Hi everyone,

I’m considering purchasing my first Apple Watch this year. I’ve worn a garmin for years and while it isn’t the most versatile when it comes to tech features, it is the top fitness tracking company out there.

Question is has anyone made the switch from Garmin to Apple? How did the AW compare to the Garmin on heart monitoring, sleep monitoring, stress monitoring? Was it easier to track workouts?

With the new series 9 out now is it worth getting the series 9 or the cheaper series 8?

My main draw to the AW is actually the loud noise detection. I have chronic tinnitus from loud noise exposure so have that notification would be helpful, but I actually want buttons on my watch lol.

Anyways any insights would be greatly appreciated.

  • proost1BEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    We moved from the VivioActive 4/Ss to the AWs. My wife got the 8 in SS and I got the Ultra. For us, it was like B/W to Color. So much more utility in the AWs. We both had/have iPhones so the integration is better. Also, we really appreciated being to use our AWs like phones - answer calls, answer texts, etc. So many useful features. We’re sold and you’ll never go back.

    If you’re super active, the AW Ultra is awesome. For me, as I get older my vision is getting worse so the bigger 49mm screen is sooooooo helpful.

  • All-Treck-9999BEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    If you like buttons and need a good and reliable GPS go for an Ultra 1 for a lower cost.

    Get WOrkOutDoors for workouts and maps and give AutoSleep a try if you find that Apple’s sleep estimations do not suit you.

    If you want metrics similar to Garmin’s go for a subscription of Gentler Streak or Eclipse Yourself and you’re all set.

  • AleSklaVBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I had garmin watches and still using Garmin (Edge, cycling computers) along my Apple Watch Ultra.

    For you combining from Garmin, what you will miss is the out of the box data analysis which Garmin Connect does. It’s not a matter of data, data is there, only the Apple health app is mysterious.

    I would suggest picking up some third party apps such as

    Athlytic (https://www.athlyticapp.com/) Heart Analyser (https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/18/heart-analyzer-apple-watch-iphone/)

    That being said, the Apple Watch is galaxies above Garmin in nearly all aspects… especially apps, usability, integration, the list is endless.

    Personally, I would say if you’re not hiking away for weeks with no access to power and really needing your watch, or a triathlete, go directly to Apple Watch.