Hi All - I considering purchasing the 230 or 235. For all of you that own the 235, how happy are you with your purchase and with the Optical HRM accuracy and performance? I'm really on the fence with my purchase deciding between these two models. I recently purchased a VAHR but doesn't feel it provides me with all the running features and metrics that is available on the 230 and 235. In addition. I feel the oHRM is not all that accurate during more exhausting runs with many high spikes. So given your experience with the 235, would you have purchase the 230 instead and just use a chest strap? Honest, I really don't have issues with using the chest strap but do like the convenience of having the oHRM on days when I forget my strap. Oh.. And anther thing, do you find the bump on the oHRM to be ignoring or irritating on prolong wear? Thanks.
I like the all day HR tracking, and the accuracy is "good enough" for my needs. Not having to wear a strap not just while running, but also the other exercises I track with the watch are worth it.
You don't notice the bump at all. I cinch the watch tighter on my wrist to make sure it has a good "seal" before working out; I suspect that's where a lot of the gross inaccuracies come from that people report. I've always found it to be close to my strap, more or less. That said, if you do a lot of high intensity intervals, you'll still want to use a strap for those. The OHM can be a bit slow on the draw sometimes.
It is a a very nice watch. I went from a Fitbit Charge HR, then Apple Watch, and finally the 235. The Garmin let me ditch both my wearable and my phone I'd been using to track my runs for the last 5 years, and it's been a revelation.
It has been a great watch for me so far. I did have a few instances of cadence lock when using the OHRM during the first part of the year, but software updates and / or warmer weather have corrected this. I do have a chest strap that I have used during some really cold weather runs and for some HIIT, but overall the OHRM performs very well for me. I average about 25 to 30 miles of running a week and hit the gym for strength training and some elliptical 5 days a week. The FR235 OHRM occasionally struggles a bit for me with the strength training. I get about 4 to 5 days of battery life. That is with BT Notifications, Activity Tracking, All-Day Heart Rate Monitoring, etc. I normally use Smart Recording and only GPS (not GLONASS) for my runs.
Regarding the bump... I can not tell it is there at all. I make the watch band very snug during workouts, but keep it a notch or two looser at all other times.
I was using a Nike+ Sportswatch prior to the FR235. I'm so glad I upgraded!!
Thanks for the feedback. So far it seems 235 has been positive. I figure this may be a good time to pickup either the 230 or 235 since REI and many of the sporting good stores are running promotions for $249 for the 235 and $199 for the 230 and $229 for 230 with hrm bundle. Pretty good price in my opinion for this watch.
I'm going to play the Devil's Advocate here. I would definitely buy the 230. In fact, I'm so disappointed with the oHRM and 24/7 activity tracking with the 235 that I basically use it as a 230 now anyway. It just depends on the importance an individual has with these features. I personally find all the high HR spikes, the incorrect RHR, and calories burned to be so far off from what is actually going on that data provided to me is worthless. Others have found their data to be fairly accurate. Just know that there are two sides of the fence when making your decision.
For all of you that own the 235, how happy are you with your purchase
I've been using my FR235 for the past three months, and I'm happy enough with it to consider buying one for my girlfriend when she's ready to replace/upgrade from the Fitbit Charge HR I bought her this past Christmas. (The other candidate on the current horizon is a vívoactive‑HR, although by then there may be a FR245 – but I'm certainly not expecting the Fitbit to outlast its 12-month warranty.)
and with the Optical HRM accuracy and performance?
It's adequate for my requirements, such that even though I have a Wahoo TICKR‑X chest strap HRM that I only bought earlier this year, I hardly wear that when running any more.
So given your experience with the 235, would you have purchase the 230 instead and just use a chest strap?
Not for my purposes and habits.
Oh.. And anther thing, do you find the bump on the oHRM to be ignoring or irritating on prolong wear?
Not kinaesthetically, but it does irritate my skin sometimes if I keep it on the same spot for a couple of days instead of switching arms (and just take it off for a few hours at night, when sleeping or parking myself in front of my computer), most likely due to moisture build-up as opposed to constant pressure.
Pretty good price in my opinion for this watch.
I think so. I paid a few dollars above that price (after currency conversion) in February and was quite over the moon with scoring such a bargain, especially in view of how much the TomTom Spark Cardio+Music sold for at the time (and how much the vívoactive‑HR is currently selling for now).
ASmugDill - Thanks for the info. Interesting you mentioned the VAHR, I have this device currently and have been using it for the past couple of weeks, however, I'm not too impress with the oHRM accuracy at least as I see some unusually high spikes during steady runs. In addition, I do missed all the data screens that I used to get on my Fenix 3 before I sold it and brought the VAHR. I was hoping the 235 maybe able to fill the void of the Fenix 3 as least for the running features. Although even then, it seems the 235 may still lack some of the running metrics that the fenix 3 offers. So now I'm pretty much on the fence of buying the 230/235 or back to the fenix 3 which pretty much have it all (except the HR). For anyone who have also owned and used both the 230/235 and Fenix 3 did you noticed a big difference in terms of weight and size between the two? My main activity is running 80%, biking 10% and swimming 10%.
So now I'm pretty much on the fence of buying the 230/235 or back to the fenix 3 which pretty much have it all (except the HR).
There is, of course, the fēnix‑3‑HR. :)
I was/am considering the VAHR for my girlfriend because she neither runs nor rides for exercise, but only walks (five to ten kilometres a day) and does yoga, and the main motivation for an upgrade is getting GPS – which the FR230 or even ‘lesser’ Forerunner models would provide – but I'd like to also avoid her losing the optical HRM feature for monitoring fitness (as opposed to guiding workout activity and effort). In the end, it'll come down to whether she's more comfortable wearing the VAHR or the FR235 kinaesthetically and aesthetically.
I love my watch and would buy it again. I have experienced very few of the problems reported up here ... I suspect the majority of posters on this forum are people that have had issues ... you don't hear from people who are happy with their product as much. The OHR is not an hospital ECG, but it does a proper job IMHO ... at least mine does. Like someone above me said, if I wear it correctly (tighten up before runs), it performs quite well. I wouldn't bother with one of these sports watches if I had to wear a chest strap, so the 235 is a god send!
I bought the 230 and im very happy - not missing a thing. Seeing all the complaints here regarding OHR in 235 and the limitations of the technology at this moment (e.g. even when it works it takes time to adjust to fast HR changes), Im glad I didnt choose the 235. I didnt mind using the HR strap for the workout and it gives me a good feeling to know I can 100% rely on the HR data. And battery live and comfort is better (no weird,bulky thing on underside). And its cheaper if money matters...
I bought the 230 and im very happy - not missing a thing. Seeing all the complaints here regarding OHR in 235 and the limitations of the technology at this moment (e.g. even when it works it takes time to adjust to fast HR changes), Im glad I didnt choose the 235. I didnt mind using the HR strap for the workout and it gives me a good feeling to know I can 100% rely on the HR data.
And battery live and comfort is better (no weird,bulky thing on underside). And its cheaper if money matters...
I do agree the oHRM technology at this point is not were the chest strap is in terms of accuracy. However, I think have the option of both oHRM and chest strap is very versatile in my opinion. In terms of price point, it's $50 more for the between the 230 and 235 so not too steep in the additional cost of having the oHRM. I ready have a few external straps also. So at this point based on some of the feed backs, i'm leaning taught the 235. 230 and 235 owners, please keep the feedbacks going :-)
