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I am training for my first 5k in almost 10 years. I currently have a fitbit versa2 and also use map my run.

The app and watch never agree on distance after a run which also affects pace.

Years ago I used a Garmin watch but it was confusing to use.

What is the best way to track runs for distance accuracy? Ease of use is a big plus.

I'm looking at the Apple watch and the versa 3 plus different apps.

Thanks!!

Housemate is a runner and has only good things to say about newer Garmin products.

I did notice you were deciding apple versus Fitbit but thought I would toss this idea out there because of my housemate's very positive experiences with Garmin.

One other thing I have experienced is that you can often pick up tech that is maybe a version or two from new very reasonably on places like marketplace and see how you like it before investing a lot of money.

We bought a basically new Garmin scale for the house to replace an Under Armour one they stopped supporting. After selling the UA scale to someone who did not care about connectivity and apps our net total outlay was only $20 each ($40) for our "new" Garmin scale.

a guy who writes for the web under the name 'dcrainmaker' reviews fitness technology. As it happens, I was looking at it yesterday, and IIRC he recommends the Versa 3. He reviewed the Versa 2. Duckduckgo is your friend here.

Garmin for sure for running. The newer watches are very easy to use. The GPS is very accurate and the Garmin app works nicely for tracking.

If you have running store near you go there and talk with someone about what you need.

But Garmin 1000%

Apple watch needs daily charging. If you also want sleep tracking, it's basically a no-go.

Versa 3 is a nice tracker and a big upgrade from the Versa 2.

Notably, your Versa 2 doesn't have a built-in GPS, it requires a phone for tracking. So it's very odd that it would disagree with your phone for distance.

I will echo that I run a lot, and use a Garmin Vivoactive 3 which is much more streamlined than some of the other options Garmin has. I think it's a breeze to use, and I love the transflective screen being easily visible in bright sunlight.

It depends on what you're looking for.
If you want a smartwatch with fitness features almost any watch will do. I personally use a Samsung Galaxy. The fitness aspect is just not the focus even when advertised.
If you want a fitness tracker imo nothing really beats Garmin.
Garmin Connect is a pretty sweet App that covers a lot of features. You can also add other devices to the mix like a heart rate monitor (Garmin HRM-Pro).

Thanks everybody!! Lots of good suggestions. Looks like the Garmin watches are the favorites.

I'm look ing for a fitness tracker and every day smart watch with accurate GPS that is very easy to use and read. I struggle without readers so if I can't read the watch it has to be something simple I can use from memory. I like that map my run gives split times verbally.

I love how simple the fitbit is, I love the app and I also like it as an everyday watch but it is useless as a fitness tracker if it is not accurate. Fitbit also seems to have some quality control issues with watches dying.

I ran today using my fit it and map my run. The distances did not agree which made my average pace differ by a half a minute. I don't know why they aren't the same because as someone mentioned they both use my phones satellite.

The Apple watch is supposed to have accurate GPS and HRM.

The distances did not agree which made my average pace differ by a half a minute.

We use Map My Walk when we go out for walks, even if it's the same route, so we can compare times. We have a regular route that we tend to use in our neighborhood, and some days it's way off than other days. In a two-mile route (that I've checked using online pedometer sites), it can range from two miles to 2.3 miles. And we have perfect cell reception the whole time. So go figure. That's why I often use the online pedometer to confirm our distance (if we mixed up the route a bit). We've just found Map My Walk not to be 100% accurate all the time, so if that's important to you, confirm your run distance with another platform.

I used Garmins for years when I ran more seriously, but they were monsters and not something you would wear on your wrist not running. I tried fitbits and really wanted to love them but they crapped out usually the month the warranty ran out. I think I went through 3. And they ALWAYS lost connection to my phone. Such a pain. My SO go tired of me bitching and got an Apple Watch for me a couple of years ago and it has NEVER not worked. Granted, it was much more expensive, but I literally wasted hours with my fitbits trying to connect them, reset them, calling customer service, etc. That said, if I was ever going to train for a marathon again, I'd go back to a Garmin.

I have the Fenix 5S. I wear mine 24/7 (minus when I charge it). It is waterproof, it shows me texts and incoming calls but it is not touch screen and I cannot respond to texts. I don't care about that but some people do. I think this one because I keep my phone on me when I run, but it is zippered and put away. So if I am running and my kids call I can see that, instead of digging my phone out to see that it is some recorded announcement from the school that I want to go to voicemail anyway.

There is a newer version of the Fenix that is nicer. They do have a couple that are much cuter than the Fenix if you want to wear it and look cute (I wear mine all the time but it doesn't look cute lol). But with Garmin, the cuter the pricier and I am pretty cheap :)

You can usually find used Garmins on Facebook marketplace.