Garmin Forerunner 245

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is set for release at the end of May 2019. It’s the much anticipated update to the Garmin Forernner 235.

Although the FR235 is still a great watch, it’s literally at the end of its life cycle. So… if you’re thinking about getting a GPS running watch, it might be best to wait for the Forerunner 245.

It’s a very well-rounded running watch, with music storage and a palatable price tag.

Garmin Forerunner 245 Release Date

The FR245 is now available for pre-order. You can view it on Amazon here. It is likely to be shipped at the end of May 2019.

Does Forerunner 245 Have Music?

Oh yes.

Garmin will be releasing two different versions of the watch.

Standard Version – Garmin Forerunner 245
Music Version – Garmin Forerunner 245M

So it’s safe to say that there is definitely a music version. You just need to be aware that the music version has the letter ‘M’ at the end of the product title.

Garmin Forerunner 245 Price

The standard (ie non music) version is $299.99
The music version is $349.99

Garmin Forerunner 245 Colours

The Garmin Forerunner 245M (Music Version) is available in the following colors:

White
Black
Aqua (Blue/Turquoise)

Does the Forerunner 245 have a barometric altimeter?

It does not. The FR245 would be too close to the FR645 if Garmin were to include an altimeter.

This isn’t a huge deal for road runners, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re a trail runner. An altimeter is a massive asset for trail runners, because it gives you better incline and decline data when you’re out on the trail.

So, if this is a must have for you, the Forerunner 645 might be the better option.

What about changeable wrist straps?

More good news. The Forerunner 245 has changeable wrist straps. This is one of the main differences between the Forerunner 45 and the Forerunner 245. Music playback is the other major difference between the two. The third major difference is advanced running dynamics, which is limited to the Forerunner 245.

Will you be able to pay for things with the FR245?

Highly unlikely. Again, this would remove the need to upgrade to the FR645, which is Garmin’s premium running watch.

So no, you won’t be able to pay for stuff with the Forerunner 245.

What about open water swimming?

The FR245 is a dedicated running watch, so we can safely conclude that you won’t be able to track open water swimming. This feature is also missing from the 645, so there are no surprises here.

Can you use it for Triathlons?

Nope. The Forerunner 245 can handle a marathon and cycle race with ease, but it isn’t designed for triathlons.

Because it doesn’t have the ability to track open water swimming, there will always be a missing leg when tracking your activities in races.

It also won’t have a triathlon mode, where you can seemlessly switch between swimming, cycling and running.

Ok, so what features does the FR245 Have?

I’m’ glad you asked. The simple tables below list all the (expected) core features. Then I’ve also added a table with all the features that the watch won’t have. This should make it easy to suss out if this is the right watch for you.

GPS Tracking
GLONASS Tracking
24/7 Activity Tracking
Wrist-based HRM
Cycling Tracking
Pool Swimming
Outdoor Running
Indoor Running
Multiple Cardio Modes
Music Storage
GPS Battery Life 24 Hours
Standard Battery Life - 7 Days
Changeable Watch Straps
Advanced Running Metrics (with suitable accessories)

What Features Won't the Forerunner 245 Have?

I’m just making highly educated guesses at this point. I would say that the FR245 is unlikely to have any of the following features.

Open Water Swimming
Triathlon Mode
Contactless Payments
Galileo Tracking

Is there anything else you should know?

We’ve covered all the most important features of the Forerunner 245. These are 6 most important things to keep in mind.

It looks similar to the Forerunner 45 but it’s a much better watch
The biggest upgrade on the 235 is the inclusion of music storage
It is designed primarily for runners, but cyclists can also use it happily
It isn’t suitable for triathletes
The non music version is $299.90
The music version is $349.99

At this point, you might be wondering if you should go for the Forerunner 245 or the Forerunner 645.

Fortunately, I’ve created a comparison post to help you decide. You can view the Forerunner 245 vs Forerunner 645 product comparison here.

Garmin Forerunner 245 – Everything You Need To Know!