Garmin announces three new smartwatches for navigators and fitness lovers
At CES 2015 today, Garmin has announced three new smart watches that are definitely more functional and better looking than most smart watches available on the market today. Vivoactive is a lightweight and ultra thin GPS smartwatch that has built in sports and activity tracking applications, Fenix 3 is a rounded display/dial smartwatch and Epix is a smart watch made for navigators.
Available in black and white color options, Vivoactive will start shipping in Q1 2015 and have a retail price of $249.99 and if procured with heart rate monitor bundle, will cost $299.99. Vivactive has looks similar to Android wear smartphones, has a squarish dial with a tiny touchscreen display. The built in applications helps users with running (display pace, time and distance), feature AutoLap/AutoPause/vibration alterts for heart rate, pace and run/walk intervals, a cycling app that measures distance/time/speed/calories, Golf application where users can downlaod course maps for 38,000 courses worldwide and measure layup and dogleg distnces etc. Users can easily customize Vivoactive with free watch face designs, widgets and additional applications, a sunlight-readable mode, high resolution touchscreen and interchangeable bands to match various outfits. Coming to battery life, Vivoactive has up to three weeks of battery life in watch/tracking mode and a 10 hour battery life if GPS is used. Users are notified by gentle vibration alert.
“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. ”
Fenix 3 is definitely one of the best looking smart watches, thanks to the rounded display/dial that looks absolutely gorgeous. Fenix 3 supports full range of multisport activities, advanced fitness training, skiing, snowboarding, hiking etc. Fenix 3 is compatible with Connect IQ Store to get great applications that elevate the usability of the smart watch. Fēnix 3 comes in three variations: Silver with a red band and crystal lens, Gray with a black band and the premium Sapphire with a stainless steel band and domed sapphire lens. The display is sunlight-readable high resolution color display. Fenix 3 is fitted with new omni-directional steel EXO antenna that can be paired with GLONASS and EPO to get accurate positioning (GPS). Battery life is 20 hours in GPS mode, 50 hours in UltraTrac mode and six weeks in watch mode. Fenix 3 can be paired with heart rate monitor to get better health and fitness statistics, paired with 3-axis electronic compass, barometer and auto-calibrating altmeter. Fenix 3 can also be paired with HRM-Run to get advanced running dynamics reports (including cadence, vertical oscillation and ground contact time). Fēnix 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, fēnix 3 is compatible with a variety of other ANT+™ accessories such as tempe™ temperature sensor, speed/cadence sensor, and the Vector™ power meter. Fēnix 3 is available starting in Q1 2015. Fēnix 3 Gray and Silver will have a suggested retail price of $499.99 and $549.99 for the HRM-Run bundle. The premium fēnix 3 Sapphire will have a suggested retail price of $599.99.
“Premium materials, a rugged aesthetic and smartwatch capabilities make fēnix 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, fēnix 3 provides a comprehensive multisport feature set that can be fully customized to the user, making it easy to transition into everyday activities.”
Epix is first of its kind, rugged GPS mapping watch created purely for outdoor enthusiasts who need a hands-free navigator that is easy to use and small enough to carry. The 1.4” high resolution touchscreen shows a shaded relief basemap and the watch comes with a 1 year subscription to BirdsEye satelliter imagery. There is an 8GB built-in memory for additional maps, the omni-direcdtional EXO steel antenna with GPS and GLONASS support quick and accurate position fix. The watch also has altimeter, barometer and compass functionality. Epix is also compatible with ANT+ sensors like heart rate monitors and Tempe™ temperature sensor for even more data. Additionally, epix supports the Connect IQ™ store for customization and smartwatch capabilities. Epix battery will last up to 24 hours in GPS mode, 50 hours in UltraTrac mode and 16 weeks in watch mode. Epix will be released in Q1 2015 and will cost around $549.99 while Epix TOPO US 100K will have approx price tag of $599.99
“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.”
