Venu 4 - $440
Forerunner 970 - $650 (would’ve been $600 but I already used my code and Best Buy had it in store) additionally would’ve even been $570 from SX collective website, but would’ve taken 2 weeks to get here.
After checking out both today, I’m ultimately going with the FR970. The built in maps and sapphire screen won me over. The only thing I’m going to miss is gaming as an activity on the Venu 4. In comparison, Venu 4 has 95% of the same features… pretty sure gaming is the only one the venu has over the 970. Forerunner has more running features such as endurance score, stamina score, and a few others. Venu looks more stylish, FR looks more Subtle. Venu actually felt slightly and I mean very slightly snappier and more responsive. The UI’s are slightly different, I prefer the FR UI, but that’s really personal preference. If it wasn’t for the maps, I likely would’ve went with the Venu, but I’m planning some remote vacations this year and having that satellite map would come in handy when I have no phone service.
This is the start of my running journey at 29 years old after being extremely sedentary for the last 9 years. From desk chair to 5k in 20 days.