For running and cycling? The GPS is excellent. For swimming? Well, it's a bit of a mixed bag.
On roads and trails, the Forerunner 970 absolutely nails it. Multi-band GPS with support for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and more means you're pulling signals from satellites all over the sky. Track workouts show near-perfect accuracy, and even in dense forest or urban canyons with tall buildings, it holds its own.
The SatIQ feature is pretty clever. It automatically switches between GPS modes to balance accuracy with battery life. For most runners, this is the set-it-and-forget-it option that works great.
Here's where it gets interesting (and a bit frustrating):
Pool swimming doesn't use GPS at all. It counts laps based on your arm movements. Works well once you set the correct pool length. Some people report occasional hiccups with stroke counting, but most find it reliable.
Open water swimming is where reviewers have noticed some issues. The 970 seems to struggle more than previous Garmins at reacquiring GPS signal when you stop to tread water or take a break. It's not terrible, but if you're a serious open water swimmer and GPS accuracy is critical, you might want to test it yourself or look into this further.
The maps are gorgeous on that AMOLED screen, but fair warning: panning around can feel a bit sluggish. Garmin's been pushing out firmware updates to improve navigation, so make sure you're running the latest version.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How ShopSavvy makes money
How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
📚More About Garmin Forerunner 970
Considering the Garmin Forerunner 970?
Here's our "TLDR" Review
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across tens of thousands of stores, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
More Answers
If you're still curious about the Garmin Forerunner 970, here are some other answers you might find interesting:
- Is the Garmin Forerunner 970 worth the price?
At $749.99, the Forerunner 970 isn't an impulse purchase. Let me help you figure out if it makes sense for you. When the 970 IS worth every penny: If you're...
- How good is the Garmin Forerunner 970 display?
The display on the Forerunner 970 is, frankly, gorgeous. It's the best screen Garmin has ever put on a running watch. The specs: You're looking at a 1.4-inch...
- What are the known bugs and issues with the Garmin Forerunner 970?
Let's be honest here: the Forerunner 970, like a lot of complex smartwatches, launched with some bugs. The good news? Garmin's been pretty active about fixing...
- Is the Garmin Forerunner 970 waterproof for swimming?
Yes, you can definitely swim with the Forerunner 970. It's rated to 5 ATM, which means it handles pool swimming, open water swimming, and showering without...
- Does the Garmin Forerunner 970 have maps and navigation?
Yes! Full-color maps with actual turn-by-turn navigation. This isn't just a breadcrumb trail. You get real maps on that beautiful AMOLED screen. What comes...
- Can you make phone calls on the Garmin Forerunner 970?
Yep! The Forerunner 970 has a built-in speaker and microphone, so you can actually take and make phone calls right from your wrist. How it works: When your...
- Should I buy the Garmin Forerunner 970 or Fenix 8?
This is one of the most common questions I see, and the answer really depends on what matters most to you. Let's start with price: Forerunner 970: $749.99...
- Does the Garmin Forerunner 970 have a flashlight?
Yes! And honestly, this is one of my favorite features on the 970. The Forerunner 970 is the first Forerunner to include a built-in LED flashlight. Previously,...
- Is the Garmin Forerunner 970 good for triathlons?
If you're training for a triathlon, the Forerunner 970 was literally built for you. It's one of the best multisport watches out there. Ready-to-go multisport...
- Does the Garmin Forerunner 970 have an ECG feature?
Yes! The Forerunner 970 is actually the first Forerunner to include ECG capability. This was previously only available on watches like the Venu 3 and Fenix...
