Import to UK

Dustin Cook over 3 years ago

Has anyone imported a Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE from Germany to the UK and got the LTE functions to work in the UK?

Just the live track, etc. features and not the Assistance Plus features. Be interested to hear from the group.

Top Replies

PSDN over 3 years ago +2

Apparently there are 2 versions, a North American and a EU version.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2021/06/garmin-forerunner-945-lte-in-depth-review.html
ajmitchelluk over 3 years ago +2

Hi. I’m a Brit but live in northern Spain. They sell it here and LTE works fine, but when I’m in the UK (monthly for work) it doesn’t work for things like spectator messaging. I’m will…
Aurelie over 3 years ago +1

I ordered it from the US using Amazon UK. I had to buy the UK maps because they weren't included. And LTE is not working here. Everything else is fine. But battery life is very bad... doesn't last 1 week…

All Replies

0 Aurelie over 3 years ago

I ordered it from the US using Amazon UK. I had to buy the UK maps because they weren't included. And LTE is not working here. Everything else is fine. But battery life is very bad... doesn't last 1 week...

0 Dustin Cook over 3 years ago in reply to Aurelie

Thanks Aurelie for your reply. I've heard that there's a better chance of the LTE functions working on an import from Germany as they are using the same LTE-M band that the UK uses.

No guarantees of course, which is why I am trying to find out the answer!

0 Aurelie over 3 years ago in reply to Dustin Cook

I don't think the 945 LTE hardware is different in Germany. I'd assume is the exact same watch.

Actually, I've just checked. US/DE Part Numbers are different, you might be right.

0 Dustin Cook over 3 years ago in reply to Aurelie

Aurelie I believe that the two tables here mean different antenna are used depending on where the device is bought!

Or so I believe - open to being corrected!

0 PSDN over 3 years ago

Apparently there are 2 versions, a North American and a EU version.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2021/06/garmin-forerunner-945-lte-in-depth-review.html

0 ajmitchelluk over 3 years ago

Hi. I’m a Brit but live in northern Spain. They sell it here and LTE works fine, but when I’m in the UK (monthly for work) it doesn’t work for things like spectator messaging. I’m will check again next week when I’m over. I didn’t realise that they didn’t sell it in the UK until I looked on the web site. I wondered whether this was brexit related in terms of the mobile operators (garmin has done a deal to offer this in the EU). UK is not in that anymore of course mobile wise. It’s also likely a reason for them not included in the new fenix/ epix. It’s only useful in a few use cases. Most fenix users won’t want LTE (more active use than just running etc) but won’t work in remote locations. And also they can’t offer if in key markets. When I check it I will send an update

0 Dustin Cook over 3 years ago in reply to ajmitchelluk

Thank you ajmitchelluk for your update! Very interesting. Im more concerned with the live tracking for my family to use (I wouldn't do many rural/bad signal areas) - so not concerned with the spectator messaging.

Not sure if it's a Brexit thing, the LTE-M is being rolled out by networks, even o2 don't have a full coverage yet - www.o2.co.uk/.../lte-m

Im also in that part of the UK that's causing the issues! So there could be spillover.

Basically I'm looking for a little safety when out running.

0 ajmitchelluk over 3 years ago in reply to Dustin Cook

I’ll check the live tracking next week and report back.

0 Dustin Cook over 2 years ago in reply to ajmitchelluk

Any luck with your testing ajmitchelluk ?

0 ajmitchelluk over 2 years ago in reply to Dustin Cook

Hi. Really sorry work was so busy I didn’t even get out for a run. I’m not back now for 3 weeks. However I did turn on my altitude widget so also GPS as post the plane journey it was saying -200 metre. I then went to run, triggering the GPS to check it and it did jump in with live tracking started. But I didn’t check it properly Sorry.