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 bought a 230 for my wife a few months back, and I was holding on to my trusted 610; but I got jealous of the display compared to the 610, and she was complaining about the HR strap confort (a common issue for women), so I bought her a 235, and took her 230. I was secretly hoping the OHR on the 235 would turn out not so good for her and that I'd inherit it, but no cigar, it works... So I have the 230 and she kept the 235. Both of us only use it for running, not as activity trackers (I don't personally see the need, I'm sure some do, but I don't), so our combined opinion is therefore biased compared to some who focus on the tracker functions and thus complain about RHR, etc. Our common needs are a) solid GPS + HR data acq, record and display, b) ability to tailor the display to run needs (e.g. customize the screens), c) comfort during activities, d) advanced intervals/programs (warmup, mix of distance- and time-based intervals and recovery, multiple sets, etc), and e) compatibility with 3rd-party data analytics (Sporttracks to be more precise). Both watches perform great on all of these. I basically do not look at GC... so I don't care if RHR or VO2Max don't sync smoothly.
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.
That's pretty much the way I think about it. It's easy to functionally disable the optical HRM if it irks or disappoints, it's easy to get over any regret of an (additional) expense of $50 when that emotional response is just in my head and solely in my control, but it isn't nearly so easy to try and bolt on a 24×7 function for that price if I want to experiment with it later.
That's pretty much the way I think about it. It's easy to functionally disable the optical HRM if it irks or disappoints, it's easy to get over any regret of an (additional) expense of $50 when that emotional response is just in my head and solely in my control, but it isn't nearly so easy to try and bolt on a 24×7 function for that price if I want to experiment with it later.
Glad to know you also share my thoughts on this 😏
