If you upgraded from the VA3, how much better do you think the 645 is?

I am in a same boat, ready to push the buy button at amazon but based on pictures only I can't justify the price difference. Only comment on aesthetics I don't like the stainless ring on 645 and for that reason I would be leaning more to slate blackout ring on VA3.
My interest is mainly for gravel biking and how each of these watches can keep the ANT+ cadence/speed sensors alive, the heart rate and the rest of the GPS data is I believe only to garmin Connect to chew it up.

My wife has the 645 (I have the 935) and I've run with a friend who has the VA3. I can't stress how helpful actual buttons are - and how annoying touch screen is on a sports device. Worth keeping that in mind.

I upgraded from a VAHR (the precursor to the VA3) the the 645. I've posted on the VAHR sub-forum on my experiences but overall I would say the move was incredibly positive in terms of watch design, backlight, features, training status/effect etc. I do use the music ability when I run - but I am not an avid runner. The main stability issue I am seeing at present is some intermittent bluetooth connectivity issues with the garmin connect iOS. Not a show stopper at present.

I don't miss the touch screen interface much, and the buttons are fairly intuitive and don't take long to get used to.

However everyone does use their watch differently and has different things they are looking for, so very much a personal and subjective viewpoint.

Alex

Buttons vs touch is definitely different (I like buttons). On the 645, there is the back/lap button, so manual laps is a bit easier than the double screen tap on the va3. The va3 only has one button (unlike the vahr that had two). The 645 also has tones and vibration, where the va3 only has vibration, the 645 has wifi, where the va3 doesn't.

While the 645 and va3 look to be about the same size, the lugs for the band are shorter, and that kind of makes the watch feel smaller when you use it, in my opinion.

If you have a retailer that's close, you may want to see if they have both watches, and see them side by side.

I had a VA3 for a while. Biggest thing that bothered me was the constraints on what you could display on each screen, very limiting I felt. Touchscreen also worked well, but I found annoying. The rest of the watch was really nice though.

For strength training the app is much better with the 645. Although I had about a 95% hit rate with getting double tap to end a set to work well, it's much easier to just hit a button. There's no appreciable difference to edit reps and weight.

I haven't done much running since I got my 645 since it came just before taking 2 weeks off after a race, but have had great results with ANT+ sensors pairing. I used my HRM-Run strap for the one pre-race run I did as well as the race with no problems, my Wahoo speed & cadence sensors as well as Tickr X HRM have worked well for the indoor cycling I've been doing, and I did put my RD Pod on my pants when I took the dog for a walk and jogged a bit the other day and it worked perfectly too.

I never noticed the blue tint to the VA3 until I got the 645 and saw that it wasn't there. I'm tall with skinny wrists and the fit and feel of the 645 is better for me than the VA3. Although the spec sheets tout similar battery life stats the 645 blows the VA3 away. I got it 2 weeks ago today and am still at 57% on my second charge cycle. Granted I haven't been doing any GPS runs on this charge cycle but the drain rate is lower than my 735 was and I only charged that every 5-6 days when doing at least an hour of GPS running every day plus using GPS for my 3-5 mile bike commutes.

The VA3, in my experience, isn't a bad watch for what it is which is the top of the "lifestyle" line of Garmin devices. The 645 takes that and adds the top of the line running watch features and a better interface.

For strength training the app is much better with the 645. Although I had about a 95% hit rate with getting double tap to end a set to work well, it's much easier to just hit a button. There's no appreciable difference to edit reps and weight.

I haven't done much running since I got my 645 since it came just before taking 2 weeks off after a race, but have had great results with ANT+ sensors pairing. I used my HRM-Run strap for the one pre-race run I did as well as the race with no problems, my Wahoo speed & cadence sensors as well as Tickr X HRM have worked well for the indoor cycling I've been doing, and I did put my RD Pod on my pants when I took the dog for a walk and jogged a bit the other day and it worked perfectly too.

I never noticed the blue tint to the VA3 until I got the 645 and saw that it wasn't there. I'm tall with skinny wrists and the fit and feel of the 645 is better for me than the VA3. Although the spec sheets tout similar battery life stats the 645 blows the VA3 away. I got it 2 weeks ago today and am still at 57% on my second charge cycle. Granted I haven't been doing any GPS runs on this charge cycle but the drain rate is lower than my 735 was and I only charged that every 5-6 days when doing at least an hour of GPS running every day plus using GPS for my 3-5 mile bike commutes.

The VA3, in my experience, isn't a bad watch for what it is which is the top of the "lifestyle" line of Garmin devices. The 645 takes that and adds the top of the line running watch features and a better interface.

That's a great comparison. Thanks! For something I expect to own for 2-3 years, sounds like the 645 is worth it. Too bad Garmin didn't want to add buttons to the VA3 in addition to the touch screen - but I guess they need to differentiate the product lines enough.

I am in a same boat, ready to push the buy button at amazon but based on pictures only I can't justify the price difference. Only comment on aesthetics I don't like the stainless ring on 645 and for that reason I would be leaning more to slate blackout ring on VA3.
My interest is mainly for gravel biking and how each of these watches can keep the ANT+ cadence/speed sensors alive, the heart rate and the rest of the GPS data is I believe only to garmin Connect to chew it up.

Ha, yeah, gunmetal is one reason.

The vibration was at least for me to weak to wake up.
I have the 645M and really like this lap time audio.

I have no stores caring these watches around me, surprising for Toronto a four million ppl city.
All of the stores offered that they can order it for me but at the end of the line I can order it myself as well delivered to my door, and this what Im gonna push the button at amazon right after I hit the post button here.
645 w no music is my choise...I just have too many wired earbuds and headphones around me in the house, for me personally BT music is junk anyway and this coming from an audiophile mind.