Swim Training Watch Buying Guide: Garmin vs SUUNTO Swim Mode Comparison

Introduction

Swimming is an activity where it’s extremely difficult to gauge training effectiveness by feel alone—unlike running, where GPS tracks your pace, your speed in the water and stroke efficiency require precise data to understand. Swimming watches (or smart sports watches with swimming functions) can record key metrics such as stroke count, lap count, and SWOLF index, making them essential tools for serious athletes. Garmin and SUUNTO are the two most common brands in the Taiwanese market. This article provides an in-depth comparison from the perspective of swimming-specific features to help you make the right choice.

Core Features of Swimming Watches Explained

Before comparing brands, let’s understand the key metrics of swimming watches:

SWOLF Index: The sum of the time (in seconds) to swim one pool length (e.g., 25m) plus the number of strokes taken. A lower SWOLF indicates higher swimming efficiency and is an important metric for measuring technical improvement.

Stroke Rate (Strokes Per Minute): The number of strokes per minute, affecting swimming rhythm.

Distance Per Stroke (DPS): The distance traveled per stroke, reflecting propulsion efficiency.

Stroke Type Recognition: The watch automatically identifies freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly, recording data for each separately.

Rest Detection: Automatically pauses timing when resting at the pool edge and resumes recording when you re-enter the water.

Garmin Swimming Features Overview

Garmin has invested heavily in swimming features, with multiple watch models offering comprehensive swimming modes:

Key Models (swimming-focused):

• Garmin Swim 2: Pure swimming design, no GPS, priced around NT$5,000–7,000
• Garmin Forerunner 745: All-around triathlon watch, priced around NT$10,000–13,000
• Garmin Fenix 7 Series: Flagship multi-sport watch, priced around NT$18,000–35,000

Garmin Swimming Strengths:

1. Highly accurate stroke type recognition: Garmin’s algorithms have a very high recognition accuracy for all four strokes
2. Custom Drill Mode: Allows setting special practice modes to record specific training sets
3. Critical Swim Speed (CSS): Calculates anaerobic threshold swimming speed to help set training zones
4. Garmin Connect Platform: Comprehensive data analysis interface for tracking long-term progress trends
5. Open Water Mode: GPS-equipped models can track routes in open water

Garmin Swimming Weaknesses:

• Lower-end models have smaller screens, making data reading slightly inconvenient while swimming
• The pure swimming model (Swim 2) lacks full running features; multi-sport athletes need to upgrade

SUUNTO Swimming Features Overview

SUUNTO (slightly less well-known in Taiwan) started as a professional outdoor sports watch brand and has been continuously strengthening its swimming features in recent years:

Key Models (swimming-focused):

• SUUNTO 9 Peak: Durable multi-sport watch, priced around NT$11,000–15,000
• SUUNTO Race: Racing-oriented multi-sport watch, priced around NT$12,000–18,000
• SUUNTO 5 Peak: Entry-level multi-sport watch, priced around NT$7,000–9,000

SUUNTO Swimming Strengths:

1. Excellent battery life: SUUNTO watches are known for long battery endurance, worry-free for long-distance training
2. Wrist-based optical heart rate accuracy: SUUNTO’s in-water heart rate detection performs well in its class
3. SuuntoPlus Platform: Integration of third-party training guidance
4. Design aesthetics: Watch faces and straps have a more stylish design, with higher acceptance for daily wear

SUUNTO Swimming Weaknesses:

• Stroke type recognition accuracy is slightly inferior to Garmin, especially for breaststroke and butterfly
• Swimming-specific training analysis features (such as CSS, training effect scores) are less detailed than Garmin’s
• Fewer service centers in Taiwan

Special Needs of Triathletes

For triathletes who also participate in cycling and running, additional considerations for watch selection include:

1. T1/T2 Transition Mode: Quick switching between sport modes and recording transition times
2. Open water swimming GPS tracking: To confirm training routes
3. Power meter compatibility (cycling): Bluetooth/ANT+ connectivity with third-party power meters
4. Battery endurance: Completing a full triathlon (Ironman approx. 10–17 hours) without recharging

In this regard, the Garmin Forerunner 745/945 and SUUNTO 9 Peak are the most common choices, both offering full triathlon support.

Practical Recommendations

1. Pure swimmers: The Garmin Swim 2 offers the best value, with complete swimming features at a reasonable price
2. Swimming + running multi-sport athletes: The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a balanced choice
3. Triathletes: Garmin Fenix 7 or SUUNTO 9 Peak, depending on budget and aesthetic preference
4. Those prioritizing battery life: SUUNTO’s long battery advantage is clear
5. Those focused on data analysis: The Garmin Connect platform is more comprehensive, suitable for users who enjoy in-depth training data analysis

Conclusion

Garmin still holds a slight edge over SUUNTO in the depth of swimming-specific features and ecosystem completeness, particularly in stroke recognition accuracy and training analysis tools. SUUNTO excels in battery life, overall design quality, and open-water durability. For swimming enthusiasts in Taiwan, both brands are reliable choices; the deciding factor ultimately comes down to personal needs for data analysis depth and aesthetic considerations for daily wear.

Related Reading

• Comprehensive Smartwatch Comparison for Swimming: Garmin vs Apple Watch Swimming Tracking Features
• Swimming Stopwatch Buying Guide: In-Depth Review of Garmin Swim 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra Swimming Features
• Swimming Efficiency Testing: Strokes Per 100m and SWOLF Metrics
• GPS Running Watch Buying and Usage Guide: Garmin, COROS, Suunto Feature Comparison