Who is the Ultra for? Athletes or Wanto be Athletes?

[Jackbequickly]

It's a consumer-grade wannabe athlete watch.

It could have been great but Apple totally missed the mark.

• No external Bluetooth compatibility
• No ANT+ support
• The diving support is for recreational PADI holiday divers. It's not a serious tool.
• 36 hours battery life? That's peanuts compared to Garmins near 2 weeks!

Unless Apple embraces BT external devices and includes ANT+, it's nothing more than a watch for wannabes.

‘How good is the cellular on the Garmin?

 

[redbeard331]

I’m a bit lost here. I have an SS Apple Watch (for notifications and all non sport life) and an avid runner and cyclist so I use Garmin products like their watch and cycling computer.

This new ultra watch offers a few more needed options like a lap button and longer battery life but lacking so much!

Where is the ant+ support? Programmable metric screens? Etc.

Meanwhile I see this thread with all the couch potatoes putting in orders. Are you guys going on hikes, ultras, marathons, etc or is this really marketed for the want to be athlete ?

When I get mine I’m posting photos here of me resting my ultra on my potato chip covered belly while I lay on the couch in my underwear.

 

[tmoerel]

Also surprised about the big deal they made regarding dual frequency GPS. This is of course a great thing but why don’t they also support Galileo? I pretty sure Garmin do if I remember correctly

It does: Dual band GPS, Glonass, Galileo, GNSS, Baidu!

 

[aldo82]

It does: Dual band GPS, Glonass, Galileo, GNSS, Baidu!

Ah ok, thanks!

 

[Indianwin2001]

They’re obviously going after Garmin Users but Garmin users won’t switch to this, we’re a loyal bunch. Some mentioned this being the Ford F-150 of watches, couldn’t have put it better myself.

That battery life is still rubbish, great for Apple standards yes, crap when comparing it to Garmin, Coros, Suunto Standards,

And Garmin software is still rubbish. Body battery is not accurate at all. It's a gimmick. Read the Garmin forums for further proof of their software problems. I've had MANY Garmins since 2013. Software always was untrustworthy.

 

[Indianwin2001]

the distinction will be more software based than hardware. Does it connect to bike cadence and power meters. Does it still disable vo2 calculation if you connect an external hrm. Does the software track shoe milage so you know when to change them. There is more to chasing the sports market than just putting a bigger battery in.

All in due time. It will come incrementally.

 

[Drock1119]

They’re obviously going after Garmin Users but Garmin users won’t switch to this, we’re a loyal bunch. Some mentioned this being the Ford F-150 of watches, couldn’t have put it better myself.

That battery life is still rubbish, great for Apple standards yes, crap when comparing it to Garmin, Coros, Suunto Standards,

I’m selling my Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar. I was using it and and the AW7. Waiting on my Ultra to arrive on the 23rd. I’ve had a Fenix since the second one and tired of the bugs and the clunky software. To be honest, AW just WORKS and the HR and all the sensors are spot on unlike Garmin.

 

[NME42]

And Garmin software is still rubbish. Body battery is not accurate at all. It's a gimmick. Read the Garmin forums for further proof of their software problems. I've had MANY Garmins since 2013. Software always was untrustworthy.

+1

Was a Garmin user for their high end products for more than a decade (910XT, Fenix 3, 935, 945) and software problems got worse every year. One bug fixed, two new bugs introduced. Quality of new features mediocre, e.g. Garmin music is on a level comparable to my cable based MP3 player from 20 years ago.
Hardware quality is also not on the level they price their devices. I had to exchange all my watches at least once due to hardware issues (e.g. water incoming, barometer defect, buttons not working). But admittedly, they were excellent in support to exchange them. Would have preferred to have working devices in the first place too.

The Verge has published a good article some days ago:

Will the Apple Watch Ultra make Garmin the next Nokia?

Totally agree with that.

 

[The Game 161]

Real answer is anybody….

 

[mjschabow]

Longtime Garmin user here. My AW arrives a week from today.

lol he forgot to speak to you then!

 

[ukms]

+1

Was a Garmin user for their high end products for more than a decade (910XT, Fenix 3, 935, 945) and software problems got worse every year. One bug fixed, two new bugs introduced. Quality of new features mediocre, e.g. Garmin music is on a level comparable to my cable based MP3 player from 20 years ago.
Hardware quality is also not on the level they price their devices. I had to exchange all my watches at least once due to hardware issues (e.g. water incoming, barometer defect, buttons not working). But admittedly, they were excellent in support to exchange them. Would have preferred to have working devices in the first place too.

The Verge has published a good article some days ago:

Will the Apple Watch Ultra make Garmin the next Nokia?

Totally agree with that.

Very interesting and balanced article.

 

[AdonisSMU]

The dive feature was just marketing. I just wanted a Ti watch with a bigger display and better battery life. I actually play basketball in league and workout 5 days out of the week and bike everywhere. 🤷🏾‍♂️

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

Yeah, I asked them all and that’s the conclusion we came too. Seriously, don’t have too, that’s the general consensus of Garmin forums / groups

Longtime Garmin user here. My AW arrives a week from today.

I love it when the jokes just write themselves.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Can you really consider yourself an athlete if you arent being paid millions to do it?

 

[oconnell84]

Everyone wants to compare this to Garmin like that is the benchmark. 99% of the folks here who use Garmin only use it for running. The only value Garmin offers is a longer battery. Their software and ios integration isn't great. Step tracking is awful on all of their devices. If you want a hiking/ rugged watch your only option is a casio wannabe, heavy AF fugly model. Suunto has the style but lacks everything else. And like ANT matters these days (all modern machines support ANT) and most are now bluetooth too.

If you truly do partake in extreme backcountry trips you are not relying on a watch. If you are, don't call me when you get lost in the Cascades.

 

[Arran]

If you truly do partake in extreme backcountry trips you are not relying on a watch. If you are, don't call me when you get lost in the Cascades.

Agreed. The wording on apple.com even suggests it (bold mine):

Apple Watch Ultra is an essential exploration tool that can take you everywhere. And help get you home.

So it'll take you there on it's own - but only "help" get you back home. Sounds like lawyer-talk.

 

[mrj101]

I simply got it for the larger screen and longer battery life. Maybe it'll increase my activities outdoors.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

I simply got it for the larger screen and longer battery life. Maybe it'll increase my activities outdoors.

It doesn’t really have a noticeably larger screen, just a few more pixels, otherwise I would think differently.

 

[kitenski]

I was a big Garmin fan, used their tri watches for years from the 735 upwards. I had never ending issues with the HR glass cracking on the 9 series, Garmins support was great and they kept replacing the watch, but the 3rd time my 945 broke was the day I bought an AW4, and have now ordered the ultra. Works fine for me, I currently have a series 6, wear it all day and overnight, often have to charge before bed, and it's died surfing and paddle boarding so I'm hoping the ultra will address those issues.

I think I returned 2 935s and 2 945s before I gave up!

OHR cracks - Forerunner 945 - Running/Multisport - Garmin Forums

945 Sensors Cracking/Flaking - Forerunner 945 - Running/Multisport - Garmin Forums

 

[decypher44]

When I get mine I’m posting photos here of me resting my ultra on my potato chip covered belly while I lay on the couch in my underwear.

I think we should ALL do it! Make it a “thing”. Maybe it’ll go viral as the “#AWUltraChallenge”

 

[aldo82]

Is there a measurement somewhere as to how much bigger the ultra screen is compared to the 45mm? I think the 49mm is the case dimensions rather than the screen (?) so might not be that much different?

 

[iDaniel88]

I’m not getting the Ultra this time around, but I’m very excited about it. Give Apple two or three further iterations and they are going to REALLY give Garmin a run for their money!

 

[mjschabow]

Is there a measurement somewhere as to how much bigger the ultra screen is compared to the 45mm? I think the 49mm is the case dimensions rather than the screen (?) so might not be that much different?

I know I’ve seen a few pics. Definitely will be able to notice the difference but it’s not crazy different. If anything, people will probably complain about thickness more.

 

[leebroath]

Is there a measurement somewhere as to how much bigger the ultra screen is compared to the 45mm? I think the 49mm is the case dimensions rather than the screen (?) so might not be that much different?

 

[aldo82]

View attachment 2056745

Every little helps but not much in that at all!