Garmin Forerunner 230 vs 235

[Ploddy_Ploddy]

I am a new graduate and am considering upgrading from Fitbit HR Charge to a Garmin Forerunner, and wondered which would be better - 230 or 235?

This will only be to continue running on my own, Parkruns and the odd sponsored event like Rafe for Life. I won’t be doing any Marathons or competing.

[MarkyD Graduate]

Here's the most reliable comparison (DCRainaker is the guru for activity watches).

dcrainmaker.com/2015/11/gar...

Bottom line is whether you want heart-rate tracking. FR230 supports connection with a chest strap, whilst the FR235 has an optical heart-rate sensor. Purists would say that a measuring heart-rate with a chest strap is more accurate and reliable. Certainly that's the case. However, that means putting on the chest strap every time that you run. With the FR235, it simply sits and measures your heart-rate all the time, and so it measures your resting heart-rate (overnight, for example) as well as your HR during your run.

Both were released at the same time. Reports say that the FR230 has a better battery life, but I get over one week with my FR235 and I reckon that's very good.

[Ploddy_Ploddy Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

Ah thank you. That is very helpful and I will look at the link for the review. Definitely don’t want the chest strap.

[linda9389 Graduate]

'I won't be doing any marathons or competing' ... well, you say that now ...

[Ploddy_Ploddy Graduate in reply to linda9389]

Ha ha! I struggle mentally with 5k ...

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to Ploddy_Ploddy]

For now maybe ...

[mandy167]

I brought the 235 model yesterday and today it’s going back I don’t like it going back to me Apple Watch

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to mandy167]

what about the FR235's feelings?

[pinkietee]

I have a 235 and I love it, I'm afraid I can't add any useful information regarding comparison with the 230 but I do find the heart rate helpful, especially comparing weekly park runs, the fitter I am the lower it is.