Garmin Forerunner 935 Vs 745, Please Help Me Select?

iDoNotExist on 26/10/2021 - 22:38
Last edited 27/10/2021 - 13:11 by 1 other user

Anyone familiar with these 2 please comment, just starting out my fitness journey after packing on some serious tonnage during the lockdown.

Will start with a mix of running, cycling and weight training 3 times a week.

Heart rate accuracy is important as I am looking into HIIT training.

Not sure how to use the GPS features but would like to explore more.

Garmin Forerunner 935 GPS Heart Rate Watch Black
$374.00
https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/garmin-forerunner-935-gps-he…

Garmin Forerunner 745 Multisport Watch - Black
https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/garmin-forerunner-745-multis…
$424.00

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  under heavy manners on 27/10/2021 - 00:01

  +4

  You can find the specs for all the watches on the Garmin website and they have a spec comparison tool you can use.

  E.g. here is a comparison between the Forerunner 945 and 745

  Note the 935 which you mentioned is an older model but here are the specs for it.

  If you are just getting into running and cycling both the 745 and 935/945 might be overkill for you. Consider the 245 or 245 music (which I have) that tracks running, cycling, swimming and strength training.

  Note that NO watch with a wrist based heart rate monitor is going to be appropriate for proper HIIT. You will need a chest strap for the logging to be reactive enough for HIIT. If heart rate accuracy is really important for you. If you do want a chest strap most Garmin watches will sync with one, just check the specs.

  Good luck on your journey!

  • 

    iDoNotExist on 27/10/2021 - 07:59

    Great point re the chest strap.

    • 

      gimli on 03/11/2021 - 21:03

      Not sure if you got a watch but can't agree more with getting heart rate strap if you are doing heart rate based training.
      I have the Garmin 935 and if you wear it properly (tight fit) its still reasonably accurate but does lag.

      I don't find it particularly useful for weight training not that I use it that much. Both models are equally good for tracking running and cycling. The 935 does have somewhat longer battery life which is potentially useful if you are into ultrasports. But otherwise I would got with the 745 for garmin pay/music which i think is worth the extra $50.

      If you are trying to lose weight I wouldn't bother with HIIT. The more km's you run the more kj you burn :D. (I'm a runner so might be biased haha)

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  iDoNotExist on 27/10/2021 - 07:58

  Thank you, 245 is bit more expensive, I think I will go for the 745 as it was released in late 2020 so probably get updates longer than the 2017 release 945.

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  MrBr0 on 27/10/2021 - 12:58

  +1

  Compare here https://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-comparison-calculator

  745 latest tech with things like pace pro and body battery - both i find very useful.

  935 older, still good but might be missing some new features you want.

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  Euphemistic on 27/10/2021 - 15:43

  +1

  Heart rate accuracy is important as I am looking into HIIT training.

  While heart rate is important in HIIT if you are paying attention to your body you should be able to train without a special dial on your wrist, particularly after a little while. You should be able to get a feel for what your heart rate is doing, or do a quick check by counting pulse for 15sec if you do really need accuracy.

  Yes, it’s inportant to know what your body is doing, but you are getting back into it, not going to the olympics. Super accuracy is probably only necessary for elite athletes.

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  ZippyRoo on 28/10/2021 - 21:52

  Another thing to note is if you want to use the Zwift run feature, only the 245, 945 or Fenix range works with the Virtual Run feature.