Comparing Forerunner 235 and 645 Music
When looking to invest in a fitness watch, it’s essential to find the right device to suit your needs. This article will discuss and compare the Garmin 645 Music and the Garmin Forerunner 235, two popular GPS running watches that offer a range of features to enhance your workout experience. Choosing the right watch is crucial, as it can help you track your progress, achieve your fitness goals, and motivate you to stay active.
Garmin, a leading brand in the fitness watch industry, has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality, reliable, and feature-packed devices. Over the years, Garmin has continually improved its products, incorporating the latest technology and design elements to meet the ever-evolving needs of fitness enthusiasts.
This detailed comparison of the Garmin 645 Music and Garmin Forerunner 235 will delve into their design, build, features, user interface, price, and value. It will also address frequently asked questions to help you make the best decision for your workout needs.
Design and Build
Garmin 645 Music
The Garmin 645 Music features a sleek and stylish design, with a stainless steel bezel and a comfortable silicone strap. It weighs 42.2 grams and has a 1.2-inch color display with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels. The watch uses transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) technology, allowing for excellent readability, even in direct sunlight.
Garmin Forerunner 235
Similar to the 645 Music, the Garmin Forerunner 235 sports a modern design with a silicone strap for comfort. It weighs 42 grams and has a slightly larger screen size of 1.23 inches, though the resolution is lower at 215 x 180 pixels. The Forerunner 235 also uses MIP technology for its display.
Comparison of design and build quality
While both devices have a similar design, the Garmin 645 Music has an advantage in terms of display quality, offering a higher resolution than the Forerunner 235. Both watches are lightweight and built for comfort, making them suitable for extended wear during workouts.
Features and Functionality
Garmin 645 Music
Key features of the Garmin 645 Music include its operating system, fitness tracking capabilities, battery life, sensor array (including heart rate sensor and barometric altimeter), built-in GPS, NFC for contactless payment, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Its remarkable feature is the ability to store and play music directly from the watch. The battery life of the 645 Music lasts up to 7 days in smartwatch mode.
Garmin Forerunner 235
The Garmin Forerunner 235 offers many of the same features as the 645 Music, including fitness tracking, built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, and compatibility with both Android and iOS devices. However, it lacks some premium features found in the 645 Music, such as a barometric altimeter, NFC, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Its battery life is longer than the 645 Music, lasting up to 9 days in smartwatch mode.
Comparison of features and performance
Both the Garmin 645 Music and the Garmin Forerunner 235 offer impressive fitness tracking capabilities and share several common features, such as GPS and heart rate monitoring. The main differences lie in the 645 Music’s additional sensors, built-in music storage, and NFC support. The Forerunner 235 boasts a longer battery life, making it a suitable option for those who prioritize extended usage between charges.
User Interface and User Experience
Garmin 645 Music
The Garmin 645 Music features a color touchscreen display, providing easy navigation through menus, apps, and customization options. It is compatible with the Garmin Connect Mobile app, which offers detailed fitness tracking data, goal-setting, and community features. Additionally, the 645 Music supports notifications from your smartphone, such as calls, texts, and emails.
Garmin Forerunner 235
The Garmin Forerunner 235 also uses a color touchscreen display for user-friendly navigation, as well as compatibility with the same Garmin Connect Mobile app. Like the 645 Music, you can receive smartphone notifications directly on your watch, keeping you connected during your workouts.
Comparison of user interface and user experience
Both the Garmin 645 Music and Forerunner 235 offer straightforward navigation, customization options, and smartphone compatibility, providing a user-friendly experience. Their compatibility with the Garmin Connect Mobile app ensures seamless access to your fitness data, community, and goals.
Price and Value
Garmin 645 Music
The Garmin 645 Music is priced at $450, offering premium features and advanced capabilities for fitness enthusiasts who value the ability to store and play music during workouts or want additional sensors like a barometric altimeter.
Garmin Forerunner 235
At $299.99, the Garmin Forerunner 235 offers a more budget-friendly option with a comprehensive set of features that still cater to most fitness enthusiasts' needs. Its extended battery life and lower price make it a great value for the functionality it provides.
Comparison of price and value
If you prioritize essential fitness tracking capabilities and longer battery life without the need for advanced features, the Forerunner 235 offers excellent value for the price. The Garmin 645 Music is better suited for those who desire music storage, additional sensors, and payment capabilities in their fitness watch, making it worth the higher price point for these users.
Conclusion
When comparing the Garmin 645 Music and the Garmin Forerunner 235, it’s crucial to consider your individual needs and preferences. Both watches provide exceptional fitness tracking and seamless user experiences. However, the Garmin 645 Music offers advanced features, such as music storage, a barometric altimeter, and NFC support, while the Forerunner 235 offers a longer battery life and a lower price point. Ultimately, the choice between these two devices will depend on your specific requirements and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Garmin 645 Music waterproof?
Yes, both the Garmin 645 Music and Forerunner 235 are rated at 5 ATM for water resistance, allowing for use while swimming and in other water-based activities.
Can I use both devices for cycling training?
Yes, both the Garmin 645 Music and the Forerunner 235 support cycling (bicycling) tracking, allowing you to monitor your progress and performance during cycling workouts.
Do these devices require a smartphone for full functionality?
Both the Garmin 645 Music and the Forerunner 235 require a compatible smartphone (Android or iOS) to sync data and access the Garmin Connect Mobile app for detailed tracking information, goal-setting, and community features. While both devices can function without a smartphone, certain features like notifications and data syncing would be limited or unavailable.
Can I answer phone calls on either watch?
While both the Garmin 645 Music and the Forerunner 235 can display incoming call notifications, they do not have built-in audio speakers, and you cannot answer phone calls directly from the watch. You would need to use your connected smartphone to answer calls.
Do these watches track sleep?
Yes, both the Garmin 645 Music and the Forerunner 235 offer sleep tracking capabilities, enabling you to monitor the duration and quality of your sleep, which can be essential in understanding your overall health and wellbeing.
