Frustrated with Garmin: Time for a Change? Apple Watch Ultra 2?
As a Garmin user for many years, I'm questioning their direction and considering something else. ✅ *LATEST GEAR LIST: https://hikingguy.com/best-hiking-gear/ ♥️ SAY THANKS: https://hikingguy.com/support-hiking-... Garmin Support Forums: https://forums.garmin.com Garmin Beta Software: https://forums.garmin.com/beta-program/ Garmin Subreddit: / garmin I've been deep into the Garmin ecosystem for years, relying on their gear for everything from hiking to cycling and beyond. It wasn’t just the durability or the long battery life that kept me loyal, but the level of reliability I always counted on. Whether it was my Fenix watch, InReach device, or smart scale, I felt confident using them in the backcountry. But recently, that reliability has come into question. The Fenix 8 has been plagued with bugs, from random restarts to issues with navigation alerts that make me second-guess using it for critical navigation. And it's not just the Fenix 8; even my smart scale struggled to sync with Garmin Connect, something it had done effortlessly for years. All of this got me wondering if Garmin is still the best option out there, especially when you factor in their increasingly high prices and the removal of features like free topographic maps. So, I decided to give the Apple Watch Ultra 2 another try. To my surprise, it's been working well for my outdoor activities. The battery life, while not as long as Garmin's, is still solid enough for long hikes, and the navigation experience using third-party apps like Footpath has been excellent. The ease of use and the ability to get notifications without fiddling with settings have made me rethink whether Garmin’s higher battery life and physical buttons are worth the trade-offs. At the end of the day, I’m not entirely giving up on Garmin, but I’m more skeptical than I’ve ever been. I’m also testing some other brands like the Amazfit T-Rex 3 and Coros Apex to see how they stack up. If you’re in the same boat, weighing Garmin against the Apple Watch or other alternatives, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Hopefully, this video will help you make an informed decision as Garmin seems to be at a crossroads, and it’s hard to say where they’ll go next. 🌎 Bucket List Hikes You Should Try: https://bit.ly/bucket-list-hikes 👀Subscribe For New Hike & Guide Videos / @hikingguy 👍Monthly Email For New Hike Updates: https://hikingguy.com/newsletter/ 🎆Instagram For Insider Hike Info: / hikingguy_com #garmin #apple #hiking #hike #hikingvlog #hikinggear #hikingtrails #hikingandcamping #hikingandcampingforbeginners #hikingandcampingvlog #hikingandbackpacking #52HikeChallenge #backpacking #healthyliving #trails #outdoors #nature