The Instinct series has enjoyed a six-year success story: the rugged sports watch made its debut in October 2018. Solar-powered models followed in the summer 2020, and the Instinct 2 launched in spring 2022. Most recently, the Instinct Crossover – a hybrid sports watch – was released in November 2022.

If Garmin sticks to its two-year cycle, the Instinct 3 shouldn’t be far off.

Listing on Garmin Spain

Strong hints come from Garmin’s Spanish website, where the Instinct 3 popped up for the first time on a support page listing repair costs. The entry “INSTINCT 3, SOLAR, 45MM, NEGRO” indicates a repair price of €133.33.

Garmin Instinct 3 | Source: Garmin Spain

From this, a few details can be inferred, even though none of it is groundbreaking:

• Solar Technology

  The Instinct 3 will have at least one solar-powered version. This is no surprise since all three sizes of the Instinct 2 include solar variants. Additionally, this suggests that the Instinct 3 will likely retain a transflective MIP display.

• 45 mm Size

  The size is also unsurprising since the Instinct 2 is available in 40 mm, 45 mm, and 50 mm models. The medium-sized version seems to fit expectations. The absence of 40 mm or 50 mm models on the list isn’t definitive proof that these versions won’t exist.

I guess that the list isn’t complete, and a 50 mm model is likely missing. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Garmin introduces an AMOLED version of the Instinct 3. However, we likely won’t see a combination of AMOLED and Solar for this series – it would make more sense for a future Fenix 8 with MicroLED technology.

Considering the product strategy of the Fenix 8, an Instinct E with fewer features and more basic sensors might also be a possibility.

Pricing for the Garmin Instinct 3

The expected pricing for the Instinct 3 can be estimated based on the Instinct 2, recent releases, and the repair costs:

When launched, the Instinct 2 was priced at €349.99 for the non-solar version and €449.99 for the solar version. These prices applied to both the smaller and medium-sized models, as Garmin hasn’t differentiated pricing based on size for some time.

The Instinct 2X Solar launched in April 2023 with an MSRP of €449.99.

Since the solar technology is now well-established, production processes are optimized, and there’s no premium for cutting-edge tech, I expect the Instinct 3 to be priced as follows:

• Instinct 3 Solar (50 mm) – approx. €450
• Instinct 3 Solar (45 mm) – approx. €400

If a 40 mm Instinct 3 is released, it will likely also have an MSRP around €400.

Availability of the Instinct 3

Estimating the release date is trickier. The listing on Garmin’s own site doesn’t provide much clarity. Retailer listings often give better clues, but there’s been silence on that front.

A release in the next few weeks seems unlikely for the upcoming holiday season. I’d expect the Instinct 3 to arrive in February or March of next year instead.

Apart from the details pulled from Garmin’s website, all other information should be taken with a pinch of salt. Timelines may shift, pricing could change, and features will only be confirmed when more concrete details emerge. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open in the coming weeks. As soon as there are updates, you’ll find them here or on X (@fttest_de / @fttest_en).

Der Beitrag Garmin Instinct 3 – First information has surfaced at Garmin erschien zuerst auf Fitness Tracker Test.

With the Forerunner 165, Garmin introduced a watch that not only broadened the existing lineup but also established a new category within the Forerunner series. Positioned strategically between the entry-level Forerunner 55 and the mid-range Forerunner 265, the Forerunner 165 bridges the gap between basic and advanced features.

Garmin provided me with the Forerunner 165 for a 60-day testing period upon my request. As always, there are no conditions or obligations attached. And because it is a loan, the watch will return to Garmin after the testing period.

Rating: 92%

Pros

• great display
• feature-packed

Cons

• no multisport / triathlon
• no training load / training readiness
• lots of plastic

Verdict

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is dedicated to running and offers most of its functions in this area but is equally suitable for many other sports. I was impressed by the great display and the mix of functions that the watch inherited from significantly more expensive models. The Forerunner 165 leaves little to be desired, but the decision for the watch is not an easy one.

There are good alternatives from Garmin and competitors – Garmin has not really occupied a niche with the Forerunner 165. Yet, it is the overall package that makes the Forerunner so attractive for entry into Garmin’s sports segment.

Forerunner 165 – What’s new and noteworthy?

Typically, watches within a product line evolve incrementally from one generation to the next — such as the Forerunner 245 evolving into the Forerunner 255, and then the Forerunner 265. This makes it straightforward to compare successive generations within the same series.

However, with the introduction of a completely new product line, comparing the new model requires a broader perspective. In this case, positioning the Forerunner 165 involves looking at the adjacent models: the more affordable Forerunner 55 and the higher-end Forerunner 265. This approach helps in better understanding the new model’s place within Garmin’s lineup.

• Distinction from Forerunner 55

  The Forerunner 55, now three years old, is considered quite outdated in the rapidly evolving world of wearables. The difference between the Forerunner 55 and the Forerunner 165 is striking, particularly in their displays. The Forerunner 55 is equipped with a 1.04″ transflective MIP display, whereas the Forerunner 165 boasts a 1.2″ AMOLED touchscreen with a much higher resolution.

  Comparing the features of these two watches would be like comparing day and night. The Forerunner 165 benefits from the latest fourth-generation Elevate sensors, whereas the Forerunner 55 relies on the third generation, underscoring the significant advancements in technology and features.

• Distinction from Forerunner 265

  Distinguishing the Forerunner 165 from the Forerunner 265, which debuted in March 2023, is more straightforward.

  Starting with the display, Garmin basically uses the same touch-capable AMOLED screen for both models. However, the Forerunner 265 is available in two sizes: 1.1″ and 1.3″, compared to the Forerunner 165’s 1.2″ display.

  Functionally, the Forerunner 165 offers fewer features than the higher-end Forerunner 265. As a buyer of the Forerunner 165, you will need to forgo the following advanced features:

  • Multiband GPS
  • Training Readiness
  • Training Status
  • Training Load
  • Support for Multisport/Triathlon
  • Greater range of sports profiles
  • Sat-IQ
  • Pace adjusted to incline
  • Connection to power meters/smart meters

  The list is by no means exhaustive, but it would get lost in detail. These are the main features that the Forerunner 165 does not offer.

• Features of the Forerunner 165 at a glance

  When comparing the Forerunner 165 to the Forerunner 265, the list of differences can seem extensive, which might overshadow the fact that for most athletes, the Forerunner 165 is an exceptionally well-rounded sports watch. While it may lack some advanced metrics and features found in the Forerunner 265, these omissions are unlikely to be missed in the initial months or even years of use.

  With this perspective in mind, here’s a concise overview of the key features of the Forerunner 165 before we dive into the details:

  • 1.2″ AMOLED display (touch-capable, hardened glass)
  • 39 g lightweight plastic case with silicone strap
  • Elevate V4 sensor
  • Multi-GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc.)
  • Garmin Pay
  • Music playback (MP3, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer)
  • Barometric altimeter

Unboxing and first impression

As is typical with Garmin, the Forerunner 165 comes packaged in a compact gray box, adorned with the product name and an image of the sports watch. This model is offered in a variety of colors including turquoise, berry, white, and black.

There’s nothing particularly surprising about the packaging, so I’ll keep this brief:

• Garmin Forerunner 165
• Strap (circumference: 126 – 203 mm)
• USB charging cable (USB-C to proprietary)
• Warranty/safety instructions

Garmin has been using the same 4-pin connector for the charging port for years. However, the other end of the cable now features a USB-C connector.

Overall, the build quality of the Forerunner 165 is good. The extensive use of plastic is typical for the Forerunner series, resulting in a low weight and a somewhat less premium appearance.

Case, back, and buttons – everything is made of plastic but is well crafted. Gaps are rare, and when they do exist, they are even and small.

Forerunner 165: A Basic Operation Guide

The Forerunner 165 features the typical 5-button design found on most Garmin sports watches. Two of the three buttons on the left side are primarily for navigating through menus and functions, while the third button manually turns the display on and off.

The buttons on the right side of the case allow you to:

• Start features / activities
• Stop features / activities
• Access menu items
• Go back

At the same time, the Forerunner 165 can be fully operated using the touch display. The choice is yours.

Display of the Forerunner 165

As it is a good fit here, let me briefly share my impressions of the AMOLED display:

The display offers a 1.2″ size, which is the middle ground between the Forerunner 265S and the Forerunner 265. Initially, I thought a 1.3″ display wouldn’t be bad, but the smaller display looks great on my wrist.

The contrast, colors, and brightness of the display are impressive. Even in direct sunlight, the contents are easily readable.

To ensure the display doesn’t light up the bedroom at night, the watch adjusts the brightness to a lower level. The “night times” can be individually set for each day of the week.

The watch also includes a flashlight using the display at a bright setting. While not as powerful as those in the Fenix 7 and Epix 2, it is useful for certain purposes.

There are now numerous watch faces (i.e., function-enriched watch dials) available – either pre-installed or downloaded to the watch via Connect IQ.

From the watch face, you can access the widgets using the up/down buttons or by swiping up/down. These are small, three-line views of individual metrics, such as HRV status, step count or sleep.

By tapping or selecting widgets using the button, you can access the corresponding detailed views. The display showcases its strengths with its high resolution.

The same information that you see on the watch can be found in the Connect app, which Garmin offers for free for iOS and Android.

Functions in Everyday Life

Many of the Forerunner 165’s features come from the higher-end models. Among the newer ones is the HRV status, which the watch determines during sleep. To obtain comparable values, patience is required initially, as the watch needs 19 nights to establish a baseline.

After that, the HRV status is displayed either in a widget or as part of the Morning Report.

Reminder: Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measures the time difference between consecutive heartbeats. Higher HRV values generally indicate better adaptability to stress, as they reflect a more flexible autonomic nervous system. However, this should be interpreted relative to an individual’s baseline. Therefore, a person with an HRV of 65 ms is not necessarily healthier or more resilient than someone with an HRV of 30 ms.

The watch displays the average HRV from the previous night and compares it to the average HRV from the past four weeks.

This information is also available in the app, which is particularly useful for evaluating data over longer periods.

This brings me to the Morning Report, which, in addition to the HRV status, summarizes the most important values (from the previous day, night, and the upcoming day) in a simple manner.

The watch breaks down sleep into phases and tracks sleep duration. While these metrics provide valuable insights, they are indicative rather than definitive. A professional sleep lab would offer much more precise and comprehensive data. However, in my perception, the sleeping and waking times fit very well.

Once again, the watch provides insights into recent data only, while the app offers summaries on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis.

Speaking of sleep: as you know, it helps replenish your energy reserves, which Garmin represents as the Body Battery, depleting over the day – especially with high stress and activities.

But not only nighttime sleep provides new energy; Garmin’s Nap Detection reliably recognizes daytime naps as well.

In the Music variant, the Forerunner 165 allows storing and especially playing music via Bluetooth-connected headphones or speakers. Pairing with headphones from Shokz, Jabra, and Soundcore worked without any issues.

Honestly, having the option to enjoy music is a fantastic feature that provides entertainment and distraction from your heavy breathing during sports. Personally, I’m not concerned with whether the Sony Walkman NW-A306 or a similar device sounds significantly better. While the expectations might be different when relaxing at home, on the track, other aspects are more important. I appreciate being able to leave my smartphone at home just for the sake of enjoying music.

Forerunner 165 for Sports

Anyone opting for a Forerunner model generally has sports in focus, and given its price, the Forerunner 165 is easily convincing in this regard.

The sport mode is activated by pressing the upper right button. Numerous sport profiles are available, although the list is more concise compared to Garmin’s higher-priced models or competitors.

In addition to the basic sports, the Forerunner 165 also offers exotic options such as Pickleball and Padel.

Besides simple documentation, a sport profile serves as a set of settings to be applied when selecting the profile.

This includes data pages and data fields, with each data page accommodating between 1 to 4 fields. You can display a wide range of current and averaged values, as well as small charts, to suit your needs.

A unique feature is the running metrics and running power, which are quite rare for an entry-level watch.

As usual, alarms can also be set up, allowing for targeted training (e.g. by heart rate, pace, or running power).

Speaking of targeted training: in addition to the free training modes, the Forerunner 165 also suggests workouts based on your performance and the load from previous days.

From my experience with running, these recommendations can be valuable at times but also occasionally puzzling: Eight minutes per kilometer is too slow for me, while a pace of 5:30 minutes, even for just 25 minutes, is quite challenging for me.

Since I needed some more custom test data for this report, I politely but firmly ignored the recommendation.

In addition to Garmin’s training suggestions, custom workouts can be stored in Garmin Connect and called up before starting a session. This makes intervals or following a route easily possible.

To give some context: The Forerunner 165 allows you to follow breadcrumb trails, meaning it provides route guidance without referencing or displaying maps. Essentially, you follow a virtual line on the ground.

Routes can be defined in Garmin Connect, as well as on third-party platforms like Komoot, and transferred to the watch. Routes that have been completed but not explicitly defined beforehand can be tracked later as route guidance.

During an activity, you can scroll through data pages using the buttons. This also works with touch gestures, which I prefer to keep disabled.

After recording ends, Garmin automatically synchronizes the Forerunner 165 with the app or cloud, allowing you to review your workout (as well as daily metrics) on your wrist, smartphone, or tablet.

Most of the data is readily available on the watch. For additional information from paired sensors, it’s worthwhile to check the more comprehensive app. Garmin also offers the convenience of accessing this data through the Garmin Connect web portal.

In addition to the very text-heavy analysis on the first screens in the app, the data is also presented more attractively in charts:

To check if the data relates one way or the other, you can overlay various charts.

This allows for some nice composed charts, perfect for showing off to friends and family :)

A step back to sensors: The Forerunner 165 supports pairing with external sensors via Bluetooth and ANT+. Additionally, it can also act as an external sensor itself, transmitting heart rate data via BLE or ANT+ to other devices.

Accuracy in Location Data Determination

With GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, the Forerunner 165 supports the main satellite systems used for positioning. However, compared to more expensive models, it lacks SatIQ and multiband capability, i.e., simultaneous use of the L1 and L5 frequency bands.

In challenging environments, such as mountains, areas with dense buildings, or densely wooded forests, some accuracy may be sacrificed because the secondary signal cannot be used to correct timing errors. For most casual runners, multiband GPS is generally not necessary.

Many questions I receive revolve around the fact that multiband GPS does not actually increase GPS accuracy but rather helps reduce errors primarily caused by signal reflection.

Of course, I also took the Forerunner 165 out and compared it with the following sports watches:

• Polar Ignite 3
• Amazfit Cheetah Pro
• Coros Pace 3
• Forerunner 245

Dense construction is hard to find here, and the Berlin outskirts also lack mountains, but it does offer sections through forests, residential areas, and open fields.

From a high-level perspective, all participants’ recordings are quite similar. However, the Polar Ignite 3 follows a noticeably different path, and at times, the Forerunner 245 appears to deviate in a similar manner.

And actually, it doesn’t matter where you run with the Forerunner 165; the results always make a good impression, even if you can’t shake the feeling that Garmin smooths the values more than the competition.

But let’s take a closer look at the following run.

On closer inspection, it becomes clear that even the Forerunner 165 has its quirks. This means that the watch sometimes positions itself a few meters off the road, not on the sidewalk but in front gardens. This is not a specific problem of sports watches but an issue with GPS accuracy in general.

Overall, the results are good to very good, as the new Garmin model shows few outliers and provides consistent performance.

Even the section through the now heavily wooded forest is completed without issues by the watch.

In my view, the Forerunner 165 performs strongly across all disciplines. There are no significant or consistent outliers in its recordings. When it does deviate, it’s only briefly and is generally on par with much more expensive models.

Accuracy in Heart Rate Recording

Besides route accuracy, no topic triggers people more than the accuracy of heart rate recordings. Here too, the Forerunner 165 had to measure up against models from Polar, Coros, and the Forerunner 245. The Amazfit Cheetah Pro, on the other hand, picked up data from the Polar H10 chest strap, which, despite its age, is one of the most accurate and reliable sensors available. For this reason, I like to use it as a reference for determining r².

Let’s look at a few runs with warm-up, intervals, and cool-down.

And as if the H10 chest strap wanted to disprove me, it has a dropout right at the beginning of the recording. Strap shifting or contacts not wet enough – it’s hard to say today. After a few minutes, the chest strap got back on track.

The sports watches, however, are all quite close to each other. When looking at the difference from the chest strap and ignoring the initial outlier, you see a typical shift along the time axis, i.e., the watch’s PPG sensor is a bit slower in detecting heart rate changes.

Interestingly, the Forerunner 245 with the older third-generation Elevate sensor provides nearly identical values compared to the fourth-generation Elevate sensor.

How close the values of the chest strap and the sports watches are is shown by the coefficient of determination r². The closer the value is to 1, the better the sports watches “follow” the chest strap.

Due to the slower response, the Forerunner 165 lags behind the other sports watches with a value of 0.905. The Coros Pace 3 matches the chest strap’s values best. But these are only gradual differences.

On the next run, the Forerunner 165’s slower response reappears during the intervals, showing the first signs of this issue once again.

Here too, it’s clear how similar the two generations of Elevate technology are. The Forerunner 165 takes longer to detect rapid heart rate changes during intervals.

The older technology of the Forerunner 245 is often closer to the values of the HR chest strap.

As with the previous run, the Forerunner 165 ranks last in the comparison of coefficients of determination with a value of 0.941. The Coros Pace 3 emerges as the performance leader once again with a coefficient of 0.984. However, these are minor differences, and all watches deliver solid results.

In scenarios with steady heart rates, such as during a regular run, all models perform similarly, with no significant outliers observed in the Forerunner 165 or any other models.

In summary, the performance of the Forerunner 165 is commendable, ranging from good to very good.

Comfort

After 60 days of testing, I can also comment on comfort. It’s quite good: The watch is light, compact, and unobtrusive in daily life.

The strap has caused me some issues, and I can’t pinpoint exactly why: The narrow 18-mm silicone strap has caused skin irritations much more often than, for example, the wide strap of a Polar Vantage V3 (Review | German).

My skin under the strap was much more frequently moist, and the strap rubbed despite a normal fit. After just three weeks, I had to keep switching the Forerunner 165 between my left and right wrist to give each wrist time to recover. In the end, both wrists were significantly marked.

Experiences from other users show, however, that this is not a general problem with the Forerunner watch or Garmin. It’s my personal issue with narrow silicone straps. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I strongly recommend nylon bands, which are also available in the right sizes for the Forerunner 165. This will eliminate the problems almost instantly.

Battery Life

I always hesitate to evaluate battery life in detail. It depends on so many factors (e.g., always-on use, number of display activations, display brightness, power-off time, GNSS systems, music playback, etc.) that it’s unlikely to find two identical scenarios.

When used as a smartwatch with gesture-based display activation, it easily lasts a full week. Garmin states the battery life as up to 11 days. Since a weekend is always a regular occasion to charge the watch, I usually do it every seven days.

A completely empty battery takes about 100 minutes to fully charge. After that, it provides enough power for many hours of recording, even when using multiple GNSS systems.

For those who want to know exactly, you can try to get an impression from Garmin’s breakdown.

Garmin Forerunner 165 - Verdict

Score: 92%

Pros

• great display
• feature-packed

Cons

• no multisport / triathlon
• no training load / training readiness
• lots of plastic

Buy on Amazon

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After 60 days of testing, the Forerunner 165 proves to be an exceptionally well-equipped sports watch. Especially beginner runners and even ambitious runners will not miss any features if running is the focus. Even those who increase their expectations over time will find the Forerunner 165 to be a good training partner. However, the possibilities for structured training planning, taking into account training load and recovery, are reserved for the higher-end models.

Although Garmin focuses the watch on running sports, it is also a great companion for many other sports. It just offers a larger range of features specifically for running.

With the AMOLED display, touch control, and also button control, Garmin combines what I believe to be the best approaches for using the watch. The two buttons on the otherwise quite similar vivoactive 5 almost feel a bit limiting in comparison.

The biggest challenge for the watch will likely come from the competition. For its price and the functions it offers for everyday use, there are few alternatives. However, those who don’t need the ultimate all-rounder will find numerous and sometimes more affordable options. Models such as the Coros Pace 3, Polar Ignite 3 or Pacer Pro, and the Amazfit Cheetah Pro are also highly recommended and can be significantly cheaper.

Disclosure: The Forerunner 165 to me by Garmin, free of charge, at my request for testing. No conditions were attached to this review, and the opinions and experiences shared here reflect my entirely unbiased assessment of the product.

Der Beitrag Garmin Forerunner 165 Review: Budget, still feature-packed erschien zuerst auf Fitness Tracker Test.

When Garmin unveils the Fenix 8 in a live stream on August 27, the company will present a variety of product versions. The Fenix 8 will be available in different sizes and colors, and there will be differences in the display as well. Additionally, it is likely that Garmin will also release the Fenix E and the Enduro 3.

Garmin combines Epix and Fenix

With the Fenix and Epix, Garmin offers two products that are almost identical except for the display. This has led to some challenges in the past:

• A Fenix sports watch was, for over a decade, the epitome of the best outdoor sports watch on the market. In the last two years, however, this was not necessarily the case, as the title was often claimed by the functionally equivalent Garmin Epix, which featured an AMOLED rather than an MIP display. Consequently, the two brands have each impacted the brand value and sales figures of the other.

• The large variety of Epix and Fenix models has caused confusion among potential customers.

As a result, Garmin seems to have considered presenting new models exclusively under the “Fenix” brand.

Fenix 8 – Available with either AMOLED or MIP display

In recent years, Garmin has demonstrated that AMOLED displays and sports or outdoor watches are not mutually exclusive but rather complement each other well. However, since it was initially unclear how well the new display technology would be accepted, particularly in the Fenix series, a new product was needed to avoid jeopardizing the success of the Fenix – thus, the Epix was reborn.

It is now clear which direction Garmin is moving: Almost every sports watch series currently offers self-illuminating AMOLED displays. Only the Fenix and Instinct series are yet to make the switch.

• AMOLED display

  For the first time, the new Fenix generation includes models with AMOLED displays. This essentially restores the Fenix’s status as the most premium model, as the Epix relinquishes its “title” and passes the technology on to the Fenix 8.

• Transflective MIP display

  Knowing that many customers still prefer transflective displays for their efficiency and excellent readability over high-resolution AMOLED displays, the Fenix 8 is also available with a transflective MIP display. However, Garmin is focusing on the AMOLED models, which will be available in sizes of 43 mm, 47 mm, and 51 mm.

  Models with the MIP display will be offered only in sizes of 47 mm and 51 mm.

Official press renders have been released in advance by winfuture.de. I am refraining from showing the images here until Garmin has officially released the product. The images can be viewed on the relevant websites, along with an emerged video.

Garmin Fenix 8 – New and noteworthy

The exact features and enhancements that the Fenix 8 will ultimately offer have not yet been fully disclosed to the public. Therefore, this list does not claim to be complete:

• New Sports Programs

  Garmin is expanding the functionality of the Fenix 8 with new features for sports and freediving. This is suggested not only by the first leaked press renders but also by the engraving on the back of the watch, which certifies resistance up to 40 meters for diving.

• Garmin Strength Coach

  With the Fenix 8, Garmin introduces the new Garmin Strength Coach. This new feature aims to enable targeted and training plan-oriented strength training. It is likely that this feature will also become available shortly thereafter on other high-end Garmin models.

• Voice Commands and Phone Calls

  Garmin has equipped the Fenix 8 with a small speaker and a microphone. These serve two purposes: first, they enable phone calls via the watch, but a paired smartphone must be nearby. The Fenix 8 does not have an LTE modem. Second, the Fenix 8 can process voice commands (even without a smartphone), allowing users to start activities by voice command, for example.

• Garmin Share

  Garmin Share was first introduced with the Edge 1050 bike computer and allows users to share planned workouts, routes, and positions directly with compatible devices. This feature was already included in the latest firmware update (Beta) for the Fenix 7 and similar models, and will therefore also be available on the Fenix 8.

• Elevate Gen 5

  While not entirely new, it’s worth mentioning the use of the fifth-generation Elevate sensor. The ECG function remains deactivated in the EU until the necessary approvals are obtained. However, the function is already activated in some regions, including the USA.

• Robust Design

  Additionally, the Fenix 8 is tested for heat, shock, and water resistance according to U.S. military standards. Unfortunately, it’s often unclear which specific tests the products have passed.

  On the side, there is extra protection for the sensors. The display glass is available in either Sapphire Glas or Gorilla Glass.

Models at a Glance

The following table shows the models that Garmin will release:

Garmin Fenix 8 – 43 mm

Garmin Fenix 8 – 47 mm

Garmin Fenix 8 – 51 mm

Garmin Fenix 8 – Model Comparison

Regarding battery life, Garmin has managed to improve solar efficiency by up to 50 percent with models featuring an MIP display.

Release Date of the Fenix 8

Initially, the release was expected to be in early September, partly due to the early listings on various online shops and the beginning of IFA 2024 in Berlin on September 6. Garmin has often used the trade show to present new products to the public.

It is now clear that Garmin will not be atttending IFA, and the official release will take place on August 27. Availability (at least of some of the models) is expected to coincide with the release as usual.

Some thoughts about the prices

The price structure is likely to be aligned with the existing models, as always. Except, this time the Fenix 8 aligns with the prices of the Epix Gen 2, while the Fenix E aligns with the prices of the Fenix 7.

Keep in mind that there may be changes prior to the release. The prices show the range starting with the more basic materials, i.e. silicon straps.

Compared to the current prices of the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro, the price difference with the Fenix 8 is quite significant. Despite the new features and the AMOLED display of the Fenix 8, the previous model will remain exceptionally attractive. The models are already being sold at large discounts.

Der Beitrag Garmin Fenix 8: Models, Specs and Prices erschien zuerst auf Fitness Tracker Test.

Almost exactly two years after the introduction of the Garmin Edge 1040 / Edge 1040 Solar, Garmin has launched a new version of its high-end bike computer Edge. The Edge 1050 is raising the bar for the best bike computer even higher.

New and Noteworthy in the Edge 1050

New features, a new form, and a brilliant display – these are the key changes in the Edge 1050. Let’s take a closer look at the new model:

• High-Resolution Display

  The highlight of the Edge 1050 is the new high-res LCD display. Instead of the Edge 1040’s transflective display with a resolution of 282 x 470 pixels, the Edge 1050’s touch-enabled display has a significantly higher resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. Consequently, the pixel density increases from 156 to 266 PPI. However, the display size remains unchanged at 3.5″.

  	Garmin Edge 1050	Garmin Edge 1040 Solar	Garmin Edge 1040
  Multi-GNSS / Multi-GPS	20 h	35 h	45 h
  Energy Saver	60 h	70 h	100 h

  The increased power demand of the display results in shorter battery life. Using Multiband-GPS / Multi-GNSS, the battery lasts up to 20 hours. In energy-saving mode, it’s still 60 hours. Compared to the Edge 1040, these are significantly lower values.

  A version with solar technology does not seem to be in Garmin’s plans (yet).

• Garmin Pay

  Contactless payment, which Garmin has been offering on its sports watches for some time, is now available on bike computers with the Edge 1050. Although direct support from banks depends on the country you are living in, there are now a few major banks supporting Garmin Pay. If your bank is not directly supported, you can use Garmin Pay through Curve’s virtual Mastercard.

• Integrated Speaker

  Also new is the integrated speaker, which can do more than just beep. It can be used for training and navigation instructions. Thanks to the speaker, the Edge 1050 can additionally be used as a digital bike bell thanks to the speaker.

• 64 GB Storage

  With 64 GB, the internal storage is twice as large compared to the Edge 1040 (32 GB), offering even more space to store maps, routes, and activity data.

• New Design Language

  In addition to the hardware changes, the design language of the Edge 1050 has also changed. The new model is more angular and doesn’t round off as much at the top and bottom. Operation continues to be through the familiar 3-button design and the touch-enabled display.

On the software side, the Edge 1050 offers the following improvements:

• Enhanced GroupRide Features

  Those who like to ride in groups will appreciate the new GroupRide features. These make organizing group rides easier by, for example, sharing the route with all participants in advance. The messaging function allows you to stay in contact with other riders or inform them if an accident occurs.

  After the tour, you can compare performance with other participants. Leaderboards and awards are proven methods to keep motivation high.

• Hazard Alerts

  A community-driven feature is hazard alerts. Hazards identified during sports activities can be reported, informing other cyclists. At the same time, the route planner provides advance warnings about reported obstacles.

The success of the GroupRide and hazard alert features depends on the number of participating athletes. For this reason, both features will soon be added to the Edge 540, Edge 840, and Edge 1040 models.

Prices and Availability

Garmin is offering the Edge 1050 for a price of $699.99. This includes the bike computer, the power mount and standard mount, a tether, and the USB charging cable. For $799.99, Garmin also includes an HRM-Dual heart rate chest strap as well as a cadence and a speed sensor.

Updates:

• The article has been updated to reflect the official release of the Edge 1050.

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Once again, Garmin made a small blunder that led to information about its new GPS bike computer, the Edge 1050, being found on the internet. Although Garmin’s Taiwanese website quickly removed the information, it wasn’t fast enough to prevent users from copying press renders of the Edge 1050.

Experience shows that once a product appears on the manufacturer’s website in one form or another, its launch is imminent. I initially had my eyes on weeks 25 and 26, and with week 25 now almost over, I continue to place my hopes on the coming week. Three aspects support this:

• Appearance in Online Retail

  Apart from the Taiwanese website, online retailers are particularly careful not to leak information about upcoming products this time. However, given the large number of retailers, leaks are likely to occur — and they did…

  

  Garmin Edge 1050 listing | Screenshot: tacomabike.com

  The Edge 1050 has been listed online for the first time at Tacoma Bike & Ski, although there is no additional information or images of the product. However, the shop does confirm the price I originally set at $699.99. Additionally, the label “Device Only” hints that the Edge 1050 will also be available in a bundle, likely for $799.99.

• Start of the Tour de France (June 29)

  The Tour de France, one of the most important cycling events, starts on June 29. The media attention for cycling is likely to lead to greater public awareness. This is an ideal setting to introduce a high-end product.

• Start of Eurobike (July 3)

  Shortly after, Eurobike will open its doors, providing another suitable venue to present the Edge 1050 to the public.

These are all clues but not a definitive date. Even if it doesn’t happen next week, the launch of the Edge 1050 remains imminent.

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Last year, Garmin provided product updates for sports watches in the mid-range and high-end segments with the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965. With the Forerunner 165, the entry-level segment now sees an addition.

Garmin Forerunner 165 | Source: Garmin

Garmin Forerunner 165 – Extensive Updates in Hardware and Software

Despite the somewhat unexpected nomenclature, the Forerunner 165 is likely understood as the successor to the Forerunner 55. Garmin’s decision not to name the watch “Forerunner 65” may be due to the numerous enhancements incorporated into the Forerunner 165.

To better understand the Forerunner 165 in relation to the adjacent products Forerunner 55 and Forerunner 265, the basic specs are listed in the table above.

• Music and Non-Music Models

  Garmin offers the Forerunner 165 in two variants: In addition to the standard model, the Forerunner 165 Music features built-in storage for storing music content, which can then be played on Bluetooth headphones or speakers. As an “entry-level model,” the Forerunner 165 Music only has 4 GB of storage available. In this aspect, it resembles the Garmin vivoactive 5.

  The larger models Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965, on the other hand, offer 8 GB and 32 GB, respectively. However, the storage of the Forerunner 965 is also used to store map data.

  Given the large amount of data that can be transferred to the watch, the Forerunner 165 Music supports Wi-Fi connections, which the standard model lacks.

• 1.2″ AMOLED Display

  One of the biggest changes concerns the display. Even in the small Forerunner 165, Garmin makes the switch from transflective MIP to AMOLED display. This display, at 1.2 inches, not only is larger, with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels, but also allows for a more contrast-rich display with vibrant colors. With this, at least in the Forerunner series, the transflective MIP display technology has been discontinued.

  Despite the larger display, the case size only moderately increases to 43 x 43 x 11.6 mm, and the weight gain to 39 grams is also not noticeable.

• Battery Life up to 11 Days

  With a battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, the Forerunner 165 doesn’t quite reach the values of its predecessor, but it also has the significantly more power-consuming display.

  When using GPS, the Forerunner 165 lasts up to 19 hours. When using all GNSS, the battery lasts up to 17 hours. If music playback is used simultaneously, the maximum runtime decreases to 7 or 6.5 hours.

• PPG Sensor “Elevate V4”

  Garmin incorporates its fourth-generation PPG sensor into the Forerunner 165. The technology, named “Elevate V4,” is mainly responsible for measuring heart rates and heart rate variability, deriving a series of metrics from them. It was expected that the Forerunner 165 would not feature the EKG-capable Elevate sensor of the fifth generation.

• Barometric Altimeter

  Additionally, Garmin integrates a barometric altimeter into the Forerunner 165. This allows the determination of altitude in addition to GPS and recording it during sports activities. In everyday life, the Forerunner 165 can also determine the number of floors climbed.

Functions

Corresponding to its performance class, the Forerunner 165 doesn’t introduce entirely new functions, but rather those that have benefited some Garmin products in the last 2.5 years.

Many of the new functions are attributed to the “Elevate V4” sensor. Although not brand new, the fifth generation capable of EKG remains reserved for premium models for now.

• Heart Rate Variability / HRV Status

  Of interest to athletes is the measurement of heart rate variability, from which Garmin derives the HRV status. A high HRV value suggests that the body can respond well to physical stress. Even impending infections can usually be detected by changes in heart rate variability.

• Blood Oxygen Saturation SpO2

  Using infrared and red LED light, the Forerunner 165 can determine blood oxygen levels. Although the data is not medically reliable, it provides indications of breathing difficulties during sleep or acclimatization at high altitudes. While data is continuously collected during sleep, daytime measurements must be initiated manually.

• Cardiovascular Fitness VO2max

  The Forerunner 165 calculates the cardiovascular fitness value VO2max not only for road runs but also for trail runs.

• Running Dynamics

  Quite surprisingly, the Forerunner 165 offers Garmin’s “Running Dynamics,” which include metrics of running efficiency. These include stride length, stride frequency, vertical oscillation, vertical ratio, and ground contact time, among others. The Forerunner 165 even calculates running performance without additional accessories.

• Morning Report

  The Morning Report provides a summary of sleep, physical condition, and upcoming appointments shortly after waking up. Because different information is important for everyone, the Morning Report can be customized to individual needs.

• Nap Detection

  Quite new is the Nap Detection, which detects short naps during the day. Garmin credits the energy gained from this to the Body Battery. This describes how much physical “energy” is available for the rest of the day.

• Simple Navigation

  Those who create routes via Garmin Connect or Komoot can display the route on the watch during exercise. However, it’s only a “dotted line” – proper map material remains reserved for the Forerunner 965 and the Epix and Fenix models. At least the watch informs when deviating from the planned route.

For a product update, in my opinion, these are indeed many and high-quality features. Admittedly, the Forerunner 265 has even more features, but for running beginners, the Forerunner 165 seems to be shaping up as the model of choice. And even when the first 5 or 10 km are completed and demands on performance and the sports watch increase, the Forerunner 165 offers many useful functions.

Differentiation from the Garmin Forerunner 265

The fact that the Forerunner 55 offers significantly fewer features due to its age and the sensors it incorporates can already be seen in the above-mentioned innovations of the Forerunner 165. However, it also lacks a few features that are only provided by the next larger model, namely the Forerunner 265:

• Multiband GPS
• SatIQ
• Training Readiness
• Training Status
• Support for Multisport / Triathlons
• More supported sport profiles
• More supported external sensors

In my opinion, these are primarily features that become more important when the demand for personal performance and targeted training increases. They are not necessarily essential for running beginners.

Prices and Availability

As previously announced, Garmin offers the Forerunner 165 for €279. For the Forerunner 165 Music, Garmin suggests a recommended retail price of €329. The watch is available in four additional color variants:

The Forerunner 165 is available from today on. Even on Amazon, which had to wait a long time for the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965 to become available, both Forerunner 165 variants may already be ordered.

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Garmin Lily 2 | Source: Garmin

Almost 3 years ago, Garmin introduced the first-generation Lily. With only 34 mm, it is the smallest smartwatch in Garmin’s portfolio. The successor Lily 2 doesn’t change that much, as Garmin equips the current model mainly with updated technology and a couple of new features.

Garmin Lily 2 – Specs

As you can see, not much has changed. With a case diameter of 35.4 mm, the Lily 2 has become slightly larger, though it maintains the weight and display size compared to its predecessor.

The 1″ display is still among the smallest in Garmin’s lineup. The resolution of 240 x 201 pixels results in a pixel density of 240 PPI. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3.

Anyone hoping that Garmin would replace the monochrome 16-level greyscale display with a colour OLED display will be disappointed. The Lily 2 will continue to use a greyscale display hidden behind the patterned watch face.

New and noteworthy

The development of the Lily 2 is somewhat reminiscent of the vivomove Trend, which was released last year. Here too, Garmin has equipped the watch with the latest technology, while at the same time keeping the number of new features to a moderate level.

• Aluminum Case

  Lily 2 gets an upgrade in the material used for the case and bezel. Both parts will be made of aluminum. The first-generation Lily offered aluminum only with the Sport Edition. The Classic Edition featured a stainless steel bezel.

  	Lily 2	Lily	vívomove Trend
  Material (bezel)	Aluminum	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
  Material (case)	Aluminum	Fiber-reinforced polymer	Fiber-reinforced polymer
  Material (back)	Fiber-reinforced polymer	Fiber-reinforced polymer	Fiber-reinforced polymer

• Garmin Elevate Gen 4 Sensor

  Garmin also equips the Lily 2 with a more recent version of the PPG sensor. Though it’s not the ECG-capable sensor of the 5th generation, the Lily 2 features the previous Gen 4 Elevate sensor.

  The new sensor primarily benefits the battery life, which Garmin continues to claim is up to 5 days. Unlike the first-generation Lily, Garmin no longer mentions the limitation of this battery life when measuring SpO2 at night.

• Contactless Payment with Garmin Pay

  Users of Lily 2 no longer need to forgo contactless payments at the gas station or supermarket. Thanks to the built-in NFC chip, Garmin Pay can be used with Lily 2.

• Training Mode

  Lily 2 also receives a moderate update in the available sports or training modes. Users will now have access to HIIT training sessions. The Lily 2 also offers a “Dance Fitness” sports mode.

• New Patterns on the Watch Face

  A unique feature of the Lily series is the display that is completely hidden behind the patterned watch face when not active. In addition to new colors, Lily 2 also offers newly patterned watch faces, including small diamonds, dots, waves, and large floral patterns.

Otherwise, Lily 2 strongly resembles its predecessor. I haven’t identified a compelling reason to switch from the predecessor to the current model.

Unfortunately, Lily 2 still seems to lack an integrated GPS chip. For those who still want to record the route and pace along with heart rate and step data, Connected GPS allows accessing GPS data from a paired smartphone.

The inability to create an ECG is acceptable. I would have preferred a bit of onboard storage for storing and playing music.

Assessment

If one were to consider the vivomove series and the Lily series as one big family, the Lily 2’s update to the second generation comes a bit late. Most of the improvements that Lily 2 experiences were already observed last year with vivomove Trend.

The one-year gap between the release of the vivomove Trend and the Lily 2 results in the Lily 2 already having the more up-to-date “Elevate Gen 4” sensor.

The bottom line is that with the Lily 2, Garmin continues to offer a balanced and style-oriented product that should appeal to many women, dispenses with extensive sports functions, but offers insights into fitness, health and well-being.

Availability and Prices

The Garmin Lily 2 is available in two editions: The standard edition features a silicone band, while the models of the classic edition come with leather or textile nylon bands.

The watches with a silicone strap have a retail price of €279.99. The Classic models with a textile/nylon strap are slightly more expensive and cost €299.99. The Classic models with a leather strap will be available for €349.99.

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Despite continuous improvements in optical PPG sensors for heart rate measurement, HR chest straps remain the gold standard in terms of accuracy. It’s particularly frustrating when only comfort stands between using an HR chest strap and opting for sensors in fitness trackers and sports watches. Garmin seems to have recognized this dilemma and developed the HRM-Fit, a heart rate chest strap specifically tailored to women’s anatomy.

Garmin HRM-Fit | Source: Garmin

HR chest strap specifically for women

The HRM-Fit is a chest strap for heart rate monitoring designed to accommodate the anatomy of women, providing a significantly better fit and comfort than traditional chest straps with their loop design. To achieve this, the HRM-Fit chest strap measures 33.5 cm in length, significantly shorter than traditional straps, and eschews the loop, instead offering three clips for attaching the sensor to the lower edge of a sports bra.

In terms of functionality, the HRM-Fit closely resembles the top-of-the-line HRM-Pro Plus model. In addition to heart rate, the HRM-Fit also transmits metrics categorized by Garmin under the name “Running Dynamics,” including:

• Vertical oscillation
• Stride length
• Ground contact time

Garmin HRM-Fit | Source: Garmin

Additionally, the HRM-Fit offers:

• 1-year battery life
• Bluetooth and ANT+
• Water resistance up to 15 meters
• Tool-free battery replacement

Price and availability

At €159.99, the HRM-Fit currently stands as the most expensive model among Garmin’s HR chest straps. The HRM-Pro Plus is already available for an MSRP of €129.99. However, the chest strap is currently priced at just under €80 in stores.

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For years, the US regulatory authority FCC has provided the first information about new products. Now, however, it is Garmin itself that is inadvertently disclosing new products.

This time, two upcoming products caught my attention while browsing the support section of the Spanish Garmin website: the Garmin Lily 2 and the heart rate monitor HRM-Fit.

• Garmin Lily 2 – Stylish Lifestyle Watch

  The listing of the Lily 2 in the support section is not entirely surprising, considering that the first generation was introduced in January 2021. This was particularly welcomed by female users seeking a sporty smartwatch that didn’t look like the Forerunner 255 or Venu 2.

  

  Screenshot from Garmin (Source: support.garmin.com/es-ES)

  Garmin is wise to cater to this target audience this time, especially after exploring almost every other segment last year.

  While there isn’t much information available about the Lily 2, it is likely to align with the features of the vivoactive 5. Of course, this is within the capabilities of the Lily 2’s hidden AMOLED display, as Garmin is likely to stick to the concept of concealing the display behind the watch face.

  The available information does provide insights into the color and strap options. The Lily 2 is expected to be released in the following variants:

  Model	Band	Color
  Garmin Lily 2 - Sport Edition	Silicon	Crema Oro / Coco
  Garmin Lily 2 - Sport Edition	Silicon	Lila
  Garmin Lily 2 - Classic Edition	Nylon	Brown
  Garmin Lily 2 - Classic Edition	Nylon	Gray
  Garmin Lily 2 - Classic Edition	Leather	Beige / Gold
  Garmin Lily 2 - Classic Edition	Leather	Black / Blue

  Once again, the Classic variant is likely to feature a higher-quality leather strap, while the more affordable Sport variant (at least that’s what it was called for the first-generation Lily) may come with a silicone strap.

  As for the prices, it’s a bit speculative, but here are my guesses based on the current pricing and price levels with regard to different materials used:

  Model	Band	Estimated Price
  Garmin Lily 2 - Sport Edition	Silicon	$250
  Garmin Lily 2 - Classic Edition	Nylon	$280
  Garmin Lily 2 - Classic Edition	Leather	$300

  Update: Online retailer “The Watch Hut” has already published a product page depicting a price of £249. As the page doesn’t offer any additional information and likely will be taken offline again, I refrain from linking it here.

• Garmin HRM-Fit – Mysterious Heart Rate Monitor

  The heart rate monitor “HRM-Fit” is the bigger mystery of the two products, though first intel has been surfaced in August 2023. Garmin already offers a variety of HR straps, including HRM-Run, HRM-Tri, HRM-Pro, and HRM-Pro Plus, catering to different needs. There seems to be little room for a new model, especially since the potential for new HRM features appears more limited compared to sports watches.

  

  Screenshot from Garmin (Source: support.garmin.com/es-ES)

  Rumors suggest that the HRM-Fit might be an optical heart rate monitor designed to be worn on the upper arm, similar to the Polar Verity Sense, Scosche RHYTHM+, or Wahoo TICKR Fit, utilizing optical PPG sensors for measurement.

  What raises some concerns is the high repair price listed by Garmin Spain, which is around €76. This might indicate a relatively high purchase price, even though the name “HRM-Fit” sounds less premium compared to the €129 HRM-Pro Plus. It remains to be seen what Garmin has in store for fitness enthusiasts.

  Unfortunately, there is no additional information beyond the name and the (semi-)official mention by Garmin at this point.

Admittedly, there isn’t much information, expect for some support listings and a retailer publishing an early placeholder page. Anyway, it does show that there are new products incoming. If the Garmin Lily 2 and/or the Garmin HRM-Fit were to be released later this year, it would surprise me. I expect the new products more likely in Q1/2024.

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In 2023, Garmin introduced notable wearables, including the premium models Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro, along with the Forerunner 265, Forerunner 965, Venu 3, and the seemingly revived vivoactive 5. The release of the Descent Mk3 and Instinct 2X also brought joy to divers and outdoor enthusiasts.

2024 will be no different and I highly anticipate that we will see the launch of next generation in the Fenix and Epix series. However, the Fenix 8 and Epix 3 are likely to be expected in the second half of the year. Before that, a few lifestyle and entry-level products are expected to be unveiled.

This table may contain wild guesswork, but some of the positions listed are based on early intel that reached me. As soon as there is new or additional information, I will add it here. Thus, you are invited to come back later to check for any additions.

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