I have a Forerunner 235, looking to upgrade. I'm primarily a runner and have only had Forerunners until now. I like the idea of having music on the new 645, which would allow me to leave my phone at home, but I like the versatility and sporty look of the Fenix. Is the 645 pretty much a Vivoactive with buttons? How much smaller than the 235 is it? I know this ultimately comes down to personal preferences, but my preferences are easily swayed by other people's preferences.
The 645 will be roughly the same diameter of your 235 and, without looking up spec, might be a little thicker.
While the looks are very similar the 645 is not just a VA3 with buttons instead of touch screen. More and more customizable data screens, advanced running dynamics*, Ultra Track GPS mode**, able to use the Running Power* apps. Over all a much more capable watch.
Looks of course are subjective. I like the look of the Fenix 5 and while it's smaller than the Fenix 3 it's still a bit bigger than I'd like for my skinny monkey arms.
*With HRM-run/Tri or Running Dynamics Pod **Current spec sheet only lists Ultra Track for "outdoor activities" like kayaking but when I questioned that in another thread another poster asked a Garmin source who told him that it would be for running too. So grains of salt and all.
I think the 645 will actually be smaller and thinner than the 235. See the images below from DCRM. Agree that that F5 and even F5s are too big for skinny wrists. They just don't sit right.
Agree that that F5 and even F5s are too big for skinny wrists. They just don't sit right.
I had an F3 for awhile and I loved the features, and after I switched to a 735 I actually missed the heft of it, but it beat the hell out of my wrist bone. I seriously considered the F5s but it was more than I wanted to pay and it just looks a little awkward to me in the way the strap lugs stick out so far.
I seriously considered the F5s but it was more than I wanted to pay and it just looks a little awkward to me in the way the strap lugs stick out so far.
THIS +100 - My thoughts exactly!!! The lugs on the F5s point straight outwards. If they tapered downward, like on VA3, the F5s would be the perfect watch and would quickly relieve me of $500.
@ NightHawk700 - I wonder if those 235 dimensions listed included the protrusion for optical heart-rate monitor. The 630 pictured, sits slightly lower than the 645, but it doesn't have the OHRM like the 235.
The photos you posted do not show the FR235 for comparison.
Nope.
Right, and it wasn't suppose to be. However, the FR235 and FR630 are near identical except for the HRM, which is why I mention the if specs account for added protrusion.
So, what I'm inferring is that the FR235 and FR645 are probably very close if not the same in thickness.
