Garmin Forerunner 970

Name: Garmin Forerunner 970
Brand: Garmin
SKU: 1683

Manufacturer: Garmin

The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a versatile sports watch designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. It features a 1.4″ OLED display and is built for durability, offering 5 ATM water resistance for underwater use. With a sleek design and robust feature set, this watch is ideal for tracking a wide range of activities.

Key technical aspects of the Garmin Forerunner 970 include a 454 x 454 px resolution screen and a maximum operating temperature of 60°C. The watch comes with advanced sensors like GPS, a heart rate monitor, and a pulse oximeter, as well as features such as sleep tracking and multi-sport mode. Its battery provides up to 26 hours with GPS on and 15 days of regular use.

Pros

Waterproof design with a 5 ATM rating, suitable for swimming and outdoor activities.
Includes a variety of health and fitness tracking features, such as heart rate monitoring, VO2 max measurement, and sleep tracking.
Has GPS functionality and fast GPS lock for accurate tracking during outdoor activities.
Supports multi-sport mode and exercise tagging for diverse fitness routines.
Offers useful features like fall detection, vibrating alerts, and silent alarm for enhanced user experience.

Cons

Does not have a removable battery, limiting flexibility in battery replacement.
Lacks wireless charging capability, requiring traditional charging methods.
No support for external memory slots or a 3.5 mm audio jack for wired headphones.
Does not support solar power, limiting battery life to conventional recharge methods.
No cadence sensor, which may be limiting for some types of cycling or running enthusiasts.

Who is this for?

This product is ideal for active individuals who engage in outdoor and fitness activities. With features like GPS tracking, multi-sport mode, and swim stroke counting, it's well-suited for athletes or enthusiasts who track various forms of exercise. Additionally, the waterproof design and fall detection make it perfect for those who engage in water sports or outdoor adventures, ensuring both durability and safety.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be ideal for users looking for advanced features like a removable battery or wireless charging. It also lacks a 3.5mm audio jack or external memory support, limiting audio connectivity and storage expansion options. Furthermore, those in need of specialized sensors for cycling or other specific sports may find the absence of a cadence sensor a drawback.

Design:

screen size	1.4"
Display type	OLED/AMOLED
water resistance	Waterproof
has branded damage-resistant glass	✕
ATM rating	5 ATM
resolution	454 x 454 px
Watch band is replaceable	✓
has a touch screen	✓
weight	56 g
Has sapphire glass display	✓
thickness	12.9 mm
Always-On Display	✓
height	47 mm
pixel density	458.6 ppi
maximum operating temperature	60 °C
lowest potential operating temperature	-20 °C
Has a display	✓
width	47 mm
width of band	22 mm
volume	28.4961 cm³

The Garmin Forerunner 970 features a 1.4″ OLED display with a resolution of 454 x 454 px and a pixel density of 458.6 ppi, providing sharp, clear visuals. The watch is waterproof with a 5 ATM rating, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities. It also boasts an Always-On display for continuous readability and has a sapphire glass display for added durability. The watch weighs just 56 g and has a thickness of 12.9 mm, with a width and height of 47 mm each. The band is replaceable, and the watch can operate in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 60°C.

Sensors:

has GPS	✓
Has a heart rate monitor	✓
Monitors blood oxygenation levels	✓
Has a barometer	✓
has an accelerometer	✓
has a compass	✓
Has a temperature sensor	✓
Has a cadence sensor	✕
has a gyroscope	✓
Has a wind speed sensor	✕
Monitors perspiration	✕

The Garmin Forerunner 970 is equipped with a variety of sensors designed to enhance its tracking capabilities. It includes a GPS for precise location tracking, a heart rate monitor for real-time heart rate measurement, and a pulse oximeter to monitor blood oxygen levels. Additionally, it features a barometer for tracking atmospheric pressure, an accelerometer for motion detection, and a compass for directional guidance. The watch also has a gyroscope to detect rotation and movement, but it does not include a cadence sensor, wind speed sensor, or perspiration monitor.

Activity tracking:

Has a route tracker	✓
Tracks distance	✓
Measures pace	✓
Has trackback mode	✓
Tracks your sleep	✓
Has multi-sport mode	✓
Detects activities automatically	✓
Tracks elevation	✓
Tracks steps taken	✓
Provides sleep reports	✓
Has exercise tagging	✓
Has a stroke counter for swimming	✓
Tracks calorie intake	✓
Designed for diving	✕
Designed for golf	✓

The Garmin Forerunner 970 offers comprehensive activity tracking features for a wide range of sports and fitness activities. It includes a route tracker to help navigate your path, distance tracking, and the ability to measure your pace during exercise. The watch also supports multi-sport mode for versatile workout tracking, along with automatic activity detection, elevation tracking, and step tracking. Additionally, it offers sleep tracking with sleep reports, exercise tagging, swim stroke counting, and food tracking to monitor your calorie intake. The watch is also designed for golf but is not intended for diving.

Connectivity:

Is compatible with iOS	✓
Is compatible with Android	✓
supports Wi-Fi	✓
has a cellular module	✕
supports ANT+	✓
has NFC	✓

The Garmin Forerunner 970 offers strong connectivity features, supporting both iOS and Android devices for seamless pairing. It also includes Wi-Fi support for wireless connections, along with ANT+ and NFC capabilities for enhanced compatibility with various devices and accessories. However, the watch does not feature a cellular module for standalone mobile connectivity.

Battery:

battery life	15 days
battery life with GPS on	26 hours
battery life in training mode	14 hours
has wireless charging	✕
Has a solar power battery	✕
has a rechargeable battery	✓
has a removable battery	✕

The Garmin Forerunner 970 is powered by a rechargeable battery that offers up to 15 days of regular use. With GPS active, the battery lasts up to 26 hours, and in training mode, it provides 14 hours of use. However, the watch does not support wireless charging or a solar-powered battery, and its battery is not removable.

Features:

release date	June 2025
has HRV tracking	✓
measures VO2 max	✓
measures resting heart rate	✓
has fast/slow heart rate notifications	✓
shows readiness level	✓
Can upload maps	✓
Has vibrating alerts	✓
Has a stopwatch	✓
Locates your phone	✓
Has silent alarm	✓
has irregular heart rate warnings	✕
has fall detection	✓
Has notifications	✓
Acquires GPS faster	✓
Has call control	✓
Provides the sunrise/sunset time	✓
internal storage	32GB
Can be used to answer calls	✓
supports Galileo	✓
Has smart alarm	✕
Informs about the risk of thunderstorms	✓
number of microphones	1
has voice commands	✓
Has a built-in camera remote control function	✕

The Garmin Forerunner 970 is packed with useful features to enhance your fitness and daily life. It includes HRV tracking, measures your VO2 max, and tracks your resting heart rate. The watch offers a range of smart capabilities like vibrating alerts, a stopwatch, fall detection, and the ability to find your phone. It also supports fast GPS lock and voice commands, and can provide the sunrise and sunset times. With 32GB of internal storage, it allows you to store maps and more, but it does not include a smart alarm or a camera remote function.

App & Software:

Provides activity reports	✓
Has inactivity alerts	✓
Counts how many calories you've burned	✓
Has goal setting	✓
Has achievements	✓
Has exercise diary	✓
Has weight tracking	✓
Tracks BMI	✓
Tracks water intake	✓
Has coaching	✓
Has temperature tracking	✓
Has period notifications	✓
Supports routes	✓
Displays fertile window notifications	✓
Includes maps	✓
Predicts start date	✓
Predicts ovulation	✓
Has barcode scanner on app	✕

The Garmin Forerunner 970 offers a comprehensive suite of features for health and fitness tracking. It provides activity reports, calories burned tracking, and allows you to set fitness goals and track your achievements. The watch includes features like exercise diaries, weight and BMI tracking, water intake monitoring, and coaching. It also tracks your body temperature and provides period and fertility notifications. Additionally, it supports routes and includes maps for better navigation but lacks a barcode scanner in the app.

Miscellaneous:

has a battery level indicator	✓
Is compatible with Windows	✓
Is compatible with Mac OS X	✓
has an external memory slot	✕
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack	✕

The Garmin Forerunner 970 includes several essential features for easy management and connectivity. It has a battery level indicator to help you monitor power, and is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X for seamless synchronization. However, it does not have an external memory slot or a 3.5 mm audio jack for wired headphones.

Final Verdict

The product offers strong functionality for fitness enthusiasts, with key features like GPS tracking, multi-sport mode, and water resistance, making it an excellent choice for outdoor activities and varied sports. Its comprehensive health tracking, including heart rate variability and VO2 max measurements, further enhances its appeal for those focused on performance. While it lacks some features like a removable battery and wireless charging, it excels in providing essential sports and activity tracking for users seeking durability and versatility in their workouts and daily routines.