Nowadays Forerunner 630 sport watch, introduced in sutumn, previous year, is the top decision through the running line by Garmin. The watch is the embodiment of all the accomplishments by the brand, and it indulges the user with complement fashionable functions. In a point of fact, Garmin Forerunner 630 has been meant for wearing not only during workouts, but in our everyday life as well, at the same time being always tuned with a valuable and relevant information source.
Forerunner 630 watch looks rather reserved, its design and performance have nothing in excess: a round case, four control keys - two on each side, a color touchscreen. The watch wristlet is attached to the casing with crossbars, thus ensuring a good degree of flexibility, and it’s definitely a big plus to the watch wearing comfort. The wristlet material is rather rigid; it’s not expandable and in the course of wearing it adopts a round form, in the arm shape. On the backside there is a recess with four metal contacts for attachment of the charging device cable pin. The watch is produced in black and blue color schemes; the casing dimensions are 4.5 × 4.5 × 1.17 cm, the weight is 44 grams.
As soon as Forerunner 630 is the most progressive gadget in the runner's line, it is equipped with a maximum number of functions, enabled to improve your achievements in sports. The watch is provided with an integral GPS/GLONASS module, with the functions of activity monitor, with VO2 max parameter computation, with recommendations on recovery, with performance prediction, with running performance progress presentation, with identification of personal records, with the “Live Track” function – workout monitoring in real-time mode, with calls and messages notification system, and also with the option of Virb camera control and control of audio reproduction from smartphones.
The function package of the watch comprises the time for two time zones, date presentation and alarm clock; the device correspondingly supports the Connect IQ option (clock faces, data fields, widgets and applications), which allows device customization in compliance with user preferences.
An extensive set of communications protocols will please the watch owner, including Wi-Fi, ANT+ and Bluetooth, altogether enabling the gadget operability together with a large number of transmitters, smartphones, Virb camera, and also establishing automatic data downloading to Garmin Connect when identifying a user-friendly Wi-Fi network. For event reporting system the watch produces both an audio and vibration signals, and it is very convenient since it allows constant tracking of notifications; as for the vibration function, it has long before become a peculiar standard of advanced devices.
All the content is represented on a color display with the diameter size of 3.11 cm and resolution of 215 × 180 pixels, and that’s much more if compared with the preceding generation models. The screen is chromatic, easy-to-read on the run; the integral lighting is smooth, and, in general, there are no problems with the perception of the rendered information.
The power of Forerunner 630 is supplied via a lithium-ion storage battery that maintains the device operability within four weeks in the watch mode and sixteen hours in the workout mode. These specifications are declared by the manufacturer, and I may state right away that in reality I’ve got the performance with very similar values in the workout mode and in the mode of watch without pairing with smartphone.
Serviceability of the upgraded antenna and GPS/GLONASS module is flawless. In clear weather the item catches signals within insignificant seconds; sometimes when it was gloomy, I had to wait another minute, yet all in all sensitivity is just perfect. As I may judge by my perception, the watch operation with satellites is much resembling to that of Fenix 3: it’s swift, precise and free of failures. This also has an effect on signal reception during training – it is stable, with good transition, and there are no complaints about positioning precision. The consumer may use the gadget not only for outdoor workouts, but also indoors – in gym, when performing a treadmill workout. The embedded gyro sensor will help to define the covered distance and show the speed, though, surely, this data won’t be as precise, as GPS reading; but it considerably simplifies keeping activity records, and that's the birhgt side.
The real magic begins, when Forerunner 630 is used in pair with the heart-rate monitor HRM-Run during running outdoor workouts. The item is enabled to accumulate a fair amount of useful statistics about your running technique and workout in general. This kind of database set, just two-three years ago, was available only to professional sportsmen. Apart from commonplace indications of speed, covered distance and heart rate, through Garmin Connect the user may learn the minute-by-minute pace rate, the pace average length, the vertical vibration altitude, the duration of the feet touch with the ground - even for the left or right one separately. Impressive, isn't it? These parameters are significant for evaluation of the running technique efficiency; and when they are considered altogether through a long-term period, they are capable of describing your overall progress in this very sphere of activity.
This is precisely, why in skillful hands Forerunner 630 will grow into a magnificent tool of self-improvement and a useful device for collecting helpful statistics, whereof one may draw conclusions about training methods, and the effectiveness and periodicity of the chosen exercises. A good many of the data, represented by the watch, are practically unique. And, trust me, today not each device is capable of demonstrating the duration of your standing on ground before you start off with one or the other foot. An entirely different matter here is, if such solutions are going to be of any value for you!
For the maximum conveniency of the analysis procedure, all the information in Garmin Connect is rendered in the form of diagrams with representation of speed, heart rate, and pace rate at any selected bit of the workout.
Another peculiarity of Forerunner 630 that is of no little importance is its capability to define the VO2 max parameter – the index of oxygen maximum consumption. It is exactly VO2 max that demonstrates the overall effectiveness of the training process and the ability of your body to "digest" the training intensity. When this parameter is increased, it is the evidence of fruitful training performance, when this parameter is decreased, it’s a signal of the reverse process. Together with the VO2 max characteristic, the watch also calculates advisable duration of recovery periods between exercises, and this function prevents the risk of over-exercising.
There is much vivid argument among the users on the point of how accurately the device determines VO2 max parameter. But as the manufacturing company themselves and third parties declare, the VO2 max computation algorithm, implemented by Garmin, is sufficiently precise and had been work out specifically for medical purposes. Additional assistance in Forerunner 630 the training and restoration process assessment will be rendered by an integral tracking system, which is totally standard for Garmin production. It shows the number of steps performed throughout the day, the amount of burnt calories, it won’t let you stay motionless for too long by outputting an alarm that it’s time to have a walk, and it will make you aware of your sleep efficiency. All the data about your day-time activity and sleep may be checked in Garmin Connect, in "Health and Fitness" division.
Although the primary designation of Garmin Forerunner 630 is running workouts, apart from running, treadmill running and walking, the training menu includes cycling and skiing racing. In the training mode there are several screens available to the user for information representation. It’s possible to set both the amount of the displayed parameters and automatic screen shifting, which is also considerably convenient. The watch is also provided with the options of automatic pause, virtual partner, automatic lap feature, notifications on speed/time, and interval training mode. I had a chance to test Garmin Forerunner 630 operation during ski workouts as well. From my experience I may say that less expensive and less complicated devices have issues with storage batteries when employed at low temperatures, but with Forerunner 630 you forget about those issues. The watch is well-resistant to the temperatures below zero; battery secondary discharge from cold is almost insignificant: a four-hour ski workout at minus seventeen degrees discharged the accumulator from 100% up to 62%, and in cold weather such performance is just awesome.
Forerunner 630 menu browsing in the course of training is realized with the help of buttons and touchscreen. The menu structure is intuitive, rather typical for Garmin devices. And though there's a whole bunch of sections, a user may quickly get accustomed to controls. As for the prior model owners, for them the change-over will be almost negligible.
In complete disregard of Garmin’s experience in touchscreen watch production, this is the very issue that kept me half-hearted throughout the whole time the device was in use by me. When I washed up, water drops got on the display and autonomously switched the screens, at the same time the display often refused to respond to my touches, thus leaving me completely at a loss. That strange feeling, when it is activated with water drops and not with my finger, overwhelmed me. While the watch was at my disposal, the manufacturer has succeeded to update the firmware as many as three times minimum, but the problem of false responses still remained. This is exactly why I had to use the device lock function all the time. For me personally this was very stressful, and I’m aware that, to this or that extent, other users also faced similar problems. I can’t say that I came across touchscreen failures in other Garmin’s watches – for instance, the very Vivosmart operability was claimless. Apparently this issue is peculiar for the given device.
And a couple of words should be devoted to the new pectoral transmitter – HRM-Run. This sensor is supplied together with Forerunner 630. The upgraded monitor for running workouts has been introduced rather recently with the new monitor for swimming and triathlon. HRM-Run differs from the previous generation device with smaller dimensions and solid construction; the contacts are trimmed with rubber edging that provides better adherence to the body during workouts. To sum it up, the upgraded HRM-Run transmitter got more ergonomic and convenient to use, and even me, I could duly appreciate it, though I not much of a fan of running with chest straps.
So, what we get in the long run, is an attractive device with an advanced set of both smart and sport functions, with stable operability (except for the controversial issue of sensor control), with the option of dual applicability during workouts and in day-to-day life. But, no matter how be Garmin Forerunner 630 so ever mind blasting, it will be a good choice for far from everyone. To a large extent this device is targeted at advanced amateurs and professionals, who realize the meaning of the data, represented after workouts, and how to utilize this data afterwards. For those users who want to know just the distance covered within the workout, and, possibly, the heart rate indications, the purchase of this watch will be a mere loss of money since they will not effectively make use of all the device possibilities.
But if the price is not the problem and you know for sure that you are encountering a 2,5-hour marathon down the line, them Garmin Forerunner 630 will definitely become your true partner on the way to your self-improvement and new records!
