmin , do you have all your data going to once place or do you keep the same data in connect and health ? I really wanted Apple health to be my repository but when i have the Garmin link turned on it seems to not send all the workout data to health . So I’m going to either use rungap or just track workouts on each simultaneously…

 

[MarkX]

For everyone using both AW and Garmin , do you have all your data going to once place or do you keep the same data in connect and health ? I really wanted Apple health to be my repository but when i have the Garmin link turned on it seems to not send all the workout data to health . So I’m going to either use rungap or just track workouts on each simultaneously…

I use my Apple Watch as a daily watch and put on my COROS for running. I sync my runs with Rungap back to Garmin connect as I have a number of friends on Garmin and we like to keep tabs/see each others runs if we’re not out together. Runs also go to Strava. I wear my AW on the other wrist when running but not tracking the run though.