Wrist-based running power lands on Garmin Forerunner 955 & 255

The latest Beta software update brings wrist-based running power to Garmin Forerunner 955 and 255 sports watches.

To remind, the duo had running power since their launch back in June. But this works with the need for a running dynamics accessory – either one of the Garmin chest straps or the Running Dynamics Pod. Not an ideal solution as some other brands, such as Apple and Polar, had implemented similar functionality that works from the wrist.

Garmin followed suit with the Fenix 7 and Epix 2 about a month ago as part of an Alpha update. Now the same functionality is coming to the Forerunner 955 and 255 devices as a Beta. It allows you choose between tracking run power just with the watch or with an accessory (if you have one).

Garmin Forerunner 955 & 255 – software version 13.15 Beta

This update goes under the number 13.15. This is a “Release Candidate” so should arrive automatically to your watch as long as you have registered for the Garmin Beta Program. The update should go live for everyone in the next few weeks, as long as no critical issues are spotted. So the other option is to wait until the public update hits. That is the safer option.

If you have registered for the Public Beta program and are not seeing the new version, Garmin Connect checks for such updates only once per day. So you may not receive it until tomorrow. It all really depends on the timing.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

Some of the other goodies that come as part of this version include the following:

• Grade Adjusted Pace data field has been added. It displays your average pace adjusted by the steepness of the terrain.
• Auto Rest/Pause setting is added to the Ultra Run activity. This automatically creates a rest interval or pauses the activity.
• Backcountry snowboard activity and disc golf activity are now amongst available activities.
• When an incident is detected by your Forerunner 955 or 255, a message will appear on the watch and phone. Shortly after an automated message will be sent to your emergency contacts (as long as you have set them up in the settings).

This update also fixes an annoying issue which we reported on earlier. Some users have noticed horizontal lines on training pages during an activity. It’s a screen glitch that would disappear after a few seconds, or immediately if you switched pages on your watch. This error was first reported in late August so its good that Garmin has finally gotten around to fixing it. Beta 13.15 also resolves an issue where track run calibration information could fail to save.

You can check out the full change-long on the Garmin Beta forum.

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