Garmin

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Garmin

49 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 30, 2025

  Smart Watch/ Fitness Tracker

  +1 on Garmin venu series! I’ve had a Garmin for almost 8 years now

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• #2Dec 30, 2025

  Smart Watch/ Fitness Tracker

  Garmin/Pebble are pretty solid (e ink screen, solid battery life, and doesn't need software directly). You could also buy a few years old flagship smartwatch since they depreciate pretty fast, if you just care about the price

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• #3Dec 29, 2025

  One of the most bombproof, apocalypse ready watches you can buy.

  i mean, my garmin has a titanium bezel and saphire crystal glass...it also relies on a satellite, but its quite strong.

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• #4Dec 29, 2025

  Smart Watch/ Fitness Tracker

  Garmin heart rate bands. Wear them during workout. Been using mine for 5+ years now. Works as intended. 

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• #5Dec 29, 2025

  Smart Watch/ Fitness Tracker

  Garmin Instinct has been solid for me going on 3 years now, battery lasts like 2 weeks and the thing is basically indestructible but the screen is pretty basic compared to what you're used to with Fitbit

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• #6Dec 29, 2025

  Smart Watch/ Fitness Tracker

  My garmin fenix 6 is 6 years old I believe, and has survived life as a construction worker and heavy equipment mechanic. I weld, work with steel and concrete and all kinds of other rough tasks. I have the sapphire version which is critical.

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• #7Dec 29, 2025

  Smart Watch/ Fitness Tracker

  Garmin Venu 2. Had mine 2+ years, battery lasts a week, tracks everything you need. Way more durable than Fitbit. Vivoactive 4 if you want cheaper.

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• #8Dec 29, 2025

  Smart Watch/ Fitness Tracker

  There are no “buy it for life” pieces of technology in this category. Whoop is probably the closest option for you. Apple Watch or some of the higher end Garmin devices would be next, depending on what ecosystem you want to be a part of. No watch can track weight. That gets back to the ecosystem aspect of things (all of the ones above that I mentioned are capable of this)

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• #9Dec 27, 2025

  Smartwatch Recommendation

  I currently have a Garmin venu 2, previously had the vivo active 4. Android, not iPhone. Battery life on both was great (though as mentioned not truly BIFL), vivo active lasted I think 3-4 years before I got frustrated with having to charge it every other day, it started off lasting 1-2 weeks, or 2-3 days of high battery activity like skiing, hiking, etc. the venu 2 is on the same trajectory. Garmins sport tracking has been great for me and my wife, and the sleep tracker / body battery feels very accurate as well. Having gps or blood ox always on will drain the battery much faster, but if you're only using it for activities you should be fine. As a smart watch I'm quite happy with both. Can pretty easily see what a notification is and dismiss/reply. Easy music controls as well as alarms, timers, etc.

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• #10Dec 23, 2025

  My running watch after 10 years

  Not all of them. My Garmin Instinct Solar started failing when it would use a vibrating alert. And then just stopped turning on. This was after 3 years of use. I emailed them and they replaced it out of warranty as a gesture of good will. After two years, this one is starting to go to. I'd consider another, but they don't make this color and they changed the screen. I want a basic screen, not an OLED.

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• #11Dec 23, 2025

  My running watch after 10 years

  Garmin units for sport use is true buy once cry once. I have a garmin fenix 3 that I have been using as a daily watch and sports watch since 2015. With that said, I haven’t been easy on it for the last 8 years. Every year i say to myself that I’ll buy the latest version if the Fenix 3 finally gives up, Im missing the garmin pay feature so bad - but I still have about a week of battery life with mixed use.

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• #12Dec 22, 2025

  Smartwatch Recommendation

  The Instinct 2 Solar is solid but if you're coming from an Apple Watch the interface might feel pretty clunky at first. That said, the battery life is absolutely insane - I get like 2+ weeks easy with GPS tracking and everything For BIFL though yeah this is kinda the wrong sub lol, these things are basically computers that'll be obsolete in 5 years regardless of build quality

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• #13Dec 22, 2025

  Smartwatch Recommendation

  What’s your budget? I’m very happy with my Garmin Instinct 2 Solar. The battery is amazing. If I were buying again, and had a limitless budget, I’d probably buy a Garmin Enduro 3 now.

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• #14Dec 19, 2025

  looking for durable dashcams

  Garmin Mini has held up great for me for 4.5 years in a very hot part of the country

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• #15Dec 4, 2025

  What’s the BIFL item that you love but everyone around you thinks is ridiculous?

  People laugh when they get into my car and I still use a dedicated garmin gps daily. Free gps that doesn’t require cellphone data and never loses reception.

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• #16Nov 3, 2025

  What is the equivalent of "Apple removed 3.5mm jack" of your favorite products ?

  I was actually impressed with Garmin for this. There's a lot that sucks with Garmin (wtf altimeter/barometer? The ditch i just climbed out while the sun was behind a cloud was not 100m deep), but the app and all the insights is gratis with the watch purchase.

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• #17Nov 3, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  Honestly, at this point why not just go for a Garmin? I use my G1 dive computer when I don't need to look good. Looks like a G-SHOCK, durable like a G-SHOCK, accurate like one but does way more things like actually track your swim and is actually cheaper. And it's a dive computer...

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• #18Oct 1, 2025

  what fitness tracker (watch/ring) fits my needs best? (beginner)

  I have had my GarminVivoactive 3 for 6 years while my wife has been through two fitbits and an apple watch. I wear it everyday and no scratches on the glass. The only thing I changed was the band because I didn't like the rubber feel when I got sweaty.

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• #19Sep 5, 2025

  Brands That Used to Be BIFL — But Aren't Anymore?

  Garmin sort of, adding in a heap of subscriptions and trying to paywall stuff degrades their product

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• #20Sep 4, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  Used garmin watch, built to last, more active lifestyle, no annoying notifications

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• #21Aug 6, 2025

  What brand will you never buy again?

  I had a Fitbit Charge 5, and it literally bricked less than a week after the year warrenty ran out, when my wrist sweated too much one day.  WTF? My Sense 2 just turned a year old, and I've sweated since.  So far, so good. 🤞🤞🤞 I'll probably get a Garmin when this one dies.

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• #22Aug 5, 2025

  Best car GPS navigation?

  About 10 years ago I had a Garmin Nuvi 2689 and approximately in 2017 I got a DriveSmart 60 LMT, which I’m still using—the only issue is the battery, it is totally dead and does not hold any charge whatsoever. I know it’s possible to get a replacement battery online, but I’ve read various opinions and I’m somehow reluctant to get a battery made by an unknown company. Besides, there is a warning on the battery, “Do not store above 60°C (140°F). Maybe this statement appears on all batteries, even the ones originally installed inside Garmin units, but considering that the GPS unit is attached to the windshield, I’m sure it’s often exposed to much higher temperatures than those indicated on the batteries. Having done some online research, I think that next year I’ll buy the Garmin DriveSmart 66 or 76—it’s my understanding that they are alike, except for the size of the screen (6" vs. 7"). In Canada, they’re selling for $300 and $400 CAN, respectively. The DriveSmart 86 has an even bigger display, 8”, but costs $470 CAN. Having said that, I don’t think there is much choice these days when it comes to car GPS anyway.

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• #23Jul 8, 2025

  Need a new, solid dash cam

  Garmin Mini 3

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• #24Jul 8, 2025

  Need a new, solid dash cam

  For long commutes reliability’s key Garmin and Viofo are both solid picks. Viofo especially punches above its price

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• #25Jul 8, 2025

  Need a new, solid dash cam

  Garmin 65W, I’m sure it’s discontinued now and replaced with a newer model

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• #26Jul 8, 2025

  Need a new, solid dash cam

  I’d take a look at Garmin! Mine has been going strong for three years now

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• #27Jul 6, 2025

  What purchase changed your habit?

  Instinct 2 solar owner here. I interact with mine every single day. Going from an analog watch to digital helped me get back to work on time with hourly chimes, reminds me of appointments, really changed my ADHD-afflicted life for the better. And the Instinct 2 is “dumb” enough to not be intrusive while still having a ton of great features  Instinct 3 is even better but I’ll keep using my 2 until it craps out 

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• #28Jul 6, 2025

  Gentle alarm clock without a subscription

  Garmin watch on vibrate only

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• #29Jul 5, 2025

  What purchase changed your habit?

  Same here! Looking at how crappy my sleep quality truly was after drinking and being able to compare it to a regular night sleep was all the confirmation I needed to almost completely stop drinking outside of special events. My first Garmin watch, a forerunner 645, finally died after 6 years of abuse about four months ago. I thought I could live without one because I’ve disconnected from so many things since then, but I finally broke down last week and replaced it with an instinct2 solar because I just love how they’re made and seeing all that sweet sweet data.

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• #30Jul 4, 2025

  What purchase changed your habit?

  Garmin watches tend to reduce the alcohol consumption of their wearers, at least those who care about the metrics they present. It did it for me years ago, and I can see it's a recurring topic in the Garmin sub.

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• #31Jul 3, 2025

  What purchase changed your habit?

  I bought a Garmin watch. Steep initial price of $750 but I do it’s suggested running workout daily and I’ve lost 30lbs and can run further and faster that I ever have in my 40 years on this earth.

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• #32Jul 2, 2025

  What purchase changed your habit?

  Garmin watch. It showed me how bad my sleep was whenever I drank alcohol or smoked. I could never use my Apple Watch for sleep tracking because the battery was so crap.

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• #33Jul 2, 2025

  What purchase changed your habit?

  After I bought a Garmin watch I massively reduced my alcohol consumption when I saw the effects it had on my sleep and HRV

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• #34Jul 2, 2025

  What purchase changed your habit?

  Garmin has helped me be way more active and reduce drinking as well. 

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• #35Jul 2, 2025

  What purchase changed your habit?

  Garmin smartwatch, made me (among other things, but it was contributor) quit drinking

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• #36Jun 6, 2025

  What's a high quality BIFL that you carry with you every day and can't leave home without it.

  I’ve only had it 5 years but my Garmin forerunner 55 - every single day i wear, battery lasts 5+ days, waterproof, no scratches (even climbing with it). Has all the benefits of an Apple Watch but is built like a tank

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• #37Jun 1, 2025

  What's the best smart watch to get accurate heart and oxygen rates?

  Garmin and Coros are the top of the industry for heart rate and fitness watches. Frankly Apple Watches aren’t even comparable. That being said there has been some research that shows heart rate wrist monitors on these watches aren’t accurate all the time. The new ones with the latest technology seem to be pretty damn accurate in my experience. If you’re interested in heart rate training I highly suggest a garmin or coros and then pair it with a chest monitor. You can get a chest monitor and pair it to your watch for like $75-150 bucks but like the watch it should last years. Smart watches are not BIFL IMO

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• #38Jun 1, 2025

  What's the best smart watch to get accurate heart and oxygen rates?

  Smart watches aren't exactly BIFL. Like phones, they'll get updates for a while, potentially a few years, then support will stop. Also, watches use optical heart rate monitors. While many of these are good enough for most people, they're generally not as accurate as other types of sensors (like ECG). I just bring this up so you know to manage your expectations. Basically no watch HR monitor is going to be perfect. Your best bet for longevity and accuracy is probably a recent, higher-end Garmin (like a current generation Fenix, Enduro, or Epix). But they may not be exactly what you're expecting from a smart watch, especially if you're coming from Apple or Samsung or Google or whatever. Maybe take some time to figure out which features you absolutely have to have and which ones you can do without, then find a few options based on that. Once narrowed down, it'd be easier to get data regarding accuracy on those specific models.

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• #39Jun 1, 2025

  What's the best smart watch to get accurate heart and oxygen rates?

  Its always changing but check this guy out. He is one of the best reviewers of all smart trackers. Usually its apple and garmin for those 2 stats though. https://youtube.com/@thequantifiedscientist?si=ZVMHB59ViMFBUrFI

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• #40May 10, 2025

  Experts in niche specialties- Are there any products you feel strongly about, for or against?

  My husband was a CCT and is now a combat dive instructor. Garmin dive watches are a staple. We’ve never had one die. Also Kestrel weather meters. He loves benchmade knives. Frog fins are bullet proof. Arcteryx gortex jackets. Massif baselayers. Outdoor research firebrand mittens. These are things he uses on a daily basis, or used for years and years in terrible conditions, and we still have them to this day.

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• #41May 5, 2025

  Looking for an alarm clock to replace my smartphone

  I wear a garmin forerunner watch and use its vibrating alarm as my primary alarm, and a regular alarm clock as my backup. The vibrating watch alarm is surprisingly effective. Instead of using a regular alarm clock as a backup, you could use your phone and plug it in somewhere where you’ll need to get out of bed to turn it off.

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• #42May 1, 2025

  Best car GPS navigation?

  look for a garmin model with the lm suffix for lifetime maps. and the newer ones update over a wi-fi connection that is so much better than the plug in to computer version. factory vehicle nav has always been of lesser quality and phones are dependent on a cell signal to a large degree. dont get me wrong i love the waze on the big 14 inch screen in my truck but to me garmin does a better job especially in cities. theres a 7 inch lifetime maps version perched directly above the gauges on the dash in my line of sight in my dodge ram limited 1 ton. yes, super nice truck and the factory navigation is crap and difficult to use and they want 300 bucks for map updates..nope garmin just does it better.

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• #43Apr 13, 2025

  Quality watch that will last

  Syncs great with Strava and the native garmin app. Also able to load Spotify playlists which is pretty simple and nice. You can load a specific/custom route with a little effort (I also trail run, but I don’t need the feature very often, so have to look up how to do it when needed). I have apple, but don’t want constant alerts so don’t have email/text/other alerts pop up on the watch, though I’m sure it can. Also love that it is completely waterproof for kayaking, paddle boarding with music, snorkeling, etc.

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• #44Apr 12, 2025

  This GPS has been in my family for 10+ years. It’s still supported by Garmin with Map Updates

  Mine is a Garmin Nuvi 2699. It has been in the family for at least 10 years and last year it started to glitch. I replaced the battery and until about a month ago it began to glitch again. I am thinking crappy battery. I bought NOTHER battery but cannot remove the 4-5 screws that hold it together. T5, t4? Not biting…..stuck un the process.

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• #45Mar 6, 2025

  Durable Watch for hands on work

  Garmin Instinct 2 Solar. I’m an electrician who hikes and mountain bikes. It goes between 1 and 2 months between charges, not a touch screen but is super easy to use with its 5 buttons. I fell on a trail once and it is able to detect falls to alert your sos contact after a 90 second timer. You can set a pin and it will tell you how to get back to it, either in a straight line or the way you came.

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• #46Feb 9, 2025

  in need of a dashcam package

  Garmin makes quality stuff.

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• #47Feb 9, 2025

  in need of a dashcam package

  I bought a used Garmin in college and I still use it in my company vehicle. I believe it’s almost 2 decades old and still works with decent looking video. I have a 3-4 year old Garmin bought new in my personal car and highly recommended it. It has saved my butt.

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• #48Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Garmin

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• #49Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Garmin, Toyota

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