Garmin forerunner 245 Music

ToffeeApple71
ToffeeApple71 Posts: 121 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm looking at purchasing a Garmin forerunner 245 Music smartwatch. Mainly because it plays music, I can swim with it, it has a safety feature which notifies a nominated person if you fall (something I need at the moment), doesn't require a subscription and is not touch screen.
Has anyone else got one, and are there any drawbacks to this watch that you think are worth mentioning. I'm hoping it's accurate with its GPS. The reviews I've read have all been positive with regards to it's accuracy.

Replies

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Garmin makes excellent watches.
  • ToffeeApple71
    ToffeeApple71 Posts: 121 Member
    edited December 2021
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    Garmin makes excellent watches.

    They do seem to. I had a cheap fitness tracker (Xiaomi) previously which I really liked but I'm keen to delve a bit deeper into some data and having it play music so I don't need to carry my phone is a bonus. Plus a bit more accuracy with an inbuilt GPS. Not sure about battery life....I'm used to charging my Xiaomi every couple of months.
    Keen to know if it is as good as the reviews say.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I don't know anything specifically about this particular watch, but Garmin has been in the GPS and fitness business longer than anyone. There stuff is top shelf. I've owned two Garmin bike computers and I own a Garmin Instinct watch. Back in the day before smart phones and using Google or some other app for navigation I had a Garmin navigation device as well. I've never been unhappy with any Garmin product I've ever purchased. GPS accuracy shouldn't be a concern.
  • SomeMFPuser
    SomeMFPuser Posts: 53 Member
    I have this watch. Been using it for a few years (at least).

    First one had an issue with the screen/face where it got cloudy and was not longer viewable. Garmin replaced for me for free. So far, so good with the face on the replacement.

    GPS is actually very good in terms for me. Then again, I'm not surrounded by mountains, etc.. which I hear can mess that up.
  • ToffeeApple71
    ToffeeApple71 Posts: 121 Member
    @cwolfman13 , @SomeMFPuser
    Thank you for responding. I have nothing around that will interfere with GPS so it should be ok.

    It's a lot of money to spend so I wanted to be sure that the research I did included people that have used one.
  • SomeMFPuser
    SomeMFPuser Posts: 53 Member
    ToffeeApple71 wrote: »
    @cwolfman13 , @SomeMFPuser
    Thank you for responding. I have nothing around that will interfere with GPS so it should be ok.

    It's a lot of money to spend so I wanted to be sure that the research I did included people that have used one.

    It is a lot of money, but if you are able to get out of it what you need, it's worth it.

    A consideration would be to read the pdf manual on the Garmin site on this specific watch to ensure you aren't unhappily surprised after you've spent the money on it in terms of features, etc...
  • ToffeeApple71
    ToffeeApple71 Posts: 121 Member
    On the off chance someone else was considering buying a Garmin forerunner 245 Music...I'd highly recommend it! Only downside is the battery life when you use the music and GPS for 2-3 hours a day.
    The data I get is interesting. Some of it a bit weird like the stress score. It had me stressed when I was having a nap! But the sleep tracking is good, GPS is accurate, and I love playing music without my phone.

    I've started using the coach option. This is awesome at the moment for a bit of variety in my running.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Stress tracking isn't for how you feel emotionally (anxious, stressed out, relaxed) it's how much stress your body is feeling. It's meant to see how your body is reacting to the exercise you're doing to help you find the right balance vs recovery.
  • ToffeeApple71
    ToffeeApple71 Posts: 121 Member
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    Stress tracking isn't for how you feel emotionally (anxious, stressed out, relaxed) it's how much stress your body is feeling. It's meant to see how your body is reacting to the exercise you're doing to help you find the right balance vs recovery.

    Oh. Well that changes things! I thought it a little bizarre that taking a nap would show as high stress!
    Thanks. I obviously need to do a bit more reading...
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,598 Member
    ToffeeApple71 wrote: »
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    Stress tracking isn't for how you feel emotionally (anxious, stressed out, relaxed) it's how much stress your body is feeling. It's meant to see how your body is reacting to the exercise you're doing to help you find the right balance vs recovery.

    Oh. Well that changes things! I thought it a little bizarre that taking a nap would show as high stress!
    Thanks. I obviously need to do a bit more reading...

    I hope you have better results than I have: I've not been able to glean anything from mine. For all I can get from it, it might as well be random noise. 🤷‍♀️

    NorthCascades has posted an example of his stress graph in some other thread(s). It looks pretty sensible. Mine doesn't. I have zero idea why.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    ToffeeApple71 wrote: »
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    Stress tracking isn't for how you feel emotionally (anxious, stressed out, relaxed) it's how much stress your body is feeling. It's meant to see how your body is reacting to the exercise you're doing to help you find the right balance vs recovery.

    Oh. Well that changes things! I thought it a little bizarre that taking a nap would show as high stress!
    Thanks. I obviously need to do a bit more reading...

    Don't bother with the manuals, just read here, your favorite swimming forum, or whenever else.

    Also know that (1) you don't have to figure it all out at once and (2) it's ok if you don't use all the features. 🙂

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