Non Apple Smart Watches

Mtn_Nomad

WKR
Joined
Dec 30, 2018
Messages
380
Location
North Georgia
I currently have an Original Garmin Instinct. Not real sure how old it is, I got it used but its beginning to not hold a charge as well as it did. Ive been looking at the newer Garmin watches but most of them blow my mind with all their capabilities I'd probably never figure out. Honestly all I've ever used mine for is phone alerts, steps/stairs, and heart rate. Sometimes elevation as well.

What would guy recommend for a good, straight forward watch for what im asking for? If you guys think I'm missing out on features, please fill me in Lol
 
i have the foreruner 955 solar and is fantastic, i'm in the same boat too many things to figure out but what i need i use and works great, holds the charge if you don't use the gps foe 10-12 days and using gps everyday about 5-6 days. is not crazy expensive either.
 
I have the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar. I like it. If you are outside it lasts 3-4 weeks easily. Nothing fancy but does what I need and I am not always looking for a charger.
 
I switched to a Amazfit T-Rex 2 from an instinct 2. I like this one much better
 
I’ve got the an older fenix 5 plus. I’ve had it for probably 4 years and I absolutely love the watch. Still holds charge for almost a week. I have no idea what all it does lol. I use it for about the same as what you mentioned above. But it’s been my favorite watch that I’ve ever had. Just wish it was the solar version is all
 
I would buy another instinct or instinct 2. I use mine for what you noted and about as simplistic as you can get with reliability.
I vote this, too. When my original Instinct dies, I'm going to the next version available. Absolutely perfect for my needs.
 
I do slightly more than you with my Fenix, and it's my second, will be replaced with a third...

I just get the newer model of what I know I like.
 
Loving the Instinct 3 Solar coming from an original Instinct. I got the smaller 45mm and have gone 7 weeks until recharging at 10% left. Got 20% off through health insurance discount (blue cross), I think most insurance gives discounts on "health devices".
 
Bought a Garmin Instinct 2x Solar and liked it. But then as I researched more I wanted more. I looked at the Fenix 8 variants and the Endeavor 3. I went with the Endeavor 3 to save a bit of cash as I had zero need for a microphone and a couple of other features the Fenix has. The AMOLED is nice but the MIP works just fine.

Both my Instinct 2x and Endeavor 3 have multi-week usage on a single charge; solar helps but it is not enough to run perpetually using AZ sun. This includes near daily GPS tracking activities for running on the street and also trail running. Both have a flashlight with white and red options; the tactical version of the Instinct gives you a green option. The flashlight feature is nice to have.

The additional metrics provided by the Endeavor 3 is nice and the reason why I upgraded.

My Endeavor 3 is my day to day watch but when I hunt I just take my Instinct 2x so as to not damage the Endeavor.

Do look at Garmin's support schedule for their devices. You can get a smoking deal on a watch just to find out that there are not going to be any more updates.
 
Like most others are recommending, I would stick with another Garmin, just pick the model that fits your needs. I moved from the Apple Ultra to a Garmin Fenix 8 and love it, I only know how to use 3 or 4 things on it, but it holds a charge for over a week, and always tells the time! The Apple Ultra was a great watch as well, but had to be charged ever 1-2 days...
 
I have an old forerunner and honestly if yiu dont need much thats my choice. I still wear it alot even though I have an instinct 2. But truthfully I got the newer watch because it pairs with my dog's collar. The forerunner is more comfortable. I think its a 782 or something?

I have a Samsung which I never use. I would not go that route.
 
I use a Tactix 7 Pro with Applied Ballistics. I run the same things as you, plus I build range cards for shooting solutions, learned how to navigate with it in and out of back country without a phone, I dive with it and looks new even repeatedly exposed to salt water, we train at night with NODs and the NV capability is very good, and the flashlight is excellent in a pinch.
 
I have a Fenix 8 and like it. The flashlight and the speaker are good features that you didn't think you needed. It's nice to be able to answer a phone call when I've left my phone somewhere around the house on silent. The 47mm is still a bit too big for my liking but it has much better battery life than the smaller model. I mainly use it for fitness & commute tracking, but the GPS has good accuracy. I just wish Garmin had OnX or Gaia integration. I probably would've bought the Tactix if it was available when I ordered mine. It's the same exact watch with a slightly different feature set. For my diving (rec scuba and some shallow water spearfishing) the dive functionalities are great.
 
Whatever you get, make sure it has the flashlight function.

Just trust me. I can't see how I survived without it.
 
I just went from an Apple watch to a Garmin Tactix Delta.

The amount of functions it has are ridiculous. Pertaining to hunting it has: ballistics, elevation, compass, GPS, sleep quality, barometric pressure, the list goes on.

Oh and the battery life is 20+ days and its solar.


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