Garmin Venu 42mm GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor - Slate/Black

A definite step up from my Fitbit Versa, it takes a bit of time to get used to where things are but it's worth it. I am very pleased with this tracker.

After a few years of using a basic fitness tracker, I was ready for more information and options in the type of activities I want to try. Garmin’s focus on fitness made it a natural for me to start checking out its various devices. I was so interested in their first effort to pack their fitness strengths into something resembling more of a smartwatch, that I was quickly drawn to the Venu. I want options for the types of fitness activities I may follow now that I am retired. I’ve been a gym rat for many years, but there is so much more I could do and having a device that can handle anything from skiing to golf to swimming is for me. I also want to have reliable heart and oxygen readings, sleep tracking, and the ability to listen to music and use GPS without needing to always carry a phone. The Venu does all of that. And more. Yet the Venu also has a distinct smartwatch look and feel: the metal bezel, the bright and easily readable OLED screen and an intuitive user interface. I am familiar with Garmin from their GPS devices of course but have never owned one. Yet the learning curve on the Venu and its related Connect app was very short. I also appreciate that Garmin allows me access to this data via my Windows 10 PCs on the web. That is an important feature. Reviews rarely cover the charging solutions with devices. The Venu’s is as easy and solid as can be. The charging cord plugs into any USB A port with power, so a computer or a car for example. It can also be used with an AC outlet adapter. The connection to the Venu is a direct and firm plug to the power port on the back of the device. If I was new to fitness, the Venu might be overwhelming. As a replacement device, it is a definite step above entry level devices from any manufacturer. It isn’t trying to be an everything device for everyone, but to put the great Garmin fitness capability in a smartwatch era form factor. At that, it excels.

The Venu has every feature that I wanted without paying for ones I'll never use. The screen is very nice. The black is black. I can't wait to try out the golf apps!