What is it? FR158

Hi,

Another developer had a query from somebody using an FR158... which is only sold in China, it seems...

It _looks_ a lot like an FR55 and it does look like it supports Connect IQ from the Chinese Garmin page... but if it is basically an FR55, why not list it as such?

Equally, if it is indeed a distinct model, shouldn't that be listed in the SDK as a build option?

Weirdly, apparently, the watch identified by part number to an FR55 from the sales info... which suggests this is just sleight of marketing hands... but shouldn't it then also be listed in compatible devices for apps that support FR55?

Regards,

Needlessly Confused by Pedantic Trivia of Dublin

Vivoki over 3 years ago

I thought that I read the SDK's / Device lists were country specific at some point? (Someone much smarter than I will chime in so I might be completely off base here).

9635560 over 3 years ago in reply to Vivoki

I _think_ you're probably right, but the ForeAthlete 735xt (for example) is listed in compatible devices despite being essentially a ForeRunner 735xt.

jim_m_58 over 3 years ago

If it doesn't support CIQ, it wouldn't be listed for CIQ. If it's an APAC version of the fr55, it won't be listed but will be included in the .iq when you include the fr55.

9635560 over 3 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

Yep, it has ConnectIQ Forerunner 158 Smart GPS Running Watch | Garmin Jiaming

Interestingly, Garmin China doesn't list FR55 at all! So it is looking very much as if the Chinese version of FR55 is the FR158 and, presumably, there must be some cultural difference that makes people prefer the number 158 to the number 55.

I mean...

It kinda makes sense to have a 158, 245, 745, 945 rather than a 55, 245, 745, 945 but...

That's marketing, I guess.

Never could get my head around marketing.

9635560 over 3 years ago in reply to 9635560

(Ps: According to Google translate, the Chinese version of 245 has a screen that is "Corning ® the glass ® the third generation of gorillas". )

li2niu over 3 years ago

It is an alias of fr55 in China Mainland. In development, you just need to make sure your app is compatibile with fr55.

li2niu over 3 years ago

I am No.158 Runner

peterdedecker over 3 years ago in reply to li2niu

Has 55 or 158 a special meaning in China?