Anyone have one?
I’ve been considering a smartwatch and looking at different options from the Apple Watch Series 8 through Fitbit’s new Sense 2, and think I’ve settled on a Garmin product as they are more focused on accuracy than wizbang “do it all, but not as well” ability of other smartwatches. There is a dizzying array of models available, but it seems the quatix 7 or fenix 7 are the best options for paddlers.
I mostly want to get one for tracking on-water speed accurately; I’ve been taking some forward stroke clinics and would like to see how I’m improving (my iPhone is not accurate enough to note minor changes in speed in real time). I’d also like to record tracks, distance paddled, speed along those tracks, heart rate (my family has a history of irregular heartbeats/racing so I’d like to have data to see if I’m experiencing anything concerning), managing stress, etc. There are some neat third party apps for the Garmin’s specifically for kayaking that seem handy, with cadence tracking and stroke counting abilities. The ability to install charts and tide tables is nice (though as a backup to paper maps), as are the sleep tracking functions and other typical benefits of a smartwatch (such as the ability to even tell time!!!).
The quatix and fenix seem pretty similar, with the quatix targeting boaters with the ability to connect to a boat’s chart plotter and electronics, which might be handy if I ever get a boat boat, but those features aren’t super relevant for paddlers except maybe the virtual starting line for racing. Not that I intend to race, but it might be fun to challenge myself to see how I can improve. There’s not a huge difference in price between the two (they’re both expensive), so I thought I’d see if anyone had thoughts or experience with either option, or have other recommendations.
Thanks!
I’ve been considering a smartwatch and looking at different options from the Apple Watch Series 8 through Fitbit’s new Sense 2, and think I’ve settled on a Garmin product as they are more focused on accuracy than wizbang “do it all, but not as well” ability of other smartwatches. There is a dizzying array of models available, but it seems the quatix 7 or fenix 7 are the best options for paddlers.
I mostly want to get one for tracking on-water speed accurately; I’ve been taking some forward stroke clinics and would like to see how I’m improving (my iPhone is not accurate enough to note minor changes in speed in real time). I’d also like to record tracks, distance paddled, speed along those tracks, heart rate (my family has a history of irregular heartbeats/racing so I’d like to have data to see if I’m experiencing anything concerning), managing stress, etc. There are some neat third party apps for the Garmin’s specifically for kayaking that seem handy, with cadence tracking and stroke counting abilities. The ability to install charts and tide tables is nice (though as a backup to paper maps), as are the sleep tracking functions and other typical benefits of a smartwatch (such as the ability to even tell time!!!).
The quatix and fenix seem pretty similar, with the quatix targeting boaters with the ability to connect to a boat’s chart plotter and electronics, which might be handy if I ever get a boat boat, but those features aren’t super relevant for paddlers except maybe the virtual starting line for racing. Not that I intend to race, but it might be fun to challenge myself to see how I can improve. There’s not a huge difference in price between the two (they’re both expensive), so I thought I’d see if anyone had thoughts or experience with either option, or have other recommendations.
Thanks!