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MyFitnessPal Community

Best gps watches for running?

dbodick

I'm looking for something max around $200. I am a beginner and have never owned something like this so I have no idea what to be looking for. Thanks!

Replies

daweasel

Google "dc rainmaker", he does a whole lot of reviews of this sort of stuff, including recommendations and comparisons. Really depends on what features you want (HR strap? Optical HR? Don't care? Lap function? Race time estimator? Bluetooth? multi-sport or just running? Activity/sleep tracking? Smart watch function? etc etc the list goes on).

You can probably pick up a good deal on ebay second hand when someone has upgraded to the latest and greatest, especially if you are happy to go with a couple of different options and not worried about having optical heart rate.

spiriteagle99

I like my Garmin FR15. It's a good basic watch that will show my route, my paces, and my HR if I use a chest strap. It has about 6 hours worth of battery, so works up to marathon distance. You can't preprogram runs the way you can with more expensive watches (i.e. interval sessions) but it works well for my simple needs.

And I'll second the recommendation for dcrainmaker - it's an incredibly detailed site.

jennypapage

i've had the tomtom runner since august and i have zero complaints. it was 120 euro i think then, but without chest hr strap.you can buy it seperately though if you want it.

festerw

spiriteagle99 wrote: »

I like my Garmin FR15. It's a good basic watch that will show my route, my paces, and my HR if I use a chest strap. It has about 6 hours worth of battery, so works up to marathon distance. You can't preprogram runs the way you can with more expensive watches (i.e. interval sessions) but it works well for my simple needs.

And I'll second the recommendation for dcrainmaker - it's an incredibly detailed site.

I'll 3rd dcrainmaker, I liked my FR15 with the exception that it had to be plugged in to transfer runs. Didn't seem like a big deal at the time but Bluetooth transfer is much more convenient. I use a FR230 now and it does everything I want it to do.

scorpio516

FR230 is on sale for $180 until xmas. Best bet under $200. It'll be back up to $250 after xmas. Back on sale late winter/early spring though.

Princess4Run

^^^^This- your best running watch for under $200. I have FR 235 and I love it but it's pricier. It is my 1st running watch and I'm also a beginner runner

prattiger65

If you don't want heart rate monitor the FR230 is a perfect choice as stated above.

MeanderingMammal

Agree with using DVR as a guide.

Personally I'd recommend Garmin devices, and within your budget the Forerunner 230 as your best option. Brands are quite subjective but for me Garmin balances technical capability, reliability and system flexibility in a way that the competition can't. At the higher end you might debate a different brand, but at the price point you're in, no question.

MichaelJSwann

Very happy with my Forerunner 230. Didn't intend using the activity tracker features when I bought it, but I am now. The smart notifications are handy too. I use the heart rate strap from my 520 with it.

jlavdl86

Honestly forerunner is best for running...I use a vivoactive hr because I wanted an all around fitness tracker. Garmin is great, you really can't go wrong.

OldAssDude

If you are willing to spend an extra $100.00, check this out before you make a decision...

https://amazon.com/Suunto-Ambit3-Monitor-Running-Black/dp/B00LVN3QAG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1482204163&sr=8-8&keywords=SUUNTO

Where the Garmin GPS is 10ths of a mile off, these are 100ths of a mile off. They are truly the most accurate and consistent devices I have ever used, and I have used several Garmins, Polars, fitbits, apple watches, Microsoft bands, tomtoms, and others.

At least worth checking out.

I have a Garmin fenix3 HR, and it sits in my drawer now, only as an emergency backup.

TavistockToad

I have a garmin 225, which I love

dbodick

Thanks everyone for all the insight, much appreciated