After 3 months of daily use, the Garmin Forerunner 955 has completely transformed my training. As a former Apple Watch user, I was blown away by the sheer depth of data this watch provides. The VO2 max tracking, heart rate monitoring, and run power metrics feel like having a personal coach on your wrist.

The standout feature? The Garmin Coach. Following its 10K plan shaved 30 seconds off my pace—something I never achieved with generic apps. Race day was magical; the watch dynamically adjusted my target pace based on real-time performance and course conditions, leading to a personal best.

Battery life is revolutionary. Lasting over a week on a single charge (vs. daily charging with Apple) means no more "low battery" anxiety mid-workout. The always-on sunlight-readable display is perfect for trail runs, though the watch’s bulkiness (especially for smaller wrists) makes sleep tracking impractical for me.

Two gripes: It’s not a true smartwatch (no texting/call responses), and I encountered the infamous "blue triangle" glitch requiring multiple reboots. But for serious athletes who prioritize performance metrics over notifications, this is hands-down the best GPS watch under $500.

Pro tip: Get the solar edition if you train outdoors frequently—I gained 1% battery in just an hour of sunlight exposure!