Seems to be the cheapest price going around at the moment. Normally $389.
First Garmin Watch featuring Wrist-based Heart Rate! Includes color display, activity tracking and accelerometer.
Sign up for Club 99 to get an additional $5 off (makes it $294). Costs $5 but you get $10 off your order (http://www.99bikes.com.au/club99)
Coupon mentioned in this post - $25 off $250 minimum spend
True. But at least this has GPS without having to carry around your phone!
Ah okay then, I read the specifications and I either missed that part or it wasn't there.. I was under the impression it was literally the exact same thing as the Fitbit Charge HR but with a colour screen. Thanks for the info!
More like the Fitbit Surge, but Garmin are the favoured brand for Triathletes, Cyclists & Runners, for Quality, Relability & Support.
Also:
1. the HR function in the Surge is basic & inferior to the Garmin's licensed Mio hardware and the sport focused software integration.
2. The Garmin includes support for ANT+ footpods
3. The Garmin allows automatic uploads to training sites like Strava & Training Peaks.
Forerunner is in a totally different league to Fitbit Charge, this is a quality watch for runners. Great review here : DC Rainmaker
Garmin's answer to the Fitbit Charge HR is the Vivosmart HR… (Your everyday fitness bracelets).
This is a dedicated GPS sports watch, with HR, and tracking of activities that you can forward to Strava etc…
The equivalent Fitbit would be the Fitbit Surge with built in GPS @ $349
I dont see any serious runners using Fitbits to track their runs. They all use Garmins or equivalent GPS watch. If you dont run, then Fitbits are fine as a step counter.
I would personally skip the superceded 225 and get the current model (235) although not many specials on the 235 yet (you will be shocked at the price). Very happy with my 235. Has everything I need in a running watch incl wrist based HR and also smartwatch features with notifications.
If you dont need smartwatch features, the 225 is an excellent buy
How is this compare to the Fenix 3 Sapphire HR.
Much much cheaper to begin with!
The Forerunner 225 is an intermediate running watch, the Fenix has advanced running metrics that the 225 doesn't.
The Fenix is a true multi-sport device, while this is purely running - here is no other activity modes available.
The Fenix is also a lot more discreet as a daily watch and have notification and app support.
If you want something similar to this but with the "fitbit" sort of tech, I love my vivoactive.
Agreed. Been using my Vivoactive for a few months, and am super happy with it.
Why not just buy a full function Android wear with this price? MOTO 360 2nd Generation maybe?
Most Android wear watches (except for a Sony one) don't have GPS standalone!
Nor can you swim with most of them!
I bought the forerunner 235 over all other android watched because
1) 1 week battery
2) sunlight visible display
3) waterproof
4) lightweight
5) supports notifications (the 235, not the 225)
Good price.
Do note that this is an old model, and is superseded by the forerunner 235. I think the main difference is that the 235 has notifications and a larger screen.
The 235 has a different HR sensor on the back of the watch, garmin designed in house, the 225 uses one from someone else from memory
They also added a cycle mode to the 235, so you don't have to manually edit your activity type like you do with the 225.
This might not be the right place to ask this question and if so I apologise, but it is kind of related ;)
I've been looking for a device that tracks my activities during the day (not an exercise monitor).
The closest thing that comes to what I want is the Moves app on an iPhone or Android.
It notes where I've been how, long I was there for, how long it took to travel there etc.
I find it really useful for trips on my motorbike. I try different routes and times to places to see which one is faster and some that feel subjectively faster actually turn out to be objectively slower.
I often forget to note what time I started and finished or even if I do by the time I have taken my gear off and got to somewhere I can note it down I've forgotten.
The Moves app runs in the background all the time and so records all this stuff even when you change modes e.g. it can tell when I have got off my motorbike and walked a certain distance as well.
I can't find any device that provides this type of information. All the watches even the expensive ones are all really focussed on fitness activities and generally require you to turn them on and off.
If anybody can suggest a device that does what I've noted above, that would be great.
Nice find! Good price for a good watch.
I got mine back in August 2015, works a treat. Got after reading excellent reviews, will highly recommend. Would also recommend getting a MapMyFitness, Strava or Endomondo account along with the free Garmin Connect app.
Some reviews of the watch here:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/05/garmin-fr225-gps-optical-…
http://www.cnet.com/au/products/garmin-forerunner-225/
http://www.techradar.com/au/reviews/wearables/garmin-forerun…
Feature comparison from Garmin here (modify as needed):
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/catalog/product/compareResul…
Do remember its a running watch, cant track runs on a treadmill or non-running activities.
Just tried to buy one, it says the coupon code is not valid.
Does the code only applicable to in store shopping?
It might have expired. Try this one instead - 25discount
hmm…tried take25off250 code again AFTER adding a bike ($399) and it works.
Saw it on another website say code excludes Garmin :(
Haven't really looked into these, are they basically just Garmin's answer to the Fitbit Charge HR? Because that price is ridiculous, even with this special going. Gave a + anyway for sharing, but wow that is expensive for what it is.