Español Just over a month ago, Garmin introduced three one-piece products, the Forerunner 230 and 630, which replaced two models that had been on the market for quite some time, the FR220 and FR620. Gamin 235 It also came to replace another model within the range, the FR225, but this one has only been on sale for a few months. A premature replacement, but not because of problems with the first model, but simply because of the adoption of an optical sensor of its own and a purely commercial manoeuvre.
I've been alternating between them for several weeks now, so I have a good idea of what they offer. I started with the Forerunner 230, the first one I received since I bought it directly from an official dealer with the intention of being able to offer you the test as soon as possible. At the moment I'm publishing the test only with the data from the 230 and later I'll add the specific details of the Garmin 235. Both watches are the same, except for the optical pulse sensor (and the rest of the options that revolve around it). As for the Forerunner 630, it's one step up in terms of performance. You'll also have a test over the next few weeks, since I'm already working on it.
As you know, I always like to make it clear that all the tests I do are totally independent, I reflect my opinion; what I write are my impressions of use like any other athlete, and my hand never shakes if I have to criticize any product. And all this is possible because I maintain absolute independence from the brands, thus ensuring that there is no pressure to write a more or less favorable opinion.
Don't forget that if you want to show your gratitude for the content I make and want to help support the site, you can buy your new Garmin Forerunner 230 or 235 through the links I provideThat way I get a small commission for each device (or any other item you buy), which is what allows the website to continue and covers some of the work I do.
And now that I've explained the test conditions, let's move on to the in-depth analysis of the Garmin 230 and 235.
Content
RATING
Operation - 9
Connectivity - 10
Design, finish and comfort - 9
Battery life - 9.5
Applications - 8.5
Price - 9
The good
- Possibility to configure different sport profiles
- VO2Max, race forecast, recovery time, records... except race dynamics the same as top-of-the-range models
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Bluetooth synchronization with your phone for all activities
The bad
- First version of the Garmin Elevate sensor on the FR235, slightly more demanding on the battery
- Although it doesn't look bad, plastic feels cheap
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Unpacking
I will start with the unpacking of the Garmin Forerunner 230, and when I publish all the data of the FR235 I will add it too, although what you will find inside the box is the same.
The box of the new Forerunners has been modernized, the old packaging was showing the years. The watch I bought for the test is the version without a pulse sensor, if you wear it you will see it specified on the front of the box.
The Forerunner 235's case is basically the same, with the logical differences corresponding to the model included inside, such as having a pulse sensor on the wrist.
The change of package also serves to update the details you see. The new Garmin Connect application is now highlighted.
Similarly, the notifications and advanced features of these new models are also highlighted.
Being the basic version, the content is quite brief. A multi-language instruction manual (it's never too late for you to learn German) and the timing and charging cable. Ah! and the watch, of course. This is the yellow version, a colour exclusive to the FR230. Other options for this model are black and white and purple and white.
In the Forerunner 235 box? Same thing.
The aesthetics are completely similar to the model it replaces, but the design of the dial is more up-to-date and the display is now larger. The diameter of the FR220 has been increased from 25mm to 31.1mm, while maintaining the external size of the watch at 45mm. Both the thickness and the weight are practically identical.
The layout of the buttons is the same. On the right side is the main button, which you will use to start and stop activities, as well as to access the menu and confirm options. Below it is the button for marking laps during training, which you will also use to exit the different menus.
On the left side you will find three buttons, two of which are multi-function. The upper one allows you to turn on the screen illumination and, by holding it down, it allows you to turn off the clock. The other two buttons are scroll buttons.
As you can see, the central button is engraved with the now classic hamburger icon, which is being imposed on all new user interface designs. Depending on the screen you are on, you can use it to enter the specific options of the screen (on the clock, in the widgets, during the activity, etc). To do this you simply have to leave it pressed.
In the back you can find the charging pins. The watch is submersible at 50 meters, so you will have no problem showering or swimming with it.
This is the only point where you will find aesthetic differences between FR230 and FR235, as behind it you will find the optical pulse sensor.
Of course, the cable clamp changes the design, and it is not the same as in the previous models, although in this case it is compatible between FR230, FR235 and FR630, so in all these weeks I have only needed one cable on the desk. Thanks, Garmin!
The connection is made by "biting" the watch. The socket that has to insert the clamp is quite well marked, so it is easy to know when the cable is well placed. The watch is securely fastened, so you can leave it hanging from the charger.
Once you've met him up close, I'll show you everything he's capable of.
Career
There are several new features not found in the models they replace (Forerunner 220 and Forerunner 225 The basic use is the same, you put on the watch, start the activity and run (this is not yet done by the watch for us). But many other things change. For the better.
Starting from the clock menu, which is now accessed from the activity button, one touch of the main button takes you to a preview screen where you have three options. If you press the top scroll button you can change the activity (running, indoor running, cycling or others), scrolling down you will access the menu and if you simply want to start the activity in the active profile, you can do so by pressing the main button again.
By accessing the menu you can not only configure the activity you have selected at that time, but also have access to other settings, history, statistics, etc.
The configuration possibilities within the activity have also increased. While in the old models the maximum of data on screen simultaneously was three, in the Garmin 230 and Garmin 235 we can now show up to four on each of them.
You can set up two different displays, to which you can also add a heart rate display, HR zone display and the time of day clock.
All these settings will be specific to the activity you are editing at the moment, so your racing screens do not have to be the same as your cycling screens - in fact, they are usually quite different from each other.
It is also possible to configure different options for each activity such as auto lap (to automatically mark laps in the distance you choose), auto pause (the recording stops if you stop), automatic screen switching (the watch alternates screens without the need to press a button) and alerts. These include default alerts (heart rate, running/walking, pace, time, distance, calories) or any other you can think of, as you can customize them to your liking depending on the chosen parameter, such as "call home to say I'm late" after 2 hours of activity.
When you have your watch perfectly configured for your particular tastes, it's time to start running by simply selecting the activity (instead of accessing the menu as you saw before) and the main data screen will appear.
The satellite search is quite fast, usually less than 10 seconds. This is because the clock downloads the updated satellite cache at every sync you make from the clock. And if you have it paired to your phone that cache will be permanently updated.
When you have a satellite signal you can start running. Like all the latest Garmin watches, the instantaneous pace is displayed in multiples of 5 seconds. The data is filtered to avoid continuous pace jumps (for example, when turning a corner). But if you select average training pace or lap pace, then it will go to the second.
If at any time you get lost, because you're running in the mountains, in a city you don't know, or you're just that absent-minded, you can make use of the back to start function. It's a simple navigation (nothing to do with what you can find on a specific mountain clock) in which it will indicate the direction you should follow to reach the starting point, along with the remaining distance in a straight line.
When you finish your workout, you can review the details of your workout globally, and if you don't want to see them right away (because you're trying to find out where your liver went when it came out of your mouth), you can always access the same data in the history menu.
You can also access specific details of each of the laps, marked automatically or manually through the
You will be able to see graphically which FC zones you have been training
And if you have passed any previous record, a message of congratulations will appear on the screen.
The records are for times and distances. The fastest times for 1 km, 1 mile, 5 km, 10 km, half marathon, marathon and the longest distance for running; while for cycling they will be 40 km faster, higher gain in altitude and farther distance.
These records are device-specific, so the first day you use your watch you'll have the fastest mile, fastest mile, longest distance, and so on.
At the end of your training you will also have information about your recovery time, which is the time the watch estimates you should let go for your next intensity training. Usually these times are quite high (especially if you have done an intense training). This does not mean that you should not do any activity in that period of time, but it is recommended that you do not do a high intensity training again (i.e. do not do two zone 4 or zone 5 training sessions one day after the other). This is just an example of how the information is displayed, as I do not have any pictures taken immediately after finishing the training.
It inherits the V02Max calculation function that was present in the FR620. Also in the FR235 with the optical pulse sensor, something that was not normal until now, as it needed a chest sensor to calculate the data accurately. If there is a variation in the maximum data after your training or race it will appear on the screen, or you can access the log from the menu.
Note that to have a stable record of this value it is necessary that the watch learns from you as an athlete for several weeks, especially in high intensity training. For example, in the Garmin Fenix 3 I have a higher value than the FR230, as I have spent more time with the former and it has recorded more training (and especially races).
You can track your training through Garmin Connect and see how your training affects your physical performance.
This VO2Max value will be directly related to the estimation of possible times for different competitions, a calculation that will appear in the "My statistics" menu.
It doesn't mean that debas Obviously if you are not training to run a marathon, you will not be able to do it in the time that the clock indicates.
Advanced training
This feature is already common on Garmin's mid-range watches, so the FR230 and FR235 were no less. In fact, it is one of the features that helps buyers most to choose Garmin as a brand, because it offers the best workout schedule, complete yet easy.
There are two ways to create workouts. The first is through Garmin Connect, where you can create workouts that you or your coach have marked for a particular day (or make one of the plans on the web).
You can schedule them as recurring sessions (workouts that you will do every week); or training for a particular date, which you could add to the calendar on a specific date.
This training podrás then synchronize it with the clock, and it will be the one that tells you step by step what is the goal of each stage. It should tell you if you meet the target indicated in each of the phases, just like the other models in the range, but for some reason that I do not know they have not yet podido enable it. I don't know if it will be "a feature" (i.e. they are saving it for higher models now), or some software bug. What it will do is mark the laps for you so you can do the analysis of each stage.
You can also schedule interval training from the clock, but it will be a little easier.
You can define warm-up, cool-down, work and recovery periods, each with a specific duration (in time or distance). What you cannot do in this mode is to specify a target for each stage (you cannot indicate that your work interval is between 3:50 and 4:00 as in the image above).
As I said, this is already common in the whole range of Garmin watches. But within the Training menu there is a new feature: the end time estimate. A function not present in previous models, which allows you to enter the distance you choose or simply select one of the default ones.
A screen will be added indicating remaining distance, estimated final time and average pace. You can customize it or select a default distance, such as 10 kilometers.
The clock will calculate your final competition time based on the distance covered and your average pace, which can be used during your training to set race rhythms or in the competition itself to monitor your final time.
Cycling
Garmin has finally added a cycling mode to its mid-range race clock (previously only present on the 620), which means that when you do activities that involve pedaling you will no longer break all your race records, and we also have support for specific sensors you may have mounted on your bike, such as speed and/or cadence sensors.
To add sensors, simply open the "Sensors and accessories" menu and zoom in on the sensor in question. It is not necessary to press the search option because it will do it automatically when you open the menu. Used to the previous way of having to select "search" to add it, it is somewhat complex at first. But the truth is that once you are used to it, there is no major difficulty. And it will not connect with absolutely all the sensors that it finds around it, but only with those that have a high emission power (i.e. are close to the watch).
In fact, it wouldn't even be necessary to access that menu. You just have to bring the watch close to the sensor in question and, if there isn't one connected for that channel, it will connect automatically, even if we aren't looking for it. This has happened to me, for example, with the Stryd power meter. When you put the watch close to your chest to start the activity, the watch has connected it directly through the pedometer channel, where nothing was connected.
The rule is to put a clock and sensor close together to match.
Using the speed sensor, you can leave the wheel size calibration in automatic, or select the size manually.
What is recommended is that if you are a regular rider, you should use a handlebar holder, which can be the original from Garmin The reason, apart from simple convenience, is that when obtaining GPS data the accuracy will be higher as the watch is facing the sky (at least in road cycling, where you have your wrist turned). You can check the difference in the recorded track in these two images that correspond to the same training. The accuracy in the first case (watch on the wrist) is much lower than that given by a device mounted on the handlebar.
Of course, if you ride Forerunner 235 on the handlebars you won't have pulse data with the built-in sensor, but you can pair it with a chest sensor for your bike workouts.
Other activities
Finally there is another activity profile called "Other". This will encompass any other sport you want to practice, for which 1TP10You can create data displays, alerts and other specific settings separate from running (indoor or outdoor) or cycling modes.
Not only can you set up your screens specifically, but they will also synchronise with Garmin Connect by being bookmarked with another activity profile, so you can keep track of all your activities.
What we don't have is a profile of swimmingFor this reason, neither the Garmin 230 nor the Garmin 235 are compatible with this sport profile. Garmin 735XT which, being a multisport GPS heart rate monitor, does offer support for swimming. In the Garmin 735XT you will find profile of swimming pool and open water swimming.
Activity monitoring
It's no surprise to find an activity monitor in the Garmin 230 and 235In fact, it has already become a basic function of any watch on the market. In other words, we cannot consider that it does not have the same functions as any activity bracelet, it is clear that it must have more than covered.
We can say that it is divided into two parts: firstly the information shown by the clock and secondly the information synchronized with the online platform.
On the main screen of the watch you can press the scroll button to access the activity monitor page where you will find the daily step count, distance calculation, calories consumed and percentage against the daily step target. All this activity will simply identify you by walk.
When you spend too much time sitting down the clock will show you an inactivity bar to warn you how lazy you are, vibrating and triggering an alert when it thinks you're out of line. That red line will be present on both the activity monitor and the time display.
If you want to erase the warning you'll have to move. A minute's walk will reset the counter. At least until the next time your watch catches you wandering around on the couch again.
The Garmin FR230 or FR235 automatically records the quality of your sleep and identifies the phases of your sleep. There is no need to activate any specific mode, as sleep detection is done automatically on the Garmin server.
All this data is synchronised with Garmin Connect, where you can make a more detailed analysis of your day-to-day, previous days or trends in different days, weeks or months; both step and sleep data. In the gallery below you can see different information that is sent to Connect.
Of course, in the mobile application you will also have access to all these data.
In the case of Forerunner 235, the activity monitor has more features thanks to the optical pulse sensor, because in addition to offering the same functionality as the FR230, it will monitor your heart rate throughout the day. The data recording rate depends on the activity, so as not to negatively affect the autonomy. In that sense, it is behind what Fitbit offers in the Surge, which monitors the pulse every 5 seconds when it is not in activity.
In the case of FR235, this variable rate will depend on whether we are making any movement, so if we are lying on the sofa watching a soap opera the sensor will be activated every 10 minutes approximately, but if we are walking the recording will be much more frequent.
It also has a specific widget where you can check your heart rate at any time, along with a graph of your heart rate.
At the top left you will find your current heart rate, and to the right the resting heart rate for the current day. Below this you will have the pulse graph for the last four hours, along with the minimum and maximum rates for that period (not for the whole day). If you have done an intensity workout in those last 4 hours, you will have the coloured lines in the same tones as the zones.
Additionally, if you press the main button you can access a second screen where you will see the evolution of your heart rate at rest over the last seven days.
And as always, all this data will end up in Garmin Connect, where you'll find the heart rate graph for the day.
But with the logging rate so spaced out there is not much analysis possible except to know when you have done a somewhat more intense physical activity (such as training at the end of the day), although it is easy to check the times of day when I have simply been sitting in front of the computer and when I have been walking to get from one place to another.
Optical pulse sensor (FR235)
The FR230 and FR235 are the same device with a small exception, the optical pulse sensor that is integrated into the FR235. This sensor makes a difference not only in terms of the hardware of the watches, but also in terms of the specific functions of the watch.
The FR235 is not the first Garmin device to integrate this sensor (the first was the FR225At least, as far as the Forerunner range is concerned, because it is the same sensor you can find on the activity wristband Garmin Vivosmart HR who showed up a couple of days earlier.
The Garmin Elevate is an own development, so it has to be analyzed very carefully given its youth, unlike the FR225 sensor, which was a fully tested external sensor (from Mio, the same one you can find at Mio Link).
You can learn more about the operation of optical sensors in the article I did back in the dayBut to give you some quick information, what makes a sensor good is not the lighting or the sensor itself, it is the algorithm that takes care of eliminating the signal noise, produced by the different movements. Polishing this usually takes quite a long time. Months or even years.
The first difference from the FR225 it replaces is that in this case the new Forerunner 235 can use the optical sensor throughout the day, recording the pulse not only during your workouts but also when you're resting. Real-world use? Well, apart from being cool, being able to know your resting heart rate in more detail.
Data collection is variable depending on movement. If the watch does not detect movement (because of the built-in accelerometer), it will record heart rate data every 10 minutes. The more movement you have, the higher the rate of data refresh and recording. Of course, during your workouts, the recording will be every second. When synchronizing data, in Garmin Connect you can see not only those last 4 hours, but also entire days of heart activity, including workout periods.
We can also access the same seven-day graph that you can see from the clock, but strangely the data does not match. My guess is that while one reflects the minimum of the day, on the web what appears is the average frequency at rest.
Remember, all this additional data about the activity is unique to FR235. Even if you pair a sensor with FR230 and wear it all day, it does not have this function.
Transmission of FC by ANT+
Another interesting option offered by the FR235 is that it can be used as a simple pulse sensor, transmitting to other devices through ANT+. That way you could use your FR235 with, for example, an Edge cycling unit (you could also use it as a sensor for another clock... but it would not make sense).
When you use the watch in this mode, as with the Vivosmart HR, you cannot record activity or use the watch normally, so you cannot record activity or view your data screens while transmitting the heart rate via ANT+.
To poder activate this function, simply go to the heart rate widget and press and hold the top scroll button to access the options specific to that mode. You will find the option to "Broadcast heart rate".
Once the retransmission is activated, you simply have to look for the sensor on the device you want to use to record the training session, and from there, you will have on the screen of the other device the heart rate sent by the FR235.
Remember that ANT+, unlike Bluetooth, allows you to connect a slave device to multiple master devices, so you can have one sensor connected to multiple devices.
Accuracy of the optical sensor
Without doubt, the accuracy of the data provided is the most important thing - anything that can be done with the built-in sensor is useless if the data provided is not correct. Much of the testing carried out with Forerunner 235 has been to test the new Garmin Elevate optical sensor - and to test it in a variety of situations and against a variety of sensors, from traditional sensors such as the Garmin HRM-Run, Stryd Power and Heart Rate Meter, to comparing it with optical sensors such as the TomTom Runner 2 or Mio Link.
We start with the easiest part, a short workout at a constant pace, because this is the type of training where the optical sensors suffer the least, as you will see below.
Except for the cold start, which is quite common with optical sensors as you will see in the rest of the graphs, the rest of the training lines up quite well, with some peaks here and there, but generally showing a good overall result.
I'm going to get a little harder. An interval training using a Vertical Ambit3 paired to the Stryd sensor as a reference.
Here the Forerunner 235 has performed its function perfectly. It starts completely parallel to the sensor on the chest (temperatures have a lot to do with it), the maximum peaks of the intervals have reached the same point and it only loses a little when it comes to recovering pulses, where the Elevate sensor sins of having some lag. Apart from that, a nice graphic overlay.
The following example is a training of increasing pace, where another problem of the Elevate sensor is perceived. The graph is constructed perfectly, until in the 20th minute I increase the pace to start the 10 minutes at higher rates working the cadence.
At this point Forerunner 235 assumes badly, even worse than Vivosmart HR (which uses the same sensor). High cadence rates tend to confuse optical sensors, since the calculation algorithm must remove the noise of the arm movement itself and focus on the pulses.
Here you can see that last section enlarged, where the orange line of the Ambit3 is reasonably stable, and both Vivosmart HR and FR235 jump quite a bit more. And when you slow down, you can see perfectly how both devices with the Garmin Elevate sensor lag behind the Ambit3 reading.
Finally, compared to Mio LinkBoth Mio Link and Stryd are connected to a Suunto Ambit3 to obtain the data.
We will skip the beginning of the activity, where for some reason I don't know the reading was very high even before starting the activity (I tried everything to get it back to its place, leave the activity and start again, clean the sensor, remove and put the watch...) I simply started the activity, I knew that it wouldn't take long to find the right pulse.
As for the rest of the training, warm-up, intensity increase and three short intervals with rest, the data obtained only corroborates what has been said so far. The pulse monitoring is correct at all times, but it is lost when reducing the pulses after the interval has ended. Although it does not always have a lag, for example on the third attempt the delay is not perceived.
As far as cycling activities are concerned, I'm not surprised. The surprise would be that the heart rate reading was moderately good. But as I've seen with other devices (TomTom Runner 2 for example), the data recorded during cycling is totally useless. And the strange thing is that they coincide at some point. Although good, miracles exist and sometimes they do happen.
In this other example the coincidences are somewhat more frequent, but even so the data provided are not very useful.
Today you would not depend on Forerunner 235's sensor as the main pulse sensor when riding your bike, nor would you rely on it to get the data directly into the clock or as an external sensor for another device (such as an Edge computer).
That said, I would have no problem using it as a regular sensor in training or races, knowing what problems can occur on series days, when the drop in heart rate is somewhat slower (I simply set the rest in a certain time, instead of waiting for a particular heart rate).
Compared to another sensor that has recently come on the market, such as the LifeQ sensor that equips the TomTom Runner 2, they are pretty much on par. Perhaps in the case of TomTom you get slightly better results, as the Garmin Elevate's pulse logging is too nervous, presenting many peaks that are especially noticeable when running continuously at a certain pace. Maybe it's because the data processing is different (filtering out the pulse data received from the chest sensor), but Forerunner 235 could use a slight smoothing out in the graphs.
But in exchange for these issues you get 24-hour pulse monitoring and can get an idea of how you're feeling physically easily, thanks to your resting pulse. And don't forget that Forerunner 235 still maintains ANT+ connectivity, so you can always use an external sensor for the most demanding days.
GPS
There are two quite important innovations in the Forerunner 230 and 235. The first one is that now, besides receiving signal from GPS satellites it is also compatible with GLONASS. In theory it should improve the reception and positioning quality by having more satellites with which to triangulate the position.
This function can be activated or deactivated as you wish from the menu (independently for each activity profile). You must bear in mind that the use of GLONASS increases the battery consumption, so you must sacrifice one or the other option. The best thing you can do is to try both functions and keep the one that satisfies you the most.
Another important change from the models they replace is that data recording can now be set every second. The FR220 and FR225 only allowed intelligent recording in variable time. At the end of the activity the distances were the same as in other watches with 1-second recording, but they could create tracks with cutouts in curves. Now the tracks are smoother.
I have found good results when comparing the tracks with other devices, both in the case of the 230 and the 235, because they share everything with respect to the GPS. In this first case you can see how both Forerunner 230 and Ambit3 (purple and orange) draw a perfect track, while the Fenix 3 (blue) draws it slightly on the outside. In the upper area of the triangle there are quite a lot of trees that make it difficult to receive the GPS signal, and despite that the result obtained is really satisfactory.
In this case, except for two small excursions on the part of the Fenix 3, the three clocks draw a very similar graph.
As in this case, where Fenix 3 and FR230 draw the graph perfectly, and Ambit3 goes a couple of meters above the actual route.
Cold starts are always complicated. The clocks have not yet connected to all possible satellites and this affects the initial positioning. For example, at this point the Fenix 3 always draws the layout like this (something on the facades of the buildings makes it read bounced signals that confuse the data obtained, as it's not a matter of once or twice, it's always the same thing and in the same point). Even so, FR230 draws a fairly straight graph.
The FR230 interprets the turns on oneself better than the Fenix 3. In this training, when turning around to return on my steps, the FR230 recognizes it perfectly, while the Fenix 3 makes a slightly wider turn.
Very good results at all times, and not only in the recorded tracks, but also in the distance comparisons.
[table id=92 /]As you know, Garmin has had a history of somewhat chaotic GPS performance in early software versions, but this is not at all the case with Forerunner 230 or Forerunner 235, which have been performing really well since day one.
Battery life
Here there are variations between the Garmin Forerunner 230 and the 235. Of course, the optical sensor also consumes battery power, so the autonomy of both models differs, being 16 hours of training in the FR230 and 11 hours in the case of the FR235.
The procedure is the same as I always follow. Clock charged to 100% and to the roof to spend the night in the fresh air.
This time it cost me some extra tests to calculate the autonomy, because after two first tests in which I barely reached 7.5 hours of battery life, I found the problem. The function of turning on the screen with the turn of the wrist was activated. As the watch was in the same position and upwards, it remained with the lighting activated during all that time. To solve that crossroads cost me 2 minutes of scratching my head, until in the third attempt I deactivated the function and completed the test without problems.
It continues the trend of the last Garmin watches, in which the real autonomy is higher than the estimated autonomy. Anyway, the test is done with GLONASS and Bluetooth deactivated, and without connecting ANT+ sensors. The use of GLONASS satellites has an impact of 15-20% on the battery (in this case, specifically 17%), so if we disconnect that factor and connect a sensor (that although the consumption is very low, also consumes battery), it would fit with the 16 hours of battery announced.
The difference between FR230 and FR235 is remarkable, not only in daily use, where the pulse rate obviously affects the battery life, but also during activity, where the sensor weighs down the autonomy.
Today it is quite far from the promised figures, both in duration during the activity (promises up to 15 hours of continuous use) and in combined use, since of the 9 days in watch mode promised (maximum, without GPS use), in my case I find myself charging the watch every 3 or 4 days. This use includes not only activity monitoring with heart rate data, but also notifications and Bluetooth synchronization and activities with GPS use.
Clock, notifications and Connect IQ
If training watches have made progress in any way, it is precisely in their role as everyday watches. Gone are those models that were only used for training and that didn't even give us the time of day. Now they have to do all that and much more.
The Garmin FR230 and FR235 support Connect IQThis allows you to change the time display to any of the many available on the Garmin app store.
But that's not all Connect IQ is for. It also allows you to install other widgets in addition to those provided by the phone, applications or different data fields. If you want to learn more about the possibilities of Connect IQ I recommend that you go to the article I published at the time about Connect IQ, as well as the latest developments presented this year.
Within the widgets we have those that are included in the default clock (time, control, notifications, calendar, etc), but we could also add any of the ones you find in the Garmin app storeBelow is a gallery of the different screens you will find in the standby mode, accompanying the screen of the activity monitor.
Not only does it give the time, but you can set different alarms, not only individually, but also with repeatability (daily, weekend or midweek).
A new feature on the FR230 and FR235 is that there is a new way to turn on the screen illumination, and it is through a turn of the wrist. This way, if you activate this option the illumination will turn on when you raise your arm in a gesture of looking at the clock screen. It is not instantaneous, there is a slight delay of half a second.
Mobile notifications are added to the daily clock (for Android and iOS), with this range being the last to be updated. The clock will vibrate when you receive a notification on your phone, showing it on the screen.
You will also be able to view any notifications that you have not yet discarded from your phone through the existing widget. It only allows you to view those notifications, so you cannot interact with them (answer an email or WhatsApp, for example). All you will be able to do is cancel a call from the clock.
You get these because your watch and phone are always in sync via Bluetooth Smart, a low-power wireless connection, so you don't have to worry about your smartphone battery. And thanks to this constant connection your workouts and activities will always be in sync, so as soon as you finish a workout you can find all the details on the web or in the application without having to sync your watch with your computer to analyse it.
Another new feature you'll find in the new Forerunners is that they now allow you to receive lap information by voice, so you'll need to carry your mobile phone with you. If you activate this feature, when you're training and you take a lap (automatically or manually), you'll be able to hear your lap number and the time to cover it through your phone (or headset if you're listening to music).
And of course, you also have the LiveTrack option, which allows you to share your location in real time with anyone you send a link to via the mobile application, but to use this feature you must have your phone with you during your workout.
My opinion
I have to say I like the Forerunner 230. I like it a lot. I think Garmin has got a round product that offers a lot of features at a reasonable price. If you're a road racer there's no better watch I can recommend.
The reason is simple, the FR230 has many of the features we could only find on the Forerunner 620 before. Things like VO2Max estimation, recovery time and status or race time estimation we only had before on top-of-the-line models. Also, two activity profiles (cycling and others) are added, something we've been asking for for years. The only two features you don't get from the 620 are race dynamics and touch screen, and I don't think either of those could be a reason to miss it. Garmin puts the 230 and 235 at the same performance height as their previous top-of-the-line, and at a lower price.
Add to that the larger screen, Bluetooth connectivity for synchronization and notifications, activity monitor, etc. and you have the best device in the category. And it's a model that comes in quite polished, without major problems.
Right now the only negative thing that can be said about them is that there is some problem with the new devices and Garmin Connect, it does not remember the selection to show the information in kilometers, so from time to time the configuration returns to miles. Apart from that, a very solid behavior in all aspects.
When choosing between the new models (230, 235 and 630), it will depend on your specific needs. In this same article I will add the data of the 235 regarding the optical pulse sensor and the specific functions around it. Also, in the next weeks I will publish the complete test of the 630.
If you've seen the updated list of recommendations, I put Forerunner 230 in first position. Now you know why.
Did you like the test?
I hope you enjoyed this comprehensive review. It took many hours to put it together. If you liked it and want to help, you can comment below and tell me if you liked the test. Or ask your questions, I may have left something along the way. As you may have noticed if you have seen past tests, I will answer all your questions.
Discuss this test with your friends and share it on social networks, if you are encouraged to do so by the purchase of the device, you can do this through these links at the bottom of the articleThis way you save, and I get back a small commission that will help in the purchase of new devices for the following tests.
Buy Garmin Forerunner 230
There are three colours for the Garmin FR230: Black and White, Purple and Black and White, and Yellow. And you can choose to buy just the watch or with the HRM Premium pulse sensor. Below are links to some great deals. Buying through them will help you maintain the website and some of my work.
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Buy Garmin Forerunner 235
The Garmin FR235 is also available in three colours (black/red, black/grey and black/blue), but obviously there is no pack version with an HRM sensor, as they all have an optical pulse sensor.
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Fantastic review Eduardo,
I have clear that in the letter to the wise men I will ask for one of these new Garmin. But I have some doubts that maybe with your experience with both models you can solve me. I comment you my two options to see which one you find more interesting.
1. Forerunner 235: I like that the optical pulse sensor is integrated into the watch. I come from a very basic sigma heart rate monitor and it's clear to me that I don't want any more chest bands (definitely not for me). What I don't like about the sensor is that from what I've read it's not quite polished and above all that it can't be turned off, so it would be consuming battery constantly. My intention is to use the watch as a daily watch and anything that helps increase battery life would be welcome.
Forerunner 230: the doubts that podía have have dispersed after your review. The option that I see interesting for me is to combine it with the MIO LINK. Yes, I will be with two "junk" at the same time, but the MIO link will only be used in the outputs, so I will gain battery life in the watch and unless you say otherwise is a fully contrasted HRM.
In the absence of the evidence and conclusions you give us about 235 and bearing in mind that I don't want to use a band, which option do you think is more recommendable?
Greetings and thanks for all the articles!
Thank you Jose
It is possible to turn off the 235's pulse sensor, but in that case you lose the specific functions of constant HR monitoring, the graphs it offers, the recording of the minimum frequency, etc.
The other option is to use Mio Link, of course (which I tested at the time: https://www.correrunamaraton.com/mio-link-prueba/It already depends on what else you value, the additional information on the clock or the versatility of having a separate clock and sensor.
Thanks for the answer Eduardo. The specific functions of constant FC do not matter much to me because my daily activity during working hours is very sedentary. Come on I will use it for career purposes only. As an optical sensor what do you think of the MIO compared to Garmin's?
Today, the Mio is a mature product, while the Garmin Elevate is something that has just arrived on the market and, like all new technology, will need some time to improve (although initial tests with the Vivosmart HR speak well, it is still not perfect).
The difference could lie in possible future updates associated with the sensor (in terms of additional functions), especially in terms of reading pulse variability. That may or may not come, but it should simply be taken into account.
I understand, with the MIO I assure myself of the present, but giving up the garmin sensor, even if today it's not completely mature, I can miss things in the future. Anyway, it's great news to learn that it can be deactivated, I thought I read that it couldn't be done some time ago.
Thanks for your help!
Do you think it is a better option than the vivoactive? is it more "serious" with the possibility of planning intervals or is it more complete as it has a profile for hiking, swimming, etc.?
It depends on the type of athlete you are. If you're more of a runner, Forerunner 230 is a better choice. On the other hand, if you're a more casual user who simply runs for sport, as well as other activities, I'd go for the Vivoactive.
Hi. How about comparing the 230 with the m400 polar? Is there much difference? I'm not an expert. In price there is.
Is it worth the difference? It depends on your user profile. If you simply run for fitness without setting targets (times, competition, etc.) with the Polar M400 you will have enough. However, I recommend that you read the test to see which one suits you best: https://www.correrunamaraton.com/prueba-polar-m400/
Very interesting,
I'd like your advice on which watch would give me the best information.
I go for a run 3 times a week on the asphalt and ride, and I also play paddleball.
The garmin 230 would inform me of the effort etc. made playing paddle? or would there be someone else who would analyse the two activities better?
I really liked the article, of course, simple, phenomenal!
A salute,
Thank you Artur
There isn't a watch right now that can support tennis or paddleball. Any heart rate monitor will do.
For running, I think right now the 230 or 235 is the best choice.
Thank you very much, Eduardo.
I hope you keep running..,
It's the first article I've read of yours, I'm not an expert in this stuff, but I assure you it won't be the last one I read...
Best wishes, all the best...
A very complete review, do you know if the Hrm Run belt of the 920xt model is compatible with the Garmin 230? I say this to take the 230 that does not carry tape and poder use the 920.
Thank you very much for the help you give us all.
Yes, fully compatible, you can use the sensor with both watches
Hello Eduardo, thank you very much for your analysis, I have a doubt this watch is very complete, I have the possibility to buy FR235 or the polar v800, I get them at almost the same price, what do you recommend? in terms of quality and settings, having clear that the polar is multisport, my use will be more running and some pedaling, thank you very much and greetings from Chile
If you don't go swimming and your cycling use is sporadic (and you don't need a barometric altimeter or a cycling power meter) the FR235 is a better choice
Eduardo thank you very much for all the info.
I come from garmin 910xt but I do not use all the functions of triathlon, my uses are to run and apart from that I am an opponent that is to say that I need some data and others and to be able to prepare trainings through the app.
What would you recommend about the new garmin?me models?
Thank you very much.
For exclusive use of asphalt my recommendation is the FR230 (you can see my recommendations here: https://www.correrunamaraton.com/mejor-reloj-gps-2015-navidad/).
Eduardo, thanks for your quick answer, I've been looking at reviews all afternoon and I'm also uncomfortable with the pectoral band and I don't know if I can wait any longer to see if they tune up the 235, which is like the 230 but with the pulse in the wrist...I don't know what to do.
Does the GPS pick it up fast? The truth is that 910xt has days and days...
By the way, how do you wear this pulsometer to go into the pool at least for series and so on, i.e. as a stopwatch.
Yes, GPS acquisition is very fast, usually less than 10 seconds if it is overnight.
As for the pulse sensor in the water, it does not provide reliable data.
Hello Eduardo, I congratulate you again, I've read many of your articles and they are all perfect.
I wanted to ask you some questions because I have been wearing this watch for several days (forerunner 230) and there are several things I wanted to tell you.
I see that the battery wears out very quickly, I guess because at first I touch it a lot but I charged it on Monday evening and I have run with it twice and being on Wednesday and this by 55%, I hope it is by touching it because at this rate I do not reach the weekend and I would worry a lot.
One thing that happened to me today is that I have planned a workout from garmin connect, when I was doing it I marked auto lap, which I thought that being the planned training would not mark them automatically but would mark only the change of "step" of the exercise. I have done series of one thousand with recovery of 3 minutes and 300 meters before finishing a thousand I got the autolap marking me a thousand without coming to account and at the end of that phase I marked the thousand that I had programmed so the page looks a rare thing. should I remove the auto lap when I do a scheduled training session ?
and the last doubt, when you put the data collection in 1 second you can notice the battery consumption.
Thank you very much!
At first the battery does not stretch as much as it should, give it two or three charges to stabilize.
The second thing that you indicate is something that is happening with the new models (230, 235 and 630). If you leave the automatic autolap activated it continues to be marked, and it doesn't deactivate to mark only the lapses of the training, as it used to. I'm still not clear if it's a Garmin error, or if they intend to implement it this way from now on giving priority to the autolap over the training. Personally I think that the previous operation was preferable.
Recording data every second increases battery consumption, but it is not a substantial difference either.
An excellent analysis as all the ones you do. By the way I would like you to explain a little more about the option "Other type of activity", what exactly you can do there, what fields you can put, how you can configure it, etc., I am interested for my workouts in the gym, for example poder put several types of countdowns, for the various breaks and poder also measure the total training time, as well as heart rate, etc.... Greetings and thank you for this fantastic site.
It is exactly the same as the running or cycling application. It can be configured with the same variables. The difference is that when synchronizing with Connect, it will be done as "Others". You can put, therefore, the data screens you want for that profile.
Well seen this review, and after buying the bike already, I really like the 235 and the tom tom cardio music too and I ride both, in the end I will discard the option of the fitbit arises. now between the 235 and tom tom, which, I would take advantage for speed cadence and pedaling and pulse meter incorparado.
Greetings Eduardo
I can't tell you anything about the TomTom yet, I'm waiting for a unit to be provided for a full analysis
Well first of all, thank you very much and congratulations for this super detailed analysis.
A month ago (if it comes) I bought the garmin fr 230 and so far I'm really happy, it's a great watch and I love it. However, I have a doubt and that is that the volume of oxygen in the blood as well as the prognosis of the race is not modified anymore. At first it changed a lot because of what you said before, that it needs to know you so to speak, but I've already been training a lot in which the vo2 and the prognosis is not modified at all ... do you know what can happen?
Thank you very much and best regards
Antonio.
Thank you, Antonio.
That's normal behavior. Once the data stabilizes it will only go up or down minimally, depending on your physical shape
Impressive review; as always. Very complete and very clear, as we are used to. It is a pleasure to read such a well-structured article with such good photos. Congratulations!
Thank you, Daniel. I'm glad you like it and that it's useful
Hello, Eduardo.
In my case I have clear that I want a watch with a pulse sensor in the wrist and no pectoral bands. I was very determined to the FR 225 (in fact, I even bought it although I have not unpacked it yet), but I do not know if I should change it and get the 235.
The pros are clear to me, as they are the improvements that you describe here from 230 to 220. Also, the fact of being a multisport is something that comes in handy for my kind of training.
The point I am not so clear about is the sensor replacement. You speak in some comment of "lack of maturity"... as it is a new sensor, and not the MIO one that includes the 225, I have some doubts.
What would you do if you were me, assuming the price difference wasn't a problem?
If we take the price out of the equation, I'll take 235 for sure.
The sensor still needs to be polished, but I give it a remarkable
Good night, fantastic review.
I hesitate between the 230 and the vivoactive. I go for a run 3 times a week, half on the asphalt and half on the roads, I go out for a day on my bike and do some fitness. What do you recommend?
The Garmin 230 is superior to the Vivoactive in terms of sporting use. The only reason to opt for the Vivoactive would be if you wanted to use it for swimming or golfing. If not, opt for the Forerunner.
Excellent review Eduardo. I discovered you recently but I'll be stopping by often. I'm looking forward to your conclusions on the 235 sensor to decide between this and the 230.
Greetings
Thank you, Alvaro. I hope to publish it by the beginning of the year.
You've got us impatient!!! 😉
Good night.
I'm pretty hesitant about buying a new watch. I'm between these two watches, but I don't know if I can trust the 235's optical sensor.
Usually during the week I run around the city and go on bike trips; and on weekends I go to the mountains.
Which one do you think would be better? Is it worth going without an HR band despite the lower accuracy of 235?
Greetings.
Right now the optical sensor, in precision, is slightly below the sensor on the chest.
My advice is that if you ride a lot of bikes you should opt for 230, depending on the position of your wrist it is possible that the reading will not be good. Running should not be a problem.
Not that I liked the post, I loved it. It's nice to read things like that in such detail. The specifications of each step with its corresponding image are very good, but I still have doubts -my own decisions-.
You see, I go for a run about three times a week and the sensor on my wrist would really go with me because when I run I don't like to take too much stuff with me. But anyway, I've never tried any treadmill or any other watch.
That's why, for me, the most important thing would be the GPS, the distance covered, the pace of the km and then all the other extras that the accessory has.
So after looking at the bracelets as well, I think I could get more out of the watch. So if you could help me with my doubts, I'd appreciate it.
Because would it be a bad choice to opt for the 220 or 225 models? Or would it be better to spend a little more and keep all their new features?
And one last one, I've seen the FR 610 for less than 200 with the heart band. But the same thing happens, would it be too outdated already?
Thank you and I hope you can give me a hand
Thank you Jose Luis.
Today 220/225/610 is in the same price range.
Personally I would not opt for 610, both 220 and 225 seem to me to be better options.
Whether you stay with the old model or switch to the new model is mostly up to you, whether you will make use of the notification options, Connect IQ, VO2Max, etc. In my opinion, just because of the larger screen size it is already worthwhile, but that is up to each individual to decide.
As for the optical sensor, if you don't like the idea of wearing the sensor on your chest right away, my advice is to jump straight to the optical sensor.
Thank you very much,
That's the doubt I have, that at the beginning I don't see myself wearing the band on my chest and that's why the 235 convinces me more. Let's see if you can upload the analysis of the 235 when you can and I'll finish deciding for it -even if it goes up a bit, but well...
In the first weeks of 2016 I will update all the specific details of 235.
Hi! I'm about to change my watch and I'm thinking about 235! But I'm more into cycling! And especially into removing chest bands!
Hello although I arrive a little (very late)I am almost decided to buy the FR235 and as we are already entered in 2017 I would like you to comment me after this time that how is working the 235 and its optical HR sensor and the watch in general to finish deciding to buy it. Thank you.
It's one of Garmin's best-selling models. No problem.
Hello, a spectacular review, a pleasure to read. Just a doubt about the 230, I read that you can control from the watch the music volume of the smartphone to which it is connected (I understand play/pause, etc, too). Is it like that? Can it control any app or does it need any specific app? Could it control the playback of podcasts? Best regards, and again congratulations for the quality of the review 😉.
If I remember correctly (I don't have a watch handy now) the volume cannot be controlled. The default application that controls the watch can be set in Garmin Connect, so you can choose which one you're going to use.
Hello, a great web this, congratulations. a doubt, if you could help me. I have the garmin 230 and it turns out that when I receive a call, this is not notified me on the main screen of the watch, if not in the notifications, giving me the button to enter the screen to poder see the call, and also does not vibrate or sound. (the rest of notifications if I sound and vibrates) after updating several times remains the same. thanks in advance
Which phone do you use? It should be displayed on the main screen. Try disconnecting your phone from Connect and re-syncing it.
Hi, Eduardo,
Thanks for the rewiew.
I'm hesitating between this fr230 and the suunto ambit 3 run.
My doubt is whether the garmin can be loaded with tracks and wikiloc-type routes.
No, it doesn't allow navigation. If you're looking for routes, go with the Suunto.
There is a dwMap application at garmin connect. I haven't used it, it seems very basic, but there is something
Very good Eduardo, it's a pleasure to read you, you can see that there is a very serious work in your articles. I have asked the Three Kings for a GPS watch and I already have my 2 finalists which are the FR230 and 235, I have been running for about 3 years, although I am still as bad hahaha (I don't go below 4:30-4:20 the Km) Which one do you recommend? I know that the difference is the optical pulsometer, but... do you think it is worth it?
Thanks Javier. The difference is only in the optical sensor and what rotates around it (not only the pulse reading, but also the constant monitoring of the pulse during the day). This causes the battery life to be shorter. It already depends on how you value these things when deciding on one or the other.
Thanks a lot for your review friend I ended up buying the F235 thanks to this, but I do not know how to activate the screen "back to home" with the arrow shown in the photo and everything, can you indicate how did you do it? Greetings from Chile!
When you are inside the activity, you must leave the upper scroll button pressed to access the menu where you will find the option to return to the start.
On Thu, 31 Dec. 2015 at 23:03, Gonzalo F. () wrote:
Good afternoon.
I have the Edge 800 for the bikes and the FR 610 for the run, I was thinking of changing the 610 to have a device that I always carry and not just for training, without what they cost entering the equation, do you advise me to change or do I continue with what I have?
I don't plan or do training series or anything like that... I just go out between 2-3 times to run and bike as it suits me and I do depending on who I go with...
Greetings
Yes, if you want a watch for daily use the 230 (or 235) will do much better than the 610. Slimmer, with activity monitor, notifications, etc.
Very useful all the information of this review, I encourage myself to buy it here in Mexico.
I have some questions that I hope you can help me, one is about the alerts I don't know if they can be put in the advanced trainings in Garmin Connect, what I want is that in an interval like the one that you put as an example from 3:50 to 4:00 with an alert the clock warns me if I go under or over, I already look for it in Garmin Connect but I don't know how to put an alert.
If you can get alert in a normal session and a specific rhythm if it warns me with the tone and vibrating, if I go above or below.
Another question is that the voice prompts only give the lap number and time of that lap, but in the Garmin manual they say that they also give rhythm and heart rate information, only I can't activate them either or they are not available yet, I already used it with an IOS cell phone and an Android and nothing.
If you set an interval with these rhythms, you will be warned if you go up or down on the set rhythm. In the same way you can set an alarm from the clock, the operation is the same.
As for the voice prompts, it is indeed what you see at the moment. Probably in the future the information will be increased, but for the moment it is only the lap number and the time to complete it.
Hi Eduardo, thanks for your quick answer, so it's a fact that in advanced training you can't put alerts and in the intervals you can.
But how would I do it if I have a 12 km training session and the first 6 km are at a gentle pace and the next 6 km at a pace for example of 4:50 to 5:00, can I put an alert if I go faster or slower ?
Something I see that you don't mention is the cadence and it's something I didn't know I had but it's very important to know the number of steps we take per minute, since I think the ideal is 180.
In other articles I thought I saw that the 230 and 235 included the Virtual Racer and the Virtual Partner but I don't see that anywhere.
I forgot to put down that I bought the 230... greetings.
No, you create the alert at the same time you design the workout, you don't have to set any extra alerts on the watch.
The 230/235 do not have a virtual partner.
Okay I'm going to do it just like you said, thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.
Hello Eduardo, I have the same question, I do not know if I do not understand it well or can not, I am not Spanish, the alert can be created at the same time that the training is designed? But I tried to design a workout on the web and I do not know where the alert is created, it is true that you can create many things, the rhythm, the speed but the alert I think not. Or maybe you mean the intervals but the intervals can be designed only in watch, with less options than the workouts, I can not define the pace or even the speed, only the distance and time, so how can I receive alerts during the intervals if I can not define for example the pace?...so if I understand it well, the alert can be created only out of training and also out of intervals, I don't know if I express myself well or not...thank you very much for your reports, they are very interesting, I really like them and I think that all of us, the runners, they help us a lot 🙂
You can create alerts directly on the clock for some values (look for alerts in the text of the test), and on the other hand you can create the trainings, which I talk about in the advanced trainings section.
You can set them up together or separately. Training is what you set up from Garmin Connect, where you select the goals you want for that session.
And then you can set an alert to alert you to an event at any time, for example if you go over 180 beats per minute.
First of all congratulations, the best review I've read on the internet. I'm a marathon runner and I have the 225 and the truth is that I think the optical sensor is doing pretty well although sometimes I do not know if by sweat or by the hair but the pulse drops, now, out of sporadic errors I would put an 8 out of 10.
I'd like to sell it and buy the 235, but I'm not happy about the new Garmin sensor. What do you mean, it's not polished enough, it's worse than the MIO? Do you think it'll adjust through software updates or should we wait for new models with tighter sensors?
Garcias
Please note that while the Mio sensor has been on the market for a few years, this is an evolution and product development that the Garmin sensor does not yet have. Today, the Mio sensor is somewhat ahead of the curve in terms of accuracy, but as Garmin develops the sensor (and incorporates it into more devices), you can be sure that the details will be refined.
Hi Eduardo, first of all thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, you are a great help!
I'm looking at a watch with GPS to run exclusively, since the only thing I practice complementary is cycling and I already have a garmin for it.
The thing is that right now I'm between these two options whose price is similar, and I don't know which one to choose.
Garmin Forerunner 620 (? 230)
Garmin Forerunner 230 (? 225)
(Both without a band, since I don't need one from the bicycle garage)
The 230 is a better choice. You can have a look at the recommended devices here: https://www.correrunamaraton.com/mejor-reloj-gps-2015-navidad/
Hi Eduardo. First of all congratulations for your page, I think you are doing a great job. I have seen other pages looking for technology information and as soon as I saw your analysis I was hooked.
I wanted to ask you a question to see if I could finish deciding. I'll try to be specific.
What I usually do for now is running on asphalt (this year I start the half marathons), mountain biking (outings around three hours 60km), spinning to maintain and gym to strengthen.
I'm between FR225, FR235. It's 130 euros plus 235 and the money in my case is important, and I wanted to know if it's worth it. What advantage does the 235's cycling application give me for MTB, as I don't get the idea of what I can get out of it?
I already have an eTrex30 that I use for MTB and I wanted to know if I can make something compatible with the FR.
Thank you very much.
With the other profile you can set it up independently, with separate data screens. And the same for the gym profile. Plus the activity monitor and Bluetooth options. I think it's worth it.
Hi Eduardo. First of all congratulations for the page, I discovered it a few days ago and I've been amazed by your analysis. Thanks to them I've decided to buy the Garmin Forerunner 235. I do a couple of runs a week as a secondary activity to another sport. I'm not looking for a specific preparation, series etc... although it's something that can always come in handy in the future.
What made me decide on this model is that they have incorporated the activity monitor, which is something I like to use with other devices (in my case I use an activity bracelet from the brand xiaomi) as well as keep track of my sleep and daily activity as I work continuously on night shift and I like to record the activity, so I find it interesting to use the optical sensor continuously despite sacrificing battery life.
As an amateur racer, I have never used chest strap, I have found them uncomfortable, so I think that with this model, even though they have to polish the operation a little more with updates, I think it is an interesting addition in my running trips for more control.
Finally the price, the truth is that it is difficult to find it with discounts, and finally I have found it in a totally reliable sports website where I bought my last asics nimbus 16 shoes (I don't put web link in case you can't advertise, I don't know) where they have accepted me a discount coupon code in spite of not being in stock they receive it on January 16th and they deliver it to me on January 25th, buying the product for 279 euros, so I hope I haven't been wrong because from what I have researched I think it is a good price.
Greetings and thanks again for all the effort you make to inform us so extensively about so many products and models.
Hi Eduardo, I'm Pablo from Valencia, another humble rider, it's amazing how professional you are, a real technician in this world of GPS and heart rate electronics.
I have a doubt about the garmin 235, on an 80% I train running but once or twice a week I train in a 25m pool, it is possible to count the pools with the Garmin 235? for me it is important to wear a watch without a chest band it is very uncomfortable and these new ones attract me a lot but I would like to count pools too, how can I do that?
Thank you very much!
No, 235 doesn't have swimming metrics
I've been using it for a couple of days and reading your opinion piece I have two doubts:
1) I don't see how the clock can be set to record the position every second and not every 5 seconds.
2) In the time of completion function, the image you put up includes remaining distance, estimated time and average pace. I have not been able to change the settings of that screen in any way since the same thing appears to me except that instead of average pace, speed comes out. I know that the window can be set for the other modes, but in this function I always get the same thing even if I change the settings of the screen data.
Of the rest I agree with you in the analysis, I like a lot the autonomy and the possibility of configuring trainings, what less is the speed with which it registers the changes of rhythm, very slow, although the same is for what I tell you in point 1.
Greetings.
You have it in configuration, system and data recording.
If you see speed, it is what you have configured by default. In System - Format you can change it at a pace
Thanks a lot, I just set it up. I'll try to see if the rhythm changes show up more quickly now.
Good night,
Very good page and very complete analysis, thanks for them.
I wanted to raise a question. I have FR 235 and the pulse sensor light is off most of the day despite being on. I would like to know if this is normal.
Thank you.
It is normal, when you are not doing activity the data collection is up to every 10 minutes
Good afternoon, Eduardo,
Congratulations for the very complete and useful analysis, of runners for runners, great and that dissipates many doubts. I come from a Tom Tom cardio runner, very good heart rate monitor (although now it gives me failures until now it was perfect) and extraordinary GPS, but great lacks in information and software update.
I'm with the 235 between my eyebrows, although I can't wait to see your impressions as the presumably lower reliability vs the MIO worries me. It won't take you long to enlighten us 🙂 🙂 .
For the rest, I'll try to buy it through your links. I think your contributions are invaluable for those of us who are looking for priceless gadgets.
A salute,
Peter.
I hope it will be ready later this month. I will also offer data along with the TomTom Runner 2, comparing both sensors
Very good work, Eduardo. A somewhat silly question; with respect to the FR230, is it necessary to wear the chest band permanently so that the 'Daily Activity Monitor' function can provide information on steps, calories burned, sleep and so on? I understand that no, and that the watch itself is capable of controlling and executing these functions without the aid of the band, but I had the doubt in the comparison with the FR235, since it has the optical sensor on the wrist. Thank you very much in advance.
No, the activity monitor works with the internal accelerometer of the watch, it does not need the pulse sensor.
You've proven that you function all the notifications as calls and whatsapp? Because everything else is perfectly explained
If, of course, you receive all the notifications and can select from which applications
Nice piece of writing you've done.
Where you can configure which applications notify you.
Thank you
In the Connect application, intelligent configuration and notifications.
Hello again Eduardo. Thank you very much for your quick answer. One more thing, and sorry if it's something you mentioned before. But for indoor training, either on tape or on roller, is it possible to turn off the GPS? Especially with the idea of saving battery as much as possible. Again, my congratulations for the work you do and thank you very much. Best regards.
Yes, you can do indoor training without GPS
Hi, I am a regular runner and cyclist. Now I have started swimming, and I am hesitating between the 230 and the Vivoactive, and on the one hand the 230 has more features for training, and the Vivoactive has the swimming option. The question is: How does the 230 respond in the pool in "other" sport mode? Once you transfer to Connect, does it calculate the data well?
The 230 does not have any swimming metrics. If you are going to swim often I would choose the Vivoactive, or some other multisport model.
A great job this review. Although I have a doubt that no matter how hard I look around I have not been able to find anything.
How many devices can be connected to the clock via ANT+ at the same time?
Suppose, HRM Premium by Ant+, cadence sensor by ANT+ would this also work?
And another doubt, the bluetooth connectivity only serves to connect with phones not? would it be possible to connect a heart rate band by bluetooth for example? or the cadence sensor?
Best regards, thank you very much 🙂
ANT+ has 8 channels. A different accessory would be connected to each channel.
So you could have up to 8 accessories concurrently connected to the watch.
Great review that many of us have used to choose a 230 in my case. It arrives to me in a few days. Does it have a screen saver of those plastic ones incorporated? I say it to catch me in Amazon some loose ones, although there are models that already bring the stickers to adapt it. In the review it doesn't say anything, that's why I ask you.
Thank you very much.
No, it doesn't have any kind of screen saver, so if you want to use a specific one you can ask for it...
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Hi, Eduardo,
First of all congratulations and thanks, your tests are a great help in deciding what to buy.
One little question, do you know if you can handle the specific spotify from 230/235?
I'm waiting for your comments about the 235 sensor and the comparison with the Tomtom to see which one to buy.
Thank you very much and best regards
In the case of Android this is possible, because the Connect application allows you to select which is the default music application (on iPhone this is not possible).
Eduardo took my hat off, great review, they should put a link Garmin to your page for potential buyers hehe
One question, are the straps reversible?
Well Eduardo, I'm looking forward to the FR235 review to see how the sensor is doing (every day I check the page if there's any luck hehe)
A hug and thanks!
No, you can only put yourself in one position
Thank you very much!!! Impeccable and professional your analysis!
Hello, after reading your analysis and seeing the different questions I think I have not seen the answer to a doubt I have regarding the model 235. Could you tell me if the VO2max test can be done with this watch..... or as I read somewhere else is it necessary to buy a chest strap to do it?
Yes, the 235 obtains the VO2Max data directly from the optical sensor.
Hi Eduardo, congratulations on the analysis, very complete and faithful reflection of reality. I have had the 235 for about two weeks and I am very happy with it, the only thing that doesn't convince me is the optical sensor, I think it doesn't work very well. I look forward to seeing your analysis on this aspect to compare it with my experience and get some information about it. Thanks and congratulations again.
I definitely share with you my experience with the pulse sensor of my garmin 235 which I think is not at all fine.
For me personally it gives me quite strange pulse measurements, in general I think they are much higher than what I have. To check it I have tried to put on a normal chest heart rate monitor and go for a run and compare the measurements. Generally it happens to me that during the first 20 or 25 minutes the measurements although not the same are more or less similar or close, let's say that at least they are in the same ranges. The difference is that the chest strap detects more the peaks, that is to say, it goes up and down of pulsations before some minimum effort and the watch seems that of these changes "it costs him" to find out. Now comes the bad part, it usually happens to me that about half an hour into the race the Garmin goes up to 180 beats (something rare because I do not usually reach that pulse, plus I know myself and I know I'm not going to those pulses far from it) and stays at those levels with slight variations until the end. Yesterday comparing the chest band I marked 145 and the pulse sensor of the garmin 235 showed 185 bpm. As you can see a lot of difference.
Eduardo, if you have any experience already, I wish you could share it to see if it is something "general", from what I have read, I guess the watch software in this aspect is still quite green... I hope they improve it soon.
Thank you, a greeting.
These problems are often caused by the way you wear your watch. Make sure you wear it firmly and above the wrist bone.
Thank you for the answer Eduardo, I assure you that I'm wearing it, besides I've already tried different levels of firmness. I'm also wearing it over the wrist bone, however in the next outing I'm going to try to raise it a little more because I've read that the more you raise it the more reliable the reading is. I hope that this way the operation will be better.
Hi, everybody,
First of all, thank you very much Eduardo for your excellent review. I just released the FR235 and in general I am very happy. However, like Jose, I have the impression that the pulse sensor is not very reliable, at least when running. Both at rest and cycling it seems to work better, at least in my case. I don't know if it's a matter of the "firmness" with which I wear the watch or the position of the watch, but running it does strange things to me. For example, the other day I ran half an hour at 4:40 min/km and it gave me an average value of 156 beats/minute. Yesterday I repeated the half hour but much slower (6:00 min/km) and I got 161 beats/minute!!!! I honestly don't think it was more than 120/130. I will try, as you suggest, with different "firmness" and positions to see if I can get some more credible values. Otherwise, very satisfied with the options offered by the FR235.
Thank you again for the review and for all your opinions.
Greetings
Michael
In my case the only problems I have with the sensor is when doing intervals, especially in the descent of pulses in the rest period, but in the training of constant pace the data fully coincide with those of other sensors (optical or pectoral).
Thanks for the answer, Eduardo. As I was saying, I'll keep trying. Just one more question, when you say above the wrist bone, do you mean between the bone and the beginning of the hand?
Thank you again.
Michael
No, from the wrist bone to the elbow. Calculate a finger between the bone and the watch strap.
Okay, maybe I was holding it too close to the hand then. Thank you very much for the recommendation. Next time I'll try it on your advice.
Greetings
Hello again, thanks Miguel for commenting and Eduardo for responding. Yesterday I did a new workout and tried to wear the watch maybe a little higher than I had done before, not much either and maybe I tightened it a little more, I would say quite a bit because I have never really worn it loose, the watch does not move. That said, the result of the sensor performance yesterday was quite a bit more positive, I think the records were good and the behavior already pretty much matched what Eduardo indicates, including the interval part. As I was going a bit crazy and was quite disappointed with the performance of the sensor I was looking for information and yesterday I set the clock data recording to "Per second" instead of the default "Smart" option before the ride. Could this have something to do with the performance of the pulse sensor being quite a bit better than it has been so far?
No, data recording is for GPS only. Heart rate data is always every second.
No, data recording is for GPS only. Heart rate data is always every second.
Hello again!
After reading the last specific review of the 235 and everything related to the optical sensor, I have to say that since I uploaded it a bit and I tightened it more, its behavior is fully consistent with everything I discussed with Eduardo.
That said, if you're interested, a couple of days ago I updated the latest version of the firmware of the clock, yesterday I made an interval training and to my surprise the defect we had mentioned regarding this type of training (it took a long time or did not detect the drop in pulse) I think that if it has not been corrected it has certainly improved quite a lot.
I don't know if any of you have noticed it too.
A salute.
Hello Eduardo, thank you very much for your reviews, I have a question:
I can use the 235 to do spinning classes, it will give me all the data if I deactivate the GPS as it is an indoor exercise and it will mark the areas I have worked on.
Thank you very much and I look forward to the analysis of the 235 sensor issue!
Yes, of course, you can use it without problems with the "Others" profile, deactivating the GPS.
Eduardo I forgot a couple more questions, if we put off the optical sensor ,you can use a chest band to measure the heart rate, and in this case the reading will be more reliable ?????,
and the second is whether the failures of the optical wrist sensor can be fixed by software or firmware updates or a new watch with a new improved sensor has to be purchased, i.e. the sensor upgrade can be fixed by downloading software or the watch hardware has to be changed ????
Thank you again very much.
Yes, you could connect to an external sensor via ANT+.
Of course, most of the reliability factor of optical sensors is in the software and in the algorithm that "cleans" the signal from the noise produced by the running gesture itself. Creating an optical sensor is very simple for any manufacturer, the problem comes when the software interprets the data.
Good afternoon, Eduardo.
First of all, congratulations for your analysis. I would like to ask you if the forerunner 230 gives you the information of the accumulated unevenness. I have been looking at it in the Garmin website as well as in others but it does not appear (or I have not been able to find it).
Thank you very much.
No, it shows you current elevation, but it doesn't give you accumulated elevation information, mainly because it doesn't have a barometer.
Thank you very much, Eduardo. Greetings.
Hi, Eduardo,
First of all, congratulations on the great review. You make it so much easier for us.
I've had a 235 for a month and a half now and there are a couple of things that aren't quite right for me, so see if you can help me out.
1.- The sleep intervals don't take well. I have it well set up in bedtime/waketime, but it's pretty anarchic and it makes me sleepy when I'm watching TV on the couch, even if I move...
2 .- Regarding the backlight, or something wrong or I do not explain. I do not last more than 5 seconds on, regardless of the time I put it. It may be a failure of the clock ?
That's all, I appreciate your help in advance.
Greetings,
Sleep detection is automatic. Sometimes it will be better than others, but the measurement is exclusively through the accelerometer so lack of movement at a certain time for the clock means being asleep.
Is the lighting turned off in 5 seconds, when you press the lighting button, or when it turns on automatically?
Eduardo, thanks for your interest. The light turns off in 5 seconds every time I press the button and when it turns on automatically. I have tried everything, to leave the wrist turn on, to remove it, to remove the touch of keys, etc... It only remains on the setting screen, when I am putting it on. As soon as I go out, it returns to 5 seconds, even though the time I set is recorded.
Thank you very much!
That's certainly not normal operation. Try doing a full reset and see if it works.
Same concern, the backlighting is turned off in the widgets and on the main screen. It's uncomfortable. Any solution? On the other screens it respects what you put in e.g. never turn off.
Hello Sebastian. So far there is no solution. The SAT of Garmin told me that "
I was making a note for future firmware updates..." but for the moment it remains the same. I find it very annoying too.
Thank you, Fernando, greetings!
I'm not sure if it's a feature (to avoid running out of battery) or an error (the behavior has changed from past models).
Thank you, Eduardo, and I thought the same thing, but it's really annoying reading notices and stuff in places with low light. Greetings and thank you.
Well, I appreciate the time you waste with us and also the very good page you have that prunes us to the day of everything.
I'd like to know some things that I can't put right in my Garmin 235 are the following:
1st - How can I put the sleep function? I am not capable, I tell you beforehand that I am very clumsy in these things.
2ª - Since this watch does not have a Virtual Partner, how can I know something similar?
3rd - the battery only lasts me 3 days and that I have it in clock function, and I go running every day except weekends for about an hour, is this normal?
thank you in advance for your time.
Sleep detection is automatic, you don't have to do anything on the clock.
You can create a workout for yourself to indicate a target pace.
Running daily and with the pulse sensor 24h is normal that battery life.
Hello, I want you to know that your analysis was what made me end up opting for the forerunner 235 and that I am delighted with it. Thank you very much. But I have two "little problems" and maybe you are able to solve them:
1. When I look at the screen of the watch while it is charging by usb in the computer and 100% appears charged, when I remove it from the charger it automatically appears 99% and after a couple of minutes it goes to 98%. Too fast, and 100% never appears on the screen, only on the charging screen. Is this usual or is it a possible defect of my watch?
I've read that if you go to a city other than your own and go out for a workout, there's a chance that the clock will show you the way back, in case you get lost or go out into the country. But as much as I've looked, I can't find that option on my phone. Maybe it's for another model or is there such a possibility on 235?
Thank you very much in advance. Best regards.
On the subject of the battery, there are people who are going through it, from Garmin they have been recommended to make a hard reset of the equipment.
Heh heh heh. These Garmin guys are hot... I've already sent them two songs and the solution is the Hard Reset!
The battery issue is just a software configuration issue, nothing happens to your battery, you don't have to worry.
About the return to the start, I explain it in the test.
Hello, I would like to know if you can put the % that is left in the battery of the Garmin 236 next to the battery. I saw it in a picture ( I don't know if it is another model 230) very funny.
Some Connect IQ spheres do, you just have to install any of them
Hello. Congratulations on your analysis. I would like to know if the functionality of the optical sensor is effective running giving real values and therefore it is worth opting for the model 235 instead of the 230
In the next weeks I will update with all the specific details of the 235. There you will be able to see comparative graphs of both sensors, and you will be able to decide for yourself.
I asked you this question because I don't normally use a heart rate monitor and I thought it would be interesting, if it worked, to be able to control the heart rate during training without depending on a chest strap.
If you are not extremely demanding with the keystroke data, it is perfectly suitable for you. Obviously there is room for improvement, especially when it comes to series.
And for those of us about to buy it, today or tomorrow, could you give us a preview of that comparison over here?. In a couple of lines, no more is needed.
Thank you in advance
You can take a look at the Vivosmart HR test. The sensor is the same (the implementation changes a bit, mainly because the 235's case is bigger and blocks the light better). Right now the problems come when doing intervals, in which it has some lag when the pulses drop. In continuous running without problems.
Thank you for responding.
On the other hand, I'm considering buying fr 230.
The thing is that I have a fr 110 with the hrm chest band which then had the 110. I can use that band with the fr 230??.
Although the answer is yes, I imagine that bands (like watches) will evolve over the years. There will be some substantial difference between my 110 band and the 230?? band.
Greetings
Yes, both watches use ANT+ to connect to sensors, so your current band serves you perfectly on the 230.
Thank you very much for the analysis, just great as you have us used to.
The kings left me a 235 and here's the thing, it takes me a long time to get a GPS signal and when I say a lot I mean between 20 and 30 minutes (be careful, I have activated the GPS, that was the first thing I checked).
I've used it five times and in the same place and it still takes a while to get a signal, it doesn't matter if it's gps or glones.
Greetings and thanks for your advice and analysis .
When looking for GPS, are you in an open place (park, etc) or between buildings or trees? 20-25 minutes to get a GPS signal is a bit of a joke anyway, in an open place you should find a signal in 10-15 seconds.
Hello, thank you as always, I am in Madrid center (between buildings) and I have tried in Puerta del Sol and in front of the congress that are more open areas but the same result.
I'll try other places.
Thank you very much.
Good afternoon, Eduardo,
Thank you very much for this thorough review.
My question is the following, I'm interested in the forerunner 230 although I'm starting to evaluate the possibility of the 235. The thing is, when doing series on the track, the gps sometimes is not very reliable, and there are clocks that allow to configure a beep every certain time, to know if I pass by goal or counter in a certain time. Does this clock allow to configure beeps by time?
Thank you very much.
Yes, you can schedule time alerts, starting at one second.
Yes, you can schedule time alerts, starting at one second.
Thank you very much Eduardo, and which one would you take if you had to buy one, the 230 or the 235?
In order for it to take the right pulse, the watch strap has to be adjusted a lot... I don't usually like to wear it too tightly.
Thank you again.
It has to be firm, but not like you're wearing a boa on your wrist. The key is to keep light out of the sensor area.
Good Eduardo, fantastic work that you do with these products. I have a question about it. the kings have brought me a FR-25, in principle I'm happy, what happens is that I find it hard to read the records in the race, as I have vision problems. I almost have to stop to see the numbers. In the 230 have higher resolution, they look better, you can put the records in a single patanlla each and that go through or you have to go clicking each time .... I come from a 305 and the truth is that I had two fields per screen and had no problems. Thank you.
Yes, the screen on the 230 is larger and higher resolution than the Forerunner 25, and allows for more configuration on the data screens.
Hello Eduardo, I'm Jose Antonio, I liked the analysis, but I have a doubt, I want to buy a watch and I do not know why, I'm for the 235 and 620, which you recommend?
I run, on Sundays a little bit of trail and during the week I bike. Thank you very much and a greeting.
You can see the devices I recommend here: https://www.correrunamaraton.com/mejor-reloj-gps-2015-navidad/
The 235 is a much more modern watch that does the same as the 620, except for the racing dynamics data. In my opinion it is a better buy.
Hey, Eduardo, does the Garmin 235 measure up?
No, to measure accumulated unevenness you need a watch with a barometric altimeter, which 230/235
Hi Eduardo, thanks for your review. I have doubts about buying the 235 or the TomTom spark, what I know for sure is that I want to use the integrated heart rate monitor so I don't have to use the band. But I have doubts, I don't know if in both of them I could create a series that would inform me when I have to change and move to another heart zone after a certain time that I would stipulate, and at the same time it would warn me if I don't arrive or go over the estimated zone. I don't know if I ask for too much, but how could they warn you by beeps, vibration, colors... or by voice? Another doubt is if they have a virtual partner in either one of them. I know you have mentioned that you would put this month a complete review of the 235 and the TomTom, but I have to decide which one to buy.
On the Garmin 235, you can do this through the advanced training, as well as the alerts. You can read those two sections and it will get you out of trouble.
The TomTom Runner 2 can do something similar, but it's not as complete.
Hi Eduardo, congratulations for the blog and the post! It couldn't be more complete, I'm between 235 and 630, at first I'm going to buy the 235 but I don't know if the pulse meter is as accurate as the chest band, do you know if there is a lot of difference in accuracy? Thank you very much!
In constant pace races the sensor is quite accurate, but in intervals or cycling is where it suffers most (like many other optical sensors). However, for specific working days you could always use an external sensor and thus have totally reliable data, but still have the heart rate measurement 24h and for other less demanding activities.
I'm finishing with the test of Runner 2, so I can get to 100% with all the data of 235 and update the test.
In constant pace races the sensor is quite accurate, but in intervals or cycling is where it suffers most (like many other optical sensors). However, for specific working days you could always use an external sensor and thus have totally reliable data, but still have the heart rate measurement 24h and for other less demanding activities.
I'm finishing with the test of Runner 2, so I can get to 100% with all the data of 235 and update the test.
Good night, Eduardo,
I'm hesitating between 230 and 235, which one would you take?
Thank you very much.
It's a totally personal decision, depending on whether or not the sensor is bothering your chest.
Personally, the chest sensor doesn't bother me, but the less gadgets I have the better... Now, if at the time of making series, the pulses in the recoveries are not reliable as I have read in some forum, or the optical sensor presents some kind of problem, I would keep the 230.
Then opt for 230.
Congratulations for the very complete analysis. But I have a question about it and is that I have been given a Forerunner 235 and my main activity is cycling and skiing, I can not run because I have a bump on my back. So do you think this gps watch is the most suitable for these activities? Or better a Garmin Fénix 3 or a Suunto Ambit 3?
I had also thought of a Garmin Edge 810 or 510 exclusively for cycling
Greetings
If you ski frequently the best option will be the Fenix 3, as it has specific application for skiing and in cycling it performs well. But if your main activity is cycling I didn't hesitate and opted directly for an Edge 520: https://www.correrunamaraton.com/garmin-edge-520/
What are the kcal's burned throughout the day based on the steps or heart rate you have the rest of the day? Are the heart rates you have throughout the day recorded?
It is the basal consumption, and depends on an algorithm that includes data on sex, weight, height, etc.
But for example the fitbit change hr the kcal you are burning during the day is based on all the data you say and the pulses you have during the day are what determine the kcal, for example if from 12:30 to 13:00 you have had a higher pulses, you burn more kcal at that time, I explain? And there are other devices that are only based on the steps you take, so the Garmin FR 235 that is based on steps or pulses ?
Thank you!
According to Garmin, it includes metabolic intake plus activity calories, so I'm not sure I'm using the pulses.
So the heartbeats just for training, right? The rest of the day to watch them, right? Hahaha
Actually at rest the pulses do not have much correlation with respect to caloric intake, because what for someone may be a frequency at rest, for another may be in activity.
Man for that the watch must know what is the frequency at rest and maximum of each person, then the pulses are not related when you are at "rest" in the consumption of kcal ? S is not the same sitting on the couch the same person at 70 bpm than at 100 for any circumstance, when they have 100 bpm spend more kcal, so I want to know if the garmin is based on the heart rate to know the kcal or not ....
Garmin doesn't say anything about this in the documentation, and the reference I have doesn't point to calories being taken into account. But I don't have any more information about the algorithm they use for the calculation.
Thank you Eduardo, in polar they are based on the accelerometer, here I suppose that equal, a greeting!
Hello, I bought the fr 230 at Christmas and although I like it in general lines, I think it is very little used. The fact that it has no virtual racer or virtual pacer seems to me that it wastes its potential. I have a garmin edge 500 with quite a few years and in that sense it gives a thousand turns. On the other hand it is poor in terms of the information of altitude that it offers at the end of the activity. Neither accumulated ascent nor maximums...
I hope you will improve it in future updates and not leave it all at the expense of a third party developing in iq connectlo that should be improved by garmin itself
Good night.
Through garmin connect I send a training to the 235, exactly 10×400 at a rate of 4:00-3:55min/km and it should warn me and vibrate the alert when I go above or below that rate. Well, it doesn't, there's no way it will warn. I've tried everything and I don't know why it does it. Any solution or is it the same for you?
Thank you.
But have you started the training you sent?
Yeah, and you go over the top or under the top and it doesn't sound or vibrate. I don't know what to do anymore.
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I know that the clock will not detect my rhythm and will not compare it with the programmed one and I assume that it will not warn me, but this is not the case.
Thank you.
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I mean, have you started the normal training or from the menu, training, my training sessions
I started it from the menu, training, my training sessions...
If I manually program a rhythm to a normal workout, it does recognize rhythm variations and vibrates and beeps, but dumped from garmin connect does not.
Well, I can't tell you why you're not getting the notices, because the procedure you're following is the right one.
Well, it's practically the same for me, manually it's going well...it vibrates and beeps but in training made from garmin connect there's no...there's no way, I think the clock is not configured for that.
I'll try to schedule today's training with FR235, see if I have the problems you guys are having
Okay, thank you very much, Eduardo.
Eduardo, I'm sure we've crossed paths many times training on the river, I'm in Roadrunner.
Well, I've just done my training session and more of the same, it doesn't matter if you activate or deactivate, alarms, sounds etc, etc there's no way the alerts will go off. I've had the watch since Christmas but due to a long recovery from an iliotbial fascia I hadn't trained seriously with my specific plan, I had gone for a jog and tried my 235 and of course, I didn't use any of my garmin connect workouts and so I hadn't missed the alerts. I have to say that up to now and if it doesn't change in future updates, I'm very disappointed with this watch, especially in the matter of the pulse, the luck is that I can still use my chest band from my previous 310xt but of course, if you know that before I wouldn't have spent 100 euros too much. I didn't imagine that Garmin would launch to the market, after having been using in the 225 my sensor, a product that is not polished at all,
Let's see if you can shed some light on this issue of alerts.
Thank you.
Yesterday I tried a scheduled training and you are right, it only warns about the change of interval, but not about being inside or outside the target.
Checking in different places, it's a software failure that they have to solve, what I can't tell you is when the error was introduced. I don't usually do many prepared trainings (nor do I remember which clock I did it with), so I don't know if in previous versions of software it worked correctly.
Well, at least you've cleared up my doubts and it's not my watch that's failing, let's see if they leave it polished soon....
Thank you, Eduardo.
Hi, Eduardo, thank you so much for your reviews. I have a question. Between the Garmin 230, 235, the Tomtom Spark and the Fitbit... Which would you take?
You have the complete test of the TomTom Runner 2, so you can decide for yourself: https://www.correrunamaraton.com/tomtom-runner-2-spark-prueba/
Good afternoon!
Above all, perfect analysis and a lot of help, like everyone else I have a couple of doubts.
Vo2max. I'm curious to know how the clock detects the Vo2max if it's directly related to the oxygen consumed.
Virtual Partner. This option is only valid with the 630? I think it would be the perfect option as a substitute for the rhythm bracelets that are used so much in big marathons.
Greetings and thank you very much
The VO2MAX is an estimate by comparing your data with a database, it is not a test in use and cannot be taken as such. As for the Virtual Partner, it is in fact only in 630.
Hello, Eduardo:
First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the work you are doing with the tests of the various devices. I admit that I read with interest even the tests of things that I do not need at all.
My question was about the use on the treadmill of the clock. In winter I'm lazy to go out at night, and during the week I usually run on the treadmill. I'm undecided between the 235 and the new Tom Tom. Is the measurement given by these clocks there reasonably similar to the distance marked by the treadmill? Or do they at least allow you to edit it from the web or the application if there is a big difference between the two? Thank you
I haven't tested that feature extensively with the TomTom (I'm not a big fan of running on a treadmill), but in the case of Garmin, if you're running at a steady pace, it works reasonably well.
I haven't tested that feature extensively with the TomTom (I'm not a big fan of running on a treadmill), but in the case of Garmin, if you're running at a steady pace, it works reasonably well.
I haven't tested that feature extensively with the TomTom (I'm not a big fan of running on a treadmill), but in the case of Garmin, if you're running at a steady pace, it works reasonably well.
Hello,
i have read that in 235/230 you can only program a series of intervals and that if you program another one, it erases the previous one. is this so? is it not possible to have different types of interval series stored as in previous garmin models? greetings and thanks for your answer
I've had several workouts set up without much trouble.
I've had several workouts set up without much trouble.
Hi Eduardo. I recently purchased a Forerunner 235 and also an Edge 810. My problem is that when using both devices at the same time (I use the Forerunner 235 to get the heart data) it duplicates the activity in "Connect". Is there any way to use both devices without this happening? thanks.
You should use the 235 as the pulse sensor for the Edge 520. You can start it from the pulse widget and then search for the sensor on the Edge. If you record one activity, you will logically get two in Connect.
This is the same question I ask myself; I haven't bought the FR230/235 yet, I'm waiting for your conclusions... but from what you said ... with either FR, we should start the activity and search from the Edge 810 for the clock, right?
Apart from this... and as you say, it would appear in Connect two activities of the same activity. Something that if you carry very strict workouts where data matters...isn't there any way to solve it?
No, the heart rate transmission via ANT+ must be started.
But don't worry, in the extension of the test I'm preparing I include the section where I explain the procedure, and also heart rate graphs in cycling, where the data is quite improvable.