Garmin has announced several GPS wearables or watches at CES this year and they did it in three different press releases so to make things easier I’m combining them into one post with everything in there for you. I think they’re really cool and would love to get one, not sure which one though, send me all of them and let me pick! Sounds good to me…
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced vívoactive – a lightweight and ultra-thin GPS smartwatch with built-in sports and activity tracking apps. Helping users develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle, vívoactive captures more of their activities with GPS-enabled running, cycling, golfing, swimming and activity tracking apps. Vívoactive is comfortable for all day wear and smart notifications keep users connected with pressing work matters, family and friends. With the new Connect IQ store, users can easily customize vívoactive with free watch face designs, widgets and additional apps. Vívoactive features a sunlight-readable, high-resolution color touchscreen and can be accessorized with interchangeable bands to complement any outfit or occasion.
Vívoactive is being showcased with the wide-ranging line of purpose-built Garmin wearables in the Garmin booth (South Hall 4 #35811) at this year’s CES.
“Vívoactive combines signature Garmin fitness technology, such as built-in GPS, long battery life and a sunlight-readable display, in an ultra-thin smartwatch that lets users stay connected and achieve more,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “Designed to be worn all day, vívoactive can be personalized in many ways – from interchangeable bands to watch faces, apps and widgets – making it versatile, stylish and functional for your life. ”
Play Harder
Whether hitting the pavement or the links, users can track stats even when out of range from a smartphone with vívoactive’s built-in GPS-enabled sports apps. Vívoactive also connects to a whole range of sensors and devices. Capture even more data by pairing vívoactive with a heart rate monitor1 or bike speed sensor, or use it as a remote for a Garmin
Epix is being showcased with the wide-ranging line of purpose-built Garmin wearables in the Garmin booth (South Hall 4 #35811) at this year’s CES.
“For the first time, we’re able to pack the punch of an outdoor handheld GPS into a wearable device,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “Garmin is already a leader in GPS wearables, and we’re excited to kick things up a notch with epix by adding preloaded mapping and extra storage to an extremely rugged watch that can handle the most rigorous conditions.”
Hands-Free Navigation
Epix features a 1.4” color touchscreen display, which allows users to pan and swipe across the watch face to access vivid, detailed maps. It comes preloaded with a worldwide shaded relief basemap, a free one-year subscription to BirdsEye Satellite imagery, and TOPO US 100K on some models. Plus, 8GB of internal memory to supports additional mapping like TOPO 24K or BlueChart® g2 maps. Epix also boasts a 50m water rating1, and extended battery life with up to 24 hours in watch mode, 50 hours in UltraTrac mode and 16 weeks in watch mode2.
Epix uses the new high-sensitivity EXO antenna with GPS and GLONASS support, which means a stronger signal and quicker fix. When connected to GPS, epix has a full suite of navigation features like track recording and navigation, as well as waypoint and coordinate navigation. Users can also reverse their tracklog back to the start using the TracBack feature, or navigate to a location within sight, but not necessarily accessible due to terrain, using Sight ‘N Go.
Equipped with auto-calibrating sensors, epix provides relevant real-time information right from the user’s wrist. The altimeter provides elevation data to accurately monitor ascent and descent, while the barometer can be used to predict weather changes by showing short-term changes in air pressure. The 3-axis electronic compass allows users to keep their bearings, no matter if they’re in a deep canyon or heavy forest.
Multisport Functionality
In addition to the navigation features, epix is also a full-featured fitness training watch, so users don’t need to change watches between activities. With different profiles for running, cycling, swimming, ski/board and indoor training, epix can record distance, pace, speed, calories burned and more. When paired with a heart rate monitor, epix can estimate the user’s VO2 max, and provide a recovery check after intense workouts3. Epix can also record advanced running dynamics4, which includes cadence, vertical oscillation and ground contact time to improve the user’s running economy.
Connect IQ & Wireless Connectivity
With Connect IQ, epix can be completely customized to suit the needs of the user. Connect IQ is the first-ever open platform for third-party developers to create apps and widgets for Garmin products. Through the Connect IQ store in the Garmin Connect Mobile app, users can upload customized apps, widgets, data fields and watch faces to make their epix even smarter, and to suit their specific lifestyles.
Garmin is working with several app developers that are creating epix apps for the Connect IQ store.
F?nix 3 is being showcased with the wide-ranging line of purpose-built Garmin wearables in the Garmin booth (South Hall 4 #35811) at this year’s CES.
“Premium materials, a rugged aesthetic and smartwatch capabilities make f?nix 3 the perfect watch for someone who lives a rigorous lifestyle,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “Designed to handle even the most rugged conditions, f?nix 3 provides a comprehensive multisport feature set that can be fully customized to the user, making it easy to transition into everyday activities.”
Uncompromising Design
Available in three variations, f?nix 3 features a new, bold design with superior construction quality: Silver with a red band and crystal lens, Graywith a black band and the premium Sapphire with a stainless steel band and domed sapphire lens. Each features a protective stainless steel bezel and buttons, and glass fiber reinforced housing to survive even the harshest conditions. The new omni-directional steel EXO antenna, when paired with GLONASS and EPO, provides an even faster fix and accurate position than GPS alone.
Each f?nix 3 model boasts a sunlight-readable color display with an LED backlight, so data is easily visible in any light. Water rated to 100 meters, f?nix 3 can withstand swimming and other water activities without fear of damage1. It boasts 20 hours of battery life in GPS mode, 50 hours in UltraTrac mode and six weeks in watch mode. Basic watch functions include alarms, tones, vibration alerts, timer and stopwatch. Users can also choose from a variety of analog and digital watch faces to suit style and personal preferences.
Multisport Training
F?nix 3 is packed with training features to improve users’ form and fitness. When paired with a heart rate monitor2, f?nix 3 can estimate VO2 max to evaluate the user’s fitness level, and based on this calculation, predict race times. F?nix 3 can also calculate recovery time and perform a recovery check after intense workouts, so users know how long to rest before their next hard workout to prevent injury. When paired with HRM-Run™, f?nix 3 reports advanced running dynamics, which includes cadence, vertical oscillation and ground contact time to improve running economy.
In addition to running, f?nix 3 also reports on biking, swimming, skiing and snowboarding, as well as daily activity tracking. In the pool or open water, f?nix 3 can track distance, pace, stroke count and more. Ski/Board mode puts speed, distance, vertical drop and an automatic run counter on the user’s wrist while on the slopes. For everyday wear, f?nix 3 has activity tracking functionality, which provides a customized step goal each morning, then counts steps, calories and distance throughout the day. It also features a vibration move alert after one hour of inactivity and sleep mode to monitor quality of rest at night.
Outdoor Navigation
Like its predecessors, f?nix 3 comes equipped with a full navigational toolset. The EXO antenna paired with the 3-axis electronic compass, barometer and auto-calibrating altimeter allows f?nix 3 to easily navigate on and off the beaten track.
With f?nix 3, users can plan trips and navigate courses, mark locations, such as campsites or points of interest, and record GPS breadcrumb trails on the move. The TracBack feature can automatically reverse the activity to navigate back to the starting point.
Connect IQ & Wireless Connectivity
With Connect IQ, f?nix 3 can be completely customized to suit the needs of the user. Connect IQ is the first-ever open platform for third-party developers to create apps and widgets for Garmin products. Through the Connect IQ store on the Garmin Connect Mobile app, users can download customized apps, widgets, data fields and watch faces to make their f?nix 3 even smarter.
Garmin is working with several app developers that are creating f?nix 3 apps for the Connect IQ store. Tempo, for example, is building a smart calendar app that will let users see their upcoming events, and send an email from their watch if they are running late. LifeLine Response personal safety app is expanding to include Garmin devices with 24/7 Professional Safety. AccuWeather will offer an app to give users air quality and allergy information at a glance. iSKI is working on an app to provide the latest weather, snow, lift and slope information at a glance. Octane Fitness is building an app to bridge the gap between outdoor runs and indoor workouts on the Octane Zero Runner to seamlessly track all workout stats. Moxy, a muscle oxygen sensor, is creating an app that monitors the oxygenation of critical muscles during a workout, so users can have more insight on what is happening within their muscles.
In addition to Connect IQ, f?nix 3 is equipped with even more wireless connectivity. The Smart Notification feature allows users to pair their smartphone3 with the watch to receive call, text and email alerts right on their wrist, no matter if their phone is buried deep in their backpack. Automatic uploads to Garmin Connect through Wi-Fi® hotspots or through the Garmin Connect Mobile app allows users to seamlessly upload their data via Bluetooth®. F?nix 3 users can also use the mobile app to start a LiveTrack session, allowing invited friends and family to follow along in real time during a training session, out on the trail or even on race day. To further enhance training, analysis and sharing, additional features are now available in Garmin Connect’s modern view including multisport support, a new activity detail page, group leaderboards and more.
F?nix 3 can also act as a wireless remote for the Garmin VIRB® Elite action cam. Using ANT+, users can start and stop recording and take stills right from their wrist. In addition to heart rate monitors, f?nix 3 is compatible with a variety of other ANT+™ accessories such as tempe™temperature sensor, speed/cadence sensor, and the Vector™ power meter.
F?nix 3 will be available to purchase in Q1 2015. F?nix 3 Gray and Silver will have a suggested retail price of $499.99 and $549.99 for the HRM-Run bundle. The premium f?nix 3 Sapphire will have a suggested retail price of $599.99.
F?nix 3 is the latest solution from Garmin’s expanding outdoor segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ outdoor experiences. Whether hiking, hunting, geocaching, golfing, dog training, or capturing it all on VIRB action cameras, Garmin outdoor devices are becoming essential tools for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. For more information about Garmin’s other outdoor products and services, go to http://www.garmin.com/outdoors, www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/garmin.
For 25 years, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us atfacebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.
1 For more information on Garmin water ratings, click here.
2 Heart Rate Monitor sold separately.
3 Examples of compatible phones include: iPhone® 4S & later, Android™ 4.3, Galaxy S3 or later, Galaxy Note 3 or HTC One, phone must be Bluetooth Smart. For the full list of compatible smartphones, click here.
