As more or less expected it squeezes an Edge 1000 into an Edge 520 chassis and merges some features. Rather than me re-hashing the reviews, head on over to good old DCRainmaker. However, in summary:
Compared to the Edge 1000:
Smaller Screen
Adds incident detection
Adds ‘Stress Score’
Battery Save Mode
Group Tracking (coming later this year)
It doesn’t work in Landscape More (at this point i’ll note that I didn’t know my Edge 1000 did either!)
No Micro-SD Slot
Otherwise it’s an Edge 1000 in a smaller box!
I spotted a picture a while ago on the Garmin website but wasn’t sure what it was. My initial thoughts were a dumbed down version of the Edge 520. It now appears that this is the new Garmin Edge 820. I can’t find any other useful information at this stage, but the product code for those that want to go hunting is 010-01626-00.
There isn’t a great deal of information to report on this as yet but following a few rumours that have appeared it seems that Garmin are indeed working on an updated Edge 820 bike computer. As usual there are a number of images appearing on the Garmin site which i’ve linked to below.
It looks as though it combines features of the Edge Explore and Edge 520 with such functionality as Emergency Contact alerts, or ‘Incident Detection’ as Garmin call it.
A lot of the other spec does appear to be on par with the Edge 520, certainly better quality graphics for the maps though! Though notably they appear different to those on the Edge 1000 and Edge Explore.
Compatibility with Varia Radar and Strava segments Integration as expected.
The ‘hard’ buttons are located on the underside rather than the top. I assume this explains the slightly thicker body also.
Garmin Forerunner 920xt Tri Bundle – Black/Grey with HRM-Swim & HRM-Tri
A bit more sleuthing on this after spotting the DCRainmaker HRM-Swim & HRM-Tri article on the new HRM-Swim and HRM-Tri swimming heart rate straps. There is no news on the Garmin sites but I have found a small picture of the new colour option of Black/Grey with the swim straps. Suggests $599 so imagine £499 for us folks…
The main additions to the HRM-Swim and HRM-Tri are listed on the Garmin site as “Continue to train with heart rate underwater using HRM-Tri™ or HRM-Swim™. HRM-Swim is ideal for pool training with its unique, non-slip design that stays in place, even during wall push offs. For training and racing across all 3 disciplines, HRM-Tri’s soft strap design is as comfortable out of water as it is underwater.”
Specific product pages from Garmin give a bit more info too:
HRM-Tri™ & HRM-Swim™ Accessory Bundle
Part Number: 010-11254-03
HRM-Swim™
Part Number: 010-12342-00
HRM-Tri™
Part Number: 010-10997-09
They also have a video on YouTube showing it in action:
Shame i’d just bought a replacement in the ‘not optimal for my colour scheme’ Black/Blue version! Oh well…
Today I discovered that the Wattbike and Garmin 920xt can actually be friends and will talk to each other. I had been a little disappointed that I wasn’t able to track my indoor cycling efforts and was trying to manually remember the details to add in later. As the training plan calls for consistent efforts of 85-95 cadence at the moment I was able to use this as a guide but only had heart rate to reference back to. When setting up the bike today though I noticed a little line on the display that referenced an ANT+ channel, I pedalled a bit and set my Garmin to search, lo and behold it found Power, Speed and Cadence options – rejoice! When I got home I did find a plethora of information on wattbike’s website showing how to do it of course, but it’s easy when you know!
As a result of the above I was able to garner a shed load of information that currently means very little, other than I’ve read a lot about it elsewhere! I was happy to note an average speed of nearly 20mph for my short ride, my cadence was spot on at 85 and an average power of 125w given the above seems a good thing. I think.
Unfortunately the groovy ‘curve’ running machines offer no integration so I was only able to rely on the watch itself for that.
A week in to the training plan and I’m feeling pretty good still, I’m deliberately sticking to it religiously, despite at times feeling I can push harder or longer. I did substitute a long weekend bike/run session for a spin class – my dear wife suggested we did one at the gym at 9.30 on a Saturday morning, mad girl! This weekend I’m also going to do a recce of the bike route for the forthcoming triathlon with a friend, thetrinerd. This did involve raiding the Halford’s sale to purchase some winter riding goodies, but more importantly it means I’m actually going to get to finally ride my bike!!!
OFFICIAL PICTURES – taken from Garmin Canada. WARNING lots of them!
For those of us in the UK, it’s now on their site, Garmin Forerunner 920xt. Seems we have to wait until Q4 2014, which is well, vague as we’re in it now. I’d imagine, based on history that we’re looking at November at the earliest. Here’s hoping we don’t end up with another Sweatshop monopoly on it.
Buying Options
Well it seems it’s not quite a Sweatshop monopoly but according to Garmin UK on twitter it’s an exclusive to wiggle – Garmin 920xt – for the next 2 weeks. Though at the time of writing, they have no stock…
Amazon are also now showing it, with stock available from 3rd party suppliers. They have updated my order to state that it will arrive between 18th December and 14th January – which isn’t exactly useful!
It seems that DCRainmaker has been playing with one for a little while and it’s basically, as we mostly correctly assumed; an amalgamation of the Forerunner 620 and Edge 1000 with the Forerunner 910xt. Handy really, as I have both of those. Summarising from what we though/knew and from Ray’s data, compared to the 910xt it has the following additional features:
Bluetooth Smart & WiFi connectivity
Enabling link up to mobile phones for data transfer such as workouts completed and training/route schedules, firmware updates, smartphone notifications (such as incoming call alerts, text messages) and finally smart satellite tracking. The WiFi is used to download satellite data but equally automagically upload your run/ride/swim data when you get back (assuming you’re in sight of a registered wifi network).
Note that the watch doesn’t support Bluetooth Smart Sensors. Still not sure why they do that, but hey.
Daily Activity Tracking
Similar to the other Garmin fitness units, such as the VivoFit, it’ll monitor steps taken, goals, distances, calories etc. This will, one assumes, link back to Apple Healthkit, although at this time Garmin Connect and HealthKit aren’t exactly best friends in my experience!
Connect IQ
A recently announced feature that will allow third party app creation and connectivity. New right now, but has a lot of potential…
Live Tracking
Handy if you’re heading off on a long ride or run on your own and assuming that you’re happy to take your phone along as it requires the bluetooth connection it. For cyclists I can see the benefit of this, for runners it’s more of a personal preference thing but I don’t like lugging my iPhone along with me. Basically, it broadcasts your location to a webpage that you can give viewing permission to selected people.
Colour Screen
I quite like this on the Forerunner 620 and Edge 1000, particularly when you’re using the different activity profiles; race, training, walking etc and it changes the colour outline to dictate this.
Running Dynamics, Recovery Advisor & VO2 Max (requiring the HRM-Run strap)
All of these, and their sub features, were introduced with the Forerunner 620 as means of monitoring performance. I like the features but admittedly don’t fully understand them, although it can be handy to see how the impact of clearly working harder (higher heart rate) can often manifest a change in stride length or stride height. The VO2 Max is a bit of a guide using techie algorithms and this can now be applied to cycling too
The main features are Vertical Oscillation, Ground Contact Time, Cadence, Recovery Time, Race Predictor and Personal Records.
Training Plans
Again a feature from the Forerunner 620, you can use pre-defined training plans from Garmin Connect that tell you what to do, how hard and when – either by Heart Rate or per mile (or kilometre if that’s your bag) pacing. You can also create your own training plans and synchronise them to the watch so it’ll nag you into doing something when you’re actually supposed to.
You can also use the Virtual Racer, again as per the Forerunner 620 but apparently enhanced here which is a good job as i used this precisely once and then moved on. Basically you can race/train against a pacing session that you’ve done in the past or in the new bit, upload any session from anyone and train against that.
Metronome/Treadmill Support
I asked about it and nobody knew but a few folks guessed, it seems it does as a metronome does, in that it kicks out a beat for you to aim your cadence against. Not sure how useful it’ll be but lets not criticise evolution!!
Also, again as per the Forerunner 620, you can use it indoors without a footpod. In my experience this is accurate enough for the casual user but not accurate enough if it’s really important to you. Thankfully you can use the footpad if you’ve still got one….
Enhanced GPS/Tracking
Battery life is listed at 24 hours using per second tracking, but this can be increased using ‘UltraTrac’ which offers up to 40 hours using less frequent tracking. In Ultratrac it still records ANT+ stuff at the same 1 second interval, which is a nice touch.
GLONASS which was introduced in the Edge 1000 basically gives more accuracy when using GPS in dodgy coverage areas.
You can also use the much missed features in a number of other devices, the ‘Back to the Start’. It’s not a full navigation system but will point an arrow in the general direction and off you go. Possibly more usefully for a trekking process is that you can pre load waypoints and navigate towards them in a similar fashion.
Garmin VIRB control
Probably only useful when you’re on the bike, but as per the Edge 1000 you can control the VIRB action camera. A bit of a gimmick for me as I already have the Edge 1000 but it could be useful for others.
Garmin Connect Enhancements
Garmin Connect is finally becoming a triathlon friendly place too, rather than uploading the three separate disciplines as individual activities, it can now be shown as a triathlon.
I’ll admit I have little idea what a metronome is going to be used for, i’d assume it’s some sort of swimming feature to keep your tempo up, or maybe it could be used for cadence in other disciplines?
Garmin Forerunner 920xt – Red/White. Metronome (new feature, swimming related I guess?)
It doesn’t look too chunky, which is a good thing. I’d put off getting the Fenix 2 as it looked huge.
Garmin Forerunner 920xt Red/White. Side View
It appears that Garmin have extended the VO2 max calculation first launched in the Forerunner 620 and used in conjunction with the HRM-Run. This shows it working on the bike so we must assume it is present in the running to. Will we see it for swimming yet – highly unlikely but we can but dream.
Garmin Forerunner 920xt – Blue/Black. Cycling VO2 Max Calculation
It also appears that we can use this watch as a, err, watch!
Garmin Forerunner 920xt – Blue/Black. Watch Mode
A bit more info coming to light, Garmin Canada appear to be showing a reference to it, good news, it’s been confirmed as a wearable device – Forerunner 920xt. It seems it has a product code of 137024 and a part number of 010-01174-00, for all the good that does at the moment. This means it’s a fairly safe bet that those folks in Canada will be able to keep an eye on this page.
It seems that the Forerunner 920xt may be more imminent than some thought, RoadRunnerSports (USA) are advertising it as available from October 5th priced at $499 with the HRM-Run. here’s hoping that it is the same strap that came with the FR620 and Fenix 2. I guess that means £379 in the UK. As hoped it seems to offer all of the advanced metrics of the Foreunner 620/Fenix 2 but in a smaller unit.
I’ve tried a couple of times to contact Garmin UK to ask for confirmation on dates but have no news as yet. I’ll update this thread as and when I know more!
Many rumours circulating about this little baby, logic assuming that it’ll be called the Garmin Forerunner 920xt, if their naming pattern continues. I’ve been using the Garmin Forerunner 620 as my main running watch since it was launched and I love the extra detail over some of their earlier units. As i’m new to triathlon i’ve been thinking for a while about getting a multi sport watch.
I already have an Garmin Edge 1000 cycle computer and the above mentioned FR620, and given that my biggest area of concern is the swimming, I figured that I either need a Garmin Swim, or look at a multi-sport watch. I’m very aware that there are other brands on the market from Suunto, Polar etc but i am quite in bed with the Garmin ecosystem so plan to stay there.
I’ve considered the Fenix 2 but having seen them on a few folks, they look huge – i’d have genuine concerns about getting a wetsuit off with one of those on my wrist!
Here’s hoping the 920xt is thinner and a better form factor than the current 910xt. I’d also like to see them retain the quick release element as this seems to be a large area of concern for a lot of people. They’d be mad to exclude Bluetooth Smart for connectivity too and as a result of this i’m sure it’ll have all the Live Track features that go with it. Having used a few Garmin devices in my time, the hot satellite link is a must too, the FR620 gets a satellite link in seconds, as opposed to minutes for the FR10 i used to use.
It seems that the 920xt has been confirmed (and then quickly removed) by Garmin, but thanks to the powers of Google, you can at least get some proof of it here.
