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FR 645 and HRM Swim

HI there,
I have a FR 645 which I realy like.
But I also have a HRM Swim - and I am disappointed, because I realized, that the FR is not able to read the stored data from the HRM SWIM.
I read, that the FR 630 was able to read this.
So I kindly ask Garmin for a "maybe christmas" present and give us that feature via update.
Thx and br
Michael

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

You're hoping Garmin observes Christmas for something other than sales and isn't atheist? Lol. When the ability to use the HRM-Tri or Swim was added to the FR630 and 235 it was for GPS and distance. Because the 630 and 235 don't have a native OW or pool swim profile, you won't be able to record SWOLF, use pool swim workouts, stroke count, etc.

0 andrewc71 over 6 years ago

Anyway I don't understand the reason of this limitation because if they given to this watch the swim profile why don't they let me use the HRM Swim? I don't have it but I would buy it if it could work with my 645, so their commercial strategy is to not sell me the Hrm Swim, that's a nonsense.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

You'll get the pool swimming profile without HR. No OWS. Garmin has decided (which is their absolute right regardless what people think) to allow this feature for their higher end devices and not the 645. The argument that people "feel" this watch should have this feature because it's a premium watch (subjective) and the high cost (also subjective) is just meaningless. As you stated, you'd buy it if it was available. It's not, and you'd have to pay more if you want this feature. This is what Garmin is counting on. It makes perfect business sense.

0 tmk2 over 6 years ago

And yet the lower-end 235 did support offline HR download capability (introduced with a firmware update), although not for swimming. I'm not trying to argue that garmin should introduce this to the 645, because I do not own one anyway, but still I find it strange that it has been omitted.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

but still I find it strange that it has been omitted.

It's not strange at all. It's all about making money and Garmin (like ever other business) is in the business to make money. Their hope is if someone wants this data, they'll pay more for a higher end device to get it. I'm not trying to sound rude, but bluntly put, it really doesn't matter what you and I want or expect regardless of price paid, if a previous cheaper model has it, or if another company offers it.

0 tmk2 over 6 years ago

It's all about making money and Garmin (like ever other business) is in the business to make money. Their hope is if someone wants this data, they'll pay more for a higher end device to get it.

And with the 630 and 235 they didn't want to make money?

0 Argael over 6 years ago

You cannot read the stored data, but, is it possible to read live the info?
I mean if you are swimming with the band and the watch.

0 tmk2 over 6 years ago

No, because ANT+ signals do not travel through water.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

And with the 630 and 235 they didn't want to make money?

I don't understand your question. Of course Garmin wants to make money with the 630 and 235. That's exactly why they sell several devices in different prices ranges. The amount of features available reflect the cost of each device. Garmin would not be a successful company if it sold 1 watch with all the bells and whistles at 1 set price. Not everyone could afford it, nor need a watch like that. Garmin added HRM-Tri support (minus the swimming profile) to those two watches long after they were released and after "successors" were available. So, I'm having a hard time trying to understand your point.

0 andrewc71 over 6 years ago

You'll get the pool swimming profile without HR. No OWS. Garmin has decided (which is their absolute right regardless what people think) to allow this feature for their higher end devices and not the 645. The argument that people "feel" this watch should have this feature because it's a premium watch (subjective) and the high cost (also subjective) is just meaningless. As you stated, you'd buy it if it was available. It's not, and you'd have to pay more if you want this feature. This is what Garmin is counting on. It makes perfect business sense.

First of all as a customer of Garmin since many years I've full right to criticize their commercial politicy. I choosed the 645 instead of the 935 or Fenix (which have this feature) not because of the less price (moreover the 645 Music costs only 50 euro less then the 935, 450 vs 500 ...) but for other reasons: I'm not a triathlete but I am a runner who also swim and go biking so a watch less bulky and more estetically beautiful but with all this profiles (run, swim, bike) is perfect for me and I was waiting a watch with music since a long time and finally 645 has this feature. So I don't think it makes perfect business sense not to include the HR in the swimming profile because I will not buy a higher price watch to get that feaure because they don't have the features I said before that 645 has. And since I will not buy an other watch I will not buy the HR Swim and Garmin will get less money from me. In addition the very publicized training load and training status are less affidable if you don't include the swimming training.