Garmin Forerunner 245 Watch Review
The Garmin Forerunner 245 is an ideal choice for those looking to take their daily training to the next level. For starters, buyers are able to sync it to their phone for call and text alerts. Its GPS keeps tabs on the runner’s route and current location, and incident detection. And aside from tracking the runner’s heart rate and pulse, but it can also measure out their blood oxygen saturation.
Those who run, cycle, or partake in basic gym workouts are given a number of tracking features to monitor their progress. Even swimmers are able to use this model efficiently, as it’s water-resistant in up to 50 meters. And thanks to the Garmin Connect app, they’re able to work with a personal trainer and have friends cheer them on during their training sessions.
-Impressive battery life
-Lightweight feel
-Great for active lifestyles
-Sleek and smart design
-Emergency features
-Monitors performance and heartrate
-Watch bands are replaceable
-Expensive price tag
-Does not track elevation
-Not for those who are less active
Activities
Cyclists are given time/distance alerts, various courses, and speed and cadence sensors. Swimmers can monitor their stroke types, efficiency, and all of their basic metrics. And those who part-take in outdoor recreation have point-to-point navigation, GPS coordinates, and are able to back track to their starting point.
Even those who perform basic gym workouts have their own profiles for cardio, eliptical, stair-stepping, strength training, indoor rowing, and yoga.
Basic Features
Its daily smart features prove to be incredibly helpful during both workouts and day-to-day life. These include smart notifications for texts and calls, a calendar, and a built-in weather app.
Of course, its most notable and reliable feature has to be its GPS, as it not only monitors the runner's whereabouts but also enables its more advanced tracking and safety features.
Advanced Features
Other health-related features include Body Battery, which monitors the buyer's overall energy levels, and Garmin's Pulse Ox sensor, which measuring blood oxygen levels even during sleep. Women also have the option to track their menstrual cycles with help from Garmin Connect.
Its heart rate features are even able to measure recovery time, give calorie levels, and provide alerts to any sudden changes. And its Live Track and Incident detection apps assure the buyer that they can feel safe and at ease as long as they're connected.
Accuracy
This quality is especially impressive when it comes to its health-monitoring features. Runners claim that they feel better informed during and after workouts, as it even keeps tabs on their progress and energy levels during the various stages of their workouts.
It should be pointed out, however, that this watch does not measure elevation gain or loss. However, based on one online listing, the right Garmin app can provide an elevation profile after completing a route.
Connectivity
This particular quality is also needed for this watch's tracking and safety features, such as LiveTrack or Incident Detection. Live event sharing can only be utilized with an Android smartphone.
Apps
Those who perform regular training sessions can take full advantage of fitness trackers such as Garmin Connect and Body Battery, which closely monitors their overall energy. And the LiveTrack provides peace of mind by keeping your contacts up to date on your whereabouts.
Other apps such as Find My Phone or Find My Watch can help buyers stay organized and avoid stress. They can even personalize their watch with the Face It app, which allows them to customize their watch face with any image from their phone's photo library.
Comfort
It weighs in at 38.5 grams, or just over eight percent of a whole pound, making it incredibly lightweight and easy to wear during both rugged activities and everyday life. And the use of silicone for the band feels smooth and nice against the skin, meaning that it won’t cut into the wrist even as it’s being tightened.
Athletes can wear this confidently during both training sessions and everyday life without feeling weighed down and constricted or worrying that it might slip off at any moment.
Style
It should be noted that this model is available in different colors depending on its features. This particular model is only available in slate grey and berry, while the version that's music-compatible is sold in black, white, and aqua. Either way, there seems to be a suitable version for almost any buyer out there.
Durability
The only obvious downside is that the silicone band may wear and tear over time, even though they are noticeably sturdier than a fabric band. Buyers can still find replacements for a damaged band on the Garmin website, or several other online retailers, for a very reasonable price.
Face
Buyers are also happy to know that it’s sunlight-visible and transflective, meaning that they can view the screen clearly and operate the watch efficiently without having to worry about glare. It even comes with a built-in back light for use during nighttime or other low-light environments.
Band
Size
Furthermore, its display size features the average watch measurement of 1.2 inches in diameter.
Ease of Use
Thankfully, as with all gadgets, this model comes with an instruction manual to help newcomers get used to their new device. Online tutorials are also available for those who are visual learners, and the watch itself even walks the buyer through the process of connecting the device to their phone.
After a short time, buyers will be able to use its five-button configuration with ease for everything from timing out their jogs to accessing their emergency contacts.
Power Source
Once it’s fully charged, which takes about an hour according to one reviewer, it will last up to seven days in Smartwatch Mode and 24 hours in GPS mode. While this is impressive, it should be noted that its battery life is two days shorter than its immediate predecessor, the Forerunner 235. Although most buyers don’t seem to mind, it is a bit disappointing for those who have used both models.
Price
Of course, those who are way more on the active side would definitely say that this watch is worth every dollar spent. However, those who know that they wouldn’t readily use most, if not all, of its features would be better off looking for something simpler and much cheaper.
Key Features
-Bluetooth connectivity
-Garmin Connect, Garmin Coach
-Body Battery energy monitor
-Live Track, Incident detection
-Face It for customization
-Water resistance in up to 50 meters
-Sunlight visible and transflective
-Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens
-Silicone wrist band
-7-day battery life in Smartwatch Mode
-24-hour battery life in GPS mode
Bottom Line
Not surprisingly, there are plenty of buyers who are intimidated by its expensive $300 price tag. This is for good reason, since if they don't live an active lifestyle then they won't be able to fully utilizes its features. But those who would use it frequently, and know how to properly care for it, will find that it's well worth the money spent.