The Garmin Forerunner series is a selection of sports watches produced by Garmin.
The company is well known for its specialization in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology development. It produces consumer, automotive, professional aviation, sports activities and utilities, marine and outdoor devices that make use of the GPS for navigational assistance.
Our main points of focus are however on the Garmin Forerunner 225 and 235 models respectively. The subsequent paragraphs would highlight the differences of the these two very popular fitness trackers
Garmin Forerunner 225 vs 235 - Specs Chart
Garmin Forerunner 225 Overview:
GARMIN Ltd. must have noticed the stress their customers face in strapping a heart-rate monitor alongside wearing the watch.
This may have opened their eyes to see the wisdom in adding the heart-rate sensor feature to their watches if they wanted the Garmin watch series to be in demand and be qualified to compete in the sports’ watch market, and also not failing to see the long-term benefit it promises.
Garmin Forerunner 225 made a gateway for future Garmin wrist-worn watch models to have included in the heart-rate sensors- as it was the first of its kind in the Garmin series. This was a big leap for them.
- Colorful graphic interface shows your zone and beats per minute at a glance
- Tracks distance, pace and heart rate¹*; activity tracking counts steps and calories all day
- Built-in accelerometer records distance indoors
- Connected features²: automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, live tracking, social media sharing
- Compatible with advanced workouts and free training plans from Garmin Connect
One of the reasons that qualify the Garmin Forerunner 225 for triathlons is the feature that allows it track distance and vigorous day-to-day tasks. The 225 model continues to be a marvel due to certain reasons.
Not only does it serve as a tracking device (which is made possible by its accelerometer); embedded into it is a GPS (a space-based navigation system that provides location and time information it also has a heart-rate monitor.
Interestingly, coupled with those mentioned above, the Garmin Forerunner 225 also calculates steps, measures sleep, and calories burned, and also determine distance covered. All of these functions are contained in one watch.
Here is a photo of the back where the sensor is.
DESIGN
For some athletes or triathletes, it is, “the bigger, the better.” Despite its sizeable nature, what matters should be what it can do for the user; especially since its size takes nothing away from its beauty.
However, when compared to most sport watches on the market, Garmin Forerunner 225 measuring 11.3-inch Height x 1.9-inch Width x 0.6-inch Depth and weighing 1.9 ounces.
The Garmin Forever 225 can also resist water, which makes it even better for athletes who perspire profusely, or more importantly swimmers in deep waters.
BATTERY LIFE
It has an inch round color display that produces 180 x 180 pixels resolution. Physical buttons are all around the watch face; all are labeled and user-friendly.
Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, this battery watch can last for about 10 hours in sports mode (with heart rate sensors and GPS on) or 4 weeks in watch mode.
MIO HEART RATE TECHNOLOGY
This is the first GPS watch from Garmin to feature built-in heart rate sensor. If you used to wear chest straps to get the accurate calculation of heart rate zone and BPM, Forerunner 225 eliminates the needs to wear any additional accessory.
This is why Garmin included a heart-rate sensor on the Forerunner 225 by entering into a partnership with Mio.
The heart-rate sensor can be found underneath the watch – and can be detected by lights that flicker depending on their function. Additionally, the heart rate sensor only works when you engage in training or sports mode.
PROS
CONS
If you are looking for something with a little less bells and whistles, try the Garmin Forerunner 210.
- WRIST-BASED HEART RATE - Run without a strap - the Forerunner 225 uses a built-in sensor to measure heart rate at the wrist
- GRAPHIC INTERFACE - A colorful gauge shows your zone at a glance: warm-up (gray), easy (blue), aerobic (green), threshold (orange) or maximum (red).
- GPS - GPS-enabled, Forerunner 225 provides accurate distance and pace data. You can also view your run on a map when you upload to Garmin Connect.
- ACCELEROMETER - A built-in accelerometer provides distance and pace data when you're running indoors, with no need for a separate foot pod
- ACTIVITY TRACKING - It doubles as a watch and activity tracker. Count steps, calories and distance throughout the day. The move bar with vibration alert motivates you to move when you've been sitting too long. (sleep monitoring as well)
Garmin Forerunner 235 Overview:
It is expected that if another model were to be introduced after the Forerunner 225, which is the Garmin Forerunner 235 – then it has to be an improvement upon the previous model, or at least an addition to the features of the model before (225).
This version of the Forerunner series became even better.
When compared to the Forerunner, the physical appearance is thinner and lighter.
More so, included in it are features such as smartphone notifications, virtual partner software, a recovery software and bike/ speed cadence sensor; GLONASS for additional GPS accuracy, “Auto lap and Auto pause” training options, etc.
Here is a photo of the back where the sensor lives:
- GPS running watch with wrist based heart rate and display type is sunlight visible, transflective memory in pixel (MIP)
- Customize your watch and your training, larger screen a 44 percentage larger screen than the 225 but the same physical size
- Audio Prompts: Receive Audio Prompts from your connected smartphone that include laps and lap times. Smartwatch mode: Up to 9 days. Gps mode: Up to 11 hours
Similar to the Forerunner 225, it has the basic requirements for runners.
A GPS to provide time and location information; a heart-rate sensor beneath the watch to measure heart rate and also a tracking feature that serves to track day-to-day activities, measure steps taken, degree calories consumed.
Both the Forerunner 225 and 235 share the above features, but to differentiate them, more was added to the 235 model.
As was previously mentioned, the 235 model is also swimmer-friendly since it is water resistant.
When positioned side by side the 225 model, it is lighter, sizeable and wearable. One could even call it sleeker.
The smartphone notification feature added enables the user to display notifications from one’s phone, whether iPhone or Android device.
Summarily, some of the features of the Garmin Forerunner 235 are that it provides pace alerts, interval training, and Virtual partner software; also in built is a recovery advisor and bike/ speed cadence sensor.
More additional features are its clock, sensors, daily smart features, activity tracking, daily planning and analysis features, heart rate features, running features, outdoor recreation features, cycling features
HEART RATE SENSOR
This time around, instead of relying on their previous partnership with Mio, Garmin instead decided to make do with its own in-house made technology, known as “Elevate,” to provide the heart-rate sensor on the Forerunner 235.
Another improvement on the Forerunner 225 is that the sensor on the Forerunner 235 is made to run continuously through the day, which was not made so for the previous model.
BATTERY LIFE
It has an inch round color display that produces 215 x 180 pixels resolution. Like the Garmin 225, buttons are all around the watch face; labeled and are user-friendly.
Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, this battery watch can last for about 11 hours in sports mode (with heart rate sensors and GPS on) or 9 days in watch mode.
PROS
CONS
- GPS running watch with wrist based heart rate and display type is sunlight visible, transflective memory in pixel (MIP)
- Customize your watch and your training, larger screen a 44 percentage larger screen than the 225 but the same physical size
- Audio Prompts: Receive Audio Prompts from your connected smartphone that include laps and lap times. Smartwatch mode: Up to 9 days. Gps mode: Up to 11 hours
Garmin Forerunner 225 vs 235 Compare & Contrast:
So, which is better?
To answer this question, it depends on the individual/athlete, and what he or she needs.
The Forerunner 225 may spot mid-range feature, but it does not mean the watch is lacking in useful features, form it has also has a built-in accelerometer which measures distance for indoor running where GPS acquisition is difficult.
It provides pace calculation, has an activity tracking feature, and counts steps and movements.
While the watch has multiple customizations and data computation options, more detailed information about your run is available at Garmin Connect mobile app or desktop app. Thanks to Automatic option, Forerunner 225 will transfer the data to your computer automatically.
On the other hand, however, The Forerunner 235 adds more than a dozen new features to the 225. Running with the Forerunner 235 is enjoyable.
It's comfortable to wear, the satellite signal is acquired almost instantly, and it's pretty accurate.
To view the similarities and differences between the two GPS watches, here is a compare and contrast chart:
Conclusion
The best advice is to figure out what you need from a GPS sports watch and what would make training more convenient for you. Both watches have their advantages and disadvantages.
Last update on 2023-01-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API