Garmin is an international company, established in 1989, with its headquarters in Olathe, Kansas. It now has a workforce of over 7,000 employees. The company started with the goal to manufacture navigation and communication devices that can change their customers’ lives.
One such product is the Garmin GPS watch. This is a high quality sports watch with many innovative features that help athletes – especially runners, bike riders and swimmers. The Garmin GPS watch gives valuable information that can be used in the training schedule. These watches are marketed under the name Forerunner. Some of the features of the Forerunner range are:
• “HotFix” – this gives a quick satellite fix that can be maintained even among trees and buildings. This feature is exclusive to the Garmin GPS watch. Unlike other GPS watches on the market that need an external GPS device attached to the body, the Garmin GPS watch has the GPS aerial mounted in the watch.
• The Garmin GPS watch can wirelessly connect with bike riding training aids such as cadence sensors and foot pods. A cadence sensor turns the Garmin GPS watch into a bike computer, A foot pod allows monitoring indoors where GPS is not available. Both these devices are available as accessories for the Garmin GPS watch.
• It will upload data to a computer.
• It is also possible to share data with other Garmin GPS watch users.
• Courses feature – allows athlete to compete against former times and workouts to better times and heart rate
• Virtual Partner – allows wearer to race against a computer generated competitor
• The Garmin GPS watch is rated waterproof to 50 meters – very handy for those who need swimming data.
• Auto pause, auto lap
• It can set up exercise and rest intervals
• The display can be customized
• The higher priced Forerunner watches include a heart rate monitor. The others have compatibility with external heart rate monitors.
It should be remembered that while all these features of the Garmin GPS watch may be attractive – are all of them going to be used? It is not necessary to spend money on features that will not be used. The Garmin GPS watch can be bought almost anywhere – at electronics stores and general retailers.
Despite all the features included, the Garmin GPS watch, is very lightweight – less than 80g. An athlete does not need a heavy weight on their wrist. Also the unit is small – it looks like a watch – not a machine!
To find the exact Garmin GPS watch that is required, an athlete needs to determine the features that he or she wants and the amount of money that can be spent. There will definitely be a model of Garmin GPS watch that suits all and increase the efficiency of any workout.
The Garmin GPS watch certainly epitomises the company ethic that their products can change the lives of its customers. For the serious athlete, or even those who just want to keep fit, it provides a very useful training tool.