I've used several generations of Garmins, Apple watch 2 and 3, but this Garmin is my primary device for running because I think it's the best of the bunch and works best with Strava.
Pros in General:
- Ease of use. If I want to run, I am up and running in just as much time as it takes for a GPS lock, from 5 seconds to a minute usually.
- Accuracy. I notice this watch is very accurate for me. I am using it in Central Oregon and the San Jose area of California.
- Battery Life. It lasts a while. I can use it two days in a row without battery problems.
Pros When Compared to Apple Watch Series 2 and 3:
- Perhaps this is because I mainly use Strava app, but I find the Strava app on Apple Watch does not work well. I notice Apple watch allows me to run even before GPS lock, so I'm not quite sure when GPS lock occurs, then I start running and sometimes I get odd results for the first mile.
- The physical buttons on this watch are nice when my hands are sweaty. The touch screen on the apple watch gets hard to touch when I am sweaty.
- Accuracy. With apple watch I am plus or minus 0.4 miles sometimes on a half marathon. With the Garmin it has yet to be more than 0.2 miles.
Cons of this Garmin
- Forced Garmin Connect integration. I don't like the Garmin connect app due to the auto updates and sometimes bad syncs. When uploading to Strava, I actually just plug in my watch and manually copy the activity file to my desktop and upload it that way
- Wrist strap is flakey if you use the same hole each time, after several months the rubber cross bar thing above the hole I use each time is about to break. Picture attached.
Overall a great watch and I would likely buy again. But due to the rubber band about to come apart, I give 4 stars rather than 5.
I'm a lifetime athlete. I was looking for a simple to use GPS watch which could tell me the time of day, how far and how fast I've walked and run. This watch does all of those things at a very affordable cost. Of course, it also pairs with my smart phone which allows me to upload my data to Garmin Connect. Although I don't really need to use many of the functions of Garmin Connect, it's nice to have; and allows me to view my daily sleep patterns. I really appreciate the fact that it uses 4 simple buttons rather than a fussy touch screen, and that it's simple screen is easy to read in bright daylight and battery life is measured in weeks rather than hours!
I bought this for my son for cross country as a freshman. They recommended a GPS watch and I use the 220, but didn't want to buy him that one and this one was pretty inexpensive and gives him exactly what he needs. His current pace, a timer, and the ability to track his runs. He doesn't need all the bells and whistles and this does a great job. It does seem to take a little longer to lock on the satellites than my 220 does. Sometimes 2 minutes. Not that big a deal. I actually like the way this connects to the USB better than my 220. The clip for the 220 is cumbersome, and his just snaps right on.
My son actually wears it all the time, he likes the way it looks.
I specifically wanted a running watch that would track distance but NOT heart rate, connect to music, etc. For what I wanted (clearly just a basic watch) this is perfect. Definitely recommend.
I previously owned multiple Garmin Forerunner 10s, but when the bands kept breaking on me, I decided it was time for an upgrade. Upon receiving this watch, the band seems cheaper, but more flexible. I haven't had any trouble with the band and it is easy to fasten snugly. The main difference from the Forerunner 10 is this watch also has the ability to pair with your phone and receive text messages, Facebook messages, and calls. CANNOT ANSWER CALLS to my knowledge. Alerts pop up and then you can navigate to messages to read them on screen. The navigation of the watch is pretty basic and very similar to a Forerunner 10. Highly recommend as a cost-effective replacement to a Forerunner 10. One dislike is that the message notifications are either on or off. If the notifications are on, the watch beeps to alert you, which somewhat defeats the purpose of having it on the watch if your main goal is to be more discrete about receiving and viewing messages.
Feature Product
- COMPACT - Forerunner 25 provides a larger display in a thinner watch with a 32% larger active display area than the Forerunner 15. Strap Material - Silicone
- CONNECTED FEATURES - Instantly share runs and activity tracking progress with friends, family and the world via social media by pairing a compatible device with Garmin ConnectTM Mobile
- GPS - Acquire satellites quickly to track how far, how fast and where you run - even under tree cover. Display size: 0.91 x 0.91 inches (23.0 x 23.0 mm)
- ACTIVITY TRACKING Count your steps, calories and distance throughout the day. The inactivity indicator motivates you to move when you've been sitting too long
- LONG BATTERY LIFE - Up to 10 hours of battery life in training mode or 10 weeks in watch/activity tracking mode (Large versions). Up to 8 hours of battery life in training mode or 8 weeks in watch/activity tracking mode (Small versions)
Description
Take your running to the next level. This easy-to-use GPS running watch tracks distance, pace, heart rate1 and personal records. Stay on top of yourfitness goals between workouts with activity tracking2 features that remind you when it’s time to move and count steps and calories burned all day.Stay connected by pairing it with your smartphone for text and call alerts and automatic uploads to our free online community, Garmin Connect,where you can join fitness challenges and save, plan and share your progress.
Bought this because my Forerunner 305 was dying and this works with my heart rate monitor strap. Pairs with my iPhone 7. Gives you alerts for calls and texts, which is handier than I expected. Battery life is good if you don't use GPS a great deal. I've been using mine on the elliptical in indoor mode due to injuries, lasts for weeks on a single charge. Ambivalent about the Garmin fitness app. Not sure it syncs all the step data. Seems inconsistent. The watch is nice though.
Didn't want anything super complicated or fancy (or crazy expensive!) and this works. Keeps track of miles, pace, and route, which is exactly what I wanted. Alerts are a bit annoying, they're either entirely off or entirely on, can't just turn them on for a run, so you have to monkey with it before and after a run, or your watch will beep a phone update even if your phone is silent
Extremely pleased with this watch. It’s small and light, which are important features to me because I have a tiny wrist. I gave the Forerunner 35 a try and it was just too big and heavy- it was uncomfortable.
I bought the watch to use for a Tough Mudder so I needed a gps watch that was, at the very least, water resistant and durable, and this device delivered.
I have a minor complaint- I wish that it vibrates when I get notifications, but I can manage without.
I also wish it had a heart rate monitor on the watch. I would have paid another $100 for it if it was included. But you can connect a separate device.
Overall this watch is a great value for the price.
I've run a number of training runs and races wearing this watch. It's generally been reliable, with good battery life and no issues being dunked in water for 15 or 30 seconds at a time at mud runs. The band is durable and secure, and the interface of the watch itself is easy to navigate. Once or twice I've had issues acquiring GPS signal, including one time when it took the first three miles of a race on a perfectly clear day on a mountain course with an unobstructed view of the sky to get signal. My only other (minor) gripe is the need to use the Garmin app instead of being able to sync directly to Strava. Overall, very happy with the purchase for the price.
Love the simplicity and the battery life.
My only complaint (yes, I know it is a running watch) is that in order to use it to monitor my heart rate during mountain bike rides, I have to place it carefully in a soft pocket. Wearing it on my wrist or in a front pocket doesn't work because the buttons are so easy to hit that it turns it off/cancels within the first few seconds.
That said, I couldn't be happier with the accuracy. Coupled with Garmin's cheapest chest strap heart rate monitor, I bought a 100% accurate, dependable training tool and paid less than $150 total.
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