Instinct 2

Hey guys, I was just curious if anyone could help or give me some advice on how to fix the map. I ran the Comrades Marathon this past weekend and my watch (Instinct 3 Solar 50mm) unfortunately failed me. I clicked save after crossing the finish line and the little saving circle just spun for about 30mins. When I realised it was done I went to look at my run (on the watch) and it wasn't there. I then checked Garmin Connect on my phone and it wasn't there. About 2 hours later I received a notification on my phone that I'd earned some Garmin badges. I checked Garmin Connect and my run was there. I was super relieved, but that relief was short lived after seeing the map. The run still didn't appear as the last activity on the watch itself though. I'm by no means tech savvy so if the following doesn't make sense, I apologise. Things I've tried: 1. Downloading the .FIT file from Garmin connect and trying to fix the record that's an outlier with coordinates in the ocean. 2. Downloading the .FIT file from the watch and trying to fix the record that's an outlier with coordinates in the ocean. 3. Using an online .FIT file editor with the .FIT file and .GPX file of the course to fix it. There is a record in the .FIT file for each second of the run and there's only 20100 records (i.e. 5hrs 35mins). It seems the watch stopped recording data around 5h35m into the race. The total distance and time in the picture are still correct though. The last few records had GPS coordinates that were way off and dates that were years off the activity date. With numbers 1 and 2 above, I fixed the GPS coordinates and the dates of the last two records. This yielded in a +-43km run when uploading again. Number 3 above "worked". However, when the run pulled through from Garmin to Strava, Strava said moving time was 5h35m and I got a load of PBs (from 400m all the way to 50km). I've come to terms with the fact that the data just simply isn't there, but I would like it if it appeared (with the correct map) on Garmin and Strava, without giving me awards and PBs. Some research I've done has mentioned looking at temporary files on the watch itself, but there doesn't appear to be any. I know it's probably not a big deal for some but I'd like to look back one day and have the YTD mileage correct and the mileage added to the correct gear etc. If anyone knows a way to "fix" this I'd really appreciate some help or any advice. Thanks in advance.

It’s not exclusively a fitness tracker but those concerns were why I switched from an Apple Watch to a Garmin. I have a Garmin Instinct and it does everything I need it to while being effectively bomb proof. I’ve worn it swimming in the sea, swimming in the pool, gardening, working with sheet metal and ferric chloride. The only times I take it off are to shower and when I charge it once a month or so (depending on how much I use the gps).

I think that VO2 max calculations are the same for the Fenix 7. Garmin requires more info than just your heart rate to calculate VO2 max, because it’s comparing how hard your heart is beating v. the goal (running, walking, cycling). You can’t really do this with HIIT/ CrossFit because workouts vary so much. Your watch is really just tracking your heart rate when you do HIIT and has no idea whether you’re doing the workout more efficiently (=higher VO2 max) or not. BUT your HIIT WILL increase your VO2 max! So when you test it with an interval run (which is basically a HIIT workout!) your number should go up, even if you only test yourself once a month / few months/ etc. So you WILL get credit, just not until you measure yourself with a run/cycle/walk. I have found, however, that it’s really hard to increase VO2 max too much with only HIIT workouts. Mixing some endurance training in will definitely improve VO2 max more. But if you want sleep tracking for less money, there’s the Instinct 2.

I would agree with the other post, if you want to get into tris, garmin is your best bet. The cool thing is, while the top of the line models are expensive, a couple of generations older are still awesome. My recommendation would be for a Fenix 7. Running about $450 on amazon new. [https://amzn.to/49DghWh](https://amzn.to/49DghWh) If that is a bit too pricy, you might try the Instinct 2 or 3. I have (and use) an instinct 2, that is very rugged and currently only $215 on amazon: [https://amzn.to/489fVUD](https://amzn.to/489fVUD)

Was in a similar spot. Eventually, went to wearing my gen 1 garmin instinct when I'm doing activities worth tracking or sleeping. Wear it for a week or so to get your average baseline and then switch to activity only. You can live without your mechanical while working out anyways and your steps really aren't shifting day to day if maintaining similar activities. You'll often be +/- 1K steps on a Tuesday, or running a 5K. I do miss the garmin body battery information but other than that, little else. No subscription and highly functional. Disclaimer: I have been looking at Oura ring over the last year but the subscription model turns me off as well.