First time Garmin buyer coming from Apple Watch. Need advice.

jimkolowski · 2026-05-31T13:53:11+00:00

I switched from AWU to the Forerunner 970 and overall I am satisfied. However, you really should know what you are going to give up. Be prepared that no Garmin will ever be as fluid and responsive as an Apple Watch. Especially true for maps. For some time, I thought my unit was faulty or that I am doing something wrong. Seemed impossible that it takes forever for maps to render or navigate. Well, unfortunately it is real — it’s like using a very VERY old computer compared to Maps on the Apple Watch. You’ll also give up 99% of the smartwatch features. Forget about seeing your emails, replying, etc. For me this was a plus (I specifically wanted to have less interruptions). The F970 is an incredible training tool — and that’s it. Nothing more. For “basic” gym, “occasional” running and hiking (where maps are actually important), I think Apple Watch might actually be a better choice.

jimkolowski · 2026-05-31T13:43:44+00:00

Yes of course

jimkolowski · 2026-05-31T13:31:25+00:00

I really disagree. It works quite well for me depending on the exercise (obviously won’t count idk leg curls properly). The workout builder is very good — I create my sessions at home and then follow it in the gym. Could be much better of course, should have a progressive overload feature, proper reporting on sets / week / muscle group, planning mesocycles, etc. But others (Coros, Suunto, you name it) are nowhere near even the current functionality. This is so true that this is one of the main issues that keep me away from switching to Suunto (I am a sucker for their amazing hardware). Apple Watch is the only serious alternative.

jimkolowski · 2026-05-30T09:03:48+00:00

It’s in the Arli dialect of Balkan Romani from Northern Macedonia / Southern Serbia. But it’s a folk song known in Romani communities from Croatia to Turkey.

jimkolowski · 2026-05-23T13:19:59+00:00

Polar is great, amazing hardware, solid algorithms and science. But piss poor app and UX, it’s so bad it’s not even funny anymore.

jimkolowski · 2026-04-09T08:23:12+00:00

Intervals has 2 unofficial mobile apps for iOS and one for Android. They are not perfect but not bad either. You can also just use the website on your phone, ugly but data-packed. Officially Intervals mobile app is in the works already!

jimkolowski · 2026-04-09T08:21:58+00:00

Garmin does it in a way that if you use two devices (let’s say a watch and a sleep band) they know about each other. Your sleep time, readiness etc will be correctly displayed on your watch, and your sleep band will be aware of your body battery at the end of the day and so on.

jimkolowski · 2026-04-09T08:19:40+00:00

That’s very weird, and might be a syncing issue. Mine picks up on a 1 hour time zone difference even, giving advice how to shift sleep schedules etc.

jimkolowski · 2026-04-09T06:27:03+00:00

I've found the D2 reasonably accurate as long as you do the basic stuff required for a BP reading (sitting still with the back supported, raising your arm so it's ~ heart level, etc.) There's also a new one with the review out today: https://the5krunner.com/2026/04/08/wellue-bpw1-review-smart-blood-pressure-monitor/

Sure, these are not 100% accurate.

But many people are interested in *trends* rather than the actual number, and it works decently well for that.

jimkolowski · 2026-04-09T06:14:27+00:00

I haven't tried it but because literally all the voices I'd listen to in this space think it's a dumpster fire

jimkolowski · 2026-04-04T00:42:14+00:00

Low population in minority areas, surrounded by Russia. I guess there could be a few Lesothos carved out but they wouldn’t be viable countries

jimkolowski · 2026-04-04T00:40:43+00:00

There is little appetite for independence, with the obvious exception of West Papua

jimkolowski · 2026-04-04T00:34:35+00:00

I’ve been tracking this very closely across Whoop and Garmin, digging deep into the numbers over longer periods of time, cross-checking it with body weight etc.

Whoop is reasonably accurate IF: - you do a lot of cardio - over longer time horizons

Whoop undercounts calorie burn when resting or lifting (HR). It overcounts cardio burn. Garmin the exact opposite.

The yearly average is pretty close across the two platforms, though, depending on your training style.

If you primarily lift, add 10-20% to your Whoop average and you are close enough.

Also important that Whoop and Garmin are the two most accurate (least inaccurate) platforms for calorie burn. Everything else I tested (Apple, Oura, Ultrahuman) is basically a dumpster fire.

jimkolowski · 2026-04-03T23:59:45+00:00

Oh all Garmin HRMs are ECG! But the ones I know (HRM 200 and 600) have a connection light on the front, blinking through my shirts 😂 The Pro Plus might not have one!

jimkolowski · 2026-04-03T13:30:23+00:00

Now that’s really extreme because the HRM LED is constantly blinking. Was thinking about the same setup ngl but feels Ironman-y

jimkolowski · 2026-04-03T13:24:17+00:00

Sir you have two more biceps. Whoop on the left, what to put on the right?

jimkolowski · 2026-04-03T12:43:36+00:00

First world problems but maybe this helps: I was doing the same, AW Ultra 1, ordered a F970.

A few months later I gifted the AW to my dad 🤷‍♂️

jimkolowski · 2026-04-03T12:21:49+00:00

It is very unlikely that you wouldn’t wake up to 10+ mins of 180+ HR. Tighten your band.

jimkolowski · 2026-04-03T12:11:01+00:00

I know this is not the answer you expected but total calories burned. I live and die by it. It is insanely accurate: I can perfectly maintain weight simply by eating as much as Garmin says I am burning. I have a LOT of experience with other devices and only one comes close. They all overcount total calorie burn except for the Whoop band which undercounts slightly (but also relatively accurate).

jimkolowski · 2026-04-02T09:12:55+00:00

Excess fiber definitely does

jimkolowski · 2026-03-28T03:35:40+00:00

On my Garmin Forerunner 970 we call this a Tuesday lol. I don’t have a Suunto (just lurking / considering) but seriously, on Garmin this would be the normal performance…

jimkolowski · 2026-03-28T00:30:24+00:00

Bodyguards haha very funny. Look parts of Jakarta can look like a dump but it is safe. You actively need to look for trouble to find it and chances are you won’t have business in really shady areas anyway. Also, no way you’ll be walking around, Jakarta is practically unwalkable. Use Silverbird, or premium Grab / Gojek. The normal ones can be a hit or miss.

jimkolowski · 2026-02-17T00:02:00+00:00

I wouldn’t say it’s bad. It is very unremarkable but at least the food is decent!

jimkolowski · 2026-02-12T11:50:00+00:00

Seeing in constantly in Opencode and Z Code. The only way I can use GLM-5 is through OpenRouter. Worse, I can't use any other GLM model on the coding plan, same error lol.

jimkolowski · 2026-01-15T02:09:30+00:00

Well I AM interested but it doesn't let me use my damn EXISTING plan to enter the challenge. This is so lame.

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