Garmin is noted for it’s GPS technology used in car navigation systems and hand-held devices, and is also very highly regarded in the running community with several popular GPS sports watch innovations. Garmin also have non-GPS sports running watches that offer many of the features found in their GPS watch models, without the expense or burden of the power-hungry GPS systems.

The Garmin Forerunner 60 (FR60) is their most recent offering in this non-GPS category and is effectively an upgrade to their highly popular Forerunner 50 sports watch. The older Forerunner 50 measured speed + distance by using a footpod device, but a few of the advanced sports features in the GPS Forerunner were sorely missed. The FR60 addresses some of these missing functions.

This new watch features more hours of memory, better water resistance and some notable watch modes that were missing from the Forerunner 50 like the Virtual Partner feature.

To briefly sum up. The FR60 runners watch offers the following advantages to it’s users:

• Built in digital heart rate monitor
• ANT+ technology for compatibility with exercise machines and other heart rate monitor straps
• Wireless uploads to a PC or Mac and the option to import your data into GarminConnect, Garmin’s online fitness web portal
• Virtual Partner sports watch feature
• Improved waterproofing
• 100 laps or 15 hours of detailed data storage
• Foot pod compatibility for speed + distance tracking

What the FR60 is NOT, and a few disadvantages of the FR60 include:

• No GPS and no navigation functionality
• Pricey footpod, around $70, which must be attached to your running shoe

If you seek a fully fledged GPS sports watch, we recommend the Garmin Forerunner 405CX or Forerunner 310XT.

Support for Interval Training Workouts

In the past we have talked about how an interval timer features in a watch can assist serious athletes in sessions that alternate between hard and easy training efforts. We even consider this one of the features needed in a running watch.

The Forerunner FR60 Garmin Watch can be used for interval training sessions based on time and distance (if used with a footpod device) and has a more sophisticated interval timer features than the Forerunner 50, making it a much more practical choice for serious athletes.

Virtual Partner^TM Feature

One of the standout features of the GPS Garmins, the Virtual Partner^TM feature is a computerized “stick man” that can be configured to run at your target pace during a run.

If you are lagging too far behind your goal pace, your “virtual partner” is displayed ahead of you on your display, or behind you if you are running faster than your goal.

Compatible with Garmin Connect

Garmin Connect is an online fitness portal that allows you to set up a customized fitness profile that you can use for tracking and sharing your training data.

The website is compatible with Garmin devices and allows you to share experiences with like-minded athletes from around the world. Not only can you track your fitness progress with Garmin Connect, but the online community nature of the service allows you to find and stay connected with a group of likeminded people from around the world.

Wireless Technology

Like the Forerunner 50 and other Forerunner Watches, the new FR60 watch supports ANT+™ technology. With support for ANT+ the watch can seamlessly communicate with your PC or Mac computer and potentially a speed cadence foot pod and other ANT+ compatible devices including heart rate monitors from other manufacturers and a host of exercise equipment.

Buy Garmin FR60 Fitness Heart Rate Watch

	Garmin FR60 Men’s Black Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $199.99
	Garmin FR60 Men’s Red Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $149.99
	Garmin FR60 Women’s Black Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $199.99
	Garmin FR60 Women’s Lilac Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $175.48

Garmin Forerunner 50 vs Garmin FR 60

	Garmin Forerunner 50	Garmin FR60
	Buy on Amazon for $399.99
Water resistance	30 meters	50 meters
Lap history	100 laps or up to 7 hours of data	100 laps or up to 15 hours of data
Heart rate monitor	Some versions	All versions
Virtual Partner
Auto Pause (pause/resume based on speed)
Auto Scroll (cycle through pages during workout)
Time + Dist alerts
Interval Training	Only based on alarms

Detailed Comparison

	Garmin Forerunner 50	Garmin FR60
	Buy on Amazon for $399.99
Specifications
Unit dimensions, WxHxD	1.7″ x 2.3″ x 0.8″ (4.2 x 5.8 x 2.0 cm)	men’s: 2.2″ x 1.5″ x 0.5″ (5.6 x 3.8 x 1.3 cm) women’s: 2.0″ x 1.5″ x 0.6″ (5.2 x 3.8 x 1.4 cm)
Weight	1.5 oz (42.5 g)	men’s: 1.6 oz (44 g) women’s: 1.4 oz (41 g)
PC transfer	Automatic sync (automatically transfers data to your computer)	Automatic sync (automatically transfers data to your computer)
Battery Type	coin cell battery (CR2032)	coin cell battery (CR2032)
Battery Life	1 year	1 year
Heart Rate Support	Some versions	All versions
Display Data Fields	2	3
Bike speed/cadence support	yes (optional)	yes (optional)
Foot Pod support	yes (optional)	yes (some versions)
Water resistance	30 meters	50 meters
Memory
Lap history	100 laps or up to 7 hours of data	100 laps or up to 20 hours of data
Software
Garmin Connect™
Garmin Training Center® Compatible
Mac Support
Sports Features
Virtual Partner
Auto Pause® (pause/resume based on speed)
Auto Lap® (automatically starts a new lap)
Auto Scroll (cycle through pages during workout)
Pace alert (triggers alarm if you vary from preset pace)
Time + Dist alerts (triggers alarm when you reach goal)
Interval Training (set up exercise and rest intervals)	Only based on alarms
Customizable screen(s)
Watch Features
Time of day (12/24h)
Dual time zones
Calendar (day/date)
Daily alarm

Conclusion

The FR60 watches will be sold on Amazon for around $199.99 without a footpod and for around $199.99 with a foot pod device included. With ANT+ technology, Virtual Partner, heart rate monitor support and support for interval training, this watch is a cheaper, yet viable alternative to a GPS enabled sports watch

Purchase Garmin FR60 Fitness Heart Rate Watches on Amazon

	Garmin FR60 Men’s Black Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $199.99
	Garmin FR60 Men’s Red Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $149.99
	Garmin FR60 Women’s Black Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $199.99
	Garmin FR60 Women’s Lilac Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $175.48

Other than basic math, there are two common ways to calculate the speed and distance of human movement – satellite tracking GPS or a mechanical pedometer.

Mechanical pedometers are cheap and abundant, but also highly unreliable. They operate on a simple pendulum clicker that relies on the walker’s hip movement to count steps. Unfortunately, mechanical pedometers end up counting a lot of non-walking movements, resulting in inconsistent measurements.

GPS technology is impressive, but is also expensive, complex and can lose accuracy around trees and large buildings. GPS watches are also unsuitable for indoor training.

The Tech 4 O Accelerator Running Watch

Features:

• Highly accurate step counter with adjustable sensitivity. Allows users to calibrate the pedometer to their individual walking style.
• Sensors contained in a single, standard sports wrist watch. Awkward mechanical belt clips or foot pods are not needed, simply put on your watch and you’re ready to go!
• Calculates your average speed, distance, caloric expenditure, and total exercise time.
• Delayed step counter feature that differentiates between ancillary movements and actual steps.
• The Accelerator uses a delayed step counter that delays calculations by 10 steps to eliminate false step counting.
• Smart scheduling features allows users to set the pedometer to automatically start/stop counting steps at a predetermined time every day, so you’ll never forget!

One of the best accelerometer watches currently on the market is the Tech O 4 Accelerometer Running Watch. The Tech 4 O Accelerator Series fills the void between old mechanical pedometers and the overkill of GPS. A simple, yet versatile, wrist-watch design can provide extremely accurate speed and distance data in all conditions.

While the technology isn’t perfect, it is better than 95% accurate and much more dependable than traditional pendulum based pedometers and cheaper than most GPS-based running products.

Unlike GPS, the Accelerator works beautifly in heavily forested areas, indoors, or around large buildings that obstruct the GPS satellite signal, so this watch will suit anyone who likes to take their exercise off the beaten path!

The Tech 4 O Accelerator Watch also features:

• Personal profile customization to specific body type and walking/running style. No matter what your speed, height or weight, you can personally enter your vital statistics to ensure accurate results.
• 24 hour Chrono with 1/100th of a sec accuracy and up to 50 laps storage
• Countdown timer feature
• Dual Time-Zones
• Daily Alarm

At around $55 US, and considering the inclusion of lap storage and countdown timer, the Tech 4 O Accelerator watch makes a great, affordable running watch for either those who do not wish to pay extra for GPS technology, or trail-runners who like to workout in places where GPS can’t reach.

The Tech 4 O Accelerator Watch comes in five distinct designs. Click on one of the images below to be taken to the Amazon product page.