Garmin Forerunner 970 and 570: All You Should Know About the Newest Smartwatches
Garmin has unveiled its most recent offerings in the Forerunner lineup—the Forerunner 970 and Forerunner 570—marking the beginning of a new chapter in sophisticated fitness tracking and smart capabilities. Launched on May 15, 2024, these two devices come packed with numerous enhancements, including built-in LED flashlights, ECG sensors, microphones, speakers, and advanced training metrics. However, these improvements come with a steeper price tag: $549 for the Forerunner 570 and $749 for the Forerunner 970.
Let’s explore what distinguishes these new devices and how they measure up against their predecessors.
Forerunner 570: A Smart Partner for Triathletes
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is the immediate successor to the Forerunner 265 and is designed specifically for triathletes and dedicated fitness lovers. It brings a variety of hardware and software improvements:
Notable Hardware Enhancements:
– Mic & Speaker: Facilitates Bluetooth calling and voice assistant compatibility (Siri or Google Assistant).
– Skin Temperature Sensor: Monitors overnight temperature fluctuations to evaluate recovery, sleep quality, and possible illness.
– AMOLED Display: Now larger and brighter—1.2 inches (42mm) and 1.4 inches (47mm)—with slimmer bezels.
– Aluminum Bezel: Offers a more upscale feel compared to previous models’ sole polymer design.
Software Improvements:
– Evening Report: A new function that complements the Morning Report by providing a recap of your day, sleep requirements, weather outlook, and next-day schedule.
– Garmin Triathlon Coach: Supplies adaptive training plans for triathletes, featuring swim training, brick workouts, and strength exercises.
– Course-Based Auto-Lap: Logs mile splits based on course markers instead of GPS approximations.
– New Sports Modes: Encompasses Duathlon, Obstacle Racing, Hunting, and Fishing.
– Golf Features: Introduces yardage tracking, digital scorecards, and hazard information.
Battery Performance:
– 42mm model: 10 days in smartwatch mode / 13 hours with GPS
– 47mm model: 11 days in smartwatch mode / 14 hours with GPS
Note: Slightly lower than the Forerunner 265 due to the enhanced display and additional mic/speaker.
Color Choices:
– Slate Grey, Indigo, Amp Yellow, Cloud Blue, and Raspberry.
Forerunner 970: Premium Features for Top Athletes
The Forerunner 970 is positioned as a luxury option compared to the Forerunner 965 and comes with several unique features that validate its $749 price.
Unique Hardware Features:
– LED Flashlight: Integrated into the watch for enhanced nighttime visibility and safety.
– ECG Sensor: Empowers users to perform electrocardiogram readings right from the wrist.
– Sapphire Crystal Display: Provides exceptional scratch resistance.
– Titanium Bezel: Lightweight yet sturdy for tough usage.
Sophisticated Software Features:
– Offline Maps: Comes with preloaded maps for roads, trails, skiing, and golf.
– Strava & Garmin Live Segments: Enable real-time competition with others on popular routes.
– ClimbPro & Trendline Routing: Aids in planning and navigating elevation changes and sought-after paths.
– Real-Time Stamina & Endurance Scores: Monitors energy reserves during extended workouts.
– Advanced Cycling Dynamics: Incorporates metrics like grit and flow designed for mountain biking.
New Running Metrics:
– Running Tolerance: Recommends weekly mileage limits to prevent overtraining.
– Running Economy & Step Speed Loss: Assesses efficiency and deceleration at foot strike (requires HRM-Fit or HRM-Pro Plus chest strap).
Battery Performance:
– 15 days in smartwatch mode / 21 hours with multi-band GPS
Note: Slightly lower than the Forerunner 965 in smartwatch mode, but offers better GPS tracking duration.
Design & Construction:
– 47mm case size
– Weight: 56g (lighter than Fenix 8)
– Available Colors: Carbon Grey DLC, Titanium, and Soft Gold
What’s Missing?
Despite the advancements, both models lack LTE connectivity, so you’ll need your phone nearby for calls and data synchronization. Additionally, Garmin has not included a trial for Garmin Connect+, its premium fitness service, which may disappoint some users.
Pricing & Availability
– Forerunner 570: $549, available immediately via Garmin’s website.
– Forerunner 970: $749, shipping starts May 21.
Final Reflections
The Garmin Forerunner 570 and 970 signify substantial advancements in wearable tech, especially for athletes who require comprehensive performance metrics and health insights. While the increased pricing may cause some hesitance, the added features—particularly in the 970—bring these watches closer to Garmin’s flagship Fenix series.
Whether you’re a triathlete seeking personalized coaching or a marathon runner in pursuit of advanced running dynamics and ECG tracking, Garmin’s latest Forerunner models are designed to meet your needs.
