Cheapest Garmin watch that will sync steps with Health app and support Strava

[pksv]

Hi friends,

I need a recommendation what is the cheapest Garmin watch that can sync steps with Health app and its rings.
It will be second hand so it can be older models. The idea is that I want to take only that Garmin watch on walks and runs and care the least about it (thus the lowest price).

Will greatly appreciate your help!

 

[honglong1976]

I bought a Venu. It’s the closest to an Apple watch, but also a brilliant fitness tracker 1st.

 

[pksv]

I bought a Venu. It’s the closest to an Apple watch, but also a brilliant fitness tracker 1st.

Thank you for your recommendation! Does is sync steps with Health app without any problem?

 

[honglong1976]

Thank you for your recommendation! Does is sync steps with Health app without any problem?

Yes it does.

I used it with my Apple Watch yesterday. Everything is virtually the same, HR, step count, etc. Distance was more on the Garmin, which I think is due to the Apple Watch starting before obtaining GPS.

I also found the Garmin much easier to see my pace and HR. On the Apple Watch there is too much data on one screen, and it’s not clear to see when running.

Everything syncs to HealthKit (steps, resting HR, even sleep looks like the Apple Watch version). Checked the resting HR this morning and both the Apple Watch and the HR imported from Garmin connect was 55, so they are incredibly similar.

I tried an instinct 2 last week. Basically a fenix with a basic screen. Just like a g shock, 24/hr, sp02, notifications, tracks everything, fully charged, it showed as 19 days battery life left (how? Completely bonkers battery life).

 

[pksv]

Yes it does.

I used it with my Apple Watch yesterday. Everything is virtually the same, HR, step count, etc. Distance was more on the Garmin, which I think is due to the Apple Watch starting before obtaining GPS.

I also found the Garmin much easier to see my pace and HR. On the Apple Watch there is too much data on one screen, and it’s not clear to see when running.

Everything syncs to HealthKit (steps, resting HR, even sleep looks like the Apple Watch version). Checked the resting HR this morning and both the Apple Watch and the HR imported from Garmin connect was 55, so they are incredibly similar.

I tried an instinct 2 last week. Basically a fenix with a basic screen. Just like a g shock, 24/hr, sp02, notifications, tracks everything, fully charged, it showed as 19 days battery life left (how? Completely bonkers battery life).

Wow, many thanks for that extensive info. Do you think Instinct will have the same sync features Apple-wise as Venu?
To be honest I'd prefer to go with a button-oriented Garmin than another touch device.

 

[honglong1976]

Wow, many thanks for that extensive info. Do you think Instinct will have the same sync features Apple-wise as Venu?
To be honest I'd prefer to go with a button-oriented Garmin than another touch device.

Same as the Venu. Think of it as a grey scale, plastic version of the top of the line Fenix only with better battery life.

 

[pksv]

Same as the Venu. Think of it as a grey scale, plastic version of the top of the line Fenix only with better battery life.

Nice one! I might go with the Instinct. I don't want another eye candy screen device.
Once again thanks for your help!