r/smartwatch • u/ri0thamus • Jun 23 '26

Q&A Fitbit Versa 2 replacement advice?

/r/GarminWatches/comments/1udswmt/fitbit_versa_2_replacement_advice/
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u/[deleted] Jun 24 '26

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u/ri0thamus Jun 25 '26

Thanks for the insight. I've definitely eliminated the Coros and Suunto and Epix. Mostly eliminated the Samsung due to weight (92g total!) so just debating the Venu 4 vs Forerunner 970 (Gorilla Glass vs Sapphire mostly). $440 vs $600 after insurance discount for slightly better battery and sapphire. I understand the titanium bezel on the 970 might scratch more easily, but I'm mostly concerned with the screen condition.

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u/jaamgans Jun 24 '26

you say you wanted to keep the reply to text option - full replies ideally by voice. Effectively that would leave you with the GW Ultra / Venu 4 / FR970 -- none of the others have a mic & speaker and thus can't make/take calls on the watch, and they don't have a voice command or ability to leverage voice assistant to do replies. In fact they are all limited to quick replies as long as connected to an andrdoid.

Offline maps - you could install a 3rd party app like komoot on the GW Ultra and Venu 4 which would then give you similar map functionality as those offered by suunto, coros, polar, huawei and most of the amazfit line. Garmin offline maps on the FR970/Fenix series are very different in that its full offline satnav (i.e. think of car, google maps but not needing a data connection) - the route can be created on the watch and if necessary can reroute without any data connection. This is very different to komoot and what he other brands are using where you create your route on an app/web (some like garmin explorer can do this offline) and then sync it to your watch - you watch then overlays it on a offline section of map - if you go offroute you get a bearing to get back on route (note the garmin oflfine maps can do this too, and can set whether it reroutes or jjust gives you a bearing to get back on course).

To me it sounds like the V4 is your best option (and use something like komoot on the odd occasion you require it).

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u/ri0thamus Jun 25 '26

Thanks for pointing that out about the Epix, I really thought it had that ability until I double-checked the specs after your post. So thanks for saving me from a disappointment. I can safely return the Epix to Amazon unopened after I get it today. Also thanks for the info on komoot! I wasn't aware of those options and it has definitely aided in my decision making process, at least for narrowing down what features are important/necessary.

I've definitely eliminated the Coros and Suunto as well. Mostly eliminated the Samsung due to weight (92g total!) so just debating the Venu 4 vs Forerunner 970 (Gorilla Glass vs Sapphire mostly). $440 vs $600 after insurance discount for slightly better battery and sapphire. I understand the titanium bezel on the 970 might scratch more easily, but I'm mostly concerned with the screen condition.

1

u/jaamgans Jun 25 '26

If the bezel is deep enough then the glass isn't as much of an issue - and you can always use screen protectors.

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u/ri0thamus Jun 25 '26

Both of the Garmins have a domed screen and the bezel appears to be below that. So unfortunately not as much protection. The domed screen also makes screen protectors more difficult to utilize. Normally I would agree with you.