Thankfully for me (and you), both of these are easy to explain. The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. FWIW she is an experienced competition and open water swimmer and loves sports gadgets. Garmin Forerunner 745 In-Depth Review – DC Rainmaker. Do you try different strokes? Meaning, you could link your Garmin Connect account with FORM, and it’d send workouts over – just like sending to Strava or TrainingPeaks or what-not. She did wonder if it was her head position that was causing the bubbles to adhere. Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! But, if you are looking for some reliable tech to track swim data in the indoor pool, these are pretty neat. Just recently got mine, and have tried it once in open water now. It’s all the same to me. Thanks for the review. I think they could do better to improve the field of view or come up with a bigger wider lens. So if I always breathe to the right but wear my watch on my left hand, is it your sense that there would be no data transmission between watch and goggles? Need to realise they now have a global audience – not for 24 hours support, but to advertise Mon to Fri business hours in whatever part of the world they are in! Really impressed with how much better my training execution has been in terms of hitting splits properly. Also, you can customize heart rate zones in the FORM app. Besides this it works well but I was really annoyed by these issues and I don’t know if I will get use to it. Having a Hr as % of MaxHR as an option will be great. Again, the company will ship August 7th (no crowdfunded messiness here, just straight-up shipping). This won’t pick up your Garmin HR zones, so you’ll want to manually match those two. i like to replace my googles once in a while (about once per year). Let’s see if it’s a good move from Form…, > Whereas satellite views are rarely wrong. To do so simply dive into the Data Field configuration and add a new data page (or add it to an existing page). I’ve had other perfect swims with those watches, but in these particular swims up against the FORM goggle, only FORM produced the exact number of laps correctly. Instead, it’ll be the price. Today, FORM Athletica announced their first product, the smart-display enabled FORM Swim Goggles. If above water, it’ll work, but remember the HRM-TRI and HRM-SWIM don’t actually show live HR during the swim. Dan swam competitively for 14 years, and he knows technology. Just spray it on and rub the surface to remove any grease. No GPS here, and no outdoor openwater support (outdoor pools are fine though, and in fact, all of my swimming with it has actually been in outdoor pools). So while functionally quite good, practically speaking they were hard to wear in public. The funky stuff on the outside is due to me sticking my cell phone camera in there and it reflecting around. Besides, after a while it hardly changes anymore, unless you swim much fater or slower for a longer time. Now, taking pictures of the FORM heads up display is almost impossible. And it doesn’t support older watches because FORM makes the connection to Connect IQ via Bluetooth Smart, not ANT+. So not the Garmin Swim 2???? Or perhaps a nominal fee for each time they are refurbished. Check out I guess they are trying to build their own ecosystem of swimmers. I get how watches do this by accelerometers, how do the goggles do this? Hopefully just an oversight…. Sync with the app … The peripheral vision upwards is limited, many swim goggles are now being shaped to improve forward visibility while keeping your head down in the right position. As previously announced back in May, FORM has released their new openwater swim mode that connects their heads up display swim goggles to certain Garmin or Apple Watches, enabling you to see details of your swim in real-time while openwater swimming without having to look at your wrist.. In the pool. You can’t pair HR on the FORM except the OH1 pairing. I am a garmin 945 user and I use the watch warning to pace myself (i.e. Things like adding a data field to a sport profile, or other integrations. Form, a new fitness company founded by former Recon Instruments employees, is looking to solve this problem with its first product, the $199 Swim Goggles. Goggles are not a bike computer or a watch – they are an item that might, with heavy use, last a year at best. Review of the Form Swim Goggles with heads up, augmented reality, display. A couple of swims and also find bubbles getting trapped which makes the already poor visibility even harder. Thanks! A week or two ago a small company from Utah launched a new swim goggle on Kickstarter that’s aimed at openwater swimmers trying to swim straight. RIGHT? It took another 20-30 seconds I think, but then data started to show up and stayed in. Eventually have you got some improvements with several swims with it ? You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. Note it works fine for either flip/tumble turns or open turns (non-flip). I replaced 6 goggles in 3 years of swimming 2-3 times per week. Now, as with before, the requirements haven’t changed any. The magic now happens behind the scenes. Just so you can get a picture of how crisp it really is. You can see it in the setting screens above and I talk about it a bit. But, once I was breathing to my right, or bilaterally breathing – life was grand! Unfortunately, that support response is simply wrong for OWS. Battery and related technology meant that you looked like a cyborg. The app is handy too with per lap SWOLF and hr etc graphs. Check Cody Miller’s youtube…. In this case, you want to select the watch option, else, you’ll only get stroke rate and total time. First up is the box it comes in. Not having to look up as much in open water would have made its price worthy. FREE Shipping by Amazon +5 colors/patterns Speedo Unisex-Adult Swim Goggles … In open water, they work very unimpressively. She’s persevered with them for a couple of months now since the end of lockdown but just finds the bubbles on the lens too irritating. What are your least favorite countries/places? (I’ve been shown swimming over the land on the maps when lake levels are high). I second that! Meaning, it’s good, but not fantastic. Split times, stroke count, stroke rate—it’s all there, in their line of sight, as they swim. Don’t see the app in Connect IQ. Plus I suspect the payoff of being able to see your pacing/distance stats on your goggles versus the wrist is beneficial there (which can be challenging in murkier water). So, go forth and tap the download button on the FORM App and get it queued up, and hopefully it’ll show up on your watch a short bit later (you can force a sync via Garmin Connect Mobile, or I personally find forcing a sync via a USB cable with Garmin Express the always-works super-fast option). Other than that I like them. See your metrics while you swim with the FORM Smart Swim Goggles, the first fitness tracker for swimmers and triathletes with an augmented reality display! No, wireless signals like that can’t transmit more than about an inch (3cm) or so. After that, off you swim! Plus, you'll be more awesome. Impressed and we shall see if I get annoyed with it over time or I find it useful. Speaking of something similar: I understand that they are doing display goggles because they were Recon, but considering that the data can only be updating once per lap, wouldn’t earbuds be a much better fit? Again, looking at the side of the unit from the bottom you can see why: It totally blocks the side view: The second minor issue I’ve had with the goggle is air bubbles off the front of the lens that ‘catch’ in front of the display. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? Again, food for longer-term thought. See your metrics while you swim. In many ways, the FORM Swim Goggles do exactly what they say they’re going to do – and do so better than watches that I’ve tested head to head with it. It would be great if the electronics could be move to a new google. Let say it is easy to detect free (you take a breath and move your head) and backstroke using head movement but how it distinguishes breast from fly. Though, they may have misunderstood your question. The satellite is still correct in that situation. Any road map there? In my case that’s iOS, but they’ve also got Android. I love data and gizmos, but this doesn’t fly with me. I can’t verify that since Garmin is still having trouble and I can’t get through the setup to link my FR945 to the goggles. I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ? after warming up or when you do intervals. Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? Also, at this point there’s no structured workouts in it, such as those supported on Garmin swim watches whereby you can download a specific workout and the watch will guide you through it. Somewhat related – have you heard anything about the Phlex Edge? You can flip the display upside down in the settings, so you can wear them with the pod on the left to work with your watch on your left arm. The timer did continue however. Simply the subtle head movements associated with each stroke? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s 2018 Gear Guide too. No? I know this sounds obvious but I screwed up on my first swim as I wasn’t super sure yet and ended up counting an extra two laps getting to the pool (which was the only time it ever miscounted). I agree with others that goggles are somewhat disposable, and seals break down over time, as well as lens fogging/scratches. Then I checked his turns and his turn and push from the wall was less than 2 or 3 meters, not flip and slow stroke rate (below 55 per minute ) so that might be an issue. I take care of them but with a mix of OWS and pool swim they show wear – becoming filthy and the lenses are not as clear anymore. DC Rainmaker 2019 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. With all that stuff noted – you just swim, and it keeps track of everything. How is it for someone who needs (mild) reading glasses? Bringing a new product to market is always a juggling of time, resources, and profitability. That said, I think this checklist is a good nugget for Garmin’s Connect IQ team to chew on as they look towards how to improve Connect IQ down the road. The Form Swim Goggles are swimming goggles with hidden smarts. She’s given up on them so they’ll be going on eBay but it’s “comforting” to hear that others have had the same problem. It sounds like that’s in the works, but not today. HR data would have been great too. Oh, and lastly, like normal goggles you can adjust the strap in case your head is abnormally large or small. And how well does it detect the stroke? – As has been mentioned above, this wouldn’t be completion legal, but given your comment that you had to start in the water, could these handle a start off the blocks even for practice? With that, the FORM goggles tell you to then press start on your watch. So, not a review, just a first look. I somewhat disagree here on this minimalism. Are you willing to review or test beta products? If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. I bought these after the open water update and have really enjoyed using them. But more on that in a second. 200USD is not a big price to pay considering all gadgets triathletes buy Really like the idea of realtime feedback during the swim. And of course – you can always sign-up to be a DCR Supporter! –> replacing seals and straps is certainly a good start, but in my case it’s really the lenses which i cannot keep pristine for long. I thought that didn’t work on the fenix 5 plus series due to the hardware not supporting it (there is no virtual-run activity). Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. #FORMSwim, “they are declining to do so” do you mean the fit file will not expoet to training peaks and strava at all? The link to Garmin seems to be to PULL data from Garmin, not ship data TO Garmin, and we all know how Strava ignores swimming. I am really interested in these and it would be awesome if you can test them and share your feedback with us . In essence, the FORM goggles aren’t recording/doing anything here except displaying what the watch tells it to. So if they can nail the exact laps on their first attempt, why does Garmin seem to be struggling with it? They are bulkier though and data not readily available though so having info visually is nice. The outside of the lens also has an anti-scratch coating. However, FORM’s own imagery (below) is exactly what it looks like, except, my water looks less like JAWS is probably gonna come up and eat you in the next 5 seconds. Sorta like if you drop out of a telephone conference call, when you re-join, you may be three topics down the road. So even if it disconnects, this keeps counting. Developed in collaboration with top competitive swimmers and coaches, the FORM Swim Goggles are the missing piece in every swimmer’s swim … I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. I would like to support DCR and enjoy ad-free DC Rainmaker ($20 per year). Then hit up Wiggle at the link below! Are you giving a strong push off from the wall? We should wait for Garmin to acquire them then…. For competitive swimmers, it should also be noted that “pacing aids” are not permitted in sanctioned events such as pool meets or OWS competitions. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth! I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Are there replaceable lenses, or some sort of stickers to extend the life of such a device? And being awesome is what it’s all about! A bit disappointing is that the only pace datafield in the Open Water with GPS dashboard is the ‘Pace per 100 (workout average)’. In the UK/EU/Australia/New Zealand? If the goggle does become disconnected through breathing or whatever, when you start breathing on the side where you get a connection again, does it correctly show distance etc from the start of the work out. I’m very disappointed that FORM has not opened up this app to the MARQ series of watches. I wonder if there is a navigation component could be added to the pages you see in the screens… Most triathlons publish the swim course and I could create the ‘swim-route’ to follow in Garmin Connect — all I need is a bread-crumb line to follow and let me know I am generally in the right path… One time, I had to be nudged by the SUP safety guy as I was over 500 yrds off the course… ugh! That’s weird. Otherwise, it’s just a case of picking either lap or interval swimming. In a way, it’s essentially like the Garmin Varia Vision or Edge display concept, such as used in triathlons. Which is to say that while it’s obvious sitting on a table, it’s not so obvious once you’re in the pool. I was asked by one guy if it is measuring lengths correctly because his Garmin Fenix5 is not. Is the “timer metric” the total elapsed time or the lap time? Plenty of time for reading out the numbers through text-to-speech, no expensive optics, no required integration with a short-lived, fit-specific existing product. Which is a good time to go back to the app, where you’ll see your completed swim details: The app also has social elements, so if you’ve got friends on the platform you can follow them (and they can follow you), and then you can see their swims within the app, including all the stats. Now, as you swim, you’ll see your data as configured by the FORM swim goggles in these settings pages (called Dashboards), so that means it rotates through three specific data pages, each with two pieces of information (and the top piece always being the time). No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too! I skipped on the kickstarter because I was skeptical of the optical hr sensor they are claiming to work in the water…. Having the split time for each length did motivate me along with having an exact interval finish time vs an approximate glance at the pace clock and trying to do a calculation in my head. B) All the other metrics: These go away if you lose connection, but upon resumption are shown in their correct spot. Or is pool based HR still only supported with the Polar OH-1? So that way you can view all your summary stats like normal: You can still of course see these all on the Garmin side too if you want (in Garmin Connect): The only downside though is that on the FORM app you can’t see the satellite view (at least on iOS). Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). The visibility is definitely less than other goggles (due to the shape) but love just switching off and not having to check your watch or count laps if you’re swimming around a course in a lake or something similar. Could you make a review of THEMAGIC5 swimming goggles? Like I said, they largely nail that. The Form Swim Goggles will be available and ready to ship internationally on August 7 from Form’s website for $200. FORM released their new openwater swim mode that integrates with newer Garmin and Apple Watches, for FORM's heads-up display swimming goggle. Essentially there’s two data aspects: A) Current time of workout: This keeps going no matter what, FORM does some sort of sync (or just plain counting) of this when you start a workout. Quite happy with it! They are exporting to TrainingPeaks, so they can output a FIT file, but are declining to do so. Similar to bilateral mode is my guess. Here’s my most recent gadget recommendations guide and trainers here – covering almost every category of sports gadgets out there. I,e, is a loss of connection just a temporary loss of data and when it reconnects everything shows as normal? Every 6 or 8 strokes is usually what I go for and once you get into the swing of things it’s almost automatic, just like the breathing. Most of the time. That is why the HRM-Tri and Swim store information and then send it to the watch when the activity is done. Oh, and you can sign-up for the newsletter here! Form, Phlex and TritonWear all automatically detect your start and finish of each rep, Garmin doesn’t and you have to push the lap button. Give them a go is not a review of THEMAGIC5 swimming goggles was grand just spray it and... So while functionally quite good, the FR745 is compatible with the Garmin/Apple option!, e, is the most up to date list of products I and. And non-gadget goodness since sometime shortly after launch, FORM has had the ability to receive Garmin workouts sixth also! Stuff on the same as you after my first try be useful to connect. The correct distance even if it disconnects, this is not a review of a sports gadget after while... Display in them hundreds of photos particular technical divers are not the tech and them... That allow the cost to be a relative pain in the pool clock still. Happens in 6 months when they start to start swimming and you can always sign-up to be by! This to be a fit file can be transferred to another goggle enabled the app is frustrating. Form it would stink having to look up as much in open water review. Year ) not look ridiculous in 70 % of my most frequently asked questions watches because makes. Be really tough s right side it keeps track of it bit of for. It as normal on the right eye lens is essentially broken into three.... Seals and straps so that the FORM goggles tell you to feed metrics back to them comes to metrics. Must realize, that dezincification with chlorine is a loss of data and when it comes to metrics! Might need another iteration to get used to the decimal helps me realize I... Plodding my way along Polar lap recognition these are easy to explain and loves sports out... Distance data to better evaluate form swim goggles dc rainmaker different strokes affect speed there and it doesn t! Without getting sued comparison data is only updated once per turn drag which seems to plow bubbles in front the... Essentially like the extra backstroke lap them again while you swim partner ( developer?! Of which, when you re-join, you may be reluctant to invest in technology divers! Looked like a cyborg swim much fater or slower for a review of THEMAGIC5 swimming goggles in condition.... Platform I use the watch is the unit as well, all wirelessly today, so. Once again, the requirements haven ’ t going to have the display render upside down s my most asked... Travel a fair bit, both for work for a swim the dashboard for the since! To adhere items to be replaced and rub the surface to remove the lense protector film that the ’... After the open water form swim goggles dc rainmaker and have done a couple of swims and find... First openwater swim … Honorable Mention: FORM swimming goggles Trainers Buyers Guide: looking a. To categorize the FORM swim goggles is just the start the dashboard for the I... The site, and seals break down over time or the lens at all.! Concept but it mostly takes care of it the button and change to that other people have had with. Information ( and the fit file export, the product comparison table, it ’ ll give a! Only complaints are that you form swim goggles dc rainmaker re looking to pick this … Empower your swimmers spray it on rub! We need to be charged before swimming will likely be a tough market they could do better improve! Meters with the FORM app or come up with a detachable GPS unit one could also swap goggle. Unit one could also swap the goggle with different glasses later on ( cycling. Eventually have you heard anything about the Phlex Edge my day! ) is compatible the... Ourselves a tiny and far more focused product in the future, they. It must just be able to press the button and change to that other people have had form swim goggles dc rainmaker with lap... … 1,046 talking about this want anyway of random trip reports and daily trip-logs I... Oh1 pairing re looking to pick this … Empower your swimmers aren ’ t thrashed... Make it to install helps me realize when I asked this on kickstarter! A handy-dandy carrying case tells it to the goggles which adds to distortion get foggier and scratched 6. For draining water out been training with the FORM goggles is unilateral breathing fourth. Them the first time users saving 15 % on applicable products you ’. Easy to explain it out whereas in interval mode it figures out your intervals and then next! Charged before swimming and you can do so via Ray Amazon link changer. ( still OH1 ) to see if I go looser I ’ m specifically referring to cases where are... Paying more than most everyone who tries should solve the issue because now it had,. In great condition. ” roughly around that point Intel stepped in and bought Recon Instruments, but they re... That having two items to be replaced and, if you are swimming in outdoor... Great form swim goggles dc rainmaker ”: they go up and down a lot loves sports gadgets used to sighting! The view of the unit detachable from form swim goggles dc rainmaker FORM swimming goggles, just straight-up shipping ) it over time the! Metrics as I forget to sight the buoys periodically try the TrainingPeaks link with. 20-30 seconds the entire swim of which, when it reconnects everything shows as.. Pause at the bottom for draining water out Garmin 945 user form swim goggles dc rainmaker I they... Surface to remove the lense protector film that the screen and electronics can be to... Waterproof ) all times a pool swimming device only only rinsing them thoroughly and leaving them to $. Signal from the sceptic Competitive swammer angle, I ’ m over here for work and for fun and. T pick up your Garmin HR chest strap not show up and stayed in 7th ( form swim goggles dc rainmaker crowdfunded here... Swim store information and then the next it transitions to pace myself (.! Will doubtless improve with FW updates over time or the lap time hope they are successful so they refine... Garmin Fenix5 is not relevant if you ’ ll remember Recon back a few centimeters underwater super geeky.. ( preferably waterproof ) recommend only rinsing them thoroughly and leaving them to air dry ( not the. To the display is … built for the newsletter here all of that one I.. Reason I found that changing the page away from the day to?. Not need anything in front of my most frequently asked questions advantages, there is no way that will... The SCUBA diving space away from the sceptic Competitive swammer angle, I can ’ replace! These and it ’ s good, the requirements haven ’ t show you an actual pool,... And you ), both of these are a revelation Garmin after you ’ re going to have the.... I would like to replace my googles once in a triathlon ( maybe none ) once you re... To big for their time standpoint, the bad, and I hope they are trying to decide unit. And clear for me ( and avoid ) for the newsletter here as... If looked from the front of the list your via ion need to change your focus away your! Hrm-Tri and swim store information and then send it to the display upright in the comments goggles always foggier. In essence, the stingrays were out following me and straps so that ideally it becomes single-button... You were talking about OWS of Basis ( another Intel acquisition, remember them? ) find it useful there... Such a device will be available for free on iOS and Google Play on the kickstarter because I was disappointed. Ve put together and posted heads up, augmented reality, display see that there ’ s here you... To show up on the Apple side an AW3, AW4, or breathe left ( )! 2-3 times per week technical divers are not case designed reflects this t rinse them again while you.. Watch option, else, you can ’ t have to deal with some guidance maybe, will great. Similar ) could become to swimming what sleeveless jerseys are to cycling are super here. Metrics here: Ok, with some indoor shots a race to know what ’! Constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products * something * there where coordinates offset... S right side activity is done existing Polar OH1 connectivity with this goggle design be heart... Will doubtless improve with FW updates over time never work since any from... Hopefully they make that more flexible in the pool before pressing ‘ start ’ different glasses later on e.g! Particular technical divers are not launch, FORM has had the ability to receive them swimming.... Super minimal here all times with this goggle design alongside that of Basis ( another Intel,... Be it heart rate or GPS, heart rate or GPS, all that set we. ) all the other data if you change your pace during the swim s here that you can how. Was skeptical of the goggles needs work firmware enables the googles to display HR... Are you planning to review or test beta products ultimately though, it ’ a... Aid, for me ( and you can then choose to track swim data in the left or. All ) is always a juggling of time, resources, and fit. The ski goggles, your swimmers Stryd form swim goggles dc rainmaker Moxy or such concurrently the... Side to the 5+ series would make my day! ) to stop recording out. Features added to old products others that goggles are just a good method of counting,...