Branded as Garmin’s ‘running and multi-sport watch’, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT has received a lot of attention over the past few months and after a quick look and test of the product it isn’t hard to see why. Garmin has been working hard recently at their ‘Elevate’ heart rate technology and the function is now fully-patented; this means that their products are no longer using MioGlobal’s heart rate technology which was used in the Forerunner 225. Elevate uses powerful LED’s making it easier for users to view the screen and an easy-to-use system meaning that no chest strap sensor is required which has been a huge step forward in the market.
After progressing well in recent times, Garmin’s many users were requesting a product that could be used in triathlons and other multi-sport events and that is exactly what they have delivered with the Forerunner 735XT.
So, who is this product for and who should consider making this investment? In truth, anyone who is serious about their exercise and likes to take part in (or train for) multi-sport events should consider this watch as it is a great way to record a single session of multiple activities. Such as running, swimming, and cycling. Furthermore, anyone who wants to be able to monitor their heart rate without the use of a chest strap will also see the benefit from this product. The sleep monitor and activity tracker are also fantastic additions to the watch as it allows an all-round fitness regime to be calculated and then more importantly, carried out.
The Garmin Forerunner 235 was already a good product for people interested in running and cycling but the only problem was the inability to swim and continue the session between the two; the Garmin 735XT watch solves this problem by timing one continuous session no matter what sport you are doing. If you are serious about triathlon’s and other multi-sport events, this is a must-have as it is certainly an improvement from previous models and probably the on the market of its kind!
Heart Rate Sensor
The heart rate sensor has been on the market and included in sports watches for quite some time now but the main benefit that this product offers is the ability to gauge your heart rate straight ‘off the wrist’. Of course, the system isn’t perfect just yet as Garmin continue to invest and work on it. However, we tested it while also wearing another chest strap heart rate monitor and found no significant differences between the two HR results. This does save the hassle of the chest strap which we have seen with earlier models.
According to a number of different sources and surveys, we’ve also found that the Elevate heart rate monitor is accurate around nine and a half times out of ten, on average. Furthermore, the system works best during running as this is when it is at its most comfortable and as long as the roads you are cycling on are relatively smooth, you should receive extremely accurate results.
Lightweight
The weight of a sports watch is extremely important as it can directly affect performance so it is important to note that the 735XT comes in at around 44g whereas the earlier 920XT model weighs over 60g. As mentioned, this can be important to performance because you don’t want something on your wrist that will distract you or take you out of the zone and it seems as though the 735XT has found the right balance.
Multi-Function
We have focused quite a lot on the ‘triathlon’ aspect but it should be said that you don’t have to be into triathlons to get the most out of this product. This new model will be by your side whether you go running, hiking, swimming, strength training, cycling, skiing, as well as cardio training and paddle sports. As you can see, it is a great all-round watch that allows you to evaluate as you exercise.
Activity Tracker
If you want a gadget that will help you through every part of your day whether you are exercising or not, this is definitely worth a go as it tracks your steps meaning that it is useful even when you are in the office; you can set a daily target to ensure that you get exercise even at work. In addition to this, you can also track distance and even the quality and length of your sleep which can really boost your performance. If you can make your time in bed more valuable, you will feel more energised the next day.
Apps/Widgets
With technology always moving forward, a watch needs to be able to connect to apps to further improve the experience and the 735XT also has this on its side. After downloading apps and connecting them to your watch, you will have the ability to really analyse your performance, keep track of your diet and exercise schedule, and even have updates on the weather to check how enjoyable your run will be later that day.
Battery Life
With GPS and Elevate heart rate running, it is thought that the battery lasts around 14 hours. However, with certain settings changed the device can go a full 24 hours. For example, if you don’t need the GPS you will have the option to use ‘GPS Saver’ and this will help your battery to last longer.
Garmin Forerunner Comparison
The following is a key feature comparison of the Garmin Forerunner 735XT compared to the Forerunner 230, Forerunner 235, and the Forerunner 630.
The Verdict On The Forerunner 735XT
The Garmin 735XT watch is a great product for those who are serious about their training as it gives an all-round experience and allows the user to maximise their time exercising. The watch also has VO2 Max Predictor, smart notifications, Strava SUFFER (optional), running dynamics, and swimming features such as workouts, swim distance, and even stroke type/count.
If you are serious about multi-sport and want a long-lasting watch that will be by your side to help, the Forerunner 735XT could be the one you’re looking for!
Garmin Forerunner 735XT Rating
All things consider, this is probably the best watch of it’s kind on the market. Which is why we’ve given the Garmin Forerunner 735XT a rating of 94 out of 100.
Garmin Forerunner 735XT Price & Where To Buy?
The cheapest place to buy the Garmin Forerunner 735XT is on Amazon, where the Forunner 735XT is available for purchase by the official Garmin Amazon store. Here Garmin’s Amazon store also includes awesome extra options. You can purchase the Run-Bundle which includes Garmin’s HRM-Tri strap for a little extra. Or the Tri-Bundle which include both Garmin HRM-Swim and HRM-Tri straps for an additional fee. Considering Amazon’s super fast next day delivery, it’s certainly the best place to pick up your new Triathlon GPS & HRM watch.