Great video I'm in love with this watch I ordered it and I'm waiting for it. At last a garmin watch with a descend display. Previous I had all xiaomi watches were beutifull but lack of fitness features and accuracy in measurements. Then I went for garmin and the display was a disaster I couldn't even see it. Venu 2 I think is the perfect combination of these
Hey, just curious to know how you find it? I ordered and returned a 4s because I knew I wouldn’t be happy with the screen. I’d like a 2s but the price jeez
@@kayblossom8505 venu 2 is amazing and I'm happy with it. Everything you need about fitness tracking with a beutifull display . Battery fair enough about 6 days with every day workout. Light and comfortable too. I say go for it :)
Hi. since already 5months, as 2s user, hows your experience with it ? any cons especially, can share? because im planning to get venu 2 n 2s. appreciate your view
@@Dcrainmaker what would be the size comparison between the venu 2 and the watch active 2? I have the watch active 2 but I'm looking for something bigger.
I have both here, and they're basically identical in both case and screen size this time around. Venu 2 is likely going to replace the GA2 for me, and while that watch is a great smartwatch the Venu 2 is finally where I'd want to see a replacement. It's much faster than the original Venu and for fitness its a no brainer (biggest thing being heart rate based calorie calc that the GA will likely never inherit). I think the only things ill miss are being able to take calls on the wrist, the ability to speak to the watch to create events and/or reply to texts, and a more seamless integration of apps. Just depends what matters most to you I suppose...
@@DylanTK Thank you. That's exactly what I'm thinking. Before the Active I had the Huawei Gt 2 and the reason I changed it for the Active were the smartwatch features however I kinda miss that design and the way the gt2 looked on my wrist. I just feel the active 2 looks small kinda small for me. I'm really interested in the Venu 2 but I would love to see a side by side comparison with the Active 2 just to know exactly how it would look like.
@@fitorockx, ultimately I think they would look about the same. The Venu 2 is slightly thicker in case height, but the screen and bezel sizes are nearly identical to the GA2. So it was def more of a swap for a different feature set for me. Have you looked into the Galaxy Watch 3? Those are noticeably larger than the GA2/Venu 2, and then there's the newer Galaxy Watch 4/Active/whatever they decide to name it coming out soon.
Thank you so much! Do you/does your wife find the 2S good in terms of screen reaction? I tested the vivoactive 4s and saw that the screen sometimes missed my finger and did not react great, whereas the vivoactive 4 did work good. Did you have this as well with the Venu 2S? Or is the screen still good to read and interact with?
I hope we get a choice of a Venu 2 or a Vivoactive 5. I know Ray couldn't divulge even if he already knows. If the Venu 2 drops to $299. on black friday, I'll probably go in that direction.
Would anyone know why the venu 2s doesn't track steps while in elliptical activity mode. It tracks steps while in normal watch mode but when i select elliptical it doesn't track steps. Funny thing is that i tried the elliptical mode on the venu 2 and it does track steps. I'm trying to get some ideas as to how to fix this issue. Thanks in advance.
Thank you for such a detailed review. I just ordered the Garmin 245 which has emphasis on running. I chose it over the Garmin 55 because of support for strength training in 245. Now I see the Venu 2 has those nice animations for the strength exercises, and showing the muscle groups. Those are nice but when I think of it, not really necessary, as I have books showing me how to do those exercises. Apart from the nice graphics, are the strength training features in the Venu 2 more advanced than those in the 245? What does the 245 miss out here?
@@braddavister137 Good point.. Their pricing structure is getting ridiculous. I'm considering switching to another brand. I'm not paying another $800 for minimal upgrades, that's for sure. I would take a 745 level watch with amoled at this point. Just really don't want the touchscreen on the Venu if I can help it.
@@TheBodyFirmATL agreed on the touch screen, I have the Apple Watch currently 🤮 I hate the screen being smudged up. I’d rather a 945 or something but I want that sapphire. I had a 5 sapphire and beat the snot out of it and that screen held up like it was day one.
Thanks for the video! As there is a hiking sports profile, do we get a "resume later" option to save the current activity for a break and resume it later? This was a reason to switch to a FR245 (and not Fenix 6) because after 15 minutes, the activity was saved which is strange. I also don´t like the new UI it looks like a cheap china watch. It seems Garmin used the designers from the past. Most great UI goes a step back with sensless stuff (round lines around a widget glance or glow (really? have not seen this for 20 years... oh man as a designer my eyes are burning). I like the technics of the Venu 2 but i hope that we get a Fenix or FR955 with a clear look and not so small text sizes (heart rate are and other numbers very small in some screens ).
Hi there, great review, many thanks for that. Quick question, I know that there is no training load / training status etc...can I supplement this (to obtain these values) by using / wearing a chest strap? Thx
Great video and review, thank! The watch seems very appealing for my wife, may buy one eventually. Is there any chance, from your experience, that HIIT activity may come to Fenix 6 watches?
Hi thank you this is really helpful. Do you know if you can change what is shown in the 3 rings on a workout you have completed, on the connect app? Mine shows, TIME, DISTANCE, CALORIES but I'd like to change the calories as this doesn't interest me. Many thanks!
Hello, very good review as always, I have two questions: 1. How strong is the vibration in alarms? 2. Is this new Health Snapshot function like Polar’s Orthostastic Test? Since it is combined with Body Battery as Polar did with Recovery Pro.
Of the current Garmin lineup, does the Venu 2 have the most advanced/sensitive monitors for heart rate and sleep tracking? Garmin Support said the Venu 2 has the 4th generation heart rate sensors, but couldn't tell me if any other series did as well.
No, no plans there that I know of (and honestly, wouldn't expect it). The new UI is dependent on the far more powerful processor and GPU of the Venu 2.
@@Dcrainmaker Pity. That new UI looks way better and takes so much more advantage of the oled screen. Thanks for the review. May try to sell my Venu 1 and upgrade. Do you think it's worth upgrading for the new oxygen sensor and better performance/UI?
@@MichelBertrand for $50 that upgrade is totally worth it for the bigger size better sensors and longer battery alone! Plus the better resolution helps too.
@@braddavister137 got in touch with Garmin, but since I bought mine on Amazon, they are not willing to do anything. And I'm just past the 30 day return window. Oh well.
Hey Ray, has there been any significant updates on the Venu 2? I like having virtual partner etc but Garmin website the Venu doesn't have this. Would be good if they've added it since release. Cheers
What is Garmin tech mobile? I'm not a weightlifter, so I'd probably never use it. But I am a runner, would have been nice to see how it links to the GPS.
Hi. Bit of a newbie's question (don't own a smartwatch or an activity tracker but looking to buy one to use on runs/longer bike rides/commute etc)... Would it be possible to get some kind of live, turn-by-turn navigation on this watch? I assumed it could be done through an app such as Komoot, but that doesn't seem to be compatible with this model, nor its predecessor. I might be failing to understand some of the basics about how the many different Garmin products handle navigation, but I'm not clear about whether this is just a case of waiting for Komoot to release a version of the app that's compatible with this model (or finding an alternative), or if there's some underlying reason relating to this model's specifications that mean it would never be possible. I like the idea of a fitness/activity tracker that leans towards smartwatch stylings (which this seems to do) but I'm being put off by the idea of not having that kind of navigation capability. Looking at an alternative like a Samsung, the reviews of Komoot on the Samsung store are pretty awful (as they seem to be for most apps). Perhaps I need to think more about the compromises I'd be prepared to make...
I am between Garmin Vivoactive 4 for £139 or Venu 2s for £209. Do you think I should pay more for the amoled screen, better battery and more modern interface?
What is the one device that you would suggest for a beginer of fitness tracker. Who's more into accurate tracking than cosmetic stuff and app notification things
Can the Venu 2 'speak' to me while running (if I have headphones on) so that I can get prompts about when sections of running are over, etc? The slight vibration I get isn't always enough and especially during interval running this would be helpful. Thanks...
Somewhat different watches, this one is better for pure fitness focuses, whereas the Apple Watch is better if you want things like LTE coverage or such.
Yup, it'll control the music on your phone, and then you can technically answer a call - but it just basically picks up the connection (so you'll need headphones or such to listen to it).
Can someone with some pull please request that Garmin allow personalized alarms via the app so that the alarms can be utilized for regular life as well as fitness! As far as I can tell, users have been asking for an update that will allow personalized alarms for years now, and it seems like a really simple ask that can be granted with a simple software update? Come on, Garmin!!
thank you for the very informative video. Do you know if a cycling powermeter can be connected with the venu 2? So that the venu 2 records my powermeter data.
What I don't get (and for some reason, no one talks about this ever) is why the animation on the watch is so choppy. For example at 11:41 when you select a new watch face it takes a noticeable time to render it. The original Venu didn't have a GPU, but with Venu 2 having a GPU, having choppy animations is just so weird in 2021 (what with people using 120 hz phone displays and thinking 90 hz is choppy)
Bro, this watch is so confusing; and your video is just as confusing. I’m going back to no watch, nor phone when I exercise. Now, off to Marketplace to ditch my watch. Ad will read, “Unwanted expensive Xmas gift” Free to good home…
I just paused the video at 1:46 and that screen plus your camera and lighting setup look amazing in 4k.
Great stuff as always.
Thanks Jeff - I appreciate it!
I love my venu2- i love the great downloadable watch faces that have motion- bees that fly, corgis that chase tails and more. Love them
Ordered them today 🤩! Thank you very much for super detailed review on your web.
How do you like them?
Wow, simply Superb, thanks for your time. 👍
I hope Garmin releases a Vivoactive 5 with these features. The OLED display is great, but I would rather have the reflective display
Me too!
Thanks for this! Always interesting what Garmin is up to with their new devices.
Desfit has just entered an ultra to ramp up those steps :-D
True...true!
Great video I'm in love with this watch I ordered it and I'm waiting for it.
At last a garmin watch with a descend display.
Previous I had all xiaomi watches were beutifull but lack of fitness features and accuracy in measurements.
Then I went for garmin and the display was a disaster I couldn't even see it.
Venu 2 I think is the perfect combination of these
Hey, just curious to know how you find it? I ordered and returned a 4s because I knew I wouldn’t be happy with the screen. I’d like a 2s but the price jeez
@@kayblossom8505 venu 2 is amazing and I'm happy with it.
Everything you need about fitness tracking with a beutifull display .
Battery fair enough about 6 days with every day workout.
Light and comfortable too.
I say go for it :)
@@Hitch-82 thank you very much, I am awaiting one in the post😅
@@kayblossom8505 nice I'm sure you will love it too
@@Hitch-82 thank you I hope so!
I would like to see full user interface walk through of the new garmin instinct 2 please... great video...
Yup, hoping to film it today!
at the end:
"here's two minutes of me scratching these watches on a hard wood box, enjoy!"
Hahaha
love it! already bought 2s 😍😍😍
Hi. since already 5months, as 2s user, hows your experience with it ? any cons especially, can share? because im planning to get venu 2 n 2s. appreciate your view
Great work as always, Sir. I may have to put this up against my Watch Active 2 (more of a smartwatch guy).
Thanks!!
@@Dcrainmaker what would be the size comparison between the venu 2 and the watch active 2? I have the watch active 2 but I'm looking for something bigger.
I have both here, and they're basically identical in both case and screen size this time around. Venu 2 is likely going to replace the GA2 for me, and while that watch is a great smartwatch the Venu 2 is finally where I'd want to see a replacement. It's much faster than the original Venu and for fitness its a no brainer (biggest thing being heart rate based calorie calc that the GA will likely never inherit). I think the only things ill miss are being able to take calls on the wrist, the ability to speak to the watch to create events and/or reply to texts, and a more seamless integration of apps. Just depends what matters most to you I suppose...
@@DylanTK Thank you. That's exactly what I'm thinking. Before the Active I had the Huawei Gt 2 and the reason I changed it for the Active were the smartwatch features however I kinda miss that design and the way the gt2 looked on my wrist. I just feel the active 2 looks small kinda small for me. I'm really interested in the Venu 2 but I would love to see a side by side comparison with the Active 2 just to know exactly how it would look like.
@@fitorockx, ultimately I think they would look about the same. The Venu 2 is slightly thicker in case height, but the screen and bezel sizes are nearly identical to the GA2. So it was def more of a swap for a different feature set for me.
Have you looked into the Galaxy Watch 3? Those are noticeably larger than the GA2/Venu 2, and then there's the newer Galaxy Watch 4/Active/whatever they decide to name it coming out soon.
Do you swim with this watch? Thanks. Great review.
Any idea what version of Bluetooth this is using? Also, is this worth upgrading from the Vivoactive 4?
Thank you so much! Do you/does your wife find the 2S good in terms of screen reaction? I tested the vivoactive 4s and saw that the screen sometimes missed my finger and did not react great, whereas the vivoactive 4 did work good. Did you have this as well with the Venu 2S? Or is the screen still good to read and interact with?
I hope we get a choice of a Venu 2 or a Vivoactive 5. I know Ray couldn't divulge even if he already knows. If the Venu 2 drops to $299. on black friday, I'll probably go in that direction.
Would anyone know why the venu 2s doesn't track steps while in elliptical activity mode. It tracks steps while in normal watch mode but when i select elliptical it doesn't track steps. Funny thing is that i tried the elliptical mode on the venu 2 and it does track steps. I'm trying to get some ideas as to how to fix this issue. Thanks in advance.
Tell me please forerunner 745 or Venu 2? Which is better?
I would have a question too. Maybe a stupid one. Is it safe to take a Venu 2 watch in sauna?
Thank you for such a detailed review. I just ordered the Garmin 245 which has emphasis on running. I
chose it over the Garmin 55 because of support for strength training in 245. Now I see the Venu 2 has those nice animations for the strength exercises, and showing the muscle groups. Those are nice but when I think of it, not really necessary, as I have books showing me how to do those exercises. Apart from the nice graphics, are the strength training features in the Venu 2 more advanced than those in the 245? What does the 245 miss out here?
Can you talk into the venue 2s watch. Make phone calls with the watch.
No there is no microphone
I'm still on a Fenix 5x, trying to hold out for a fenix level device with an OLED screen, but might go ahead and try this one....
That would be so cool but I don’t know if they’d do that and I couldn’t imagine that price with a sapphire screen 😂
@@braddavister137 Good point.. Their pricing structure is getting ridiculous. I'm considering switching to another brand. I'm not paying another $800 for minimal upgrades, that's for sure. I would take a 745 level watch with amoled at this point. Just really don't want the touchscreen on the Venu if I can help it.
@@TheBodyFirmATL agreed on the touch screen, I have the Apple Watch currently 🤮 I hate the screen being smudged up. I’d rather a 945 or something but I want that sapphire. I had a 5 sapphire and beat the snot out of it and that screen held up like it was day one.
Thanks for the video! As there is a hiking sports profile, do we get a "resume later" option to save the current activity for a break and resume it later? This was a reason to switch to a FR245 (and not Fenix 6) because after 15 minutes, the activity was saved which is strange. I also don´t like the new UI it looks like a cheap china watch. It seems Garmin used the designers from the past. Most great UI goes a step back with sensless stuff (round lines around a widget glance or glow (really? have not seen this for 20 years... oh man as a designer my eyes are burning). I like the technics of the Venu 2 but i hope that we get a Fenix or FR955 with a clear look and not so small text sizes (heart rate are and other numbers very small in some screens ).
Sadly no resume later with hike. Just tried.
@@Dcrainmaker Thanks for your reply. Would be nice if all watches get this function. It was a game changer for me ;)
Hi there, great review, many thanks for that. Quick question, I know that there is no training load / training status etc...can I supplement this (to obtain these values) by using / wearing a chest strap? Thx
Great video and review, thank!
The watch seems very appealing for my wife, may buy one eventually.
Is there any chance, from your experience, that HIIT activity may come to Fenix 6 watches?
Honestly hard to know. But I'm going to compile a list of questions later tonight, and will stick it in there.
@@Dcrainmaker thank you :)
Hello speed talker, can you tell me if it is possible to magnify the fond when showing the pulse? on the Venu 2
Try playback speed 0.75 😅😂😂
Hi thank you this is really helpful. Do you know if you can change what is shown in the 3 rings on a workout you have completed, on the connect app? Mine shows, TIME, DISTANCE, CALORIES but I'd like to change the calories as this doesn't interest me. Many thanks!
Question: Can I turnoff the Bluetooth and still able to track my activity in Garmin Venu2s?
Thank you so much
Hello, very good review as always, I have two questions:
1. How strong is the vibration in alarms?
2. Is this new Health Snapshot function like Polar’s Orthostastic Test? Since it is combined with Body Battery as Polar did with Recovery Pro.
using Venu 2 plus, the alarm or heart rate alert are pretty good, cant go unnoticed on wrist
Does this watch has the today suggestion for running like Forerunner series?
Hi! Considering it's almoast half the price of the venu 3 would You reccomend it as a first gps smartwatch? I don't want the 2 plus (it's too small).
How well does the swiping and the interface work when your wrist and hands are all sweaty?
How the heck do I access the data fields on my watch that I installed from ConnectIQ and show up on the app on my phone?? Help a newbie!!
Great video Ray! Do you think we'll get some food these new features on previous models? Like the new body battery algorithm?
No on previous Venu, but in some other watches already out, yes.
How is the gps accuracy for Hocking and outdoor running
Of the current Garmin lineup, does the Venu 2 have the most advanced/sensitive monitors for heart rate and sleep tracking? Garmin Support said the Venu 2 has the 4th generation heart rate sensors, but couldn't tell me if any other series did as well.
I have the venu s2 and its super accurate! I live it do far! I've had it for about 4 days so far. I LOVE ❤️
Does it track naps? As I had a fitbit a few years back and it did
Sadly no naps on Garmin watches.
Wish it did.
Hey Ray, do you know if we will be getting the new UI on the original Venu? I just bought mine last month of course...
No, no plans there that I know of (and honestly, wouldn't expect it). The new UI is dependent on the far more powerful processor and GPU of the Venu 2.
@@Dcrainmaker Pity. That new UI looks way better and takes so much more advantage of the oled screen. Thanks for the review. May try to sell my Venu 1 and upgrade. Do you think it's worth upgrading for the new oxygen sensor and better performance/UI?
I'm in the exact same situation. Great question.
@@MichelBertrand for $50 that upgrade is totally worth it for the bigger size better sensors and longer battery alone! Plus the better resolution helps too.
@@braddavister137 got in touch with Garmin, but since I bought mine on Amazon, they are not willing to do anything. And I'm just past the 30 day return window. Oh well.
Do you have a screen cover on the Venu 2?
Hey Ray, has there been any significant updates on the Venu 2? I like having virtual partner etc but Garmin website the Venu doesn't have this. Would be good if they've added it since release. Cheers
Can anyone help my venu 2 is reading steps while I'm in car and hand movement its really annoying?
What is Garmin tech mobile? I'm not a weightlifter, so I'd probably never use it. But I am a runner, would have been nice to see how it links to the GPS.
Question: Can I put my own music list on the Venu2 without using dezzer and Spotify? I'm wearing fenix 5 plus now but want to change.
Yup!
Touch screen is messy for a sports watch. But the resolution on this one must be used for future models.
Is there a triathlon and/or duathlon tracking?
Can you take the Health Scan with a chest strap for more accurate HRV?
Is there a way to turn on specific notifications on venu 2s? (I.e. Instagram) driving me nuts!!
Hi. Bit of a newbie's question (don't own a smartwatch or an activity tracker but looking to buy one to use on runs/longer bike rides/commute etc)...
Would it be possible to get some kind of live, turn-by-turn navigation on this watch? I assumed it could be done through an app such as Komoot, but that doesn't seem to be compatible with this model, nor its predecessor. I might be failing to understand some of the basics about how the many different Garmin products handle navigation, but I'm not clear about whether this is just a case of waiting for Komoot to release a version of the app that's compatible with this model (or finding an alternative), or if there's some underlying reason relating to this model's specifications that mean it would never be possible.
I like the idea of a fitness/activity tracker that leans towards smartwatch stylings (which this seems to do) but I'm being put off by the idea of not having that kind of navigation capability. Looking at an alternative like a Samsung, the reviews of Komoot on the Samsung store are pretty awful (as they seem to be for most apps).
Perhaps I need to think more about the compromises I'd be prepared to make...
I am between Garmin Vivoactive 4 for £139 or Venu 2s for £209. Do you think I should pay more for the amoled screen, better battery and more modern interface?
What is the one device that you would suggest for a beginer of fitness tracker. Who's more into accurate tracking than cosmetic stuff and app notification things
How to caliberate treadmill distance on venu2s?
Can the Venu 2 'speak' to me while running (if I have headphones on) so that I can get prompts about when sections of running are over, etc? The slight vibration I get isn't always enough and especially during interval running this would be helpful. Thanks...
Got the watch yesterday. I cannot get my sleep to track its so annoying. Any ideas???
Why does my lock button keep coming up in locked mode. I cannot do alot? I set it for unlock
Hello, can you use this to workout on a Total Gym?
Hi
How do you clean your watch?
Thanks
Would you recommend this over an Apple Watch 6
Somewhat different watches, this one is better for pure fitness focuses, whereas the Apple Watch is better if you want things like LTE coverage or such.
hi could you do a video Garmin venu 2/2s vs Garmin Venu?
how much the software changed the past few months?
Not much.
@@Dcrainmaker thanks . Can you recommend it as an forerunner 45 upgrade? It's seems to be somewhat less usable. (Really basic runner here)
Hey Ray, can this still broadcast HR?
Yup, via ANT+. Potentially also adding Bluetooth Smart broadcasting too, they say.
Hi is this venu 2 can broadcast heart rate over Bluetooth?
Yes you can use an Ant+ or Bluetooth heart rate strap
Do you test cheap watches? Like amazfit stratos, Xiaomi mi watch Sport Edition, honor Magic
Is there trail run mode?
No, unfortunately not.
@@Dcrainmaker so using it for ultra is not good ? I`m not talking about ultra :)
Does it have Bulgarian language?
Just ordered mine. It wont completly replace my fenix 5x thought
They could have saved those exercise videos and let you edit the name of added activities, good video tho
Does the watch control anything on the phone, like music or answering/ending phone calls?
Yup, it'll control the music on your phone, and then you can technically answer a call - but it just basically picks up the connection (so you'll need headphones or such to listen to it).
Sir I want I trainer
Can someone with some pull please request that Garmin allow personalized alarms via the app so that the alarms can be utilized for regular life as well as fitness! As far as I can tell, users have been asking for an update that will allow personalized alarms for years now, and it seems like a really simple ask that can be granted with a simple software update?
Come on, Garmin!!
Thank you for this. Can you add your own music files without a subscription service?
Yup, no problem doing so via computer.
thank you for the very informative video. Do you know if a cycling powermeter can be connected with the venu 2? So that the venu 2 records my powermeter data.
No, not directly. You can do it with some 3rd party apps though. Let me write/record something on that.
For running would you go with this or the FR745?
FR745.
This is more of an all-round watch where as FR745 is more catered to runners.
What I don't get (and for some reason, no one talks about this ever) is why the animation on the watch is so choppy. For example at 11:41 when you select a new watch face it takes a noticeable time to render it. The original Venu didn't have a GPU, but with Venu 2 having a GPU, having choppy animations is just so weird in 2021 (what with people using 120 hz phone displays and thinking 90 hz is choppy)
Does it have airplane mode?
Yes
Not only bt off, actual airplane mode like fenix and fr245?
Just got the watch and I’m returning it: the buttons are so crappy you can’t believe it
Bro, this watch is so confusing; and your video is just as confusing. I’m going back to no watch, nor phone when I exercise. Now, off to Marketplace to ditch my watch. Ad will read, “Unwanted expensive Xmas gift” Free to good home…