Garmin Introduces Forerunner 50 As Only Sports Watch With Automatic Wireless Sync
Written by Garmin
Thursday, 09 August 2007
OLATHE, Kan./August 8, 2007/PR Newswire Garmin International Inc., a
unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today announced the Forerunner 50
an affordable, sleek and intelligent way to help runners and walkers
track their workouts, automatically store their data and reach their
personal fitness goals. The announcement strengthens Garmins role as
an innovation leader in the fitness world and reinforces the companys
commitment to enriching its customers lives.
A healthy lifestyle doesnt have to come at a great sacrifice of time and money, said Dan Bartel, Garmins vice president of worldwide sales, and the Forerunner 50 provides runners, walkers and cyclists with a cost-effective training tool that is compact and convenient. Whether youre training diligently for a race or taking a leisurely stroll, the Forerunner 50 helps you get the most out of your time spent exercising.
The central element of the Forerunner 50 system is an advanced fitness watch which interfaces wirelessly with other fitness devices such as a heart rate monitor or a foot pod that monitors speed and distance. The system includes a wireless USB ANT Stick that plugs into the users PC and automatically downloads workout data stored on the watch to a personal computer. No cables are necessary as the Forerunner 50 synchronizes with the computer once it is in close proximity. Depending on the model purchased, the Forerunner 50 accurately monitors and records heart rate or speed and distance or all of the above. The workouts themselves are made easier with the Forerunner 50 as its heart rate monitor and foot pod activate automatically upon movement, removing the need to turn the lightweight accessories on and off.
With this entry-level fitness watch priced at under $100, Garmin broadens its appeal to the millions of consumers who want to burn calories in a cost-effective manner. While the Forerunner 50 processes much of the same data as its GPS-enabled predecessors, those functions are packaged in a very compact device the size of a typical fitness watch. The Forerunner 50 can track and record up to seven hours and 100 laps of detailed exercise data. And because the Forerunner 50 records its data from the heart rate monitor and foot pod, users can exercise indoors for example, accurately monitoring their heart rate while on a treadmill or tracking how far they walk each day in the office. The foot pod enables the Forerunner 50 to track and record speed, distance, cadence, steps and calories burned. Cycling enthusiasts will enjoy the versatile options of adding a bike speed and cadence sensor and a handy bike mount.
When used with Garmin Connect Garmins online training site the Forerunners benefits continue long after the workout. By pairing the Forerunner 50 with Garmin Connect, users can automatically log their workouts, track their totals, share workouts with coaches, friends and family and participate in an online fitness community with similar interests.
The Forerunner 50 and USB ANT Stick with Heart Rate Monitor is expected to be available in October and has an estimated retail price of $99. It includes an owners manual.
The Forerunner 50 and USB ANT Stick with Foot Pod is expected to be available in October and has an estimated retail price of $149. It includes an owners manual.
The Forerunner 50 and USB ANT Stick with Foot Pod and Heart Rate Monitor is expected to be available in October at select retailers and has an estimated retail price of $199. It includes an owners manual.
The wireless features of the Forerunner 50 are enabled by ANT+Sport personal area network technology. ANT+Sport is a leading wireless interface protocol enabling ultra low power applications like fitness monitors. ANT+Sport offers all the benefits of digital wireless communications with much lower power consumption than other wireless protocols.
The Forerunner 50 was announced at Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City, August 8, 2007. Learn more about the Forerunner 50, ANT+Sport and Garmin Connect by visiting the Forerunner 50 mini site at www.garmin.com/buzz/fr50/. Additional information about Garmins other product announcements may be found at www.garmin.com.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International, Inc. is a member of the Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq:GRMN) group of companies which designs, manufactures, markets, and sells navigation, communication and information devices and applications -- most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin is a leader in consumer and general aviation navigation and its products serve the automotive/mobile, outdoor/fitness, marine, and aviation markets. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin and Forerunner are registered trademarks, ANT and ANT+Sport are trademarks and Garmin Connect is a service mark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
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