Soon after, more models in the Forerunner series emerged, suitable for triathletes or any athletes looking to significantly improve their performance by analyzing their workout data.
However, early models began to show issues with satellite signal reception, so it was time to introduce a new “toaster”—a solution to address the connectivity problems of the previous devices.
This led to the birth of the Forerunner 205/305 ─ while it certainly couldn’t be called stylish, it provided runners with more comprehensive statistics. At the same time, the Forerunner 205/305 was also the first Garmin watch to use ANT+ technology to pair with heart rate and other data-transmitting devices.
The next big leap came in 2008 with the Forerunner 405 ─ the first Garmin wearable device that was more compact and watch-like in design. This shift came about during the development phase of the Forerunner 405, when engineers began associating it with sleek wristwatches and started to explore whether sacrificing 20% of battery life and reducing screen size would lead to a better product.
“Our goal at the time was to make it truly watch-shaped without compromising GPS performance — that was a big challenge for the product.” In the end, they sacrificed some battery life, but the redesigned Forerunner 405 could still accompany you through a full marathon.
Carrying forward this spirit, Garmin’s fitness devices have become smaller, smarter, and capable of connecting with numerous sensors, including, of course, your smartphone. This ethos is also reflected in the idea of “what if we could create a product with a one-year battery life that you don’t even need to turn off?” — the vívofit fitness tracker.
I think you must be starting to look forward to the next Garmin wearable device, just like I am.