If you’re asking, “What Garmin watch should I get?” or debating whether to sell your old phone to fund an upgrade, you’re in the right place. Garmin’s diverse lineup caters to runners, hikers, swimmers, and everyday users—but choosing the perfect model can feel overwhelming. This guide simplifies your decision, covering top picks, setup tips (how to reset a Garmin watch or change the time), and even how to trade in old phones or devices to offset costs. Let’s dive in!

How to Choose the Right Garmin Watch

“Which Garmin watch is right for me?” Start by defining your priorities:

1. Fitness & Training

• Forerunner 265/965: Ideal for runners with advanced metrics like Training Readiness and Race Widget.
  • Best for: Marathoners, triathletes, and data-driven athletes.
  • Battery: Up to 23 hours in GPS mode.
• Venu 3: Combines AMOLED displays with wellness tracking (sleep, stress, and HRV status).
  • Best for: Gym-goers and yoga enthusiasts.

2. Outdoor Adventures

• Fenix 7 Pro: Rugged, solar-powered, with multi-band GPS and preloaded topographic maps.
  • Best for: Hikers, climbers, and backpackers.
• Instinct 2 Solar: Affordable, durable, and boasts unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode.
  • Best for: Campers and survivalists.

3. Smartwatch Features

• Vivoactive 5: Sleek, lightweight, and offers animated workouts plus Garmin Pay.
  • Best for: Casual users wanting style and functionality.
• Epix Pro (Gen 2): AMOLED display with touchscreen and LED flashlight for low-light navigation.

4. Budget-Friendly Picks

• Lily 2: Stylish, compact, and tracks periods, pregnancy, and hydration.
• Forerunner 55: Entry-level GPS watch for runners under $200.

Key Features to Compare

• Battery Life: Ranges from 5 days (Vivoactive 5) to 150+ hours (Enduro 2).
• GPS Accuracy: Fenix and Epix models excel with multi-frequency tracking.
• Health Sensors: Pulse Ox, ECG, and Pregnancy Tracking on premium models.

Setting Up Your Garmin Watch

How to Turn On a Garmin Watch

Hold the power button (left side) until the Garmin logo appears.

How to Sync a Garmin Watch

1. Download Garmin Connect (iOS/Android).
2. Enable Bluetooth and follow in-app prompts.

How to Change the Time on a Garmin Watch

• Auto-Sync: Enable GPS time in Settings > System > Time > Automatic.
• Manual: Settings > System > Time > Set Manually.

How to Change Watch Face on Garmin Vivoactive 5

1. Long-press the current watch face.
2. Browse preloaded options or download designs via Connect IQ Store.

Troubleshooting & Maintenance

How to Reset a Garmin Watch

• Soft Reset: Hold the power button for 15 seconds.
• Factory Reset: Settings > System > Reset > Delete Data.

How to Restart a Garmin Watch

Hold the power button until the screen turns off, then release.

How to Update a Garmin Watch

1. Connect to Wi-Fi or Garmin Express (desktop).
2. Navigate to Settings > Software Update.

Sell or Trade-In Old Devices

Thinking of sell my Garmin watch or trade in old phone? Here’s how:

• Garmin Trade-Up: Recycle old devices for 20% off new purchases.
• Resale Platforms: eBay, Swappa, or Facebook Marketplace yield higher returns.
• Retailer Trade-Ins: Best Buy, Amazon, and Apple offer instant credit.

Pro Tip: Always factory reset devices (how to reset Garmin watch) and include chargers to boost resale value.

FAQs

Choosing a Garmin Watch

1. What Garmin watch should I get for hiking?
   The Fenix 7 Pro or Instinct 2X Solar for GPS reliability and durability.
2. Which Garmin watch is right for swimming?
   The Forerunner 955 or Swim 2 tracks pool laps and open-water metrics.
3. Is the Venu 3 worth it over the Vivoactive 5?
   Yes—if you want microphone calls and ECG tracking.

Setup & Customization

4. How to set time on a Garmin watch after traveling?
   Enable Auto Time Zone in settings or adjust manually.
5. How to change the watch face on Garmin Vivoactive 5?
   Long-press the screen > Watch Faces > Select from Connect IQ.
6. How to sync a Garmin watch to multiple phones?
   You can’t—unpair from the old device first via Garmin Connect.

Resale & Trade-Ins

7. Where’s the best place to sell my Garmin watch?
   Swappa or eBay for higher payouts; trade to Garmin for convenience.
8. Can I trade in a phone with a cracked screen?
   Yes, but expect 50–70% less value.
9. How to reset Garmin watch before selling?
   Settings > System > Reset > Delete Data.
10. How to check my old phone’s trade-in value?
    Use Amazon Trade-In or Apple GiveBack for instant quotes.

Troubleshooting

11. Why won’t my Garmin watch turn on?
    Charge it for 30 minutes, then hold the power button.
12. How to restart a frozen Garmin watch?
    Hold the power button for 30+ seconds to force a reboot.
13. How to update Garmin watch without Wi-Fi?
    Use Garmin Express on a computer with USB.
14. Why is my Garmin watch not syncing?
    Reinstall Garmin Connect, restart both devices, or check Bluetooth.
15. How to change the time on Garmin watch manually?
    Settings > System > Time > Set Manually.

Final Recommendations

• Best Overall: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) for AMOLED display and navigation.
• Best for Runners: Forerunner 965 with lightweight design and race tools.
• Best Budget: Vivoactive 5 at $299.

Before you sell your old phone or Garmin watch, reset it (how to reset Garmin watch) and research resale platforms. Whether you’re chasing PRs or exploring trails, there’s a Garmin built for your journey! Visit The Distinction Institute for further guidance about Garmin watch.