data review garmin fr235l: more focused, more pure

When I started running in 2009, the Garmin 305 was considered a magical device. Later, Garmin released the F10, a very simple GPS running watch, which was also my first GPS running watch. In 2016, Garmin ventured into the fashion world with the release of the vivomove Asia edition. Yes, Garmin can be quite stylish too. Thanks to the Codoon review event, I got to experience the newly launched Forerunner 235 Lite, giving me a fresh new experience.

1. Unboxing the Watch

The Forerunner 235 Lite (hereafter referred to as FR235L) comes in a black paper box with a hook, which is both eco-friendly and convenient for hanging storage. The side of the box indicates standby time, waterproof depth, and various functional information. The back provides QR codes for downloading the Garmin Connect and Codoon apps.

◆ First, let's take a look at the hardware configuration of the FR235L:

◆ Elevate™ all-day wrist-based optical heart rate monitoring, supporting 24/7 heart rate monitoring.

◆ GPS+GLONASS dual-satellite positioning, indicating positioning speed and signal stability.

◆ Equipped with a color display screen with a resolution of 215 x 180.

◆ Built-in rechargeable lithium battery, with a battery life of 10 hours in GPS mode and 9 days in watch mode.

◆ Supports 50 meters of water resistance.

◆ Built-in storage space that can store 200 hours of activity records.

◆ Built-in accelerometer for recording activity data.

◆ Built-in Bluetooth, does not support ANT+ protocol.

The hardware configuration of the FR235L is quite standard. Although it is not as powerful as the Fenix 5, it is more than sufficient for urban road running. The large display screen, thin body, and light weight make the FR235L more acceptable and easier to use.

Unboxing includes one FR235L sports watch in black and yellow, a charging cable, and two Garmin stickers.

The name Forerunner 235 Lite (hereafter referred to as FR235L) is somewhat similar to the previous Forerunner 235. In fact, this new sports watch is a lighter version of the Forerunner 235, with slightly simplified functions and configurations, making it more suitable as an entry-level sports watch.

The black and yellow color scheme of the body makes the visual experience less monotonous, and the yellow adds a more dynamic feel.

The buttons are designed with two on the right and three on the left, forming a functional yet relatively simple operating system for the FR235L.

The round holes on both sides of the strap are purely decorative; the middle row of holes is what actually works. The strap is quite soft and skin-friendly.

The built-in Garmin Elevate optical heart rate sensor and GPS+GLONASS dual-satellite positioning make the FR235L highly functional.

The optical heart rate sensor uses Garmin's proprietary Elevate optical heart rate sensor, which consists of three green light-emitting LED sensors and a photosensitive element, protruding from the back of the FR235L.

Due to differences in the level of each user and the accuracy of the devices used, there may be discrepancies with official data. Therefore, all data in the images are for reference only.

During the trial period, I used the FR235L together with the Suunto Spartan Sports WHR to obtain their respective data, which I presented in charts for everyone's reference.

2. Button Operation

Garmin did not overload the Forerunner 235 with too many functions. The FR235L system includes running, indoor running, and hiking, making the FR235L a pure running watch.

Entering running mode on the FR235L takes no more than three steps: press the top right button once to enter the activity selection interface, press it again to enter the running page, and after the GPS and heart rate data are successfully collected, press start. This is the shortest operation mode needed to start running.

All these operations only require the top right button, which solves the inconvenience caused by the button layout on sports watches. The data page includes real-time viewing of timing data, distance data, pace data, speed data, and heart rate data. During running, you can view related data using the up and down buttons on the left side. If the auto-scroll function is enabled in the settings, this step can be omitted. Ending a run also requires only three steps: press the top right button to enter pause/end, use the up and down buttons on the left to select save, and press the button to complete the selection.

We can use the up and down function buttons to view the following information: real-time heart rate and the heart rate curve for the last 4 hours, current step count, distance, and calorie value, training calendar, weather conditions, controls, notifications, and more.

Entering the system page allows for detailed personalized settings for watch time, backlight, sound, and more.

Entering the Bluetooth interface allows for settings of smart notifications, connection pairing, smart alerts, and more.

In the activity page, pressing the down button can enter the menu page, where we can access: activity settings, training, history, my stats, settings, smart notifications, and other functional modules for corresponding viewing and setting operations.

To facilitate data display, the FR235L has settings for fast, medium, and slow auto-scroll functions, auto-pause, auto-lap, and alert functions. These four are commonly used functions in the FR235L. Auto-scroll can greatly reduce hand operations during running, auto-pause can effectively address pauses caused by traffic lights in urban road running, and auto-lap allows you to understand your performance for each kilometer.

3. Function Testing

3.1 APP Pairing

Pairing with Garmin Connect is quite convenient. Through Bluetooth search and pairing, you can easily browse the FR235L's daily activity information, activity calendar, and notifications.

3.2 Hiking Test

I conducted a hiking test wearing the FR235L (smart accuracy) and the Suunto WHR (1-second accuracy). In terms of distance measurement, step frequency, and track recording, the overall difference between the two was minimal. However, the Suunto WHR showed a drift on one road, with the track moving to the opposite side of the road. Other parts had a high degree of overlap, as shown in the chart below.

3.3 Open Environment Running Test

I did a night run in Bishagang Park. In terms of data, there was basically no difference between the two. In terms of track details, the Suunto WHR showed some track dispersion, while the FR235L had more concentrated tracks in the same area. Overall, both had some drift, but it was within an acceptable range, as shown in the chart below.

In terms of altitude measurement, the FR235L accurately reflected the four laps of the park. On the pace and heart rate comparison charts, there was little difference between the two, but the FR235L had one instance of a sudden high heart rate, which seemed to be an erroneous record.

3.4 Enclosed Environment Car Test

Testing the performance of GPS watches in environments with obstructions, especially in cities with many tall buildings, is very challenging. I tested the watch during my commute in a fully enclosed environment on a city main road lined with tall buildings. To be honest, the FR235L could accurately detect sudden stops and starts. When stationary under tall buildings, there was no drift; however, the Suunto WHR continued to record data at one intersection, adding about 500 meters. Before this intersection, the distance measurements of both were almost identical, but from this point on, there was a deviation of several hundred meters, which continued until the end, as shown in the chart below.

In terms of speed recording, the FR235L responded well to sudden stops and starts.

3.5 Standard Field Test

Testing GPS track and distance accuracy on a standard field is the most straightforward and precise method. To obtain relatively accurate measurements, I tested on an 8-kilometer track during the hottest part of the day when the field was empty (it was so hot that my heart rate skyrocketed). For 20 laps, the FR235L recorded 7.99 kilometers, which is very accurate.

Since the Suunto WHR is not good at field recording, please ignore its data ^_^

3.6 Sleep Recording

The FR235L also has a sleep recording function, including information on deep sleep duration and light sleep duration. From my experience, the sleep time differed significantly from the actual time, so it should only be used as a reference.

3.7 Waterproof Test

Summer activities inevitably involve sweat or rain. The FR235L has a water resistance of 50 meters, making it stress-free for general sports and daily waterproofing. I placed the FR235L in about 50 cm of water for 10 minutes, and all operations were normal after taking it out.

3.8 Smart Function Test

When the phone is set to silent, the watch can be set to notify you of calls, texts, and WeChat messages, or it can be set to only notify you of calls.

Additionally, the watch can be set to light up when you flip your wrist, making it convenient for night runs and daily wear without fear of darkness, lighting up with a wrist flip.

4. Test Summary

With GPS and GLONASS dual-satellite positioning enabled, the most intuitive experience of the FR235L is its second-speed GPS positioning. In a completely unfamiliar environment, the FR235L can achieve quick positioning within 10 seconds. Another advantage of dual-satellite positioning is that it provides more accurate GPS data.

The completeness of the data and the stability of the functions make running simpler in various environments with the FR235L. You can accurately understand your running data without too much operation and clearly grasp the information after running without much attention.

Besides the watch's own operations, when the watch is connected to the Garmin Connect app, there is more room for operation during running. You can download training courses prepared by Garmin in advance, and training according to the courses is more effective than running alone.

Of course, the FR235L also has some shortcomings:

① It does not display the remaining battery percentage, only showing red when the battery is low;

② The strap is not a quick-release design and should come with replacement tools;

③ The plastic feel of the watch body is too strong; a metal texture for the buttons would be better.

For runners who do not yet have a GPS running watch and want to buy one mainly for running records, the Garmin Forerunner 235 Lite is still worth getting in terms of lightness, operability, GPS, and heart rate data analysis experience.