Garmin Forerunner® 945 LTE
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By Tara Summerville Editor’s Conclusion
The Forerunner® 945 LTE from Garmin is a watch designed for serious athletes or runners that want to get off the grid without actually going off of the grid. What I love most about this watch is the additional LTE connectivity that is completely separate from your cell phone. Friends and family will be able to track your runs, and even send you encouraging notifications right to your watch that you can check at a glance.
Sometimes, I’ll be in the middle of a run and my mom will text with an “emergency” that her internet is out. I’ll have to stop my run and walk her through the steps to restart her router. With this watch, she will be less likely to text for smaller emergencies, yet will still be able to contact me in the event of a real emergency.
There is no better feeling than leaving your phone at home to run without distractions while still feeling connected in the event of an emergency. This watch also tracks important details such as interval times, heart rate, lap times, and distance. When you are done, you can review your times and set new goals for your next training session.
Below, I wanted to take a deep dive into the advanced features that make the Forerunner® 945 LTE one of the best smartwatches for serious athletes out there on the market.
Sometimes, I’ll be in the middle of a run and my mom will text with an “emergency” that her internet is out. I’ll have to stop my run and walk her through the steps to restart her router. With this watch, she will be less likely to text for smaller emergencies, yet will still be able to contact me in the event of a real emergency.
There is no better feeling than leaving your phone at home to run without distractions while still feeling connected in the event of an emergency. This watch also tracks important details such as interval times, heart rate, lap times, and distance. When you are done, you can review your times and set new goals for your next training session.
Below, I wanted to take a deep dive into the advanced features that make the Forerunner® 945 LTE one of the best smartwatches for serious athletes out there on the market.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
LTE connectivity allows you to leave your phone at home
Provides full-color maps for confident exploring
Emergency features
In-race spectator messaging
8-hour battery life
Can connect to your phone via Bluetooth
Cons
Expensive
LTE connectivity requires a monthly fee
Key Features
Key Features
BASIC FEATURES
The Garmin Forerunner® 945 LTE hits all of the marks that athletes need out of a performance smartwatch. This design provides runners all of the important details needed before, during, and after their run. Before you lace up your sneakers, the watch displays the current temperature (as well as the forecast for the day), time, date, and battery life.
Another great product we reviewed is the Garmin Enduro Multisport, so make sure to check it out as well.
While you are running, it displays distance traveled, lap speed, and time. When you are finished running, it gives you a quick summary of your workout.
It’s also quite easy to navigate the various menus with the touch screen. Compared to previous models of this watch, the user interface is incredibly intuitive. It provides users with a full-color screen that is easy to read even on the sunniest of days.
I also love that it offers full-color maps that allow you to adventure off the beaten path with confidence. If you do find yourself lost or injured, don’t worry! It also has quick access to emergency features as well.
ADVANCED FEATURES
Garmin has the basic features covered, but what makes this watch so special? The thing that makes the Forerunner® 945 LTE stand out from the crowd is its LTE connectivity. For an additional monthly cost (around the same price as a cup of coffee per month) this watch is able to connect to cell towers without the need for your phone.
If you really want to disconnect from your email and text messaging, this watch allows you to leave your phone at home while still allowing you to stay connected to the grid in the event of an emergency.
The LTE features are separate from your phone, which means you won’t be able to receive your regular text messages from your phone. However, friends and family will be able to track your progress in a race or just when going for a jog in the city and send encouraging messages for a little jolt of confidence.
Plus, if there is a real emergency at home, the family will also be able to send a message through the app, even if you don’t have your phone.
This watch gives you the freedom of disconnecting from the world as you run, without all of the fears and dangers of disconnecting. It’s something that few smartwatches are able to accomplish.
BATTERY LIFE
What I also love about this smartwatch is that it has a really impressive battery life. When used casually for daily use, the battery will live until the end of the day. Often, these styles of watches will only last for a few hours when active maps and Bluetooth connectivity drain the juice out of the battery.
While using active mapping and connective features, the battery on this design will last up to 8 hours, which far exceeds the competition.
PERFORMANCE
There are advanced performance features on this watch that I never knew was possible, let alone existed. What I found most impressive about the Forerunner® 945 LTE is that it has something called Body Battery™ Energy Monitoring.
The heart rate monitor, pulse ox sensor, VO2 Max monitor in conjunction with your running progress are compiled together to let you know the best time to go running. The Body Battery provides you with a graph that indicates the best time to rest, and the best time to train.
Small things such as sleep patterns, altitude, and heat are monitored to give you an indication of when you should lace up those running shoes and hit the trails. It even has pre-programmed running schedules to help you train at your personal best. It’s like a personal trainer on your wrist.
CONNECTIVITY
While the Forerunner® 945 LTE boasts its own signal, it is also able to connect via Bluetooth to your phone. If you are a little reluctant to splurge on an additional monthly fee to utilize the LTE connectivity, you still have the option of pairing this device to your phone. It is able to connect to both Apple and Android phones. While connected, you will be able to receive phone calls and text messages.
For Apple devices, you will need to have iOS 13 or higher. For Android phones, you need Android Operating System 6 or higher. It’s also important to note that to pair with this watch, your Android device must be able to support the Google Play Store in order to operate correctly.
It’s important to note that while you will be able to see messages sent to your phone via this smartwatch, you will not be able to respond to these messages on the watch face itself.
APPS
When you connect to the Garmin Connect app, you can be in contact with millions of runners around the globe. This app allows you to interact with similar users, share your personal triumphs, and even compete with your fellow runners. This app syncs your progress from your watch right to the app for easy access and tracking.
This device is also compatible with the Connect IQ store that allows you to customize your watch face to meet your personal needs.
While other smartwatches lock you into a strict design, the Connect IQ store allows you to personalize your phone in a myriad of ways. You can download unique watch faces that conform to your unique style, and even download a very specific widget for quick and easy access to information that is most important to you.
DURABILITY
I have talked a lot about the performance of this watch, but what about the physical build? With such advanced technological features, you may be inclined to feel that this watch is a delicate piece of technology.
While it can do just about anything, the face and band of this watch can really take a beating. The face is enclosed in a Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX lens that is completely waterproof. You can wear this watch while sweating buckets in the hot summer sun, and also wear it while you do a few laps in the pool. Not only is this watch completely waterproof, but it is also able to track your swimming progress as well!
This watch also comes with an insanely durable silicone band that is adjustable and comfortable enough to wear all day. If you want something that is a little more flashy, the band is able to be removed and swapped out for something else.
The QuickFit accessory bands come in every color of the rainbow, and can be easily swapped out without the need for those little watch tools!
PRICE
This watch is designed for serious athletes and comes in at a serious price point. Compared to other smartwatches out there on the market, this design comes in at a much higher price point.
While it’s not the most expensive smartwatch that money can buy, it will set you back a considerable chunk of change, and the price doesn’t even include the (optional) monthly fee for LTE connectivity.
However, if you are in the market for a tough watch that will make you a better runner, this design is well worth every penny!
The Garmin Forerunner® 945 LTE hits all of the marks that athletes need out of a performance smartwatch. This design provides runners all of the important details needed before, during, and after their run. Before you lace up your sneakers, the watch displays the current temperature (as well as the forecast for the day), time, date, and battery life.
Another great product we reviewed is the Garmin Enduro Multisport, so make sure to check it out as well.
While you are running, it displays distance traveled, lap speed, and time. When you are finished running, it gives you a quick summary of your workout.
It’s also quite easy to navigate the various menus with the touch screen. Compared to previous models of this watch, the user interface is incredibly intuitive. It provides users with a full-color screen that is easy to read even on the sunniest of days.
I also love that it offers full-color maps that allow you to adventure off the beaten path with confidence. If you do find yourself lost or injured, don’t worry! It also has quick access to emergency features as well.
ADVANCED FEATURES
Garmin has the basic features covered, but what makes this watch so special? The thing that makes the Forerunner® 945 LTE stand out from the crowd is its LTE connectivity. For an additional monthly cost (around the same price as a cup of coffee per month) this watch is able to connect to cell towers without the need for your phone.
If you really want to disconnect from your email and text messaging, this watch allows you to leave your phone at home while still allowing you to stay connected to the grid in the event of an emergency.
The LTE features are separate from your phone, which means you won’t be able to receive your regular text messages from your phone. However, friends and family will be able to track your progress in a race or just when going for a jog in the city and send encouraging messages for a little jolt of confidence.
Plus, if there is a real emergency at home, the family will also be able to send a message through the app, even if you don’t have your phone.
This watch gives you the freedom of disconnecting from the world as you run, without all of the fears and dangers of disconnecting. It’s something that few smartwatches are able to accomplish.
BATTERY LIFE
What I also love about this smartwatch is that it has a really impressive battery life. When used casually for daily use, the battery will live until the end of the day. Often, these styles of watches will only last for a few hours when active maps and Bluetooth connectivity drain the juice out of the battery.
While using active mapping and connective features, the battery on this design will last up to 8 hours, which far exceeds the competition.
PERFORMANCE
There are advanced performance features on this watch that I never knew was possible, let alone existed. What I found most impressive about the Forerunner® 945 LTE is that it has something called Body Battery™ Energy Monitoring.
The heart rate monitor, pulse ox sensor, VO2 Max monitor in conjunction with your running progress are compiled together to let you know the best time to go running. The Body Battery provides you with a graph that indicates the best time to rest, and the best time to train.
Small things such as sleep patterns, altitude, and heat are monitored to give you an indication of when you should lace up those running shoes and hit the trails. It even has pre-programmed running schedules to help you train at your personal best. It’s like a personal trainer on your wrist.
CONNECTIVITY
While the Forerunner® 945 LTE boasts its own signal, it is also able to connect via Bluetooth to your phone. If you are a little reluctant to splurge on an additional monthly fee to utilize the LTE connectivity, you still have the option of pairing this device to your phone. It is able to connect to both Apple and Android phones. While connected, you will be able to receive phone calls and text messages.
For Apple devices, you will need to have iOS 13 or higher. For Android phones, you need Android Operating System 6 or higher. It’s also important to note that to pair with this watch, your Android device must be able to support the Google Play Store in order to operate correctly.
It’s important to note that while you will be able to see messages sent to your phone via this smartwatch, you will not be able to respond to these messages on the watch face itself.
APPS
When you connect to the Garmin Connect app, you can be in contact with millions of runners around the globe. This app allows you to interact with similar users, share your personal triumphs, and even compete with your fellow runners. This app syncs your progress from your watch right to the app for easy access and tracking.
This device is also compatible with the Connect IQ store that allows you to customize your watch face to meet your personal needs.
While other smartwatches lock you into a strict design, the Connect IQ store allows you to personalize your phone in a myriad of ways. You can download unique watch faces that conform to your unique style, and even download a very specific widget for quick and easy access to information that is most important to you.
DURABILITY
I have talked a lot about the performance of this watch, but what about the physical build? With such advanced technological features, you may be inclined to feel that this watch is a delicate piece of technology.
While it can do just about anything, the face and band of this watch can really take a beating. The face is enclosed in a Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX lens that is completely waterproof. You can wear this watch while sweating buckets in the hot summer sun, and also wear it while you do a few laps in the pool. Not only is this watch completely waterproof, but it is also able to track your swimming progress as well!
This watch also comes with an insanely durable silicone band that is adjustable and comfortable enough to wear all day. If you want something that is a little more flashy, the band is able to be removed and swapped out for something else.
The QuickFit accessory bands come in every color of the rainbow, and can be easily swapped out without the need for those little watch tools!
PRICE
This watch is designed for serious athletes and comes in at a serious price point. Compared to other smartwatches out there on the market, this design comes in at a much higher price point.
While it’s not the most expensive smartwatch that money can buy, it will set you back a considerable chunk of change, and the price doesn’t even include the (optional) monthly fee for LTE connectivity.
However, if you are in the market for a tough watch that will make you a better runner, this design is well worth every penny!
Verdict
Verdict
If you are on the hunt for a smartwatch that can do just about anything, the Forerunner® 945 LTE from Garmin is an excellent choice. This beast of a watch does things that I didn’t even think possible, such as tracking your energy levels, your VO2 max, and your performance condition.
Not only does it track these essential things, but it also provides curated advice to help you become a better runner. It is seriously like a personal trainer strapped to your wrist.
While it may come in at a slightly higher price point than most, the advanced features of this design make it an investment worth making for athletes that want to push themselves further than they ever thought possible.
Not only does it track these essential things, but it also provides curated advice to help you become a better runner. It is seriously like a personal trainer strapped to your wrist.
While it may come in at a slightly higher price point than most, the advanced features of this design make it an investment worth making for athletes that want to push themselves further than they ever thought possible.
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