New full colour GPS watch seeks funding (+ video)

Danish brand Leikr is looking for crowd funding for a new GPS training watch that comes with colour maps on a 2in (5cm) screen, and downloadable workouts that coach you in real time.

Other key features promised by Leikr include:
• Fast GPS connection
• Wireless connectivity via Wi-fi, BT, USB and ANT+
• A long lasting battery
• Six tiles of data on display at once
• Ability to transfer your workout data to Endomondo for analysis and sharing

The watch can be connected to a heart rate belt, cadence sensor, foot pod or power meter, so it can be used for both cycling and running.

Leikr are asking for funding donations via Kickstarter with a view to taking the watch to market in the US this summer.

The GPS system is custom made and, unlike anyone else’s, it uses OpenStreetMap mapping. You have wireless connectivity to the cloud so you can program your training on the Leikr portal wherever you are and sync it to the watch without the use of any cables or dongles.

The display simultaneously shows pace, speed, heart rate, distance, elapsed time and calories, the idea being that you don’t need to toggle around to find the information that you’re after. The Leikr watch will show your position on the maps along with the route you’ve ridden and where you plan to go next.

Leikr say that the watch is upgradeable and that more software features will be added over time. It’ll retail at $449 (£278).

Leikr are looking for $250,000 (about £155,00) to take the design to market. When we last checked, they had donations totaling about $157,000 (£97,000) with 18 days to go. As usual with Kickstarter, if pledges don’t reach the goal, Leikr don’t receive any money – it’s all or nothing.

Visit Leikr’s Kickstarter page for more details.