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Should you purchase the Garmin Venu or the Forerunner 645?

9 5 月, 2020 Courtney Lynch 0

Modern lifestyle watch

Garmin Venu

$297 at Amazon

Pros

Attractive AMOLED display
Pulse Ox sensor
Body Battery energy monitor
Music storage
Garmin Pay

Cons

Shorter battery life
More expensive
No advanced running features

if you consider yourself a smartwatch enthusiast, there are certain features you look for when shopping for a new wearable. Some examples might include a crisp display, mobile payments, music storage, and attractive design. The Garmin Venu has it all and then some.

Runner’s paradise

Garmin Forerunner 645

$238 at Amazon

Pros

Lightweight, workout-friendly design
Compatible with Garmin Running Power
Advanced running dynamics
Week-long battery life
Garmin Pay

Cons

Music version costs more
Lacks Pulse Ox sensor
No AMOLED screen

As a runner, there are just some things you can’t live without, like a proper running watch. The Forerunner 645 is overflowing with essential features, like multiple sport modes, advanced running dynamics, and much m…

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Should you buy the Garmin Venu or the Forerunner 245 Music?

8 5 月, 2020 Courtney Lynch 0

Ideal lifestyle smartwatch

Garmin Venu

$300 at Amazon

Pros

Built-in GPS
Music storage
Bright AMOLED touchscreen
Garmin Pay

Cons

Shorter battery life
Lacks advanced running features

In addition to built-in GPS and health/activity tracking, you’ll also enjoy some other wonderful perks on the Venu. This smartwatch boasts a colorful touchscreen, music storage, Garmin Pay, on-screen workouts, and more.

Runner’s dream watch

Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

$296 at Amazon

Pros

Built-in GPS
Music storage
Superior battery life
Advanced running features

Cons

Lacks touchscreen
No altimeter or Garmin Pay

The Forerunner 245 Music is specifically made for runners. That means you’ll get more than standard workouts and health/activity tracking. Some examples include training status, training effect, and training load.

Picking out a smartwatch isn’t as easy as it seems, especially when there are so many to choose from, like the Garmin Venu and the Forerunner 245 Music…

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Personalize your Garmin Forerunner 245 with a unique band

30 4 月, 2020 Courtney Lynch 0

While some fitness fanatics are perfectly content with the original band that comes with their smartwatch, others crave more. Whether you want a different material for better comfort or a more eye-catching look, there are plenty of options. Keep your active lifestyle in mind as you shop for a new band for your Garmin Forerunner 245. This wearable also comes in a music version, both of which are compatible with 20mm quick release bands. We’ve found some of the best options for you to choose from.

For the elite

Barton Elite Silicone Watch Band

Staff pick

If you’re looking for a high-quality watch band that can go the distance on every workout, this is an ideal choice for you. The durable silicone combined with the proprietary locking feature ensures your watch will stay in place during all of your adventures.

$20 at Amazon

Personalize it

JIELIELE LIghtweight Soft Silicone Band

For a skin-friendly band that’s lightweight and available in many unique designs, you’ll lov…

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These are some fancy new bands for your Garmin Venu

28 4 月, 2020 Courtney Lynch 0

Garmin is one of the most well-known names in the wearable world and rightfully so. The Venu is one of its latest releases and it’s quite a beauty. It’s compatible with 20mm quick release bands, so you’ll have an abundance of options when it comes to finding the right one for your needs. We’ve rounded some of the best picks to help you narrow it down.

For fitness enthusiasts

BIGTANG Soft Silicone Fitness Band

Staff Pick

If you’re planning to take advantage of all the wonderful fitness features on the Garmin Venu, you need a band that can handle your active lifestyle. These BIGTANG silicone bands are designed to be both strong and comfortable. The soft silicone has a unique textured finish and comes in seven cool colors.

$7 at Amazon

Best of both worlds

Ritche Premium Nylon Watch Band

These Ritche bands are made of a fine blend of premium nylon and leather. They’re built to be tough yet comfortable on the wrist. Not to mention they’re water-resistant, so you won’t ha…

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Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch or Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle?

23 4 月, 2020 Courtney Lynch 0

Traditional and timeless

Samsung Galaxy Watch

$259 at Amazon

Pros

LTE capability
Two size options
GPS, NFC, HRM
Rotating bezel
Good battery life

Cons

A bit rugged for some wrists
Notification support could be better

Prefer a more traditional watch with a rotating bezel and all? The Samsung Galaxy Watch was made for you. It comes in two large sizes with a colorful screen, big battery, and impressive health/fitness tracking perks. It’s gigantic, though, which may be a turn off for those who need something lightweight for their workouts.

Modern masterpiece

Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle

$295 at Amazon

Pros

Attractive design
GPS, HRM, NFC
Google Assistant
Music storage
New Snapdragon Wear 3100

Cons

Short battery life
Difficult to read in sunlight
No LTE

If you like to stay up to date with your smartwatch selection, you might prefer a newer device like the Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle. You can have it all with the Carlyle, too. It doesn’t have LTE but still comes with plent…

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Should you choose the Fitbit Charge 4 or the Garmin Vivoactive 3?

13 4 月, 2020 Courtney Lynch 0

The latest and greatest

Fitbit Charge 4

$150 at Fitbit

Pros

Onboard GPS
Heart-rate monitoring
20+ exercise modes
5 ATM water resistance
NFC payments
Seven-day battery life

Cons

More expensive
Only five hours of battery in GPS mode

Those who want a detailed tracking experience in the form of a compact yet powerful device will be in good hands with the Fitbit Charge 4. It has features like built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, 5 ATM water resistance, and other new perks that make it an attractive option.

A fine wine

Garmin Vivoactive 3

$130 at Amazon

Pros

Onboard GPS
Heart-rate monitoring
5 ATM water resistance
NFC payments
7-day battery life

Cons

Music storage model costs more
Older device
Only 15+ preloaded sports apps

The Vivoactive 3 isn’t the newest device on the market, but it still has plenty to offer in terms of activity tracking and smartwatch features. You’ll enjoy onboard GPS, 15+ preloaded sports apps, heart-rate monitoring, Garmin Pay, and m…

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Getting the best of both worlds with a hybrid smartwatch

10 4 月, 2020 Courtney Lynch 0

As much as we love the functionality that smartwatches offer, there’s no denying that traditional, non-smart watches look way better more often than not. Thanks to the competitive market for hybrid watches, it’s possible to get something that looks like a regular watch but still offers some of the best features of a smartwatch. If you think the hybrid life might be for you, here are the ones we recommend!

A hybrid done right

Fossil Hybrid HR

Staff pick

Fossil is one of the most popular watch brands on the market and its hybrid models are no exception. The Fossil Hybrid HR boasts over two weeks of battery life and has heart-rate monitoring, activity tracking, smartphone notifications, and music controls. It’s available in a variety of fashionable styles, too.

$195 at Amazon
$195 at Fossil

Minimal beauty

Skagen Connected

Our first pick on this list is the Skagen Connected. The sleek, minimalist design is something we can’t get enough of, with the 42mm case making this a…

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Should you buy the Fitbit Charge 4 or the Garmin Vivosport?

10 4 月, 2020 Courtney Lynch 0

Endless details

Fitbit Charge 4

$150 at Fitbit

Pros

Onboard GPS with 20+ exercise modes
Heart-rate monitoring
Mobile payments
Spotify Connect & Control
Seven-day battery life

Cons

Slightly more expensive
Larger body

The Fitbit Charge 4 is the latest addition to the company’s fitness tracker lineup. It’s designed with in-depth activity and health tracking in mind, so you get every detail regarding your health easily. You’ll also enjoy built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, 5 ATM water resistance, and seven days of battery life.

For casual athletes

Garmin Vivosport

$126 at Amazon

Pros

Onboard GPS
Heart-rate monitoring
Music controls
Always-on color display
Seven-day battery life

Cons

More affordable
Less appealing design

If you want accurate fitness tracking but don’t have a deep desire for extras, you might prefer something a bit more simplistic like the Garmin Vivosport. You’ll still have the essentials, like built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, 5 A…