GPs type watch , what do you use ?

[henmother]

Greetings ! Do you have a GPs watch ? I'm looking to buy one solely to record our rides. I used to use a marvellous app on my phone but it has started to seriously drain the battery . I have Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket and quite fancy a gps watch . I'll use it to record our hacks and use as a fitness tool to help me with hoss's fitness , rather than mine. Got a few pleasure rides lined up with my endurance expert yo so we need to be able to keep up the pace . I've done a bit research and it seems that the Garmin watches are most favoured . It doesn't look like there are any specific horsey models/settings , what do you use , and on what setting ? The phone app used to record , time / distance / average speed and fastest speed . That's what I'm looking for really . I've seen the garmin forerunner 305 recommended , does anyone use that ? Need a watch that doesn't need to connect to phone to work as I don't want my phone draining , I'd get shot with **** if I was riding without a charged phone . I could carry a power bank for phone but thought a watch would be easier . I need something that a small child could operate as me and technology aren't the best of friends . Thankyou kindly .

 

[Lintel]

I have a Garmin forerunner2.
I really just use my phone though, but the Garmin is good if I remember it. My partner have me it for Christmas about 4 years ago they are not to expensive to buy now either but I'm sure others will be able to suggest fancier things

 

[henmother]

Thankyou Lintel , I haven’t looked at the forerunner 2 so will check that out . Would prefer to use my phone but it’s not up to the job anymore Figured a nice gps watch would be considerably cheaper ( Thankyou fleabay ) than a new phone. I’m used to wife’s hand me down phones , can’t justify the cost of a new one .

 

[case895]

I have a Garmin vivoactive HR. Works fine.

 

[Amye]

My OH has a garmin. He does a lot of activities but using it for riding too, it tracks us on hack, measures our distance and speed etc it measures lots of other things too like elevation and stuff. He really rates it. It does connect to an app on his phone where you can look at even more stats but it doesn't need to be connected to work (so you can sync later on when your phone is charging).

I think he has the vivoactive 3 model, he got this as it's waterproof and he can track his swimming which the other models don't have. I'm sure the model below does all the tracking etc (it's just no use for swimming!).

 

[Floxie]

The Polar M200 has onboard GPS (don't need to carry your phone), and 'riding' is already one of the activities you can choose from, so you don't have to faff about choosing a different profile like you do with the fitbit It also charges of USB (not a propitiatory cable) and the strap pops off so you can replaced it if necessary. Oh, and it's waterproof, so easy to clean off the horse goo.

If you're into that sort of thing, you can export your session GPS to .gpx and import it to Google maps (build custom maps, share them etc). I'm currently making a hunting season map, but sadly only bought the thing halfway through so I'm missing a lot!

Biggest appeal to me was the price - they're about £130 at the moment.

Cons - it's a bit chunky (but anything with onboard GPS has to be) and the display isn't particularly pretty. That's all I can think of! Very pleased with it, having had a fitbit before.

 

[henmother]

Thankyou Amye , that sounds very similar to the app I was using on my phone so my tiny mind should be able to figure it out . I will have a little look online . Waterproof is essential as fairweather riding is not an option on my yard. Come rain, shine ,wind , sleet or snow , it's off we go .
Floxie, I fancied a Polar , my YO has one that measures horses HR ,she really rates it . I didn't realise they were that reasonably priced. thankyou for the suggestion .
Off to google , thankyou to all that have replied .

 

[Abbeygale]

I have a TomTom Spark 3. I liked it as it has the capabilites of tracking running / cycling / riding whatever, with onboard GPS, plus has 3GB storage for music also (although appreciate not suitable for riding with) but using this music and bluetooth headphones while mucking out is ace! PLus it can be used for swimming - so I figure its waterproof enough to cope with me and my horses splashing water around!

 

[PapaverFollis]

I've used Garmin 305 for years and my husband just bought me a 920 (?). Can't fault them. The 920 has triathlon setting so assuming it is waterproof for swimming. I haven't looked it up cos I don't want to know how much they cost :lol:

The 305 came on many many boggy, rainy fell running adventures with me back in the day. Definitely waterproof enough for wet weather riding. And it is still alive after nearly 10 years of use. Hubby was just spoiling me by buying me a replacement.