Garmin Forerunner 235 GPS Heart Rate Monitor Watch
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Stay on pace for your next personal record with Forerunner® 235, the wrist-based heart rate GPS and GLONASS running watch with smart features like audio prompts and text/call notifications.
Shop similar products- Optical Heart Rate Monitor measures heart rate at the wrist, letting you run without a pesky chest strap
- GLONASS capability increases accuracy to the GPS function of the Forerunner 235, meaning less waiting time and more accurate 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 235 records heart rate and estimates VO2 max, recovery time and race times for several distances
- Forerunner 235 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 at a quick glance; 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 9 days in watch/activity tracking mode and 11 hours in training mode
| Best Use | Running |
|---|---|
| Average Battery Life | Watch/activity tracking mode: 9 days; training mode: 11 hours |
| Display Size | Unavailable |
| Illumination | Backlight |
| Altimeter | No |
| GPS/Satellite Detectable | Yes |
| HRM Included/Integrated | Yes |
| Heart Rate Sensor Type | Wrist-based |
| 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 | Widgets Watch Faces Apps Data Fields |
| Smart Device Notifications | Yes |
| Data Exchange | Bluetooth |
| Included Fitness Accessories | Heart Rate Monitor |
| Gender | Unisex |
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Forerunner 235 GPS
It's a keeper. There is a problem with accuracy with the wrist sensor technology but it approximates your actual heart rate. If one is not doing serious excercises it makes no difference. If you put on a Garnin Chest strap then it is totally accurate. The chest strap automatically pairs with the unit. Therefore, you don't have to put on a chest strap every time you use it and there is a little less hassle in your life. The smart notifications are excellent. They have become increasingly important to me. The notifications gives the full text of the message. Again, it take a little hassle out of your life. I would give the unit four out of five stars Jim
Great watch, HRM, GPS, etc
So far so good for me and my FR 235. Love the looks, first of all. Finally can wear it as a multi-functional watch with suits or jeans. GPS loads super fast (over my previous models) and my HR is accurate. I have worn it with my previous strap and GPS/HR Garmin watch and only 2 beats different. The Garmin Connect displays are great. I really like scrolling through all of the data it collects and syncs. I even like the sleep display. Garmin Connect is great until there is an update; then sometimes the bluetooth doesn't want to resync. Overall, this exceeds my expectations and allows me to wear it every day.
Awesome
I have been using the 235 for two months now and I have no complaints. I mainly use it for trail running and some cycling, however I have found the step-counter feature fun. GPS locator finds a signal faster than my previous 310xt. Some features I use less than others. I don't use the sleep feature as it's bothersome to wear 24/7. While the heart-rate monitor is not as accurate as a chest strap, it does provide a general idea without having an additional accessory to wear. Battery life is great for all the data it provides. I usually charge it twice a week depending on how active I am. Overall, this is the best activity tracker/gps watch I have ever had.
No Bueno
Not a good release. The wrist-based HRM is garbage. I've tested it against the 220 with chest-strap HRM. Results of the 235 are all over the place and don't tie at all to the workout. For example, mid workout, the 235 would display 45 HR during intense activity, and then would spike up to 150, only to drop to 55 (yes, I'm wearing the watch correctly). Garmin tech support had no answers. There are a ton of blogs about the glitches of this release - check the DC Rainmaker page for hundreds of posts. Getting past the HRM issues, the tech package is pretty cool. But if you want accurate and reliable data, find another device.
Great running GPS
I've been using the FR235 for about 2 weeks now as a replacement for my aging FR410 and my fitbit flex. I like the aded functionality of activity tracking built into the new GPS watches. The wrist based HR has been accurate for my needs, but I have noticed on one cold run (25F) it had a hard time picking up my HR until about 5mins into the run. GPS is super quick to pick up with GLONASS. The Connect IQ apps are great for added features and configurations. only nit-picky thing is it is difficult to not over tighten the strap while maintaining contact with the HR sensor and may become uncomfortable over time. I recommend switching arms to avoid developing a rash or irritation. Overall happy with this iteration of the Forerunner.
Awesome for runners!
I bought this because Garmin has a great reputation and I wanted a running watch with GPS that could also track my heart rate. The GPS works great, and I love that I can set run/walk intervals and track pace. The VO2 estimate is also great because I have asthma and it helps me measure whether or not I need to adjust when I use my inhaler use during a run. I had my original Forerunner 235 for about a month and the HR monitor stopped working, but REI was fabulous! It took less than 10min to stop in, explain what the problem was, and walk out with a brand new watch. A+ customer service!
GPS good, but HRM not so much
I've been using the Garmin Forerunner 235 for about 6 weeks to track heart rate, pace, mileage, route, etc during my daily exercise (mostly running and skate skiing). The GPS seems quite good, and it seems to track my route accurately based on the map display in the Garmin Connect app. The heart rate monitor works mostly okay during LSD runs, but performed poorly during skate skiing, with readings that often seem wildly inaccurate. I gave up on the HRM on the watch, and have paired it with a Rhythm+ HRM; this tandem system works great.
I like it!
I bought this to prepare for a marathon and wear it all the time. I really love all the features, it’s just what I need, and holds a charge well for several days. I only took a point off because it’s big for my wrist. I’d say I’m an average size woman (5’4” 140lbs and athletic), and it’s a bit bulky on my wrist so sometimes it hurts. I wish it was a little smaller and more delicate so I could wear it a bit more comfortablely and to bed and see what my deep sleep is each night. It’s just a little too bulky for that.
Garmin for Running
I like everything about this product. The style the ease of use and keeps a pretty good location while running. I bought this product because of the location of the heart rate monitor. Having it on the wrist was the big seller for me. The only problem with the heart rate monitor is it is off sometimes and not even close to accurate. Sometimes it's off by 20 beats. I tried everything to correct this to no avail. Hopefully the next model will solve this problem. Other then that. This is a great gosh watch to use for running.
Wrist HRM not product worthy
The wrist HRM monitor is pretty useless, at least for indoor treadmill or spinner bike work out sessions, although the watch has specific modes for these activities. The heart rate is way off (200%), as compared to a chest strap monitor worn at the same time. After about 15 min of steady exercise it finally figures things out, but gets confused again when you drop the pace to cool down. After calls with Garmin support and several firmware updates that don't fix the issue I'm loosing faith that it will ever work properly.