Garmin has just introduced a slew of new health and fitness trackers that healthy geeks like you will love. The Garmin Forerunner 230 and the Forerunner 235 are two new GPS running watches that serious geeks…err, runners should be checking out. There may be dozens of other new fitness wearables out there but these two are from one of the most trusted brands when it comes to GPS technologies. Before smartwatches were introduced, Garmin watches have been the gadget choice of athletes.
Aside from the Forerunner 230 and 235, Garmin also announced the newest Garmin Elevate Wrist Heart Rate Technology. This one is now featured on the two watches so you know that the wearable devices will track your time, distance, pace, and heart rate with more efficiency and accuracy. The two Forerunners also make use of the Connect IQ smartwatch platform that allows you to personalize the watches with watch faces, data fields, apps, and widgets.
If you just started running to get fit, the Forerunner 235 is ideal for you because it shows heart rate and other information on a colorful graphic display. Meanwhile, the Forerunner 230 can be paired easily to a chest-worn strap to track your heart rate. This way, data gathered are more accurate. You can also use the 230 like a standard smartwatch because it can show you notifications, music controls, and audio prompts when necessary.
If you’re into serious running and are even training, you need to check you heart rate regularly. The Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate technology on the Forerunner 235 tells the user his progress and current heart rate data. It can also be useful in telling you how long to rest before running again with the recovery timer.
The new Forerunner 235 can last up to 16 hours ini training mode. They can last longer in watch mode–up to five weeks if you use them only for smart notifications. On the other hand, the Forerunner 235 can only last up to 11 hours (training mode) and up to nine long days in activity tracking mode.
Don’t think these two are just fitness trackers because they can work like real smartwatches. The Forerunner 230 and 235 can be integrated with your smartphone so you can still receive notifications for incoming emails, text, or voice calls. As with most Garmin devices, they work with the Garmin Connect Mobile app so you can check your health and fitness progress.
Both the Forerunner 230 and Forerunner 235 will be available this Q4 or just before the year ends. The devices will be ready in different color variants and prices:
• Forerunner 230 – black/white, purple strike/white, and force yellow/black, $249.99
• Forerunner 230 Bundle with Premium Heart Rate Monitor – $299.99
• Forerunner 235 – black/gray, black/marsala, and frost blue/black, $329.99.
SOURCE: Garmin
