Best watch for aging eyes?

Tom Box

I could put this in the gear forum but I thought I would put it here first.   What watch has the biggest numbers allowing me to see the data without having to run with reading glasses?  My current arsenal of Garmins include the 520 for cycling, the 620 for running and a vivoactive HR.  I currently have started using a Stryd power meter which requires a garmin with connect IQ which limits my options to the vivoactive which has a relatively small screen.  I realize there is a tradeoff on the number of data fields on each data screen and the size of the numbers.  I usually have between 2 to 4 data fields per screen.  Is there an option out there that allows me to run without my reading glasses?

tim cronk

Same boat Tom.  I use the 520 w/4 fields on the bike and 920 w/4 fields on the run.  Could always go to 2 fields per screen and toggle.  It's a catch 22 tho just like a phone I want it smaller but then I can't see it!

Al Truscott

My Garmin Fenix 3 has Connect IQ, and can show anywhere between 1 and 4 data fields (some 3rd party apps provide up to 7.) It can display either white on black or black on white, whichever works better. It also can use colors in its display. I solve the issue by wearing "Near/Far" contacts when swimming or road biking, or bifocals when running. But even when I use Far/Far (which mimics your vision problem) when skiing, I have no trouble picking out the numbers on the Fenix 3 using white background, blacks digits, and 4 data fields. Through foggy goggles!

Shaughn Simmons

I may need to upgrade to the Fenix 3 soon for this very reason......I don't use contacts, only reading glasses, which I obviously don't have on while the sweat is pouring out.....

SS

Tom Box

Thanks guys for the feedback.  Looks like a new watch is in my "near" future.  I'll investigate the 920 and the fenix 3 further.

Jon Bergmann

I just bought some new clear glasses that have a reading glass lens at the bottom. It has been awesome.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0086HWI5E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

M.S.Ironman

I wear cheap plastic readers when I want to watch data during a workout.   It seems ridiculous but I that's where I am at.   The Fenix 2 is practically unreadable for me.   New watch is in my futures at some point but I haven't seen anything that I had to have. 

Daren Hopper

Thanks for the tip on the clear glasses Jon!  I just ordered a pair!

jim ebert

Tom, I have a garmin 920 and use sunglasses with readers at the bottom. I have a pair of Tifosi transition (photo-chromatic?) sunglasses with readers. I'd get a 2nd pair but when I search online...no luck. The sunglasses with readers usually have strengths from 1.5 to 2.5. When I'm in the sun I always wear sunglasses to limit my old age vision decline (I'm 70). And since I need glasses to read...all my sunglasses now have readers at the bottom (causes some issues if I'm just looking down but "gettin old ain"t for sissies").

Tom Box

So here is a follow up to my original question and what I ended up doing.  I bought a 920 which I like.  However, if I put more than 2 data fields on a screen I find it's at the limits of my acuity.  And, I find it isn't necessarily the data that i have trouble viewing, it's the label of what the field is that I can't read. I can't see if I'm looking at lap, average or current pace for example.  So, I ended up buying a pair of Tifosi glasses that came with readers in the dark lenses.  I also bought some clear lenses with readers.  The clear lenses I use when on my treadmill indoors and on cloudy Oregon days.  I like the Tifosi lenses because the reader/normal lens line is low enough that it doesn't seem to bother me too much when cycling/running and looking down at the ground coming up.