**********************************************
Original review from 24/03/15:
Packaging and Processing - 4 stars ("Like")
The clock comes in a plain "Apple or Samsung like" carton. In the box you will find the clock, the magnetic charger and a quick start guide. More is not there.
The clock and the included strap are located is also plain black plastic. The weight makes hardly noticeable on the wrist. Overall, I forgive for the packaging and processing 4 stars what to Amazon criteria of a "gefälllt me" equivalent rating is given.
Screen - 3 stars ("not bad")
When the screen is a my opinion a simple LCD Bidlschirm. Garmin has the screen designed so that at least one out there can read this easily. The interiors in the dim lighting of the screen is barely readable. Here you have to have recourse to the integrated lighting. The integrated lighting can be activated either by pressing a button or by automatic (when a new notification for example). Overall, it is of course a good idea to equip a sports watch with an outside readable screen, on the other hand you are used to in times of smartphones to Retina, LED, OLED and other high-resolution and bright Bidlschirmen. The advantage of such a screen can be seen, however, directly from the battery runtimes that should apply up to three weeks.
For the screen I forgive three stars, which means "non-poor" means to the Amazon logic. I tend, however, to vote between two and three stars. The long-term use will tell.
Smart functions - 4 stars ("Like")
The clock can be easily connect via Bluetooth with an iPhone. The system displays all alerts of the Notification Center. Thus you see the preview text for emails, text messages and even Facebook memories. As I said, everything you see in the Benachrichtungsleiste. Here it must be mentioned that it is a read-only view. You can not delete or mark messages as read. Let it respond. In addition, upcoming day appointments can view and control the music player. In the music player control I missed the display of the title. One can only pause playback or jump between tracks. When using a smart phone headsets this feature in my opinion, useless.
Furthermore, there is even a preinstalled weather widget for the weather display.
Man can download the Watch faces (watch surfaces) from the App Store Garmin own. There are already a number of surfaces of third-party developers. However, it must be said at this point that because of the pixel density of approximately 160 ppi on the small Bidlschirm No graphics miracle should be expected.
In assessing the smart functions I vacillate between three and four stars, thus forgive first four star.
Sports / Fitness functions - four stars
Since I work predominantly in the gym, I have to look at first how the clock can be adapted to my workout. There are already sports apps for running (UDN indoor outdoor, cycling (also indoor and outdoor), golf, swimming, walking (outside and inside).
A pedometer is also integrated. Like other Garmin products Vivo he shows a beam of inactivity, if you have a long time does not move. Until now went at my house of inactivity bar not go away, even though I (step number has increased) have proven to me moved.
For training outside its own GPS module in the clock is integrated. If you go jogging or do a bike tour, you need take no smartphone. The clock is characterized by using the GPS module on the route. This can be evaluated later either on your smartphone or on the Internet via the Garmin Connect site.
With a smart watch with a graphical screen I would expect that this brings also training computer functions that, for example, from some Polar watches knows (eg the analysis of heart rate in terms of performance and regeneration). Unfortunately, such a function and a dedicated option to record non-endurance sports, not included in the latest software.
Positive note is the ability to connect a chest strap for Herzfreuenzmessung. Here the ANT + standard is supported. Besides chest strap offers access to other ANT + sensors (eg stride sensor, wheel sensor, etc). Connect.
Overall, I forgive for the Fitness / Sport features four stars in order to keep the evaluation as objective as possible.
**************************
Update 1 - screen - new rating 2 stars ("I do not like"):
One must specified in the product description "high-resolution color display" no way compare with the actual high-resolution screens of smartphones or tablets. It is a Digitaluhrdisplay which manages the natural light without lighting. The number of colors is very limited. There are each red, green and yellow with some shades (zBrosa, turquoise, orange) to identify.
The Bidlschirm is during daylight actually very readable, as you would expect from a "normal" digital. The contrast is also sufficient. At night you must, however, turn forced the lighting. By illuminating the contrast is stark. Black sees no longer black, but gray. Particularly disappointing I find that you see a high-contrast color display on the product photos. In reality, for example, color "white" is not white but gray, as you would normally have in a digital clock.
As the clock has the ambition to be a Smart Watch, I would expect a modern LCD / LED or AMOLED screen.
At this point, I adjust the rating from three to two stars.
Update 2 - Smart functions - new rating 3 star ("not bad")
With the increasing use I realized that the smart functions, such as. The display of messages or other Systembenachrichtungen is very convenient and I do not want to miss this. However, I still see a lot of upside potential: There are no example Emoji are displayed.. Moreover, it is not possible to hide the notifications on the clock or delete all. This can be done only on the smartphone. The music control, I have disabled because I can more quickly jump from song to song using the headset. The calendar function also has its weaknesses. You only see the current day - you will look on the other hand, what's coming the next day, you have to pick up the phone from his pocket.
Since the functions run but not as round as expected, I pull off a star from the original vote - thus resulting 3 stars for the smart functions and also as a 3 star overall.
Conclusion (the conclusion has been updated by the second update):
As you can see, Garmin has attempted to perform a balancing act between a sports watch and SmartWatch. Those who can not decide between the different functions, is well advised with the clock. However, if you need a more SmartWatch would be better off with a special SmartWatch, but would it compromise on Baterrielaufzeit accept. For athletes who are outside a lot, a special sports watch would possibly suitable solely for robustness more.
I originally been awarded four stars of the clock. Due to the revealed weaknesses I put down the rating to three stars, which in turn "not bad" means.
