Garmin Forerunner 255
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Overview
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a versatile running watch designed to cater to the needs of both casual joggers and serious athletes. This watch is part of the Garmin Forerunner family, known for its advanced features and reliable performance.
Key Features:
- Multi-band GPS: Offers improved accuracy in tracking speed and distance.
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Tracking: Monitors recovery and overall well-being.
- Triathlon Mode: Allows seamless switching between different sports profiles.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is an ideal choice for athletes who prioritize accurate tracking and comprehensive health monitoring. Its multi-sport capabilities offer flexibility, making it suitable for triathletes and multisport enthusiasts.
With an average review score of 86%, it's in the highest rated 20% of similar running watches. Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently just below the median price of running watches today.
Verdict
The consensus on the Garmin Forerunner 255
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a well-rounded running watch that excels in providing accurate tracking and comprehensive health monitoring. Its multi-band GPS and heart rate variability tracking are standout features, offering precise data for athletes. The watch's design is sleek and comfortable, with two size options to suit different preferences. While the battery life is impressive, lasting up to 30 hours in GPS mode, some users may find the phone connection range limited. The watch's interface is intuitive, though navigating settings can be cumbersome. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Forerunner 255 offers excellent value for its features, especially for those who engage in multiple sports. Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 255 is a reliable and feature-rich watch that meets the needs of both casual and serious athletes.
Updates to Garmin Forerunner 255
The Garmin Forerunner 255 introduces several updates from its predecessor, the Garmin Forerunner 245. It now features a multi-band GPS system for improved accuracy and heart rate variability tracking for better recovery insights. The addition of triathlon mode and open water swim mode enhances its multi-sport capabilities. The Forerunner 255 also offers a longer battery life, lasting up to 30 hours in GPS mode, compared to the 245's 24 hours. These updates make the Forerunner 255 a more versatile and feature-rich option for athletes.
Comparable Watches
The Coros Pace 2 is a good alternative for those seeking a more budget-friendly option. While it lacks some of the smart features of the Forerunner 255, it offers reliable GPS tracking and basic fitness metrics. The Pace 2 is lightweight and has a long battery life, making it suitable for runners who prioritize simplicity and affordability.
The Polar Vantage M2 offers similar features to the Forerunner 255, including heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking. However, the Vantage M2 focuses more on recovery insights and training load analysis. It's a solid choice for athletes who want detailed training data and recovery metrics, but it may not offer the same level of multi-sport support as the Forerunner 255.
The Suunto 5 Peak is another option for those interested in a watch with strong GPS capabilities. It offers a range of sport modes and good battery life, similar to the Forerunner 255. However, the Suunto 5 Peak may not have as many advanced features, such as heart rate variability tracking, making it more suitable for those who prefer straightforward tracking.
6 Garmin Forerunner 255 Pros & Cons
3 Pros
3 Cons
In Depth
Battery life
The Garmin Forerunner 255 boasts an impressive battery life, lasting up to 30 hours in GPS mode and up to 14 days in smartwatch mode. This extended battery life is ideal for long-distance runners and athletes who engage in multi-sport activities. The watch also features a power saver mode, which can extend the battery life even further, making it a reliable choice for those who need a watch that can keep up with their active lifestyle.
Screen quality and brightness
The Forerunner 255 features a 33 mm screen with a resolution of 260 x 260 pixels, providing clear and bright visuals. The transflective display is sunlight-readable, ensuring that athletes can easily view their stats during outdoor activities. This makes it a great option for those who frequently train in bright conditions, as the screen remains visible without straining the eyes.
Strap comfort
The Garmin Forerunner 255 comes with a silicon strap that is designed for comfort during extended wear. However, some users have reported skin irritation from the strap, which may require swapping it out for an alternative. Despite this, the watch fits snugly and securely, minimizing bounce during activities, which is crucial for maintaining accurate tracking.
Heart-rate monitor accuracy
The heart rate monitor on the Forerunner 255 is highly accurate, especially during steady pace runs. This accuracy is essential for athletes who rely on heart rate data to optimize their training. The watch also includes heart rate variability tracking, providing insights into recovery and overall well-being, which is beneficial for those looking to monitor their health closely.
GPS accuracy
The Forerunner 255's multi-band GPS system offers enhanced accuracy in tracking speed and distance. This feature is particularly useful for runners and athletes who require precise data for their training. The watch supports popular navigation systems like GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), ensuring reliable performance across various environments.
Sleep tracking
While the Forerunner 255 offers sleep tracking capabilities, some users have noted inaccuracies in distinguishing between resting and sleeping states. Despite this, the watch provides valuable insights into sleep quality and patterns, which can help athletes optimize their recovery and overall health.
Virtual coach and recovery
The Garmin Forerunner 255 includes a virtual coach feature that offers personalized training plans and recovery insights. This feature is beneficial for athletes looking to improve their performance and avoid overtraining. The watch provides daily training recommendations and recovery metrics, helping users make informed decisions about their workouts.
Who should buy the Garmin Forerunner 255?
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is perfect for athletes who engage in multi-sport activities and require accurate tracking and comprehensive health monitoring. It's ideal for triathletes who need a watch that can seamlessly switch between different sports profiles. Runners who prioritize GPS accuracy and heart rate monitoring will find this watch valuable. Additionally, those who appreciate advanced features like heart rate variability tracking and virtual coaching will benefit from the Forerunner 255.
Who should not buy the Garmin Forerunner 255?
The Garmin Forerunner 255 may not be the best choice for those who prefer a simpler watch with fewer features. Casual runners who don't require multi-sport capabilities or advanced metrics might find the watch's features overwhelming. Additionally, individuals who are sensitive to skin irritation from silicon straps may want to consider other options. If budget is a concern, there are more affordable watches available that offer basic tracking and GPS functionality.
Garmin Forerunner 255: What's it good for?
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is excellent for running and multisport activities, offering features like triathlon mode and GPS accuracy. It's suitable for long-distance runners due to its impressive battery life. The watch is also ideal for athletes who require detailed health monitoring, including heart rate variability tracking. With its virtual coach and recovery insights, it's a great choice for those looking to optimize their training and avoid overtraining.
5 Garmin Forerunner 255 FAQs
What is the battery life of the Garmin Forerunner 255?
The Garmin Forerunner 255 offers up to 30 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, making it ideal for long-distance runners and athletes.
Does the Forerunner 255 support music playback?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 255 has a music version that allows you to store and play music directly from the watch, compatible with services like Spotify and Amazon Music.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 255 suitable for triathlons?
Yes, the Forerunner 255 includes a triathlon mode, allowing athletes to switch between different sports profiles seamlessly, making it suitable for triathlons.
How accurate is the GPS on the Forerunner 255?
The Forerunner 255 features a multi-band GPS system, providing enhanced accuracy in tracking speed and distance, which is beneficial for runners and athletes.
Can the Forerunner 255 track heart rate variability?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 255 includes heart rate variability tracking, offering insights into recovery and overall well-being.
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