Garmin Trots Out Forerunner 50 Sports Watch

By Geoff Duncan August 8, 2007

Garmin International has launched its latest sports watch, the Forerunner 50, and although the watch doesn’t offer the GPS capabilities for which the company is well known, it does offer tools to let user track their walking and/or running workouts, and sync that data wirelessly to their PC.

“A healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to come at a great sacrifice of time and money,” said Garmin sales VP Dan Bartel, in a statement. “The Forerunner 50 provides runners, walkers and cyclists with a cost-effective training tool that is compact and convenient.”

The utility of the Garmin Forerunner 50 is built around a wireless USB ANT Stick: the idea is that users pop it into a USB port on their PC and it automatically syncs workout data from the watch to the computer wirelessly using Garmin’s own low-power ANT+Sport wireless tech. Depending on the model and options users purchase, the Forerunner 50 can monitor and record heart rate, speed, and distance using a separate heart rate monitor and foot pod. The watch can record up to 7 hours of data and up to 100 laps, and calculate speed, cadence, steps, and the approximate number of calories burned. Users can also track their workouts over time using the Garmin Connect online training site. Unlike its predecessors, the Forerunner 50 does not offer GPS capabilities, but nor is it as bulky.

The Forerunner 50 should be available in October; a version with the ANT Stick and heart monitor will have a suggested price of $99; a version with the ANT Stick and foot pod will go for $149. Expect to pay $199 for a Forerunner 50, ANT Stick, and both the heart monitor and foot pod.

Topics

Wearables

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Mobile

Garmin’s newest smartwatch could replace your Apple Watch

Official product renders of the Garmin Venu 3 smartwatch.

Garmin has announced the launch of its latest smartwatches, the Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 3S, featuring AMOLED touchscreen displays and long-lasting batteries. These watches are designed to offer real-time wellness information and fitness-tracking features, helping you better understand your overall health. Similar tools are available on many of the best smartwatches on the market today.

The Venu 3 series boasts many new features compared to its predecessor, the Garmin Venu 2. Particularly noteworthy is its compatibility with wheelchair users, as it provides push tracking, workouts tailored to wheelchair users, and other relevant features. The Venu 3 also has built-in microphones and speakers, enabling you to take phone calls and respond to text messages directly from the watch — features you won't find on the Garmin Forerunner 265 released earlier this year.

Mobile

I replaced my Apple Watch with a Garmin — and I don’t want to go back

Apple Watch Series 7 next to the Garmin Forerunner 265.

The Apple Watch has been my go-to wearable for years. I began my journey with the Apple Watch Series 1 in 2017, upgraded to the Apple Watch Series 4 shortly after it launched, and then jumped to the Apple Watch Series 7 in 2021. It's long been my smartwatch platform of choice, and I've never had any desire to switch to something else.

At least, that's what I thought before I began using a Garmin smartwatch. I started testing the Garmin Forerunner 265 earlier this year, and I went into it with a pretty clear plan: I'd wear the watch for a couple of weeks, write my review, and move back to the Apple Watch. Fast forward to now, and my Garmin Forerunner 265 review has been published, no further testing is required, and nothing is stopping me from returning to my Apple Watch. But here's the thing — I don't want to. Garmin's watch is so good that I have no desire to put the Apple Watch back on my wrist, and there are a few big reasons why.
The surprising importance of buttons

Mobile

Garmin’s newest smartwatches steal one of the Apple Watch’s best features

Person adjusting Garmin Forerunner 965 on their wrist.

Garmin has just unveiled the two latest models in its popular Forerunner series of running watches, boasting advanced training metrics and the most vibrant and visible displays the company has ever put on its smartwatches.

The midrange Forerunner 265 series is joined by the premium Forerunner 965 in adopting AMOLED displays, which now adorn the entire lineup. The brighter display doesn’t just look great; it also ensures that runners can more easily check their stats even on the sunniest days. It also puts Garmin's display quality on par with the OLED screens we see on the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra.
Train smarter