The Forerunner 15 Garmin now offers for the first time to a GPS heart rate monitor as an entry model. Its predecessor Forerunner 10 missing namely the possibility for heart rate measurement, which should have been a knock-out criterion for many prospective customers. The FR 15 is now a "complete" sports watch with all important functions. The configurability adheres although within limits, to function and usability, there are nothing to complain about. In everyday life, the model can be worn as a digital clock and Activity Tracker.
The women's model (size 'S') is completely identical to the men's model (size 'L'), except for the slightly smaller dimensions. (Incidentally, the red-black men's version also available for women who like big watches, quite highly recommended - it acts on the wrist at least much friendlier and more playful than the black.)
The FR 15 comes in a black box with window, in which one would have a USB connection cable, the chest strap and a stack will quickstart guides in several languages. A USB power adapter is not included - to load using the USB port of a PC / laptop or as the power supply of a smartphone.
The waterproof case is made of plastic, the bracelet from supple rubber. The finish is clean. The four buttons on the front are easy to use and respond well. The FR 15 is quite easy and is comfortable. The bracelet has a normal width for women's watches with almost 16 mm. One good thing is the snap into the openings of the bracelet wrist strap for strap-end that does not slip. The bracelet fits up to a wrist circumference of about 20 cm.
The display is monochrome and dissolves rather crude by today's standards on. In my view, it is for the intended use in a sports watch but absolutely sufficient. The einzuschaltende at your fingertips holohedral backlight is very useful in the dark.
The USB cable terminates in a slightly curved plastic piece that snaps with lateral supports in depressions on the housing of FR 15 and produces reliable electrical connection with gold plated contacts. The whole thing is not as elegantly solved as the magnetic connector of FR 610, but much less fiddly than the clothespin principle in FR 210th
The included standard chest strap is sturdy and well made. The same version was included already in my FR 305. She has frequently proven in more than five years of use as a reliable and very durable. The chest strap transmits the system Garmin's ANT + and is recognized immediately in the FR 15. Those who prefer something softer, can pick up the model without chest strap and order the "Premium" -Brustgurt separately. Chest straps with the new Bluetooth 4 can not be used on FR 15.
Exceptionally spacious, the GPS fix. Even in closed rooms - as long as a window is near - is the FR 15 its position usually within a few seconds. For regular use during training which is a big advantage. My FR 610 and FR 305 fortiori the old are here considerably slower - these devices I have always placed on a windowsill for a few minutes before starting up again ...
By default, the Forerunner 15 evaluates each kilometer run as "round", signaled by a short beep and the completion displays the meantime. I think that's quite handy, although in contrast to FR 610, the acoustic signal is not accompanied by a vibration.
Limited are the configuration options for the display. Only two pieces of information are displayed per screen. For two of the four sides you can choose different combinations of time, pace, distance and calories burned. The other display pages specify time / date and pulse frequency / pulse range. A pity, I find that you can not let the distance or time combined with the pulse rate display. Also there is no possibility, quality or accuracy of the GPS position determination out. Here Garmin has the FR 15 clearly delineated specifically to the more expensive models. However, the drawbacks are manageable.
Be installed on the PC is Garmin's new software "Garmin Express" that takes care of the data upload to the online service "Garmin Connect" and supplies the Forerunner with firmware updates. "Garmin Express" is clear and quite compact. It runs on my system without any problems (Windows 7, 64 bit). The online service "Garmin Connect" has recently been revised sharply and leaves little to be desired with respect. Evaluation and graphical display of training data openly. You can see the records from "Garmin Connect" as files (format TCX) to transfer them to other software (such as Sport Tracks). Export you have to do individually but per activity (running session). "Garmin Connect" is much further developed than about TomTom's counterpart "MySports". (For this offers the PC software from TomTom a way to export data directly to the PC in various other formats.)
Conclusion
Overall, the Forerunner 15 is a handy and easy to use instrument that covers all the important basic functions. It offers only limited viewing uses during exercise. Garmin's online service "Garmin Connect" makes a mature impression and allows comprehensive evaluations of the training data.
Significant criticisms I can not discover - except for a few verkraftbare limitations compared to more expensive models. Overall I give a recommendation and a perfect score *****.
