Garmin - Forerunner 235 GPS Running Watch - Black/Gray

I purchased the Garmin Forerunner 235 to track my running workouts. While no item is perfect, I have been very happy with this one. Previously, I was using an iPhone app and carrying my phone when running. That served its purpose for a while, but this has been a huge improvement. The watch is very comfortable and doesn't bother my wrist at all, not even on long runs. The watch band has a lot of holes, which makes it really easy to get a good fit. I also wear it for tracking my sleep as well as for my alarm, and I hardly notice that it's there. With each workout segment, you can set your desired intensity target based on pace, speed, cadence, or HR zone (including custom HR zones). And when you establish a target, the watch will give you alerts when you are outside of this range. Now that I know what the alerts sound like, I find myself not looking at the watch nearly as much during runs. When I was researching different options, I had a hard time determining if you could use third party ANT+ heart rate monitors with the 235. But I was happy to see that this can be done. I didn't have any trouble pairing this with the Scosche Rhythm+. You can disable the wrist HR monitor and only use the external device or you can download a data field from the Garmin IQ store that allows you to use both simultaneously. There are a few things about this item that I believe could be better. First, I have not been able to find any available data screen that will give you an interval countdown. The existing timer options start at 0:00 and count up, not the other way around. Not a deal breaker by any means, but this is one improvement I think that could easily be made. Second, I wish there were more variables that could be configured with certain specific workouts. For example, I use GPS+GLONASS when running at the track, as this seems to provide for more accurate location readings. However, it drains the batteries more quickly and doesn't seem to make a discernible difference on street and trail runs, so I haven't been using it for these. So it would be nice to be able to have certain workouts default to a particular GPS setting. But again, not a deal breaker. Another issue is the accuracy of the wrist HR monitor. I've seen this mentioned and even witnessed it myself on one of my earlier runs. It was a really cold day. I was doing an easy (zone 1) warmup, when it started indicating that my heart rate was close to 190. Once I broke a sweat, it settled into a more accurate heart rate reading. To remedy this problem, I've been using a drop of HR monitor gel before each run. This allows it to maintain better contact with the skin, which seems to result in more consistently accurate readings. In fact, I recorded both the Garmin FR 235 and the Scosche Rhythm+ HR readings this morning. As you can see in the picture, other than a minor peak difference early on, the two were very close. The other thing I wasn't particularly thrilled about was the brightness of the screen. Or I should say lack of brightness. But I soon realized the lighting is basically the opposite of my phone or something like the Apple Watch. When there's no light shining on the screen, it's pretty dim and can be difficult to see. But as long as there's good light, it's very easy to see. So outside during the daytime, there's no issue at all. At night or early in the morning, I've just started wearing a head lamp, which I probably should have been doing anyway. With this on, I can see the screen perfectly well. I'm sure it was done this way to preserve batteries. I should add that the wrist HR monitor isn't the best for tracking weight workouts. Neither is the Scosche Rhythm+. I'm not sure why, but the readings are just way off at times. I'll be out of breath, and it will show my HR to be in the 80's or so. For now, I've pretty well just determined not to worry about tracking my HR on these types of workouts. But for running, the 235 is excellent. I'm not sure about the scientific accuracy of the race predictors, recovery advisor, or VO2 max readings, but changes in these areas at least seem to correspond with improvements in conditioning. Anyway, that's about it for now. While not perfect, I've been very happy with the Garmin Forerunner 235. I look forward to using this for years to come and would definitely recommend it to others.

The 235 is a really good watch for running. I bought it when my Vivoactive HR quit working after less than a years use. In the month have had he Forerunner, I have enjoyed using it for running and everyday fitness tracking. That being said it lacks some of the features people wanting a fitness tracker might look for. Also there is no barometric altimeter, so for hiking and trail runs that info is not readily available.

This review is for people who are either NOT Garmin enthusiasts or are looking for a new/first time smart watch. This watch does it all!! It is great for runs and reminders especially when you don't have your phone in your hand! Highly recommend this watch and overall very pleased so far!!!

This was my first gps watch ever. I honestly didn't know if I'd wear it often or only during activity. Let's just say the only time I don't wear it is when I'm sleeping. Love this watch! It tracks all my runs, records, data, provides me with incoming texts and calls and allows you to control your phones music by fw, re, and volume options. You aren't able to reply to texts via the watch but if you have a wireless headset, it's easy to answer incoming calls that are displayed on the watch. It tracks bicycling and treadmill along with outdoor runs. It's not a watch for this that want to track much more than running.

Very good watch for runners, it’s another features that I didn’t have time to set yet. Also I can see my messages and my phone calls. Certainly a great watch.

It met my expectations. It record all datas that I need in order to monitor my workout and to improve my performance

After the Apple Watch and then the Gear s3 I finally found a keeper!! Battery life is great! Get all notifications. Two things that I love about it are it tracks your heart rate and sleep very accurate. Still playing with it!

I like this Garmin watch. It pairs nicely with my Garmin Ant+ heart rate chest strap. I bought it in Manhattan, New York City while on vacation in December. I got it on sale for $130. The watch has quite a few features that I still need to discover. It has great battery life too. I just wish the screen was brighter like the Samsung Gear S3. Overall a great watch. I would definitely recommend buying this watch.