I’ve split this down again as it was getting unweildy and I think there is some more value I can add given some space. Feedback on the new formats welcome. Also, this way Garmin isn’t at the top all the time so it’s a little more fair to the others. In case nobody noticed the old style was always alphabetical order for fairness.
Garmin Update
Garmin Watches
Garmin Bike Computers
Garmin Update
Edge Explore
5 Plus
VA3 Music
Fenix 5 gets Galileo
Elsewhere on the web, here are some recent Garmin stories:
Garmin * Fenix 5 Original * GETS GALILEO NOW – beta for 5, 5S, 5X and Chronos
Garmin 935 GETS GALILEO
Garmin
| Range | Manufacturer | Device | Current Speculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fenix Series | Garmin | Fenix | Don’t buy – this is very old |
| Garmin | Fenix 2 | Don’t buy. This is pretty old and is quite dated from a technology standpoint. The new generation Garmin range really is a lot better. | |
| Garmin | Fenix 3 Fenix 3 HR, Quatix 3, D2 Bravo, Tactix Bravo | This has been superseded. I’ve downgraded to red because updates and features are gradually disappearing. Let’s be clear though, this is still a very capable watch and I would have no problem buying and using one for the right price on the understanding that it is what it is and won’t get new features. | |
| Garmin | Fenix 5, 5s, 5X, Quatix 5, D2 Charlie, Tactix Charlie | Released in January 2017 so this watch is not dated and will be very well supported throughout the next year (2018) at least. I’ve put back to green because of the release of Fenix 5 Plus which seems similar enough that we can expect another year of reasonable support on the 5. | |
| Garmin | Fenix 5 Plus | Finally arrived in June 2018 including the Ti model(s) we predicted after the D2 Charlie arrived. These are SO expensive though 🙁 | |
| Garmin | Fenix 6 | with the Fenix 5 Plus in June 2018 don’t expect to see the Fenix 6 until January 2020 | |
| Garmin | Fenix Chronos | Buy if you |
|
| Mapping and hiking specific | Garmin | Epix | Don’t buy. This experimental watch led to the Fenix 5X but firmware updates have all but stopped on this device despite numerous bugs |
| Garmin | Epix 2 | Abandoned, the Epix has been replaced by Fenix 5X | |
| High end Triathlon 9xx | Garmin | Forerunner 910XT | Don’t buy – this is very old |
| Garmin | Forerunner 920XT | Has now been replaced, but this is a very capable and mature device (October 2014). If it’s cheap I’d certainly get one on the understanding that no new features will be coming. | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 935 | Has arrived at last (March 2017) so is fresh and good to buy. Uses Fenix 5 firmware so pretty safe from bugs. no current rumours of a replacement, although a Fenix 5 plus equivalent may appear | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 935 Plus | Personally I don’t see this happening but if it does it’ll be at one of the big marathons in 2018. The 920XT didn’t get an update when the Fenix 3 HR appeared… | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 945 | Expected early 2020 | |
| Midrange Triathlon 7xx | Garmin | Forerunner 735XT | If it’s cheaper than the FR935 then great, otherwise definitely go for the FR935. May 2018 is the earliest we’d expect replacement but with the Forerunner 935 in the mix it may be dropped as it was an interim solution using FR235 hardware before F5 hardware was finalised. |
| Garmin | Forerunner 745XT | I just can’t imagine why this would exist so have marked it Grey as “not happening”. Maybe I’m wrong. | |
| High end running 6xx | Garmin | Forerunner 610 | Don’t buy, this is very old (2011) |
| Garmin | Forerunner 620 | Don’t buy, this is very old (2013) | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 630 | Don’t Buy – this is still fairly new but is already on the “previous models” (aka “dead to me”) page at Garmin. The 645 is clearly the future here and is a much more capable device | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 645/645 Music | Launched January 2018, earliest replacement likely January 2020 | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 655 | Expect in around January 2020. The “Music” suffix will disapear since music will be standard in the next model | |
| Midrange Running 2xx | Garmin | Forerunner 210 | Don’t buy, this is very old (2010) |
| Garmin | Forerunner 220 | Don’t buy, this is very old (2013) | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 230 | Don’t Buy – This range has ended with OHR models taking over everywhere | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 225 | Don’t buy. Garmin immediately replaced this with the 235 using their own sensor. | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 235 | Wait. Garmin have released the 645 which kinda takes over this range. The 235 is fairly dated compared to newer watches but still fits the bill as a great running watch. | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 245 | Missing in action, should have launched alongside the Forerunner 645. Garmin have released the 645 which kinda takes over this range and didn’t include a 245 yet which may not even fit into the range given the lower cost of the 645 | |
| Budget Running 0xx | Garmin | Forerunner 25 | This has been out a while (August 2015) and has been sorta replaced with the FR30. Still cheap and capable though |
| Garmin | Forerunner 30 | released September 2017 | |
| Garmin | Forerunner 35 | Buy – this is still fairly new (September 2016). September 2018 would be the soonest we’d expect a replacement. | |
| Fitness | Garmin | Vivoactive | Replaced by the Vivoactive HR and on the “previous models” (aka “dead to me”) page at Garmin. |
| Garmin | Vivoactive HR | Don’t buy unless you get a good deal. This is still quite new but has been superceded by the Vivoactive 3 which seems to add a lot of things including wrist based payment. Not quite ready for a red grade yet, this is still a great watch | |
| Garmin | Vivoactive 3/Music | Buy, this is just released in August 2017 so August 2019 is the probable replacement. | |
| Garmin | Vivoactive 4 | Late 2019 is the earliest we expect this model. Expect the Music tag to disapear as music will be standard accross all but the cheapest watches by then. |
Garmin Bike Computers
| Range | Manufacturer | Device | Current Speculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| High End 1xxx | Garmin | Edge 1000 | Buy if you get a really good deal, this was overdue for replacement and very, very old for a current device (2014!) even when replaced in August 2017. This is cheap everywhere now, and still a good device but only a little cheaper than the Edge 1030. |
| Garmin | Edge 1030 | Finally arrived in August 2017. Likely replacement…2020! Although I can imagine a 2019 update so we’ll wait and see | |
| Garmin | Edge 1040 | Keep calm and wait until 2020! | |
| Midrange Map/touch 8xx | Garmin | Edge 800 | Don’t buy, this is very old (2010) |
| Garmin | Edge 810 | Don’t buy, this is very old (2013) | |
| Garmin | Edge 820 | Buy, this is quite new. July 2018 is the earliest we’d expect replacement although 2019 more likely | |
| Garmin | Edge 830 | Summer 2019 | |
| Midrange Map/buttons 5xx | Garmin | Edge 500 | Don’t buy, this is very old (2009) |
| Garmin | Edge 510 | Don’t buy, this is very old (2013) | |
| Garmin | Edge 520 | Buy, this is current, although may be replaced around Jan 2019. Kinda sorta replaced by the plus model | |
| Garmin | Edge 520 Plus | Buy, this is current, although may be replaced in 2019. Too similar to the old 520 to be a safe bet | |
| Garmin | Edge 530 | Summer 2019, expect a single model with maps like the 520 plus | |
| Budget 2xx & 1xx | Garmin | Edge 200 | Don’t buy, this is very old (2011) |
| Garmin | Edge 130 | Due to be announced before 3/5/2018, already on the FCC Site | |
| Garmin | Edge 140 | Not before May 2020, probably May 2021 | |
| Basic | Garmin | Edge 20 | While this is current, it’s due for replacement in 2018. It’s possible this replacement will be pushed back though, as there’s very little to change on these devices. With the Edge 130 this range may disapear altogether, or just hang around as an ultra low cost alternative |
| Garmin | Edge 25 | While this is current, it’s due for replacement in 2018. It’s possible this replacement will be pushed back though, as there’s very little to change on these devices. With the Edge 130 this range may disapear altogether, or just hang around as an ultra low cost alternative |
Hello,
Thank you for this excellent list.
QQ: do the high end running watches have a multisport function? Can they be used for triathlon?
Please advise 🙂
Megan
dcrainmaker.com is the best place to check that sort of thing. His product comparison calculator includes most devices. I believe the answer is no for the running watches though.
Yes – 735 and higher models such as FR 935 and any future releases Garmin make of these variations support multi-sport and Triathlon features.
I don’t know why this link is so hard (https://explore.garmin.com/en-GB/forerunner/) to find but if you compare current devices you will see on the comparison table a feature specifically called “Auto/manual multisport”.
I believe just the 700 and 900 series and Fenix series watches have true multi sport mode. You can fake it with a vivoactive with a connectIQ app, but its rubbish and doesn’t record each event and transition separately.
Looking forward to your next update! I have the 645, absolutely love it. But it is $$$. About to go buy a watch for my wife, she’s running as well. It’s a toss up between the Instinct, vivoactive 3. Might also go down the 235 path, with a direct upgrade to the 245, whenever it comes out.
Cheers!
I wouldn’t go 235 at this stage as it’s quite old hardware wise and you can get better devices for the money. Vivoactive is a great device and for a runner probably matches the 235. The Polar M430 is very cheap these days and would be a good option although dated. Of course, if you really loved her then you’d get a Fenix 5s Plus in rose gold…;)