This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

235 Band vs. 630 Band

Just wanted to throw this out there for those wondering about any subtle differences between the 630 and 235 (other than the obvious optical HRM and advanced running metrics).

I returned my 630 for a 235 and got it last night. The first thing I noticed was the band. The band on the 235 is 10000% better than 630's band. It's a softer rubber and is so much more comfortable. There are also more adjustment holes. I'm sure they did this due to the unit needing to be more snug than the 630 but still. The difference in how much more comfortable this watch is vs. the 630 was really surprising.

Also - I never thought I'd say this, but the interface is better too. The touch screen on the 630 just didn't add much to the watch for me. I may be hallucinating as I'm sure the screens are EXACTLY the same, but the screen on the 235 seems sharper with deeper colors (reds are deeper red). Who knows, the 630 is a touch screen so maybe they were sourced differently.

Lastly, It also feels slightly bigger which I love. I have large wrists.

Anyone else notice these things?

0 Former Member over 9 years ago

Interesting as they are retailing the bands as spare for the devices as the same.

0 runn over 9 years ago

I ordered a Power Yellow band the day my 235 arrived-November 20. No word from Garmin when it will be shipped- they had advised the third week in December. I am disappointed that the strap wont't be the same. Had to have the force yellow for my black 235.
Might return and order the Marsala strap, which is originally featured for the 235 exclusively. Such problems huh?:)

0 ryanovelo over 9 years ago

I ordered a Power Yellow band the day my 235 arrived-November 20. No word from Garmin when it will be shipped- they had advised the third week in December. I am disappointed that the strap wont't be the same. Had to have the force yellow for my black 235.
Might return and order the Marsala strap, which is originally featured for the 235 exclusively. Such problems huh?:)

The straps with the small circles in the middle are the soft rubber straps that come with the 235, and the straps with the bigger hole (almost rectangle) are the harder rubber that originally comes on the 630.

0 runn over 9 years ago

I ordered a Power Yellow band the day my 235 arrived-November 20. No word from Garmin when it will be shipped- they had advised the third week in December. I am disappointed that the strap wont't be the same. Had to have the force yellow for my black 235.
Might return and order the Marsala strap, which is originally featured for the 235 exclusively. Such problems huh?:)

I might have misspoken. Stumbled on to give a Garmin website. There they show the force yellow band that looks exactly like the band I have on my 235. Hope that is the case.

0 timgrose over 9 years ago

I might have misspoken. Stumbled on to give a Garmin website. There they show the force yellow band that looks exactly like the band I have on my 235. Hope that is the case.

yes I would say so. I've got the Frost Blue one but, on reflection, maybe a black band would be less conspicuous!

https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/shop-by-accesories/bands/watch-bands-forerunner-230-235-630-/prod532676_010-11251-86.html
seems to fit the bill and is linked from the 235 page but not quite as clear if this is the "soft" 235 band?

0 gpb11 over 9 years ago

I think it is; if you look at the 235 page Accessories tab and click on Bands you find that part number as black-and-gray band. If you look at the 230 page Accessories tab and click on bands you find a different part number listed as black-and-white band.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/sports-recreation/running/forerunner-235/prod529988.html
https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/sports-recreation/running/forerunner-230/prod523893.html

The trouble is the images appear to be identical, so I'm not sure they're necessarily actual pictures of the identified product.

In person they're easy to differentiate; the 235's band is gray inside rather than white for the 230.

0 webvan over 9 years ago

Same thing for the FR230 -> https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?337094-FR-230-235-630-Replacement-Bands-Differences band not as soft as on the FR235...but maybe more durable ?

To be sure to get a "supple" one I think you need to go for the black/grey, black/marsala, Frost Blue or the "Black and Force Yellow" (from the Nike version).