Garmin has done a great job segmenting the fitness band market from the most casual user to the most ambitious. At CES, it’s debuting a device for the most hard-core audience yet: the tactix Bravo, a rugged device with a scratch proof screen and a display optimized for night-vision goggles.
The tactix Bravo comes with “specialized software optimized for both aerial and land missions,” which indicates a certain rejection of your basic check-out-the-gym-as-a-New-Year-resolution kind of customer. Of course, it does the usual notification, motion tracking and GPS thing, as well as ANT+ connectivity, should you want to track your heart rate and position while jumping out of a helicopter. And reading your texts in case the landing zone changed. $700, later this quarter. Booya!
For those possessed of slightly less adrenaline, Garmin also announced the Varia Vision, a display that clips onto a cyclist’s sunglasses and shows performance data, turn-by-turn directions, and notifications. With a Varia rear-view radar system, cyclists can also see vehicles approaching from behind. $400, shipping this quarter.
Other CES-launched updates from Garmin include the extension of its Elevate heart-rate monitor, new bands, and improved software to the excellent fenix 3 sports tracker ($600; $800 for one with a titanium case). And Garmin Connect software gets Insights, personalized recommendations and healthy tips from experts.
(See all CES 2016 news by clicking the CES2016 tag below this story.)