Garmin Forerunner 50

Garmin announced today the Forerunner 50 a new very watch like fitness device that starts to take on a lot of other fitness watches head to head. The big innovation here is that Garmin is stepping into an area of wireless protocol that has extended its capability into other areas allowing the Forerunner 50 watch to serve as a data hub of sorts. The foot pod measures distance and speed, while the heart rate monitor also feeds pertinent data. With the addition of biking modules, the unit can monitor speed and cadence. Add all or this to the USB ANT+Stick, and the sum or all data can then be downloaded to the computer and synchronized with Motionbased.com or other sites. Pretty cool. Not GPS based, but it does add to the Forerunner line a lot of fitness capability that should appeal to the masses who are already buying up a lot of similar products from competition.

The base model with the Forerunner 50 and the ANT stick and Heart Rate Monitor will retail for less than $100, while adding the foot pod will bring the price to $149, and finally the Forerunner 50 with the foot pod and the Heart Rate Monitor will be $199.

I have talked a lot about forthcoming Garmin Fitness products, ever since February with the mention of new fitness products for 2007 in the earnings release, and I didn't expect Garmin to introduce something that goes after the masses like the Forerunner 50. I still hope for a higher end Forerunner 450 or something similar that rolls in some higher functionality above what the Forerunner 350 includes. We'll see.

Visit The Garmin Forerunner 50 Minisite or the Forerunner 50 Product Page

More from the Garmin Press Release…

The Forerunner 50 -- an affordable, sleek and intelligent way to help runners and walkers track their workouts, automatically store their data and reach their personal fitness goals. The announcement strengthens Garmin's role as an innovation leader in the fitness world and reinforces the company's commitment to enriching its customers' lives.

A healthy lifestyle doesn't have to come at a great sacrifice of time and money," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales, "and the Forerunner 50 provides runners, walkers and cyclists with a cost-effective training tool that is compact and convenient. Whether you're training diligently for a race or taking a leisurely stroll, the Forerunner 50 helps you get the most out of your time spent exercising."

The central element of the Forerunner 50 system is an advanced fitness watch, which interfaces wirelessly with other fitness devices such as a heart rate monitor or a foot pod that monitors speed and distance. The system includes a wireless USB ANT(TM) Stick that plugs into the user's PC and automatically downloads workout data stored on the watch to a personal computer. No cables are necessary as the Forerunner 50 synchronizes with the computer once it is in close proximity. Depending on the model purchased, the Forerunner 50 accurately monitors and records heart rate or speed and distance or all of the above. The workouts themselves are made easier with the Forerunner 50 as its heart rate monitor and foot pod activate automatically upon movement, removing the need to turn the lightweight accessories on and off.

With this entry-level fitness watch priced at under $100, Garmin broadens its appeal to the millions of consumers who want to burn calories in a cost-effective manner. While the Forerunner 50 processes much of the same data as its GPS-enabled predecessors, those functions are packaged in a very compact device the size of a typical fitness watch. The Forerunner 50 can track and record up to seven hours and 100 laps of detailed exercise data. And because the Forerunner 50 records its data from the heart rate monitor and foot pod, users can exercise indoors -- for example, accurately monitoring their heart rate while on a treadmill or tracking how far they walk each day in the office. The foot pod enables the Forerunner 50 to track and record speed, distance, cadence, steps and calories burned. Cycling enthusiasts will enjoy the versatile options of adding a bike speed and cadence sensor and a handy bike mount.

When used with Garmin Connect(TM) -- Garmin's online training site -- the Forerunner's benefits continue long after the workout. By pairing the Forerunner 50 with Garmin Connect, users can automatically log their workouts, track their totals, share workouts with coaches, friends and family and participate in an online fitness community with similar interests.

The Forerunner 50 and USB ANT(TM) Stick with Heart Rate Monitor is expected to be available in October and has an estimated retail price of $99. It includes an owner's manual.

The Forerunner 50 and USB ANT(TM) Stick with Foot Pod is expected to be available in October and has an estimated retail price of $149. It includes an owner's manual.

The Forerunner 50 and USB ANT(TM) Stick with Foot Pod and Heart Rate Monitor is expected to be available in October at select retailers and has an estimated retail price of $199. It includes an owner's manual.

The wireless features of the Forerunner 50 are enabled by ANT+Sport personal area network technology. ANT+Sport is a leading wireless interface protocol enabling ultra low power applications like fitness monitors. ANT+Sport offers all the benefits of digital wireless communications with much lower power consumption than other wireless protocols.

August 8, 2007

Garmin Forerunner 50