"ABC" Watches

[iain_atkinson_1986]

Hi folks,

Having recently got a cheapo Fitbit knockoff I could now see myself wearing a proper sportswatch all the time. Can anybody recommend a reasonably priced ABC (altimeter, barometer and compass) watch?

I'm not totally averse to shelling out for a Garmin or Suunto but would probably have to go down the secondhand (no pun intended) route for that as I don't really want to drop 600 quid on a watch.

There seem to be tons of Casio options too but no idea if I'd be as well getting a lower spec Suunto instead of a higher spec Casio etc.

A watch with a compass, altimeter and pedometer would be ideal.

Cheers

[Scottk]

If you go down the pre used route, be aware that the Suunto app is now rubbish for older watches. My ambit 3 peak is great but the lack of support means I will be getting a Garmin next time.
I have a Casio pro trek but don’t use it as I find it too complicated to switch between modes and the back light is poor.

[tweedledog]

I've had a Garmin Fenix 3 for the last three years and find it does the job. I mostly just use the Walk/Hike Activities, but it has Garmin's customary array of other functions. Looks like it's available now for around £200 (provided you don't want built in heart monitoring). So, not up at your £600 mark.

[iain_atkinson_1986]

I've had a Garmin Fenix 3 for the last three years and find it does the job. I mostly just use the Walk/Hike Activities, but it has Garmin's customary array of other functions. Looks like it's available now for around £200 (provided you don't want built in heart monitoring). So, not up at your £600 mark.

Cheers.

Think I've narrowed it down to:

Casio SGW-1000 80 quid
Suunto Core 100 quid
Garmin Instinct 200 quid
Garmin Fenix (older model)

[weesmudge]

Fenix3 all the way canny fault mine like to use it for the altimeter whilst out walking great also for mapping my walks then transferring it over to the relive app for 3D mapping
Great watch in my opinion

[Marty_JG]

Aye but if he's definitely not going GPX tracking the Casio is much more affordable.

And you can bank on that Casio working in a decade's time, at least.

[jolly47roger]

I believe there are some models of Fenix that will display GPS maps.

[malrobb]

I think you have a good shortlist there. I have the Garmin Instinct and would definitely recommend it. It covers every sport, battery life is good, you can really customise it if you want and I think you can get it at a good price as they have the new solar charging ones out now. The Garmin Connect app is good and it also integrates with Strava,

[Wandererssolo]

I recently bought a Fenix 5 on sale. A lot less than RSP. Sportpursuit.com have one advertised but you need to register with the site before you can view. Worth the money if you can stretch above your budget

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/2088190

I bought a Garmin reconditioned watch for around £290 from amazon (currently £299). https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07N7Z6QQD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[iain_atkinson_1986]

Yeah, I think things are swinging more towards a Garmin. The only remaining question is just how badly I want to cripple my finances.

[WalkWithWallace]

Looks like you're swaying towards GPS watches, but the Suunto All Black Core is a classy watch if you're not fussed on GPS and a pedometer and the battery lasts over a year. I've also got a Casio SGW-450H-2BER, doesn't have a compass though.

[goral85]

By far the best site about 'wearables' is DC Rainmaker. Word of warning, the reviews are in depth are require a bit of time to go through #nerd.

I'm looking to buy a watch as well and currently swaying towards Garmin Instinct Solar.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/07/garmin-instinct-solar-review-whats-new-different.html

[iain_atkinson_1986]

Cheers for the input folks. Just ordered a Garmin Instinct. Amazon are selling them new for £170 as part of their Prime Day. Ended up with a much higher spec watch than I thought I'd be able to get for that sort of money.

[Caberfeidh]

Why bother with all that modern techonological stuff when you can simply carry a nice ship's binnacle?

Ship's Binnacle with compass, barometer and counter-balances.

[StewF]

Hi

Can you do a little review of you garmin instinct please.

Looks an interesting and useful watch

Like the idea of the gps nav and breadcrumb trail

Thank you