Garmin Announces new ClimbPro features in FR945/FR745
The Forerunner 945 /745 already has ClimbPro, as of today the latest beta Firmware version gives an update to that. This update includes ClimbPro info for descents. (Read on, it gets more interesting!)
Source & Download: Garmin.com
Garmin has recently been adding new features to non-traditional sports profiles. So last year we saw virtual running for indoor running, we recently saw PM5 support for indoor rowers and we saw XC skiing power as well. This is clearly a strategic tweak to the direction that Garmin is moving toward for supporting less mainstream sports. I’m still hoping for native running power calculated from the wrist but there have been no updates to last year’s tentative leaks yet.
I’ve not had a chance to test out today’s beta firmware yet and my understanding is that it is primarily for TRAIL/ULTRA running, although might apply to other sports as well.
It does not seem a massive jump of faith to assume that this new ClimbPro descent feature might find it’s way onto the 2x new Garmin Enduro-branded watches that seem to be scheduled for imminent release, I might speculate that such a high-end, Titanium-case, Solar running watch in the shape of a Forerunner/Fenix might also contain other, new sports specific features. Just a thought. ‘Titanium being lightweight’ might also be another thought upon which to dwell.
These are the new featurettes:
- Added alerts for ClimbPro to notify of upcoming climbs
- Added descents to ClimbPro when enabled for non-cycling activities.
- See comments below: this beta also silently include PM5 support for rowing.
Want something more entertaining to read? Try this: – Which is worse – Garmin vs Wahoo vs Karoo
Full Release Notes
Changes made from version 5.50 to 6.04:
- Improve the software update process for external accessories. The installation prompts will now appear after activity to avoid interrupting activity start.
- Improvements to heart rate broadcast.
- Add more smartphone app logos for smart notifications.
- Block music controls and disconnect headphones in aeroplane mode.
- Fix a rare issue that could cause heart rate data to appear flat in Garmin Connect.
- Fix an issue that could prevent LiveTrack from starting when Auto Start is enabled.
- Fix a graphical issue with workout alerts when the background color is set to black.
- Fix an issue sometimes causing distance remaining to not display the hundredths digit.
- Added alerts for ClimbPro to notify of upcoming climbs
- Added descents to ClimbPro when enabled for non-cycling activities.
- Other minor improvements and bug fixes.
Forerunner 745 – firmware link
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