Garmin Forerunner 245/245 Music

dm01234_1
dm01234_1 Posts: 31 Member
edited May 2019 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey gang..

Does anyone have any experience or opinions on this watch?

My searches here turning up empty. However I've checked out several reviews elsewhere and it seems to have positive reviews.

Please share the good, bad and ugly about it if you have one.

eta: I'm coming from no watch at the moment.

Thanks.

Replies

  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    I can't comment on those models but I can say the Garmin Forerunners are freaking awesome watches for runners. I used to have a Forerunner 630 and I have been using a Fenix 5x for the past year.
  • GiGiBeans
    GiGiBeans Posts: 1,062 Member
    I have an original Garmin vivoactive that's still going strong, so not in a rush to replace it, but have been eyeing the FR245 and FR645. The 245 doesn't have a barometer and I do like to run stairs, so that's a bit of a letdown, but not the end of the world. Definitely will be following this thread.
  • firef1y72
    firef1y72 Posts: 1,579 Member
    I'm asking Santa for either the 645 or 945 (or possibly fenix) Currently have the 735xt and it is fab but I want the addition of the Garmin coach.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    dewd2 wrote: »
    I can't comment on those models but I can say the Garmin Forerunners are freaking awesome watches for runners. I used to have a Forerunner 630 and I have been using a Fenix 5x for the past year.

    On a hike recently somebody asked me how I know the names of all these creeks we keep passing. Because I have a map.

    OP, Forerunner watches (and Fenix watches a it's the same software) set the standard for running watches.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    Whether it's good or bad will have as much to do with your expectations of the watch as it will the watch itself. What specifically are you wondering about it?
  • dm01234_1
    dm01234_1 Posts: 31 Member
    Thanks for you input all.
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Whether it's good or bad will have as much to do with your expectations of the watch as it will the watch itself. What specifically are you wondering about it?

    Just wondering users opinions/experience. Junk, good, the best, average....
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    dm01234_1 wrote: »
    Thanks for you input all.
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Whether it's good or bad will have as much to do with your expectations of the watch as it will the watch itself. What specifically are you wondering about it?

    Just wondering users opinions/experience. Junk, good, the best, average....

    Again, it's going to be somewhat relative.

    Generally speaking, garmin's hardware is some of the best out there... a close second (at worst) to Suunto, but I haven't paid close enough attention in the last few years to know if that's still the case. Their software is generally seen as the best. They use many of the same algorithms as other watches/trackers, so I don't think calorie approximation will be any better or worse brand to brand. Given Garmin's popularity, most other services will integrate with them, too.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    dm01234_1 wrote: »
    Thanks for you input all.
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Whether it's good or bad will have as much to do with your expectations of the watch as it will the watch itself. What specifically are you wondering about it?

    Just wondering users opinions/experience. Junk, good, the best, average....

    Middle of the road for a running watch, which is better than 95% of people who run need.

    If you want to spend more, you can get features like having a map on your wrist without your phone or a data plan, the ability to generate round trip runs for you on the fly and give you turn by turn guidance (like if you travel), and the ability to detect your LTHR. Maybe the one you're looking at does that last part, I haven't read the review, but the point is it's going to do the basics very well and miss some esoteric stuff.
  • dm01234_1
    dm01234_1 Posts: 31 Member
    Thanks again for everyone's input. I decided to go with the 245 Music and will post back once I've had some time with it.
  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,520 Member
    dm01234_1 wrote: »
    I decided to go with the 245 Music.

    Great choice. I am a glutton for punishment. I bought a Garmin that didn't work so well...8 or 9 years ago. FR25, it was exclusively a running watch I used it on and off. Then i got a 'Withings Activite" which is a lifestyle fitness tracker/step tracker. I really liked the different perspective in this design, from 'Activity Tracker' to 'Fitness Tracker'...
    Then I upgraded to the Withings Steel HR, it was similar but with wrist HR and some activity tracking. Companies started to really home in on what works for most people. The marriage of the two different design models.

    Garmin then just center punched it with my next next watch the Vivoactive 3. The design and software were just a big leap ahead in usability. It was great. Then with all the great software design and usability, the 645/music came out and the better harware (five buttons) for activities. It is my current watch.

    Your new 245/music is probably my great 645/m with some shaving here and then on hardware and features to make it less expensive. I think it should really work FANTASTIC for 95% of users out there.
  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,520 Member
    dm01234_1 wrote: »
    I decided to go with the 245 Music.
    .
  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,520 Member
    dm01234_1 wrote: »
    I decided to go with the 245 Music

    What earbuds did you get, do they work without cutting out?
  • dm01234_1
    dm01234_1 Posts: 31 Member
    chris_in_cal wrote: »
    dm01234_1 wrote: »
    I decided to go with the 245 Music

    What earbuds did you get, do they work without cutting out?

    Will let you know once I try the music connection.
  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,520 Member
    @dm01234_1 Great. The Garmin users forums have good info too.

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