Garmin Forerunner 230 GPS Watch
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Stay on pace with the Forerunner 230 GPS Watch. Paired with your phone, it offers automatic uploads to Garmin Connect™, smart notifications, audio prompts and live tracking.
Shop similar products- GLONASS capability increases accuracy to the GPS function of the Forerunner 230, meaning less waiting time and more reliable data
- See incoming email, text messages, call alerts, calendar reminders and more from your compatible smartphone
- Receive audio prompts from your connected smartphone that include laps and lap times
- Forerunner 230 records heart rate and estimates VO2 max, recovery time and race times for several distances when used with a compatible heart rate monitor (not included)
- Forerunner 230 also doubles as a standard watch and activity tracker, keeping track of your steps, calories and distance throughout the day
- Move bar with vibration alert motivates you to move when you've been sitting too long
- Easy-to-read color graph shows your heart rate zone (heart rate monitor not included); display screen is 44% larger than the Forerunner 220 but the same physical size
- Download workouts, training plans, watch faces, widgets, apps and data fields from Garmin Connect™
- Battery lasts approximately 12 weeks in watch mode and 12 hours in training mode
Imported.
View the Garmin Forerunner Product LineView all Garmin GPS Sports Watches| Best Use | Running |
|---|---|
| Average Battery Life | Watch mode: 12 weeks; training mode: 12 hours |
| Display Size | Unavailable |
| Illumination | Backlight |
| Altimeter | No |
| GPS/Satellite Detectable | Yes |
| Heart Rate Sensor Type | Chest Strap |
| Average Heart Rate | Yes |
| Heart Rate Target Zone(s) | Yes |
| VO2 Max Estimate | Yes |
| Tracks Steps | Yes |
| Pedometer Type | Digital 3-axis Accelerometer |
| Pace Alert | Yes |
| Interval Training | Yes |
| Tracks Calories Burned | Yes |
| Water-Resistant Depth | 50 meters |
| Alarm | Yes |
| Time Display | Yes |
| Stopwatch | Yes |
| Customization | Apps Widgets Data Fields Watch Faces |
| Smart Device Notifications | Yes |
| Data Exchange | Bluetooth |
| Compatible Fitness Accessories | Heart Rate Monitor |
| Gender | Unisex |
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Most Helpful Critical Review
GREAT RUNNING WATCH!
I previously ran with the Forerunner 220. The 230 acquires satellites almost instantaneously. Find that the larger display is very clear and easier to read. Really like the automatic sync to Garmin Connect Mobile and the numerous apps,data fields and watch faces that you can download. Didn't think I'd use the activity tracker, but after using it I find it very helpful. Battery is longer lasting than the 220. Only con is that the display brightness is somewhat dim in limited lighting. But, when you are outside there is no problem reading the watch. All in all, I am very pleased with the watch and find it more practical than using a running app on your smartphone.
runner's watch first, but versatile
Have owned this watch for a few months. Very pleased with it. Attractive and comfortable. Running features are great. Decent battery life. Step tracker works well. Notifications are very useful, and easy to read. Best part, however, is that Garmin has opened their platform so users can write their own applications and publish them on the Connect IQ site. My favorites: Watch Face - Step Light Data Field - TeunMo Virtual Pacer App - Hike One small glitch I've noticed is that on two occasions after the watch was powered down and powered back on the time was incorrect. The fix was to set it manually or go outside and let it sync with GPS satellites. Other than that, no problems.
Everything I Wanted in a GPS Running Watch
If you are shopping for a GPS running watch that measures distance with accuracy, lasts for days on one charge, and packs all the connectedness you could want from a smart watch without the lame design, I don't see how you can do better for your money in the spring of 2016. I used the Nike+ GPS Sportwatch to track my training for the past four years, but I grew tired of waiting for the GPS to sync with satellites. The battery would die in less than a day and Nike obviously doesn't have much interest in improving the product. That was a bummer. And then I got over it the second I saw this watch find a satellite in four seconds and sync to my phone via Bluetooth. I spend more time running now and less time standing around thinking mean thoughts about Nike. Buy this watch and get out there and chase some strangers.
Works great!!
I initially purchased the FR235 for the built-in HRM and found that it doesn't work well with my wrist - I have tried other built-in HRM GPA watches, too. Although the HRM aspect of the FR235 didn't work well for me, I loved the rest of the watch, so I exchanged it for the FR230. The GPS connects almost instantly and the Bluetooth allows me to see my run/rides right away on my iPhone. Compared to my last watch (TomTom Runner), it feels much lighter, has significantly higher battery life, and I like its user interface. It's a bit more expensive than other GPS watches out there, but the lightness and battery life seal the deal for me.
great watch, terrible mobile app
I spent tons of time researching and reviewing running watches and settled on this one. I love the watch. It is easy to use and setup, and I love the 3 metrics on one screen so I don't have to scroll around to see things like you do with the fitbit. BUT, I cannot setup the mobile app with my iphone 4s (although it is listed as a compatible device). I see on the internet I am not the only one with this issue. Considering what I paid for the watch, it is certainly not worth the price considering the loss of functionality without the mobile app. Waiting to hear from Garmin. Unless I can get it to work soon, probably going to send it back. :(
Buy vivoactive HR instead
I've owned a few garmin watches and other GPS products. This product was the first to drop the ball. Had issues being able to see the screen, functionality of use wasn't good. One of the button end up breaking thankfully as I was able to send back to Garmin. I instead bought the Vivoactive HR (the rectangular watch) and it is awesome. Same price but has a HR monitor on wrist and altimeter. Great buy for those looking for and activity tracker and multisport watch.
GPS Watch that does everything until it broke
This is the latest and the most versatile GPS watch coming out from Garmin. It has a built-in GPS (something Apple Watch doesn't have), sleep tracking, as well as live coach for running and bicycling. The battery life is excellent. I didn't have to charge the watch at all while I had it. The watch, if synced to a smart phone, also relays all notifications such as from my news apps, instant messaging apps, email, text message. This is essentially everything how a smart watch should be - GPS, long battery life, activity & sports tracking, smart phone sync for quick glance of notifications. It is also very light and comfortable. The plastic has a matte finish and feels really refined. It is so airy that I imagine this might be some kind of military/aerospace material. The sad news, and this is a big one, is that it broke after continuous use for 5 days. The bluetooth stopped syncing to my cellphone. Without syncing, the watch loses a big portion of its functionality (it could still be used as a stand-alone GPS watch for tracking runs; sleep tracking and live coach became completely inaccessible). The smart phone app Garmin Connect is the primary dashboard tool that I used, although the Garmin website provides even more detailed information about my activities. Obviously, without syncing, Garmin Connect was rendered useless. The problem I encountered could be caused by software. Everything worked perfectly prior to the software update, which was done over-the-air through my home wifi network. The update was applied automatically which would've been really convenient. (btw, I also tried factory restore and connecting to a laptop for additional default setting restore, and nothing worked). In any case, I am confident that Garmin will work out the problems in later production/software releases. This is such a new device and this is to be anticipated. I would definite buy this device again in a couple of months once the software is stablized.
Dim screen, faulty upgrades, returned to store.
The picture you are likely seeing on the web right now does NOT look like what you see on the watch. The screen is very dim. I tried various options for font size and background colors with only marginal usability difference. When taking upgrades a/or trying new watch faces, it just locked up -- with a black screen and hence could not be used at all even after multiple reboots. My wife at the same date purchased a purple band model and she did not have those OS problems and her screen is not quite as dim. Very dim, but not quite as bad. Not going to try this model again. Will wait for newer technology. I might add that I DID use the GPS one time -- without needing a phone at the same time. That was very nice.
Very pleased
Have been using my FR230 for about 2 weeks now. I am very pleased with my purchase. It has worked up to expectations for its primary function of being a runner's watch. It is very accurate in giving distance to my runs of various lengths and in varying locations. I have also appreciated its use as a step counter and the daily encouragement that provides. Even the "Move" feature which pops up if you have been inactive for too long has been a surprising new source of encouragement. Added bonuses I have enjoyed on this watch include the Smart Notifications which seem to work about 95% of the time with my smartphone. I've also enjoyed the IQ apps store and the ability to add new apps and watch faces. A basic countdown timer seemed to be a big watch feature lacking on the Forerunner's, but I found a good "Gym Timer" app in the IQ store to fill in the void. And one of the other major selling points for me on this watch was the battery life. Went 9 days before my first charge and that included daily usage as an activity tracker as well as about 7 or 8 different runs with GPS. My only "Cons" are a desire for a little more customization in terms of the widgets and how and what information is sync-ed from my Smartphone. The calendar widget leaves a lot to be desired.
stopped working after 4 months
I was pleased with the watch until just last week when it died (just like Bryan W. mentioned in his review). Stopped taking a charge, sometimes it comes on and sometimes it doesn't. I've contacted Garmin because I suspect it is a firmware issue that is causing the problem but they have not responded (I connected the device one day and it installed new software to the watch, ever since it has went wacko).