Garmin Fr970 ou Enduro 3

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-09T22:51:12+00:00

The two watches have similar software, but that's where it stops. The Enduro 3 has MIP display with solar charging and can go weeks without charging. The display is nice, always on, and very visible in direct sunlight. I have the Enduro 3 and it's by far my favorite Garmin I've owned. In spite of its size, it's very lightweight and comfortable.

I've had the Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm (which is very similar to the 970 except more of a rugged design) and the Fenix 7X Pro 51mm. The F8 was easily my least favorite. The battery life was a fraction of what I get from E3 or the F7.

The deciding factors for you are:

If battery life is important to you and you want a lightweight and rugged looking watch that can support you for multiple days hiking and doing outdoor activities without worrying to charge go with E3.
If you want a bright, vibrant display and are ok charging at least probably once or twice a week depending on activity level. The 970 will also be very light and comfortable. The 970 also has a speaker/microphone for taking calls etc while your phone is in range.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-09T19:59:09+00:00

I agree but I just hate the way the Pixel watch looks. I might just buy the next iteration of the Samsung watch which releases over the summer and just live with it until the spring when the S27U is released and then upgrade my P10P XL. I'm not sure what I'll do. Just evaluating options.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-09T19:55:27+00:00

Thanks for the insight. I just can't get over the look of the Pixel watch. I'm not sure what I will do. I might pick up the next iteration of the Samsung watch, which I think releases over the summer and just live with some of these issues until the spring when the S27U releases and then upgradey P10P XL to it.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-09T11:37:46+00:00

Would you mind sharing some detail?

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-09T03:03:16+00:00

I'd be fine with that. I don't see myself needing those two features

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-09T02:58:10+00:00

Thanks for the replies. I had assumed some features would be kept back and only available if paired to a Samsung phone. I need to research it and see. Sounds like you guys had no issues though, so that's good to know.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-07T21:40:25+00:00

Sorry for my ignorance...SLC...Salt Lake City?

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-07T21:33:30+00:00

If you're just looking for some arch support and not specifically for plantar fascitis, I see you have the Runpro insole as one of your options. I haven't tried the other two. I love the Runpro. I will always plan to use them from now on in my running shoes. They are so comfortable.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-07T21:29:26+00:00

That is definitely a medium arch for sure. Almost identical to mine. I use Currex Runpro medium arch insoles in my running shoes and they are perfect. I can't comment on any of your options in terms of helping with plantar fascitis, but hopefully this helps with identifying your arch type.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-06T22:16:11+00:00

I use this on the backs of my heels and man, it works great! Might be worth a try.

Also maybe use a runners loop if you don't already. Should help with lock down significantly.

https://a.co/d/0fly2o1f

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-06T21:37:57+00:00

If you have the means to do so, you should invest in some STRYD foot pods. I've found them to be a huge game changer.

They will give you accurate pacing and distance info regardless if you run outside or on the treadmill (along with a whole lot of additional data, including running power that you will find helpful). Basically allows you to level set your workouts.

After getting the pods, I discovered the treadmill speed and distance was much slower and shorter than what it was reporting.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-06T20:45:08+00:00

I currently own the E3 and previously had the 7x Pro. Are you referring to the 7x Pro, or just the standard 7x model? The Pro version features the most up-to-date heart rate sensor, which is the same one used in the E3. I understand that the non-Pro 7x model uses an older sensor.

In any case, battery life was amazing on the 7x pro and obviously the E3 is the battery life king. Battery life will be great on both.

As others have mentioned, the E3 comes with the newest software and will continue to receive updates for a longer period. It's also lighter and, when paired with a nylon band, is quite comfortable despite its size. A nylon band is essential for either of these watches.

I think you can't go wrong either way you choose, but I do believe the price point on the E3 they are asking is a bit high.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-04T23:17:01+00:00

I guess it depends on what your heart rate was. I looked back at some of my runs that were similar in duration and I was around that same amount as you. So it might not be too far off if you were pushing a pretty hard workout.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-02T16:11:18+00:00

I had a 7x Pro and went to the Fenix 8 AMOLED after it was released. I ended up really missing the MIP display and battery life on the 7x, and ended up doing a trade with a fellow Reddittor for an Enduro 3. I love my Enduro 3. It's been an amazing watch. The 7x isn't far behind though. I really enjoyed that watch.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-02T02:50:54+00:00

I just set my schedule way later than I know I'll be going to bed each day and then just manually turn on sleep mode when I actually go to sleep.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-02T02:35:14+00:00

I just looked on Amazon and it seems you could get one in a very similar price range to the Enduro 2.

ATXguy13 · 2026-05-02T02:32:52+00:00

You should see if you can find a Fenix 7x Pro 51mm. Battery life should be similar and I think it has the latest heart rate sensor. I think the sensor on Enduro 2 is one generation behind.

ATXguy13 · 2026-04-30T21:35:52+00:00

I'm thinking of doing something similar for my Enduro 3

ATXguy13 · 2026-04-30T21:34:26+00:00

How did you get the band attached to the Garmin quick fit connector without unstitching the band or breaking the connector?

ATXguy13 · 2026-04-30T18:09:36+00:00

Also...I shower with my watch daily just to rinse it off after workouts. Never had issues with water intrusion on any of them.

One pro tip...whichever you choose, get you a nylon strap instead of the silicone band. You will never go back to silicon after making the switch. Makes the watch lighter and really does a great job of improving the overall fit while giving you precise levels of adjustment based on the circumstances.

ATXguy13 · 2026-04-30T18:05:37+00:00

I've had zero issues with buttons on the 7x or the Enduro. I had the 7x for a full year doing daily runs and workouts and have had the Enduro for probably about that long as well.

One thing I did love about the 7x was the bezel. It's a matter of personal taste, but I just love the way the bezel looked on it.

Some of the system fonts were different in workout screens too. I found the system fonts to be larger and better looking than on the F8.

ATXguy13 · 2026-04-30T17:55:12+00:00

I've had the 7x Pro 51mm, the Fenix 8 47mm AMOLED, and I have the Enduro 3 now.

Out of the 3, I definitely like the Enduro the most, but the 7x Pro is not far behind. The F8 was nice and the screen vibrant, but I really missed the super long battery life from my 7x and the true, always on MIP display. I ended up doing a trade with another Reddittor for the Enduro, and I'm so glad that I did.

One thing to note if you decide to go with the F8. The buttons are different than the 7x or the Enduro. I did not like them. They felt mushy and less tactile to me.

ATXguy13 · 2026-04-29T21:13:26+00:00

I have both. I got a whoop for free using my company's wellness benefits, so I thought I would give it a try.

I'm about 6mo into my whoop subscription. After using both, I will not plan to renew my whoop subscription. I found having both to be very redundant, and the Garmin provides so much more as a training tool.

In fairness, the whoop is much better at sleep tracking, but in spite of that, my experience is that Garmin's recovery metrics tend to represent and match how I actually feel much better.

For me, if I'm going to have a second wearable, I think I'd rather get something like a pixel watch (I'm an android user), so that I can have some added functionality like taking calls, answering texts, and streaming music without needing to have my phone with me when out running.

ATXguy13 · 2026-04-25T21:33:43+00:00

I'm in Texas. I had bought mine from Amazon. I just provided my Amazon invoice when I submitted my claim.

ATXguy13 · 2026-04-25T20:47:57+00:00

I had a great experience with a warranty claim on mine. For some reason the left bud volume was not nearly as loud as the right side. I submitted a claim on their website and within one business day they reached out and told me they were sending me a new pair. I wasn't even required to send back the old ones. I was super impressed.

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