⚡️ Quick Verdict - GARMIN Forerunner 245 (2019)
- Best For: Dedicated runners seeking detailed performance metrics and GPS accuracy.
- Strengths: Advanced running dynamics, accurate GPS tracking, comprehensive training load insights, extended battery life.
- Drawbacks: Lacks open-water swim mode, no barometric altimeter for precise elevation, limited multisport features.
- Verdict: A highly capable and robust tool for serious runners.
⚖️ Pros & Cons Explained
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| GPS Accuracy | Users frequently report exceptionally accurate GPS tracking for distance and pace, even in challenging environments. | A few users noted minor initial acquisition delays in very dense areas, though this improved quickly. |
| Training Features | Many find the VO2 Max, Training Status, and Training Load metrics highly insightful for optimizing their workouts and preventing overtraining. | Some advanced users felt the running dynamics required an external sensor, adding an extra purchase for full functionality. |
| Battery Life | The battery life is generally praised, with users experiencing multiple days of use even with regular GPS activity, reducing the need for frequent charging. | Consistent GPS use, especially with music playing on the Music version, can significantly reduce the quoted battery duration. |
| Design & Comfort | Reviewers appreciate its lightweight and comfortable design, making it easy to wear all day and during long runs without discomfort. | The display is not a vibrant AMOLED screen, which some users accustomed to modern smartwatches found less appealing indoors. |
| Smartwatch Features | Basic smartphone notifications and music control (on Music version) are considered sufficient for a running watch. | Users expecting extensive smartwatch capabilities like mobile payments or app store access will find it limited compared to dedicated smartwatches. |
🔧 What’s Included? & Why It Matters
| Component/Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 245 Device | The core unit that tracks activities, displays data, and connects to external sensors and the Garmin Connect ecosystem. |
| USB Charging/Data Cable | Facilitates charging the device and allows for data transfer, including firmware updates and activity syncs with a computer. |
| Documentation | Provides essential setup guides, safety information, and basic operating instructions to help users get started quickly. |
| Built-in GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Ensures precise and reliable location tracking for pace, distance, and routes, even in areas with limited satellite visibility. |
| Wrist-based Heart Rate Monitor | Offers continuous heart rate data without needing a chest strap, useful for training intensity tracking and daily health monitoring. |
| Pulse Ox Sensor (Forerunner 245 Music only) | Provides blood oxygen saturation readings, which can be useful for acclimatization at altitude and advanced sleep tracking. |
| Accelerometer | Enables indoor activity tracking (e.g., treadmill running) without GPS, and contributes to daily step counting and sleep analysis. |
| VO2 Max Estimation | Calculates an estimate of your aerobic fitness level, providing a key metric for monitoring performance improvement. |
| Training Status & Training Load | Analyzes your recent training history to indicate if you are training productively, peaking, or overreaching, helping to optimize workout intensity. |
| Garmin Coach Adaptive Training Plans | Provides free, personalized training plans that adapt to your performance, catering to specific race goals like 5K, 10K, or half marathon. |
💰 Is It Worth It? – Value & Cost Efficiency
| Aspect | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Set | Offers a rich array of advanced running metrics and training analysis tools typically found in higher-end models, providing significant value for dedicated runners. | Lacks a barometric altimeter and open-water swim mode, which might be a limitation for multisport athletes or those requiring highly precise elevation data. |
| Durability | Users generally report that the watch is robust and withstands daily wear and tear, as well as rigorous training sessions, contributing to its long-term utility. | The display is protected by chemically strengthened glass, which is durable, but not as scratch-resistant as sapphire glass found on some premium watches. |
| Long-term Use | Garmin's ecosystem provides consistent software updates and community support, ensuring the watch remains functional and relevant for years. | As technology advances, newer models may introduce features like more advanced GPS chipsets or superior display technologies, potentially making this model feel less cutting-edge over time. |
| Cost Efficiency | For its comprehensive running features, the Forerunner 245 offers a strong balance between capability and price point, avoiding the higher cost of top-tier multisport watches. | The additional cost for the Music version is a consideration, and users might find that the limited onboard storage for music is not sufficient for extensive playlists. |
🔁 Garmin Comparison – How This Version Improves Over Previous Models
| Aspect | Garmin Forerunner 235 (2015) | Garmin Forerunner 245 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| GPS Accuracy | Reliable, but occasionally slower to acquire satellites. | Improved GPS chipset (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo) for faster acquisition and enhanced accuracy. |
| Advanced Metrics | Basic running metrics (distance, pace, heart rate, VO2 Max). | Introduces Training Status, Training Load, Training Effect, Recovery Time, and Running Dynamics (with compatible external sensor). |
| Battery Life | Up to 11 hours in GPS mode; 9 days in watch mode. | Up to 24 hours in GPS mode; 7 days in smartwatch mode (without music). Significantly improved for long activities. |
| Build Quality | Plastic casing, basic display. | More durable casing materials, chemically strengthened glass, and a higher resolution transflective display. |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Smart, ANT+. | Adds Wi-Fi (Forerunner 245 Music), Bluetooth LE, and improved ANT+ for wider sensor compatibility and faster data sync. |
| Music Storage | No onboard music storage. | Forerunner 245 Music version includes onboard music storage for offline playback. |
⚔️ Alternatives vs GARMIN Forerunner 245 (2019)
| Aspect | Coros Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 55 | GARMIN Forerunner 245 (2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key Features | Exceptional battery life (30 days/30 hours GPS), power meter support, basic navigation. | Basic running features, daily suggested workouts, recovery advisor, long battery life (up to 2 weeks). | Advanced running dynamics, training status/load, pulse ox (Music), pool swimming. |
| Durability | Lightweight plastic, chemically strengthened glass. Designed to be very light. | Lightweight plastic, chemically strengthened glass. Simple and robust. | Durable plastic casing, chemically strengthened glass. Balances light weight with solid build. |
| Overall Value | Offers a very strong feature set for its price, especially for battery life and basic training metrics. | Excellent entry-level running watch, good value for new or casual runners. | Strong value for serious runners needing detailed analytics without moving to premium multisport watches. |
| GPS Accuracy | Good accuracy, supports all major satellite systems. | Good accuracy, supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo. | Very reliable and accurate, supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo. |
💡 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Does the Forerunner 245 have music storage?Only the Forerunner 245 Music model includes onboard music storage, allowing you to download songs from select streaming services or your own library for phone-free listening. The standard Forerunner 245 does not.
- Can it track swimming?Yes, the Forerunner 245 is water-rated to 5 ATM and can track pool swimming metrics such as distance, pace, stroke count, stroke type, and SWOLF. It does not support open-water swimming, which requires different GPS and accelerometer algorithms.
- Is it suitable for triathlon training?While it covers running and pool swimming well, it lacks a dedicated multisport mode for seamless transitions between disciplines and does not support open-water swimming. Dedicated triathletes would likely find higher-end Forerunner models (e.g., Forerunner 745 or 945) more suitable due to their comprehensive triathlon features.
- Does it have a barometric altimeter?No, the Forerunner 245 does not include a barometric altimeter. Elevation data is derived primarily from GPS, which may be less accurate for precise ascent/descent tracking or real-time elevation changes during activities compared to devices equipped with a barometric altimeter.
- Can I get running dynamics without an external sensor?To get advanced running dynamics metrics like ground contact time, vertical oscillation, and stride length, you need to pair the Forerunner 245 with a compatible accessory like the Running Dynamics Pod, HRM-Run, or HRM-Tri monitor. The watch itself provides basic metrics like pace, distance, and cadence.
👍 Positive Reviews - What Users Love
- The GPS is incredibly accurate and picks up satellites almost instantly, even in my neighborhood with lots of trees. It really makes tracking my runs reliable.
- I've found the training status feature incredibly helpful. It tells me if I'm productive, peaking, or overreaching, which has made me much smarter about my rest days and intensity.
- The battery life is a game-changer. I can go for days with multiple runs without needing to charge it, which is fantastic for weekend trips.
- It's so lightweight and comfortable that I barely notice it's on my wrist, even during long runs. The strap is soft and doesn't irritate my skin.
- The ability to load music directly onto the watch (Music version) and leave my phone at home is a huge convenience for my runs.
👎 Negative Reviews - What Could Be Better
- I wish it had a barometric altimeter for more accurate elevation changes, especially when I'm doing trail running. Relying solely on GPS for elevation can be a bit off.
- While it tracks pool swimming, the lack of open-water swimming mode is a real drawback for me as a triathlete. I have to use a different device for that.
- The screen isn't as vibrant as some of the smartwatches out there. It's perfectly functional outdoors, but indoors it can look a bit dull.
- Sometimes the heart rate monitor on the wrist feels like it's a bit slow to react to sudden changes in intensity during intervals.
- The smartwatch features are pretty basic. I really miss having mobile payments directly from my watch when I'm out on a run.
📋 Key Details & Specifications
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Display Type | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) |
| Display Size | 1.2” (30.4 mm) diameter |
| Display Resolution | 240 x 240 pixels |
| Weight | 38.5 g (1.4 oz) |
| Battery Life (Smartwatch Mode) | Up to 7 days |
| Battery Life (GPS Mode) | Up to 24 hours |
| Battery Life (GPS with Music - 245 Music only) | Up to 6 hours |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM (Swim) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth®, ANT+®, Wi-Fi® (Forerunner 245 Music only) |
| Sensors | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Garmin Elevate™ wrist heart rate monitor, Accelerometer, Pulse Ox (Forerunner 245 Music only) |
| Memory/History | 200 hours of activity data |
| Music Storage (Forerunner 245 Music only) | Up to 500 songs |
🔚 Summary – Is This the Right Choice for You?
- The GARMIN Forerunner 245 (2019) stands out as a highly capable and focused GPS running watch, particularly well-suited for serious runners and those looking to dive deeper into their training data.
- Its strengths lie in its accurate multi-satellite GPS tracking, comprehensive suite of advanced running dynamics (with external sensor), and insightful training analysis features like Training Status and VO2 Max.
- Users consistently praise its comfortable, lightweight design and robust battery life, making it a reliable companion for daily wear and extended training sessions.
- However, it's important to note its limitations: the absence of a barometric altimeter means elevation data relies solely on GPS, and while it tracks pool swimming, it lacks open-water capabilities or a dedicated multisport mode for triathletes.
- The 'Music' variant adds valuable onboard music storage, enhancing the phone-free running experience.
- Overall, if your primary focus is running and you seek a device that offers detailed performance metrics, smart coaching, and reliable GPS without the premium price tag of a full-fledged multisport watch, the Forerunner 245 remains a compelling and well-regarded choice.
