Garmin - Forerunner 235

I have the Epix, and am very happy with it. Flashlight gets used every day. It’s just so bloody useful. Battery life is around 2 weeks, and I’m running 5 times a week. Can’t speak for the other device, but slimness would be nice! It’s a thick watch and my wrists aren’t huge, but it can make getting shirts on and off a little annoying. That would be my only real gripe to be honest. It is otherwise comfortable. My only other Garmin comparison is the forerunner 235. That was slim, but had a VERY annoying protrusion where the sensor was. This is not a problem on the Epix. Another pro is the sturdy construction/rugged look; I’ve had it for a good year at least. Watch is near spotless, and I don’t baby it. https://preview.redd.it/fp2lahkizeuf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0c40704bee6cc9825605051bf4495f57e728d78 Given it’s Amoled it isn’t always on to save batteries. I thought this would get annoying, but the tilt sensor if anything errs on the side of over sensitive, so 99% of the time it comes on when I need it to. The only time it struggles is when I’m on the bike, but then just resort to button pressing.

Get the garmin. I'm a young runner who's come from a long line of runners, and the garmin is my holy grail. I have the forerunner 235 and I've been looking into purchasing a new one myself. I know it's a lot of money, but you don't need one that plays music or has any extra special features, my forerunner 235 is perfect and it has never failed me. If you want a cheaper option, you could look online for a resell or try and find an older version. The only reason I'm looking into getting a newer one is because it's a bit outdated (still works though) If you're a serious runner/athlete, go with the garmin. But if you're someone who enjoys running for the sake of running, go with the apple watch. But who are you to let people on the internet tell you what to do, it's whatever you think would work best for you. Hope this helps :)

Garmin are of course great, but I wouldn't pony up for anything over the instinct. The Fenix series is pretty, but you're spending more than twice as much for features you probably won't use and a worse battery life. Less is more when it comes to GPS watches (or so I keep telling myself for not having replaced my disintegrating forerunner 235).

Older Garmin watches work fine, I regularly see runners with the 2015 Forerunner 235 at races. And used models will be fine, albeit older watches may have reduced battery life simply due to age. That’s the nature of rechargeable batteries I’m afraid, and it applies to all brands. I would recommend a Forerunner 45 as the minimum, or a 55, and if you can get a 245 in budget then even better Whichever watch you choose, go to [DC Rainmaker](https://www.dcrainmaker.com/) and search for his in-depth review of that model which typically includes a video. They will tell you all about the functions, how to use it, what it can do etc.

I regularly see runners using the Forerunner 235 at races, and that watch came out in 2015 Until recently I had a Forerunner 245 that I had bought 4-and-a-half years ago. I upgraded to a 965 because I wanted to treat myself to a new watch with some new features, but my 245 was like new and would have easily lasted another 5+ years. As ever with a technology, how you look after it is a big factor. But Garmins do last a long time.

I have a Garmin Forerunner 235 which is fairly basic, but it can record runs, bike rides and other activites using the "Other" activity type (which is what I use for walks/hikes). It's a few years old and now fairly cheap so it sounds like it would suit your needs. If you feel a bit weird about having a used one, buy a new watch strap for it (pretty cheap) and give the unit itself a clean with soap and a toothbrush, problem solved.

It's a good watch for what you need.

My 235 and 245 still lasts 6-8 days

Hey I'd highly second this - I got a used Garmin forerunner 235 for about £60 and even though it's an old model it works great and supports all synced workouts on Runna. I haven't felt I've ever missed out on the bells and whistles and tbh for something that's been out for so long the support even now is amazing. Hope this helps but just wanted to chime in after I saw you posted a reply - good luck!

I don’t use a watch anymore. But when I did I used a Garmin Forerunner 235 and I liked it, and never felt like the battery was a problem. I didn’t leave it on when I wasn’t running though.

One of the Forerunners. Just go on Facebook Marketplace and look for a secondhand one. I've got a perfectly serviceable 235 for sale for £65 if you want it?! I've been meaning to put it on Marketplace for ages.

I have an Apple Watch s6 and an older Garmin (FR235), I wouldn’t recommend an older AW, mine only tends to hold a charge for 18 hours or so whereas the Garmin, although it has less functionality as a smart watch, it does give more stats for running and the battery life is more like a week. That coupled with Apple’s habit of withdrawing support for older devices would definitely lead me to the Garmin if I had to make the choice.

Aesthetically, I think Apple Watch is the most versatile smart watch because it has a wide variety of straps from the more formal titanium / stainless steel straps to casual woven straps to sporty silicone straps. It also has tons of third party straps from high end leather ones to cheap plastic ones. You can easily match a watch face with the strap you’ve chosen, it can be anything analogue, digital or even cartoon (Mickey, Snoopy, Toy Story…). I prefer Ultra to ordinary Apple Watch because it has a visible metal case which makes it look more classy. I didn’t think the Ultra would look decent until I tried it at an Apple Store and swapped the strap with my own brown leather Nomad strap. The only thing I don’t like is that the Ultra is too thick so it may not be able to hide under a shirt. I also have Garmin (just upgraded from Forerunner 235 to 965), they are thin and light but are way too plasticky. I wear it for running and occasionally for other casual activities but never for work. I haven’t checked the other brands but it is obvious that Apple Watch is the most universal smart watch at the moment

I have a Garmin forerunner 235 which has been amazing the 5-6 years plus I have had it . GPS/mapping , heart rate , step count , many other things and a great battery. There maybe newer models out there but I will definitely get another Garmin watch.

Either would be a nice upgrade from my 235 - but I’m waiting for 275 to come out

Awesome - I’m so jealous - my FR235 has been great but it’s 6 years old …,

Yep - I have had some glitches in the last month - frustrating ! Enjoy your 970 - I’m enduring with my 235 till Black Friday / cyber Monday .

I have a Galaxy watch now, but it's crap as a fitness tracker. When I want accurate data, I wear my old Garmin. I think it's a Forerunner 235? That may not be in production anymore, but any of the entry-level Garmins would work.

Interesting question, I've been using my Apple watch for convenience, but I have an old Forerunner 235, which used to be my go-to for running pre-AW. I prefer it for running, but since I use AW for everything else and don't want to swap, I left it at that. But your question makes me wonder, does Runna work with Forerunner 235? I checked the compatibility list and the answer is yes, can anyone report their experience? I might try it out myself. Biggest gripe with the 235 is how long it takes to acquire GPS.

Wife has the 265 and I have the 965. Battery life is good on the 235 and excellent for the 965. Maps as mentioned is the biggest difference.

Yep, whether I'm in the gym or on the bike. I use a chest strap. I tested my Forerunner 235 against a strap whilst on my turbo trainer, the watch was way off, what my Edge 1030/strap were showing. Watches tend to be more accurate on a wrist with more flesh, but a chest strap is still the best for accuracy.

Bought my Forerunner 235 in 2018, its still going strong and that includes wearing it at work where it can get knocked and brushed against by machinery and heavy equipment.

I love every Garmin I've owned for the past 13-ish years (3). I had the 235, 245m, and now the 255s. I only replaced the 235 because it quit holding juice for a long run after 7 years or so, and the 245 after it got lost in a field (not garmin's fault: husband put it in a pants pocket with a gaping hole 😂) At that point, a new 255s was the same price I originally paid for the 245m, so... Garmins have far more data than you need, even if some of it is a bit dopey (if I'm reading before bed, it'll count that lack of movement as sleep; it will tell me my exercise load is too much and then suggest an 105 minute run, etc), but it also updates daily suggested workouts based on sleep, exercise load, and hrv. I like the coaches, but I like the dsw more. I race on my own time, so I'm not going for peak performance. Just completion, pushing myself, and having a bit of fun. I actually don't really understand hrv, but it typically goes low for a few days and then I get sick. So even if I feel fine but see low HR, I rest up. Does it help? I don't know. I still end up sick😂 Fwiw, I had a Fitbit between Garmins 1 and 2 and wasn't a fan. They're a bit of an investment, but if the data will keep you engaged and excited about running and you're not the type of person who has to have THE NEWEST PHONE, and a couple-years-old model will do you just fine and not break the bank.

I use the Garmin for my Runna training with the Runna connect IQ datafield. I like it it works well for me. I could use the AW version too.on outdoor runs, but this time of year I amostly running inside. Good luck on your trianing.

Sorry, not a datafield, it works so well I thought I had to install it. It just shows your run on your Garmin automatically when you connect Runna to Garmin. Basically you get a circle that shows the current interval and a distance countdown. It works really well as other shere have said.

Just connect Runna to Garmin and the rest happens automagically. I was thinking of the Runna watch face you found which does nothing.

You're probably going to get each brand's fans telling you theirs is the best. The Garmin Forerunner 200- or 500-series will give you great coverage of running and cycling. I'm less sure about swimming. I know people do it but I'm not much of a swimmer. I think there are some tricks to setting it up well. It should give you ok coverage of basketball. You'll see how it impacts your overall fitness picture. I found the weightlifting module unusable but people do use it. Must-have accessory - an external heart rate sensor. I think there's a right thing for swimming in particular. It should work fine for the other stuff. The handlebars adapter. If maps are important to you, within Garmin you really need two devices.

I use a Garmin Forerunner watch, and it displays heart rate while tracking activity. The reading is pretty visible to me even with slightly foggy goggles but ymmv. They have a lot of models with this capability, so maybe you can find one with a bigger screen. The default heart rate screen also has a colored Zone indicator, if that's easier to see & you're not looking for exact numbers https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=kbOXNev7NS4DQcc3IjAV49

I use Garmin forerunner watch, sync Strava with Garmin Connect and sync Komoot with Strava. It works like a charm.

I have a Garmin Edge bike computer and chest based heart rate because I like to see my speed on the handlebars rather than having to look at my watch. It also navigates for me on more adventurous rides and race courses I'm unfamiliar with. For local social rides I just track on my Garmin Forerunner watch.

A Garmin head unit. You could buy used to reduce the cost. I do ride wearing my forerunner watch, however it is purely for heartrate (linkeded to display on headunit) In reality you could buy the headunit and an inexpensive chest heartrate monitor such as magene. I do however like that my watch provides lots of other daily data such as resting heartrate, steps and so forth. There is benefit to headunit + basic level sports watch.

Runs are the same concept as rides. Personally, I use purpose-built devices to record: Garmin Edge bike computer, Garmin Forerunner watch (they also both do navigation, connect to heart rate sensors, watch does music, etc.). When I stop an activity and hit save, it's uploaded to Strava before I can even get the garage door open. I don't want to carry my phone on a run, and I don't want to run down the battery on all-day rides.

Obviously a Fenix 8 Micro LED. For real though, Fenix/Epix watches will give you full golf functionality minus a feature or two which are reserved for the golf specific watches. If you are budget conscious I would look for a Fenix 7/epix 2 series watch. If you have money to spend, a Fenix 8 will be great for everything you can imagine. Forerunner watches do have some golf features but they are dumbed down a bit to basic distance to green and score keeping.

Ive had a few Fenix versions, they are great/ top of the range. Last few years ive been using forerunners which have all the functionality - 9xx series is great, or 2xx for something easier on the pocket. My activities include trail running, hiking, triathlons (and running/swimming/riding only), golf/disc golf. Navigation and battery are good, and glass is strong. Lifestyle is great for sleep, general hr tracking, step counts, tap to pay. The 955 i have also has great multimedia (music). Cant go wrong with a forerunner (solar if you are doing ultra's or multiday). Fenix is a nice splurge

>Its a Vivoactive by another name. ironically i've been looking at the FR series to upgrade my old vivoactive. lack of altimeter is deal breaker for me.