Garmin Announces The Forerunner 630 Smartwatch For Runners With Larger Display, Advanced Tracking Capabilities Like VO2 Measurement

Lauren Keating, Tech Times 21 October 2015, 11:10 am

Garmin's latest lineup of GPS running watches announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, includes two lower-end watches and the new Forerunner 630 that is equipped with a 44 percent larger touch screen with an updated interface, as well as new impressive tracking capabilities designed with dedicated runners in mind.

The Garmin Forerunner 630 builds off its predecessor, the Forerunner 620, but is packed with the ability to provide more data and physiological measurements to improve performance and prevent injury. The smartwatch displays more data about the user's run, including real-time measurement of the length of a runner's stride; the estimated level on intensity of exercise at which lactate acid begins to accelerate in the blood at its fastest, called the lactate threshold; and real-time fitness measurements that indicates the user's readiness to face the day's scheduled run or race.

Along with cadence and stride measurements, the Forerunner 630 also tracks various stress-related measurements such as the user's overall level of stress provided in a stress score. When used with any ANT+-compatible heart rate monitor, the Garmin smartwatch also can measure the user's heart rate, heart rate zones and data on how your body efficiently uses oxygen. The user can plug in their heart rate, running speed and weight, and using an algorithm, the Forerunner 630 will provide their estimated VO2 max, which is the maximum volume of oxygen their body can consume during their run.

Using the VO2 max data, the user is given predicted race times, along with a recovery adviser to inform how long the user needs to rest after crushing a 10-miler.

Of course, the Forerunner 630 has some of the same functionalities of its previous model, such as the ability to automatically upload data via Wi-Fi to the Garmin Connect mobile app so users can analyze their workouts, progress, track their sleep and join in on challenges. The new smartwatch can also track the basic data such as steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned so it can be worn all day, not just during a run.

When connected to the user's smartphone, the Garmin Forerunner 630 provides notifications for calls, texts and emails, along with audio alerts during running, and the ability to control a user's music right from the display. The Forerunner 360 is also compatible with the Connect IQ smartwatch platform, so runners can download additional apps and watch faces from the Connect IQ store.

The Forerunner 630 comes in black/white and midnight blue, is water resistant up to 50 meters, and has a battery life of up to 16 hours when in training mode and 4 weeks when in watch mode (with activity tracking and smart notifications on).

The Garmin Forerunner 630 will retail for $399.99 by itself, or for $449.99 as part of a bundle that includes the company's HRM-Run heart rate sensor. The smartwatch will be released in the fourth quarter.

Garmin also revealed two lower-end watches, the Forerunner 230 (with integrated heart rate monitor) and 235 (pairs with heart rate strap, but has new Garmin Elevate technology) with a bigger color touchscreen. The Foreunner 230 has a battery life of up to 16 hours while in training mode, and will retail for $249.99. The 235 has a battery life of 11 hour hours in training mode, and will be available for $329.99.