Me And My Garmin...Has Our Relationship Come to an End?

I’ve always loved my Garmin. I used to have a giant-oversized one. I think it was the Garmin 305. It was so big that people would ask me what that thing on my wrist was or why was I wearing a laptop on my wrist - you name it: I heard ‘em all. Non-running people, at least, would ask or make those jokes. I’m sure all you running nerds know what I’m talking about and can relate.

About 2 years ago, I "upgraded" and purchased the Garmin 110. It looked sleeker and looked to have everything I could want: pace, distance & time. Nothing more - nothing less. Like a minimalist GPS watch. When I’m running, all I need to know is how fast I’m going, how far I’ve gone and what my time is.

The biggest reason I switched models was because the 110 was smaller, and I could wear it as a regular watch all the time. Simply put: it looked like any other watch anybody wears. I remember thinking: "Eureka, I have found it!" WRONG.

I’m so glad that I purchased the replacement plan/warranty. DISCLAIMER: I actually had to pay for the replacement plan again after the 1st time I exchanged it - apparently, the warranty is voided when exchanged. Nice.

I’m on my 3rd exchange within 2 years. Today, was the last straw. This morning, it was dead. - it wouldn’t turn on. I didn’t exchange it for another model because the limited selection they had was really pricey, so I simply exchanged it for the same model (yes, again, but for the last time).

The same problem plagued all 3 watches. Before I tell you what that was, let me admit something: I’m a running nerd. I always upload my runs to nerd-out to them; study them, evaluate them, the elevation (or lack of it), I ran too slow, I ran too fast, the tempo was fine, I fartleked here - you name it.

But I regress…slowly but surely, Mr. Garmin stopped uploading my runs. I would clean the metal prongs/clips, give it some TLC, but it would still happen. I might be ok being unable to upload and view my runs, but the one I just returned simply stopped charging.

I guess the Garmin 110 is an ok watch if uploading runs is not a big issue for you. It has no bells and whistles - just the time/pace/distance. It's pretty low maintenance (like me) - just press start when your run begins and press stop when your run ends. It might do the trick if you’re a newbie runner interested in a no-frills watch and/or don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for a fancy GPS watch. Keep in mind, though, that (in my experience) my previous one would no longer charge.

As for me, this will be my last garmin (at least until it dies out again). I’ll probably spend a little more for a more durable/reliable watch/model. I’ve got time to convince myself that it’s for my running and I deserve it - the same way I had to convince myself that I needed to dish out the big bucks for my Hokas - which are working out great, by the way.

So between know and then I’ll on the lookout for a new GPS watch. Know of any good ones?