Garmin has announced the CIRQA, a $199.99 smart band that tracks health and fitness metrics without a display. It relies entirely on the Garmin Connect smartphone app for viewing data and changing settings, aiming at people who want to track their daily stats without wearing another screen on their wrist. It goes on sale July 24th.
Garmin CIRQA Specifications
The device is small and lightweight. The case is made of fiber-reinforced polymer, measuring 27 x 47 x 9mm, and the whole unit weighs just over 20 grams with the strap attached. Garmin uses 14mm quick-release fabric bands, which are meant to be comfortable enough to wear all day and night. You can wear it on your wrist or upper arm depending on what is most comfortable for your current activity. Because there is no screen to power, the battery lasts up to 10 days between charges.
Inside, it has the standard hardware found in most current fitness trackers. There is a continuous heart rate monitor, a Pulse Ox sensor for measuring blood oxygen, and an accelerometer. The band tracks heart rate variability (HRV), breathing rate, skin temperature, and stress. It also logs sleep stages and naps. For women’s health tracking, the overnight skin temperature sensor provides past ovulation estimates. This data can sync with the FDA-cleared Natural Cycles app, though using that app requires a separate subscription.
For workouts, the CIRQA automatically detects basic movements like walking and running. You can check and edit these logs in the Garmin Connect app, and the device will use those corrections to classify activities better over time. If you want to manually track one of the 80 supported activities, you can assign a favorite workout and start it by pressing the single physical button on the side of the band.
The band does not have built-in GPS. It uses Connected GPS, which means you have to bring your paired iOS or Android phone with you to track distance and location on outdoor runs or bike rides. It does track standard Garmin metrics like VO2 Max, Training Readiness, and Recovery Time, and it includes a wheelchair mode for tracking pushes rather than steps.
Most of the core health and fitness tracking features work without a monthly fee, which sets it apart from subscription-heavy competitors like Oura or Fitbit. The data syncs to the free Garmin Connect app over Bluetooth or ANT+. However, Garmin is putting some software features, like guided breathwork, live activity metrics, and Garmin Coach training plans, behind an optional Garmin Connect+ subscription.
The CIRQA comes in two sizes (S-M and L-XL) and is available in several colors, including Black, Captain Blue, French Gray, and Mauve.
In related news, Rogbid has unveiled the Loop, a screen-free health band featuring advanced ECG tracking and up to 15 days of battery life.
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(Garmin)
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