Fitness & Sports Watches

Discover How Good the Casio G-Shock Solar Watch is

Many of us invest in a new watch and find that it needs new batteries or charging time long before we are ready to take it off. If you are looking for a solution to this problem, then the Casio G-Shock Unisex Solar watch may be the perfect solution – check out our guide to find out more.

Casio Men's AWGM100B-1ACR "G-Shock" Solar Watch

Solar Rechargeable Battery
Full Auto LED Light with Afterglow
Multi-Band Atomic Timekeeping (US, UK, Germany, Japan, China)

What Type Of Watch Is a Casio G-Shock Solar?

As well as being a solar watch, the Casio G-Shock Solar is also a great sport and fitness watch that will provide accurate data and a range of features that will enhance your life. It uses the traditional Casio style and is not only great to look at but will provide dependable support in your everyday life.

How Well Is the Casio G-Shock Solar Watch Designed?

The most noticeable thing about the Casio G-Shock Solar is the fact that it is huge! It also weighs quite a lot at 100g and is very noticeable when you first wear it. Despite its size, it is still very comfy on the wrist and has a comfy strap that feels great and doesn’t rub or itch.

The screen is very typical of the Casio brand, and it comes with an LCD screen in black and white that produces a clear and easy to read display. The watch’s casing comes with five different buttons that you can use to navigate the watch, but this can be confusing and has not been built to be intuitive.

The watch offers seven different screen modes, which left us feeling like the design could have been streamlined better so that we weren’t left trying to work out what went where continually. This confusion is only added to when you find out it has six different clock faces to choose from too!

How Good Is the Battery Life On the Casio G-Shock Solar Watch?

If you want a watch that will provide you with outstanding battery life and a solar boost backup, then the Casio G-Shock Solar is a perfect choice! Casio state that one charge will keep your watch charged for a full year if you only use it in timekeeping mode! If you want to make the most of the in-built features, you will be more likely to get around three days of use if you don’t take it out in sunlight. However, the solar boost charging is great and will easily help your watch last significantly longer without any trouble.

What Fitness Features Does the Casio G-Shock Solar Watch Offer?

If you are serious about getting fit, then the Casio G-Shock Solar is a great way to achieve this goal with its range of running metrics and a whole host of great features that will help you accurately track your progress.

There is an in-built GPS to track where you have been and the terrain you have covered with it. We found the GPS to be pretty reliable when we tested it, but on occasions, we did notice that it logged distances on the conservative side, making us work that bit harder to log the miles we were trying to achieve.

The watch does much more than just telling the time and tracking your runs – it comes with a thermometer, a pressure sensor, compass, and an accelerometer that all provide accurate results in all situations.

It also has a heart rate monitor that will help you understand how well you are performing each time you go out and how that improves over time. It is built for outdoor living and will withstand all weather types and any bumps or falls that you may have to contend with when you are out and about.

Furthermore, we have to share the final feature; the watch is waterproof for up to 200 meters! This is excellent news because you don’t want to fuss with removing it when you are taking a dip but be warned that it does not track your swimming efforts because it is built to track running.

How Good Is the Casio Companion App?

The G-Shock’s companion app is called G-Shock Move app and is compatible with Android and iOS phones and tablets. The app is packed with features that help you to improve your overall fitness, mainly through running. It also gives you the ability to make your training plans to follow and then provides you with the data on how well you have achieved each time you complete a workout.

You can use the data insights to find out how your heart performs throughout the day and how quickly you can recover after exercise, giving you the information you need to improve your performance with ease.

From an ease of use perspective, you can also use the companion app to adjust your watch settings and program the goals you want to track. There are alarms that can be set from the app, and you can check that the software is up to date and functioning fully so that you have peace of mind whenever you need it. The app itself is easy to navigate and enhances the use of your new watch, allowing you to make the most of your new purchase.

Should I Buy a Casio G-Shock Solar Watch?

With a significant number of features and a great solar boosting battery, you are sure to enjoy this watch if you are looking for something rugged and tough. However, if you were hoping for a daintier version or wanted to export all your data, you may want to choose a different model instead. All in all, we love the robust design, the classic look that the Casio G-Shock Solar offers, and the great features that you can look forward to enjoying.

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Emma is an experienced Virtual Assistant and is our Copy and Visual Editor and Social Media Manager. When not working, Emma enjoys life with her little girl, partner and Jack Russell Terrier in the lovely countryside of the South West UK.

The Best Waterproof Watches for 2021

Having a waterproof watch is great for practicality, not having to think about removing your watch when it rains or taking a shower is definitely an advantage. We’ve compiled our best waterproof watches for 2021 below, however not all waterproof watches are the best at tracking swimming activities. If you are looking specifically for swimming watches, please check out our article here.

What do ATM ratings mean?

Most smartwatches, waterproof or not, now come with an ATM rating but do you know what this means?

Water Resistance

Your watch can withstand splashes and rain but is not suitable for swimming, showering or prolonged time in the water.

3 ATM

Your watch can withstand the same as above, but you can also keep it on during a shower.

5 ATM

Again, your watch can withstand all of the above and a time in the swimming pool; however, it is not suitable for water sports or diving.

10 ATM

These watches are suitable for all of the above as well as snorkelling but not diving.

20 ATM and above

At this level, watches are suitable for all aspects of water sports, including high-impact sports and diving.

The Waterproof Watches

Garmin Swim 2 – 5ATM

Apparent from the name, the Garmin Swim 2 is designed specifically for swimming and open water use and is a great choice if this is what you require from your smartwatch.

Garmin Swim 2, GPS Swimming Smartwatch for Pool and Open Water, Underwater Heart Rate, Records Distance, Pace,...

GPS swimming smartwatch for the pool and open water
Monitors underwater estimated wrist-based heart rate during swim activities
Pool swim mode: records distance, pace, stroke count, stroke type and SWOLF (gauges swimming...

Design

One of the best waterproof watches, the design is very much in line with other Garmin products; however, at a smaller 42mm, it is ideal as a unisex watch, and at just 36g it is light on the wrist, ideal for when you are in the pool. The display is transflective MIP (memory in pixel) makes it clear to read the screen underwater whilst not using additional battery life. Although this isn’t a touchscreen watch, it is easy to navigate, and the silicone strap is well secured with two loops, so you don’t have to worry about the watch coming loose as you swim.

Features

As a swimming watch, it has all the features you would expect, such as GPS for open-water swimming and the ability to track pace, stroke count, and SWOLF, ideal for pool swimming. Furthermore, it will let you know when you need to slow down or speed up with Critical Swim mode. Garmin has also added an excellent heart rate tracker monitored from the wrist rather than needing a chest strap. You can monitor your heart rate as your swim and rest, and further analysis is available on the Garmin Connect App. The Garmin Swim 2 does not have a great range of other smartwatch features as it is predominantly a swim watch; however, it does offer smartphone notifications, calendar, weather and sleep tracking. Unfortunately, the bigger features such as Garmin Pay and music are missing from the Swim 2.

Battery Life

The Garmin Swim 2 claims to give 7 days between charges when in smartwatch mode, 72 hours in pool mode and 13 hours in GPS mode.

Pros

Excellent for serious swimmers
Accurate heart rate tracking
Lightweight and secure on the wrist
Advanced swimming features

Cons

Limited smartwatch features
Battery life is not as long as the Garmin Swim 1

Garmin Vivoactive 4 – 5 ATM

Garmin is great at producing waterproof watches. The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is the follow up to the Vivoactive 3 and whilst not a swimming watch specifically it does offer great features and at 5 ATM is suitable for pool swimming. It is a great watch for runners, hikers, swimmers and generally anyone who loves to be outdoors, and all at a great price.

Garmin vivoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox...

Keeps track of your energy levels, Pulse Ox (this is not a medical device and is not intended for...
Easily download songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon music or Deezer (may...
Record all the ways to move with more than 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including yoga,...

Design

Apart from size, there has been very little change to the design and display since the Vivoactive 3. The Vivoactive 4 now comes in 45mm with a 1.3-inch display and 40mm with a 1.1-inch display. The two sizes make the watch ideal for all wrist sizes. The display is always-on, sunlight-readable, and housed under Corning Gorilla Glass.

Features

Packed full of features, it is hard to know where to start. This is a multisports watch and offers more than 20 preloaded sports including walking, running, golf, cycling, swimming, and using the Garmin Connect app, you can also design and download your own custom workouts. Furthermore, you can access the Garmin Coach and animated on-screen workouts such as Yoga and Strength training. With more and more emphasis on tracking our own health, the Vivoactive 4 offers several features such as stress, hydration and respiration tracking, and menstrual tracking for female users. There are also all the standard smartphone features you would expect including notifications, music and Garmin Pay,

Battery Life

Garmin claims up to 8 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 6 hours in GPS mode.

Pros

Feature-packed
Good battery life in smartwatch mode
Sleep tracking
Accurate health and fitness tracking

Cons

Only Android users can respond to notifications
Limited third-party app support

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 – 5 ATM

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a great all-around smartwatch, particularly for Andriod users, and whilst not a specific swimming watch, is still suitable for use in the pool.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm, GPS, Bluetooth) Smart Watch with Advanced Health monitoring, Fitness...

Better insights to reach your fitness goals get more out of every mile thanks to built-in pace...
Comfortably sleek the Galaxy Watch Active2 is light enough to wear anywhere comfortably; It comes in...
Keep your beat; You can see if your heart rate is where you want it with Galaxy Watch Active2; Get...

Design

The watch is available in stainless steel or aluminium and in two sizes. The 40mm weighs 37g in stainless steel or 26g in aluminium with a 1.2-inch display and the 44mm weighs 42g in stainless steel or 30g in aluminium with a 1.4-inch display. All designs are circular super AMOLED and feature full-colour always-on display. There are also various colours and watch faces to choose to truly make your watch your own.

Features

The Samsung Galaxy Active Watch 2 offers some great fitness features. It can track seven different activities including walking, running, cycling, swimming and rowing and the running coach gives you performance improving advice in real-time. Health features include stress tracking and guided breathing exercises for those times you need some peace of mind, and the heart rate tracking will send you an alert if your heart rate goes above or below normal levels. The watch will also track your sleep, hydration, caffeine intake and menstrual cycle. Whilst you can receive notifications, you cannot respond to calls, messages, or emails with the Galaxy Active 2.

Battery Life

With any watch, the battery life depends on usage; however, you can expect around 2 days of battery life with typical use. Furthermore, the watch charges wirelessly so no need for charging jacks or wires.

pros

Slim, lightweight design
Automatic workout tracking
Good battery life

Cons

Poor contactless payment support
Limited use with iPhone
Limited third-party app support

Fitbit Ionic – 5 ATM

Fitbit are another great brand for creating waterproof watches. Although there are newer models available, the Fitbit Ionic is still a great watch for 2021 and because it is not the latest model it is suitable for most budgets.

Fitbit Ionic GPS Smart Watch, Charcoal/Smoke Gray, One Size (S and L Bands Included)

Start dynamic, personalized workouts on your wrist with step by step coaching. Synchronizing range:...
Store and play 300 plus songs, and download playlists from Pandora. If the band sizes are small, it...
Use built in GPs to track pace, distance & routes and get pure, pulse continuous heart rate tracking...

Design

With an aluminium build, the Fitbit Ionic is extremely light compared to most other smartwatches, so it is great for all-day wear, which is needed to get the most accurate readings. It comes in three different colours and has a unique square design, for those that prefer a softer look or round watch may want to consider a different model. Furthermore, the full-colour touch screen is protected by Gorilla Glass.

Features

The Fitbit Ionic is suitable for tracking running, cycling, swimming and more and comes with built-in workouts that you can follow on the watch. With built-in GPS and an accurate heart rate tracker, this is a solid choice for fitness enthusiasts. The watch does lack a little in smart features. Fitbit Pay still works very well, and you can receive notifications; however, once you have received them, you can’t do very much, and longer messages or emails can not be read.

Battery Life

Fitbit claims to have up to 5 days of battery life but, as always, this depends on usage.

Pros

Good fitness features
Battery life
Fitbit Pay

Cons

Limited smart features
The design is not for everyone
Limited Apps

If you have enjoyed our article about waterproof watches then have a look at our article about great swimming apps to go with your watch

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The best Suunto Comparison you need for 2021

Here we’re going to dive into a Suunto comparison. Suunto us a multisport smartwatch brand from Finland, known best for the Suunto 9 watch. Furthermore, Suunto watches are well-known for their durability and high-quality build, enduring battery life and custom battery modes. So if you’re into ultramarathons, a Suunto will be the first brand you want to research.

Product	Rating
Suunto 9 Baro GPS Sports Watch, Black	No ratings yet	Check Amazon Price
Suunto 7 GPS Sports Smart Watch, Black Lime	No ratings yet	Check Amazon Price
Suunto 5 Lightweight GPS Sports Watch, All Black		Check Amazon Price
Suunto Spartan Sport (Wrist - Hr), Black		Check Amazon Price
Suunto Traverse Alpha - Foliage	No ratings yet	Check Amazon Price

Introduction to the Suunto Comparison

You know you can rely on a Suunto watch for being accurate thanks to the brand’s history. To explain, the founder of Suunto, Tuomas Vohlan, patented his liquid-filled compass 80 years ago. Now, this was a revolution because it provided a new level of accuracy in readings compared to dry compasses. And the company has only done more and better things in the 80 years since. Somehow, they’re still not as well-recognised as Fitbit or Garmin, but athletes in the know respect their wearables.

So, before investing in a Suunto watch, there are some things to think about. Firstly it’s going to be the price. As we said, the Suunto 9 is the most popular, but it’s the most pricey and you might not require all the functions it has to offer.

Therefore, the Suunto 3 or 5 might strike a better balance between functionality and price (the former being cheaper) with standard fitness tracking features.

At SuperWatches we like to recommend models with built-in GPS, as indeed you get with the Suunto 9 and Suunto 5. Meaning, you can be free of your smartphone whilst you’re out running, say. Of course, if you enjoy listening to music as you go, none of these will suit you as they don’t offer onboard music storage.

Instead, you get a decent multisport feature. For example, your Suunto would track your activities in minute detail. Like laps, lap pace (in real-time), and your max and averages, including for sports like cycling and swimming.

Suunto 9 Baro

First in our Suunto Comparison is the Suunto 9 Baro is all but the same watch as the Suunto 9 but with 2 differences. Firstly, the obvious one, being the addition of a barometer. Secondly, it has sapphire crystal glass protecting the display, meaning it’s scratch-proof. And for these two additions, you’ll have to pay 20% on top of the Suunto 9 price, but we think it’s well worth it.

Additionally, the Suunto 9 Baro’s features will be loved by mountaineers and trail runners who like to know the altitude differences during their sessions. More, the Suunto 9 Baro has a storm alarm which will let you know when you might want to skip that particular day or seek shelter if you’re already out. However, the good news is that these additional features don’t negatively affect the battery life, which is key for anyone who likes outdoor adventures.

Essentially, the Suunto 9 Baro contains all the features the brand could throw at it. Without them, the Suunto 9 is a lighter watch by 9g and is rightly a cheaper option.

Considering what you pay, you certainly get a lot of watch! And a big one at that. Compared to even Garmins, known for their bulk, the Suunto 9 and 9 Baro are sturdy pieces.

Although the Suunto 9 doesn’t have the barometer, it does have some redeeming features. Namely, the wrist-based heart rate monitor, touch screen, water-resistance up to 100m, vibration motor and battery modes enabling up to 120 hours of use.

Finally, the onboard compass is precise, too with a combination of GPS, GLONASS, QZSS and GALILEO.

Suunto 7

Next in our Suunto Comparison, we’re going to discuss the Suunto 7. And it’s niche because it fits into a strange corner of the market; somewhere between expensive fitness tracker and casual running watch. In fact, it’s more expensive than the Apple Watch 6 and Garmin Venu.

Now, that’s not to say it’s not a good watch! Indeed, the Suunto 7 has a lot to offer; a bright display, smart features, accurate HRM and on-board GPS. Plus, it has offline maps and heatmaps for running and cycling.

As for controls, it has a touchscreen and push buttons, which some runners find really useful. Inside is Wear OS software, providing navigational shortcuts for further ease of use.

If we were to create a spectrum from the Fitbit Versa 3 to the Garmin Forerunner 945, the Suunto 7 sits marginally closer to the latter. However, the Versa does beat the Suunto when it comes to battery life. Specifically, you can expect about two days between charges, which isn’t fantastic compared to dedicated running watches and even its siblings.

Finally, the biggest drawback with the Suunto 7 is the price because despite being a competitor to Apple, we can’t see anyone opting for a Suunto 7 over the Apple Watch.

Read our full review, here.

Suunto 5

So, the next model in our Suunto Comparison is the Suunto 5. What’s good about the Suunto 5? Firstly, it’s lightweight and compact compared to the others. So if you’re not looking for a bulky device, this is a great choice.

Despite being lighter, it has all the features the Suunto 9 has to offer you, including the two-week battery life and battery modes, global positioning and a wrist-based HRM.

Although you can’t have everything for a lower price, naturally, you compromise on the screen quality, 218 x 218px resolution. Now, that might not actually be an issue for you unless you get a lot of notifications, as some have said the small font is hard to read during exercising. But, really, you should be focussed on your session anyway!

All in all, it’s a wonderful everyday tracker, which is what it was designed to be. After you finish running, the Suunto 5 will tell you some handy post-run data, which is far more in-depth than any Fitbit or Apple Watch can currently give you.

Read our full review, here.

Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR

Second to last of our Suunto Comparison, the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is what the Apple SE is to the Series 6; a slightly leaner version in terms of features. Namely, it has the same screen and build, but it doesn’t have the fancy GPS or battery modes. However, some think it looks better.

For what you pay, you get a capable multisport smartwatch that is sturdy and water-resistant to 100m, offering two weeks battery in ‘Time’ mode. And as you’re not getting the battery modes, you’ll get 40 hours of battery life in activity mode.

Suunto Traverse Alpha

The final model of our Suunto Comparison, the Suunto Traverse Alpha. Although it offers less resolution of 128 x 128 pixels, it can track hunting and fishing!

This mode is useful for providing information like moon phase, sunrise alert, shot detection, weather and can be used during nighttime. Specifically, Suunto thinks they’re catering to a neglected market.

Additional to these features, you get sapphire crystal glass, scratch-proof, a water-resistant stainless steel case, 100 hours battery life and a backlight that doubles up as a flashlight.

That’s it for now, we hope you enjoyed our Suunto comparison article! If you’re interested to see how the Suunto 9 stacks up against another market-leader, check out our review against the Garmin Fenix 6, here.

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Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

How to discover which Garmin is right for you in 2021

Knowing which Garmin is right for you won’t be a difficult task with our comparison. There’s something for every user and budget. If you’re an athlete or a more casual smartwatch user with fitness interests, there’s a Garmin that will suit you.

Newbies will want to opt for the Forerunner 30, whereas the more serious athletes should look to the Garmin Fenix 6.

Note, this list isn’t definitive as there are many fantastic Garmin wearables you could consider. So, treat this as an overview of the spectrum that’s on offer.

Ultimately, none of the watches we recommend here will let you down, but we recommend you go on to read the full reviews of the ones you like the sound of here.

Here’s a quick overview of the models we’ve reviewed here

Garmin fenix 6, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, Heat and Altitude Adjusted V02 Max, Pulse Ox Sensors and...

Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch, Black - International Version - US warranty

Garmin 010-02063-00 Forerunner 945, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch with Music, Black

Forerunner 45 GPS Watch - Black

Garmin Fenix 6

The Garmin Fenix 6 is a fantastic outdoor tracking device. In fact, some hail it as the king of multisport wearables. But, if you like this device and worry about the battery life, you can check out the Fenix 6 Pro Solar, which is truly the very top of the line.

The Fenix 6 knows how to track most outdoor activities with GPS and a heart rate monitor. The cool thing is, it works even underwater (offering a 10ATM rating).

GPS catches on quickly and remains reliable and accurate. More, the battery won’t die on you too quickly in GPS mode, offering up to 36 hours. Altogether, this watch is a robust and reliable offering for outdoor enthusiasts.

However, the price tag may unsteady you and if you’re not there, maybe check out the predecessor, the Fenix 5 Plus. If the cost is still a factor, don’t worry, keep reading.

See how the Garmin Fenix 6 stacks up against the Suunto 9, here.

Garmin Forerunner 35

Jumping way down the price range here with the Forerunner 35. This is a more budget range watch with some decent functionality.

Notably, the biggest differentiator between the 35 and others was the introduction of a heart rate monitor. Because with a lot of Garmin models, you’ll want to check if you need to purchase an additional HRM strap.

The Forerunner 35 is lightweight and sleek. Specifically designed for those who go on a daily walk or run. More, it offers GPS which will keep an eye on your distance, intervals and pace. As it has the Garmin Elevate wrist hrm, there’s no need to bring your phone with you.

Garmin Forerunner 945

The Forerunner 945 is considered to be the best for runners. Granted it doesn’t have as many features as the Fenix 6, but that’s more of a multisport watch. So, if you’re into marathons, consider this one.

The hrm and GPS are incredibly accurate. Plus, the colour maps and two weeks battery life (when GPS mode is switched off) is highly-praised by runners.

While this is a watch for runners, it can track more than just the one sport. In fact, it offers 30 built-in activities.

However, if you’re a casual runner or gym-goer, keep reading as this may not be the Garmin for you. Mostly, this will suit those who want to keep a close eye on their data. Read our Garmin Fenix 6 versus Forerunner 945 article, here.

Garmin Forerunner 45

Next is the Forerunner 45, the successor of the Forerunner 35, released just shy of 2 years ago. As such, there are a few nice wellness additions which make the 45 stand out.

Whilst you get everything you would expect; a hrm, sleep tracking and smart features, you also get the new Body Battery feature.

Now, this is a metric from Garmin that we saw initially on the Vivofit 4. Specifically, it monitors your heart rate variability, stress and general activity to calculate an overall energy level, so you know the optimum time to train, so you don’t overdo it.

Overall, the 45 is a capable and inexpensive watch.

Garmin vivoactive 4S, Smaller-Sized GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts,...

Garmin Instinct Solar, Solar-Powered Rugged Outdoor Smartwatch, Built-in Sports Apps and Health Monitoring,...

Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3, GPS Smartwatch with Contactless Payments and Built-In Sports Apps, Black...

Garmin Forerunner 645 Music, Gps Running Watch With Contactless Payments, Wrist-Based Heart Rate And Music,...

Garmin Vivoactive 4S

Speaking of the Vivoactive, here’s the 4S. This has a much more modern design which is no larger than a typical smartwatch. Something unheard of when it comes to Garmin, traditionally known for their bulky wearables.

The Vivoactive 4S is only 40mm by 12.7mm and is a slimmer version of the 4.

More, it offers superb fitness tracking and built-in GPS that takes only a couple of seconds to find your location. Meaning you get an accurate record of your run or ride.

Finally, a nice touch is the sleep, and Sp02 tracking sensors which will keep an eye on you whilst you snooze at night.

Garmin Instinct Solar

The Instinct Solar grabs energy from the sun and has a potentially indefinite battery life thanks to the Power Glass screen. Even in GPS mode, good sunlight can ensure you can use this watch for days rather than hours.

Additionally, the Instinct range’s cool feature is the dual display that will show you information in a small window. If you’re using a Garmin, it’ll be because you’re interested in data and this feature is excellent for showing you exactly what you want at a glance.

However, that said, it is a bulky watch – not a surprise to many. So really this is a watch for outdoor enthusiasts more than wearing in the office, but that really is up to you. Luckily, the design means it’s incredibly robust and resistant to knocks from climbing and kayaking activities.

Read our Garmin Instinct Solar comparison, here.

Garmin Vivoactive 3

Next, the Vivoactive 3 is another data-oriented watch with excellent GPS and hrm, another great option for runners or those interested in their general activity levels.

The 3rd generation sees the addition of Garmin Pay and third-party apps like Accuweather and Uber. More, you can pick a watch face that suits you from the Connect IQ app.

Also, you get 15 sport mode options and 5ATM water-resistance. Meaning this is a great multisport option if you do a lot of different sports. It’ll give you a good 13 hours battery life which is more than enough to track your training sessions.

Finally, with a stainless steel bezel, it’s also a better-looking option compared to the Forerunners.

Read our full review, here.

Garmin Forerunner 645 Music

Finally, on the list, the Forerunner 645 Music is possibly the best value for money. Whilst it isn’t the only Garmin watch you can use for playing music, it’s the most convenient. As you can store around 500 songs on an offline playlist, so there’s no need to cart your phone around.

Again, a stainless steel bezel really makes the design of this model pop in comparison to clothes. With a decent multisport offering, you can wear it all the time, anywhere you like except if you’re into open water swimming or triathlons, which it doesn’t track.

All in all, this is a good-looking piece which would suit people who walk or cycle to work every day. Listen to music as you go, track your activity and no need to change your watch to suit your attire.

Have you found your perfect Garmin watch? Let us know in the comments.

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Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

Coros Apex Pro – Why this is a great watch for adventure lovers

Coros is underestimated when it comes to making great watches. Better known for their offerings aimed at distance and trail runners, mountain climbers and hikers of the US, over in Europe it’s a different story.

The Coros Apex Pro succeeds the Apex and sits at the top end of the premium sports watch market.

At a glance

If you’re used to Garmin, Suunto or Matrix, the Apex Pro is going to look more like a fashion watch. Being slimline and lightweight is a strange thing considering how much technology it’s packing inside. And once you’ve got it on, you’ll notice the silicone strap is soft, too. It has a heart rate monitor and oximeter in the belly, but you barely notice it on your skin where they’ve spared the weight in the use of titanium alloys, giving you a device weighing only 59g.

Overall, the feel is still one of high-quality, despite the weight. You get sapphire glass with an anodised body, and together you know this watch will last for years. Now, some might not be a fan of the bright green 22mm strap, but it also comes in black. Or, because the strap is interchangeable, you can put whatever you want on it.

Although the Apex Pro is aimed at triathletes and serious runners, it still comes with many sports functions (21 modes, to be exact). It’s best used with the Coros app, which is updated regularly. So your watch will improve with age, offering more functionality as the updates come in.

COROS APEX Pro Premium Multisport GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, 40h Full GPS Battery, 24/7 Blood Oxygen...

Titanium bezel with high-grade fiber watch body with touch screen enabled Sapphire glass
Stunning battery life with 30 days of regular use, 40 hours in full GPS mode and 100 hours in...
24/7 blood oxygen monitoring with altitude acclimatization assistance, wrist-based SpO2 sensor,...

Fitness tracking

There is both real-time and post-training data for you to analyse including:

Barometric pressure
Altitude profile and levels
Distance covered
Heart rate
Calories burned
Stairs climbed
Steps

What’s more, you can configure your Apex Pro watch face to show the information you want.

Navigation

Here is where a lot of brands will let you down. Because they’ll give you all the data, you could want, but make menu navigation so difficult you can’t get to it through all the options. However, the Apex Pro doesn’t do this. Used in conjunction with the Apex app, you can see your data in a clear graphical depiction, including demonstrating what muscles you’ve worked.

Firstly, you navigate your watch through a three-button format. Secondly, you use your crown to scroll, adopting a push motion to lead you smoothly to the sub-menu you’ve selected. Thirdly, the top button wakes the backlight so you can have the watch in night mode, which is not a drain on the battery, either. Finally, the button at the bottom will lead you back up the menu you were using.

Screen

The LED screen is very clear. But, when you set the watch up, be mindful of what watch face you choose. Because colours and styles are abundant, you could easily overload the data you want to be presented and end up not being able to see any of it. So the advice is that less is more.

To add, the screen itself is a touchscreen. And it’s nice to have this and the buttons depending on the activity you’re doing and how easy it is to scroll or click. When it comes to any device with a crown bezel, it’s really common to knock it during an activity, thus waking it, and going through all sorts of menus when you didn’t mean to. As a result, the Apex Pro has an automatic lock that prevents this from happening; press down on the crown.

COROS APEX Pro Premium Multisport GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, 40h Full GPS Battery, 24/7 Blood Oxygen...

Titanium bezel with high-grade fiber watch body with touch screen enabled Sapphire glass
Stunning battery life with 30 days of regular use, 40 hours in full GPS mode and 100 hours in...
24/7 blood oxygen monitoring with altitude acclimatization assistance, wrist-based SpO2 sensor,...

Battery life

The Apex Pro is a beast of a watch with 40 hours of use when you’re using every feature it has to offer. Including GPS mapping and all sensors firing. Which, when you remember it’s not a heavy watch, is an impressive feature given the capacity onboard.

If you don’t rely on the bells and whistles and turn them off, you can get up to 30 days between charges. Again, not something to be sniffed at. Moreover, it only takes around 2.5 hours to charge fully, so you don’t have to leave it overnight if you don’t want to.

If you want to preserve battery life, you can turn off specific features. What’s more, when in Running Mode you can use UltraMax GPS Mode. This ensures all sensors and algorithms used for accuracy are off and instead utilise the gyro, compass and barometer for an educated guess. Doing this will cost you the finite GPS details, but you’ll get a longer battery life out of it when you need it.

Heart Rate Monitor

No heart rate monitor on a fitness tracker is ever without some inaccuracies. But, the Apex Pro holds its own and when compared to other devices, will give you very similar readings. So the device is useful if you’re into knowing your heart rate zones rather than accurate reading of bpm or your resting heart rate.

As with the likes of Fitbit, you get a visual representation of your heart rate zones in a traffic light format.

Oximeter

Any watch catering to mountaineering and climbing should offer you a decent oximeter so you can monitor your SpO2 because this is vital in assessing your altitude acclimation. So when you enable this gesture on the Apex Pro, it’ll register your elevation above 2500 meters along with your SpO2. Then it compares this to your real-time heart rate to present you with the zones, so you know what’s safe.

GPS

GPS used to be sketchy at best when first introduced into sports watches. Now, Coros has an accurate and reliable offering, so long as you can get signal. Specifically, it might take a moment to get a signal. However, if it drops out, it’s quick to pick it back up again, alerting you with a gentle vibration.

Note: You do have to tell the Apex Pro when you’re starting some exercises as it won’t necessarily automatically register it. Don’t forget to hit ‘Go Now’.

Navigation

You’re able to preload your chosen route to the Apex Pro, using your app, which works with a good level of accuracy.

Overall

The Apex Pro is a nice alternative to bulky sports watches. It’s lightweight and slim but made of durable materials. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the battery running out.

The real-time information is a great feature for those who love detail, easily accessible thanks to the crown bezel.

You can also set the watch to tell you when to have a drink or snack. Something people often forget about.

The app isn’t overly complicated and offers some cool features like a heatmap of the muscles you’ve used.

Alternatives to consider:

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Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

Are Fitbit Badges the encouragement you need to smash your fitness goals in 2021

Fitbit Badges – How many of us have set fitness goals for the New Year and lost motivation within a few weeks? Many of us buy a smartwatch or fitness tracker with the idea that we will start to live a healthier lifestyle, but when the novelty wears off, it can be hard to stick to the healthy habits that you have started to form. To boost your motivation, Fitbit offers a badge reward system in which you earn more badges the more you do.

We took a closer look at the Fitbit Badges system so that you can understand what it could do for your motivation. Read on to find out more.

Daily Steps Fitbit Badges

Every step you take is calculated with your Fitbit, and the more you do, the more badges you can achieve. The first steps badge is awarded when you walk for 5000 steps in one day. They then go up in increments of five thousand until you hit 80,000, and then they go up in ten thousand up until the final 100,000 badge has been achieved.

Lifetime Distance Fitbit Badges

Unlike the daily steps, the lifetime distance badge calculates all the steps you have ever done and adds them up, earning you badges along the way. The first badge is achieved when you have walked the equivalent of a marathon and then continues to rise in miles until it reaches the final badge, which is awarded after 12,430 miles!

Daily Floors Fitbit Badges

Climbing up and down the stairs does not go unnoticed, and with the daily floors awards, you can set yourself a new challenge every day to hit as many steps as possible. Your first badge will be issued when you manage to climb up to ten floors over the space of twenty-four hours. If you want to achieve the toughest badge in this category, you will need to climb a whopping 700 floors in just one day!

Lifetime Floors Fitbit Badges

As with the lifetime distance, this badge accumulates the number of floors you climb and rewards you first when you hit the 500 mark. It is a well-known fact that ditching the elevator and escalator in favour of steps means you are more likely to get fitter quicker! The last badge in this category is awarded after you have completed a mammoth 35,000 floors!

Weight Goal Fitbit Badges

If you are on a weight-loss mission, then you can use your Fitbit to help you monitor your progress. You will get a badge as soon as you set yourself a weight goal, and another one, when you achieve your goal plus you, will also get a new badge every time you lose 5 pounds. With badges available all the way up to 200 pounds, there is no weight goal too big for your Fitbit to help you achieve.

Challenge Badges

As well as all the badges for your exercise and weight loss, there are lots of badges you can achieve by completing Fitbit challenges. These challenges include exercise, steps, and competitions and help you reach your fitness goals in a fun and exciting way. Decide which challenge you want to work on, set the start date, and then get to it!

How Can I See My Fitbit Badges?

If you are keen to check out the badges you have earned, you head over to the Fitbit app on your phone and click on your profile. In the profile area, there are the options to select badges, and by pressing on this, you will be taken to your full collection. The badge will be displayed along with the number of times you have achieved it, and when you click on an individual badge, it will tell you what you got it for and when you achieved it.

Can I share my Fitbit Badges?

Some badges will make you feel especially proud of your efforts, and so you will be pleased to know that you can share them with your loved ones so that they can see the progress you are making. To share your badges, click on the badge you want, and a share button will be available at the bottom of the screen. You can add a message or a status update, and then you need to choose where to share it. You may opt to share it within the Fitbit community, or you can even text, email, or add it to your social media for everyone to see. The choice is yours, and you will soon be enjoying the attention it brings you.

Can I Earn Badges If I Forget To Put My Fitbit On?

If you forget to put your Fitbit on, you will be pleased to know that you can add in any exercise or steps to the app so that your efforts do not go unnoticed. Unfortunately, not all the data you add can be used towards badges as the makers wanted to ensure that each step is accurately and fairly recorded. We know this is a bit annoying when you accidentally forget your tracker. Still, when you consider that most of the Fitbit devices don’t need daily charging, then you can be sure that you will be able to get the majority of your exercise loaded without any issue ready for those badges to come rolling in!

Why Are Fitbit Badges Good?

Now you have the lowdown on Fitbit badges, and how to earn and share them, you can start your collecting mission. We think that these badges are not just a fun way to track your progress but an easy way to get some motivation to improve on your own performance. Each badge has its own unique design, and you are sure to love the moment it pops up on your phone to tell you that you have achieved it. Like the sound of Fitbit badges? Why not treat yourself to a new Fitbit and start collecting yours today!

If this has encouraged you to make your next smartwatch purchase a Fitbit, check out our Fitbit Model Comparison.

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