How to choose a Garmin watch

key selection criteria

goals and types of activity

a set of functions grows along with tasks. First, determine the main classes and wearing scenarios.

• Running and triathlon: accurate GNSS, interval training, plans, effectiveness metrics, navigation in courses.
• Mountains and trails: cards, barometer, compass, tracks, multi -band GNSS, strong case, 10 atm. Pulse, pulsoximeter, music, notifications.
• Bicycle: Support for power sensors, caden, external accelerometers, navigation along the route.
• Swimming profiles and open water, calculation of rings, tightness from 5 atm.
• golf, diving, swimming: specialized rulers Approach, Descent, Swim.

The accuracy of satellites and sensors

GNSS Determines the track and pace. One -band mode is suitable for open places. A multi-band (L1+L5) better holds a track in the city and forest.

• How to check: Find in the characteristics of the «Multi-Diapasic GNSS» or «Multi-Band». Open the positioning menu in the clock and see the available modes.
• pulse and pulsoximeter: an optical sensor on the wrist is convenient for day and sleep. For intervals and winters, take compatibility with an Ant+ or Ble breast belt.
• HRV and readiness for training: Metrics help dose the load. Look for “HRV Status” and “Training Readance” in the description.

The display and readability

Garmin uses two approaches: MIP and AmOLED. MIP remains readable under the sun and saves the charge. Amoled gives juicy colors and fonts convenient in the city and in the hall.

• MIP-for long-term sorties, trail, enduro, frequent training on the street.
• amoled-for office and fitness, if you are ready to charge more often.
• always -on: useful when running and on a bicycle. Look at the adjustable brightness and temporary timeouts.

Autonomy and charging

Autonomy depends on the screen, GNSS and sensors. MIP lasts longer. Solar gives an increase in bright light.

• Scenarios: with daily training for an hour, an average level of autonomy is enough. For weekends, take advanced GNSS modes and economical profiles.
• How to check: The manufacturer indicates the hours of work in different modes (smart hours, GPS, multi-band GNSS, MUSIC). Compare the indicators for each of your scenario.
• charging: convenient proprietary cable, reliable connector. Find out if it is possible to buy cables for the office and at home.

Materials and protection

The case affects weight and durability. Polymer is easier for running. Steel and titanium are stronger, more pleasant on the arm, the titanium has become easier. Glass is of three types.

• sapphire: high resistance to scratches, a little heavier, slightly lower than the light transmission compared to ordinary glass.
• Gorilla Glass: Balance of strength and weight.
• Power Glass (Solar): skipped lights for recharging, protects light, protects the light display.
• water protection: 5 atm — pool and shower; 10 ATM — jumping in water, shower trail, active training on the water.

Maps and navigation

Full-fledged top cards on the screen help in the mountains and on new routes. Basic navigation on the course and track also helps out, but without detailed cards.

• Full cards, search for POI, relief courses — for mountains and travels.
• Bread crumbs and course for running on familiar roads.
• How to check: look “Course navigation” and “Turn-by-Turn” in the characteristics.

Sports functions and metrics

Training hints save time and reduce the risk of overtraining.

• The state of training, the load on zones, VO2MAX — to control progress.
• Restoring and evaluating recovery, Body Battery, HRV — for sessions.

Smart functions

Notifications, music, payments and calls facilitate everyday life.

• Music on board and offline players from popular services-convenient for runs without a phone.
• Garmin Pay-contactless payments through banks-partners of your region.
• Calls through the phone and voice assistant are supported in separate models with a microphone. incidents, transmission of coordinates to relatives.

Size, landing and comfort

The diameter of the case affects convenience and autonomy. Small dimensions are suitable for thin wrists and sleep, large — for readability and batteries.

• up to 42 mm — compact and easy, good for the urban style and sleep.
• 45–47 mm — universal for sports and work.
• 51 mm, for expeditions and wide arm, maximum autonomy.
• Quickfit/Quick Release straps simplify the change for clothes and sport.

Ecosystem and application

Garmin Connect stores training, sleep, personal records. Connect IQ adds dials, data fields and widgets. Synchronization with Strava and other platforms operates on the account. Check if there are applications that you use.

Comparison of popular options

Garmin Fenix ​​and Epix

Garmin Fenix ​​- the “All in one” standard for sports and mountains. This is a strong case, 10 ATM, buttons and advanced navigation with cards. The screen is more often MIP for autonomy. The ruler covers running, triathlon, trail, skis, hikes, swimming and much more.

Garmin Epix is ​​closer to the city style: Amoled-screen with a high detail of cards. The functionality is similar to Fenix, but the emphasis on visual readability. For those who train often and wears hours as the main device in the city.

Garmin formerunner

line for runners and triathlonists. Light housing, powerful training functions, different levels in price and capabilities.

• formerunner 165 — start for running and fitness with a color screen and training plans.
• Forerunner 255/265 — the average level for the half marathon and marathon. Variants with music, multi -band GNSS in separate versions, improved metric.
• formerunner 955/965 — premium for triathlon and ultradeal stations. Maps, advanced navigation, Training Readiness, light body. In 965 — Amoled.

Garmin Instinct

Protected design, 10 ATM, focus on navigation and autonomy. Readed monochrome segmented display. Suitable for hiking, fishing, work on the street. In SOLAR versions, autonomy is higher with the bright sun.

Garmin Venu and Vivoactive

City feed, amOLED Venu and convenient sports profiles. Comfortable notifications, music, Garmin Pay. A good choice for fitness, yoga, running in the park, office and everyday style. Vivoactive is a simpler and more affordable interpretation of the functionality for sports and life.

Garmin Enduro

Record autonomy. At least excess, maximum work from the battery, advanced GNSS modes, emphasis on ultragones and raids. Light housing made of durable materials. It will like those who rarely charge and run for a very long time.

Specialized rulers

• Approach — golf with fields of fields and specific strokes.
• Swim — Focus for the pool and open water, the score of paths and rowing.
Descent-Dive-computer with support for diving, gas mixtures and a dive magazine.

typical buyer mistakes

• Buying “with a margin of functions” without real use: overweight, complex menu and overpayment. Check each function with your script.
• neglect of planting. Too large body rubs and interferes with sleep, too small — less battery and worse readability of cards. Try on the watch: diameter and weight.
• Ignoring autonomy. AMOLED and multi -band GNSS spend more batteries. Compare the autonomy in your modes, and not in the “most economical”.
• Navigation underestimation. For trail without cards — a loss of time on the turn. Plan the type of navigation for the terrain.
• Assessment by «brightness of the showcase». In the AMOLED hall is beautiful, in the sun MIP is more readable. Check visibility on the street.
• The choice without taking into account the ecosystem. We need offline playlists, payments, integration-check compatibility before the purchase.
• Unverified straps and materials. Allergies and discomfort spoil training. Choose the right strap material, hold the spare.
• Ignoring Partner banks for Garmin Pay. Check the availability of your bank.

A step -by -step selection algorithm

1. Formulate goals for the next 6–12 months: running, hall, trail, triathlon, campaigns, swimming, golf, diving.
2. Sign scenarios: how many workouts per week, duration, city/forest, do you need a phone or watch on the clock. Bright graphics and city.
3. Determine the requirements for GNSS: Basic for the park, multi -band — for dense development and mountains.
4. Solve the issue with cards: you need full-fledged cards or enough courses and “bread crumbs.”
5. select the size and material: diameter for writhing the wrist, glass (sapphire/power glass/gorilla glas), non -el (polymer/steel/titanium).
6. Srise smart grades: Music on board, on board, Garmin Pay, calls, safety, integration with services.
7. Check your autonomy in your modes: smart hours, GPS, multi-band GNSS, music. Check with your training.
8. Check the sensors and compatibility: the breast belt, power and caden sensors, swimming accessories.
9. Supply the choice of up to 2-3 models, try on the hand, estimate the readability and response of the interface. Choose the one that is nice to wear daily.

The result and checklist

Take the watch that close your needs for training and everyday comfort. For mountains and trail — cards, 10 ATM, MIP and multi -band GNSS. For the city and the hall — Amoled, music, payments and light housing. For a marathon and triathlon — Forerunner with advanced metrics and cards in senior models. For autonomous trips — Solar and economical modes. Check the support of your bank for Garmin Pay and integration with your favorite services.

checklist

1. Determine the main type of activity and wearing scenarios.
2. Solve the screen question: MIP or amOLED.
3. Check GNSS: Is there a multi-band The mode.
4. Check the autonomy in your training modes.
5. Select materials: sapphire, Power Glass or Gorilla Glass; polymer, steel, titanium.
6. Determine the need for cards and navigation by courses.
7. Mark smart function: music, Garmin Pay, Calls, Safety.
8. Check compatibility with sensors and accessories. Under the wrist.
9. Compare 2-3 models on the arm and select convenient in everyday life.