The Garmin Forerunner 235 sports watch is an interesting option that launched a few years ago, but it still has such current options that many athletes still use it, and they have no intention of changing it at the moment. It is a good proposal for marathon runners with advanced features.
The Garmin Forerunner 245 sports smartwatch has been on the market for some time, so its price has been reduced considerably, being more affordable for the user. It comes with a white strap and a black bezel that achieves a most elegant contrast. Les competes with other models in the same range as the Suunto 5, the Garmin VivoActive 3, or vantage polar M. So that you are more clear about what it is capable of the offering; we encourage you to continue reading.
Pros and Cons
Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Very low weight: The weight is only 42 grams | Counts steps, distance, calories, inactivity warnings |
Water resistance of up to 5 ATM (50 meters) | Calculate the energy you have left for the rest of the day |
This can be activated with the turn of the wrist | Sleep monitoring: Measures the quality of sleep |
Control different training profiles | Multisport: It has a long series of sports modes |
Automatically syncs to portals such as Strava or Nike Running Plus | Information on maximum VO2: It indicates the maximum oxygen level |
Nothing to keep in mind | Very little information on the product sheet |
Overview
Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | |
$ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
Brand | Garmin | Garmin |
Model | Forerunner 235 | Forerunner 245 |
Release date | – | – |
Compatibility | Android + iOS | Android + iOS |
Colors | Black, Red, Ice Blue, Grey | White, Black, Aquamarine |
Availability | Available | Available |
Garmin Forerunner 235
Connectivity (wifi, Bluetooth, with a smartphone )
It has Bluetooth technology to synchronize all the data in an app that will install on the mobile phone. You can also synchronize the data on a PC or a MAC, and we will do this by connecting it with a USB cable (the same that we will use for the face).
It also has a Live Track function and ANT + connection to sync with brand devices and accessories.
Screen (led, LCD, color, black and white … etc.)
The screen is backlit and can be activated with the turn of the wrist. The usable screen size is 31.1mm, and it is flattened at the top and bottom. It is presented in full color and features a resolution of 215 x 180 px. The screen can customize in up to 4 data fields in each sport profile, and it will be from 9 to 11 if we use Connect IQ apps.
Pulsometer
Another reason to buy the cheap Garmin forerunner 235 is its heart rate monitor. It is quite accurate, but we can use ANT + technology to connect an additional heart rate monitor.
GPS
It is compatible with GLONASS technology, being quite reliable as far as its measurements are concerned. It has smart or per-second recording modes.
Protection against water
The Garmin forerunner 235 watch is waterproof, being able to submerge to a depth of 5 ATMs (50 meters).
Battery duration
The watch’s battery is up to 9 days in clock mode or 12 hours in GPS mode (it will still be somewhat lower if we have activated the compatibility with the Russian satellite network of Glonass).
Sports session monitoring
For the price of the Garmin forerunner 235, you will take home a model that has different configurable profiles (you can use it for running, cycling, indoor running, indoor cycling, and others).
Garmin Forerunner 245
Connectivity (wifi, BlueTooth, with a smartphone )
Like the smartwatches it competes with, the Garmin forerunner 245 is connected via BlueTooth and ANT +.
The Bluetooth connection is the one that we will use to connect the data directly with the mobile phone through an app that we will have previously installed.
On the other hand, it also has ANT + type sensors that can synchronize with compatible devices (such as bracelets and others).
Screen (led, LCD, color, black and white, etc.)
The smartwatch screen is presented with a size of 1.2 ”, with a resolution that reaches up to 240 x 240 pixels. Of course, it must be borne in mind that the screen is not a touchscreen and that all control of the menus is carried out from the buttons located on the sides.
In addition, you can customize up to 4 parameters per screen, in addition to configuring multiple screens, with many metrics to choose from.
Pulsometer
For the price that the Garmin forerunner 245 costs, you get a complete heart rate monitor capable of accurately recording measurements. However, ANT + technology gives us the possibility of integrating a heart rate tape.
GPS
The Garmin forerunner 245 watches can triangulate the position thanks to the new chip that the brand has designed: it is compatible with the combination of GPS + GLONASS + Galileo networks.
Protection against water (ip68, unprotected … etc.)
It is waterproof, but to a certain extent -> We will have to make sure that it does not submerge to a depth that exceeds 50 meters.
Battery duration
It calculates that the smartwatch battery is up to a maximum of 7 days in watch mode and 24 hours with the GPS mode activated.
Sports session monitoring
It has a multitude of sports modes, both for cycling and swimming, among others.
One of the functions that have caught our attention is that of detection of falls: the watch has been designed to detect a sudden movement that can be interpreted as a fall -> If it occurs, it will generate a warning in the form of a call to the number we have chosen one.
It has a point-to-point navigation function -> It allows us to load the routes we want on the clock. Then we can use the TracBack or Return to Start option.
It also estimates the VO2, that data that athletes who train at a professional level seek so much.
Technical Specifications
Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | |
Type Size | Visible in sunlight, transflective Memory at pixel level | 1.2-inch color panel (MIP) Visible in sunlight Transflective |
Screen Resolution | 215 x 180 pixels | 240 x 240 pixels |
Screen protection | Crystal | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Touchscreen | No | No |
Internal memory | 200 hours of activity data | 200 hours of activity data |
Connectivity | – Bluetooth – GPS – GLONASS | – Bluetooth Low power – ANT + – GPS – GLONASS – Galileo – Wi-Fi |
Sensors | – Heart rate Sensor – Accelerometer | – Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate monitor – Barometric altimeter – Compass – Accelerometer – Thermometer – Pulse Control Sensor |
Material | Strap material: Silicone | Enclosure Stainless Steel Bezel: Fiber Reinforced Polymer Strap: Silicone |
Wireless charging | No | No |
Water resistance | 5 ATM (50 meters) | 5 ATM (50 meters) |
Weight | 42 g | 38.5 g |
Activity Monitoring
Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | |
Step counter | Yes | Yes |
Calories burned | Yes | Yes |
Distance travelled | Yes | Yes |
Floors up | No | Yes |
Sleep monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Measuring stress levels | No | Yes |
Heart rate measurement | Yes | Yes |
Calorie intake | No | Yes |
Hydration levels | No | No |
Running | Available race Profiles GPS-based distance time and pace Cadence Race training sessions Race forecast Compatible with speed and cadence sensor (with sensor) | Available cycling profiles: Cycling, indoor cycling, Mountain biking, and triathlon Courses (competition against previous activities) Competing in an activity Time/distance alerts (triggers an alarm when you reach the goal) Cadence: offers the number of steps per minute in real-time (ANT + and Bluetooth Smart sensors) |
Cycling | Available cycling profiles Time/distance alerts (triggers an alarm when you reach the goal) Cadence | Available cycling profiles: Cycling, cycling with stationary bike Routes (competition against previous activities) Compete in an activity Time/distance alerts (triggers an alarm when you reach the goal) Compatible with Varia Vision Compatible with Varia radar Compatible with Varia lights Cadence: offers the number of steps per minute in real-time |
Outdoor | Back to start Distance to destination | Outdoor recreation profiles available: Skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, paddle boarding, rowing Point-to-point navigation Real-time point trail Back to start Ultratrac Height profile Vertical speed |
Other functions | Heart Rate Functions Heart Rate Zones Heart Rate Alerts Calories by Heart Rate Recovery Time HR Broadcast (Transmits Heart Rate Data to Linked Devices Via ANT+) Training Functions Planning and analysis GPS speed and distance Customizable Data pages Customizable activity profiles – Auto Pause Interval training Advanced training sessions Downloadable training plans Auto Lap Manual lap VO2 max Training Effect (aerobic) Customizable alerts Audio directions End time Touch or button lock Automatic screen change Activity history on the watch TrueUp Minutes | Heart Rate Functions: Heart Rate Zones Heart Rate Alerts Heart Rate Calories – % Maximum Heart Rate- % FCR Recovery Time Maximum Automatic Heart Rate HR Broadcast (Transmits Heart Rate Data to Linked Devices Via ANT+) Interlocking Functions, Planning and analysis: GPS speed and distance Customizable data pages Customizable activity profiles Auto Pause Interval training Advanced training sessions Downloadable training plans Auto Lap Manual lap Configurable lap alerts VO2 max Training status: allows you to see if you’re training effectively by tracking training data, such as the maximum VO2 and anaerobic threshold, comparing them with recent data Training load: combines heart rate and maximum VO2 to calculate intensity over the last 28 days, so make sure you’re in the optimal range to reach your goal Training Effect Training Effect (anaerobic) Customizable Alerts Audio Directions End Time Virtual Partner Virtual Racer Indications based On the way Touch or button lock Automatic screen change Clock activity history true for physiological data Fitness Equipment/Gym functions: Gym activity profiles available: Strength training, cardio training, elliptical training, stair climbing, floor climbing, exercise with ergometer and yoga Cardio training sessions Strength training sessions Automatic repetition count |
Smart Features
Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | |
Smartphone notifications | Yes | Yes |
Music storage and playback | No | Yes |
Controlling your phone’s music | Yes | Yes |
Meteorology | Weather Prediction | Weather prediction |
Other smart features | Find My Watch Find My Phone VirB Remote Control Compatible with Garmin Connect Mobile | Find my watch Calendar Incident detection during specific activities Support LiveTrack Share live events (Android only) VirB remote control Compatible with Garmin Connect Mobile Menstrual cycle tracking |