According to American Trucking Associations, 3.55 million truck drivers across the country work to keep supply chains in motion to support our economy. Garmin trucking products help offer drivers peace of mind with state-of-the-art communication tools for every delivery across every mile. From wireless headsets, navigators and cams to smartwatches and eLog devices, let’s breakdown our favorites.

1. Wireless headsets

With the Garmin dēzl Headset 210 or 110, you won’t have to compromise sound quality. Both deliver crystal-clear audio and are engineered to include noise cancellation in loud environments. Each headset is purpose-built for superior bass and includes adjustable ear cups and a boom mic to block outside noise from interfering with your voice. When paired with a dēzl OTR navigation device, you’ll be able to hear navigation suggestions and prompts straight from your headset. For full-stereo entertainment during breaks, clip on the second ear cup if you have the Garmin dēzl 210.

Perfect for long hauls, dēzl headsets provide up to 60 hours of continuous talking time. On days when wearing your headset for hours on end is a necessity, so is comfort. Both pairs come with memory foam ear pads and a flexible contour that allows you to adjust them in a way that’s comfortable on your head.

Keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road while making and receiving calls is possible when your headset is connected via Bluetooth^® technology to your compatible smartphone. Pair up to two devices so you can listen to music while accepting and receiving calls.

For peace of mind in low-light areas, the built-in LED flashlight on the boom mic alternates between red, white and extra-bright white.  

2. Truck navigators

Simplifying arrival at your destination is key to an efficient day’s work. Luckily, dēzl OTR GPS truck navigators offer valuable dēzl community features with the dēzl app on your compatible smartphone. Get “know on the go” insights on parking, loading docks and preferred trucking locations based on ratings from fellow drivers.

With an easy-to-read, high-resolution touchscreen display, you’ll be able to quickly glance over while driving and know where you’re supposed to be going. Display sizes come in 6”, 7”, 8” and 10” — perfect for securing in your cab. And with custom truck routing (not available in all areas; always defer to posted road signs), simply enter your truck’s height, weight, length, width and hazardous materials to find routes best suited for your rig and load. For better situational awareness, you can also see popular truck paths followed by other drivers so you can feel confident navigating unfamiliar areas.

Plan for your arrival with the navigator’s high-res satellite imagery. You’ll be better prepared for drop off at your destination thanks to clear overhead views of truck entrances, security gates and loading docks.

Be aware of upcoming conditions such as high wind speeds, sharp curves, steep grades and more with the built-in alerts displayed on your screen.  

3. Cams

Protect your driving reputation and maneuver your rig with ease when you have Garmin dash, side and backup cams¹.

dēzl DualView is a rugged side camera system built to monitor blind spots and alert drivers of merging vehicles. Drivers can mount the cameras to their side mirrors or any flat service on the exterior of the truck. Then, the two camera lenses live record down each side of the truck. Pair these side-view cams with your compatible tablet or your dēzlCam OTR truck navigator to see high-definition camera views displayed in your cab. Plus, video of incidents can be automatically recorded¹ to capture proof of events on the road if a microSD card (not included) is installed. Whether you’re changing lanes, blindside backing or merging onto busy roads, DualView can help you maneuver your rig with confidence.

For even more situational awareness, reverse confidently when you have a Garmin BC 50. This backup cam gives you a clear view of what’s behind your truck on your compatible dēzl OTR truck navigator. With up to 50’ of working range, 720p HD resolution and a 160-degree field of view, you’ll be able to reverse in and out of loading docks and parking spots with ease.

With a Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3, X110, X210 or X310, you’ll be able to record video of detected incidents with utmost clarity and reduced glares thanks to standard built-in Garmin Clarity polarizer lens enhancement.

For even more peace of mind, each dash cam also comes with automatic incident detection when plugged into your truck’s power source. A GPS-enabled dash cam will save and capture video with GPS location, date and time.

4. Smartwatches

For drivers who want the convenience of data from their wrist, the rugged Instinct^® 3 smartwatch includes trucking features purpose-built for life on the road. The feature set is designed to help promote a healthy lifestyle and simplify daily tasks. To easily plan your breaks, track your day with automatically tracked time spent driving, on breaks and at stops with break planning timers. Sync your break planning timers and view your health and wellness data on both your wrist and dēzl truck navigator when paired. Speaking of health and wellness, don’t sacrifice your fitness when you spend hours on the road. Short break workouts can help you maintain your fitness goals during break times and at rest stops.

With the addition of a PrePass^® account and use of the dēzl smartphone app, get on- screen notifications of U.S. weigh stations and bypass decisions.

When you hit a pit stop, take advantage of truck plaza loyalty programs. Check reward point balances and other loyalty program information for Love’s Travel Stops and redeem points at Pilot Flying J Travel Centers.

5. Electronic logging devices

Buy it, plug it in and drive. This subscription-free solution will have you driving confidently knowing that you are compliant with hours of service (HOS) regulations when you have a Garmin eLog. Once you’ve installed it in your truck, your device will automatically and accurately record your driving time, provide access to driver duty status and let you see your remaining hours by day or week.

With a compatible dēzl navigator, you can see duty status and HOS information on the display screen. To complete your compliance solution, download the free Garmin eLog app to your compatible smartphone or tablet.

¹_{Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit use of the camera function of this device. It is your responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and rights to privacy in jurisdictions where you plan to use the camera function of this device.}

_{The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.}    

_{The PrePass logo is a trademark of the PrePass Safety Alliance.}

_{©2026 Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc.}

_{©Pilot Travel Centers LLC 2026.}

The post How Garmin simplifies life for truck drivers appeared first on Garmin Blog.

If you’re reading this, maybe you’ve been asking yourself for a while: Which Garmin watch should I get?

The answer depends on how you’re planning on using it. But luckily for you, whether you’re looking for a smartwatch with essential wellness tracking features, advanced running metrics, rich mapping details for your outdoor adventures, premium golf features or even a smartwatch with SOS messaging¹, you’ll find what you need with Garmin.

That said, we know we have a lot of options. If you can’t decide which Garmin watch is best for you, look no further. We’re going to explain each of our watch options.

Perfect for essential wellness tracking

Lily^® 2 Active: This small and stylish smartwatch has a metal case with a hidden display (just tap it to reveal the bright display) and essential wellness features — including heart rate, Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep tracking and women’s health features — to give you a more complete picture of your health².

• Battery life: Up to 9 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 38 mm
• Display type: Liquid crystal hidden behind a patterned lens that blends in with the watch colors

Perfect for wellness tracking and hitting the gym

vívoactive^® 6: This smartwatch offers a bright AMOLED display and a variety of health and fitness features — so you can monitor your health in and out of the gym. vívoactive 6 includes more than 80 preloaded sports apps so you can stay on top of your fitness. You can also use Garmin Coach running and strength training plans — some of which adapt based on performance, recovery and health metrics.

• Battery life: Up to 11 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 42 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for tracking your wellness, workouts and fitness metrics

Venu^® 4: With detailed health and fitness insights, the ECG app³, a bright AMOLED display, a built-in speaker and microphone (to make and take calls from the watch when paired with a smartphone and connected to the phone’s voice assistant), Garmin Coach and dozens of sports apps, Venu 4 is ready to help you serve looks — or serve on the pickleball court. Plus, light your way with the built-in LED flashlight. The advanced health and fitness features — including skin temperature tracking² for more accurate period predictions and past ovulation estimates⁴ — can help you better understand your body and make healthier decisions. It also offers a sophisticated metal design and two size options.

• Battery life: Up to 12 days on the 45 mm size in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 41 mm or 45 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for wellness-minded runners, multisport athletes and gym rats

Venu X1: This premium GPS smartwatch features an easy-to-read 2” AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens — and our thinnest watch case. Venu X1 offers detailed health and fitness insights as well as advanced running features and mapping. It includes a built-in LED flashlight as well as a built-in speaker and microphone. Whether you’re training with Garmin Coach, recovering on off days or navigating a new running route, you can trust Venu X1.

• Battery life: Up to 8 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 41 x 46 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for new runners

Forerunner 70/Forerunner 170 Music: When you’re getting started as a runner, you need a watch with essential training features to cross the finish line. That’s where the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 Music come into play. Along with built-in GPS for time, distance and pace, long battery life, sleep monitoring and wrist-based heart rate², these Forerunners curate daily suggested workouts that match performance and recovery after every run. Plus, take advantage of beginner-friendly Garmin Coach training plans with run-walk workouts in the Garmin Connect app. If you want to quickly set up a running workout based on your available training time and desired intensity level, the quick workout feature will create a workout for you.

When you have the Forerunner 170 music, download your favorite songs, podcasts and more to listen with your wireless headphones from your watch (subscription may be required). If you need to refuel, stop for a mid-run snack, water or gel, and use Garmin Pay contactless payments to pay from your wrist⁵.

It’s time to sign up for that 5K when you have a Foreunner 70 or 170 Music on your wrist.

• Battery life: Forerunner 70 up to 13 days and Forerunner 170 Music up to 10 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 43 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for advanced runners

Forerunner 570: Let’s up your running game. You need training status, training readiness, multi-band GPS support and adaptive training plans from Garmin Run Coach. Forerunner 570 includes a built-in speaker and microphone, an aluminum bezel and advanced running features.

• Battery life: Up to 11 days on the 47 mm size
• Case size: 42 mm or 47 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for runners and multisport athletes who want a premium watch

Forerunner 970: With a sapphire crystal lens, titanium bezel and longer battery life for intense training, Forerunner 970 is ready for your next long run or bike ride. Train for your next race — whether that’s a marathon, half-marathon or even triathlon — or improve your fitness with adaptive training plans from Garmin Coach. It also adds a wealth of advanced running features, such as running tolerance, which can recommend weekly maximum mileage. When you also train with your heart rate monitor such as HRM 600, the running economy feature will show your overall energy efficiency while running. This feature also includes data such as step speed loss, which shows how much you slow down when your foot hits the ground. There is a built-in LED flashlight, speaker and microphone, and more upgrades to help you take your sport to the next level. (You can compare all of our running smartwatches here).

• Battery life: Up to 15 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 47 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for multisport athletes who love outdoor adventures

fēnix 8: This is our premium GPS multisport smartwatch. The purpose-built design includes a dive-rated build with leakproof metal buttons, a metal sensor guard, a titanium bezel, a built-in LED flashlight, and speaker and microphone. You’ll get all the health and wellness monitoring features you already love as well as training, planning and analysis features you can rely on. The fēnix 8 Series offers a bright AMOLED display or a solar charging display.

• Battery life: Up to 29 days in smartwatch mode on the AMOLED 51 mm size or up to 48 days of battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging⁶ on the 51 mm size
• Case size: 43 mm, 47 mm and 51 mm
• Display type: AMOLED or solar charging with a sunlight-readability, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display

Perfect for athletes and explorers who want to stay connected on the go

fēnix 8 Pro: This smartwatch with SOS messaging takes everything you love about fēnix 8 and adds inReach^® technology for satellite and cellular connectivity¹. When connected to the LTE network, you can use LiveTrack to share your location with loved ones. You can also use fēnix 8 Pro to send 30-second voice messages as well as make and take phone calls from other fēnix 8 Pro users or those using the Garmin Messenger app on their smartphone¹. With inReach connectivity, you can send and receive text messages with friends and family using the Garmin Messenger app on their smartphone or compatible Garmin smartwatch. When you trigger an SOS message on your fēnix 8 Pro, it sends a message with satellite or cellular connectivity to Garmin Response℠, our 24/7-staffed international emergency coordination center that connects you to help if you need it. Plus, you’ll have the option of a MicroLED display that delivers up to 4,500 nits, making it the brightest smartwatch display ever built. (Learn more about the differences between fēnix 8 and fēnix 8 Pro.)

• Battery life: Up to 27 days in smartwatch mode on the AMOLED 51 mm size or up to 10 days in smartwatch mode with the MicroLED display
• Case size: 47 mm and 51 mm
• Display type: AMOLED or MicroLED

Perfect for runners who want the ultimate endurance watch

Enduro 3: Built for the longest runs on earth, Enduro 3 is the ultraperformance GPS smartwatch you’ve been looking for. It features a built-in LED flashlight, preloaded TopoActive maps, point-to-point navigation and solar power for extreme battery life. You’ll also get up to 320 hours of battery life in GPS mode with solar charging⁷.

• Battery life: Up to 36 days in smartwatch mode or up to 90 days with solar charging⁶
• Case size: 51 mm
• Display type: Solar charging with a sunlight-visible, transflective MIP display

Perfect for outdoor adventurers who want a rugged watch

Instinct^® 3: With a metal-reinforced bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case and a scratch-resistant display for extreme durability, Instinct 3 is purpose-built for adventurers who love enjoying the great outdoors. It also features a built-in LED flashlight, multiple sizes and a solar option that can bring you up to unlimited battery life⁶. Plus, you can get this watch packed with tactical features, including night vision capability, rucking activity, stealth mode (which collects distances and biometrics without recording location data), projected waypoints and many more.

• Battery life: Up to 24 days in smartwatch mode on the 50 mm size or up to unlimited battery life with solar charging⁶
• Case size: 45 mm and 50 mm
• Display type: AMOLED or a solar charging, monochrome, sunlight- readability and transflective MIP display

Perfect for those who need a tactical watch built for the mission

tactix® 8: This next-gen tactical smartwatch offers leakproof buttons, a sensor guard, a titanium bezel and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens for extreme durability. tactix 8 features a built-in LED flashlight with a white (disabled in night vision mode) or green beam (which becomes dimmable in night vision mode). It also includes tactical features such as rucking, jumpmaster activity, waypoint project, dual-position GPS format, stealth mode, kill switch, Applied Ballistics^® solver, compatibility with night vision goggles, a dedicated tactical activity and more.

• Battery life: Up to 29 days in smartwatch mode on the 51 mm size or up to 48 days with solar charging⁶
• Case size: 47 mm or 51 mm
• Display type: AMOLED or solar charging with a sunlight-readable, transflective MIP display

Perfect for golfers looking for essentials

Approach S44: You’ll get all the golfing essentials — and then some — with the Approach S44 GPS golf smartwatch, including the green view feature to see each green’s shape from anywhere on the course and AutoShot game tracking to automatically track where your shots land⁹. Plus, with a Garmin Golf membership, you can get premium features such as Premium CourseView maps, touch targeting and green contour data.

• Battery life: Up to 15 hours in GPS mode
• Case size: 43 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for on and off the golf course

Approach S50: This advanced GPS smartwatch helps you easily see key yardages to the green, hazards and layups on more than 43,000 courses. Thanks to the PlaysLike Distance feature, you can see how far each shot is playing with yardage adjusted for elevation changes. (Don’t forget to add on a Garmin Golf membership for access to even more features). You’ll also get essential health and wellness features as well as preloaded activities to help you improve your strength and mobility.

• Battery life: Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 43 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for golfers who want premium features

Approach S70: This premium GPS golf smartwatch comes in two sizes and can help you improve your game on and off the course. With the virtual caddie feature (which includes a dispersion chart that displays hazards in play, depending on club choice), enhanced PlaysLike Distance (which accounts for changes in elevation and environmental conditions), club suggestions based on performance and wind⁹, and preloaded fitness apps for strength, running and more, golfers will have everything they need. (Need to dive deeper on our golf watches? Learn more about your golf smartwatch options).

• Battery life: Up to 16 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 42 mm or 47 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Now that you’ve got a better idea of our options, it’s time to choose which Garmin watch is best for your needs. You can browse our full selection of smartwatches.

¹_{Active subscription required; LTE network coverage and satellite connectivity are not available in all countries. Check Garmin.com/fenix8ProCoverage to see which services are accessible in your area — or in countries to where you may be traveling; some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.}

²_{See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

³_{The ECG app is only available on select Garmin smartwatches with the latest version of the Garmin Connect smartphone app and watch software. The ECG app is not available in all regions; see Garmin.com/ecg for availability. The ECG app is only intended for adults aged 22 years and over. The ECG app is capable of recording an ECG similar to a Lead I ECG and detecting the presence of atrial fibrillation or normal sinus rhythm.}

⁴_{The menstrual cycle tracking feature should not be used in support of conception, contraception or birth control. This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition.}

⁵_{View current supported country, payment network and issuing bank information}

⁶_{Assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions}

⁷_{Assumes continuous use for entire period in 50,000 lux conditions}

⁸_{Lie and ball contact may affect shot tracking. Putts are not tracked. Some shots, particularly chip shots around the green, may not be tracked.}

⁹_{When paired with your smartphone}

The post Which Garmin smartwatch is right for me? appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Growing up, Sidney spent a lot of his time outdoors. His dad would take him on hunting trips, and his family vacations often came in the form of a night spent under the stars. But unlike other kids, doing some of his favorite activities proved more challenging for him.

When Sidney was in the 5^th grade, he was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth, a genetic disorder that would lead to a double amputation of both his legs at 32.

“I started developing a kind of muscular dystrophy inside my legs from the knee down,” Sidney said. “Trying to play sports was harder. Recess, hiking, going hunting, those kinds of things became harder as a kid.”

The disease caused his feet to disfigure, which led to leg braces. In 2015, the disease had developed to the point where amputation was needed.

“I did the left foot first because my house is a little older and I didn’t have wide enough doors for a wheelchair,” Sidney said. “Plus, I wanted to get to work. I still had a job, and I wasn’t on disability or anything like that.”

Quickly after the amputation, his left leg became infected, and doctors needed to amputate even more of his leg. Sidney was demoralized.

“I went through a series of frustrations, depressions and fear,” Sidney said. “I had a job I had to get back to. This was very much a financial burden for me and my family.”

Aware that his right leg would also eventually need to be amputated, Sidney decided to avoid a third surgery and opted to have both legs removed at the same time. By the end of the year, he became both a single and double amputee.

Training for a triathlon

As Sidney started the healing and recovery process, a new interest sparked.

“I was watching TV and a long-distance triathlon was on,” Sidney said. “I just thought it was amazing, and I was telling people that I was going to do one.”  

Committed to learning how to walk and bike with prosthetics and swim without them, Sidney competed in a series of small triathlons and half-distance triathlons before competing in his first full triathlon in 2019.

To his surprise, growing up with braces helped him adapt to the pain of his new prosthetics much quicker.

“I was able to push through it because of living with the pain with my disease,” Sidney said. “Pain just became a friend of mine, and I recognized it, so it wasn’t something foreign to me.”

Throughout Sidney’s training, he used a plethora of Garmin products to help him reach the finish line. He began his training with a Garmin Forerunner® triathlete smartwatch. By race day, he had upgraded to a fēnix® 7 multisport GPS watch and Garmin heart rate monitor – a crucial component to his training.

“I had a coach that gave me a plan and instead of tracking distance, I kept at a certain heart rate and RPM for a period of time,” Sidney said. “I was able to track it all on my watch.”

Plus, Sidney said he was able to keep his pace when swimming in open water with his Garmin smartwatch.  

On the hunt

As Sidney’s gotten older, his love for hunting has grown. Sidney now runs Disabled Outdoorsmen Utah, a nonprofit dedicated to providing experiences for other outdoorsmen with disabilities.   

“It wasn’t until after I lost my legs that I became more obsessed with it, and it became more of a lifestyle,” Sidney said.

When preparing for a hunting trip, Sidney makes sure to strap on various Garmin devices. Hiking rugged terrains can be harsh on his prosthetics, so much so that the pressure of going downhill has caused them to break. Now he keeps a Garmin inReach® satellite communicator¹ on his binocular harness so he can get in contact with his hunting buddies and loved ones at home when he doesn’t have cell service.

Although he’s not training for a triathlon in the woods, he also brings along Garmin tactix® 8 — a smartwatch purpose-built to endure intense outdoor excursions. By bringing his smartwatch along, he’s able to tag his favorite spots.

“It’s so much easier to mark waypoints on my watch versus pulling up my phone and tagging it,” Sidney said.

This hunting season, Sidney plans to bring an extra Garmin device along — his Xero® L60i laser rangefinder².

Beneficial to hunters, Sidney said that the L60i can help hunters find the best path to the animal or shed they have glassed up. Using the visual recall feature, he can hike more direct routes while keeping an eye on his target.

“This is old school, but before when I would locate shed or animal, I didn’t want to lose that spot, so I just kept my nose straight and would follow the trail straight down,” Sidney said. “If I deviated, I was going to miss my mark.”

Instead of hiking a clear path, Sidney would climb through brush and other obstacles, concerned that he would lose the animal if he was standing from a different perspective.

To lock in on shed, features like Laser Locate and sensor locate make it easier to range potential targets and find your way there.

“Let’s say a mule deer is on another hillside 1,000 yards away. I am not going to take a 1,000-yard shot, but if the opportunity presents itself to get closer to that animal, I will take it,” Sidney said.  

Using Laser Locate, Sidney can mark a waypoint on any potential target and see how far away it is. If he wants to range the distance between the animal and a different ledge, the built-in measure feature lets him range the distance between the two points.

“Now that I’ve ranged that mule deer and where that point is, it can tell me the distance of what that shot’s going to be,” Sidney said. “So, now let’s say that’s 400 yards. Boom, that’s doable.”

If he sees an animal or tree in the distance that’s beyond what can be ranged using Laser Locate, he can use sensor locate. Because of built-in GPS, compass, inclinometer and topo maps, the rangefinder can display the projected waypoint and predicted distance.

From precision hunting to competing in the ultimate race, Sidney Smith has a relentless passion for the outdoors. And with Garmin technology by his side, he’s found the perfect companion for every adventure.

Ready to take on your next adventure? Browse our line-up of fitness and outdoor devices.

¹_{Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws}.

²_{Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of electronic rangefinders for hunting. Always know and obey all state hunting regulations before using this device.}

The post Chasing the outdoors with Sidney Smith appeared first on Garmin Blog.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of finding the perfect wearable companion for your runs, but how do you get there?

Because we’ve been in the smartwatch game for quite some time, it’s no secret we have tons of options to help you reach your goals — but don’t worry. If you’re not sure which Garmin smartwatch is right for you, we’ve got you covered. From novice runners to elite marathoners, we have the best GPS running watches to guide you through every stride, every mile and every race along the way.

Before you choose a Garmin smartwatch, you’ll want to know which watch has the running and training features that make the most sense for your goals. Let’s run through your options — no pun intended.

Features for the beginner runner

Let’s start with the basics.Even smartwatches designed for beginners have advanced tools and metrics that can help you grow as a runner:

• Built-in GPS: Easily track where you run and get accurate stats, including distance, pace and intervals.
• Long battery life: No, really. We mean a really long battery life. Depending on which Garmin smartwatch you have, you should get up to 1 week of battery life in smartwatch mode at a minimum, or even unlimited battery life with solar charging¹ on the Instinct® 3 Solar adventure smartwatch.
• Sleep monitoring: Understand how your body is recovering — and get ready for training — with our improved sleep monitoring feature². With select watches, you’ll receive a sleep score after waking up, along with a breakdown of your sleep stages and so much more.
• Wrist-based heart rate: Your heart rate zone matters. With wrist-based heart rate², you can gauge how hard your heart is working during runs. Plus, tracking your heart rate data and heart rate variability (HRV) outside of workouts gives you insight into your recovery, overall fitness and more.
• Recovery time: We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to rest. The recovery time feature uses your latest training, stress levels and sleep to help you figure out how long you should take to recover.
• Advanced training: Curious if it’s time to tie your laces and hit the pavement? Get training readiness, status and effect data to know when you’re ready to run and insights into your training regimen. To solidify your routine, keep an eye on your training status to see if you’re training productively, and check training effect to see how your workout is benefiting you.
• Garmin Coach: Is there a race in your future? You’ll want to check out these free adaptive training plans, available in the Garmin Connect app. Pick a training plan based on your goal and distance — 5K, 10K or a half marathon — and select a coach who suits your needs. Garmin Coach will help you find upcoming races near you and keep you on track leading up to race day with recommended workouts that sync to your watch.
• Garmin Connect: All Garmin smartwatches are compatible with the Garmin Connect app, the tool for tracking, analyzing, and sharing health and fitness activities. Think of it as a personal assistant to help you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Smartwatches for the beginner runner

Forerunner^® 70: With a Forerunner 70 on your wrist, it’s time to start calling yourself a runner. This GPS smartwatch offers up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode while tracking essential running and health features. It offers daily suggested workouts depending on performance and recovery, and provides adaptive training plans and advanced training features.

Forerunner 170 Music: This smartwatch has must-have advanced training features and offers up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, perfect for any entry-level runner. Plus, download your favorite playlist or podcast episode for easy, phone-free listening with your Bluetooth^® headphones (subscription may be required). Need to refuel? Make pitstop stops during your run and pay with Garmin Pay contactless payments³.

Features for the advanced runner

You’ve been running for a while and have started getting the hang of things. You’re not afraid to push your limits; now you need a smartwatch to keep up. In addition to the features for entry-level runners, you may also want to consider a smartwatch with:

• Lactate threshold: A common struggle among runners is learning to pace themselves — especially right out of the gate. Curious just how far you can push yourself? Use the lactate threshold activity to see when you can expect muscle fatigue.
• Performance condition: In the first 6 to 20 minutes of your run, know how you’ll be expected to perform using pace, heart rate and HRV data. The higher the data point on your watch, the better the run.
• Multisport workouts: If your training involves performing consecutive activities, such as biking, swimming or running, record it as a multisport workout and transition from one activity to the other seamlessly. Each sport will be recorded separately when you set up automatic transition or by selecting the sport and starting the activity timer.
• Heat and altitude acclimation: Training for or running a race in a new city or country? Training for a couple days in a new place can help you get acclimated to heat and altitude. Your Garmin smartwatch will detect higher altitudes or hotter weather and provide insights to help you achieve your performance goals despite changing conditions.
• Speaker and mic: When paired with your smartphone, a built-in speaker and microphone make it easy to respond to messages and answer or take calls when you’re in the middle of a run. Pick up the phone from your watch and use voice command to respond to text messages.

A smartwatch for the advanced runner

Forerunner 570: You’ll look and run great with Forerunner 570 on your wrist. It provides 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, two size options, personalized Garmin Coach training plans for running and triathlons, projected race time predictor, auto lap by timing gates and more.

Venu^® 4: This smartwatch has advanced fitness features, detailed wellness insights and up to 12 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. From 24/7 health monitoring and sleep tracking to workout options and lifestyle logging, the Venu 4 is the perfect running companion.

Features for the elite runner

Elite runners are looking for serious smartwatches. Good thing we have those too. To power your marathons, triathlons and long training sessions, we have wearable tech packed with advanced features designed just for you.

• Real-time stamina: Don’t overexert yourself. Use this feature to track and manage your exertion before the start of every run.
• Built-in maps: Full-color, built-in maps and turn-by-turn navigation keep you on track whether you’re running on city streets or densely covered trails.
• Dynamic round-trip routing: Just tell your watch how far you want to go, and you’ll get suggested return routes. Plus, if you go off course, your watch will reroute to keep your mileage on track.
• Endurance score: How long can you last? This feature measures your ability to keep up prolonged efforts, so you know how your training impacts your overall endurance.
• Built-in LED flashlight: This is the feature you never knew you needed. The LED lights on the side of select Garmin smartwatches are bright enough to illuminate the room.
• Garmin Triathlon Coach: Do you see a triathlon in your future but want the proper training? Use Garmin Triathlon Coach to find your preferred training plan based on your training status, training load, stamina, sleep tracking and more.
• Garmin Connect+: If you’re looking for advanced training metrics as well as nutrition tracking and logging capabilities with insights to help improve your overall health or achieve a fitness goal, consider a Garmin Connect+ plan. Plus, receive exclusive Garmin Run Coach and Garmin Cycle Coach content and videos.

Smartwatches for the elite runner

Forerunner 970: Made of premium materials and offering a built-in LED flashlight, this GPS smartwatch brings you performance features, including running tolerance, running economy and step speed loss (when paired with the HRM 600 heart rate monitor), all while delivering up to 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.

fēnix^® 8 Series: fēnix 8 is a premium multisport smartwatch available in multiple sizes with up to 29 days of battery life in smartwatch mode on the 51 mm AMOLED model, or up to 48 days with the 51 mm solar charging model¹. It includes a rugged design, built-in LED flashlight, and advanced mapping and navigation.

Enduro 3: Built for the ultra-distance athletes, Enduro 3 brings you a built-in LED flashlight and premium training, performance and navigation features — with up to 90 days of battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging¹.

Need to know more about features on our running watches? Learn all about running science to take advantage of all a Garmin watch has to offer, then browse our running watch collection. You really can’t go wrong — every Garmin smartwatch packs a punch.

¹_{Assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions}

²_{See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

³_{See Garmin.com/garminpay/banks}

_{The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.} 

The post Which Garmin running smartwatch is right for me? appeared first on Garmin Blog.

At Garmin, we know cyclists. We know how much you love getting the miles in on your bike. That’s because we love it too. All our cycling products — including Edge® bike computers, Rally power meter pedals, bike radars and lights, and more — are purpose-built to help you make the most out of your rides.

We also know how much you love the data you get when you ride with Garmin. That’s why we looked at data from Garmin cyclists riding with an Edge bike computer all over the world to find the latest trends.

Here are a few highlights:

• On average, cyclists tended to spend the equivalent of a full-length feature film on their rides.
• Garmin cyclists in Italy rode the farthest per ride on average, followed by those in Belgium and Spain.
• This age group climbed nearly the elevation of the Empire State Building on average per ride — and it might not be one you’d expect.
• The more miles ridden, the higher a cyclist’s average VO2 max and functional threshold power (FTP) tended to be.

How far did Garmin cyclists ride?

The sweet spot lies at an average of 28.59 miles per ride.

Age also played a role in how many miles users were able to squeeze in. Those ages 20–29 and 60–69 both rode just over 30 miles per ride, while those ages 30–39 and 40–49 rode just over 27 miles per ride on average.

These three locales went the distance and clocked the highest average miles per ride:

• Italy: 34.73 average miles per ride
• Belgium: 33.05 average miles per ride
• Spain: 32.80 average miles per ride

No matter how many miles you’re putting in — and whether you’re wanting to enjoy the ride or you’re looking for premium features — an Edge cycling computer can improve your time on the bike. If you need help choosing, not to worry: We can help.

Which locales are riding more?

When you ride with Garmin, you want to get out there more. We understand.

These were the top locales with the largest increases in number of cycling activities in 2025 compared to 2024:

• Belgium: 3.5%
• Luxembourg: 2%
• Taiwan: 1.7%

For cyclists getting out on the road more, awareness and visibility are critical. That’s where our Varia rearview radars and smart lights come in. The Varia Vue headlight camera, for example, records video in 4K (requires memory card; not included¹) and saves footage automatically if it detects an incident², while a headlight with up to 600 lumens lights your way. And Varia RearVue 820 features a powerful and precise radar that provides reliable alerts, a tail light with up to 1.24 miles of visibility and advanced vehicle tracking.

How long did cyclists spend on each ride — and when did they go?

Garmin cyclists spent about 115 minutes on average on each ride. Older cyclists tended to ride longer than younger cyclists. While those ages 20–29 spent about 111.6 minutes per ride and those over age 70 spend about 134.2 minutes on average.

Cyclists in the below locales spent quite a bit more time than others on their bikes:

• Italy: 142.7 average minutes per ride
• Spain: 134.4 average minutes per ride
• Colombia: 130.3 average minutes per ride

As for the time of day, Garmin cyclists tended to kick off their rides in the early to mid-morning and late afternoon.

Garmin Edge cyclists also recorded most of their rides on Sundays. And the most popular month of the year for all rides was August.

No matter when you choose to go, when you’re putting in that much time on each ride, the last thing you want to worry about is battery life. Edge 1050, for example, delivers up to 20 hours of battery life per day even in the most demanding use cases on a bright and vivid display, while Edge 1040 Solar offers up to 35 hours in demanding use cases and solar charging to extend that time even more — so you can ride longer and explore further.

How fast were cyclists riding?

Garmin cyclists rode an average speed of 14.89 mph.

When looking at age, we found younger cyclists typically rode at a faster pace than older cyclists.

These three locales recorded the fastest speeds globally:

• United Arab Emirates: 17.75 mph
• Thailand: 16.81 mph
• Malaysia: 16.73 mph

What was the elevation of these rides?

Garmin cyclists recorded a global average elevation gain per ride of 1,158 feet per ride.

And while those ages 20–29 may have been riding the fastest, they weren’t climbing the most. That honor falls to those ages 60–69, with an average elevation gain of 1,201 feet per ride — nearly the equivalent height of the Empire State Building in New York City.

These three locales recorded the highest average elevation per ride:

• Spain: 1,704 average feet
• Colombia: 1,678 average feet
• Portugal: 1,617 average feet

What is functional threshold power (FTP)? And how did Garmin cyclists perform?

What is FTP in cycling? It measures how much power in watts you can sustain without rapidly fatiguing — typically for about an hour — and is the gold standard in cycling. It helps you guide your training, optimize intensity and track changes in your performance over time. Powered by the Garmin Human Performance Lab, compatible Garmin devices estimate your FTP when you ride with a power meter (and a heart rate monitor for the most accurate results).

We found that the average max FTP for men was 224 and 188 for women. FTP was also typically the highest on average among younger cyclists, decreasing with age.

These three locales had the best average max FTP globally:

• Norway: 234 average max FTP
• Slovakia: 231 average max FTP
• Czech Republic: 228 average max FTP

The average max FTP steadily increased as users rode more miles; the chart below shows what the weighted average max FTP was by the average weekly miles ridden.

We also looked at the top 1% of Garmin cyclists, defined as those who cycled 140 miles or more per week, for a recent snapshot of just how well they performed. The max FTP for elite cyclists on average was 243. For all other users, it was 220. (Hint: If you’re wanting to improve your FTP, try boosting your tolerance for high-intensity performance.)

If you’re looking for a power meter to help you get an FTP estimate, consider our versatile Rally 110 and 210 power meters. These deliver responsive and accurate performance data, durable designs, rechargeable batteries and so much more.

How does age and mileage affect your VO2 max?

Now, let’s get into VO2 max³. This is a number — the higher, the better — that defines your cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic performance capacity. The Garmin Human Performance Lab engine in your Garmin cycling computer or watch estimates your VO2 max by identifying, analyzing and interpreting meaningful performance data during your ride based on your power and heart rate data.

The average VO2 max for all Garmin cyclists was 51. Similar to FTP, the average VO2 max was the highest among younger age groups and steadily decreased with age.

Here’s the average VO2 max by the number of average weekly miles ridden: The more miles recorded each week, the higher the VO2 max.

To find the VO2 max of elite cyclists, we looked at those users with an average weekly mileage of 160 miles or more. The top cyclists recorded an average VO2 max of 62, while everyone else averaged 51.

If you’re looking for a way to get in your best cycling shape, consider the free and personalized Garmin Coach training plans in Garmin Connect. With Garmin Cycling Coach, for example, and a compatible heart rate monitor and power meter, you’ll get a program that adapts based on your performance and recovery — using your VO2 max and FTP as the foundation.

Why should you ride with Garmin?

With an Edge bike computer (otherwise known as your bike’s best friend), you get valuable performance data, detailed mapping features and dedicated training data — all the essentials for a quality ride experience. When you also wear a Garmin smartwatch, you get important off-the-bike training and recovery data so you can take your cycling fitness and health monitoring to a new level. Add on a Rally power meter to help track your performance, and don’t forget about our rearview radars and smart lights that help give you peace of mind.

These devices work together to help you reach your goals, whether that’s training for a race or improving your overall fitness.

Learn more about choosing which Garmin bike computer is right for you and how you’ll benefit from insights for cyclists on Garmin smartwatches. Browse all of our cycling products to start improving your rides today.

¹_{See Garmin.com/variavuememorycard}

²_{Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit use of this camera device. It is your responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and rights to privacy in jurisdictions where you plan to use this device.}

_{³See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

The post The beat on bikes: The latest global trends from Garmin cyclists appeared first on Garmin Blog.

If you run with a Garmin smartwatch, you probably spend a few minutes (OK, more than just a few) looking at your performance data when you get home from a run. How far did you run? What was your pace? And if you’ve been running for a while, you’re probably peeking at that VO2 max number too. You get all that and so much more when you run with Garmin.

But where does your data fit in with users across the globe? We can help you figure that out. We looked at Garmin Connect app data from runners — all over the world — to find trends.

Here are a few highlights:

• The average run distance for all users was about 4.8 miles, but the age group logging the longest average run might surprise you.
• European locales clocked the fastest average pace, with Ireland leading the way at a 9:09 minutes per mile pace.
• Garmin runners are all committed to beating yesterday. Runners under 40 saw the biggest upticks in running activities, and athletes over 60 made big strides as well.
• Strength training is gaining traction: We found a nearly 25% increase in users who recorded a run and a strength activity in the same week.
• The average VO2 max for all Garmin runners was 50.
• Garmin runners tended to record a better sleep score compared to non-runners. Plus, the average resting heart rate¹ of Garmin runners decreased as they ran farther.

How many miles do Garmin users run?

The average distance on a run for all users was 4.82 miles. Those ages 50–59 ran slightly more per activity on average at 5.1 miles. Those ages 20–29 tended to run slightly less at 4.6 miles per run.

No matter how many miles you’re putting in, it’s important to pay attention to how your body restores itself. That’s where your recovery time, powered by the Garmin Human Performance Lab, comes in. This feature provides scientifically personalized insight into how long it will be before you are fully recovered so you know when you’ll be ready to gain the maximum benefit from your next hard workout.

What month and day of the week were the most popular?

August was the month of the year with the most miles run. Garmin users recorded the most miles on Saturdays — we love a Saturday long run too.

If you’re venturing out on a long run, you don’t have to worry about battery life when you run with Garmin. Our long battery life — and we mean long — means you should get up to 1 week of battery life in smartwatch mode at a minimum on most outdoor and fitness watches, or even up to 90 days of battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging² on the Enduro 3 GPS endurance smartwatch.

How many miles did users run each week?

Now, how much did Garmin users run in a week? The sweet spot is between 6–10 miles per week on average with nearly 40% of runners falling in that category, while 28% of runners hit their stride between 11–20 miles per week. Only 7% of users ran between 21–30 miles a week and just 3% ran more than 31 miles each week.

Compatible Garmin smartwatches can help you manage the impact of running on your body with the running tolerance feature. Powered by the Garmin Human Performance Lab, this feature offers the insight you need to manage that impact while you build and maintain mileage.

How long does it take to run a mile?

The average pace per mile was 9:21 for men and 10:11 for women. As you might expect, the younger age groups ran a bit faster than the older ones, with an average speed of 9:16 per mile for those 20-29 compared to 10:57 per mile for those over 70.

These locales ran the fastest on average:

• Ireland (9:09 minutes per mile)
• Portugal (9:12 minutes per mile)
• Italy (9:13 minutes per mile)

If you’re wondering just how efficient you are while clocking those miles, check the running economy feature on a compatible Garmin smartwatch, such as Forerunner® 970. This uses your long-term running volume, stride length and step speed loss to measure your overall energy efficiency — when paired with the HRM 600 monitor.

How much time do Garmin users spend running?

On average, Garmin users spent 46.3 minutes on a run.  When broken down by age, those ages 60–69 ran 50.8 minutes, 50–59 ran 50.7 minutes, over 70+ ran 49.9 minutes, 40–49 ran 48.5 minutes, 30–39 ran 45.9 minutes and 20–29 ran 42.6 minutes.

To power your long training sessions, select Garmin smartwatches are packed with features for the elite runner. Determine how hard you can push yourself on a run by looking at your real-time stamina that tracks and manages your exertion, while your endurance score helps track your progress after workouts as you strive to become a better endurance athlete. Plus, with dynamic round-trip routing, you can tell your watch how far you want to go and it will suggest return routes.

How much more are Garmin users running?

The number of running activities increased across the board for Garmin users on a per- capita basis. Indoor running activities increased 12.6% per capita in 2025 compared to 2024, while outdoor running activities went up 3.2%. The 30–39 age group recorded the largest year-over-year increase of average activities per user, followed by those ages 20–29, 60–69, over 70+ and 40–49.

When it comes to specific types of runs, South Korean users recorded the most activities per user for running, track running and treadmill running. Users in France recorded more trail running activities per user than those in other locales.

Whether you’re running on city streets or densely covered trails, the built-in maps on compatible Garmin smartwatches provide full-color maps and turn-by-turn navigation to keep you on track.

If you wake up wanting to go for a run but don’t know how hard you should push yourself, consider the daily suggested workouts feature on select Garmin smartwatches. You’ll get run recommendations each day based on your training history, fitness level and recovery time.

How well did runners sleep?

Sleep is essential to your recovery — and runners tended to sleep better than those who didn’t run. The average sleep score of all Garmin runners — 73 if they ran between 0-10 miles, or 74 if they ran between 11-30 or more — was higher than non-runners who had an average sleep score of 70.

How did running affect resting heart rate?

Getting that cardio in can be good for you. There’s no surprise there. We know that Garmin users who spend more time being active — whether they love running, biking or swimming — tend to have lower resting heart rates. The resting heart rate of non-runners sat around 62 bpm. The more miles a user committed to running, the lower that number dropped. A user who ran 0-5 miles per week had a resting heart rate of 59 bpm, while a user who ran more than 31 miles a week had a resting heart rate of 55 bpm.

What is VO2 max? And what was the average best VO2 max for Garmin runners?

Your VO2 max is a number that defines your cardiovascular endurance; the Garmin Human Performance Lab embedded in compatible Garmin smartwatches estimates your VO2 max by analyzing and interpreting performance data while you run.

A higher VO2 max, which means your body is better at taking oxygen from the air and using it in your muscles, is better than a lower one. The average VO2 max for all Garmin runners was 50. If you’re having trouble increasing your VO2max, focusing on high-intensity efforts and increasing variety in those efforts — among other factors — could help. But VO2 max varies significantly when it comes to gender and age. The below VO2 max chart shows how VO2 max differs between men and women and gradually decreases with age.

How are Garmin runners using strength training?

In our 2025 Garmin Connect data report, we found that all users have been loving their strength training regimen, but we wanted to look at runners in particular. When comparing 2024 to 2025, we found a 23% increase of runners recording a run and strength training activity in the same week.

That makes sense. After all, research shows that strength training can be beneficial for runners. And when you train with a Garmin smartwatch that supports Garmin Run Coach, you’ll also have the option of adding supplemental strength workouts into your plan — making it even easier to build the strength you need to keep your runs going, well, strong.

How did runners use Garmin Coach?

The most popular distance that runners trained for using Garmin Coach was a half marathon. And if you need help on race day, don’t forget about these free race day features on your Garmin running smartwatch.

If you’re a runner looking for structure, Garmin Coach provides dynamic training plans from the pros and adaptive training plans with Garmin Run Coach, so you’ve got great options for how to train. Whether you’re ready to train for a 5K or a marathon, Garmin Coach has your back.

Feeling inspired to pull on your running shoes? Just grab a Garmin smartwatch to get started. Whether you’re just starting to run around your neighborhood or you’re passionate about ultras, Garmin has the right running smartwatch for you.

And don’t forget to record your run on Global Running Day. You’ll earn a limited-time Garmin Connect badge. Plus, try out the transparent data and map overlays available in the Garmin Connect app to post and share your run.

¹_{See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

²_{Assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions}

The post Trends in running: New data shows how Garmin runners hit their stride appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Do you want a trail with waterfalls? Or one that’s dog friendly? No matter what type of hike you’re looking for, Garmin Trails can help you find the right one.

What is Garmin Trails?

Garmin Trails, a curated collection of trails accessible in the Garmin Connect and the Garmin Explore apps, helps you find and view routes for your next hike, backpacking trip or trail run. Coverage is available in select areas.

Choose from thousands of trails based on difficulty, distance and more. Before you head out, view trail ratings and reviews. After your hike, leave your own rating and review.

How do you use Garmin Trails?

In Garmin Connect, you’ll open the training and planning section to find Garmin Trails. The trails will then appear on the map. When you swipe across the map to see where the trails are, you’ll see a list at the bottom of the screen. Open that window to see more information on each of the trails in the area.

In the Garmin Explore app, select Map Details to access Garmin Trails. While the trails still appear on the map, you can also search for nearby trails or by name. Nearby trails can also appear in a list.

In both Garmin Connect and Garmin Explore, you’ll be able to filter by the length, ascent, rating, difficulty (easy, moderate and hard) and trail type (loop, out and back, or point to point).

Filter your search by specific features, including the following:

• Dog friendly
• Waterfalls
• Lakes
• Mountaineering
• Steep sections
• Flowers
• Kid friendly
• Permit required

Select a trail to see the full trail details, including difficulty, distance, total ascent, total descent, estimated time to complete, and community reviews with photos and descriptions.

What extra features can you access with a Garmin Connect+ or Outdoor Maps+ plan?

With an active Garmin Connect+ or Outdoor Maps+ plan, you can send a trail to your compatible device to navigate offline. You can even create a copy and save it to your courses to add points of interest or edit the path. Plus, in Garmin Connect with a Garmin Connect+ plan, access 3D topographic maps to see activity routes, courses and trails.

Garmin Trails makes it easier than ever to explore the outdoors, whatever type of journey you want to take.

The post How to use Garmin Trails to find the best hiking trails near you appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Q: Is the device supposed to warn me about having an active subscription every time I turn it on?

A: Yes. Each time you turn your device on, you will encounter the following notification:

“WARNING: MESSAGING, TRACKING, AND SOS REQUIRE AN ACTIVE SUBSCRIPTION. ALWAYS TEST YOUR DEVICE BEFORE YOU GO.”

This message is for your awareness, so you know your inReach device is fully operational before you may need it for communication or during an emergency. It does not indicate that the inReach device does not have service.

Learn more about this notification and testing your inReach device.

Q: Where does the weather forecast come from?

A: Forecasts are powered by meteoblue, a leading provider of weather data around the globe. The forecasts are based on a multi-model approach, which combines various weather models with current measurements and observations as available, specifically for the location and elevation requested. The meteoblue website provides extensive additional weather information.

Learn more about weather for inReach devices.

Q: How do I send a Check-in message?

A: Check-in messages are a convenient way to send short, predefined messages to preselected recipients from your inReach device while you are out and about. 

There are three predetermined Check-in messages that cannot be edited. They are:

• I’m checking in, everything is okay.
• I’m starting my trip.
• I’m ending my trip.

Before you leave for your adventure, you must determine your Check-in message recipients. This is done from the Garmin Explore website or in the Garmin Messenger app, under “Edit Check-in Contacts” (depending upon your device). Note: Check-in messages cannot be sent via the Earthmate^® app.

Directions on sending a Check-in message from your inReach vary depending on which device you own, but for the most part, instructions are:

1. From the inReach device home screen, press OK to open the homepage actions.
2. Select Check-In.
3. Press < or > to scroll through the three check-in message options.
4. Press OK to select a message.
5. Press OK to send the message.

For directions and more device-specific information, visit the Garmin Support Center, enter your device name into the search bar and search for Check-in messages.

Q: What are Waypoints, and how do I use them?

A: Waypoints are location points you record and store in your inReach device. Waypoints can mark where you are, where you are going or where you have been. Creating a Waypoint within the Earthmate app, Garmin Explore app or Garmin Explore website – depending on which device you use – can be shared if the Waypoint is saved within a Collection that is shown in MapShare.

Learn more about Waypoints here. For detailed information on how to set Waypoints on your specific inReach device, visit the Garmin Support Center, enter your device name in the search bar, and search for Waypoints.

Q: Which Garmin apps are compatible with my inReach device?

A: Each device connects to a Garmin app (Garmin Messenger, Garmin Explore, Earthmate) that you can download from the App Store^® or Google Play to your smartphone. Once an app is downloaded, paired and synced to your inReach device, you may enjoy expanded features for your off-grid adventures and outdoor pursuits.

See below for clarification of the apps, what they do and the devices they connect with:

Garmin Messenger App – Communication and Location Sharing: inReach Mini 3/Mini 3 Plus, fēnix® 8 Pro, quatix® 8 Pro, inReach Messenger/Messenger Plus, inReach Mini 2, GPSMAP^® H1i Plus, GPSMAP 66i/67i, GPSMAP 86i/86sci, Montana^® 700i/750i/760i, Alpha^® 200i/300i devices

Garmin Explore App – Mapping and Navigation: inReach Mini 3/Mini 3 Plus, fēnix® 8 Pro, quatix® 8 Pro, inReach Mini 2, inReach Messenger Plus, GPSMAP H1i Plus, GPSMAP 66i/67i, GPSMAP 86i/86sci, Montana 700i/750i/760i, Alpha 200i/300i devices

Earthmate® App – Communication, Mapping and Navigation: inReach Mini, inReach Explorer+, inReach SE+, DeLorme inReach devices

Q: While overnight on an adventure, should I leave my inReach on or turn it off?

A: Because most inReach devices have enough battery life for most adventures, we recommend you leave the device powered on.

If you are on a long trip and need to save battery, know this: An SOS can be initiated even if the device is not powered on. Holding down the SOS button for around 5 seconds will force the unit to power on and initiate an SOS request if you have satellite connection.

Q: I am going out of the country on vacation and want to bring my inReach satellite communicator. How do I know if my device will be supported?

A: It is your responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the satellite communication device is intended to be used. Some countries require prior permission or a government-issued registration code to activate or use satellite communication devices. Other countries completely prohibit the use or possession of satellite communicators. In addition, U.S. embargoes prohibit providing satellite communication products and services in some countries.

See a list of restricted countries here.

Q: How can a contact see my location while I’m using my inReach device?

A: Use the tracking feature on your inReach device to record track points and transmit them over the satellite network at a specified send interval. You can choose from two features that allow your contacts to view your location during an activity and follow along: LiveTrack and MapShare.

LiveTrack for inReach provides a streamlined experience for loved ones to follow your location and see data such as distance, time and elevation. You can save and review your tracked sessions on your LiveTrack profile. Here is how to set up and share your LiveTrack profile through the Garmin app or website that you use. 

MapShare for inReach is an alternative location tracking feature that gives friends and family the means to follow along, ping your location and send you messages, plus additional mapping features through the Garmin Explore website. Visit the Garmin Support Center and search by device for set up and use instructions. 

If you are currently set up for MapShare but prefer to switch to LiveTrack, click here for instructions to switch. 

For a real-life example of how inReach location and tracking features work, read about how they came in handy during a routine hunting trip.

Q: How does my partner send a message to my inReach device while I am adventuring?

A: inReach satellite communicators do not have phone numbers assigned to them, so they can only send SMS (text), email or inReach messages. inReach users must do at least one of the following for others to reach them:

• Initiate a conversation with a recipient by sending them a message so they can reply to it.
• Give access to their MapShare page so others can message them from there.
• Provide their inReach address so other inReach users can message them.
• Pair a compatible inReach device with the Garmin Messenger app on their phone.

There are five ways to send a message to an inReach device:

1. Email messaging
2. SMS (text) messaging
3. Garmin Messenger app
4. MapShare messaging
5. inReach to inReach messaging

For detailed instructions on each method, review this Garmin Support article.

Q: If I have two devices on one account, do I have to pay for service for each of them?

A: Yes, each device requires its own subscription. Individual users may have more than one inReach device with an active subscription on their account. This allows users to have and use multiple inReach-enabled devices at a time.

Learn more about adding additional inReach service to an existing account.

Q: Where is the best place to carry my inReach device with a backpack?

A: The best place to carry your inReach device is clipped to the outside, upper part of your backpack, with the antenna facing upwards and having a clear view of the sky. This ensures optimal satellite signal reception while keeping the device accessible.

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

Apple and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

The post You asked, we answered: Your inReach® device questions appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Garmin LiveScope has changed the fishing game. Not only are anglers able to be more efficient on the water, but locating cover where fish might be has never been easier. Plus, seeing them move below you is pretty remarkable. Using forward, down or perspective mode, see exactly what’s happening under the water in real time, from the point your lure drops to the moment the fish decides it’s curious enough to take a bite.

That said, LiveScope doesn’t operate on its own. The chartplotter you pair it with is where you’ll get that real-time picture — and how you’ll cash in on that crystal clarity that live sonar can provide. Wondering exactly which Garmin chartplotter you need to get the most out of your Garmin LiveScope? Consider resolution, screen size, sonar support and installation when finding your preferred chartplotter.

1. Resolution

Resolution is a big component. A higher-resolution unit gives a better picture. Which is, of course, the point of using LiveScope technology in the first place. The better you can see the sonar returns, the better chance you have of success. For the highest resolution, consider the GPSMAP® 9000 series or GPSMAP 9000xsv series. At 3840 x 2160 pixels, the 4K resolution is top-notch. Need a more cost-effective option that still delivers excellent LiveScope performance? The GPSMAP x3 series offers full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) with outstanding sonar capability and premium networking features.

With up to 1920 x 1080 pixels, the ECHOMAP Ultra 2 series is also a contender that plays well with LiveScope — and those looking for a still-impressive resolution at a lower price point might consider the ECHOMAP UHD2 9” with 1024 x 600 pixels.

2. Screen size

Hand-in-hand with a high resolution is, of course, a screen big enough to see it. Screen sizes can be a matter of personal preference, as well as a matter of practicality, when taking into consideration your budget and the size of your boat. A general rule of thumb is that bigger is better to see below the surface in maximum clarity and detail using LiveScope sonar returns. Garmin chartplotter screen sizes range from 6” (the ECHOMAP UHD2 6”) up to 27” (the GPSMAP 9227), so there’s sure to be the perfect screen size for everyone.

3. Sonar support

When it comes to upping your angling game, you need sonar that gives you a broader scope of your surroundings before homing in with live sonar. In addition to LiveScope support, select Garmin chartplotters also offer high-definition scanning sonar. When bundled with a transducer or built-in sonar, GPSMAP 9000xsv, ECHOMAP Ultra 2 and ECHOMAP UHD2 series chartplotters include CHIRP and scanning sonar.

A staple of CHIRP sonar, see iconic fish arches in greater target separation. Before locking in on fish, use scanning sonar (such as ClearVü, SideVü and OneVü) to get the lay of the land — or water in this case. Find brush piles and other structure where fish might be hiding. Add a GT360UHD transducer and Spy Pole to get a 360-view of the water beneath you with OneVü.  

4. Installation and wiring

If you want to get the most out of your LiveScope unit, proper installation is key and we recommend two things: good, marine-grade wire and good wire size.

For quality, high-resolution LiveScope imagery, it’s recommended you have a 10-gauge wire running from the bow to the back of the boat. Another pro tip, you’ll need more wiring than you think. For example, if you measure 15’ between where your LiveScope is mounted and the battery source, it’s really a 30’ run. Because the current runs from the battery back to the LiveScope unit, you’ll need 30’ of wiring.

If you’re looking for the perfect chartplotter to pair with your LiveScope, look for a combination of good resolution and a screen size that fits both your budget and your boat — and make sure you’ve got the additional sonar support, wiring and battery to go with it.

The post Which Garmin chartplotter should I pair with my LiveScope? appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Millions of users rely on Garmin Connect as the tool for tracking, analyzing, and sharing health and fitness activities from their Garmin device every day. But Garmin Connect is so much more than just an app. If you dive a little deeper, you’ll find dozens of useful features, whether you want to track your wellness statistics, start training for a running or cycling race, or anything in between.  

Wonder how to use Garmin Connect? Here are just a handful of the useful and surprising features you’ll find. Take a few taps around the app or click around the website, and chances are you’ll find even more ways that Garmin Connect can help you achieve your health and fitness goals

Your homepage  

If you’re a regular Garmin device user, then you are no doubt familiar with Home, the Garmin Connect app’s homepage. This hub of your health and performance stats presents all of today’s (and the past seven days’) information in easily digestible cards. These cards may include activities tracked by your Garmin device, daily step count, heart rate, stress level¹ and much more depending on your device’s capabilities. Even better? You can customize the In Focus and At a Glance sections that are displayed on your Home screen, allowing you to focus on the data you care about most. With a Garmin Connect+ plan, receive personalized insights and suggestions to improve your health and activity data with Active Intelligence, an AI-powered feature.

If you want more information about a specific metric, simply tap the card to access daily details. Or by tapping into each stat, you can view charts and analysis of your stats over longer periods to monitor your progress.

View your activity details 

One of the main reasons people turn to Garmin Connect is for a closer look at their activity details. Once you save an activity on your Garmin device and sync with Garmin Connect, you get an in-depth view of your activity that includes relevant performance metrics like time, distance, laps, elevation, pace/speed, heart rate and more. GPS-tracked activities include a map with a themed polyline that details the metric of your choice along your route. The mobile app and website also provide historical activity reports so you can track your personal records, training history, overall mileage and more. 

To see charts and graphs of your fitness and health data over time, take a look at the performance dashboard with Garmin Connect+.

Monitor sleep and recovery  

Research in recent years has shown just how important sleep is to our overall health and well-being. Garmin is at the forefront of sleep technology with advanced metrics that show you the duration and quality of your sleep over time as well as sleep stages, including REM¹. Beyond tracking your total duration and sleep stages, Garmin Connect gives you a nightly sleep score (with compatible devices) that ranks the overall quality of your sleep and provides guidance. For extra sleep recommendations, Garmin sleep coach gives you sleep insights based on your age, activity levels, sleep history, naps and HRV. Garmin’s exclusive Body Battery feature also shows how sleep impacts your overall energy levels each day, and sleep is factored into several advanced Garmin training metrics as well. Enable features like Pulse Ox² on your compatible device to track your blood oxygen while you sleep. By tracking blood oxygen, your device will measure your breathing variations for enhanced awareness of your sleep environment and wellness. Plus, see your HRV status to check in on your recovery status.

Proper recovery includes staying on top of your nutrition. Easily track burned¹ and consumed calories and progress, log foods, set goals and receive Active Intelligence insights on how nutrition is impacting your health and training all in one place.

Track women’s health 

Both Garmin smartwatches and Garmin Connect have several women’s health tracking features. Menstrual cycle tracking lets you log your period dates, receive future period predictions, track symptoms and more. During each phase of your cycle, you can learn something new about how hormone changes can affect your workouts and nutrition. You can also track pregnancies in Garmin Connect and receive insights, record baby movements and log blood sugar, among other useful features. On compatible devices, enable skin temperature tracking to receive period predictions for potential start dates and past ovulation estimates². You’ll find women’s health tracking in “Health Stats,” which is located in the left-side menu of the website and the “More” menu in the app.

Train hard  

One area where Garmin Connect stands above the competition is as a training tool. Whatever your goal, Garmin Connect likely has a workout, training plan, pacing strategy or performance stat to help you achieve it. Just tap on “Training” in the left-side menu of the website or the “More” menu in the app to get started.  

The list of training tools hosted within Garmin Connect is lengthy, but one of the highlights is Garmin Coach training plans. When it’s time to train for an event, achieve a milestone or improve your fitness, Garmin offers training plans for runners, cyclists, strength trainers, triathletes and fitness enthusiasts. If you’re a runner, for example, choose your plan, select your race distance or other training goal, and start packing on the miles. With Garmin Connect+, get coaching guidance and videos for Garmin Run, Cycling and Triathlon Coach. Plus, check out PacePro for pacing strategies when running and advanced training metrics such as Training Status, Training Effect, Lactate Threshold and Functional Threshold Power (FTP) that help you track your training progress.

Follow friends 

Maybe you want to compete in a step count challenge with your family members, or you want to follow and compare stats with your favorite athlete. If you do, keep up with the stats of your friends, family, and athletes and influencers on Garmin Connect. When you follow other accounts, choose to share logged activities, earned badges or steps. Plus, if you’re going toe to toe with one of your friends in the app, favorite their account to see frequent updates of their stats. 

Earn badges  

Nothing feels better than being rewarded for your accomplishments, and Garmin’s wide variety of badges do exactly that. For everything from recording your first activity to achieving a 30-day step goal streak to running a marathon, Garmin Connect will award you a badge and give you points for earning that badge. Plus, earn additional badges and points by joining badge challenges with your followers. Compare your badge achievements with your followers and climb the badge level leaderboard as you earn more points. Get exclusive badges and badge challenges, with a Garmin Connect+ plan.  

And so much more

Whether using the app or the web, Garmin Connect also lets you create mapped-out activity courses to download to compatible devices, build custom workouts, manage your device’s music and a whole lot more. This may sound like a lot, but it’s really just scratching the surface of what you can do with your Garmin device paired with Garmin Connect. No matter what your health, fitness or training goals may be, Garmin Connect has you covered.   

¹_{See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

²_{The menstrual cycle tracking feature should not be used in support of conception, contraception or birth control. This is not a medical device and is not intended for diagnosing or monitoring any medical condition.}

³_{This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Ox not available in all countries.}

The post How to use Garmin Connect to track your health and wellness appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Lasse Nymand Petersen has spent more than 15 years as a mountain rescue professional and 15 years as a firefighter. For the past 5 years, Petersen has worked as a hoist operator and medic on H225 helicopters for Air Greenland, the country’s national airline that also staffs search and rescue operations. An H225 crew is on duty at all hours, year-round, along with mechanics who maintain the helicopters. Some of their rescues have been featured on episodes of the Danish TV program The Arctic Rescuers.

From his experience as a professional rescuer, Petersen has become an advocate for the use of inReach technology.

Petersen said that when recreators in need of rescue are equipped with inReach devices, the technology plays a key role in the helicopter evacuations, “making the emergency work fast and precise” due to the two-way satellite communication and precise location updates.

He referenced a rescue they conducted in which a group of researchers became trapped on the Greenland Ice Cap in sudden whiteout conditions. Limited visibility on the Ice Cap can be very dangerous due to the risk of falling in hidden crevasses, and the team was trapped between two large crevasses with a dangerous storm impending.

Petersen said the group used their inReach device to summon help and provide real-time weather updates to the four-person helicopter rescue crew.

“This allowed us to locate them quickly and land safely without incident,” he said. “Without it, we would have to fly around, searching a huge area to see if we could find them. And that’s only if we were certain the weather was flyable.”

He believes failing to plan is simply a plan to fail and recommends for all those who spend time outdoors — especially in dangerous terrains or harsh conditions — to always have an emergency contact that has all the information to provide about the expedition.

Additionally, he has a few other insights about what to be prepared with in case of needing rescue. 

A signal mirror, flares or a headlamp with advanced signal capabilities can help the helicopter team locate individuals, he said. And having an inReach device is key for the SOS and two-way satellite messaging functions.

“Emergency locator beacon — like the inReach device,” he said. “And communication equipment — like the inReach device. That’s already two-in-one.”

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

The post inReach insights from a rescue helicopter professional appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Ever wanted to know how your runs affect your Garmin sleep score¹? Or how your training load correlates with your resting heart rate? Now you can.

With a Garmin Connect+ plan, you’ll get access to premium features, including a performance dashboard that provides a comprehensive view of your training data, and helps you compare your fitness and health data in customizable graphs and charts. While you can already easily view metrics such as steps, intensity minutes, stress and much more in the Garmin Connect app, the performance dashboard takes analyzing your data to a new level.

If you’re looking for an in-depth way to understand your personal metrics — whether you want to improve your overall wellness or you’re an ultra-endurance athlete — this robust dashboard is made for you. Here’s what you should know.

What are the benefits of the performance dashboard?

The performance dashboard can help an athlete at any level examine the impact of their training through overlaying health and wellness metrics with sports and performance data. This enables you to see how your body is reacting to your activity. And that means you’ll be able to tell if one or more aspects of your workout routine are working great or if you need to adjust.

Even if you aren’t an athlete, you can benefit from the dashboard. If, for example, you struggle with a chronic health condition, you could look for a pattern in your health metrics tracked by your compatible smartwatch.

And with the Index S2 Smart Scale tracking your weight, body mass index, body fat percentage and more, you’ll have even more data available to track trends with.

How does the performance dashboard work?

Want to know how your heart rate variability relates to your running? Wondering if you’re less stressed on the days you work out? Curious how your training status correlates with how far you’re running? The performance dashboard can help with all of that and so much more.

If you want to see if changes you’ve made to your training are improving your fitness, you can compare training blocks by creating multiple charts with different time periods but the same data inputs.

With more than 140 premade charts, Garmin Connect+ lets you juxtapose dozens of health and performance metrics from any timeframe and create your own hub of customized insights. Incorporate strength training stats such as reps, weight, sets, volume and even muscle groups into your charts. Plus, add nutrition data such as daily average protein, carb, fat and calorie intake.

Simply open the Garmin Connect desktop site, select the performance dashboard and begin creating a new dashboard. Choose between strength training, running, cycling, multisport or a fully custom dashboard. Once set up, you can also use the Garmin Connect app (under the “more” tab) to open your dashboard on your phone’s browser.

What else do you get with Garmin Connect+?

These are a few of the premium features you can take advantage of when you sign up for Garmin Connect+:

• Active Intelligence: Powered by AI, this feature provides personalized insights and suggestions. As the app gets to know you, the insights will adjust based on your activities and performance metrics.
• Nutrition tracking: If you have nutrition goals, track your calories and macros in the Garmin Connect app for a well-rounded view of your health and fitness. Track progress, log foods (on select smartwatches), create personalized goals and receive Active Intelligence insights on nutritional impacts when you have a Garmin Connect+ plan.
• Live activity: When you pair your smartphone to your compatible smartwatch, you can see real-time heart rate¹, pace data and videos for your indoor workouts such as Pilates, strength training and more. Plus, you can edit reps, update your weight, and stop and start workouts – all from your phone.
• Exclusive coaching guidance: You’ll get expert guidance from Garmin Coaches as you progress through your Garmin Run Coach, Garmin Triathlon Coach or Garmin Cycling Coach training plan. Plus, get exclusive educational content and videos when you upgrade to a Garmin Connect+ plan.
• Garmin Trails²: Find routes in select countries based on difficulty, distance and more for your next hike, backpacking trip or trail run with Garmin Trails. Then, send the trail to your compatible device with an active Outdoor Maps+ or Garmin Connect+ plan for offline access.
• Enhanced LiveTrack³: Your contacts will get a text when you start an activity on a compatible device. Plus, you can create a personalized LiveTrack profile page to share with followers.
• Social features: You can access exclusive badges, badge challenges and personalization for your Garmin Connect app profile.

Already have a Garmin smartwatch? Activate your Garmin Connect+ plan today. If you’re a first-time user, get familiar with Garmin Connect+ using your 30-day free trial. Still deciding which watch is right for you? Browse our collection of smartwatches to start learning more about your health and performance metrics.

_{¹See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

_{²Trails available in select areas. Learn more.}

_{³When paired with your smartphone; LiveTrack feature has requirements and limitations}

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