Sportswatches
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Brendan Lawlor | Nov 14 2018, 5:13pm | Hi Looking for some advice on Sportswatches, ideally one with Heart Rate Monitor and recording of the route run I had a Garmin before but the strap broke after just over 18 months of use |
| Lindsey Heppenstall | Nov 14 2018, 5:19pm | Hi Brendan, If its a Fenix Garmin watch. I have a brand new strap you can have free of change. You more than welcome to it. |
| Brendan Lawlor | Nov 14 2018, 5:28pm | Thanks Lindsey, very kind of you. Unfortunately its not - its the one where the strap can't be replaced |
| John Grace | Nov 14 2018, 6:19pm | I use a garmin 230 which i slightly older model but works out cheaper because of this. The garmin connect app on the phone is the thing that really sets it apart from other makes. After each run you can view pretty much everything including graphs from the run for heart rate, pace, elevation, heart rate zone percentage for the entire run etc. Best heart rate monitors are polar but nothing beats garmin overall especially if you are a bit of a numbers geek like me. Reports are great for generating monthly milage and pace progress etc. |
| John J Barry | Nov 14 2018, 10:27pm | It seems the heart rate sensors build into the watch is still not solid technology. The heart rate strap is still the way to go. One can still buy the garmin forerunner gtx 310. It's bulky but still one of the better Garmin's out there. Not dear either. I have the Garmin Fenix 2. A cracker of a watch but probably hard to get now. Fenix 3 and 5 will be that bit dearer. |
| Paul Smyth | Nov 15 2018, 4:18pm | Brendan, you can easily get replacement straps on Amazon, eBay etc. Generally not hugely expensive. Certainly cheaper than buying a new watch. |
| Paul Smyth | Nov 15 2018, 4:27pm | Ooops! Should have read the entire thread before I replied. I've just seen where you say the strap can't be replaced. I'm curious - I never seen a Garmin you couldn't replace the strap on - what model is it? I've previously replaced the strap on both my Forerunner and my Fenix. |
| Paul Smyth | Nov 15 2018, 4:30pm | Unlike John, I thought that the Garmin connect app was absolutely the worst thing about the whole system. I use a package called RubiTrack Pro instead because I got so frustrated with the Garmin software. |
| Brendan Lawlor | Nov 15 2018, 6:34pm | Hi Paul Its a Garmin Forerunner 210.. the strap is part of the watch housing.. not a good design |
| Stuart Scott | Nov 16 2018, 11:33am | Brendan, a stapler and a roll of duct tape are very effective (not to mention cheaper) tools for fixing watch straps! |
| Brendan Lawlor | Nov 16 2018, 11:45am | It was Duct taped fixed for three months Stuart ! Its beyond Duct taping and stapling now I'm afraid. I have a €30 Lidl HRM watch which is keeping me going but I do miss the proper route and other feedback you get from a GPS watch |
| Brendan Lawlor | Nov 16 2018, 11:45am | Is buying online the way to go ? |
| Gordon Place | Nov 16 2018, 12:23pm | I got mine online. Black Friday deals all this week so you might get lucky. Ive the Suunto Spartan Ultra and think it's great. If HR is important to you I'd get the model with the chest strap and not built in wrist monitor. They have a newer model out now so you might get good deal on the Spartan Ultra. The sport version is 260 on Chainreactioncycles.Com now. Never had a problem ordering from them |
| Gordon Place | Nov 16 2018, 12:28pm | Sorry, actually sold out on Chainreaction but the better Ultra version is on Sportspursuit.com who I have used before with no problems either https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/1407499?click=eyJxdWVyeSI6MzQwNCwicGFnZSI6MSwicGFnZVNpemUiOjQyLCJwb3MiOjF9 |
| John Grace | Nov 16 2018, 1:39pm | Try wiggle.co.uk |
| John Grace | Nov 16 2018, 1:40pm | Try wiggle.co.uk |
| Paul Smyth | Nov 16 2018, 4:00pm | I'd shop around on-line for the best deal. Don't forget to include shipping costs as well. Some on-line retailers offer cut-price deals but then try to claw it back on S&H. |
| S.M. Griffith | Nov 16 2018, 10:25pm | I got mine on Sportspursuit. Got a really good deal on it a couple of years ago- about half price! I would be surprised if you couldnt get a good deal online this week. I have a Garmin 610. Doesn’t sync with phones, but other than that, it does everything I need and more. Plus it looks slightly prettier than some of the others, but that night not be on your agenda :) |
| Brendan Lawlor | Nov 17 2018, 12:51pm | Thank you everyone for the super feedback.. I opted for the Suunto Ambit 3 deal on Wiggle in the end. The knowledge and helpfulness of all IMRA members is as impressive as ever !! |
