Garmin Bounce, a 4G connected watch to keep in touch with your child

For reasons of security and peace of mind, many parents agree to provide their offspring with a smartphone. In order to postpone the purchase of a first smartphone, it is however possible to equip your child with a connected watch. This is what Apple offers in particular with its Watch SE 2, and it is now Garmin’s turn to launch with the Bounce, an LCD screen watch with a GPS chip and LTE connectivity that make it autonomous.

A mobile plan managed by Garmin

This first involves subscribing to the mobile plan offered by Garmin, because it is not possible to choose the operator of your choice. The subscription is available monthly at €10.99 or €109.99 for one year.

The watch is configured with the Garmin Jr smartphone app. You can then save up to 20 contacts, with each permission to contact or locate the child via his watch. The child can then receive text messages or voice messages on his tocante, then respond to them with predefined or voice messages.

Voluntary or controlled geolocation

The Garmin Bounce can also be geolocated and it is possible to define a security zone. A notification is sent to the smartphone of the person responsible for the toddler if the latter were to leave it. For more freedom, a function allows the latter to indicate himself his presence at a specific location, to know if he has arrived at his destination or returned home, for example.

In the event of a problem, an assistance function is included, sending a link with the position of the watch to the emergency contacts defined beforehand.

Physical activity and rewarded tasks

Garmin obliges, sport is not forgotten, the Bounce notably offering monitoring of running, walking, cycling and swimming activities. However, the watch does not include a heart rate sensor. Alarms, timer, weather and small games (allowed only during periods approved by parents) are also integrated. Basic sleep tracking is included, based solely on watch movements due to the lack of a heart rate monitor.

To encourage children to exert themselves, adventures, quizzes, games and gems to collect are unlocked when the watch measures at least 60 minutes of daily activity. It is also possible to set daily missions associated with rewards via the Garmin Jr app. Reminders can be activated for each task.

Childproof

Regarding the technique, Garmin has opted for a square format for its Bounce (42 x 42.4 x 12.6 mm). Light (37.2 g), it incorporates a 1.3-inch LCD screen (240 x 240 px). The watch is announced as resistant and displays a 5 ATM certification which allows it to be used for swimming.

Due to its connected functions using LTE and GPS, the autonomy of the Garmin Bounce is limited to two days. It will therefore be necessary to ensure that it is recharged regularly via the same proprietary connector of the manufacturer’s other watches.