Today, Garmin introduced a new waterproof watch, the Garmin Swim. This new model is different from the majority of Garmin products in that it has built-in GPS with the ability to connect via a USB cable to a computer. As you can imagine, this is a pretty big step forward in the Garmin Swim's development. Here are some quick thoughts on this new model by Garmin.
One of the key selling points of the Garmin Swim watch is its accuracy while using open water swimming. Today, Garmin released the Garmin Swim, a specially designed swim tracking watch which builds upon the innovative accelerometer based motion sensor technology first introduced on the FR910 XT to track swimming progress in a pool setting. The new Garmin Swim also integrates with a USB port for connection to a computer and offers a high-value interface with Garmin's mapping software so you can enter locations and have your watch tell you how to get there.
While many of Garmin's other watches offer varying levels of accuracy, the Swim is specifically designed to be more accurate than its predecessors in virtually every major category. This includes distance, pace, strokes, speed, heart rate tracking, splits, calories burned, and water resistance. Garmin's multisport watches make this accuracy even more valuable as they allow you to mix it up with other features like track your laps, overall performance, and indoor and outdoor workouts. Additionally, since the Swim is waterproof as well, you don't have to worry about getting drenched when participating in one of your favorite sports activities.
While Garmin has developed a robust series of watches for outdoor activities, the Swim is perhaps its most impressive product yet. While the unit does not incorporate a heart rate monitor or other activity sensitive functions, it does include a number of useful features which combine to give the owner a truly excellent swimming experience. In particular, the Swim Watch Pro has built in weight tracking so you can easily map your caloric burn across your various workouts.
The built in lap swimming clock also serves as a great tool for accurately monitoring your swimming pace. Additionally, the watch provides you with split time metrics so you can compare your speed, stroke count, and laps time during different swimming exercises. For those who enjoy tracking their speed, the Garmin Swim Watch comes equipped with a speed and interval detection system so you can see your average speed over a specific duration. Garmin also includes an interactive swimming program that lets you set goals and then challenges you to a swim against a virtual competitor.
One of the best selling features of the Swim is the inclusion of an ant agent software package. The ant agent watches are made by Garmin and work just like other GPS units by compiling information from your computer, downloading that data to a small internal hard drive. When this hard drive is plugged into your computer, the watch's onboard computer processor begins analyzing the information so that it can determine your exact location. From there, the software takes over and determines how hard you are swimming and the resistance level required to accomplish your goals. With the included ant agent software, you can save workouts and other information from your swim so that you can easily review them at a later time.