​Garmin launches Forerunner 45 Plus: its budget watch just got even better

Garmin has quietly announced an upgrade to its Forerunner 45 GPS running watch, with a couple of interesting feature additions.

The Forerunner 45 is the company’s entry level running watch, offering basic GPS tracking in a really, slim and lightweight package.

We’ve been big fans ever since our initial review, thanks to the Forerunner 45’s design, while still offering decent insights on VO2 Max and improvement.

And that’s where the company has looked to improve the Forerunner 45 Plus.

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The only differences over the Forerunner 45 seems to be the addition of some specialist metrics including Race Predictor and Recovery Time Advisor. Both of these metrics are based on heart rate data and are derived from Firstbeat’s heart rate variability algorithms.

Those paying attention will know that Garmin recently bought Firstbeat, so this could be the start of those metrics filtering onto entry level devices.

Elsewhere, the Forerunner 45 has the same slim 42mm case, heart rate monitor, pace, distance and time metrics, 7 day battery life with smart notifications and 13 hours of continuous GPS tracking.

Garmin launches budget Forerunner 45 Plus

What’s not certain is whether the Forerunner 45 Plus will replace or augment the existing Forerunner 45.

It’s been listed at UK retailers for £139.99 (around $150), which is about the same as the existing Forerunner 45. It’s a fantastic price, and means we could see the ordinary Forerunner 45 drop to the £100 mark for the Holidays, which would make it a smash hit we’re sure.

We’ve only seen the device via the Garmin EMEA YouTube account so far, so there’s no word on whether it will make it to the US.

While there’s an official page in Europe, the US site only links to a joint manual for the Forerunner 45/45 Plus, so we’re assuming that it will. We’re pushing for more information, so watch this space.

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