Watches. Garmin/Suunto

[Pronghunter]

Looking for a do all watch. Mainly interested in heart rate, steps, tracking and gps. I’m lost and my head hurts from reading so much. No clue between the two brands. Anyone own one or both? Advice?

 

[boom]

i only own one. the Garmin Instinct. i bought the Fenix5 and it was pretty embarrassing. my eyes are getting weaker and just didnt jive with all the pretty colors.

the black/white contrast of the Instinct is much better for me to see. it does the exact things you listed, which is also my list. well i dont think it does steps. yes it does.,

it is fun on dog walks and mtn biking. nice to track HR and distance. paired with the iphone it is pretty useful.

 

[sneaky]

i only own one. the Garmin Instinct. i bought the Fenix5 and it was pretty embarrassing. my eyes are getting weaker and just didnt jive with all the pretty colors.

the black/white contrast of the Instinct is much better for me to see. it does the exact things you listed, which is also my list. well i dont think it does steps. yes it does.,

it is fun on dog walks and mtn biking. nice to track HR and distance. paired with the iphone it is pretty useful.

You know you can change the colors on the Fenix5 series to whatever you want? Lol. I will say that the Instinct is brighter on the display but my Fenix 5X has a lot more features, along with the topo map. All of them can get confusing, you just gotta pick one and go with it.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[bsnedeker]

Never used a Suunto, but I've talked to a few guys who have used them and they all seemed to have switched over to a Garmin.

The Instinct was really compelling to me when I was shopping, but in the end I went with the 5X and I'm VERY happy I did. The customization options are ridiculous and I really like having the topo map feature directly on the watch. If nothing else it's piece of mind in case my phone gets destroyed in the back country, which has happened to me!

 

[hcaudle]

I have the Instinct. Never used a Fenix so I can’t compare, but the Instinct is great for me. For features I actually use, the Fenix would only add a topo map. I use my phone for that anyway, and if the phone dies, the Instinct’s gps will point me to waypoints on its own.

 

[amack26]

I have had a Garmin Fenix 5x plus sapphire since Christmas 2018. There is a ton of features in the watch the GPS works really well for me. The battery life is as advertised. I usually charge it once every 3-4 weeks and the battery life is still holding strong. The HR monitor works really well. Overall I have no complaints. I am hard on watches in general and the sapphire glass doesn't show any wear or scratches. The only issue I had was the initial band it came with irritated my skin. I contacted Garmin and they sent me a stainless steel band at no cost I ordered a woven nylon one on amazon for like $10 so I have a fancy band and the daily use band. I would not hesitate to buy another if something happened to this one.

 

[bsnedeker]

I have had a Garmin Fenix 5x plus sapphire since Christmas 2018. There is a ton of features in the watch the GPS works really well for me. The battery life is as advertised. I usually charge it once every 3-4 weeks and the battery life is still holding strong. The HR monitor works really well. Overall I have no complaints. I am hard on watches in general and the sapphire glass doesn't show any wear or scratches. The only issue I had was the initial band it came with irritated my skin. I contacted Garmin and they sent me a stainless steel band at no cost I ordered a woven nylon one on amazon for like $10 so I have a fancy band and the daily use band. I would not hesitate to buy another if something happened to this one.

Wow, I wish I knew that trick with steel band! That thing is spendy and they just sent it to you for free!

 

[Jordan Budd]

In my experience with both brands, the Garmin watches are the best bang for your buck. They're a great watch in and out of the woods, whereas the Suunto didn't quite have the day to day features for me. I may be reviewing the Garmin Fenix 6 soon

 

[Theringworm]

Former Suunto Observer user and switched to the Garmin Fenix. Zero regrets. Obviously the Suunto wasn’t a smart watch, the Garmin, IMO, is leading the pack as far as smart watches go. It has been flawless. Hunting, hiking, backpacking, cycling, gym workouts, walking you name it it does it. I love mine.

 

[ol490]

I swung for the fences and bought a Garmin fenix 6x about three weeks ago. I love the thing. It’s easy to download new watch faces that show different data. Same goes for widgets. I downloaded Garmin Truflite which is a ballastic application. It uses the watches barometer to adjust dope and will output come ups in moa, inches, or mills. I input the data from my sig KILO2400ABS which is verified in the field and the watch matches come ups to it (checked only to 700 yds). Great activity tracker with an actual useable map. GPS is great. Battery life is weeks. Overall I’m loving this thing and I’m pretty critical of my gear.

 

[boom]

You know you can change the colors on the Fenix5 series to whatever you want? Lol. I will say that the Instinct is brighter on the display but my Fenix 5X has a lot more features, along with the topo map. All of them can get confusing, you just gotta pick one and go with it.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

it was that...and the stern eyeballing my wife was giving me. i admit, i may have given up my position prematurely.

 

[*zap*]

I needed a way to monitor my heart rate and did not want to spend lots of $ so I purchased a used Suunto Ambit2 and chest strap for $65. Works well for me and the Suunto Movescout program is very helpful...no regrets for what it cost me.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I didn't like the look and feel of the Garmin Instinct, so I bought the Suunto. I'm loving the Suunto and have no regrets with my selection.

 

[Trogon]

Forerunner 935 here. Spensive, but you can get a fair price on ebay. Really like it so far. Lightweight, battery lasts a week, does heart rate and mileage good enough for me.

 

[Highhuntin]

Another instinct owner here... I like it a lot does everything I need and is rugged enough for me. I run 5 days a week and just started biking, have yet to try it out during hunting season but I’d guess the gps is good for back up without topo. I charge it once a week but could go longer, Depends on gps during excersize usage

 

[Whiskey_Fish]

My instinct has been great for the year I've had it. I rarely run GPS but I do love the barometer function and find myself using it often. I also save camp and other pertinent locations primarily as a backup. I wish I would've had the option for the tactical, the brown color is sharp. Also the alarm is adequate for hillside naps on warm September afternoons without the insanity an iPhone alarm can bring.

Pairs with my inReach also for SHTF moments and sending presets on the go. I use that quite often.

 

[rob86jeep]

I had a Suunto Ambit and a Garmin Fenix 1, then a Fenix 3. My biggest complaint with the Suunto was the GPS antenna portion stuck out into the band which was really uncomfortable on my wrist (maybe because I have skinny wrists..?). The Fenix 1 was ok, but I love the Fenix 3. Soo much so that I plan on selling it eventually and upgrading to the Fenix 6. The main reason I want the Fenix 6 is the built in heart rate monitor/O2 monitoring on the watch itself. I know it's not as accurate as a chest strap, but I can still use the chest strap for working out but will have access to my heart rate regardless if I have my chest strap or not.

I use my Fenix 3 for running, swimming, cycling, hiking, and hunting. It works great for everything. The Fenix 6 I believe comes with turn by turn navigation as well if you want that.

 

[A1adventures]

I just upgraded to the fenix 6 sapphire from a Suunto Traverse Alpha. Beyond the HR and VO2 that it offers, I was interested in an easy to use interface, color display and long battery life of the fenix. I got the Garmin 10 days ago, and just recharged it last night (at 18%) for the first time. Will be replacing the standard rubber strap for a nylon NATO strap (like the Traverse has) and I believe I will have the perfect watch for me.

 

[mtnkid85]

Ive been running a Ambit 3 peak for several years it does good. I don't wear it daily. But its great in the mountains and excersing, good battery life, good gps signal, ect. If I where buying today I think Id look at the Garmin fenix line though.

 

[MNBill]

Just got a Fenix 5x sapphire. I was looking at a Suunto Traverse Alpha and various Garmin watches. I found a smoking deal on a Fenix 5x sapphire and sealed the deal. Really like the step counter and heart rate monitor and the barometer. Paired it to my iPhone and my in reach mini. Really like it.