Garmin changed up its smartwatch line at CES, introducing three new devices.
The Vivoactive is the most watch-like of them, a lightweight GPS-enabled watch with running and golf apps. It pairs with other fitness devices such as heart-rate monitors. It’ll ship this quarter for $250.
The epix is less a fitness device than a GPS map on your wrist. With a 1.4-inch color touchscreen, the epix comes with a global shaded basemap, a 1-year global imagery subscription, and 8GB for your own maps. It’s got antennas for GPS and GLOSNASS (the Russian GPS equivalent) and the usual altimeter, barometer, compass capability. The epix also operates as a fitness tracker. Claimed battery life is 24 hours in GPS mode, and 16 weeks in watch mode. It’ll ship this quarter for $550; $600 for a version with US topo maps included.
The fenix 3 (the “e” is long; as in “Phoenix”) is a serious multi-function multi-sport watch and tracker. It’s made from premium materials — stainless steel bezel and hi-res color display, with one version using sapphire glass — and has detailed activity profiles for running, biking, skiing, swimming, and snowboarding, as well as just general activity. It has GPS capabilities and ANT+ capabilities. It’s in better shape than you’ll ever be.
Battery life is claimed at 20 hours in GPS mode and six weeks in watch mode. It ships this quarter at prices ranging from $500 to $600.