Comparing Forerunner 45 and Blaze
When it comes to fitness trackers and smartwatches, Fitbit Blaze and Garmin Forerunner 45 are among the most popular choices. With their advanced features and functionalities, these two devices have managed to capture a significant portion of the market. In this article, we will provide a detailed comparison of both these products to help you make an informed decision.
Choosing the right fitness tracker or smartwatch is important, as these devices play a key role in tracking physical activities, setting fitness goals, and even serving as an extension of your smartphone. It is essential to invest in a gadget that offers the best functionality and reliability according to your requirements.
Fitbit and Garmin are globally-renowned brands known for their innovative and reliable wearable technology. Both companies have a long history in the industry and have established themselves as market leaders with their extensive range of products.
In the following sections, we will delve into the design, features, user experience, price, and value of the Fitbit Blaze and Garmin Forerunner 45, and compare their pros and cons to help you make an informed choice.
Design and Build
Fitbit Blaze
The Fitbit Blaze features a stainless steel casing with a replaceable elastomer strap. It has a color LCD touchscreen display, and the device itself has dimensions of 1.67 x 1.61 inches (42.6 x 41 mm). The Fitbit Blaze is lightweight, making it comfortable to wear throughout the day.
Garmin Forerunner 45
The Garmin Forerunner 45, on the other hand, comes in a sturdy plastic casing with replaceable silicone bands. It has a 1.04-inch, 208 x 208-pixel color LCD display. The device weighs approximately 36 grams, providing a comfortable fit during workouts and throughout the day.
Comparison of design and build quality
Both the Fitbit Blaze and Garmin Forerunner 45 have a sturdy build and comfortable design. However, the Fitbit Blaze features a stainless steel casing, making it more durable compared to the Garmin Forerunner 45's plastic casing. In terms of display, both devices have a color LCD touchscreen, providing a vibrant user interface for their respective users.
Features and Functionality
Fitbit Blaze
Key features of the Fitbit Blaze include:
- Operating system: Fitbit OS
- Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor, altimeter, and ambient light sensor
- Battery life: Up to 5 days
- Fitness tracking: Step count, calories burned, distance traveled, heart rate, and sleep tracking
- Other features: Call, text, and calendar alerts, music control, guided breathing sessions, and multi-sports tracking.
Garmin Forerunner 45
Key features of the Garmin Forerunner 45 include:
- Operating system: Garmin OS
- Sensors: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, optical heart rate monitor, accelerometer
- Battery life: Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode; up to 13 hours in GPS mode
- Fitness tracking: Step count, calories burned, distance traveled, heart rate, sleep tracking, and swimming tracking
- Other features: Phone notifications, weather updates, audio prompts, customizable watch faces, and activity profiles.
Comparison of features and performance
Both the Fitbit Blaze and Garmin Forerunner 45 offer a wide range of features suitable for various fitness and daily activity tracking. While the Fitbit Blaze has a slight edge in terms of design, the Garmin Forerunner 45 boasts a longer battery life, GPS functionality, and swimming tracking. Overall, your choice will depend on your priorities and preferences when it comes to features and functionality.
User Interface and User Experience
Fitbit Blaze
With its color LCD touchscreen display, the Fitbit Blaze provides an easy-to-navigate user interface, where apps and customization are available through the Fitbit app. The device is compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows phones, making it versatile for many smartphone users.
Garmin Forerunner 45
The Garmin Forerunner 45 also has a color LCD touchscreen display for user interaction, and apps and customization options can be accessed through Garmin Connect. In terms of compatibility, the Forerunner 45 works with Android and iOS smartphones, providing convenience to Android and Apple users.
Comparison of user interface and user experience
In terms of user interface and user experience, both the Fitbit Blaze and Garmin Forerunner 45 provide easy-to-navigate displays, customization options, and compatibility with popular smartphone operating systems. The major difference lies in the software, with the Blaze utilizing the Fitbit app, and the Forerunner 45 using Garmin Connect.
Price and Value
Fitbit Blaze
The Fitbit Blaze is priced at approximately $200, offering a reasonable value for money given its features and build quality.
Garmin Forerunner 45
Similarly, the Garmin Forerunner 45 retails for approximately $199, also offering good value for its price, considering its features, battery life, and GPS functionality.
Comparison of price and value
When comparing the Fitbit Blaze and Garmin Forerunner 45 in terms of price and value, both devices offer reasonable value for the features they provide. As mentioned earlier, the choice will depend on your personal preferences and priorities when it comes to design, battery life, and functionality.
Conclusion
In summary, the Fitbit Blaze and Garmin Forerunner 45 are both well-rounded fitness trackers and smartwatches with distinct strengths and weaknesses. The Fitbit Blaze boasts a sleeker design, while the Garmin Forerunner 45 offers better battery life and GPS capability. It is important to weigh these factors against your personal preferences and requirements when choosing the right device for your fitness and daily activity tracking needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fitbit Blaze waterproof?
The Fitbit Blaze is not waterproof; however, it is sweat and splash-proof, allowing for use in light rain and during sweaty workouts. It is not recommended for swimming or extended water exposure.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 45 waterproof?
The Garmin Forerunner 45 is water-resistant up to 5 ATM, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities. However, it is not recommended for diving or high-speed water sports.
Can I answer calls on the Fitbit Blaze?
The Fitbit Blaze does not have a built-in speaker or microphone, so you cannot answer calls directly from the device. However, you can accept or reject calls via the touch screen, and then use your smartphone to continue the conversation.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 45 have music storage?
No, the Garmin Forerunner 45 does not have music storage capabilities. However, you can control the music on your connected smartphone directly from the Forerunner 45.
Which device has better fitness tracking capabilities, the Fitbit Blaze or Garmin Forerunner 45?
Both the Fitbit Blaze and Garmin Forerunner 45 offer comprehensive fitness tracking features, including step count, heart rate monitoring, calorie tracking, and sleep tracking. The main difference lies in the Garmin Forerunner 45's inclusion of GPS and swimming tracking, making it an appealing choice for outdoor and water-based activities.
