Garmin Forerunner 35; Easy-to-Use GPS Running Watch, Black & HRM-Dual Heart Rate Monitor

Are you a runner looking to take training to the next level, but can't afford a really pricey device? Wondering why in the world you'd even need one? I was in your shoes! As an activity tracker, the Forerunner 35 is very nice. I give it 3 stars because many of the features that a runner would use don't work, and I feel it's deceptive to sell a device with these features when they're not really usable for training. Essentially, this is a good activity tracker posing (ineffectively) as a training tool.Many reviewers mention that the Forerunner 35 isn't for "serious runners", and I took that to mean that they believe "serious runners" need all the complexity of a very expensive watch. I need to know pacing, HR, distance, time. Fancy analytics, realistically, aren't going to do a lot for my running. So really, this watch has everything a serious runner needs. The reason I believe reviewers say the device isn't for serious runners is that none of those features actually works in a way that is useful to someone trying to train seriously. The watch has pacing, heart rate and distance information, interval programming, virtual pacing (it notifies you when you deviate from a set pace), etc. However, in reality, most of these features don't work well enough to matter during a training session. You can get a nice ballpark pace during your slow runs, but it's pretty useless for speed work and can become really frustrating. Here's the rundown:Pros:HR monitor works very wellFor general pacing info on easy runs, the price is good and the device is adequateAfter initially updating with the GarminExpress app, satellite acquisition is quickCons (for runners):1. Pacing - this is the feature that really drives me nuts. It can take up to 3 minutes to catch up to your pacing change - for example, during interval work it takes a long time for the device to figure out how fast you're going after a "down" piece, resulting in huge spikes in pacing as you overcompensate because the device hasn't caught up to you and you think you're running too slow. I've raced with it, and as long as I didn't make any really drastic pace changes it was ok. But it's pretty useless for interval work.2. Virtual Pacer doesn't work - you have to be way, way off pace for a long, long time before it notifies you that your pacing is off, which is useless for intervals/tempo work. They seem to have given it almost a full minute/mile buffer on pace notifications. Also, you can't change the desired pace during a run, so your warm-up and cool-down and any intentional pace changes will set off constant notifications3. AutoPause doesn't work - you'll need to pause manually. It takes 3-4 seconds for the watch to start and stop, meaning you have large spikes in your data4. Intervals - you can only set one interval time and then run it over and over, which runners don't really do. So no ladders, cut-downs, etc. I still have to carry my phone on interval/speed work days so I have a useful interval timer. On the upside, you can program it to leave you alone during warm up and cool down, and start the intervals at any point during your runAll-in-all, although it's very useful to have a pacing device for my runs, I greatly regret not spending a little more to get a better device for training, but I already blew my budget, so after a little live-and-learn and some REALLY frustrating training sessions, I decided to write this review. No, I still don't believe you need fancy analytics from a really expensive watch to be a better runner. But I strongly recommend you find out just how well a device's features actually work before buying.

Before I bought this watch, I researched for months many different running watches before I made my decision. I kept coming back to this watch, but was delaying due to the negative reviews. Let me tell you who this watch is/isn't for. Sidenote I've had an Apple Watch before and I absolutely hated it. People think when they get the watch they will use it to call/text but come on, the screen is so small anyways, I'd get irritated and never use it for those features. The one feature I did like, the sleep tracker, I never used because the watch would die like every day and I'd have to charge it at night in order to use it the next day! Super irritating. Also, mileage was ALWAYS off when running. Like, off by a lot and I could probably have fixed this, but was too lazy to and felt like that shouldn't happen with an Apple Watch.The Garmin watch is meant for a runner. If you aren't such a serious runner maybe running 1-2 miles then I'm sure you can get away with something else but the main reason I needed a watch was to track my mileage and timing ONLY during my daily runs and races. I average around 30 miles per week and so holding my phone while running just wasn't cutting it. I am a millennial and like my technology but I didn't need a damn watch to do all these special features that I had at my disposal before but never used. This was one of the negative comments I kept seeing- how this watch was simple. Well, I just need it to tell me my distance accurately so that's what it's for. Bonus points that it also gives HR continuously and tracks your sleep so to me it's amazing. Also without a touchscreen I don't have to worry about accidentally hitting a button. It's easy and that's all I need. ALSO I only have to charge it like weekly not even that if I actually waited for it to die which I never do. That is huge for me especially after having the Apple Watch. It is GPS acquired and I've run with it on a track and multiple races so I know it's definitely accurate. Had this watch since January and have had no issues. Love when you're done running you can sync the phone easily to come up in the app so you can see everything even in more details. One thing I will address is the pacing. People say the average pace pr mile is slow and takes a while to catch up. While this may be the case, this does not bother me one bit because i've been running for so long I have my pacing down. I'm looking at the time like oh, at 2:00 minutes I am hitting .2, at 3 I should be at .3, for example. I always know what my mile time is going to be around and it's always at that time so this doesn't bother me at all. In summary, while the watch screen may not be like super fancy looking, I've been over the Apple Watch since I got it and this watch literally does what it's supposed to- accurately give you your running distance and time.

A couple of weeks ago, my screen started having issues. A tiny "mark" appeared in the middle of the screen. Hours later the mark became a line. Weeks later, a big fat mark won't allow me to read.Awful experience with Garmin, for a $200 watch, you would expect much more than a watch lasting 9 months before failing like this.

If you're a casual runner considering this watch just buy it.Sure it's got a Soviet era technology vibe to it and it's no-frills but do you really need more?PROS-Always on screen. Sure it's not color but no wrist acrobatics are required to turn on the screen. Clear contrast and large numbers make viewing a pleasure when running.- Buttons. Ain't nobody got time for a touchscreen during a run. Do yourself a favor here and get something with physical buttons.- Long battery life. Monochrome screen = Good battery life.- Price. Garmin is expensive and a lot of times overpriced. This is one of the cheapest ways to get into the Garmin ecosystem.- Ability to pair with external sensors. A lot of the competition won't allow for pairing with external sensors. A chest strap and foot pod compliment this nicely.CONS-Features. The feature list is a little weak (no GLONASS etc.) but as an entry level device that's to be expected.- GPS. Not the fastest when getting a lock but you can spend that time humming Eye of the Tiger.- Music controls. Yes it has them but it's basic.To summarize: This is a great entry-level device that ticks all the boxes if you're a casual runner looking to get into a Garmin device.

I have used my Garmin Forerunner 35 constantly for 1-1/2 months, so now feel prepared to write a review. I was hoping to have a smart watch that wasn't TOO complicated, that would record steps and activities, be waterproof , and not have to be charged every three days , and so far this watch has been excellent. The start- up app was easy to download and paired seamlessly with my phone,which is a five year old iPhone. My phone and the watch became un-paired once a couple of weeks ago, and I was able to reconnect the two following the "help" steps in the app, so not a huge deal. The distance tracker seems to be extremely accurate, my only complaint is that I wish I could get the alerts in Km , but they come for every mile, even though I have it set to count in km. This may be my fault, and I just cant figure out how to reset. The break down of my walks and runs has great detail in the app-- definitely as much as I will ever need. I am looking forward to using the watch for Spartan races and half marathons this year, and not having to try to carry my phone, or using nothing. I like that this watch has buttons, and is not a touch screen; anyone who has used a touch screen while wet or sweaty will appreciate this. The pause button on an activity is very easy to get at, even with gloves on, but you don't have to worry about hitting it by accident. It takes a bit to figure out how the menus work on the watch(at least for me ,since Ive never had one before) but once you get the hang of it ,it's super easy. I have to charge the watch about once every six days or so, I think. It charges fairly slowly, but its ok to miss a few steps once a week. Overall, I highly recommend this watch

Clear screen, great battery life, clear, easy to use features. Jury is still not out on whether the bpm and calorie counter is accurate or not. It seems like no matter what device or brand is used, everyone complains about the same thing, so I think this watch is no different. It does what I need (time, heart rate, laps, km., etc)The band works well as it has many notches to get a good fit. The watch face is square and comfortable. I like that the information stays on the screen during workouts for easy access and it has custom settings to show whatever info I prefer it to show.

J'ai magasiné longtemps les montres. Je ne voulais pas payer trop cher, mais je voulais une vrai montre GPS avec rythme cardiaque pour enregistrer mes courses sans être obligé de trainer ma strap ou mon téléphone. Avec Garmin, on ne se trompe pas. En plus, cette montre offre plusieurs fonctionnalités et Garmin Connect est très bien.

I absolutely LOVE this watch! Where to begin? I'm a triathlete and am using the watch regularly. It's interesting to monitor the sleep pattern; it gives accurate information and so far I have not had any issues with GPS signal. It tracks absolutely everything! Workouts, V02 max, heart rate zone, calories, activities, steps etc. I haven't even yet connected it to my bike sensor and haven't swum with it. It's easy to use and set up. I highly recommend it and the price for value is excellent. This watch has become my best workout buddy! Oh - and it's VERY light! I also haven't had any issues with the battery. I just plug it in when I'm resting at home - every day or couple of days or so.