Garmin has introduced another device in its Forerunner GPS watch range. The Forerunner 920XT, a follow-up to last year’s Forerunner 910XT, is able to track the wearer’s physical activities and provide a variety of statistics on its display, but improves on its predecessor by using a color display, being 15 percent lighter, and offers increased connectivity options.
Weighing 2.1 ounces, the Forerunner 920XT multisport watch is water resistant to 5 ATM, and a battery life said to last up to 24 hours in training mode or four months when just used for watch functions. The list of fitness functions provided by the watch is extensive, including VO2 max estimation, race prediction, vertical oscillation, ground contact time cadence, and a recovery adviser, with swimmers also getting feedback on the swim distance, pace, stroke count and identification, and rest timers.
Connectivity has received a slight overhaul in comparison to earlier releases. Just as with smartwatches, the Forerunner 920XT will synchronize with a smartphone app on iOS and Android over Bluetooth, but it will also automatically connect over predefined Wi-Fi hotspots to the Garmin Connect service, though it can also be synchronized over USB. The connectivity works both ways, with the watch displaying message notifications from a smartphone, as well as allowing the app to provide live tracking information and other statistics in real time over e-mail and social media to followers.
Garmin is pricing the Forerunner 920XT at $450 for the watch alone, though a second bundle with a heart rate monitor costs $500, with the watch expected to ship in the coming weeks.
