Thanks for the review, you are the most detailed one yet on UA-cam. Made my decision based off your review and I agree the Vivoactive 3 Music is the better buy.
Coming from Fitbit Versa, I was quite underwhelmed by the resolution of the screen 😅 but I guess it all come down to needs & usage. I just purchased VivoActive 3 Music for the built in GPS & round shape watch. I also find touch screen tracker is a lot more handy than buttons & I am not a heavy runner, but coming from Versa which has a very crisp & sharp screen makes my eyes need to adjust for a few days with Garmin VA3 Music 😆
I would recommend the 245. If you look at the higher end Garmin watches like the 945, Fenix...they all have botons to press vs. touch screen. Why you ask? Because running and doing other activities on a touch screen is a frustrating nightmare. I hope I made the desicion a bit easier to make. You welcome.
Thanks for the review. I should be getting the 245M instead. Granted that VA3 is more value for money, as a basic runner, I wouldn't mind the extra metrics to learn more about my running. Also, I have an issue buying older products even if it's cheaper but that's personal.
Good point. Personally I definitely like the 245M better, but the value for the VA3M is definitely better right now. Can't blame you at all for going for the more complete watch though.
Great stuff! Choosing between these two watches was really difficult for me! I ended up going with the VA3M due to it having a more varied focus since I switch up my activities often! Thanks for the video!
@@donavonhornbeck yes thank goodness! I was in the market at the right time, at that price it's crazy not to choose it. I'm sure they'll bring down that price permanently soon.
I'm in a search of buying a running watch. My main activity is running and my goal is to run my first marathon this year, hence I would like a watch which can guide me through the marathon training. I like the the 245 better, but I can find vivoactive 3 music for 200 €, while 245 music costs 350 €. Could someone help me make a final decision?
If you are planning to do a lot of interval training then I would recommend the 245, but if you are just planning to log a lot of miles and not focus on interval training, then the VA3M will be all the watch that you'll need. I personally love my 245, and the physical buttons, but if you're on a budget the VA3M is a great watch as well.
@@donavonhornbeck Thank you very much. I am planning to do a lot of intervals so I guess I have to go for the 245. One last thing, what about 645 assuming that it has the same price with the 245?
@@donavonhornbeck Hey, I have a quick question. Could you please scroll through all activities on the 245, does it really lack snowboarding? I wanted to buy this watch for running, cycling and, in the winter, snowboarding tracking but I think it does not have that. Thanks. :)
Donavon Hornbeck, oh that’s good to hear. I actually ordered the white one last night as well as a black strap in case I want to switch it up. And thanks for the quick reply and great video.
Your're wrong, the VA3 is not better for backlight function. not only can you set to wrist flip/raise arm backlight at all times for the 245, besides the default "only during activity" option. , but the forerunner 245 also has "only after sunset" option that the va3 does not have. Also the altimeters on all the va3's are broke for some reason, I wouldn't even consider that an option on them. they should of all been recalled lol. dunno why, but they are horrible. either don't work, or record stairs for no reason. The vivosport has a decent altimeter.
Your review had some flaws. Example, 245 with gps mode is 24 hours vs 13 hours on the vivoactive. That’s almost double the battery on the 245. A huge difference. Also you say vivoactive a better buy. But for review you should note that prices change with time. At the moment 245 is way cheaper so the price difference is way less.
Doesn't the vivoactive 3 with the same gorilla glass lens and stainless steel bezel cost $279 vs the $300 dollar 245? You can get the one with the cheap bezel and glass for $199. But it has terrible reviews of people banging it up easily. If getting the newer model, think the only reason one would choose the vivoactive over the 245, is casual users who prefer touchscreen or who want garmin pay. But i'm leaning towards the better HR sensor and oxygen sleep tracking. Even as a non runner and though most people will make fun of me with push buttons. and spending as much money as a watch that can't do half as much as a smart watch lol
I do understand that you are more into running, however if you had to choose a watch to use for mountain bike and ski which of the 2 would you choose and why?? Thanks in advance for the reply!!
I'd have to go with the forerunner245. Its more sensitive and has the better HR sensor, and I notice even the forerunner is not bad for strength training. It recognizes when I do pushups and sit ups for instance and counts the reps automatically when i start strength training widget,. very cool.
Thanks for the review, you are the most detailed one yet on UA-cam. Made my decision based off your review and I agree the Vivoactive 3 Music is the better buy.
Coming from Fitbit Versa, I was quite underwhelmed by the resolution of the screen 😅 but I guess it all come down to needs & usage. I just purchased VivoActive 3 Music for the built in GPS & round shape watch. I also find touch screen tracker is a lot more handy than buttons & I am not a heavy runner, but coming from Versa which has a very crisp & sharp screen makes my eyes need to adjust for a few days with Garmin VA3 Music 😆
Yeah, the idea behind the screen technology from Garmin is that the screen is easily visible on the brightest days.
Hey i was kinda torn which one to buy between those 2 right now. Is the vivoactive 3 music still worth buying right now?
I would recommend the 245. If you look at the higher end Garmin watches like the 945, Fenix...they all have botons to press vs. touch screen. Why you ask? Because running and doing other activities on a touch screen is a frustrating nightmare. I hope I made the desicion a bit easier to make. You welcome.
Also because when wet the touch screen doesn't work.
Thanks for the review so i know the vivoactive suits for me
Thank you, great review.
Glad to help.
Wonder should I upgrade from Suunto Ambit 3 Vertical to the forerunner 245 music?
Thanks for the review. I should be getting the 245M instead. Granted that VA3 is more value for money, as a basic runner, I wouldn't mind the extra metrics to learn more about my running. Also, I have an issue buying older products even if it's cheaper but that's personal.
Good point. Personally I definitely like the 245M better, but the value for the VA3M is definitely better right now. Can't blame you at all for going for the more complete watch though.
as a beginner runner training effect and recovery time are very helpful, as well as body battery.
Which is better for intense bodybuilding?
I think the vivoactive 3 is better
As far as for weight training and walking (not running) which do you think is better, the 245 or apple series 4?
If you're not using the advanced running metrics then for sure the apple watch is a better option
Or Fitbit 🤩👍🏼
Agreed, if you don’t need the running metrics then definitely go with an Apple Watch.
Donavon Hornbeck thanks, that’s probably what I’ll do.
@@donavonhornbeck How do the HR sensors compare?
Great stuff!
Choosing between these two watches was really difficult for me!
I ended up going with the VA3M due to it having a more varied focus since I switch up my activities often!
Thanks for the video!
Yeah, if you aren't purely a runner, then I think the VA3M is probably the better choice. Were you able to get it when the price was down to $199?
@@donavonhornbeck yes thank goodness! I was in the market at the right time, at that price it's crazy not to choose it. I'm sure they'll bring down that price permanently soon.
I'm in a search of buying a running watch. My main activity is running and my goal is to run my first marathon this year, hence I would like a watch which can guide me through the marathon training. I like the the 245 better, but I can find vivoactive 3 music for 200 €, while 245 music costs 350 €. Could someone help me make a final decision?
If you are planning to do a lot of interval training then I would recommend the 245, but if you are just planning to log a lot of miles and not focus on interval training, then the VA3M will be all the watch that you'll need. I personally love my 245, and the physical buttons, but if you're on a budget the VA3M is a great watch as well.
@@donavonhornbeck Thank you very much.
I am planning to do a lot of intervals so I guess I have to go for the 245. One last thing, what about 645 assuming that it has the same price with the 245?
@@donavonhornbeck Hey, I have a quick question. Could you please scroll through all activities on the 245, does it really lack snowboarding? I wanted to buy this watch for running, cycling and, in the winter, snowboarding tracking but I think it does not have that. Thanks. :)
Are you still happy that you went with the white 245 as opposed to the black?
Honestly I didn’t think I’d like it, but I ended up really liking the white. It gets a lot of positive comments.
Donavon Hornbeck, oh that’s good to hear. I actually ordered the white one last night as well as a black strap in case I want to switch it up. And thanks for the quick reply and great video.
Your're wrong, the VA3 is not better for backlight function. not only can you set to wrist flip/raise arm backlight at all times for the 245, besides the default "only during activity" option. , but the forerunner 245 also has "only after sunset" option that the va3 does not have. Also the altimeters on all the va3's are broke for some reason, I wouldn't even consider that an option on them. they should of all been recalled lol. dunno why, but they are horrible. either don't work, or record stairs for no reason. The vivosport has a decent altimeter.
Was coming here to say this about the backlight 👍
Which one is better for marathon running?
Definatly 245
iniju why’s that?
@@miguelangelhernandezvazque2886 245 has new heart rate senser can check more things.
Your review had some flaws. Example, 245 with gps mode is 24 hours vs 13 hours on the vivoactive. That’s almost double the battery on the 245. A huge difference.
Also you say vivoactive a better buy. But for review you should note that prices change with time. At the moment 245 is way cheaper so the price difference is way less.
How much available storage for mp3s on the 245 music?
500 songs
Doesn't the vivoactive 3 with the same gorilla glass lens and stainless steel bezel cost $279 vs the $300 dollar 245? You can get the one with the cheap bezel and glass for $199. But it has terrible reviews of people banging it up easily. If getting the newer model, think the only reason one would choose the vivoactive over the 245, is casual users who prefer touchscreen or who want garmin pay. But i'm leaning towards the better HR sensor and oxygen sleep tracking. Even as a non runner and though most people will make fun of me with push buttons. and spending as much money as a watch that can't do half as much as a smart watch lol
I do understand that you are more into running, however if you had to choose a watch to use for mountain bike and ski which of the 2 would you choose and why?? Thanks in advance for the reply!!
I'd have to go with the forerunner245. Its more sensitive and has the better HR sensor, and I notice even the forerunner is not bad for strength training. It recognizes when I do pushups and sit ups for instance and counts the reps automatically when i start strength training widget,. very cool.
actually I think va3 has a ski widget that forerunner doesn't have. not sure.
Gert brother
Thanks :). Thinking about buying one of these?
Say button