The Aqua AI headphones are designed for anyone who’s serious about their training. While they’re targeted at swimmers and triathletes, they’ll work just as well for anyone into running, cycling, or swimming. Since they use bone conduction tech, the sound comes through vibrations on your skull, so your ears stay open to the sounds around you. That’s great for safety when you’re running or cycling outdoors, as you can still hear traffic or other potential hazards.

Swimmers will love this

What really sets these headphones apart is their focus on swimmers. The AI features can analyze your swim stroke, looking at things like your stroke posture, head pitch, breath frequency, and glide time. It’ll even send you suggestions for improving your form through the Suunto app. If you’re trying to get faster in the pool or fine-tune your technique, this could be a great addition to your gear.

One thing people are saying about the Aqua AI headphones is that the sound quality is surprisingly good, especially for a bone conduction model. At just 35 grams, they’re light and comfortable to wear, staying securely in place even during tough workouts. You’ve got 32 GB of onboard storage, which is enough to hold about 8,000 songs, so you don’t need your phone on you for music. And controlling your playlist is as easy as moving your head—no need to mess around with buttons.

Durability is key when it comes to any sport, especially swimming. The Aqua AI headphones come with an IP68 waterproof rating, meaning they can handle being submerged up to 5 meters for 2 hours. As for battery life, you get 10 hours of playtime on a full charge. And with the included charging pod, you can stretch that out to another 20 hours. In a rush? A quick 10-minute charge gives you 3 hours of playtime.

A strong contender

The Suunto Aqua AI headphones come in at $179 or £175, which puts them in the same price range as the Shokz OpenSwim Pro—one of their biggest competitors. With their mix of AI features, solid sound, and durability, they’re definitely a strong contender in the market. If you’re someone who swims or trains outdoors and wants a bit of tech to help you out, these headphones could be just what you’re looking for.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

It’ll be interesting to see how they stack up against the competition, but early reviews suggest Suunto has something worth considering. If you’re in the market for a new pair of headphones that can handle your training and your tunes, the Aqua AI headphones could be a good option to try. Check them out on Suunto’s website.

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While launched back in 2019, the FORM Swim Goggles remain a leader in wearable swim tech. These innovative goggles boast waveguide optics and a suite of built-in sensors, providing real-time metrics, guided workouts, and unparalleled swim coaching directly in the swimmer’s field of vision.

In our hands-on review, we lauded the first-generation for its groundbreaking approach. The goggles seamlessly integrate a see-through display, offering real-time data without sacrificing visibility. They impressed us with their user-friendly design and precise stroke detection.

Review: Experience the future of swimming with Form Swim Goggles

Subsequent updates brought even more features. These included structured workouts, outdoor GPS metrics, and compatibility with Polar OH1 heart rate monitors—solidifying FORM’s position as an innovator in the smart swimming tech space.

But now it is time for generation two.

What’s new with the Smart Swim 2

The Smart Swim 2 goggles emerge not just as an update but as a reimagined version of their former selves. With an integrated heart rate monitor right at the temple, swimmers can now access real-time heart rate data without the hassle of additional devices. Which means you no longer need to connect to external heart rate devices.

Another update is something called SwimStraight. This is an integrated digital compass which guides swimmers in open water to maintain a straight course. It is something for triathletes and open water swimmers, ensuring a straighter, more efficient path through the water.

FORM also paid close attention to design and comfort in the Smart Swim 2, achieving a sleeker, more hydrodynamic shape with a 15% smaller tech pack. The fit has been enhanced with adjustable features to cater to a broader range of face shapes, ensuring that comfort doesn’t take a backseat to functionality.

FORM’s HeadCoach digital coaching system also received a boost. Powered by machine learning, HeadCoach analyzes your performance data and generates personalized workouts. Additionally, technique prompts now appear during workouts for real-time guidance.

Beyond the press release

FORM conducted studies validating the accuracy of their Smart Swim 2 goggles’ heart rate sensor against a gold-standard ECG chest strap and a popular wrist-based heart rate monitor. The goggles demonstrated remarkable accuracy (97%) compared to the chest strap, with only an average deviation of +/- 4bpm. In contrast, the wrist-based device in the same study showed a +/- 10bpm deviation. The goggles therefore outperformed the wrist-based monitor in accuracy. Which means swimmers can utilise the heads-up display to actively monitor and adjust their effort based on their heart rate during training.

Form Smart Swim 2: Price, availability

The FORM Smart Swim 2 goggles are available for purchase at £229.00 through formswim.com and select retailers. A two-month trial of FORM Premium is included, granting access to full workout libraries, training plans, HeadCoach, and the SwimStraight feature.

As the swimming world looks forward to an Olympic year, the Form Smart Swim goggle series continues to stand out from the pack. The specs promise to elevate further the training regimen of swimmers around the globe. Look out for our full hands-on review to land in the weeks ahead.

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Predecessor devices, the Descent Mk2, Mk2s and Mk2i were released back in 2020 and 2021. These models have earned a solid reputation for their dedicated diving functionalities and dependability. In 2022, Garmin also expanded its lineup with the G1 model, a more affordable diving watch that retains much of the Mk2 series’ technology.

Garmin Descent Mk3 range & additional variant of G1 Solar

The new MK3 range consists of the 43mm Descent Mk3, along with two Mk3i variants – a 43mm and a 51mm. All of these are some of the most advanced dive computer/smartwatches you will find out there.

AMOLED display & SubWave sonar

The main news is the arrival of touchscreen AMOLED technology. The 51mm Mk3i comes with a 1.4 inch diameter 454 x 454 pixel display. The 43mm variants have a 1.2 inch 390 x 390 pixel displays. It is worth mentioning, reactions on social media have been mixed. Some welcome the AMOLED technology, others prefer the old MIP display.

The other news about the Mk3i watches is that they feature SubWave sonar-based communication and diver monitoring. The feature is not available at the outset, but will arrive at a future date via a firmware update. It will allow divers to communicate with other divers via preset messages up to 30 meters away. It will also monitor tank pressures and depth for up to 8 divers within a range of 10 meters.

Beyond that, the new watches come with pretty much identical functionality. The only difference is that Mk3 does not have Air Integration, transmitters support and info on gas time remaining and gas consumption rate. And it does not have the, above mentioned, SubWave sonar feature.

As before you get to choose from multiple dive modes but water resistance has been boosted from 100 to 200 meters. There’s a Dive Readiness tool – which shows how lifestyle factors effect your readiness to hit the water. This looks very much like a revamped Training Readiness tool that can be found on other Garmin watches. Additional features include Diveview maps, Dive Log and much more.

Much more than a diving watch

But this is much more than simply a dive watch. You’ll get a lot of the data that is available on other Garmin high-end watches. Which means the device is as useful in the water as it is out of it.

Also, the satellite connectivity has been upgraded to multi-band GPS. You get more training, planning and analysis features than before. Plus some tactical features such as Stealth Mode, Night Vision Mode, Kill Switch and more.

The added functionality is not really surprising considering the hefty price tag. The Descent Mk3 starts at $1,199.99 on Garmin’s website. It is available in a stainless steel with a Gray Silicone Band. The Mk3i timepieces start at $200 more. The 43mm is available in a Bronze PVD Titanium with French Gray Silicone Band, while the $1,599.99 variant in 51mm case can be picked up in Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Silicone Band.

Eco friendly variant of G1 Solar

The other new watch that has been added to Garmin’s website is an Ocean Edition of the Descent G1 Solar.

Retailing for an unchanged $649.99, it comes with a Sapphire Crystal lens instead of Power Sapphire and is slightly lighter. The news here is that the watch’s housing, bezel and buttons are crafted from recycled ocean-bound plastics.

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The smart swim specs have been around for a number of years now. Check out our full hands-on review of the gadget.

The gizmo offers swimmers the kind of real-time data tracking previously only available to runners and cyclists. Typically retailing for $199 (check price on Amazon), the goggles feature a see-through augmented reality display that provides a plethora of real-time metrics, including the option for heart rate tracking via an external monitor. The companion app complements the hardware by presenting data in an easily digestible format, rich with metrics for detailed analysis. If you’re after a pair of smart specs for tracking swim sessions, you will not find a better product out there.

What is HeadCoach?

HeadCoach is a new feature designed to offer real-time visual coaching and in-app education to swimmers. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, HeadCoach aims to enhance your performance and speed in the water. It operates on two types of metrics: FORM Score and HeadCoach Skills.

FORM Score is a numerical representation of your overall swim efficiency, calculated based on your pace and stroke length. The score ranges on a scale from 0-100, with higher numbers indicating better skill. The average score falls somewhere between 40-50, in case you were wondering.

HeadCoach Skills is the other part of the system. It narrows in on five key areas: head roll, head pitch, set pacing, interval pacing, and breathing time-to-neutral. Each skill is rated from 0 to 100, providing a detailed analysis of where you need to improve and how you’re progressing.

In-pool experience

After your first swim, HeadCoach provides an in-app assessment rating your skills from 0 to 100. The app also contains an education section with videos and materials on improving specific skills. In the pool, you can activate HeadCoach skills mode to focus on something that you need to improve, receiving real-time visual coaching. Each skill area has a unique, gamified exercise designed to improve your performance.

So not only do you get an assesment of your skill. You are also coached on improving your performance in the water.

After your swim, you can access personalized analysis and educational content in the FORM App. The app provides a comprehensive post-swim analysis, even if you’re not a Premium Features subscriber. This includes a range of metrics, including distance, length count, split time, stroke rate, and more. This comprehensive view allows you to analyze your progress and set new goals effectively.

Premium features and pricing

HeadCoach addresses an important gap in the swimming world: the lack of real-time, personalized coaching. The feature takes Form Swim Goggles to the next level. It allows for focused skill development and provides metrics directly via the in-goggle display. The idea is to enable you to concentrate entirely on your technique, without external distractions.

HeadCoach is part of FORM’s Premium subscription. If you’re already a Premium subscriber or in your one-year free trial period, you’ll have immediate access to HeadCoach. For those who aren’t, a subscription to Premium is required at $15 USD per month. Each pair of FORM Smart Swim Goggles comes with a one-year free trial of Premium Features.

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TrainingPeaks is a popular training app used by over half a million athletes. They use it to program their training, purchase a plan from the marketplace, or work directly with a coach. The integration of FORM Swim Goggles with TrainingPeaks aims to address a common challenge faced by swimmers – following their workouts or plan exactly as their coach prescribed without having the instructions right in front of them.

Currently, all of this is in its beta testing phase, with FORM members providing feedback before the feature is launched to a wider audience. The company is yet to announce the actual public release date. But you can register to get on-board the Beta testing fun on this link.

The FORM Swim Goggles have been lauded for their innovative design and functionality. They provide real-time feedback on metrics such as split times, distance, stroke rate, and more, right in the swimmer’s line of sight. As per our hands-on review, these goggles look and feel like the traditional thing, but they offer so much more.

These are the smart swim goggles that have set the bar for all other competitors. They are also a pioneer in the industry.

How it works

Have you ever written out your coach’s workout on a piece of paper and put it in a ziploc bag on deck? Not a great way to go about things. Or tried to remember what your coach meant for you to do with a specific set halfway through the workout? These challenges are what the TrainingPeaks integration aims to address.

For those who have opted to Beta test, there are two ways swim workouts show up in TrainingPeaks. This includes the Structured Workout Builder and the Workout Written in the Description Field. In the first beta phase, workouts that use the structured swim workout builder in TrainingPeaks will be pulled in. If your workouts are contained only in the description box, this will be part of a subsequent release.

Once the workouts are pulled in, they are linked to the FORM app for review. You then have the option to make any modifications, such as adding a drill, switching up a stroke type, or throwing in some equipment. Alternatively, you can leave the workout as is, sync it to your goggles, and hop in the pool!

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The integration is also working on a way to read and interpret your text-based workouts into the FORM platform, translating your coach’s notes into structured swim sets in the app. With both methods, FORM goggles will guide you through your workout length-by-length, just as your coach wrote it. You’ll also get your real-time feedback with your desired swim metrics so you can put all your focus on executing your swim as prescribed.

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We recently published an in-depth, hands-on review of the TriPro Multi-Sport headphones. These are tailored for athletes and combine bone conduction technology, water resistance, and integrated music storage. They achieve an optimal mix of audio quality, safety, and practicality, allowing users to appreciate music while remaining conscious of their surroundings.

H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport headphones Gadgets & Wearables may get a commission

But what about the other devices in H2O Audio’s collection?

This California-based company provides a diverse range of headphone-related accessories. Continue reading to discover how these various models compare. We assess them on the basis of their specifications, design, speaker technology, water resistance, battery life, and pricing.

To explore the complete selection, visit Amazon or the H2O Audio website.

Design and speaker technology

Firstly, it is important to note that not all of these devices are headphones, but all are headphone-related gear. Some are a combination of streamer and headphones, while others are standalone streamers, and a few are simply headphones.

The Tri-Pro Multi-Sport offers both headphones and a streamer. These open-ear bone conduction headphones feature an integrated MP3 player and Bluetooth streamer. With round transducers sitting in front of your ear canals, they transmit sound through your cheekbones. To secure the headphones while swimming, use a swim goggle strap or swim cap, along with the included rubber leash and earplugs, which also enhance sound quality.

These headphones provide a comfortable, secure fit and an integrated microphone for hands-free calls and voice commands, making them an excellent choice for active individuals. As mentioned, you can check out our detailed review for more information.

If you’re an athlete looking for headphones that can keep up with your activities, the H2O Audio Tri Pro Multi-Sport headphones are certainly worth considering. Available in black, they are suitable for various sports, including swimming, running, and cycling.

Stream 3 Pro is an MP3 player and Bluetooth streamer compatible with any H2O Audio headphones. The device features easy-to-recognize buttons for simple adjustments and on-board memory.  

With its black color and compatibility with in-ear or bone conduction headphones, Stream 3 Pro is a versatile audio solution for swimmers. However, you need to purchase headphones separately, as this is only a streamer.

Sonar Pro is another device that offers an MP3 player and Bluetooth streamer combination, along with open-ear bone conduction headphones designed to attach to swim goggles. While great for swimming, they’re not suitable for other sports. The black design is sleek, and the goggle attachment ensures a secure fit.

Surge+ and Surge S+ are in-ear headphones designed to work with Stream 3 Pro and other H2O Audio streamers and MP3 players. The difference between them is that Surge S+ features a short cord, making it suitable for head-mounted MP3 players. Both models come in a black and blue colour scheme.

The Surge headphones employ H2O Audio’s innovative dynamic speaker drivers, specifically designed for aquatic sports. Boasting excellent bass, these waterproof headphones outperform the competitors in the market. Included in the package are extra memory-foam tips in three sizes, silicone ear tips in five sizes, and ‘tree’ tips in three sizes. Select the ideal fit to ensure your headphones stay put.

Water resistance

The one thing H2O Audio gear has in common is water-resistance. This should come as no surprise given that the company was established by Ironman triathlete Kristian Rauhala.

Waterproof technology ensures that the headphones remain functional and safe even when fully submerged, giving users peace of mind during their aquatic adventures. All five devices in this article boast an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning they can withstand submersion up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) underwater.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

Such gear makes for a unique experience. It not only makes it possible to enjoy music, podcasts, or audiobooks during long swim sessions, but also provides a sense of motivation and companionship in what can often be a solitary activity.

Music source and connectivity

Tri-Pro Multi-Sport, Stream 3 Pro, and Sonar Pro support music playback from internal memory or Bluetooth. Each device features an 8 GB flash drive for storing around 2000 songs and Bluetooth 5.0 support. The Bluetooth range is 30ft (about 9-10 meters) outside water but decreases to 4 inches (2cm) underwater.

Multiple methods exist for transferring music to the device. One option is via a USB connection, using the charging cable to connect the headphones to your Mac or Windows PC. You simply drag music files to folders on the device, just like you would with a USB drive.

More interestingly, H2O Audio recently introduced a new feature called PLAYLIST+. It enables capturing streaming music onto the headphone drive for offline listening. This works by recording what you hear while connected to your music source in Bluetooth mode. You need to ensure the volume is turned up for proper sound capture. The implementation is clever, and the recorded audio quality is comparable to professionally recorded music.

Streaming music underwater from a connected smartphone or watch may result in poor sound quality due to choppy Bluetooth connections, as Bluetooth doesn’t work well underwater. On-board memory allows for uninterrupted offline streaming, and with PLAYLIST+, the gear provides a novel way of listening to music or podcasts.

Lastly, the new H2O Audio app enables managing music, updating software, creating folders, and adding songs to PLAYLIST+. The free app is available for both Apple and Android devices.

Battery life

All there streaming devices come with a rechargeable battery. The average playtime of the Tri-Pro Multi-Sport with a full battery is about 5 or 6 hours. However, the actual playtime depends on the volume level and mode you are using, with a max of 9 hours. Stream 3 Pro and Sonar Pro also offer decent battery life. It is just 1 hour less than on Tri-Pro Multi-Sport.

Price

Typical retail prices for these devices are as follows: Tri-Pro Multi-Sport and Sonar Pro are priced at $150 each, while Stream 3 Pro is about $20 more. The Surge+ and Surge S+ come in at around $50 each.

Tech specs recap

The bottom line

H2O Audio has crafted an impressive array of water-resistant audio equipment tailored for swimming enthusiasts and multi-sport athletes. With devices such as the Tri-Pro Multi-Sport, Stream 3 Pro, Sonar Pro, Surge+, and Surge S+ models, the company has designed products that cater to a variety of needs and preferences.

All these devices boast excellent water resistance, innovative features such as PLAYLIST+, and decent battery life. Whether you’re a swimmer seeking companionship in the form of music, podcasts, or audiobooks, or a multi-sport athlete looking for versatile gear, H2O Audio’s lineup offers something for everyone.

To explore their complete selection, visit Amazon or the H2O Audio website and dive into a new world of aquatic audio experiences.

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The current crop of Fitbits only has the ability to monitor swim lengths, duration, distance, and pace when in the water. That’s not very impressive, and is the type of info you can get from most water-resistant wearables. Fitbits can currently only track swimming distance by manually entering the pool length. The wearable then counts pool lengths by looking for a change in direction of the accelerometer.

Patent describes improved swim tracking

Fitbit users have been clamouring for better swim tracking. A stroke count feature would be useful for open-water swimming where tracking total distance can be difficult. The ability to keep track of kick strokes which would be useful for leg drills.

The patent, titled “Automatic detection and quantification of swimming,” could indicate that Fitbit is responding to these user requests. A number of acceleration peaks extracted from sensor data that satisfy a set of predefined rules associated with a swim stroke could be used to calculate stroke counts, according to the patent. With that sort of data, the wearable could add information on the stroke rate and distance per stroke. Kick strokes, on the other hand, could be tracked based on another variation of acceleration peaks that indicate the user is kicking.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The paperwork also mentions new methods for tracking the length or lap count during a swim session, which is especially useful for those who perform flip turns in the pool. The method involves counting swim laps based on a number of acceleration peaks from sensor data that satisfy a set of predefined rules associated with a flip turn, according to the patent.

Fitbit has been criticised for swim tracking shortcomings

Fitbit has been chastised for its lack of robust swimming features, particularly in comparison to the likes of the Apple or Garmin watches. Both of these include heart rate tracking in the water and GPS for open water swimming.

Fitbit’s latest patent mentions GPS, but only to determine if the swimmer is near a body of water. Of course, this could be extended to monitor the persons position while swimming.

As far as heart rate, Fitbit’s sensor is inactive in the water which is a limitation shared by many such devices. This is due to water interfering with the accuracy of the readings. Although there is a workaround by allowing the device to auto track the activity. This keeps the heart rate monitor on but prevents you from viewing detailed stats during your swim. You’ll get a heart rate graph in the smartphone app afterwards.

Despite these constraints, Fitbit’s patent application demonstrates that the company is looking for ways to improve its swim tracking technology. The company’s continued investment in swim tracking suggests that it is committed to providing a more comprehensive experience for its users.

It remains to be seen whether Fitbit makes a big splash with these new features. Sometimes patent filings make it into real-world products, at other times they don’t. It remains to be seen whether these swim features will ever make their way into consumer products.

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Established around three decades ago, the California-based TYR is an American designer and manufacturer of competitive swim wear and other athletic gear. Its name is a reference to the Norse god Tyr.

Whoop, on the other hand, is a wearable technology company popular with professional athletes and those serious about their training pursuits. Generation 4 of their product was launched about a year ago. It comes with upgraded tech, blood oxygen and temperature tracking, along with a smaller body.

Multiple ways of wearing Whoop 4.0

Another upgrade that comes with the latest version of Whoop is the ability to wear the little device with different apparel. Which means you are not limited anymore to the wrist. The wearable utilises Any-Wear Technology to automatically detect where on the body the sensor is located.

So you could potentially wear it with sports bras, compression tops, leggings, shorts, bralettes, athletic boxers and more. Of course, data captured from some of these locations will not be as rich as when you are wearing it on your wrist. But it does offer more convenience.

It is this functionality the duo has tapped into for their smart swimwear. TYR x WHOOP swimsuits come with an inner pocket that holds the Whoop 4.0 sensor flush against the skin. This helps to reduce the risk of drag, i.e. forces that slow swimmers in the water. What’s more, the apparel comes with antimicrobial properties and is designed with 100% chlorine proof and colourfast material.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

Swimmers tend to push themselves hard. With Whoop they can keep tabs on the physical limits of their body to avoid training an injury. The little wearable will help them gain a better understanding of their bodies, performance and recovery.

In case you were wondering, the Whoop 4.0 sensor is rated IP68 water water-resistance. This means you can wear the tracker down to depths of 10 meters. You are also good to wear it in saltwater.

A monthly subscription for WHOOP 4.0 starts at $20. The actual price depends on whether you choose a monthly, annual or two year membership. The Whoop x TYR DiamondFit and the Jammer swimsuits are available in multiple sizes and can be purchased separately on the Whoop website. They start at $64.

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A complete solution for swim tracking

This update makes FORM Swim Goggles an even more complete solution for swim tracking. We reviewed the gadget back in 2019 and found it to be a quality piece of gear.

It allows for instant feedback in the pool – in your line of vision. Which is an amazing experience.

No more losing track of where you are during the session or manually counting laps. The see-through augmented reality display shows a wealth of information in real time. There is also an option to incorporate a heart rate monitor, and we would suggest anyone who decides to purchase the googles goes that extra step.

Since our initial review FORM Swim Goggles have received a number of updates. This includes GPS performance metrics for outdoor swimming, structured workouts with real-time guidance and more.

Workout Builder helps to personalize the experience

In a sense, the new Workout Builder is an extension of the structured workouts tool launched last year. That functionality was limited to existing workouts from the FORM database. But with this new membership feature, swimmers can create their own workouts from scratch, add their coach’s workout or even edit one of FORM’s custom-designed workouts.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

You can input lap-by-lap guidance. This includes choosing sets, distance, your rest time between sets, stroke, effort and equipment. Then its a simple matter of naming and saving your workout, and syncing your goggles to the app.

This should help take the guesswork out of pool time and allow for a more enjoyable swim experience without any distractions. It will also help to resolve our gripe with the structured workouts tool. The fact that it is meant for intermediate and advanced swimmers, leaving beginners and those not so comfortable in the water struggling to finish the FORM-designed workout options.

FORM VP of Product Paul Hossack says that this was their most requested feature since the company launched Workouts in 2021. He adds that some more updates are on the way which will personalize the swim experience even more. This includes editing custom drill names, using Preferred Effort Scale (RPE), split stroke, split effort and more.

The smart specs can be purchased at Amazon and Swim Outlet. Intermediate, advanced swimmers and those who like to spend lots of time in the pool will appreciate one of the best swim tracking device out there.

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AR tech is slowly invading the sport of swimming. It comes in the form of performance-tracking smart goggle displays which are many times more convenient that pausing to check a sports watch. The latest to enter this space is Kickstarter-funded Holoswim.

Mind you, these are not the only AR smart goggles around. FORM Swim Goggles were first to enter this market a couple of years ago. This was followed by FINIS Smart Goggle in early 2021. What sets apart Holoswim 2 is its low price, larger display area and the ability to show incoming calls from a connected phone.

Looking at the images, Holoswim 2 remind more of FORM than FINIS goggles. What you get is a fairly traditional looking set of goggles. The only clue that there is something different about them is the electronic module on one side.

Hong Kong-based startup called Guangli says Holoswim goggles have an OELD holographic display and AR diffractive optical waveguide which show real-time user data in your line of vision. We have tested similar tech and it really has to be tried to appreciate how convenient it is for monitoring your swim performance. Like something from the future. The advantage of these goggles is that they display a 25 Degree FOV in 128 x 64 resolution, offering a better visual experience than the competition.

The stats you see while swimming include distance, time, pace and more. Users can switch between different displays by pressing a physical button on the module. The goggles can also automatically detect the type of your stroke (for breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke and freestyle).

If you purchase a Polar heart rate monitor, it can be linked up to the Googles to show your heart rate in real-time during swimming. Connect the thing to an Apple or Garmin watch, and it can tap into their GPS location signal for open water swim tracking.

Post swim, fire up the accompanying iOS/Android app and you’ll be able to review and dissect your performance in detail on your smartphone. The analysis includes things such as SWOLF and pace per 100m. The app also contains 10 levels of training programs for those interested in that sort of thing, as well as a social aspect.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

All of this sounds very much like the tech we have already seen in FORM Swim Goggles and the FINIS Smart Goggle. However, one feature that these other products lack are smartphone notifications.

Leave your phone by the poolside and Holoswim 2 goggles will alert you to incoming calls. This works via Bluetooth so the functionality kicks in whenever you are in range of 5 meters from the smartphone.

A full charge of the 70mAh Lithium-ion battery should be enough to keep everything going for around 6-7 hours. The goggles are lightweight (70 grams) and come with IPX8 waterproofing (down to 5 meters deep).

The best news is the price. If the specs pique your interest, just $89 is what it costs to get a set delivered to your door-step in October. That is your only expense as the product is not membership-based. There are a number colors to choose from.

It is worth pointing out that the company ran a Kickstarter project last year for the first generation device. But this was cancelled and the money returned to investors because they felt they couldn’t deliver the Goggles according to scheduled times. With chip and energy shortages, coronavirus pandemic – that year was anything but normal. These second generation specs improve on the original with: lighter weight, higher resolution and more features.

As mentioned, there are other options on the market. Check out our reviews of FORM Swim Goggles and FINIS Smart Goggle for more information.

Price: $89 and up

Raised:$36,500 of $6,350 goal

Estimated delivery: October 2022
22 days to go

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