Runners, what's better Garmin or AppleWatch?

[exxxviii]

Interesting, I thought the 735XT could last more than 10.5 hours...at least from what reviews say it can stick around 14 hours of GPS use.

Garmin rates it at 14 hours. However, the first few IM posts with it have it dying at 10:15 - 10:30. One person posted a sub-9 with lots of capacity left. Not a whole lot of science, but also probably more of a real-life experience. At least one had GLONASS on and one off. So, I would rate 14 hours as a maybe, but I would not bank on more than 10.

The fenix 3 was launched on Jan 2015, with a refresh in Feb 2016 (HR and Sapphire options). I expect it to be renewed by Jan/Feb 2017 at most.

Given that Garmin just released the fēnix Chronos watches, I would expect the f3 line to continue a while longer than January. Plus, there is really nothing in the market even close to the fēnix 3, so Garmin can probably afford to sit on the current suite for a while longer while doing development on the next gen.

 

[fanchee]

Is there a way to get Apple Watch data into Garmin Connect easily? Without jumping through a bunch of hoops?

 

[Julien]

Is there a way to get Apple Watch data into Garmin Connect easily? Without jumping through a bunch of hoops?

There is no know way even jumping through a bunch of hoops. Apple does not support TCX/GPX data export.

Also Garmin is in the business of selling watches so I don't see Garmin offering a Connect Watch app.

 

[Bob190]

Is there a way to get Apple Watch data into Garmin Connect easily? Without jumping through a bunch of hoops?

RunGap.

It will read the data from Health that was recorded by the Apple Watch Workout app, and then share with Garmin Connect and many other sites of your choosing. Right now it will not share map data from the Series 2, but will share Time, Distance, Pace, Cadence, HR as gathered from Apple Health. Including the graphical details for Pace, HR, and Cadence along with splits.

Really an amazing app.

 

[PatrickNSF]

However, the first few IM posts with it have it dying at 10:15 - 10:30.

I recall DC Rainmaker giving it 15+ hours, and I usually find his testing pretty extensive. I haven't run into any battery issues with mine, though I've only used it for marathon distances at this point.

 

[exxxviii]

Yeah, I had read his tests too. The longest I have used mine is a 5:30 HIM, with 40-somethng percent left. And it had been more than a day since I had last charged it. And I had GLONASS on. I am confident that I could get more than 10 hours out of my watch, especially if I turned off GLONASS. But I am not sure if I could get to 14 hours. So, I guess when it is IM time with the watch, I better up my game to go sub-11.

 

[zhenya]

Is there a way to get Apple Watch data into Garmin Connect easily? Without jumping through a bunch of hoops?

The easiest way is to use iSmoothRun which will export your activities direct to Garmin Connect (as well as virtually anywhere else you might want it to go). I doubt they will have stand-alone support for the new AW on day 1 however.

 

[fanchee]

RunGap.

It will read the data from Health that was recorded by the Apple Watch Workout app, and then share with Garmin Connect and many other sites of your choosing. Right now it will not share map data from the Series 2, but will share Time, Distance, Pace, Cadence, HR as gathered from Apple Health. Including the graphical details for Pace, HR, and Cadence along with splits.

Really an amazing app.

Awesome, thank you I'll definitely check this out. Do you know if it's in the works to include map data? Thanks again.

 

[Bob190]

Awesome, thank you I'll definitely check this out. Do you know if it's in the works to include map data? Thanks again.

I emailed the developer, and he is going to look into it. The GPS data captured by the watch and the Workout app doesn't appear to be stored anywhere in health that I could determine, so not sure it is going to be accessible to developers. It may be that it will become available when recorded by the Series 2, but not sure.

 

[Julien]

RunGap.

It will read the data from Health that was recorded by the Apple Watch Workout app, and then share with Garmin Connect and many other sites of your choosing. Right now it will not share map data from the Series 2, but will share Time, Distance, Pace, Cadence, HR as gathered from Apple Health. Including the graphical details for Pace, HR, and Cadence along with splits.

Really an amazing app.

So RunGap will pull each Workout activity individually and keep all data segregated and not included any other data? For example today I did an Other (weights), Stair Stepper, Elliptical, Indoor Bike. So I would get all 4 activities imported as 4 Activities with all metrics and no other data? I would like to enable this but don't want my RunGap Garmin data polluted with gibberish.

Also to do this do you only enable Read for Workouts only? What if you enable Heart Rate or Steps is it also for just the Workout/Activity time or is it from all day and in a separately recorded Activity at the end of the day?

 

[VO2Max]

If your times are equal to or faster than these get a Garmin:

5K - 18:30
10K - 38:25
1/2 marathon - 1:25
Marathon - 2:59:59

If your times are slower get the AW.

 

[Bob190]

No, it only pulls in workouts, doesn't include the rest of the days HR/step data. It will pull in anything you tag as a workout separately from Health, but you can then delete what you don't want in your RunGap activity screen. I basically use it send runs I do with the AW native workout app to Garmin Connect and Strava.

 

[Julien]

No, it only pulls in workouts, doesn't include the rest of the days HR/step data. It will pull in anything you tag as a workout separately from Health, but you can then delete what you don't want in your RunGap activity screen. I basically use it send runs I do with the AW native workout app to Garmin Connect and Strava.

Which do you have cut on?

 

[Bob190]

Which do you have cut on?

I have them all turned on. I haven't had any issues with getting non-workout data in my RunGap feed. I think the top portion allows RunGap to write data to share data with Health .. I do this to get my swims recorded in Garmin Connect to Health. But I just turned on the "Turn All Categories On" switch and I basically just sync my Health workouts to RunGap.

 

[Julien]

I have them all turned on. I haven't had any issues with getting non-workout data in my RunGap feed. I think the top portion allows RunGap to write data to share data with Health .. I do this to get my swims recorded in Garmin Connect to Health. But I just turned on the "Turn All Categories On" switch and I basically just sync my Health workouts to RunGap.

Thanks, only interested in data out and don't want my Garmin data flowing into Health. Will give it a try in a little while.

 

[PatrickNSF]

FWIW – Ran with a new 42mm SG Series 2 today. Sold my last AW two weeks ago so I can't make any direct comparisons (though we have two other Series 0's in the house, a 42mm SS and 38mm SG). Also wore my 725XT to compare.

I still prefer the Garmin when running for screen readability, customization of fields, etc., but the AW Series 2 is really a nice improvement over Series 0. The screen is noticeably brighter in full sun, one of my main issues with the Series 0 (which also led me to switch from a SS to the Sport early in the year). I ran with my phone, so presumably didn't use the AW's GPS. watchOS 3 combined with the faster chip makes an enormous difference in responsiveness. I used the built-in running app and it was fine. The main downside that remains for me is activating the screen. It's just a beat too slow to turn on with a wrist raise, though it feels like an improvement over Series 0.

I could see myself using this for easy runs that don't involve hitting a certain pace. And given the screen brightness improvement, I could see this becoming my travel watch (which has typically been a Garmin). The pausing/locking was a bit fiddly, but an improvement over watchOS 2.

Hope that's helpful to someone.

 

[pesos]

Is there still no option to pair AW with a chest strap? Seems like that would be a sensible way to get better info

 

[Bob190]

Is there still no option to pair AW with a chest strap? Seems like that would be a sensible way to get better info

It's always been an option. You just need a Bluetooth compatible HR strap.

 

[Julien]

Is there still no option to pair AW with a chest strap? Seems like that would be a sensible way to get better info

Just to add to Bob190 post since this a Garmin thread. If trying to use a Garmin strap then it uses ANT+ and this is a proprietary wirlesss system and won't pair with BT.

 

[pesos]

So in trying to stay on topic, I always had great success with my Harmon chest strap and bike computer. I've heard BT ones can be very spotty - are there ones that are solid with AW?

 

[frumpy16]

So in trying to stay on topic, I always had great success with my Harmon chest strap and bike computer. I've heard BT ones can be very spotty - are there ones that are solid with AW?

Polar H7 working great for me.

 

[zhenya]

Wahoo Tickr works fine.

 

[MrMoonUK]

DC rainmaker review of the garmin 735XT indicates well over 14 hours use with GPS.

the Apple watch using heart rate and GPS will not last more than that by about 10hrs

I have had mine on for 4 days, its done two 5KM runs and a swim and all the associated fitness tracking and HRM stuff it does and its on 42% battery, plus as its new I've played with it quite a bit, the thing is a machine and I don't miss my AW1 at all.

 

[exxxviii]

I have had mine on for 4 days, its done two 5KM runs and a swim and all the associated fitness tracking and HRM stuff it does and its on 42% battery, plus as its new I've played with it quite a bit, the thing is a machine and I don't miss my AW1 at all.

No doubt. The 735Xt is a world-class excellent product. I love my AW for 14 hours/day. My Garmin is my favorite for 2 hours/day. I am planning to buy a Charge 2 for the remaining 8 hours and HR tracking throughout the day.

 

[PatrickNSF]

No doubt. The 735Xt is a world-class excellent product. I love my AW for 14 hours/day. My Garmin is my favorite for 2 hours/day. I am planning to buy a Charge 2 for the remaining 8 hours and HR tracking throughout the day.

Or you just need to get a third arm!