In this review, I will share my experience with the Garmin Forerunner 735XT – a running watch equipped with heart rate monitoring and designed for multi-sport use.
I have been using the Garmin 735XT for the past few weeks, and I must say that I am impressed with its features and performance. As a runner and swimmer, I needed a watch that could track my activities accurately and provide me with valuable insights into my performance. The 735XT does that and more.
The watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear, even for extended periods. It has a GPS function that accurately tracks my runs and swims, and it automatically detects when I switch between activities. The heart rate monitoring feature is also impressive. It estimates my heart rate at the wrist, and I can run without the chest strap heart rate monitor that I used to wear.
I also appreciate the watch’s connected features. It sends me smart notifications, allows me to upload my data to Garmin Connect, and offers live tracking. I can customize the watch with free watch faces, apps, and widgets from the Connect IQ store.
Garmin forerunner 735XT: Multisport Features
With multisport features, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT is a GPS running watch. This makes it an ideal choice for people who enjoy participating in different sports and activities. Apart from running, it can also be used for cycling and swimming. The watch is designed to track your progress in each sport, providing advanced dynamics such as ground contact time balance, stride length, and vertical ratio. When paired with a Running Dynamics Pod, HRM Run or HRM Tri Monitor (sold separately), it can provide even more detailed insights into your performance.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Estimating heart rate at the wrist is one of the key features of the Garmin Forerunner 735XT. This means that you can run freer on race day, without having to worry about wearing a chest strap heart rate monitor. The watch is also equipped with a recovery advisor, which can help you plan your training and avoid overexertion. Additionally, it offers a VO2 max estimate, lactate threshold (when used with a chest strap heart rate monitor), and a race predictor. All of these features can help you train smarter and achieve your fitness goals more effectively.
Garmin forerunner 735XT: Connected Features
Staying connected on the go is easier with the Garmin Forerunner 735XT’s packed connected features. It can receive smart notifications, which means you can stay up-to-date with your emails, texts, and social media notifications. It also has automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, which is a free online fitness community where you can track your progress, connect with other athletes, and share your achievements. Additionally, the watch has live tracking, which allows your friends and family to follow your activities in real-time.
Garmin forerunner 735XT: Customization
Customizing the Garmin Forerunner 735XT with free watch faces, apps, and more from the Connect IQ store is possible. This means that you can personalize your watch and make it unique to your style and preferences. There are a variety of watch faces to choose from, as well as apps that can help you track your progress, set goals, and stay motivated. Whether you’re a serious athlete or a casual fitness enthusiast, the customization options on the Garmin Forerunner 735XT make it a great choice for anyone.
Garmin forerunner 735XT: Battery Life
A reliable companion for long training sessions and races is the Garmin Forerunner 735XT, thanks to its impressive battery life. In smartwatch mode, the battery can last up to 11 days. In GPS mode, it can last up to 14 hours, and in UltraTrac mode, it can last up to 24 hours without wrist heart rate. This means that you can use the watch for extended periods without having to worry about recharging it. Whether you’re training for a marathon or just going for a long hike, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT has the battery life to keep up with you.
Garmin forerunner 735XT: User Experience
Keeping the user in mind, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT is designed. It has a sleek and stylish design that looks great on your wrist. The watch is also shock-resistant, which means that it can withstand the wear and tear of daily use. The watch is easy to navigate, with intuitive menus and buttons that make it simple to access all of its features. Additionally, it is water-resistant, which means that you can use it in the pool or in the rain without having to worry about damaging it. Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT is a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable and feature-packed GPS running watch.
Pros:
- The Garmin Forerunner 735XT is a GPS running watch with multisport features, making it perfect for athletes who engage in multiple sports.
- The watch estimates heart rate at the wrist, freeing up the athlete from additional heart rate monitors, allowing them to focus on their race.
- The watch provides advanced dynamics for running, cycling, and swimming, including ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical ratio, and more, making it a great tool for athletes to monitor their progress.
Cons:
- The Garmin Forerunner 735XT is made of plastic, which may not be ideal for users who prefer a more premium feel for their watch.
- The watch’s Garmin weather widget may not work for some users, which may cause inconvenience when checking for weather updates.
- Users may have to turn off the app tracking while driving, as it may record the travel time as steps, which may affect the accuracy of the user’s step count.
Conclusion
Overall, I am very satisfied with the Garmin 735XT. It has all the features I need to track my activities accurately and provides me with valuable insights into my performance. The watch is not cheap, but it is worth the investment for serious athletes who want a reliable and feature-rich GPS running watch.
Questions & Answers:
Question: How long does the Garmin Forerunner 735XT’s battery last?
Answer: The smartwatch mode can last up to 11 days, GPS mode can last up to 14 hours, and UltraTrac mode can last up to 24 hours without wrist heart rate.
Question: Can the Garmin Forerunner 735XT be used for swimming?
Answer: Yes, the watch has a pool swim function that counts distance and time, and users can input the pool size, so it can automatically keep track of the distance.
Question: Is the Garmin Forerunner 735XT’s heart rate monitor accurate?
Answer: The watch’s heart rate monitor may not be accurate when the user’s skin is too wet, but users can opt to use a chest strap heart rate monitor for more accurate readings.
