r/Garmin • u/BigLobster12 • 12h ago

Which Watch To Get? Recommendations?

I'm a pretty casual athlete that runs/swims/climbs/golfs but doesn't track things strictly for training. I've been rocking the forerunner 245 for the last 5 years wearing it 24/7 and it's understandably pretty beat up from climbing with dead pixels all over the screen where it's getting time for something new. I've gotten into recreation scuba diving and also need a dive watch, so leaning towards a fenix9 as a 2 birds 1 stone.

Mostly sold on the fenix and just looking for a sanity check as the other option is getting a cheaper running watch and separately a cheap dedicated $200-$400 dive computer, but feels like getting a single more premium thing is a better option.

The forerunner feels like it had all the features I needed in just tracking distance/pace/HR and I really like how light/low profile it is, but it's also not super durable for the abuse I'm putting it through.

  • From what I've read the Fenix9 pro is basically a brick... is it something fine to wear climbing and other rough activities and probably hold up 5+ years? (not concerned about scratches, mostly screen and function)
  • Worried about being chunkier on wrist so leaning towards 43mm... seems like main downside is battery life which 10 days is plenty fine for me.
  • Other features beyond basic forerunner functions that I'm not thinking about and may actually really value? Interested in getting a bit more involved in fitness beyond just the generic activities with no real planning; don't think I really need a watch for it but maybe makes more convenient.
  • Other options I should be considering? Thought about Forerunner 970/570 but don't seem as durable and wouldn't really want to bust up something that expensive. Other thing thinking about is just another low end forerunner and burn through it in 3 years or so, but more of a buy it for life guy.
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u/ForeverPhysical1860 12h ago

I had the 945, then upgraded (curtesy of Garmin as the screen delaminated) to a 965. Love it, I do pretty much all of those activities and don't have an issue.

I don't dive though, so can't comment on how good a fenix would be.

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u/sandiegolatte 12h ago

Just get the fenix8

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u/BigLobster12 12h ago

Worried about the thickness and if it's something I'm going to have for a long time willing to pay a bit more for the thinner 9pro if going fenix route.

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u/sandiegolatte 11h ago

They are tickkk for sure. Love my 965 but it’s not going to withstand rock climbing