The Forerunner series has always adhered to the slogan 'For Runner,' focusing on serving running enthusiasts. The Forerunner 235 is a mid-range running watch launched by Garmin in 2015. Now, Garmin has introduced the 235 Lite version, which is a simplified version. It looks almost identical to the 235 in terms of appearance and weight. The main differences are the removal of cycling functions, payment features, and Connect IQ support, with communication protocols limited to Bluetooth. The 235L emphasizes practicality and cost-effectiveness. How does it perform in actual use? Read on to find out.
1. Unboxing
The packaging of the Garmin 235L is black, very compact, and lightweight, making it quite exquisite. Inside the box, you'll find a watch, a charging cable, and a Chinese manual. There are also two stickers, which I didn't photograph.
The 235L has a 45mm diameter dial and a 1.2-inch color e-ink screen. Since e-ink screens do not have backlighting, additional lighting has been added around the screen. You can tap the power button on the watch to light up the screen, making it usable for night runs. The e-ink screen, combined with the semi-transflective glass of the 235L, offers better visibility under strong outdoor light compared to conventional LCD screens.
The watch has five physical buttons: three on the left and two on the right. The top left button is for power and backlight; a short press lights up the backlight, while a long press brings up the shutdown menu. The bottom left buttons are for scrolling up and down through different menus. The top right button, which is yellow and prominent, is the activity button. Pressing it enters the running and settings menu, allowing you to start an activity or configure the watch. The bottom right button is the back button.
The strap is fixed with screws and can be replaced. The connection between the strap and the watch body is secured with bolts, ensuring that the watch won't fall off during intense activities.
'Same formula, same familiar plastic.' The body of the 235L is made of engineering plastic, just like the 235. It is lightweight, wear-resistant, and strong enough to withstand most outdoor sports environments.
The back of the dial features three heart rate monitors, using Garmin's self-developed 'Elevate' optical heart rate sensor. The heart rate module has a slight protrusion, but it doesn't cause discomfort when worn. The protrusion is designed to ensure more accurate heart rate data collection, as optical heart rate sensors need to be closely attached to the skin to avoid data errors.
The back of the watch has four metal contact points. The charging clip can securely attach to the watch for charging. The strap is made of silicone, offering good softness and skin-friendliness, making it very comfortable to wear.
2. Usage
Scan the QR code to download the Connect and Codoon apps, and follow the prompts to register an account. Connecting the watch via Bluetooth is very simple.
The first time you connect your phone to the watch via Bluetooth, you need to enter a pairing password. After that, you just need to open the app to automatically connect and sync the watch data, saving time and effort.
The Connect interface is fresh and clear, divided into five sections: My Day, Challenges, Calendar, New Messages, and Notifications.
In 'My Day,' you can view detailed data such as heart rate, steps, and calories for the day. The calendar provides a clear overview of your monthly activity records. The Codoon app offers running training articles and training camps. You can join training plans and import them into the watch, making running training easy. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced runner, you can find suitable training plans. The watch not only records your runs but also acts like a personal coach, guiding you in scientific training. One of the best features is that Garmin can be linked with Codoon. Once the Garmin watch is bound to Codoon, your running data will automatically sync to Codoon after each run. So, you only need to wear the Garmin 235L when you go out for a run.
From the silicone strap to the plastic case, this watch weighs only 42g. It feels very lightweight on the wrist. The back of the strap features a unique design with neatly arranged holes, preventing sweat erosion and residue, and offering good breathability.The strap also provides friction, and the small spacing between each hole allows you to find the perfect fit, preventing the watch from shifting or swinging during exercise.
Customizable watch faces
The 235L uses GPS+GLONASS dual-satellite positioning. When both are enabled, positioning is faster and more accurate, but it also consumes more power. Generally, I only enable GPS, which provides fast positioning—usually within seconds. Comparing the track with Codoon, the trajectory is very accurate with minimal drift.
Before owning the 235L, I used to run as fast as I could, thinking that running longer would make me faster. With the 235L, I learned about heart rate zones and how to improve my muscle endurance. I realized that I was just running aimlessly before. Now, it's like having a personal coach.
Another major feature of the 235L is 24/7 heart rate monitoring. Even when not exercising, you can check your heart rate data through the mobile app or the watch itself. It shows maximum, minimum, and average heart rates, along with corresponding curves. The 235L also supports 50-meter water resistance, meaning it can withstand sweat during exercise and can be worn while showering or swimming. The battery life is impressive; with heart rate monitoring and wrist-raise screen activation enabled, and running for 30 minutes daily, the 235L can last a week on a full charge.
3. Summary
Let's talk about the drawbacks first. The plastic feel of the 235L is too strong. It reminds me of the electronic watches I played with as a child. Many of my non-running friends who saw this watch thought it was worth only a few dozen yuan! While a tool watch doesn't need to be overly glamorous, the plastic feel of the 235L does affect its perceived quality to some extent. I hope the manufacturer can put more effort into the appearance. Another point is, why not integrate Connect and Codoon into one app? Using two apps for one watch feels odd.
As for the advantages, there are many. As a major brand in outdoor sports watches, the quality of the Garmin 235L is trustworthy. It has a high aesthetic value, and the ten-day battery life saves the hassle of daily charging. The Connect app is also very user-friendly. The price of 1,380 yuan is quite affordable. If you're a running enthusiast like me, this 235L sports watch is worth owning. You can buy it on the Codoon store.
