There is no room for doubt now – 2015 is definitely going to belong to wearables and what we’ve seen from this year’s CES so far has only strengthened that belief.
Garmin, known for producing consumer and professional grade GPS systems, has jumped into the wearable scene with not one, not two but three new smartwatches – the Fenix 3, the Epix and the Vivoactive. Although Garmin is new to the wearable market, their rich history of technological innovation makes these three products quite exciting, and so we’re going to take a brief look at all three of them.
1. The Fenix 3
The Fenix 3 is Garmin’s high-end offering for serious athletes. With its slew of sensors / trackers including heart rate monitoring, a pedometer for counting steps, a compass, an altimeter, a barometer, a GPS, calculation of recovery time and VO2 max measurements (maximum volume of oxygen that an athlete can use), the Fenix 3 will greatly enhance the workout experience. In addition to running and biking, one can also take it in the pool where it will keep a check of your pace, stroke and distance. It is also specialized tracking capabilities like snowboarding and skiing where it will help track speed, distance and vertical drop.
The Fenix 3 can be connected to your smartphone via the Connect IQ (can be connected through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) app where one can access all the workout data and also set customized fitness goals for the week. It also has a sleep monitor to assess the quality of sleep. The Fenix 3 is available in three price variants – a $499 version in two colours (silver with red band and grey with black band), a $549 version with a wireless heart rate monitor strap and a $599 Saphire version with a stainless steel band.
2. The Epix
The Epix is a wanderer’s best friend. It’s basically a map of the world that you can strap to your wrist and view on its 1.4 inch touchscreen. Along with the GPS features, the Epix also has a heart rate monitor, altimeter and a barometer. On purchase, you get a one year subscription to BirdsEye Satellite Imagery which can be updated. Like the Fenix 3, the Epix can be connected to the smartphone via Connect IQ platform to provide you with notifications and allows you to install new apps on the Epix.
The Epix is available in two variants – a $549 regular version, and a $599 version that contains a highly detailed topographic map.
3. The Vivoactive
Unlike the Fenix 3 and the Epix, the Vivoactive is a simple man’s everyday smartwatch. It contains basic features like a coloured touchscreen, wireless sensors and the freedom of interchanging bands. Like the other two, the Vivoactive can be connected to your smartphone via the Connect IQ platform to install interesting apps. The Vivoactive has a distinct price advantage over its siblings – it will cost just $249.
So there you have it – three different, specialized smartwatches by Garmin. The company has made specific efforts to launch three products that would appeal to different sections of the market. There’s a smartwatch for everyone, and Garmin is keen to provide people with a watch that suits their needs.
