Garmin Venu 2S Watch Silver

Love this watch. I upgraded from an Apple Watch series 3, and while I loved that watch and being able to respond to texts from my wrist, the vastly superior health and fitness tracking of the Venu 2s is well worth giving that up (if you have an Android, you *can* respond to text).The body battery and sleep score are really nice metrics and seem to track true to how I feel. They’re helping me get a better sense of when I need to call it a night and turn in.I compete in challenges via the Garmin Connect app, and have since upped my average daily step count to over 9,000 steps, increased my amount of vigorous activity per week, and have even dropped weight.Being able to see a map of my walks, colored by pace and coupled with heart rate is extremely nice. I’m able ... MoreLove this watch. I upgraded from an Apple Watch series 3, and while I loved that watch and being able to respond to texts from my wrist, the vastly superior health and fitness tracking of the Venu 2s is well worth giving that up (if you have an Android, you *can* respond to text).The body battery and sleep score are really nice metrics and seem to track true to how I feel. They’re helping me get a better sense of when I need to call it a night and turn in.I compete in challenges via the Garmin Connect app, and have since upped my average daily step count to over 9,000 steps, increased my amount of vigorous activity per week, and have even dropped weight.Being able to see a map of my walks, colored by pace and coupled with heart rate is extremely nice. I’m able to identify which routes are great for getting my intensity minutes done more quickly, versus if I have more time to take a more scenic, but still intense walk.Also of note: With emergency contact support and active route tracking, I can go out on new trails solo and know that if I were to get hurt, a notification can be sent to my contacts. I can do this from my phone, of course, but my phone is usually in a running pouch on my back so depending how I fall or how hurt I am, that may not be an option.Music control is flawless. Set it as a shortcut, and it’s easily accessible during a timed activity. You can play music straight off the watch or use it to control music, podcasts, or audible books playing on your phone.Connection to GPS before starting a timed activity is pretty quick, and I love knowing that GPS is not always on (the main reason the Apple Watch can only last a day and half or so).I use gestures, a live update watch face with heart rate sensor, do at least one timed activity a day with GPS, and interact with the watch throughout the day and I still get a good 7 solid days of battery.If you get this watch, you will not be disappointed.

Coming from the Vivoactive 3 (so, not really experienced many other brands apart from low-end Fitbit's previously), this is an exceptionally good upgrade. Initially waiting for the next version of Vivoactive but the Venu 2S looks and feels better than the Vivoactive 3 with a lower profile and an exceptionally great display. The display comes at a heftier price, not sure why, but ultimately you can see and read everything in all lighting conditions. Primarily using it to record the following sports - Running & Walking Daily, Cycling, Swimming, and workouts. As it's a new watch the battery life is very good and averaging at least two activities per day of 1hr each let's say - the battery has been lasting around six days. Another advantage is that I no longer need to ... MoreComing from the Vivoactive 3 (so, not really experienced many other brands apart from low-end Fitbit's previously), this is an exceptionally good upgrade. Initially waiting for the next version of Vivoactive but the Venu 2S looks and feels better than the Vivoactive 3 with a lower profile and an exceptionally great display. The display comes at a heftier price, not sure why, but ultimately you can see and read everything in all lighting conditions. Primarily using it to record the following sports - Running & Walking Daily, Cycling, Swimming, and workouts. As it's a new watch the battery life is very good and averaging at least two activities per day of 1hr each let's say - the battery has been lasting around six days. Another advantage is that I no longer need to set the lock screen as the Vivoactive would respond to anything touching it, whereas the Venu 2S is not affected by this. It has a number of sensors which has opened the Garmin app to give deeper insight into sleep and rest patterns and much more. Although on the slightly expensive side - The wife is happy with her birthday present for at least the next 3 years before another upgrade is due!

I was a Garmin user for a while (used a few forerunner models) but switched to an Apple Watch over the last several years. Recently, I’ve wanted a change so I bought this watch and have been wearing it all the time for a few weeks. Improvements over the Apple Watch: 1) much longer battery life; 2) simpler screen, which makes it less distracting during workouts and regular use (good quality of life improvement for me, but that’s your personal preference); 3) strap and lightweight face are very comfortable, even for constant wear (unlike the Apple Watch, which is feels heavy); 4) ability to calibrate your treadmill workouts—I have never understood why the Apple Watch would not enable this simple feedback (I’d have to imagine treadmill distance is pretty accurate). ... MoreI was a Garmin user for a while (used a few forerunner models) but switched to an Apple Watch over the last several years. Recently, I’ve wanted a change so I bought this watch and have been wearing it all the time for a few weeks. Improvements over the Apple Watch: 1) much longer battery life; 2) simpler screen, which makes it less distracting during workouts and regular use (good quality of life improvement for me, but that’s your personal preference); 3) strap and lightweight face are very comfortable, even for constant wear (unlike the Apple Watch, which is feels heavy); 4) ability to calibrate your treadmill workouts—I have never understood why the Apple Watch would not enable this simple feedback (I’d have to imagine treadmill distance is pretty accurate). Overall an improvement, though slightly less sleek in appearance than the Apple Watch.