Garmin launches Forerunner 70 and 170

Garmin introduced two new entry-level running watches on May 12, expanding the lower end of its Forerunner lineup with AMOLED displays and a broader set of training features. The company said the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 are aimed at runners who want guided workouts, health tracking and multi-sport support without moving into Garmin’s higher-priced models. (garmin.com) U.S. pricing starts at $249.99 for the Forerunner 70, $299.99 for the Forerunner 170 and $349.99 for the Forerunner 170 Music, according to Garmin’s release. Garmin said the watches will be available on garmin.com starting May 15. ### What, exactly, is Garmin adding at the low end of the lineup? Garmin said both watches use a 1.2-inch AMOLED display, a touchscreen and a five-button layout, combining the brighter screens now common across its lineup with the physical controls many runners prefer during workouts. (garmin.com) The company said both models also include built-in GPS, wrist-based heart-rate tracking, Garmin Coach plans, daily suggested workouts and more than 80 sports apps. Susan Lyman, Garmin’s vice president of consumer sales and marketing, said the devices bring “premium running and training features” from more advanced Forerunner models to newer runners. Garmin said the watches also include sleep tracking, sleep coach, breathing variations, heart rate variability status, Pulse Ox and lifestyle logging. (garmin.com) ### How are the Forerunner 70 and 170 different from each other? The Forerunner 70 is the lower-priced model and carries up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, Garmin said. The company said it is designed around core run-tracking features including pace, distance, time and wrist-based heart rate, while adding newer software features such as quick workouts and adaptive coaching. (garmin.com) The Forerunner 170 adds features aimed at more independent use away from a phone. Garmin said the 170 includes Garmin Pay for contactless payments, while the Forerunner 170 Music adds phone-free music playback. Garmin’s product pages list up to 10 days of battery life for the Forerunner 170 and the 170 Music. (garmin.com) ### Which training tools stand out in this release? Garmin said the watches include quick workouts that generate session suggestions based on a runner’s selected time and intensity. The company also said Garmin Coach plans adapt daily based on health and recovery data, and Garmin Run Coach now includes run-walk workouts and lower-volume plans. (garmin.com) Advanced training features appear to be a larger part of the pitch than on older entry-level Forerunner devices. Garmin said both models include training readiness, training status, wrist-based running power and running dynamics, with those metrics powered by the Garmin Human Performance Lab. (garmin.com) Ray Maker of DC Rainmaker wrote on May 12 that the Forerunner 70 represents a substantial feature jump from the Forerunner 55, citing the move to an AMOLED display, touchscreen support, a newer heart-rate sensor and added HRV tracking. That assessment is Maker’s review, not Garmin’s product claim, but it aligns with the company’s published spec list. (garmin.com) ### Where do these watches sit against Garmin’s older beginner models? Tom’s Guide said on May 13 that the new models replace Garmin’s older entry-level pairing, the Forerunner 55 and Forerunner 165. Yahoo’s syndicated version of the same report also described the launch as a refresh of Garmin’s beginner running-watch range. (garmin.com) Android Authority said Garmin is pushing features that previously sat at higher price points further down the lineup. That characterization comes from the publication’s analysis, but Garmin’s own release shows the company bundling AMOLED displays, adaptive coaching and advanced metrics into watches priced below many of its established midrange running models. (dcrainmaker.com) ### When and where can buyers get them? Garmin said the Forerunner 70, Forerunner 170 and Forerunner 170 Music will be available starting May 15 on garmin.com. The company’s launch material lists U.S. suggested retail prices of $249.99, $299.99 and $349.99, respectively. (tomsguide.com) Gadgets 360 reported on May 14 that Garmin had also confirmed an India launch timeline, underscoring that the release is moving beyond the U.S. market. For U.S. buyers, Garmin’s own site is the primary sales channel named in the launch announcement. (gadgets360.com) (garmin.com) (androidauthority.com)