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The Forerunner 955 Solar has lots of new solid features. Will Garmin release firmware updates with these features? We discuss it below!
Not only does the 2022 Forerunner 255/255S offer 2 size options, it's loaded with new running features. Will Garmin update the 3-year-old FR245?
Our partner Dave at Chase the Summit answers your most urgent questions about the 2022 Forerunner 255 & 955 GPS running watches.
On the Forerunner 255 & 955 Series
On the Forerunner 955/955 Solar Only
YES! The Garmin Forerunner 255/255S is now also a multisport triathlon watch! Features include:
YES! The Forerunner 255/255S does now have a barometric altimeter!
So, this running/triathlon watch will record your elevation data when you are out on an activity and display it in real-time during your activity in the data field.
Dave from Chase the Summit predicts with 99% certainty that all the new higher-end Garmin with touchscreens released this year will get firmware updates with these new running features.
You can probably expect the fēnix 7 Series, epix 2, and tactix 7 to get them in a future firmware update. But probably not the Instinct 2/2S, because it is more of an outdoor hiking watch and less of a training tool.
This, of course is based on what Garmin has done in the past, but none of us has any assurance from Garmin that they will do it. It's just very likely.
As for getting these Forerunner 255 upgrades on the 245 ... it's hard to say. We've had people say that, up until now, they've gotten new software updates on their Forerunner 245.
But now that the FR245 is 3 years old and a new version is out ... it seems unlikely.
See a full comparison of the Forerunner 955 vs 945 multisport watches.
Not without installing the third-party Stryd data field and using the Stryd app.
As mentioned, the Forerunner 255 and 955 now have Native Running Power, which means that, when using a Running Dynamics Pod or HRM-Pro™ (sold separately), you can receive real-time metrics of how much power is being exerted on a run, built into the watch—no app required.
The Stryd pod is a sensor that you can attach to your shoe and can record running power to your Garmin watch, Apple watch, phone ... as long as you are using the Stryd app.
But Dave tried to get it to work with both the FR255 & FR955, without the Stryd app and data field installed, and it did not work—which is the point of Native Running Power: you don't have to do all that.
No word from Garmin on this, but it doesn't seem likely.
Both Dave from Chase the Summit and DC Rainmaker don't foresee Garmin releasing a Forerunner 955 LTE.
But again, we have heard nothing from Garmin to support this. So it is a wait and see situation.
Although, Garmin added Spectator Messaging, as seen on FR945 LTE, but requires your smartphone to be with you on the FR955. Plus, ability to redirect Emergency Assitance to a single person. So, the Forerunner 955/955 Solar multisport has picked up a few of the upgarded safety tracking features of the LTE.
Based on new training tools alone, we would recommend the Forerunner 255/255S over the FR745 (we don't know if it will get all the updates).
Plus, the Forerunner 255/255S has the new dual-frequency chipset for multi-band GNSS, which means you get more accurate tracking in challenging envioronments.
Additionally, the Forerunner 255 Series offers much more battery life, which makes it a better watch for runners and triathletes.
Oddly, Garmin left Hot Key customization off of the Forerunner 255.
Hot Keys lets you customize buttons to quickly access specific settings or options on the watch. This allows for assigning shortcuts to the watch buttons instead of needing to make the selections from the watch menus.
Other new Garmin watches with touchscreens released this year do feature the Hot Key functionality, including the fēnix 7/7S/7X, epix 2, and tactix 7.
The new Instinct 2 Series and Descent G1 Series, which do not have touchscreens, also have the Hot Key option.