FORM Smart Swim 2 Goggles: Now with heart rate built-in!
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- čas přidán 1. 04. 2024
- FORM has just announced their newest smart goggles, the FORM Smart Swim 2. These heads-up display swim goggles automatically track all your swim stats as you swim while concurrently putting a screen inside the lens of the goggles for you to see everything from pacing information to structured workout details in real time. As the name implies, this is FORM’s second iteration of the goggles, following their first set that was launched back in 2019. The standout feature of the V2 goggles is an integrated heart rate sensor, which will automatically track your heart rate during your swims.
Further, they’re launching new software across both V1 & V2 goggles that adds a new openwater feature - SwimStraight - which as the name also implies, keeps you swimming straight if you’ve got reduced sighting conditions (or just aren’t good at swimming straight). Additionally, back on the V2 goggle hardware, there’s some improvements around fit and goggle strap design.
Both my wife and I have been putting various sets of these through their paces over the last while, both on nice cozy indoor pools, as well as @#$@# cold outdoor winter openwater swims. For real, 46°F/8°C water is not fun.
In any case, from a hardware standpoint, here’s how they differ:
- Added optical HR sensor to the goggles, for tracking heart rate
- Reduced the size of the electronics pod by 15%, making it slimmer
- Slightly increased the goggle temple area, to increase stabilization on head
- Improved the fit of the eye seals, to increase tighter seal and reduce leakage
- The strap is now yellow, because obviously yellow is faster than black
- The case has been redesigned to not look like a hot dog, but now includes drainage holes on both sides
- The price of the V2 goggles is $249/EUR, while the price of the V1 goggles is $179/EUR (both are being kept in the lineup)
#FormSwim #Swimming - Sport
Would have bought it but I stand my ground on these companies/brands that normalize a pay to use/activate subscription when you already bought/own the hardware.
I also don’t like subscriptions, but I think we need to be realistic about this. These goggles take A LOT of continuous R&D. FORM isn’t a big company, so they don’t have millions to spend. If we want good products, especially ones that are as innovative as these goggles are, it will take funding. Remember, FORM was the first company to build this, and they are still the best option out there by a mile.
@@hehehe5635 I would agree, but charging $250 dollars and a subscribtion fee is simply too much. The price alone should cover all your expenses, and locking things like a compass behind a subscription is just stupid, it costs them nothing to run and there is no research needed to do that.
@@hehehe5635 You post a lot about how this OK and how great they are. If they need to charge more to cover R&D or whatever, then charge more. The subscription will keep a LOT of people away that would buy them, myself included. I'm OK paying for an actual ongoing service like a training plan, but putting already included features behind subscriptions is awful practice. Are you OK with BMW doing it too? (It didn't go over well there either)
No matter what type of subscription you have, if you are not a heavy user, the only one who benefits is the manufacturer. As customers, we are well advised to stop this current trend now by boycotting such offers.
Can you see current stroke rate or last lap stroke rate? Seeing stroke rate after the practice isn’t nearly as useful.
That something basic like a compass requires a subscription is a straight up no-go for me.
Aaaah yes, a subscription-based compass lmao
hmm subscription to turn on a compass? I understand the other stuff (training coach, plans ect) but not to activate and maintain the use of a compass.
I was looking at this product mainly for uploading structured workouts and open water compass. I was unaware that it would require a subscription. That completely killed my desire to own this. I’ll keep going the old school way. I’m glad I watched your review before buying. Thanks
Cool idea, bad execution. You pretty much need to pay to use something you bought. Thats just sad.
While I don’t like the subscription, I do understand why they are doing this. They put A LOT of research and development into the goggles, workouts, and validation. All of that takes continuous funding and effort, something that is difficult to finance. Remember, there is pretty much nothing else out there to compare to these goggles. That product is in a class of its own.
@@hehehe5635 they paying you to leave all these comments? their subscription based model is unacceptable for such a steep price no going around it. I too stand my ground on not coping one so long as there is a subscription
@@DrM1nT I wish they paid me, but unfortunately no. I’ve been using them for a few years now and I genuinely really like them. It’s one of those products that I really don’t want to see disappear and I think that if they could make it cheaper, they would have. It’s these goggles that got me into triathlons and helped me train.
@@hehehe5635 That's BS... Where is there support? Sucky company hands down..
@@hehehe5635 Why does garmin not do that then? Kinda odd no? Also, hope Garmin doesnt follow that concept, it would just be awful.
I would use these mainly for the compass feature but I don't ever see paying $250 plus subscription for that feature. Keep on innovating thought! And great video once again Ray. Thank you.
that would be also my mainly use as a triathlete..but wont pay that much for it..even for 1
I am nearly to place an order for it, but I really hate the subscription features. Why i should pay $15 to activate the compass. I'll ignore it. Thanks for the detailed video
I bought my FORM swim goggles in March 2020 and it is one of the best investments in a sport tech device I have ever made. I use them in indoor pools, open water in the sea and lake - I just love them. because of the hefty price, I bought them after I read Ray’s first review. I was even a better tester for their structured workouts before they were introduced on the subscription basis. I was pretty upset when the subscription model was first introduced, but I agree with Ray that I prefer the company to succeed and have money to invest in improvements of the product. since four years I’ve been begging the company to introduce the compass and I’m pretty happy to hear that it has finally arrived. Thanks for the excellent and balanced review Ray.
Do you link them to a watch? Garmin or Apple. I find that the Apple drops off a lot.
@@damienhatfield7296 Yes, you can link them to both Garmin or Apple watch. For indoor pool swimming the FORM app pushes the swim data to the Apple Health and Fitness app and/or to the Garmin Connect. There are no drop offs, because the swims are recorded on the goggles and then pushed to the respective Apple or Garmin Eco-systems. For open water swimming the FORM goggles are directly connected to your Apple Watch or Garmin Watch, where they get the GPS and heart rate data. In open water swimming you can get drop offs depending on your style of swimming and stroke rate. The goggles are connected via bluetooth to the watch, so if your arm is submerged for too long in the water, then the connection drops and might take a while to reconnect. After 4 years of regularly using the same pair of goggles I bought in 2020, I am very very happy except the subscription model (understandable, but still not happy).
Great video... Please do a similar one the Holoswim 2 googles.
they seem to be great, but the fact that one has to pay to upload his own structured work out is a "no no" for me to buy them (to Ray´s point at the end)
I have had my Form goggles since December 2019, and must say I really like them. I got them before they introduced the subscription model. Admittedly I am not the biggest fan of yet another subscription based piece of equipment, but I have a coach and use my own sets (programming those sets would require a subscription). Despite not having a subscription I love the instant feedback. A month ago the screen of my goggles dimmed to the point where I could no longer see it. I asked Form (knowing my goggles are out of warranty if there is anything I could do to fix this issue. Much to my surprise they send me a replacement pair. They were under no obligation to do this and I have to admit I am really pleased as they have become part of my routine training set.
First of all, the goggles are an awesome product. I purchased Gen 1. Nailing hardware, firmware and app as well as doing what they are supposed to do in the water, is an astonishing achievement for a first generation product. I also argue that the synchronization works better than for any Garmin product. The subscription for some features is not cool, I agree. But in the end, you can also use the goggles without paying extra, which I do most of the time.
Thanks, DC. I've been looking for some honest review for these goggles for a long time and you covered all the topics I was looking for.
Damn good reviews. I don't even swim and I enjoy your thoroughness.
Love my form swim goggles for racing and training. Glad they went back to not requiring a subscription to continue to see metrics. Definitely interested in the v2! Had v1 for 3 years now!! Still work great!! Definitely recommend.
Form sent me an email about these gen 2 goggles and I thought, I wonder if DC Rainmaker has seen these yet. I should have known lol
Thanks for testing this! The lack of sight would also be a no go for me. Being a bald guy, I’m wondering if you need a swim cap to press down the heart rate monitor well enough. Like the idea of showing some data in your goggle though.
I have the Swim 1 version so I am SO GLAD I can use the swim straight feature. Not having a heart rate in the goggle doesn't matter to me.
Yeah, but you do have to have a subscription to use this feature.
I can’t calibrate the swim straight step 4 of 4… then it keeps bouncing back to step 1….
Thank you so much. You truly help me make decisions across a sea of sports technology.
I have v1 and it’s awesome in open water. In pool though there are 2 main problems - when you push from the wall water gets into or you have up tighten it so hard that it’s a pain. 2nd one - if you stopped for any reason in between, the rest of the lap is counted as a new one. Overall - good stuff.
Great video, thanks. Do you know how the compass works? Does it change alignment when you make turns towards a new target, like in a race?
I swam competitively for 12 years and this seems like it would’ve been a great training tool. Maybe not for me as I wasn’t good for anything over a 100 freestyle which is never less than flat out but for distance and mid distance swimmers this looks super valuable.
Love the review, feel,like your reading my emails to them… they do listen to feedback….. and have gone to great lengths to make these work for Triathletes… vision is terrible for open water… is just train with them… love them or hate them, they work.. the compass will be fun to try out in Texas… your my go to review dude… work on that 48 Form score , mine is 78, been looking to far forward for the sensor… hurts the score, but really who care… it counts laps, HR and pace… that all I need 🙏💪👍🏊♀️🚴🏻🏃♀️
If you need corrective lenses (reading glasses) for reading up close, are you able to adjust the font in these goggles to be able to read while you swim? Or are these goggles strictly for those with perfect 20/20 vision? Thanks.
You should try using the HR-strap with the measuring unit in your back. It will still measure very accurately (it’s still measuring the electrical signals in your skin) and the water drag in the back is not as strong.
I was super ecited aboult these untill he mentioned the subscription thing. Things that requier a suscription to be used after you have purchased the product are the worst. (I guess some products could have it but not something like a wach or some other type of fittnes tracker)
Love to have good sight back where devices like these are useful to me.
I would like a pair, not bothered about the workouts/plans, but did I hear this correct that the direction only works if you have a subscription? Mostly I swim open water, last year at Ironman Barcelona I swap way over what I needed to, maybe 15 mins. So the direction indicator would be ideal.
Wish they would’ve incorporated the OWS without the sub.
I also commented one time tell’n ‘em if they merge their tech with marig5, my purchase is pretty much guaranteed. I don’t know if I could go back on that level of comfort
Nice piece of gear but ridiculous that you have to extra pay for the compass. Great review!
In regards to the HRM during swimming: There is a way how it works (at least for me). As mentioned the sliding down during the push offs in the pool is the issue. I however found, that the Garmin HRM Swim HR belt actually works as long as you sew it, so the elastics don’t loosen up. It’s just about wearing it fairly tight, sewing up the straps (which is done in a few minutes by hand and in my case has held up for well over a few month now without ripping up again). The HR data is really nice and does seem more reliable than the optical ones. Maybe you could give it a try to be able to trible check the HR validity of all the swimming OHRs :)
I have been using the goggles since 2020 and I absolutely LOVE THEM. They completely revolutionized my training, and after so many years, they still work excellently! I know the price is steep, but for people who are serious about swimming, they are the ultimate tool.
Does your anti fog coating still work? Mine stopped after about a year.
@@robfetty6497 I bought an anti-fog spay on Amazon for $10 and apply it periodically every few weeks. I am a heavy swimmer so the factory coasting doesn’t last on any pair of goggles i had. It’s very cheap to fix :)
@@robfetty6497 My anti-fog stopped working within the first year. Now my gen 1 goggles get foggy after about 30 mins of swimming even though I rinse them with fresh water after every use. The company advised against using anti-fog solution in them because they didn't know how that would impact the plastic surface. 🤷🏽♀
@@robfetty6497 The coating was gone for me after two years, so now I use an anti fog spray once in a while
I see you did a little bike as well after the swim at the start. Was that you testing the garmins automatic transition thing? Would be super interested to see how that works.
Does V1 allow you to add custom workouts without a subscription?
So is it one subscription for all those options, or separate subscriptions for each ? 😊
I use the OH1 from polar at my temple with the v1. How does it compare to the v2?
No optical prescription option makes it not work for me. Any word on that development from Form? And the subscription requirement also does not work as I generally hate swimming so it would be like paying monthly for my missed workouts.
So are the finis smart googles a relevant option?
Could you technically validate the heartrate by... wearing the goggles on the indoor bike and using the chest strap? Would be a hilarious little test
I use the v1 version once a week. I use it for a structure workout. I like the workouts. My biggest problems with these goggles is they hurt the bones around my eyes. I have adjusted the nose pieces and the straps and still hurts. Second issue is they do not work for coros watches. I bought a coros for its battery life and swimming outside via gps. I swim 3x a week. I do not use these all the time as the view issues do make me a tad dis oriented. Especially though flip turns. Rest of the time I use my tried and true speedo vanquishes.
Did they fix the issue with need to use contacts for ppl with glasses? I use glasses but don’t put contacts when swimming, and the text was projected “too far” for me read the text.
Out of all my triathlon gear…which is a lot:) my FORM googles have been the tool I’ve relied on the most for improving my race times. When I was new to the sport, my goal was to survive the swim and make up the time on the bike and run. Now I look forward to the swim because FORM has helped me with my technique and my swim sessions are so much more productive. I hated looking at my watch during a long set to see where I was at. Now it’s all in the lens!
Will we see these used while running to validate watches heart rate sensors? Can only imagine the looks you'd get running around Amsterdam wearing swim goggles!
Any insight on whether these can interface with a swim spa “Fastlane” setup?
Hi Ray, I have CFS so can't take the time to go through all your reviews. Do you know of a watch that is very accurate when it comes to heart rate monitoring? That is my biggest need.
Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks in advance!
From a non-swimmer: this was a super interesting video! 🏊
Can you swim with Garmin watch and just download from Form as external HR monitor? I have my workouts on Garmin connect and would not like to change or add new platform. Can you have subscription just few months a year? Like when you need compass in summer months?
Im maybe in the minority here but I think subscription based is great - this means the company has a big interest in keeping the product you already purchased running and updated for as long as possible. This means less electronic waste, and is why we had the first pair of form goggles for 5 years now, and even with v2 it seems v1 will still be getting all the updates except for compass and heartrate if Im not mistaken.
Im a happy form smart swim v1 owner and will keep paying my subscription. :)
A subscription to unlock the use of sensors that are built into an already expensive device is a hard no for me.
Do you have an issue with the HR chest strap in the wetsuit? That works fine for me and you could test the accuracy of HR better this way.
Please add a data comparison between Polar Verity Sense HR and Form 2 HR.
Thank you for the review :) Now I dont want them anymore. Mostly because of the subscription....
LOL the visibility is so bad, can't believe they didn't fix it. Swim straight tech is super cool though, and kudos to Form for making a sick product (and thanks for the review)
they still stick out way to far, after 2 years i had to stop using them as i had to keep them so tight to prevent them from catching water resistance on turns and falling off. then my eye was getting all red from too much pressure on the eye socket so i stopped using them
I m using form 1 goggle. Updated firmware already and i choose open water swim mode, activate “swim straight”, I followed the calibration until step 4 of 4, I can’t really finish the calibration and it automatically bounce back to step 1…how can I sort the problem please? Any hint?
Have you tried using a chest strap with a tri top/suit on to keep it in place.
So the only significant differences between v1 and v2 are the integrated HR sensor and a snazzier case? My v1 with a Polar Verity HR sensor work just fine😁
how does that work? You pair it to the watch and then the data is displayed on googles?
@@krzysztoftylek787 Exactly. Only you pair it to the goggles not your watch. No need for a watch with Form goggles.
Can you see your live current/instantaneous pace while in open water?
I Wonder what watch you are wearing on your right arm ;-)
Left watch ✅ Right watch ✅ Smart Goggles ✅ smart ring ✅ microphone ✅ 3:57
Looking at the comments, I guess I'm not the only one that tapped out once the subscription model came up.
Form goggles belong in Room 101 along with Oura, Whoop, AG1 and BMW heated seats. REFUSE SUBSCRIPTION MODELS.
Glad to hear someone else's first 25 is shorted 1 or 2 seconds
Yet Form has 0 phone support. As I sit here with a $240 goggles that i cant use. Amazing to charge a premium yet no support. Back they go....
Are they UV 400
Can you export to Garmin??
I find that the goggles get confused if you have to stop on the wall to fix loose goggles or other technical issues. The goggles think you have started swimming again.
You can pause if you need to adjust the goggles.
Can you use FORM Smart Googles in the Ironman portion of the swim?
According to both Ironman (World Triathlon), and FORM, yup!
It should be 1 year subscription with free goggles and half the subscription afterwards. This would made sense.
I have a version 1 and no subscription. I sync my Trainingpeaks workouts. Is that being taken away from me? I will not be subscribing. That would be a shame. I am loving them, except that they leak, and I've tried 3 nose clip sizes.
I could be wrong but I think for us legacy purchasers we still have all the basic functionality without a subscription - including loading structured workouts. I don't think they've taken anything away for original way back purchasers at least I hope not!
Regarding competition, is unclear about ironman races, even asking for their support directly, they don't mention ironman specifically
Form has consistently been bringing new user-requested features to the standard hardware over the years: starting off just in the pool, then adding open water support, adding external Optical HR support with Polar, adding training plans, adding HeadCoach and now the compass feature.
All these things were user requested feateres, and kudos to Form for not requiring new hardware each year to have those features added, like most other companies do!
Yes, subscriptions are annoying, but if they keep a company afloat supporting your hardware, that's at least something.
When a big training block comes up, you can choose to only run the subscription for the block itself..
This V2 seems like a logical iteration, good job @Form!
Let's go for a swim, bro! -Nah, I can't, I have to recharge my goggles :(
I have the form v1. For about 2 years. I take care of them as instructed by form. However the “permanent” anti fog coating no longer works. Lame.
No support for the short sighted amongst us :-(. Tried a couple of times but can see the screen
:-(
Wait.... isn't the screen up close and therefore easy to read or am I missing something?
Me to, I tried once use contact lenses, but that took me to long to apply, sitting in the car near the pool.
@@KerenWang Sorry no, its about your focal distance, there is some tolerance so you don't need 20:20 vision but my prescription is -4 and so outside the tolerance.
I am more than happy with the feedback and session recording especially if I can drop the wrist based devices but putting lenses in for 2 hours swim just seems pointless. My favourtire prescription goggles are discontinued so I was hoping to tech my way out of the problem. Finis do one which I am going to try at some point but the tech in these is sooo much better
Give people with the V1 model a full price purchase but with a 2Y support, give the 'newbies' a 3 months for free subscription... and allow custom workouts for everyone.
Will not pay for another subscription. Would have purchased otherwise.
if the compass was not subscription based, I'd seriously consider buying this, no matter the already pretty hefty price for a pair of goggles. But that's just a bit too much. All the other stuff behind the monthly price is alright (although the price per month is honestly way too high).
I guess this is only meant for professional athletes who can afford it...
Really interesting swimming goggles, but not a good advertisement for the Grit X 2 Pro when it comes to heart rate
No charts compared to the optical hear rate measured from your arm?
What about accuracy against the OLD chest transmitter Polars which were accurate!
It’s a Whoop strap, don’t ask for too much there. 🤣
@Dcrainmaker but you cannot see your HR on wrist watch while swimming combined with a simple manual accurate stopwatch.
9:29 I have my own coach. That’s why I use Finis and now Form. I’d buy these goggles yesterday if I could out my own workouts. I pay her enough to write my swims so the subscription is useless. Even with it you can’t write your own program.
I wonder how many goggles they’d sell if they allowed custom workouts?
FORM has custom workouts and now also has smart workouts that are created automatically for you based on your stats. I think the idea is that you won’t need to pay for an actual couch, and rely on the personalized plans and workouts generated by the goggles.
@@hehehe5635 Found the FORM shill.
15:18 gotta just tape that chest strap down really well for the comparison 👍🏻😅
I am glad my cycling computer lets me measure speed without subscription.
Nice price 😂 no thank you 🎉
I first balked at the subscription but really was intrigued by these goggles. Now I don’t even give the subscription cost a second thought, the functionality, usefulness, workouts, and coaching are well worth it. Didn’t intend to use these in a Tri as I use aqua sphere with excellent visibility, but the compass could be a game changer as it may minimize the visibility concerns. Serious Point: there has been speculation that high high rates during the swim, or a heart rate spike, may be a contributing cause to a sudden cardiac event in the swim leg. These goggles may help save someone by alerting them to an abnormal heart rate change.
Eh, just bought regular ones 2 month ago :( I wish I knew they gonna release this
This will sell like hot water!
I would like them but will not buy without the ability to upload my own workouts with paying extra each month
So new goggles don’t include a 1 year subscription?
Dude! Just validate hr with a chest strap wearing a trisuit!? 🤘
Such a dishonest move asking for a subscription to activate existing features. Made me forget this product ever existed. Bye
Goggles and $10 a month would be a very fair compromise. $15 is a bit too much.
Looks like handcuff review
There's no way an OHR on the temple is as accurate as the chest strap transmitter and Ive only had chest straps comming off/down the odd time or when diving.
Actually....not true. In most cases an arm/temple OHR is just as accurate as a chest strap. Now wrist based OHR is another story. This isn't subjective...this is fact. Been measured by many people including our own DC Rainmaker.
@@trepidati0n533 wrong! HRV can only be accurate with chest strap. All major manufacturers tell you wrist based OHR is not accurate in swimming. Temple OHR measures PULSE not electrical HR.
HRV is not HR.
@Dcrainmaker agreed it is not, but HRV and HR are more accurate measured using the electrical charge not the Pulse , especially in activity. Hence the medical fraternity use ECG for tracing heart issues.
@@Pragmatist101 We are talking about HR, not HRV. Nothing in the video was about HRV....NOTHING. My only guess by your post is English is not your first language.
Sure, I’d rather not have a subscription. That said if it means that the company stays in business and keeps innovating, sign me up. I get utility out of a product, they stay around and keep pushing innovation in an otherwise stale environment. Win win.
Ze goggles...zey do nothing!
I’ll never buy them until they improve the awful FOV
The actual goggles are same as the really cheap goggles for kids. Disappointing that they can’t match the advanced technology with a premium design for the actual goggles
NO TO SUBSCRIPTION
oh no, not the subsscription after purchase 🤮