Garmin just launched its new smartwatch – Forerunner 745 – designed specifically for runners and triathletes. The watch is an update to the Forerunner 735XT and contains training data, on-device workouts, and smartwatch features.
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Like its predecessor, the 745 is a mid-range GPS (GLONASS and Galileo) watch. The variety of modes include biking, running, swimming, multi-sport, and brick workouts. Users can get suggested bike and running workouts based on their current training load and VO2 max.
The launch comes just hours after Apple released Apple Watch 6 – the company’s first watch with a SpO2 sensor to track blood oxygen saturation.
One of the Forerunner 745’s key new features is also a pulse oximeter. While the feature is especially helpful during this time of COVID-19 pandemic, Garmin’s Forerunner 745 is built with athletes in mind.
The watch also provides recovery time recommendations based on the difficulty of a workout. The Forerunner 745 lets users know how long to rest before another training session and accounts for factors like stress, sleep, and daily activities that impact recovery.
The connectivity features of the Garmin Forerunner 745 workouts, to plan and download routes, to download free training plans, and for contactless pay using the watch. It also connects with outside applications such as TrainingPeaks, TrainerRoad, Trendline, Strava and Komoot, reports MobiHealthNews.
Garmin also announced the HRM-Pro strap. This premium heart rate strap weighs only 59 grams and transmits real-time heart rate data over ANT + connectivity and BLUETOOTH Low Energy technology, giving the user more training options. Consistently receive accurate heart rate on your Garmin device, in online training apps such as Zwift or even the compatible fitness equipment at the gym.
As far as battery life, the Forerunner 745 comes in at about a year on the replaceable CR2032 (3 volt) coin-cell. The battery can last up to one week if used moderately. Even GPS usage will go up to 16 hours use while the use of GPS and music playback brings down the battery life to 6 hours between charges.
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The Garmin Forerunner 745 is priced at $499.99. It is available in Black, Neo-tropic, Magma red or Whitestone colors.
HRM Pro can be picked up for $129.99 on Garmin’s website.
