Hi, We have ordered a garmin forerunner 735xt, can anyone advise if anything extra is needed to get the most out of indoor training on a concept2 rowing machine & a elliptical cross trainer. we have an ant+ heart rate monitor.
Ohh sorry, plus mountain biking. I have seen the speed & cadence sensors, athough for the extra £50 im not sure if these will give me more info that i really need as knowing my pedal speed wont really help me at my stage of mountain biking. maybe they will be of use on the elliptical cross trainer
Congrats on your 735xt! I can't speak to mountain biking, but for the Concept 2 I use an add on app from Garmin IQ called ErgIQ. It works seamlessly for me with the PM5. I use a HR monitor rather than the wrist. Happy rowing!
F735xt arrived today, but I am really dissapointed in the brightness of the screen. Its so dim its almost impossible to read looking straight at the watch face. So disappointing for a £250 watch, I am unsure if its faulty or not. Outside in bright sunlight its ok. it seems that if you tilt thw watch face away it gets a bit brighter, but who wants to only be able to see the watch face if they are not looking at the face directly. My 2 garmin forerunner10's are miles better & they only cost £60 each, not £250. Functionality looks great, but its no use if I cant see the screen :-(
I never thought of is as especially dim. For sure not as much contrast as the newer 935, but I can even see it underwater while swimming. It might depend on where the light is relative to the watch. You can also turn on the backlight on wrist turn function, although that will drain the battery more. Different watch faces from Garmin IQ may work better too.
The FR10 has a different display type with significantly more contrast. The FR735XT is dim in comparison, although in most cases I do not have problems reading the display indoors. You have two options: get used to it or return the watch before you still can.
yes there lies the problem. How does one going from a FR10, know if the FR735xt has a faulty dim screen, or a working as designed dim screen. I actually keep on thinking I have my sunglasses on when i look at the fr735xt. i am so disappointed in this £250 upgrade. Why would they use such a poorly lit screen? it really beets me. So yes, its sadly going back. I am so dissapointed, as it looks so good in the online reviews. Why hasnt anyone in the online reviews said "bear in mind you will think you have sunglasses on when viewing the watch indoors!" so we all know the screen is rubbishly dim.
Because this is the only option if you want color, great outdoor visibility and low power consumption for always-on watchface.
Why hasnt anyone in the online reviews said "bear in mind you will think you have sunglasses on when viewing the watch indoors!" so we all know the screen is rubbishly dim.
Because most people can live with it. I have no issues reading the screen in most conditions. When it's too dark to read I use the backlight. Simple.
Ok, For a £250 watch the display indoors is terrible. The watch has great functionality, but Garmin have made a big mistake designing a watch thats useless indoors. I keep thinking I have my sunglasses on. I could forgive it if it had cost £50, but at £250 dont buy this watch if you want to be able to use it indoors. Its an outdoor use watch only. You shouldnt have to "live with" a big defect like this when it costs so much. Come on garmin, redesign the watch so it works indoors & out. I have read so many complaints from load of people saying the same thing, so its not just me who thinks this is an issue.
Ok, For a £250 watch the display indoors is terrible.
Price has actually nothing to do with it.
Its an outdoor use watch only.
While it is indeed an outdoor watch primarily, I have no problems using it indoors, similar to most users.
You shouldnt have to "live with" a big defect like this
Absolutely true. Nobody has to live with it. You can simply return your garmin and use another watch.
redesign the watch so it works indoors & out.
Please, don't. It works just fine.
I have read so many complaints from load of people saying the same thing, so its not just me who thinks this is an issue.
Then it makes me wonder why so many people choose garmins over other solutions. Oh, and by the way, the direct competitors use the same display technology in most of their products.
Said all that above, it is of course possible, that you have a defective unit which - for whatever reason - is dimmer than other units of the same model. To be constructive and helpful, from my point of view you have 2 options to avoid further frustration:
1. Return the watch and choose something else with a display better suited to your liking. 2. Contact garmin support and see if your watch is not defective.
I can see the watch face very clearly without any problem. Maybe you should adjust the brightness of the watch face. If not available, I think it is a faulty one.
