(NEW) Garmin Forerunner 255 - GPS Running Smartwatch (International Model)

As a fitness tracking watch this is an awesome introduction to the Garmin platform. We are a Garmin and Apple family with four Garmins and two Apple Watches. I use this Garmin for walking, running, cycling, stretching and general workouts. I’m very happy with this watch and the data it provides. As I said I can compare this watch to several others. Let’s start with battery life. Our Apples are on the charger every night. The Garmins all go at least a week, I average 9 days. We also have an Instinct, a 965, and a Golf. Biggest “complaint” is forgetting to charge them. My 255 connects to my Apple iPhone 15 without issue. It also connects seamlessly with my MacBook Pro, zero issues. I have and use separate HRM’s because for intense workouts I don’t think a wrist based HRM is the answer. My chest strap is much better than my watch for workouts. The 965 however is much more accurate during runs (compared against arm strap HRM) so Garmin maybe uses different HR sensors in different models? For walking and general use during the day my 255 works great! Value for $… I’d strongly recommend this watch without hesitation if you’re thinking about entering the fitness watch/smart watch world. I entered this fitness data world because of age. I have a friend who is alive because of data changes he noticed in his heart during exercise. A triple bypass later and this fit cyclist is still riding with me. At 60+ I thought this data was for younger more aggressive athletes. Not so. I am now a data nerd and train regularly partly because of it. Didn’t think it was important, in honesty didn’t know it was a thing but I now am aware of HRV, FTP, Training Status, Sleep tracking, and Watts. It’s addictive. But knowledge is power and knowledge can be healthy. I owe a 25 pound weight loss to this knowledge (and a lot of work). This watch alone won’t cause weight loss but for me it was a part of the puzzle. I really like my Garmin Forerunner 255. That said, my next one will probably be a 965, but at the price difference I’m not 100% sure the difference is justified, certainly not if this is your intro to the data! The reason I will likely “upgrade” is simply because my daughter has the 965 and I want to be able to share that (cool, we both have the same watch) with her 😉 Final thought as I wrap up this review, as I said I’m getting older and as such my near vision isn’t great without readers but I can actually see the time on this watch so.. there’s that.