Garmin Forerunner 235
On sale at Rebel Sport for $296, down from rrp of $469.
Also at JB HiFi for $299
Mainly designed as a running watch with built in HR monitor and can be used for cycling outdoors.
for more info see DCRainmakers in depth review here:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/11/garmin-fr230-fr235-revie…
Obligatory "Don't for get cashrewards".
Update 14/11 820pm: Now available for $236.80 until 16/11
would you care to clarify?
Yeah went to Harvey Norman and paid with Amex as they Price matched …..add a micro sd card for $12 (Price matched also) to get past the $300 mark….
Thanks for your post. It saved me an extra $75
I couldn't get the marsala colour that I wanted though :/ (the guy at HN said HN no longer stocks colours other than the black+grey?)
If I get this watch at JB hifi for $299 and another misc item so I can bump it past $300 am I eligible for TRS?
Yes. $300 can be made up from multiple items on one receipt. That is my experience & memory.
Now the $300 doesn't even have to be 1 receipt; you can use multiple receipts from the same store to total up to $300, as long as the oldest one is within 60 days of your departure from Australia
Also 10% off rebel gift cards if you have an entertainment book, or price match this at Harvey Norman and then combine with Amex if you have the $100 cashback
Good watch especially at that price. Our running squad has a fair few in operation and they are well supported with firmware updates and grab the satellites nice and quick.
Bought one last week, and the GPS is super quick compared to my old 305 - very happy so far!
Too bad the 630 isn't on sale anymore.
Damn i just brought the Amazfit over the weekend. Otherwise I would have gone with 235.
Grabbed this for $288 through eBay $100 voucher promotion a little while back. Great watch and this price would be way easier than that rigmorole.
Not sure if any of your workplaces are involved with the globetrekker challenge but this can be had for $250 with free delivery directly from garmin if your company is involved with the challenge.
Is there a generic code?
No generic code. Have to purchase through globetrekker and they will send you a redemption code to use on garmin website.
Thanks! :) too bad haha
Might be worth seeing if they'll price match at Harvey Norman then getting $100 cashback via Amex (fyi for spend >$300)
I did this the other day but my price match was unfortunately a bit higher than this :)
Worked for me. Effectively paid $200 after cashback.
Vivoactive HR $296 too
Ive got one of the Garmins with built in HR and unfortunately I can't recommend it. Spotty HR accuracy.
I have the Vivosmart HR. I agree about the dodgy heart rates.
I find it's ok for steady runs, the average hr reported by this watch is fairly accurate compared to my wahoo tickr run. But it's useless if you are running intervals.
I haven't found it to be too bad, depends on the activity, as per dcrainmakers review have had funny readings on doenhill runs picking up running cadence instead of HR. If HR is important you can still pair a HR strap with it as well, but I've had similar experiences with them also, ymmv with previous watches, haven't tried with the 235 yet.
I have had some invalid HR issue as well. I think it is slow to pick sudden ups/downs of HR. Overall this is a great watch. I use it for Running and Cycling. I am really happy with all the tracking it does. If you want very accurate HR monitoring, you have the option to get a chest strap (ANT+) and pair it with the watch.
Mine has been fine. Best wrist based hr I have found. This watch is the best I have found for sports use.
I her a few of these type of watches have lousy hr tracking. What is the point of buying then?
Though the design of this watch is quite nice.
Also just wondering if anyone can recommend a "tracker" or tool to help with sleep?
This is a device category largely based on lies such as devices accurately tracking sleep, heartrates, velocity and steps.
The 235 is designed primarily as a gps running watch, has the ability to be use as a 24 hour 'tracker' but lacks somewhat in that area compared to others like garmin's vivoactive range or fitbit. The garmin forerunner range of watches are more focused on actual sporting activities then 'tracking' daily patterns. The review linked in the post does cover this, the 235's, daily 'tracker' ability.
I had the charge HR. I found the fitbit the best at getting sleep tracking correct. I currently have the garmin and these watches the HR tracking is fine for use. It works well most of the time, if the watch is worn correctly. The level of accuracy is not some medical grade heart monitor, but its fine for its purpose.
I have the 230 without the HR and it's great.
Thankyou. That really is enough for me to not waste my time.
Another option worth considering is the TomTom Adventurer Cardio. Just picked it up from Amazon Spain €224 (AU$322).
RRP in Aus is $449
Comes with Bluetooth music, barometric altimeter and 24 hours battery life in hiking mode.
I've owned Fitbit HR, Microsoft band 2 and now this Garmin.
Battery life on this thing is amazing…. well over a week with 2 hours of sports a day. Gps kicks In straight away compared to minutes for the band 2
Has awesome apps for the gym
Lightweight
So much information recorded when running
When comparing activity recorded from all three watches garmin seemed to be over estimating calories by 20%.
For example,
Microsoft band 2 recorded 9,000 calories
Fitbit recorded 8500 calories
Garmin 12,000
Obviously these bands are never going to be spot on.
For this price i highly recommend it for anyone who is active.
that review posted ealier reported poor battery life of 4-5 days. yours can achieve 2 weeks?
i am using a fitbit hr which has to be recharged every 4 days. in my opinion, it is a bit annoying.
There's been multiple firmware updates that have helped improve battery life. It was a concern of mine too, but a little research showed it had improved, and also depends on functions you have turned on too.
Thanks for the info. I'm specifically interested in this:
Has awesome apps for the gym
Are you saying it's not just useful for running / cycling? What are the gym apps you can use?
I use mine every day for an hour at the gym
https://apps.garmin.com/en-AU/apps/049f0734-61cd-43f5-ad4e-2…
I sometimes do some HIT on the treadmill and use "Run Indoor" to track with auto pause off
Another great app - Hike
https://apps.garmin.com/en-AU/apps/39d3b5e8-67db-4517-93a8-5…
I use this for when I walk the dog for 1+ hours
With all this activity I get well over a week.
I also cycle once a week.
If you live an active life style give it ago and if you don't like it, return it :D
Thanks - so still for walking or running, just at the gym :)
I mostly do weights and sometimes boxy at the gym so it doesn't sound like it we be of much help.
I don't walk or run much (yes, I know I should) but if I did I'd use my Sony SmarWatch 3, which also has a GPS built in, although I usually use the one in my phone anyway. The SmarWatch 3 doesn't have an HRM but the technology of the wrist based HRM is not very reliable. I have a bluetooth chest strap for those rare occasions when I do run.
I also have a Sony Smart B-Trainer that I got from a deal on here, just because I have an affinity for bluetooth headphones, workout gear, and cool gadgets, and this was all 3 rolled into one :)
Just remember guys Amart Sports stock this and will beat it by 10%, total price $266.4, can also get corporate card with extra 5-7% off
Would this be suitable for an everyday watch? I like the size of circle face as opposed to the rectangles.
Well, it doesn't give you the sleek-smartwatch-look. The colours are limited and the pixel density is low. So the watch faces do not look great when compared to a Smartwatch. If you want to use it as a normal watch with some smart features such as Call/message/calendar/alarm notifications this would be a great watch that it gives you well over a week battery life. I get week battery with 2-3 days sport (with GPS).
I use it as an everyday watch - it depends what you want. The 'smartwatch' capabilities (i.e. notifications, music control) aren't great but they're usable, and the Connect IQ store is pretty lacking if you're looking for apps. The activity tracking (steps/resting HR) on the other hand is fantastic, most watchfaces are pretty nice, and not having to switch watches to run is very useful.
I used a FR235 as a everyday fitness tracker for a couple of months and it worked OK but made me realise how useful a true smartwatch could be. I had the watch pair to my phone but it had limited features in that department. I found myself receiving notifications and phone calls when my phone was somewhere else and i couldn't answer or reply. I downloaded some custom watch faces but the screen/face quality was pretty poor. For the HR function to work well you will need to have the watch on reasonably tight which can lead to some skin irritation but all built in HR watches seem to have this issue.
I ended up selling my 235 and have pre ordered a samsung gear s3. From what i've read/seen i may end up with more of a smartwatch which lacks some of the fitness software features of the 235 but time will tell.
any smartwatch in the market has a battery life of one week? dont want to recharge the battery every night.
Gear S3 claims 4 days but that has yet to be proven.
you mean one day? most well-known smartwatches in the market hardly get even 2 days of battery without charging. Almost everyone I know have one would charge their watch every day.
You could press up/down arrow button to accept/reject calls but you need the phone to answer (speak)
I'm surprised that there is so much positive feedback on Garmin.
Garmin connect, the web version in particular, is absolutely atrocious.
Also be warned that if you are expecting the sleekness, support and refinement of an Android or IOS product then you will be bitterly disappointed when buying your first garmin.
I have a love hate relationship with my Fenix 3 HR and have run almost 2000km with it - the Garmin's are still the best running watch you can buy but yet the apps/Garmin connect side of things is just so terrible.
I don't care much about connect as my runs and rides automatically sync to Strava.
One of the best running watches available, nice price
Excellent price , Top watch !
Anyone know of a watch that has the same functions as this (and similar price) but with a square or rectangle face?
vivoactive 2 but some advanced run features are unavailable
Cheers :)
Personally I'm waiting on a good price for tomtom spark 3 cardio+music or adventurer as I prefer running with music without having to carry a phone.
But the price on this is pretty good!
http://www.rebelsport.com.au/Product/Fitbit-Charge-2-Wireles…
$50 cheaper, still tracks runs and has heart rate monitor inbuilt. Not sure which is better - do your own research.
No proper GPS
ugh… 'allows you to use your phone as your gps' haha :/ that sucks!
Is this better or Apple Watch?
That all depends on what you mainly want to use it for as they're two different types watches.
Can anyone please advise how this compares to the Fitbit Surge?
I have a couple friends with the surge. The Surge is bit more of an allrounder, mainly a tracking watch with smart watch capabilities, it has gps too (not as accurate as garmin it seems) so easily used for running but tracking actual sports isn't it main focus like the garmin forerunner range which focus mainly on sports.
My friends use it to track their daily activity more then sports, i run considerably more then they do so i discounted it as surge doesn't lean towards being a running watch as much as the garmin, and i don't want/need to track my daily metrics.
Thanks mate ;)
Thanks OP. Got one from Amart Sport at $266.40
If anyone in Perth intends to get one it'd be great if I could swap my (still unopened) black+grey that I purchased today for a marsala colour. I'd throw some cash your way for your effort.
best news ever… really wanted optical heart rate :D don't have an amex anymore though so I didn't want to jump on the bandwagon but this makes it all good!
Just a note - my partner bought at the higher price (before rebfrenzy had been posted) and emailed Rebelsport - they gave him a rebel sport voucher for the difference in sport.
I ordered mine on Rebel last Sunday and one day later my order was canceled without any proper explanation. :(
The 'rebfrency' code went live a day early on monday bringing price down to $236.80
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/275787
Was available for a little while before rebel took nearly all garmin products off their site to stop them going so cheap.
Jb hifi still have it at 299 in the above link or this was posted this morning:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/276873
The thing is, I didn't even use the code!! 299 was the price when I put it into my cart.
And even if someone used the code to get their purchase, it is the website's responsibility and their duty to take the "wrong" orders, isn't it? Kind of imparity clause to me.
Majority of retailers online have disclaimers when entering into a sale online that they can void the sale if there's been a mistake. Meaning have no obligation to honour price errors or unintended extra discounts like happened with the rebfrenzy code.
It obviously wasn't meant to be applicable to the forerunner range.
Plenty of retailers do this, it comes up all the time on ozbargain where a retailer will remove items or raise prices on items before a sale or even cancel orders if it was unintended. Its usually a good sport that honours a deal, but with the power of ozbargain that can be very costly sometimes.
also don't forget Amex cashback for another $20 off