Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have been in a search for a Beginner/Iintermediate running-GPS watch for about 7 months. I have tried and tested the following watches, Forerunner 735XT, Fenix 3 HR, Apple Watch Series 1, Vivoactive HR, and even the Polar M400. As a intermediate runner/jogger, I really thought I needed all the "advanced running dynamics" found in the Fenix 3 and FR735XT, well I found out that I most certainly didn't need it need them. The FR735XT felt really cheap for $449, I would highly recommend it for it any serious triathlete, but no one else. The Fenix 3 HR is a monster, Looks good, but a a price, it will not fit inside dress shirts with the cuff buttoned. Had so much stuff I never would need, or even want. If you are a wilderness nut, that needs to bread crumb his or her way back from god knows where, this is your watch. Also the HR was the worst out of all that I tested. Apple Watch S1, well it was a joke, no serious runner should ever run with it, let alone buy it. (Coming from a huge apple guy since 2001) Apple Watch 2 looks promising, but the battery dies to fast. The Garmin Vivoactive HR, probably the best gps watch I tested, Great touch screen, accurate HR, nice fitness tracker, ok display, multisports up the Kazoo, but the running program was extremely watered down, No virtual pacer, No intervals, walk/run alert would only buzz, no audio alarm, Glonas/GPS was a nice option, touch screen not responsive during sweaty treks. Vivoactive HR also was pretty ugly, probably the ugliest out of them all except for the Polar M400. Garmin Forerunner 35 - It is the Forerunner that you have been waiting for, forget spending $329 for the FR235 with HR, this does almost everything the 235 does and has a better screen for night time viewing, and in the home. Main differences are... FR35 has Virtual Pacer, which compares current pace to target, FR235 has V02 max estimate, Recovery advisor (I can tell when I am ready for the next run myself), and Race predictor (I can pretty much mathematically guess when I am going to finish vs this thing telling me). Color screen isn't that nice and very hard to see during the night. Connect IQ (customizable watch faces, widgets, etc) I tried a few, they were just ok. In a nutshell, this gives a average runner everything he or she will need to train, run races, and look good (as good as a gps watch will allow you to, at least) Pros - Virtual Pacer, its a great feature that helps let me know how far ahead or behind I need to be. Interval Trainer, This is a Must for a Walk/Runner/Jogger, Beeps loud enough that I can hear it through headphones or hear over a DJ (runDisney Events etc) Smart notifications (displays email, text and other alerts when paired with your compatible phone) Battery lasts around 5 days, with 4 training runs and notifications turned on. Band - looks good, feels great. GPS - Works like a charm, fast sync (within 10seconds) Treelines never an issue for this bad boy, great job Garmin! Garmin Connect - great to link up, with mapmyrun and others. Cons No Color Display, but I knew this going in Not as customizable as some would like, if coming from the Fenix 3 Not for super runners, or triathlons Wish the band was a little larger. Guys, This thing is a great little companion for your quest to be a better jogger, run/walker, or intermediate runner. Just get it. ( Not a paid Review, like rizknows) Take care guys, and see you on the road.