The Garmin Forerunner 220 is mostly focused on runners, however, it is suitable for any type of exerciser seeking precise 5 x heart zone training and GPS speed and range feedback.
Garmin has actually made a nice upgrade to its mid-level GPS series with the Forerunner 220. As the next generation of the Leader 210, the 220 is thinner, lighter, has a high-resolution, shade display screen and an enhanced battery life.
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Integrated with some more recent software program attributes, this watch is created for those that want even more attributes and also training help than what’s discovered in a spending plan watch, yet without the intricacies of higher-end GPS watches.
The most striking upgrade to the Garmin 220 is its shade screen as well as thin, streamlined layout. This is a solid departure from the Forerunner 210 that had a gray/black screen and felt hefty and also chunky on the wrist.
Looks-wise, the 220 is really comparable to the Garmin’s premium running watch, the Forerunner 620, but it lacks Running Dynamics (Garmin’s latest training features) and also does not have a touch display like its more expensive sibling.
Contents
Garmin 220 – Design
The Garmin 220 looks like a regular sports watch. Its round face steps 1.75 inches in size, as well as is mainly black with a red circle running around the perimeter. On the right side are two switches, Run and also Back, and also left-wing is a button to switch on the backlight and 2, even more, to browse through menus.
At 1.45 ounces, the Garmin 220 was light and also comfortable to endure extended runs. It’s slightly lighter than the 1.75-ounce TomTom Runner GPS, yet it’s unlikely that you’ll observe the difference on your wrist.
The Forerunner 220 is rated at 5 ATM, meaning that is able to be submerged underwater up to 50 meters.
The red-and-black version we checked was reminiscent of the color pattern of Motorola’s MOTOACTV GPS watch; a purple-and-white variation is additionally readily available.
Heart Rate Monitor
If you desire added insight into your workouts, you can additionally match the Forerunner with a heart price sensor or a foot capsule. After browsing to the Add Sensing unit food selection on the Leader, we picked Heart Rate and then transformed a Mio Link on.
The Forerunner acknowledged the Mio Web link nearly quickly, as well as a little eco-friendly heart, showed up on the Leader’s house screen.
Performance
The Garmin 220 has a shade screen, yet shades are made use of rather moderately. On the lock display, for example, the hour and also the battery life meter is blue. On the Residence screen, the only sprinkles of color are the symbols for GPS connectivity as well as Bluetooth, GPS stamina and also a figure of a person running. It feels like a little bit of a thrown away possibility.
After each mile, the Forerunner 220 would beep and buzz, as well as the screen, would quickly present our pace for the last mile. The screen was simple to check out throughout our runs.
The Forerunner 220 was able to obtain a GPS signal within a minute, as well as, generally, properly tracked our runs. The only time it had difficulty was when we deliberately ran the battery to almost absolutely nothing.
Then, the Forerunner relied on its accelerometer alone, and also attributed us with running a mile in 6 mins and also 36 seconds, which is about a min as well as a fifty percent much faster than our finest time. (We’ll take it, however.).
After we finished our run, we could go back as well as see our exercise background, which would certainly show not just total statistics, but just how we executed on each lap. A Records section showed how fast we ran 1 mile, a 5k, 10k, as well as our longest run.
If we hit or broke among these records throughout a run, the watch would certainly beep and display a little award on-screen. It’s a great bit of inspiration.
A training food selection in the Forerunner 220 lets you download workouts and also a training calendar to the watch from your profile web page on Garmin’s website. We also such as that there is an alternative for Interval training, and that the watch can store about 200 hours’ well worth of activity information.
Garmin Forerunner 220 – App
The Garmin Forerunner 220 makes use of the exact same smart device app as the Garmin Vivofit.
After downloading and install the Garmin Connect Mobile application to our iPhone– an Android variation is likewise offered– we developed a cost-free customer account (you can log in utilizing Facebook credentials), after that match the Leader with the application.
You can also produce an account by going to garminconnect.com.
The house screen of the application is divided into 7 areas: Actions, Activities, Rest, Courses, Workouts, Badges and also Personal Records.
Picking a Task lets you view a map of your run, plus extra in-depth details such as calories burned, ordinary pace, elevation, and also stride length and also cadence. You can view this as a message or as a chart.
If you’re especially proud of among your runs, you can share it by means of Facebook, Twitter, Email or instant message.
We had actually formerly made use of the Garmin Attach Mobile app to test the Garmin Vivofit, a physical fitness band for more informal lovers that tracks your steps and sleep. When we synced the Forerunner with the app, we were rather disappointed to see that while our running activities were shown, the application wasn’t wise sufficient to convert the miles we ran using the Forerunner into Steps.
If you carry your phone with you while you run, you can capitalize on another attribute called LiveTracking, which will broadcast your placement to pals. Nevertheless, apps such as RunKeeper additionally provide this solution free of charge, as well as carrying your phone– as well as its integrated GPS– anticipates the demand for a GPS watch.
Battery Life
Garmin says that the Leader 220 will certainly last approximately 6 weeks in watch setting and also up to 10 hrs when making use of the GPS. We found those cases to be relatively accurate.
To charge the Leader, you need to affix an exclusive clip that connects 4 steel get in touches with on the back of the watch. On the various other ends of the clip is a USB plug, which also lets you download information from the watch to your laptop, in addition to upgrading the watch’s firmware.
Who is it for?
The Forerunner 220 is the ideal GPS sporting activities watch for the RUNNER who wants a wise, smooth training aid to aid them to attain their objectives whether it’s the neighborhood 5k ParkRunnofollow or the London Marathon.
It’s NOT an extremely technological watch like it’s bigger brother/sister, the Leader 620, but it’s got more than every little thing it needs for a huge percentage of entertainment joggers.
If all you actually desire is pace, range and time (plus optional heart rate) when running, all showed on the large clear color display screen after that the 220 might be perfect for you.
Conclusion
For those that are looking for a quality midrange GPS enjoy, the $249 Garmin Leader 220 is an excellent option. Not only does it record a lot of the metrics most important for joggers, but it can sync wirelessly and connect with an external heart screen.
Its major competitors will be the $269 TomTom Runner Cardio, which has an integrated heart rate monitor. Generally, the Garmin Forerunner 220 is a superb running friend that won’t break the bank.
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