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Upgrade path 735XT -> 935 or 645 (non-music)?

Former Member over 7 years ago

OK, so the 645 has finally been announced. Let's ignore the music aspect for this post, as that seems to invoke a lot of strong opinions and is somewhat beside the point here.

In terms of an upgrade for the 735XT, it seems like the 645 has everything you'd ever want that the 935 has, *if* you don't need the multi-sport mode and open water swimming. And is $100 cheaper.

If you're now up for an upgrade, what are you thinking?

0 R_Tellis over 7 years ago

I'm primarily a runner so the loss of multi sport isn't an issue for me and truth be told even pool swimming is lost on me. Also the loss of power meter won't effect me even though I bike commute for 40 or miles per week spring through summer.

For running the 645 gives me all of the features that I use in my 735 plus the new training load stats so it suits me for my main pursuit. At the same time it has the looks and gym based activity profiles that I like about VA3.

The 935 would certainly give me all I need or may want in the future but while more normal looking than previous Forerunners it still has more of a sports watch look to it than I want from a watch I wear all day. The other downside is that, compared to the non-music version (which would be my choice), I'd be paying $100 more for features that I'll rarely if ever use. That's money I'd rather put toward a pair of shoes or an RD Pod. There is also the issue of size. Although I'm 6' tall I have really small wrists and the VA3 is exactly the right size for me and the 645 is roughly the same size.

Also that it uses a standard band width and fastening system makes it a more convenient, and cheaper, way to have easily swapable bands than the Quickfit system on the Fenix/935.

0 chunkywizard over 7 years ago

I think you’ve summed it up well. If you don’t need multi sports or bike power or OWS then the 645 will save you money over the 935.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Looks like they're not selling the non-music version in Australia, music only ... :(. Which means added complications to get it from the US.

Not sure what they are thinking with this move.

0 R_Tellis over 7 years ago

What? That doesn't seem to make any sense. Is it Aus only or for the whole APAC region?

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

What? That doesn't seem to make any sense. Is it Aus only or for the whole APAC region?

I agree, it doesn't make any sense. It's not like Australians don't buy heaps of sports tech (we do). NZ seems to be the same (not sure about other countries).

Perhaps they're trying to push people here to the more expensive version at launch ...?

0 SteveA-NZ over 7 years ago

Yes, NZ/AU seem to have different part numbers as well as the 645M only - I am wondering if this is due to the music streaming services that it supports or something.

0 R_Tellis over 7 years ago

If it's due to legal issues with steaming services that should come out and say so. I think the risk of some sales being delayed until the music version is available its better for "The Brand" they selling only the non-music version to people who would buy the other and then end up releasing the music version a couple is months down the road.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

I can't imagine it's due to legal issues with the streaming services. It might just be their manufacturing decisions and the availability of each version. There does seem to be slight hardware differences, for example weight.

0 timgrose over 7 years ago

In the UK iHeartRadio is not offered so currently there are no streaming options but it's going to be on sale in the UK...

0 R_Tellis over 7 years ago

Deezer also works with the watch and is available in the UK