Love my Fenix for MTB. You can download a gpx track and it will give you alerts, beeps and/or vibrations a bit before and at the intersections and will show an arrow pointing to which direction to go next. You can also use the map with an overlying track to see where you are. No more stopping to take out my phone to check where I am on the map. Great for new and unmarked trail systems.
Does anyone use a Garmin watch for trail routes instead of a computer?
I've never used a smart watch before and have only be using my phone mounted on my bars to follow pre-defined trail routes, especially new places. But breaking mounts and draining my phone battery is getting old. So I'm shopping for a Garmin Fenix 6 Pro at the moment and it has a really cool feature where you can load the map to the watch and it will keep you on course. I'm not sure how practical that would be to use out on the trail but it has incredible battery life and it's better than using my phone.
I'm not quite ready for a dedicated bike computer and the watch would be for other activities as well. Just wondering if someone uses their Forerunner or other watch that way.
This came up because I want to enter a race next year and they posted a Garmin map that I can load into the app to test ride the route. I thought this was a really cool feature to get ready for the race.
I'm not quite ready for a dedicated bike computer and the watch would be for other activities as well. Just wondering if someone uses their Forerunner or other watch that way.
This came up because I want to enter a race next year and they posted a Garmin map that I can load into the app to test ride the route. I thought this was a really cool feature to get ready for the race.
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I've a Garmin Instinct as well as a Garmin 1030 and Hammerhead Karoo 2. I have navigated with a GPS to do turn-by-turn directions of a complicated single track system. I had never ridden this trail system before so needed TBT. Using my 1030 I paid zero attention while moving to the GPS, I needed all my attention on the trail. I only paid attention to the HGPS when I was at intersections where it then gave me accurate turn info. Having used (briefly) my Instinct on a bike,, the size of the watch face poorly lends itself as a bike computer, even mounted on the h-bar (Garmin makes an h-bar mount). I would not want a screen much smaller than a 1030 or K2. As well, viewing any kind of mapping detail on a watch is impossible, the image is too small and in general, a device such as an Edge 830,, 1030 or K2 which has a touch screen, is much, much easier to do zoom and pan. can you use a watch ?, Yes. But a dedicated computer, or even a smartphone is a better tool.
I have to try this on my Garmin Instinct. I am very deaf and wouldn't hear audible alerts, but would feel the buzzing on the watch. Unfortunately, Garmin Connect has piss poor route creation for the trail system near me, so I have to figure out how to do it in Trail Forks and port to RWGPS and then to the watch.Love my Fenix for MTB. You can download a gpx track and it will give you alerts, beeps and/or vibrations a bit before and at the intersections and will show an arrow pointing to which direction to go next. You can also use the map with an overlying track to see where you are. No more stopping to take out my phone to check where I am on the map. Great for new and unmarked trail systems.
Thanx for the replies guys. This was the kind of info I was looking for. I know that using a watch screen is not ideal for directions on the trails, but it will be better than nothing on long rides until I get a bike computer. As soon as I get approval I'm going to pull the trigger on a Pro model.
I will echo this sentiment. I sometimes use my Fenix 5 to record rides instead of my Edge 830 when I know the trails and don't need mapping. However if I need the mapping function the watch screen is too small and just not very convenient. The Edge is better in every way for any kind of cycling.I've a Garmin Instinct as well as a Garmin 1030 and Hammerhead Karoo 2. I have navigated with a GPS to do turn-by-turn directions of a complicated single track system. I had never ridden this trail system before so needed TBT. Using my 1030 I paid zero attention while moving to the GPS, I needed all my attention on the trail. I only paid attention to the HGPS when I was at intersections where it then gave me accurate turn info. Having used (briefly) my Instinct on a bike,, the size of the watch face poorly lends itself as a bike computer, even mounted on the h-bar (Garmin makes an h-bar mount). I would not want a screen much smaller than a 1030 or K2. As well, viewing any kind of mapping detail on a watch is impossible, the image is too small and in general, a device such as an Edge 830,, 1030 or K2 which has a touch screen, is much, much easier to do zoom and pan. can you use a watch ?, Yes. But a dedicated computer, or even a smartphone is a better tool.
The Fenix is awesome but honestly has a ton of features I never use. The main reason I bought it was for open water swimming. If you don't need that but want most of the other functions (running, golf, sleep & activity tracking, etc.) you could always get something like a Vivoactive 4 and an Edge 530 for only slightly more than the Fenix 6. Best of both worlds.
Have had numerous computer and watches bottom line watch ok for recording a ride wont be as accurate though but close enough, mainly had have issues with accurate elevation, if want to see your data during the ride computer on the bars only way to go. I have had almost every version of the 500 and definitely like the 520 plus.
As far as selection agree above get a less expensive smart watch maybe an Instinct and a bike computer like 520 or 530 (I have some used 520s laying around PM will let go real cheap)
As far as selection agree above get a less expensive smart watch maybe an Instinct and a bike computer like 520 or 530 (I have some used 520s laying around PM will let go real cheap)
I love the F6 myself. I don't do a lot of mapping on it, but I can and do on rare occasion.
way too small - I have a fenix 6.
Bought an Edge Explore and still too small
Upgraded to the Edge 1030 is barely big enough and still requires me to zoom in and out.
Bought an Edge Explore and still too small
Upgraded to the Edge 1030 is barely big enough and still requires me to zoom in and out.
Garmin 945 here.
Has mapping, but I'd only use it if I had to.
My Garmin 530 and Stages L50 do it at a level where you don't have to stop to see the map.
Has mapping, but I'd only use it if I had to.
My Garmin 530 and Stages L50 do it at a level where you don't have to stop to see the map.
Garmin Instinct Standard edition is on sale currently from $300 to $170. I love mine, not a runner, just tracking some rides (which I'm do anyway on my Edge 1030) and swimming. Has a lot of great features at a great price for all it does,.
I'm rethinking this decision based on this feedback. This is new to me and I do see the benefit of having a bike computer for mapping, but I don't think I'm ready for that yet. Besides, health insurance will bay for the watch but not a bike computer. So I may go all out with a 51mm mapping watch or settle for a basic GPS + heart rate monitor and live with tracking. The mapping would be more of a novel feature used occasionally. But it sure would be nice just to have. IT's just right there on your arm if you get lost.
I have a Felix 5 and absolutely love it. The mapping on it however leaves a lot to be desired. Only so much you can stick on such a small screen. If you don’t need that and know where you are going then it works great.
Just to follow up - the watch worked great!
It’s not a bike computer replacement, but I tried it on the race course today to learn the course, and it was such a big help. It just basically kept me on course. It was easy to glance at the watch and see the course. If I went off, it would beep to let me know. After the 2nd lap, I didn’t have to look at the watch anymore. This was just what I needed.
I ended up getting the Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire since they were on close out. It’s an amazing watch! Highly recommend.
It’s not a bike computer replacement, but I tried it on the race course today to learn the course, and it was such a big help. It just basically kept me on course. It was easy to glance at the watch and see the course. If I went off, it would beep to let me know. After the 2nd lap, I didn’t have to look at the watch anymore. This was just what I needed.
I ended up getting the Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire since they were on close out. It’s an amazing watch! Highly recommend.
Basically the high strength, bigger screen, heavier version of the 945.I ended up getting the Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire since they were on close out. It’s an amazing watch! Highly recommend.
I have a 945 watch and it is working for 2-3 years. I put a inexpensive plastic watch protector on it. Enjoy it so far.
Apple told me to ship a faulty Apple TV and my AirPods Pro that screeched painfully in my ears.
Apple lost both and made me drive to FEDEX and hassle them about my tv and buds. Since the box and shipping info were supplied by apple FedEx could not help.
Later I found out, Apple destroyed my Apple TV without asking, or notifying me!! When I asked about why they would destroy my Apple TV without my authority or even bothering to try to notify me they had no response basically just said F you.
They eventually sent back my AirPods Pro with no repair or replacement and said I could buy a new pair for full price.
Apple told me to ship a faulty Apple TV and my AirPods Pro that screeched painfully in my ears.
Apple lost both and made me drive to FEDEX and hassle them about my tv and buds. Since the box and shipping info were supplied by apple FedEx could not help.
Later I found out, Apple destroyed my Apple TV without asking, or notifying me!! When I asked about why they would destroy my Apple TV without my authority or even bothering to try to notify me they had no response basically just said F you.
They eventually sent back my AirPods Pro with no repair or replacement and said I could buy a new pair for full price.
Welcome to the world of Apple where a tiny scratched will deem your warranty void. I have move out from Apple realm eons ago.I have a 945 watch and it is working for 2-3 years. I put a inexpensive plastic watch protector on it. Enjoy it so far.
Apple told me to ship a faulty Apple TV and my AirPods Pro that screeched painfully in my ears.
Apple lost both and made me drive to FEDEX and hassle them about my tv and buds. Since the box and shipping info were supplied by apple FedEx could not help.
Later I found out, Apple destroyed my Apple TV without asking, or notifying me!! When I asked about why they would destroy my Apple TV without my authority or even bothering to try to notify me they had no response basically just said F you.
They eventually sent back my AirPods Pro with no repair or replacement and said I could buy a new pair for full price.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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