Garmin forerunner 255 (or you can call it multi band mastery)
It was a long due review but it's finally here after I took the time to fully appreciate (or not) almost all of what it has to offer after a few months of using it every day and night, during training and competition.
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| On the wrist |
Everyone's busy so I'll get straight to the unique selling (killing) point: the GPS. Actually I could have renamed this test multi-band GPS supremacy from Garmin versus the rest of the field but first what's multi-band GPS? Let's ask our new best friend ChatGPT (What a bizarre name) and here is the definition of it: "Multi-band GPS refers to a global positioning system (GPS) that operates on multiple frequencies rather than a single frequency. Traditional GPS systems operate on a single frequency, which limits their accuracy and reliability. Multi-band GPS, on the other hand, can provide more accurate and reliable location data by operating on multiple frequencies simultaneously. Multi-band GPS has a number of advantages over single-band GPS. By receiving signals from multiple bands, it is better able to filter out noise and interference, which can lead to more accurate positioning. It is also more resistant to jamming and spoofing, which can be used to interfere with GPS signals. Finally, multi-band GPS can provide faster and more reliable position fixes, which is important in applications such as aviation and emergency response."
So it may sound like a foreign language to you but basically Garmin found a way to allow it, especially thanks to the Airoha GPS chipset (ok given the name you may think it's from China but actually it's from Taiwan). You select your activity, wait a few seconds and boom the fix is done! As simply as that and that's how all smartwatches should have been in the first place. This watch never failed me since I have it and I compared the results with my previous watch, the Polar Vantage V (see comparative pictures). Buildings, cloudy weather or remote areas, it took at the extreme maximum only 30 seconds to get a fix and that was after changing location in between so here is te deal. For this price point, this is the best multi-sport smartwatch on the market, period.
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| Polar Vantage V GPS.. |
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| Same same, but different |
Now let's go to the other features. The watch is basically an upgrade of the Forerunner 245 but not only. The 245 was a great watch for runners only however the 255 is an other animal that comes as a real triathlon watch. Besides the usual list of sport profiles, you have now a triathlon/multisport mode. Again, for this price point, this is never seen. The big brother forerunner 955 maybe slightly better but the price difference is not justified in my opinion.
What I like the most with this watch:
- the GPS accuracy and fix speed
- the sleep and recovery metrics (missing body temperature though)
- the Garmin suite, app and data offered
- the non touch screen to avoid any mismanipulation
- the Hear Rate monitor sensor that can be broadcasted to other devices (and its accuracy too)
- its lightness and size (rather small and doesn't look as bulky as other models)
What I don't like:
- the cheap materials and durability that may suffer over time
- the watch band that feels not secured enough
- the battery life which is not great or bad but just normal and might run short quickly if you activate seveal sensors at the same time or record data more frequently
What I am expecting to be coming sooner or later (based on rumors and by oder of likelihood):
- the running pods metrics to be included in the watch directly without additional device connected
- a further price drop, since the FR265 might be coming really soon (main new feature is the amoled screen, that's it)
- the ECG (electrocardiogram) feature that was just approved for another Garmin watch by the FDA
That's all folks! Hope it will help you make a choice in this smartwatch jungle and happy training in the meantime!
RATING: Best in class GPS but materials used feel cheap.
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