Garmin Forerunner 570 In-Depth Review: A Premium Mid-Range Multisport Watch?

Positioning and Design

• 💡 The Garmin Forerunner 570 occupies a mid-range position between the entry-level 165 and flagship 970 models.
• 🚀 It's marketed as a multisport watch, not just a running watch, replacing the popular Forerunner 265.
• ✨ The 570 features an aluminum bezel and Gorilla Glass, offering a more premium look and feel compared to the 265's plastic construction.
• 📏 Available in 47mm and 42mm sizes, it includes both a touchscreen and physical buttons, offering flexibility for various conditions like sweaty hands or gloves.

Display and Smartwatch Features

• 🌟 The 570 boasts a new, super bright display panel, significantly brighter than the 265, though brightness level options could be more granular.
• 💬 Smartwatch features include notifications and message replies (on Android). For iPhone users, voice assistant integration (Siri) allows for replies via voice.
• 🎙️ A key upgrade is the inclusion of a built-in microphone and speaker, enabling voice commands, setting timers/alarms, and taking calls directly on the watch.

Battery Life and Health Tracking

• 🔋 Advertised battery life ranges from 4.5 to 11 days (42mm) and 5.5 to 11 days (47mm) depending on always-on display usage.
• 📊 Real-world testing with always-on display and lowest brightness yielded 3.5 to 5 days of battery life.
• 🏃 For outdoor activities, battery life is rated at 14-18 hours without music playback, with the SAT IQ mode exceeding claims.
• ❤️ Health tracking is comprehensive, including heart rate, SpO2, Body Battery, sleep tracking, recovery time, and HRV.
• 🩺 It features Garmin's 5th generation heart rate sensor, comparable to the 970, but lacks ECG capabilities.

Sports Tracking and Accuracy

• 🏊 The 570 supports a wide array of sports, including running, cycling, swimming (open water and pool), triathlon, duathlon, and various outdoor/team sports.
• 🎯 GPS accuracy is excellent, with precise tracking of routes and total distance, utilizing SAT IQ for automatic satellite mode switching.
• ⛰️ Altimeter accuracy is good, and heart rate accuracy is strong for most activities, though it can occasionally drift during high-intensity or weight training.

Training Feedback and Advanced Features

• 📈 Training feedback includes running V02 Max, lactate threshold, race time predictor, and cycling V02 Max/FTP estimation.
• 📊 Training status, load focus, and training readiness provide insights into performance readiness and training impact.
• 🗺️ Unlike the 970, the 570 lacks offline maps and a built-in flashlight, but offers breadcrumb routing and route navigation.

Value Proposition and Pricing

• 💰 Priced at $549, the 570 is $300 more than the 165 and $200 less than the 970.
• 🤔 The value is debated, with the 970 offering flashlight, offline maps, and ECG for an extra $200.
• ⚖️ The recent Venu 4, at the same price, includes ECG and a flashlight but lacks the 570's button configuration.
• 💲 A price point around $449-$499 would make the 570 a more compelling mid-range option.