Magellan Announces Echo Fit Smart Sports Watch at CES 2015

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I have professed my unabashed love for the Magellan Echo before, because of how it perfectly melds GPS watch capability while using your smartphone as the engine. I reviewed the Echo almost a year ago, and still use it regularly – because it just plain works. Now Magellan has introduced the follow-up Echo Fit at CES 2015!

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If you have paid any attention to the wearable fitness band industry it is probably not hard to guess what is new with the Echo Fit – it now provides activity tracking and sleep monitoring. But that isn’t all it offers – here are some additional features:

Smartphone Extension:

The great thing about the Echo was it got better than 6 month battery life because it was simply a Bluetooth display, getting data fed from your smartphone. This continues with the Echo Fit, now offering even more control and greater breadth of display possibilities over Bluetooth.

When the Magellan Active App arrives, there will be more possibilities, including the capability to display notifications of incoming text, phone calls, and emails when paired with a smartphone. Third party app notifications will also be visible, allowing you to stay connected to Facebook, Twitter, etc , even when working out or taking part in your favorite sport or activity.

Magellan Echo Utility App:

The Magellan Echo Utility app allows you to view all of your steps, distance covered, calories burnt, and sleep activities along with a seven-day rolling average. For step tracking, there is an alert notification that sounds when the daily goal is met. The Echo Utility app can also remotely set the Echo Fit’s alarm.

Magellan Active App – Coming in Q1 2015:

The Magellan Active app will update the Magellan Echo Utility, and will wirelessly collect and share all of the fitness and sleep data to store and share on the Magellan Active website.

Even More Compatible Apps:

I fell in love with Wahoo Fitness because of how integrated it is with the Magellan Echo, and use it even on days I don’t strap on the Echo! But it is far from the only available option. Some of the current compatible apps include: AllTrails, Golf Pad, iMobileIntervals, iSmoothRun Pro, Jog Note, MapMyFitness, MapMyHike, MapMyRide, MapMyRun, MayMyWalk, Men’s Health Personal Fitness Trainer, RunKeeper, Strava, Wahoo Fitness, and WeiBike. More are being added on a regular basis.

Additional Features:

•Open app platform – Echo Fit works with today’s sports apps as well as tomorrow’s
•Smartphone compatibility – works with iPhone 4S or later, and select Android devices 4.4 or later (check with carrier for specific smartphone compatibility)
•Replaceable coin cell battery – never needs to be charged; lasts up to 8 months
•High-resolution display – provides superior readability in varying light conditions, especially bright light; backlight for darker conditions
•Invertible screen – screen background and characters can be inversed from black to gray

Pricing and Availability:

The Echo Fit Smart Sports Watch has an MSRP of $129.99 or $179.99 with Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Monitor. It comes in black, blue, pink, and gray. It will be available through retailers including Clever Training, Eastern Mountain Sports, Sports Authority, and REI,as well as online at megellangps.com and Amazon.com.

Head to Magellan’s Echo Fit page for more info!

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About the Author

Michael Anderson
I have loved technology for as long as I can remember - and have been a computer gamer since the PDP-10! Mobile Technology has played a major role in my life - I have used an electronic companion since the HP95LX more than 20 years ago, and have been a 'Laptop First' person since my Compaq LTE Lite 3/20 and Powerbook 170 back in 1991! As an avid gamer and gadget-junkie I was constantly asked for my opinions on new technology, which led to writing small blurbs ... and eventually becoming a reviewer many years ago. My family is my biggest priority in life, and they alternate between loving and tolerating my gaming and gadget hobbies ... but ultimately benefits from the addition of technology to our lives!