Garmin - Venu 3 GPS Smartwatch 45 mm Fiber-reinforced polymer - Stainless Steel and Whitestone

I had previously owned a Garmin 645 forerunner which finally started to act up after 5 yrs of constant wear and tear. Garmin quietly released this gem of a watch about 2 weeks before my forerunner died. So the upgrades that I have on my Venue 3 is the difference from daylight and dark. Immediately you can see the screen resolution was a huge improvement. Secondly, I noted that the heart rate sensors are more accurate comparing the watch to the heart rate sensors on the gym equipment. Thirdly, by using this Venue 3 as an everyday watch I was looking to minimize the need to look at my phone ( if my phone wasnt in reach). This Venue allows you to look at pictures that ppl send to you along with Ring doorbell footage. It also allows you to respond back to texts and you can talk and text through your watch without having to get a cellphone plan for your watch. I got the big Venue3 instead of the 3s.

I had a classic Samsung watch before buying this Garmin watch. Definitely better option. I wanted a longer battery life. With aod off its 10 days and about 7 days with aod on. I do wish there was a text option when clicking a contact but voice assistant will have to do so i can start a conversation on text. This one does let you custom text so its nice if you already have a conversation going. Voice assistant works with Google or Bixby, i have a Samsung phone. One other thing is the sleep schedule, it could be improved. There should be a option turn on/off as I travel a lot. I have been turning off sleep mode and dnd if i am out during my sleep schedule so it can be a little annoying sometimes. No big issues so far. Im using a previous screen protector on the watch face for now until i purchase a new one. The charger is a usb-c end with the garmin watch end. A little different than i expected, unfortunately it doesnt have wireless charging as i tried doing that with my Samung phone. Overall, I still do recommend the watch for battery life, display, workouts, and phone connectivity. Ive had my watch for 2 months so far, used in Europe and very helpful displaying info. I got this on sale for black friday at $400 compare to the $450.

Even though it's only been a couple weeks, I love all the things this watch can track. It has helped me quantify my poor sleep patterns and I am improving my running by doing intervals. It took a while for to figure out how to use it, but it has been great for me. I only charge it every 3 days or so, but it charges quickly! This is my first watch like this and I couldn't be happier.