735XT 'New Features'

I'll gladly wager cake that the FR735XT will not be getting the training status feature. Whether the FR735XT already has all the hardware capability required for it is unimportant, whether it can be implemented by a software change is unimportant, and whether you want it and/or think it would add value to the device you already own is even less so. It's a feature that uses Firsbeat ‘technology’, and being new, there is just no way your device would already be licensed to use it. It would also make no commercial sense at all for Garmin to now pay Firstbeat to acquire a license for every FR735XT (and where does that end? FR630, too? What about FR235?) to have that feature, when as you say it's an older watch model.

Prospective customers who want the feature will simply choose the FR935 instead of the FR735XT, if they're in a position to be making a new purchase. Current owners of the FR735XT aren't exactly putting their hand up to pay Garmin extra now to get the feature, and even if a small, small, small minority them would be happy to do so, it still wouldn't make sense for Garmin to spend time building a new firmware release that requires strict controls on which users can update (i.e. upon having paid for the upgrade so as to acquire the new feature).

Quite frankly I am quite happy with my 735XT - however, I would LOVE to be able to write distance from my STRYD footpod (instead of GPS) + better batterytime. When I train a lot I have to charge the 735XT ALL THE FREAKING TIME! I guess I will end up with the 935 when the price has dropped a bit - Sadly I do not think they will change distancerecording from FootPOD :-(

Unlikely the 735 will change now apart from bug fixes and keeping up, if it can, with the CIQ versions.

Why buy a GPS watch if you want distance from a foot pod? I use a Stryd but have never noticed that the 735 distance from GPS is significantly "out". Is it for you?

When you train a lot then you use GPS and using GPS uses lots of battery. That would be the case on any watch. That said I only tend to charge mine every other day to keep it topped up.

Why buy a GPS watch if you want distance from a foot pod? I use a Stryd but have never noticed that the 735 distance from GPS is significantly "out". Is it for you?

Well, that is actually hard for me to answer - how do you define "significantly"? On a track I would say yes! GPS is no where precise enough here for me!

Have a look at this: http://fellrnr.com/wiki/GPS_Accuracy - a calibrated STRYD will be precise down to 90 meters on a 30 km. run!

For comparison the Garmin forerunner 920 XT is precise down to 750 meters for a 30 km. run!

So for a 5000 meter on the track I can get precision down to 15 meters with a STRYD, where GPS will get me within 125 meters - QUITE a bit of difference in my opinion!

Well I recall the author of that study finds his GPS is often out by a mile in 20 - never happened to me.

GPS round a track is always a "challenge" I agree although of course you know exactly how far you run without any "device". I have run several track races with a 735 and GPS only and has generally been in the ballpark for distance.

You could always use Run Indoor mode (i.e. GPS off) on a track if you want to take distance from the foot pod.

Well "in the ballpark" for distance isn't good enough for analysis!!!

I run on the track with GPS off right now - but would like to be able to run my intervals with GPS on to get the mapping :-)

Well here are two from last season that are "in the ballpark" both with GPS on and a 735XT.

3000 race https://www.strava.com/activities/635144848
5000 race https://www.strava.com/activities/612958944

Actually they look to be pretty much spot on.

If I want to do "analysis" of lap splits then I would use the Strava lap segments for say lap splits.

I recall in my 3000 race I started off at sub 10 pace but just drifted off in the second half.
The 5000 was sort of solo mid race but looks like for once I actually managed to speed up slightly in the second half.