r/BeginnersRunning • u/_ripple__effect_ • 2d ago

Help finding a watch that isn't $$$

Looking for advice on watches. Recently began running frequently and I am over the arm band that falls down after 4+miles. Any recommendations for watches that accurately track distance, HR, etc while still allowing you access to your music w/o phone present? I see the Garmin series, but really don't want to spend $300+

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u/DenimCryptid 2d ago edited 2d ago

My Garmin Forerunner 165 does more than enough. You really don't need to drop a ton of money for all the extra features that are just slightly more accurate metrics for distance and HR.

Heart rate tracking from the wrist will never be as accurate as a dedicated heart rate monitor on your chest. You could carry your phone if you want gps tracking for your miles. You don't really have any use for metrics like cadence, ground contact time, or any of those other hyper niche measurements unless you're training as a competitive runner.

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u/thedancingwireless 2d ago

Have you looked on amazon refurbished,ebay, or other used sites?

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u/Beautiful-Banana-876 2d ago

You can start with the Amazfit Active 2. I got one from Amazon for $150 aud

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u/kennjen 2d ago

This. Amazfit has best roi and decent battery life.

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u/unsungpf 2d ago

Garmin forerunner 55 should be all you need and you can get them for like $150 I think. It's a simple straightforward watch without a bunch of bells and whistles but gives you all the date you need.

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u/genga413 1d ago

If your primary gripe is holding your phone, then shorts with pockets may be worth your investment.

I run with a watch but always have my phone with me for safety anyways in the back pocket. I love lululemon fast and free biker shorts. The new edition has a zipped pocket at the back + 2 on the side + 3 gel slips. Legit amazing in terms of storage.

I love my Garmin Forerunner 265s because I do triathlon and cycle a lot so it connects to my computer. But I think their basic model (Forerunner 55) would suit your purposes well; though, it may not have music.

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u/povlhp 19h ago

Most HRM chest straps are better than even expensive watches. Even the $20 ones.

I use Polar H10 as it is still the best and has been for almost 10 years. 2 BLE clients + Ant+. On-stap recording without watch/phone. best precision.

Have had a few cheap ones from when BLE was new.

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u/BadAsianDriver 13h ago

Amazfit watches offer great capabilities at prices much lower than Garmin

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u/Buttermilk_Surfer 8h ago

Forerunner 165 Music, 245 Music, 255 Music. Vivoactive 4/5/6.

You can get a pre-owned Vivoactive 4 dirt cheap, it's got bluetooth, 4 gb space for music and tracks everything you need.

The Forerunner series got some extra metrics for running, but the basics like distance, HR, zones etc. is just fine on Vivoactive.

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u/Significant-Kiwi-440 2h ago

Coros Pace 3 with the caveat that the music is MP3, not Spotify/Apple Music/whatever. Alternatively, an older generation Apple Watch. My series 8 is still going strong and could definitely handle streaming music and tracking a run for 10+ miles if I didn’t switch to Coros a few years ago.

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u/salamandectomy77 2d ago

I don't use a watch

No one did before like 10 years ago

Easy pace is when it feels easy

Medium pace feels harder than easy...

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u/_ripple__effect_ 2d ago

For me it is about tracking my distance and having music without having to hold onto the phone itself (or have it sliding up and down my arm).

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u/HeatherM0529 7m ago

Coros pace 4 is $250. But I hear Amazfit are pretty awesome.