[bucketfoot]

Has anyone here transitioned from a Fitbit to an Apple Watch?

I'm a longtime Fitbit user, but am slowly seeing changes being made since they were bought by Google.

I use an iPhone, but am not an Apple fanboy. Although I think I prefer them over Google.

My biggest reasons that I have stayed with Fitbit so far are that fitness & sleep tracking are my primary use of the device (Sense 2) and the FAR SUPERIOR battery life of Fitbits.

I'd be curious to hear feedback from anyone who has made the switch in either direction.

[freakystyly]

Started using a Garmin a year or so ago. They come in different looks and styles, analog even. Apple does other "smart" things better that Garmin doesn't. But as far as actual fitness/sport tracking I think Garmin is better. Also, no subscription fees (yet). If I turn off the pulse oximeter sensor, the battery lasts weeks.

On a side note, I scored a 100 sleep score recently.

[UncleWede]

I may also have to switch to something else when they force the use of a Google account. I don't have, don't want a google account. I don't need more and more email accounts to get nothing but spam. I already have 3 . . .

I've had the current Versa 4 for 4-5 years. I was so glad when a "waterproof" fitness watch came out with built-in GPS tracking. I could leave my phone at home when I went on a run.

It seems I charge my Versa 4 about every 10 days.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I may also have to switch to something else when they force the use of a Google account. I don't have, don't want a google account. I don't need more and more email accounts to get nothing but spam. I already have 3 . . .

I've had the current Versa 4 for 4-5 years. I was so glad when a "waterproof" fitness watch came out with built-in GPS tracking. I could leave my phone at home when I went on a run.

It seems I charge my Versa 4 about every 10 days.

100% this ^^^. Not a fan of Google.

[Mason Hatcher]

Garmin is the answer for fitness. I get three weeks of battery, and more metrics than I know what to do with.

[Vulpe]

I was using a Fitbit for a while but I dislike when they updated the app some point in 2023. I was going to go to an Apple Watch when that Fitbit died but the series 9 went on sale and updated anyway. I dislike having to charge daily instead of every 3-4 days but otherwise I like it. Gives me a lot more information on my pace and whatnot but I was using the Fitbit Charge which had a smaller screen, I assume the larger ones give similar info.

[bucketfoot]

Just ordered a Garmin Vivoactive 6 as I really don't need any of the fancier training stuff.

The Apple Watch was ultimately a no-go due to the lack of battery life.

I'll probably use both my existing Fitbit and the Garmin in parallel for about a week to see what I prefer about both.

[UncleWede]

Even my old Versa, I only charge it about every 2 weeks. It tells me the battery is getting low at 30%, then I know I have a few more days to plan a decent charge when I'm neither active nor sleeping.

Funny thing about the sleep function, if I sit too long at my computer reading (emails, reports, news articles) it will record it as a sleep period. "When did I sleep 9 hours last night? Ohhh, 2.5 hours while at work"

[Needsdecaf]

Having owned a Garmin and multipl Apple Watches, I'd say it depends on what you want. The Watch Ultra only makes it two days on battery, and that's when new. I'm now down to a day and a half; only one day if I do a long workout (like a few hour bike ride).

The Garmin can do more fitness stuff and well.

The Apple Watch, well, it's an Apple watcn. It does a lot of other stuff depending on what apps you have. Like start my M3, navigate, stream Apple Music and Spotify, etc. And make phone calls untethered. But the trade off is battery life.

[chassis]

Fitbit user for the past 5 years, now with a Versa 4.

Fitness and sleep are my use cases, Fitbit does a good job with these.

Don’t like the Google related changes. Don’t like the size, weight, battery life and data privacy invasion of Apple Watch.

What Garmin units are ya’ll using?

[Randy Johnson]

I made the switch several years ago. Had 2-3 fitbit watches but they kept failing after a year or so of use. Switched to apple watch and am currently using an Ultra 1. Works perfect for me and has a lot of features. No regrets except for price.

[dcstep]

I owned several Fitbit watches and loved them all EXCEPT that they fell apart after a year or two, literally. I switched to Apple 2.5 years ago and got the big one for the extra battery life. That watch is still going strong. The integration with my iPhone is very handy and only occasionally annoying.

Now, knowing that Google is involved, I'd go for the Apple product, even if it weren't superior.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

The Apple Watch was ultimately a no-go due to the lack of battery life.

That has been my conclusion as well.
Having tried Apple watch (multiple, kids still use them), Fitbit (multiple), Whoop, Motorola, Samsung (multiple), Suunto and Garmin, I've concluded that:
1). Every night charging requirement is a no-go for me. Especially if you want to track your sleep data. 2x especially when you travel. Apple and Motorola have been a no-go for me for this reason.
2). I prefer circular/oval smart watch face to rectangular form-factor (personal preference). Apple, Fitbit and Whoop are a no-go for me for this reason.
3). I never leave home without a phone, so independent watch eSIM, music streaming, and other gimmicks are irrelevant to me, and only expedite battery consumption.
4). For off-grid and travel activities, ability to download detailed maps to the watch and 10+ days long battery life are essential (Suunto, Garmin only).

Result - I use Samsung Ultra for everyday life (charge good for 3 days), and Garmin (charge good for 10-30 days) for longer trips, multi-day hikes, and vacations.

If I had to pick one, it would be Garmin Fenix.

YMMV,
a

[dcstep]

IME, the Apple Ultra is good for 4-days between charges.

[M_Six]

I use two Apple watches, a 9 and a 10. I swap them out every morning. That way one is always charging and one on my wrist. I'm deep in the Apple ecosystem, though. I started out with Garmin watches. I still have two of them. But the Apple watches just work better for me.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by afadeev

That has been my conclusion as well.
Having tried Apple watch (multiple, kids still use them), Fitbit (multiple), Whoop, Motorola, Samsung (multiple), Suunto and Garmin, I've concluded that:
1). Every night charging requirement is a no-go for me. Especially if you want to track your sleep data. 2x especially when you travel. Apple and Motorola have been a no-go for me for this reason.
2). I prefer circular/oval smart watch face to rectangular form-factor (personal preference). Apple, Fitbit and Whoop are a no-go for me for this reason.
3). I never leave home without a phone, so independent watch eSIM, music streaming, and other gimmicks are irrelevant to me, and only expedite battery consumption.
4). For off-grid and travel activities, ability to download detailed maps to the watch and 10+ days long battery life are essential (Suunto, Garmin only).

Result - I use Samsung Ultra for everyday life (charge good for 3 days), and Garmin (charge good for 10-30 days) for longer trips, multi-day hikes, and vacations.

If I had to pick one, it would be Garmin Fenix.

YMMV,
a

Does the Fenix require a paid subscription to use all features the hardware (the watch) is capable of?

[Mason Hatcher]

Originally Posted by chassis

Does the Fenix require a paid subscription to use all features the hardware (the watch) is capable of?

I just moved to a Fenix 8 from the 7. The only features I don't use are the Golf and Diving, but I am not paying for Garmin Connect.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by chassis

Does the Fenix require a paid subscription to use all features the hardware (the watch) is capable of?

No.
None of the Garmin watches require paid subscriptions, unless you want to optionally enable proprietary Iridium satellite SOS messaging.

Topographical maps are also free.
Sattelite maps that take too much space might be extra, and so might some Golf apps.

HTH,
a

P.S.: Garmin screens are brighter than Suunto's and easier to read in direct sunlight, but I actually preferred Suunto's software for multi-day hike planning and activity tracking. Battery life with both is exceptional - to be measured in weeks and months, not days!

[chassis]

Thanks. Love topo maps and long battery charge life. Fenix on my self-care list!

Price is a bit salty, but it's only money, right!

[chassis]

Just picked up a Garmin Forerunner 965. Really liking it.

Swimming metrics are the main reason I chose the 965. It gives me split times to help me train pace for a swim event on Thursday.

Sleep score is good. Similar to the Fitbit. I like the Fitbit sleep data but the Garmin does a good enough job.

I am sure the other features are good. I have yet to do a run with the Garmin, will probably do that on Friday.

Fit, comfort and cosmetics are good. Build quality seems good.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by chassis

Just picked up a Garmin Forerunner 965. Really liking it.

Swimming metrics are the main reason I chose the 965. It gives me split times to help me train pace for a swim event on Thursday.

Sleep score is good. Similar to the Fitbit. I like the Fitbit sleep data but the Garmin does a good enough job.

I am sure the other features are good. I have yet to do a run with the Garmin, will probably do that on Friday.

Fit, comfort and cosmetics are good. Build quality seems good.

When cycling season comes back around, you should be able to add your cadence and speed sensors to it and then record your rides with the watch.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by M_Six

When cycling season comes back around, you should be able to add your cadence and speed sensors to it and then record your rides with the watch.

Thanks! Great to know. -10F in the forecast...