New Series of Garmin Forerunner 630, 235 & 230

[trailblazer]

Garmin has released another series of forerunners to replace the previous series of 620, 225 and 220 with the new 630, 235 and 230 respectively. DC Rainmaker has a chance to use the new series of Garmin forerunners and blogged about it at http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/10/garmin-fr230-fr235-fr630.html

The new forerunners series have an estimated of 16 hours GPS training time and 4 weeks of standby time.

Official weblink for FR 630 (touch screen): https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into-sports/running/forerunner-630/prod516105.html

Official weblink for FR 235 (wrist based HR): https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into-sports/running/forerunner-235/prod529988.html

Official weblink for FR 230: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into-sports/running/forerunner-230/prod523893.html

[lazyitachi]

crazy sia.. they pump out watches like nobody's business.

The battery time is so long!

It' not really clear if that is done on 1-second recording? Or is that smart recording/ ultra?

It's nice that they are now incorporating all the new advanced software stuff to the running watches.

BUT good to know is the battery life estimate is based on stock install... If you add a lot of IQ or additional 3rd party add-ons, the battery life will suffer really bad..

THe other point is that the watches use the Mediatek instead of SirfStar..

AKA the new GPS chip that everyone complains about vs the old one that most people say are more reliable

I am not that caught up with the debate if this is more hardware related or software issue :S

[wonderfulblevic]

Surprised they didn't put the wrist based heart rate monitor in garmin 630

[lazyitachi]

Seems they only have the wrist based HRM on one line unlike say Tomtom.

They wana push their HRM strap add on for $$$ i suppose..

Considering most of the more advanced running metrics can only be obtained with the HRM-RUN (with accelerometer) instead of the normal HRM

[trailblazer]

lazyitachi raised some valid points about the battery life and chipset used.

My other good to have feature is to allow the watch to be used while it is being charged.

Not too sure if there are current Garmin GPS watches which have this feature.

Still a good upgrade and looking forward to an in-depth review by DC Rainmaker for this new series forerunners.

[lazyitachi]

On the charging part, you can change it under something like:

Settings -> System -> USB mode

Change it to "Garmin" mode instead of "mass storage" mode.

This will allow the watch to be used instead of showing the pesky charging screen

[hellhole]

hm.. 930XT?

[trailblazer]

On the charging part, you can change it under something like:

Settings -> System -> USB mode

Change it to "Garmin" mode instead of "mass storage" mode.

This will allow the watch to be used instead of showing the pesky charging screen

That applies for Garmin Fenix series, not the forerunner series.

Good to know such an option is available.

[lazyitachi]

Wow.. that sucks then..

I think the watch still can be used while charging.. the only downside being you cant see the data screen.

Edit: Ok.. maybe not.. I read that plugging the charger = activity ended.. LOL

The only solution is to use ULTRA TRAC mode

[trailblazer]

From Garmin Singapore online shop (eway88), they are selling the Garmin Forerunner 235 at S$499, with 3 different colour combinations ( Gray, red and Solar flare). Check the link at http://www.eway88.com/collections/sports-watches/products/forerunner-235-asia?variant=10858756353

[trailblazer]

Another update from Garmin Singapore online shop (eway88) for the sale of

i) Forerunner 230 HR bundle price at $439: http://www.eway88.com/collections/sports-watches/products/forerunner-230-bundle?variant=11397540737

ii)Forerunner 630 at $639. http://www.eway88.com/collections/sports-watches/products/forerunner-630-bundle?variant=11397052417

There is a way to get another 5% off if you do the running quiz in eway88

[trailblazer]

I forget to upload the price of Forerunner 235 Asia price at $499 with the eway88 link: https://www.eway88.com/collections/sports-watches/products/forerunner-235-asia?variant=11206542401 However, the colour range is different from the ones offered in Garmin USA at https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into-sports/running/forerunner-235/prod529988.html

Prischew also reviewed a Forerunner 235 if one wishes to see the features the heart rate wrist strap GPS run watch at http://www.prischew.com/running/garmin-forerunner-235-gps-watch/

[AutumnRunner]

looks like for the colours in US, they have planned which is the male and female colour version... as for the Asia, it's more neutral...

[Ender]

The IT show brochure shows the 235 going for $469.  

[Madmax]

Cannot understand why it is so expensive.  Shall keep to my 20h battery life 310Xt

[trailblazer]

15 hours ago, Madmax said:

Cannot understand why it is so expensive.  Shall keep to my 20h battery life 310Xt

Newly released Garmin products are always priced expensive. Agree that Garmin 310xt is a good GPS multi sports watch.

[Madmax]

Is anyone having the FR235?  It seems so fragile for $450+.

[lazyitachi]

Fragile because? The build seems similar to other products in the forerunner line.

I don't think price point really determines fragility tho  

[AutumnRunner]

it looks exactly the same as any forerunner series though when i hold it... i think the different series cater for different types of runners/ tri athlete... so just choose wisely according to the needs....

[kasyes]

Every gm matter to pb runner....so if good to have a strap made of silk panty.. hahahahaha

Same as apple n samsung, must must release new models every year hahahahaha

 

[AutumnRunner]

Anyway, there is new software updates available from Garmin....