Garmin Forerunner 235

If you were to define in one word the Garmin Forerunner 235 it would be "COMPLETE".

The moment I received this garmin model, I was eager to try it out and make a comparison with its big brother, the Garmin Forerunner 735xt that I have recently been able to test.

If you are interested in the review of the Garmin Forerunner 735xt, you can read it by clicking here.

It is clear that the features or functionalities are not going to be the same, since the 735 is quite more complete, seeing its technical characteristics, but without a doubt the Garmin Forerunner 235 comes close and is only one step below. For many of us, more than enough.

However, it is the most economical model that can be purchased with pulse sensor built into the wrist, an advance that many people were wishing for and that is practically reachable to any runner.

Compare prices Garmin Forerunner 235

Contact with the Garmin Forerunner 235

When unpacking it, I check that aesthetically it is very similar to the already mentioned 735xt. The colors, the materials, the feel, even once turned on, the screens are very similar.

The dimensions are perfect. It has almost perfect measurements for it to be unisex.

At first glance fiddling a little through the windows, you can see that there is no shortage of options and records that can show you this watch / GPS.

Undoubtedly it is one of the most complete watches I've seen not being the top of the range of the brand.
We will go unpacking all or almost all the options available to this Garmin Forerunner 235.

Features Garmin Forerunner 235

This unit is capable of providing a wide variety of useful information for detailed tracking of all workouts or competitions.

Let's highlight a few very interesting and that it is rare to appear in a mid-range model.

• Optical sensor on the wrist for pulse measurement.
• This watch is able to measure in an estimated way through the pulse sensor, the amount of oxygen consumed during the practice of any sport variety also called VO2max.
• It automatically synchronizes the data obtained to the Garmin Connect Mobile application.
• Displays smart notifications on screen, calls, messages and other notifications (you must have the phone connected via Bluetooth).
• Allows you to create advanced training sessions.

These are some of the most prominent but also has step counter, accelerometer, sleep monitor, recovery control or Connect IQ with which you can install applications such as Strava to track your achievements.

Garmin Forerunner 235 at the gym

The first place where I met the premiere of the Forerunner 235 was in a gym session (forgotten in many runners) in which I performed different exercises, both warm-up and strength and then aerobic.

During the course I was measuring both pulse, exercise time' and rest time, all on a single screen, being able to add another campo that in this case I did not see it appropriate.

I only activated a second screen showing the time.

I found it very practical that the heart rate monitor has a built-in pulse sensor on the wrist, since some exercises you need to rest your chest on the machines and that can get annoying with the typical sensor.

At all times the pulse measurement was accurate, without exaggerated variations that made us suspect a bad measurement.

In this activity, the simplicity of handling screens and lightness seemed to me the most remarkable thing making almost imperceptible the feeling of wearing it at all times.

Taking it out for a bike ride

In another of the sports where I tested this garmin was on the bike, both mountain and road.

To highlight without a doubt the speed with which it is able to locate the GPS signal (very similar if not the same as the other model previously tested 735xt).

I was able to verify at all times that the GPS signal was permanently active with no satellite reception failures.

The amount of data that is capable of displaying this GPS is very high, having connected by bluetooth the cellphone we can have almost any kind of notification that can reach us on the phone, reflected on the phone, from calls, and messages, to tweets or Instagram messages. We can practically find out everything that comes to us from the watch.

Apart from these notifications, we have different options from heart rate and each of the possibilities in this section, such as cadence, power, distance, time and other settings with which not a single detail of the practice of cycling escapes.

With this device you can add a conventional chest strap and have the watch resting on the stem of the bike or on the handlebars and reading the data in real time is more comfortable.

This is the negative point that I have seen to the 235, the use of the same tied on the wrist during cycling.

Running with the Forerruner 235

The strong point of the 235 is the running, and where most users will be able to take advantage of it.
It has as in the previous cases of many options to configure the screens and to customize them.
We have virtually any data we need or want to see during the practice of running, time, distance, pace, frequency, time, laps.

Undoubtedly this has been the sport with which I have most enjoyed this device, both trail and long runs or fast series.
The accuracy in both the measurement of the distance and the quantification of the pulse has been a pleasant surprise, as we know that the accuracy of GPS is generally not 100%, due to external conditions such as signal bounces on buildings, steep turns, etc..

During the race I was able to verify the accuracy of the pulse measurement by wearing the Garmin Forerunner 920xt on the other wrist.

If you want to know more about the Garmin Forerunner 920xt you can read the review by clicking here.

The accuracy between the two has been practically millimetric. The operation of the optical sensor is really effective.

Garmin Forerunner 235 on a daily basis

The day to day with the 235 is comfortable, the size is perfecto to almost disappears completely when wearing it under the sleeve of the sweater or shirt.

You can have your pulse under control at all times since you can enable the optical sensor without the need to be in sport mode.

The battery life is ample, although it depends on the use that is given, it can vary quite a lot.

If used simply as a watch without any type of sensor or bluetooth activated, it can reach up to 9 days, however using it as a sports watch with sensors, bluetooth, gps (GLONASS), etc, it decreases to 5 days, a fairly drastic decrease but in my opinion does not have to be a handicap when deciding on this equipment. It does not seem to me a negative point at all and more observing the amount of features it has, it has a contained size and in spite of it a more than acceptable battery and more for the public to which it is directed.

Conclusions

Ideal gps watch and more than recommended especially for runners. With the possibility of giving him use perfectly in bicycle.
I liked very much the operation of the optical sensor and all the possibilities of connection that offers this Garmin.

As for the screen, it has a good resolution and the fact that it is in color gives it a modern touch.

The weight of the 235 is very light, with only 42gr.

I think the function of turning on the screen by turning the wrist is a success, it is very appreciated especially when visibility is reduced.

Another function that I like a lot so it resembles a smart watch is the issue of notifications. Without needing to have the phone in sight, you are able to check notifications from almost all applications.

The quality/price ratio I think is very tight and is a very good option for those looking for a complete watch, without a doubt, I would recommend this Garmin Forerunner 235.