Tag: Garmin

Garmin has announced what it is calling ‘its most advanced multisport GPS watch to date’, the Forerunner 920XT. Featuring a far slimmer profile, the Forerunner 920XT is 15 per cent lighter and 18 per cent thinner than its predecessor and records detailed metrics for swimming, cycling and running, making it a true cross-training tool for those you love to crunch the numbers.

‘Watch-mode’ and daily activity tracking features on the 920XT, which monitor steps and calories, are aimed at making the device useful beyond just training or racing and because it receives GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals in addition to standard GPS its accuracy and functionality should be increased. If you want more (and who doesn’t these days?) the Forerunner 920XT receives smart notifications, including incoming texts, emails, calls, and calendar reminders on the high-resolution colour display when paired via Bluetooth to a smart phone.

For ultra-runners, the Forerunner 920XT offers the ‘UltraTrac’ mode that turns GPS off at certain intervals, extending its GPS mode battery life from 24 hours to up to 40 hours.

The 920XT is water proof to 50 meters and offers advanced swim metrics for training in a pool or open water, including drill logging, recording swim distance, pace, stroke type, stroke count and SWOLF score – derived from a combination of time and stroke number.

On the bike, the watch has a built-in altimeter for precise ascent, descent and gradient data during training and when paired with compatible ANT+™ power meters, including the Garmin Vector S and the dual-sensing Vector system, the Forerunner 920XT displays power data including average watts, left/right balance5, power zone, and when paired with a heart rate monitor, it can derive users’ VO2 max estimates.

The Forerunner 920XT is available in black/blue or red/white, and retails at £389.99 or £419.99 including heart rate monitor.

For more information see garmin.co.uk and online purchase for much of the Garmin range at Wiggle.co.uk

Whilst the long-anticipated first-look at the Apple Watch has arrived, Garmin, somewhat drowned out by the Tim Cook media circus, has unveiled their latest tech release the vívosmart.

The fitness band displays notifications of incoming texts, emails and calls on your wrist as you exercise allowing you, say Garmin, ‘to move more and miss less!’ Like the vivofit, launched earlier this year, the vívosmart learns about the users individual fitness levels and sets personalised daily goals, but also automatically syncs with the Garmin Connect mobile app meaning that your smartphone can stay in your pocket or pack while you continue to run or cycle.

Double tapping the screen brings up a menu where you can see everything from the time and date, to number of steps taken, the distance you have covered, calories and countdown to a personalised daily goal, whilst incoming messages are signalled with both vibration and preview.

Garmin’s Andrew Silver, EMEA Product Manager for Fitness, says of the vívosmart: ‘With its activity tracking features, additional workout support including timed activities, and smart notifications, vívosmart is like having a personal trainer and assistant right on your wrist. It challenges and motivates users to stay active and create lifelong healthy habits, while keeping them connected to family, friends, work and more.’

The vÍvosmart is water resistant to 50m and has a battery life of up to seven days, it will be available from October and will retail at £139.99.

Further details of the vÍvosmart at garmin.com

Garmin has introduced the Vector S, a single-sensing pedal-based power meter; measuring forces on the left pedal to approximate total power, the Vector S reports power, cadence and more with the option for users to easily upgrade to a dual-sensing system.

Working by measuring the deflection in the pedal spindle as users pedal the single-sensing system provides cyclists with reliable, accurate data, measuring power output at the pedal where force is applied, giving them the chance to track and improve their fitness. The Vector S calculates power (watts) at various time intervals, measures cadence with its built-in accelerometer, and sends the data to compatible Edge cycling computers or other ANT+ enabled devices. An upgrade pedal can be purchased which, when paired with the Vector S, makes a complete Vector power meter system, delivering direct left/right accuracy and providing more advanced metrics.

Andrew Silver, Garmin EMEA Product Manager for fitness, comments: ‘Power metrics are more accessible than ever with the Vector S’s affordable and flexible single-sensing system. It allows cyclists to start receiving the benefits of tracking power output right away, while its upgrade pedal gives them the opportunity for unique additional metrics – without having to invest in a whole new system.’

The Garmin Vector S retails at £749.99 details of all Garmin products at Garmin.co.uk – More Garmin products available at Wiggle.co.uk

GPS market-leaders Garmin have stepped into the action camera arena with the announcement of the Garmin VIRB, a full HD model capable of recording three hours of 1080p video on a single charge, in part thanks to an ambient light screen far less power-hungry than traditional backlights. Featuring the latest image stabilization tech, the ability to switch to 16 megapixel stills mode, waterproofing (up to 30minutes at 1m) and distortion correction that can remove, or at least reduce, the fish-eye aesthetic that defines most action camera footage.

The Garmin VIRB is expected to launch in the US later next month and reach the UK in early/mid October; it will be available either as standard version or the WiFi-enabled Garmin VIRB Elite that adds GPS, accelerometer and altimeter functionality in addition to connectivity to free iPhone and Android apps. The price point has been set at £269.99 for the VIRB and £349.99 for the VIRB Elite putting them firmly in the territory of the top-selling GoPro HERO3 and HERO3 Black.

For further information on the Garmin VIRB and Garmin VIRB Elite see garmin.com