Tag Archives: Venu 2

I Had Waited, Patiently, For Years For A ‘Pixel Watch’ — But Now The Newly Released Watch Leaves Me COLD!

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by Anura Guruge
on October 13, 2022

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Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google’.

Yes, indubitably, IF I had not ‘recently’ (like 2-months ago) upgraded to a ‘Garmin’ ‘Epix Gen 2‘ watch, & was still wearing my ‘old’ Garmin ‘Venu 2‘, I might have felt more compelled to try out the Pixel watch. But, I retired the Venu 2 because I really needed more navigational tools on my wrist given my incessant ambling in the wilds of the ‘Bold Coast‘. And that is where the Pixel 2 falls short of my expectations.

Yes, with the Pixel I will have Google Maps on my wrist. That would be neat. But, what about all the other navigational widgets & APPs I have on the Garmin?

Plus, the Pixel does NOT have Multi Band Dual Frequency GPS for better-than-average GPS accuracy. Plus I have already read some reviews that CLAIM that GPS on the Pixel watch is below par on accuracy! Yikes. But, this needs confirmation.

Yes, it is TRUE that the Titanium, Sapphire Expix 2 I have costs 2.8 times that of the Pixel. So, it is not really fair to compare the two. It is not even an apples to oranges comparison; more like apples to pineapples.

As I said at the start, IF I was still wearing a Venu 2 I would have been more receptive to the Pixel. But, that is NOT the case. I can’t go backwards. Yes, I did go from an Garmin Fenix 6 to the Venu BUT that was because I am a sucker for AMOLED displays. The Epix 2 does have a lovely AMOLED. That was THE deciding factor.

So, that is where I am. I would have liked to have got a Pixel watch. I am a BIG Google fan — &, moreover, a Google shareholder. I will get a ‘Pixel 7 Pro’ for Christmas though my latest Pixel 6 Pro would only be 6 months old at that point. But, over the last few years treating myself to a new Pixel phone every Christmas has become a tradition. It would have been neat to have the matching watch. Well, that is unlikely to happen.

But, I will keep you posted on what I find about the Pixel watch as it gets more widely used.

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The New ‘Apple Watch Ultra’ Is TOO UGLY To Compete Against High-End ‘Garmins’.

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by Anura Guruge
on September 10, 2022

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’.
Click to ENLARGE. My ‘Garmin Epix Gen 2‘.

Apple Watches are ugly. Period.

I am positive that ‘Steve Jobs’ would never have allowed such an UGLY product to be released. Square watches tend to be ugly.

In marked contrast, high-end Garmin watches, like the Venu 2, the Forerunners, Fenix & Epix 2, ooze class. They have presence. They have pizzazz. So, I am not in the slightest bit concerned that the Ultra will cut into the sales of Garmins (not that I own Garmin shares anymore).

Plus, there is also the matter of battery life, something that Garmin has already pointed out. See top image.

I Finally Have A ‘Garmin’ ‘Epix Gen 2’ Smartwatch On My Wrist — It Was Inevitable.

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by Anura Guruge
on September 1, 2022

Click to ENLARGE.

My ‘Fenix 6 Titanium’ & ‘Venu 2’.

Click to ENLARGE. The 22 smartwatches I have owned & worn since June 2017. Note most have been Garmins & mainly Fenix models

I said I doubt whether I would get a ‘Fenix 7’ & that indeed did prove to be the case.

The Epix Gen 2 was different; it has an AMOLED screen & I am a sucker for AMOLED screens. That is one of the reasons I finally decided to get an Epix 2.

I had been wearing my Venu 2, daily, only taking it off for charging, for 493 days. 1.35 year. That is a LONGTIME for me to wear the same smartwatch. The longest I had gone previously was 254 days with my Fenix 6 Titanium. I had worn the Venu 2 for nearly twice as long.

What I really missed on the Venu 2 was MAPS. I like to to have maps on my watch.

Plus, I don’t like to fall too far behind on Garmin technology.

I sold my Fenix 6 Titanium, to ‘BuyBackWorld‘ in July, to justify getting the Epix 2.

You will notice from the top two images that I am using the SAME WATCHFACE (‘Logos’) on the Epix as I had on the Venu 2! Yep, new watch, 2.5x the price BUT the same watchface. I really looked BUT I couldn’t find another that so met my needs. I will do a separate post, soon, as to that watchface. It is brilliant. It packs a LOT of data into that screen — & I love that.

So far, so good with the Epix. Some small changes when it comes to starting/stopping ACTIVITIES but no big deal. Just different.

Yes, the Epix 2 feels like a more substantial watch — which it is & which it has to be. It collects more data — especially with activities. That is good, though I really don’t need all of that.

But, I am glad I got it. I like it. The HUGE question is going to be what I will do when ‘Google’ finally gets around to announcing the long, long, long awaited ‘Pixel watch’. I always said I would get one. I am Pixel all the way. Crazy enough the one thing that will stop me will be the lack of a watchface with as MUCH DATA as I now have with Logos! That is crazy. There are some real nice ‘Wear OS‘ watchfaces BUT they never have enough datafields!

‘BuyBackWorld’ Lived Up To Their Promise When I Sold Them My ‘Garmin Fenix 6 Titanium Sapphire’.

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by Anura Guruge
on July 20, 2022

Click to ENLARGE.
Click image to access their Website.

I had never heard of them, let alone dealt with them, until the start of this month. I found them on a Google search. I checked the reviews & they seemed to be kosher. That PROVED to be the case. Their process is NOT as quick as they imply, BUT in time they delivered.

As you can see from the top image I started the process (i.e., ‘the order’) on July 4, 2022, online. That is when I got, via e-mail, my pre-paid USPS shipping label. I mailed my Fenix 6 in the next day, i.e., Tuesday, July 5, 2022. They received it & made sure it was inside the box on Thursday, July 7, 2022. I got an e-mail from them, on that day, to say so. So, that was FAST & impressive. Just two days.

Then I did NOT hear again from them until this past Monday, i.e., July 18, 2022. That, i.e., 11-day wait, was slightly unnerving. But, they said the Fenix passed their tests & that they would give me the price they had originally quoted $185. That was good. The watch was like new though I had worn it, 24×7 for 254 days. I was happy. The $185 was in my PayPal account today, July 22, 2022. So, 15 days since they got it.

As far as I am concerned, the process was slightly slower than I had expected, BUT it worked. They gave me the price they had originally quoted. They didn’t try to cheat me. That was good. YES, I would deal with them AGAIN!

I am ‘OK’ with the $185 I got for the Fenix 6. I probably would have got more if I tried to sell it on my own BUT I didn’t have to go through the hassle of dealing with online buyers. I had got the Fenix 6 back in November 2019. I didn’t pay for it in cash. I was given it for professional writing services performed. So, I never had a ‘proper’ dollar value for it in my mind. I was going to keep it, BUT now that I am used the bright AMOLED display on my ‘Venu 2‘ I really cannot see myself ever been able to cope with a non-AMOLED display! Hence the decision to get rid of it.

I am glad I ended up choosing BuyBackWorld. Yes, I am endorsing them.

‘TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS’ Watch NOT Accurate On Walking Distance, Steps & Elevation.

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by Anura Guruge
on April 1, 2022

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Click to ENLARGE. From my phone’s ‘Mobvoi’ APP.

Click to ENLARGE.

The two screenshots (on the left) in black are from my ‘Garmin VENU 2’. The shot on the right is another from ‘TicWatch’.

I wore a brand new ‘TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS’ right next to my ‘Garmin Venu 2‘, on my left wrist, next to each other, this morning, on my daily 4-mile amble. I started the ‘walk’ exercise, on both of them at the same time.

As you can see from the GPS maps (above) they both tracked the same route — which was basically straight up a hill & back. A walk I do at least once a week — & have been doing for years. I know it well & know what the distances are.

Within 20 minutes I could see that there was a growing mismatch when it came to distance. The TicWatch was way too optimistic.

What I did was my usual ‘4-mile’ (~10K) walk. That is backed up by the time. Given that I walk 4 miles EACH & EVERY DAY, I do know what 4 miles feel like compared to 5.

4.19 miles (Venu 2) vs 5.05 miles (TicWatch) is a big difference; 0.86 mile (21%).

I do NOT want to be told I walked further than I did. I would then just be CHEATING myself. I am not into that. Cheating oneself is rather pointless.

Ditto when it came to elevation gain. Not good.

Yes, there will be some who would like this. They get to say they walked 5 miles when they only walked 4.

NOT FOR I.

I walk for my own good. I don’t want inaccurate numbers. So, the TicWatch, alas, is going back. Plus, with the brightness & display setting I WANTED, the battery life wasn’t that great. 1.5 days. Same as that I get on the Venu 2 with similar display options.

So, that is MY honest take.

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‘Garmin Fenix 7’ Is Far From Compelling — Especially If You Already Own A ‘Fenix 6 Titanium’ & A ‘Venu 2’.

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by Anura Guruge
on January 18, 2022

Click to ENLARGE. Directly from Garmin’s website.
Click to ENLARGE. Today. My Garmin Fenix 6 Titanium & Venu 2.
Click image to access my post from 3 weeks ago.
Click to ENLARGE. From an Excel spreadsheet I maintain of my Garmins.

Given the volume of leaks re. the Fenix 7 ahead of Christmas today’s announcement had few, if any, surprises.

The new Fenix 7 family came across as under-featured & over-priced.

Yes, 4 years ago I yearned for a touch screen. Now I have a nice one on my Venu 2 & I have learnt one thing to my cost. Touchscreens can be very annoying when you are working out in rain! Yes, the raindrops mess with the screen. So, a touchscreen on a Fenix isn’t going to be as attractive as you would initially think. Most serious athletes will end up trying to disable it. Plus, the Fenix 7 still comes with the 5 clunky buttons. Hhhhmmmm.

Garmin has already said that many of the new software features on the 7 will be available on the Fenix 6 (& even 5) via a new software update.

Basically, I don’t see a justification for getting a Fenix 7.

Plus, I haven’t worn a Fenix since I got my Venu 2 nearly 9 months ago. The Venu 2 meets all my current needs.

I feel that Garmin has started to lose its way in the smartwatch space — bar the Venu 2.

Soon, it will have a ton of competition from Google ‘Wear OS 3‘. There might even be a Google Pixel watch. Others are talking, & Samsung is even offering, health-centric features like EKG. Nothing from Garmin.

I have been a HUGE Garmin devotee since 2017 — as figures 4 & 2 above testify. I have owned 11 Garmin watches in those 5 years. SMILE. But, I plan to ditch Garmin in 2022 — as soon as I spot a decent Wear OS watch. So, you have been warned. SMILE.

Stay tuned.

The NEW Garmin ‘Venu 2 Plus’ At $500 Is Way Too Overpriced By $125 For What It Offers.

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by Anura Guruge
on January 7, 2022

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Click to ENLARGE. Click image to access the Garmin listing.
My Garmin Venu 2 with the ‘Walker’ data field which I have been wearing 24×7 for 255 consecutive days (i.e., 8-months — an all time RECORD for I (see below)).
Click to ENLARGE. Spreadsheet I maintain on my watches. I have worn my Venu 2 for longer than any other smartwatch. That must say something.
Click image to access my November 2021 post.

I have been steadfast about this since the rumors surfaced last November. IF voice support was the only enhancement, then I was NOT going to be interested. That has proven to be the case. Furthermore, to my amusement, Garmin has opted to way overprice the Venu 2 Plus.

The Venu 2 at $350 (today) is not too badly priced — maybe overpriced by about $25. But, even at $350 the Venu 2, which is a capable, good looking watch, with a GREAT AMOLED display, is competitive.

The Venu 2 Plus at $500 is just a JOKE.

It isn’t as if you can use any of the voice features without a nearby phone. So, it is just the convenience of doing voice from your wrist without having to fish out your phone. I am NOT going to fork out $150 for that. PLUS, they made the Venu 2 Plus smaller than the full-size Venu 2 I wear. So, it is smaller, has worse battery life & costs $150 more. No thanks Garmin.

Garmin is losing its way. The odds are that we will have a Google ‘Pixel’ watch. Plus, ‘Wear OS 3‘ will be available on more watches in the next 6 months. Garmin will get squeezed. I really want to transition to a Wear OS watch. I am all Android bar my watch. I want to rectify that.

So, my 5 year association with Garmin appears to be on thin ice, very thin ice.

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‘Garmin Fenix 7’, Soon To Be Announced, Leaves Me Cold — From What I Have Read.

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by Anura Guruge
on December 28, 2021

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News‘.
Click to ENLARGE. From an Excel spreadsheet I maintain of my Garmins.

I have had a THING about Garmin smartwatches.

As the above image shows I have OWNED 14 Garmin smartwatches since June 2017. Yes, 14 in 4.5 years. SMILE.

I am currently wearing a Garmin, viz. a Venu 2 & it appears that I have been wearing that for an UNUSUALLY long 245 days. In 10 days it will break the record to become the smartwatch I have worn for the longest time. Notice I have never worn the same watch for a year. [But, prior to this smartwatch mania I did own a Rolex for 22 years. So, maybe I am compensating.]

You will also notice that as of 2018 I have owned/worn every model of Fenix that Garmin has unveiled including the MARQ & ENDURO.

I still have my Fenix 6 Titanium — though I have NOT worn it in over a year! I keep it as a back up.

Even 6 months ago I was quite anxious to see what the Fenix 7 will bring.

Over the last 2 weeks there have been the inevitable leaks. I try to keep tabs of them all. I have read all the ones that are germane & from credible sources.

So far, I have NOT read anything that has got me excited.

I have DONE Garmin Solar.

Garmin Solar is pretty damn useless in New Hampshire.

The supposed touchscreen is mildly interesting, BUT NOT unless it comes with a nice, big AMOLED screen as in the Venu 2.

As of now, I do NOT intend to get a Fenix 7.

Neither am I interested in the new ‘Venu 2 Pro‘ if the only new feature is voice commands. I very rarely use voice commands even with my Google Pixel 5. So, why would I want it on my wrist.

So, that is where we stand. But, that could change.

My current goal is to slowly transition to Google ‘Wear OS‘.

‘Garmin’ Switches Stock Exchanges, From NASDAQ TO NYSE, But, AGAIN, Makes No Product Announcements.

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by Anura Guruge
on December 8, 2021

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Click image to access original article from ‘Kansas City Business Journal‘.
Click to ENLARGE.

In terms of new smartwatches 2021 was, indeed, a quiet year for ‘Garmin‘. The only watch of note was the ‘Venu 2‘ (which I have worn since June) — but, to be fair, the Venu 2 is quite the watch & quite a big leap forward for Garmin.

I have speculated that it is possible that last year’s crippling ransomware attack might have delayed the development of new watches. Plus, there is the chip shortage.

As 2021 rapidly draws to an end it becomes hard to ignore Garmin’s silence when it comes to new watches. I could be wrong, but I think they are as of now, too late to offer any new watch for Christmas 2021. Yes, there is a talk of a new ‘Venu 2 Pro‘ — but if it only just adds voice support it won’t be much of a winner.

In 2022 there is to finally be a ‘Google’ ‘Wear OS 3’ based smartwatch. That will be major competition to the likes of the Venu 2 — but not for the high-end sport watches like the Fenix.

This switching of exchanges, after 21 years on the NASDAQ, is amusing. It is, by & large, symbolic — a status symbol. By now being on the NYSE, Garmin can claim to be a ‘Big, Old Boy’ — a large, well established company, with solid financials accepted by ‘Wall Street’ as a proven ‘institution’. So, Garmin joins the likes of ‘Ford’, ‘GM’, ‘GE’, ‘Walmart’, ‘ATT’, ‘IBM’ et. al. on the NYSE. But, the likes of ‘Amazon’ & ‘Apple’ still remain at the NASDAQ. So, the move to the NYSE is not as meaningful & prestigious as it once used to decades ago.

So, that alas, is the only exciting news re. Garmin at present.

If The Rumored Garmin ‘Venu 2 Pro’ Only Differs From The ‘Venu 2’ In Terms Of Voice Support, I Am Not Interested.

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by Anura Guruge
on November 29, 2021

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Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News‘.
My Garmin Venu 2 with the ‘Walker’ data field.

During the last few weeks, as you can see from the top image, there has been sporadic news of a soon to be release Garmin ‘Venu 2 Plus’ — with three physical buttons (as opposed to the two buttons in the original version). The current speculation is that this third button is to activate a built-in microphone & that voice support will be the key feature that separates the PLUS model from the original. IF SO, the new ‘Plus’ will be no interest to I. I do NOT need voice support on my smartwatch.

I quite like the Venu 2. It is good looking & quite functional.

I don’t need — & never have needed — voice support. So, if that is all that Garmin has to offer, I will give the Plus a miss. My goal in 2022 is to get a Google ‘Wear OS 3‘ watch. But, as ever, I will keep you posted.

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