Having read some pretty scathing reviews (after I’d bought this watch based on a recommendation from a running friend), I was initially nervous about it. I’ve left it a year before doing this review, partly because of lockdowns, and partly because of forgetting to write it.
A year on, the watch has never let me down. Garmins have some funny habits though, and you’ll want to get on to the user forum for this model, so that you can learn the difference between eccentric “features” and faults. For example, with mine, I need to power it down (simple one button procedure) before attaching it to a charger, otherwise it will have disconnected the gps while charging, and will show the time that you first plugged it in. Even that’s not the end of the world, because if you go outside to where there’s a good gps signal, it will reconnect and correct the time.
The Garmin Connect app (on my iPhone) is, in my view, essential. The Connect IQ app is also great as the source for downloadable alternative watch faces and app to give extra functionality. I added a simple stopwatch app and an electronic compass. I’ve also bought some rubber bumpers that sit neatly, snugly and unobtrusively around the watch, from Amazon. These typically last three or four months, so buy a pack containing a few. Cheap, and save the watch from knocks and potential scratches. Oh, and a stick on screen protector, too.
For serious exercise, I use Garmin’s chest strap with this. That’s not because I have accuracy issues with the wrist-based readings, but because the strap adds a load of additional features - cadence, left/right balance measurement, and much more. To me, it’s worth the extra cost.
I wear my watch 24 hours a day. I find very comfortable once you’ve experimented with how tight/loose you like your strap. Its sleep recording is less advanced than the Fitbit watch I had before, and it can occasionally give rather eccentric readings, but that’s probably because I like it fitting slightly on the loose side, and it may lose contact very occasionally while sleeping. Not a deal-breaker, though, in my book. Step recording, distance run and walked etc is, in my view, pretty accurate and consistent from day to day.
Like all these devices, the inbuilt menus take a bit of learning, but that’s worth doing, because lots of the watches features are customisable to some extent. Persevere. You’ll need to be able to attach the watch to a desktop or laptop computer occasionally, in order to download occasional firmware upgrades from Garmin.
I’m a happy customer.
| Age range | Adult |
|---|---|
| Color | Black/Grey |
| Size | One Size |
| Style | Multi-sport Watch |
| Compatible with | Smartphone |
| Display size | 1.23 Inches |
| Display type | Digital |
| Shape | Round |
| Meter | GPS |
| Number of items | 1 |
| Features | Gps |
| Sport | Cycling, Running |
| Map type | Street |
| Resolution | 215 x 180 |
| Wattage | 24 watts |
| Included components | [PO] Garmin Forerunner 735XT watch, heart rate monitor, possibly additional accessories for running, cycling, and swimming workouts. |
| Batteries included? | Yes |
| Brand | Garmin |
| Department | Unisex Adults’ |
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Item model number | 010-01614-06 |
| Product Dimensions | 1.19 x 4.45 x 4.45 cm; 45.36 g |
| ASIN | B01DWIY39A |
