The test: Garmin Venu Sq 2 Music – Updated on all levels

It would be wrong to say the Venu Sq 2 is a simpler watch, but from a training watch perspective, it’s the simpler model in Garmin’s range. However, it has many functions that make it suitable for many who want a good watch for everyday use but also for recording their training. Perhaps we should pass the same test before making any kind of final judgment.

If you put the former Venu Sq and the new Venu Sq 2 next to each other, there isn’t much difference. The new device has a slightly larger screen and is about a millimeter thicker. But other than that they are very similar. However, when you turn it on and start looking closely at the hardware, you discover many differences. For example, the screen has been replaced, and the new amoled display has a higher resolution (which in itself isn’t noticeable wildly much), and is, as I said, a bit larger, which is a nice plus. In addition to the new screen, there are new important things like a heart rate monitor and a GPS module. Much of the navigation on the watch is done using the touch screen and it’s not a change from the previous model. The two buttons on the side have dual functions, but I would have liked to see another button on the side perhaps for faster operation when wearing gloves, for example.

This means that the Venu Sq 2 has the same heart rate monitor and GPS module as the new Forerunner watches, with the difference that on the Venu Sq 2 it doesn’t have multi-band GPS, which means the GPS isn’t as accurate (however, during testing, we didn’t notice any Significant difference between the new Forerunner models and the Venu Sq 2 in the environments we moved to).

Watch training with fewer analytics

Unlike the more refined training watches in the Forerunner series, the Venu Sq 2 lacks some of its ability to analyze your training and the condition of your body. For example, you will not get recovery information or more advanced information about your card. You can get more data in the Garmin Connect app, but not in the watch. Since the barometric altimeter is missing, you also won’t get hourly elevation data, and it doesn’t calculate stairs or have altimeter-based training modes either. However, you can see altimeters in the app afterwards, as data from the GPS track is used to provide elevation information.

Another feature that has been pared down here is HRV measurement. HRV, or heart rate variability is a useful value for knowing if something is wrong with the body. With the Venu Sq 2, you can actually get an HRV when you take what’s called a health picture, but you don’t get a continuous measurement that you can get on more advanced watches.

Now it may seem that I focused too much on the missing things, perhaps because the watch has several training functions that mainly highlight the ones I miss. It has many different activity modes and can be programmed for different types of training within different modes. New sensors for heart rate and GPS measurement mean you get good metrics during exercise and when you’re moving in general. The heart rate curves look smooth and good without the “spikes” that might have happened earlier on. As mentioned earlier, the new GPS unit provides good accuracy in the environments we tested, namely residential areas (but not tall buildings) or sparse and dense forests. If you don’t like watch faces, which unfortunately can’t be customized, there are plenty to download via the Connect IQ app.

Simple daily jobs

In addition to the training functions, the watch also comes with the ability to use Garmin Pay, control your music (and in this particular version also download music and play it offline), answer calls (with messages, if you don’t feel like talking, or pick up the phone) and messages. You can choose from a large number of pre-programmed messages and you can also create and upload your own messages in the app.

Battery life has improved since the predecessor, if it’s due to a significant reduction in power consumption in new components or a new battery, Garmin isn’t saying anything, but six days to eleven is a relatively good improvement in battery life in smartwatch mode. The Garmin Connect app is crisp and clear. It’s easy to view the data in different ways and you can see a lot more information about your training than on a watch.

Summary

The Garmin Venu Sq 2 probably isn’t the most equipped smartwatch you can buy when it comes to smartwatches, and it probably isn’t the best training watch for those of you who do a lot of training and want to keep track of your activities. and obtain more accurate analytics. On the other hand, it’s a good watch for those who want a good smartwatch and something to measure your activities, but may not need or want all that advanced training. Personally, I’m not a fan of the square design, but it’s clearly a matter of taste. For many, this is probably a perfect watch. If you don’t need the ability to listen to music when you’re offline, you can take a closer look at the watch with the same name but without the Music heading.