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Why 735 compared to 235?

I'm currently testing the 235 for running and it seems pretty good, except the "routing" funcionality which I have to add via dwMap which is far from compfortable.
What about the 735 at this point?
Is it possible to upload just a gpx file to define my route and do I get signal from the 735 when to change the direction (by sound or vibration)?

And, apart from this, what essentially speaks for the 735 compared to 235? What about the batterie time?
I can change for he next three weeks, but not buy the next (and significantly more expensive) watch in two years.

0 FlipStone over 8 years ago

See https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?358810-Tree-Benchmark&p=899168#post899168
So the 735 is way higher. However haven't noticed a huge difference in terms of menu usage etc etc

That said the 735 is potentially doing a lot more background processing - e.g. Strava segments, courses, running dynamics etc etc

Ah yeah, that one. Cheers.. Also read this review where the person did notice a speed difference:

http://www.gadfit.com/forerunner-735xt-review/

Meh, guess I'll just have to test it somewhere when I have the cchance...

0 timgrose over 8 years ago

Nice review. Not seen those ones before. Will have to dig my 235 out and remind myself. As he notes, once you have a 735 there is little need to charge up the 235... I usually take out a 630 as my backup device as then, on runs, it records the same data, dynamics and all.

0 FlipStone over 8 years ago

Nice review. Not seen those ones before. Will have to dig my 235 out and remind myself. As he notes, once you have a 735 there is little need to charge up the 235... I usually take out a 630 as my backup device as then, on runs, it records the same data, dynamics and all.

Guess I'm gonna find out myself, just ordered the 735xt (was on 'discount' so a bit cheaper, also complete lack of self control on my side and that combined with then selling the 235 made me able to see if more as an upgrade and justify it for myself ;) ).

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Guess I'm gonna find out myself, just ordered the 735xt (was on 'discount' so a bit cheaper, also complete lack of self control on my side and that combined with then selling the 235 made me able to see if more as an upgrade and justify it for myself ;) ).

Congratulations! Mine is genuinely awesome and i love it. Enjoy!

0 DerDembo over 8 years ago

Same for me - got lured into the GPS watch space ("why would I need a GPS watch - I am almost always running with my phone") via a heavily discounted 235. Found out that adding Triathlon functionality via an app is okayish, but not what I was looking at, sold the 235 and bought the 735XT. Completely happy with my decision so far. Although being a mountain person I’d love to have the barometric sensor and magnetic compass of the Fenix series, but the current Fenix 3 HR seems to show a lot less computational power compared to the 735XT (https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?358810-Tree-Benchmark&p=899168#post899168, so it will probably not get features like Strava live segments) and I simply don’t want to spend the money Garmin is asking for the Chronos line (although the leather band version looks sweet).

0 FlipStone over 8 years ago

Congratulations! Mine is genuinely awesome and i love it. Enjoy!

Haha, thanks! Yeah... I think all in all it's a worthy upgrade (just a more powerful and versatile FR235) and I saw I already have the 235 for over 9 months so hey ;)

But looking forward to receiving it, should be tomorrow :)

0 Agepi7o over 8 years ago

Guess I'm gonna find out myself, just ordered the 735xt (was on 'discount' so a bit cheaper, also complete lack of self control on my side and that combined with then selling the 235 made me able to see if more as an upgrade and justify it for myself ;) ).

I did the same myself. But to justify it to my wife. It was very hard and I only could convince her because it was my birthday.:D

0 kra.kuester over 8 years ago

OK, ok, I did it now The 735 will come on Tuesday.

I convinced my wife with " its better to change now than to buy a second watch in 2 years" :o . And I got a reasonable discount and it will be included in Xmas budged - now I have to wait...

PS. Thanks to FlipStone for the link to the review - a good and comprehensive (and enthusiastic ;-) ) review.

0 FlipStone over 8 years ago

And it's in, first impression... Looks slightly (really very slightly) smaller/more compact and indeed a bit snappier (with all the same widgets/apps installed). Will see how it actually performs over the next days/weeks :)

*Edit*

Yeah, I do feel it's quite a bit snappier compared to the 735. One disadvantage is not all connect-iq stuff available for the 235 is also available for the 735xt (for example the GPS Metrics widget, I was able to copy it manually though).

Also have the feeling HR lock is way faster (maybe gps too but haven't been outside too much). Other then that it basically feels like an improved 235 (which is what I expected it to be, was just hoping the performance would be noticably better and I have a feeling it is. Might actually do some comparison later on...

And here is the comparison, clumsy video of me pressing the buttons (really at the same time!). The watches have the same widgets, apps, etc installed (the 735xt even a few more) and the difference is very clear... Btw, the 235 is on the left, 735xt on the right and the performance of the 235 is about how I have experienced it allways I think.

235 vs 735XT performance

And another edit...

Did my first run yesterday, interval (8x2min with 1min rest) and it seems to pick them up better then the 235 did. Might be an accident of course as every now and then the 235 also kinda worked, but still. Looking forward to the next runs :)

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1369634998

Only the first interval was completely missed...