The AW Ultra suddenly seems like a bargain now with Garmins silly pricing

[trumptman]

I just think Garmin is pulling an Apple on Apple. It is clear the Fenix series of watches are their “pro” level watches with everything. iPhones used to be around $600-$700 but with the “Pro” iPhone now plenty of people think spending $1000-$1200 is completely normal for a smartphone.

Garmin has the Forerunner 965 which has OLED, all the sports modes, a titanium bezel and so on. It’s $500. They have the Enduro 3 which is basically the former Fenix X series watches without the speaker or diving and it is $899. They have the Fenix E at $799. All of them will have something that leaves the person who wants it all a bit unsatisfied but that is clearly the point and that is always what Apple exploits as well.

In the meantime the choice isn’t $1100-1200 or no Garmin at all. Garmin has watches from $200-2000.

 

[martint235]

The voice command were poor according to DC Rainmaker, too slow. It was quicker just going on doing whatever with the buttons yourself.

To be fair he said some were quicker using the buttons and using voice was quicker for others.

 

[kitenski]

iOS 18 brings map turn by turn directions to Apple Watch in cardio running and walking activities. you can even build the route in advance like Garmin. it still won't do cycling directions and it STILL separates the mapping from the workout app so you have to bounce between them but every year it gets closer... maybe Ultra 3 will have some specific software features that get it closer.

workoutdoors apps solves all those issues, $7.99 I think it was!

 

[xDKP]

In the meantime the choice isn’t $1100-1200 or no Garmin at all. Garmin has watches from $200-2000.

Apple also has a pretty wide selection, but still the most expensive watch from Apple in full blown titanium with sapphire and all the bells and whistles and now $200 cheaper than what Garmin charge for the Fenix with no sapphire and not in Titanium...

I agree with you that they have many choices but these prices are beyond insane.

 

[trumptman]

workoutdoors apps solves all those issues, $7.99 I think it was!

WorkOutdoors is an impressive effort but it does not replicate the Garmin experience. Just look up ClimbPro as an example of what it lacks.

Apple also has a pretty wide selection, but still the most expensive watch from Apple in full blown titanium with sapphire and all the bells and whistles and now $200 cheaper than what Garmin charge for the Fenix with no sapphire and not in Titanium...

I agree with you that they have many choices but these prices are beyond insane.

Apple Watch Hermes is $1300. You might argue that isn't the same but the point is Apple offers it and if you don't want it you choose a different option. I personally don't understand who buys iPad Pros that cost more than Macbooks but they exist as a product of course.

How many Black Titanium options does Apple offer with the Ultra? How many sizes? One size fits all does hit a certain price point, $800 but what if you can't use that one size, well then they don't make a sale.

 

[martint235]

Apple also has a pretty wide selection, but still the most expensive watch from Apple in full blown titanium with sapphire and all the bells and whistles and now $200 cheaper than what Garmin charge for the Fenix with no sapphire and not in Titanium...

I agree with you that they have many choices but these prices are beyond insane.

I’m not sure about $ prices but I’ve just bought the F8 51mm in titanium with sapphire for £200 more than the AWU2. For me just not having to worry about charging it every other day is worth it.

 

[xDKP]

Apple Watch Hermes is $1300. You might argue that isn't the same but the point is Apple offers it and if you don't want it you choose a different option.

Yeah and Garmin offers the MARQ series for even more eye watering money ... And I get some people want to buy better materials, nicer leather etc. but a MARQ Athelete in titanium with a rubber strap seem pretty damn steep in price to me - just as the F8 does.

I’m not sure about $ prices but I’ve just bought the F8 51mm in titanium with sapphire for £200 more than the AWU2. For me just not having to worry about charging it every other day is worth it.

If you feel the package is great value to you - great! I love there is more consumer choice and in the end it everyone wins.

I have been looking many times in the Garmin camp and really hoped the Fenix 8 would come with an LTE option like the Ultra - I hate bringing my phone, but on many long runs early in the morning, it's just good safety to have it.

 

[NME42]

The voice command were poor according to DC Rainmaker, too slow. It was quicker just going on doing whatever with the buttons yourself.

It's like our really bad Siri, but lots worse. Great job, Garmin. If I remember correctly, my first speech recognition programs (around 2003 or so) did better. 😁

Overall, the Fenix 8 is a big disappointment. Not for me, I quit Garmin some years ago as I did not want to sponsor their bad software development any longer.

Looking at the reactions in the Garmin forum and Reddit, the hardcore Garmin fans are complaining about the price hike and also about the lack of new features and innovation. No LTE, no wireless charging, no smart features, no new sensors, not even a spec bump. A new UX that is buggy and laggy. Well.

 

[kitenski]

WorkOutdoors is an impressive effort but it does not replicate the Garmin experience. Just look up ClimbPro as an example of what it lacks.

yeah agree, hence I have an Edge device on my bike

 

[CrispAppleNerd]

Apple also has a pretty wide selection, but still the most expensive watch from Apple in full blown titanium with sapphire and all the bells and whistles and now $200 cheaper than what Garmin charge for the Fenix with no sapphire and not in Titanium...

I agree with you that they have many choices but these prices are beyond insane.

This 👆. At what point do people start saying now it’s just a smartwatch? I say this fully recognizing that Apple has the Hermes and before the edition watches that were in the same price range. The editions have fallen off because I think consumers figured out the watch had to be replaced every 3-4 years, and spending that on a watch that often seems absurd. Garmin is pushing the limits now of what consumers can reasonable pay for a watch that can’t last for years.

 

[TTTedP]

I quit Garmin some years ago as I did not want to sponsor their bad software development any longer.

This, plus the pricing and slow demise of MIP - is what has me after 6 years of using Garmin, heavily considering switching.

I've had several rounds over the years of trying an AW + Wahoo combo vs all Garmin and always defaulted back to Garmin. Loved the HW quality, looks and battery life. But the amount of SW bugs and inconsistencies in all their made up fitness metrics was driving me nuts this summer. I was holding out that the F8 would be undeniably awesome, but it's just OK.

I always told myself if I wanted OLED and voice on my watch, I'd just go Apple. If they revealed a titanium black AWU3 with 5 days battery life, I'd finally get off the fence.

 

[TTTedP]

My personal take is Garmin is charging a premium while they can. They did the same thing with GPS units. Milked it as long as they could knowing their time was limited.

They are also catering more to the Android crowd who don't have a strong fitness watch option (I don't think Samsung Ultra is it).

Anecdotally - summer is a great time to spot what people are wearing at the beach and in years past, it was all Apple Watches everywhere. This year I saw a lot more black, round Garmin varieties. I don't think they will have an issue with demand.

 

[vinegarshots]

Yeah with an hour run I'm closer to 24 hours - Often times around 10% or lower in the evening so charging back to 100% before bed time. Not really that impressive - Three days would be amazing - never been there. Was two days when I got it but ever since WatchOS 10 it's been closer to one day - Could stretch it over night to day 2 but not much more.

Do you use cellular during your run to stream music? That's the one thing that sucks battery pretty fast. If I'm using mine on a bike ride or whatever with music going, the battery lasts a lot longer if the music is downloaded to the watch versus streaming it on the data connection

 

[NME42]

I always told myself if I wanted OLED and voice on my watch, I'd just go Apple. If they revealed a titanium black AWU3 with 5 days battery life, I'd finally get off the fence.

I was a big Garmin fan and bought every of their high end models. Doing sports every day, sometimes three times a day, running 7 times.
Using AW now since AW5 and never missed my Garmins.

Charging - especially with fast charging since AW7 - is zero issue if you manage it properly. So I do not care if AWU3 has five or three days battery life.

Jump ship!

 

[martint235]

I was a big Garmin fan and bought every of their high end models. Doing sports every day, sometimes three times a day, running 7 times.
Using AW now since AW5 and never missed my Garmins.

Charging - especially with fast charging since AW7 - is zero issue if you manage it properly. So I do not care if AWU3 has five or three days battery life.

Jump ship!

I struggle with a smart watch that I need to take off my wrist every day or so.

 

[xDKP]

Do you use cellular during your run to stream music? That's the one thing that sucks battery pretty fast. If I'm using mine on a bike ride or whatever with music going, the battery lasts a lot longer if the music is downloaded to the watch versus streaming it on the data connection

Yeah agree. Very rarely listen to music at all actually but thanks

 

[NME42]

I struggle with a smart watch that I need to take off my wrist every day or so.

Putting the watch on the charger while you take a shower should not be a big issue.

 

[TTTedP]

Charging - especially with fast charging since AW7 - is zero issue if you manage it properly. So I do not care if AWU3 has five or three days battery life.

Jump ship!

I struggle with a smart watch that I need to take off my wrist every day or so.

That's the thing. I really want a MIPs watch, not an AOD OLED smartwatch. With Garmin going that direction, I might as well just go Apple 100% right? They may lack "metrics" - but do they? I saw a post where someone said Apple simply doesn't play that game (give you BS metrics and scores) and thought that was the right approach. Plus >$1k is IMO, a bit much on disposable tech, particularly if Garmin is going to increase their release cycle to match Apple. Workoutdoors and Healthfit are awesome apps to fill in.

For the charging, yes, I have an AWU2 and it's a solid 2 days. But I also have a F7 Pro Solar and just scored 3 weeks of use with no plugging in, only the sun slowing down the drain (I gym & bike mostly and broadcast HR a lot, no music or notifications or pulse ox). I want to be able to at least go on a 4 day work or weekend trip and not think about an extra cable in my bag.

But don't worry, I am getting closer! For now, just reading all the gripes in the Fenix forums about SW bugs on the 8 and feeling pretty smug!

 

[Drock1119]

That's the thing. I really want a MIPs watch, not an AOD OLED smartwatch. With Garmin going that direction, I might as well just go Apple 100% right? They may lack "metrics" - but do they? I saw a post where someone said Apple simply doesn't play that game (give you BS metrics and scores) and thought that was the right approach. Plus >$1k is IMO, a bit much on disposable tech, particularly if Garmin is going to increase their release cycle to match Apple. Workoutdoors and Healthfit are awesome apps to fill in.

For the charging, yes, I have an AWU2 and it's a solid 2 days. But I also have a F7 Pro Solar and just scored 3 weeks of use with no plugging in, only the sun slowing down the drain (I gym & bike mostly and broadcast HR a lot, no music or notifications or pulse ox). I want to be able to at least go on a 4 day work or weekend trip and not think about an extra cable in my bag.

But don't worry, I am getting closer! For now, just reading all the gripes in the Fenix forums about SW bugs on the 8 and feeling pretty smug!

If you need the recovery metrics and body battery, you can check out Bevel. I have used it for a couple of months now and it’s pretty identical to my Garmin metrics.

 

[NME42]

I want to be able to at least go on a 4 day work or weekend trip and not think about an extra cable in my bag.

There are a lot of chargers for iPhone that have integrated AW chargers or consider a mini charger that only has the wireless charging plate. This stuff is so cheap you can place it everywhere (at work, in the car, etc.).

 

[Thomas Davie]

The Fenix 8 is ~$1600 Cdn, but the battery life….

That’s pretty mich the only thing O dislike about the AW; the need to charge it every night. I usually take a magnetic battery pavk with me when I go to dialysis.

I would be happy with a 7 day AW battery.

Tom

 

[New Mexico Bob]

I had been holding out for a new Fenix but with today’s silly pricing I’m thinking the AW Ultra would be a better choice. Think I’m done with Garmin. Let’s hope Apple don’t take a leaf out of Garmins books and have silly pricing for the AWU3, what’s your thoughts on all this?

Tbh if I could get a discount on the AWU2 when the 3 comes out I’d bite the bullet.

I pulled the trigger on a Fenix 8 47 mm from REI today. Hundred dollars cheaper than the Garmin website +10% REI credit back. I like my ultra for around town and quick walks or elliptical exercises, but I need something more robust for my skiing, longer treks, and more adventurous sports. The ultra is pretty much dead by end of day when I'm skiing, and I don’t need the Apple functions during heavier sports. In my opinion, Apple Watch is designed more for urban adventures than outdoor adventures. I’ve never tried a Garmin watch before, but some of my friends use them and swear by them for extreme outdoor activities.

 

[Zelegorm]

The Fenix is so inaccurate (even with the new sensor) that I stopped using it. The Epix 2 Pro has the same sensors. It's a shame. And even more expensive.
The battery life is only a little better. I have to turn off oxygen, and better I am not listening music. When I am listing music and have the oxygen measurements on and when I am using the best GPS settings and not the crippled SAT IQ then the garmin is at maximum of 4-5 days. Not much better than my AWU. And there I have always on display active. If I turn that always on with the epix then I will have soon 1. screen burn 2. even more worse battery life. Sorry. What a bad release for Garmin

 

[Zest28]

Garmin is a joke. You still need to bring a phone with you in case anything happens to you while charging $1200. The Apple Ultra Watch 2 is the way to go.

"But this pro athlete uses Garmin so you need a Garmin to be an athlete!!!!" Well, there are athletes in Africa without watches that run faster than him.

 

[xDKP]

There are a lot of chargers for iPhone that have integrated AW chargers or consider a mini charger that only has the wireless charging plate. This stuff is so cheap you can place it everywhere (at work, in the car, etc.).

Small chargers for the weekend hiking is great - saw this one online and it can charge the AWU 2 times from zero to 100 %