Looking for a top-notch GPS running watch? Look no further than the Garmin Forerunner 735XT and 245. These watches are seriously impressive, with loads of features to help you up your running game. But which one is right for you? We’re here to help you compare these two and find your perfect fit.
Both watches are packed with features that can help you track your progress and improve your performance, but they have some key differences that might make one a better choice than the other for your needs.
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT is an older model that was released in May 2016, but it still offers a lot of great features. It has a sleek, lightweight design and can track your heart rate, steps, calories burned, and more. It also has a long battery life and can be used for swimming, cycling, and other activities in addition to running.
The Garmin Forerunner 245, on the other hand, is a newer model that was released in 2019. It has a slightly smaller design than the 735XT and offers more advanced features like music storage, incident detection, and training status. It also has a longer battery life than the 735XT and can track your VO2 max and other metrics to help you improve your performance.
Table of Contents
Design and Display
Forerunner 735XT Design
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT features a circular watch face with a diameter of 44.5mm and a thickness of 11.9mm. The watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear, making it ideal for long-distance running and other endurance activities. The watch has five buttons that allow you to navigate through the menus and start and stop activities. The watch is available in two colours – black and grey.
Forerunner 245 Design
The Garmin Forerunner 245 features a circular watch face with a diameter of 42.3mm and a thickness of 12.2mm. The watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear, making it ideal for long-distance running and other endurance activities. The watch has five buttons that allow you to navigate through the menus and start and stop activities. The watch is available in four colours – black, aqua, light grey, and white.
Forerunner 735XT Display
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT has a 1.23-inch display with a resolution of 215 x 180 pixels. The display is clear and easy to read, even in bright sunlight. The watch face is customizable, allowing you to choose from a variety of watch faces to suit your style and preferences.
Forerunner 245 Display
The Garmin Forerunner 245 has a 1.2-inch display with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels. The display is clear and easy to read, even in bright sunlight. The watch face is customizable, allowing you to choose from a variety of watch faces to suit your style and preferences.
The Forerunner 245 also features a Gorilla Glass 3 lens, which is more resistant to scratches and damage than the lens on the Forerunner 735XT.
Features and Performance
When it comes to choosing between the Garmin Forerunner 735XT and the Garmin Forerunner 245, it is important to consider their features and performance. Here is a breakdown of the key features and performance of each watch.
Forerunner 735XT Features
The Forerunner 735XT is designed for multisport athletes who want to track their activities across a range of sports. It has a built-in GPS, heart rate monitor, and accelerometer, as well as the ability to track swimming, cycling, and running.
The watch also has a range of other features, including:
- Smart notifications, so you can receive texts, emails, and other alerts on your wrist
- Garmin Connect, which allows you to track your progress and share your data with others
- Customisable watch faces, so you can personalise your watch to suit your style
- Water-resistant design, so you can wear it in the pool or the shower
Forerunner 245 Features
The Forerunner 245 is designed for runners who want to track their performance and improve their training. It has a built-in GPS, heart rate monitor, and accelerometer, as well as the ability to track running, cycling, and swimming.
The watch also has a range of other features, including:
- Advanced running dynamics, including cadence, stride length, and ground contact time
- Training status, which provides insights into your training and recovery
- Music storage, so you can listen to your favourite tunes without a phone
- Garmin Coach, which provides personalised training plans to help you reach your goals
Forerunner 735XT Performance
The Forerunner 735XT has a battery life of up to 14 hours in GPS mode and up to 11 days in watch mode. It has a high-resolution display, which is easy to read in all lighting conditions. The watch is also compatible with a range of accessories, including heart rate straps and bike sensors.
One of the standout features of the Forerunner 735XT is its ability to track a range of sports, including swimming, cycling, and running. It also has a multisport mode, which allows you to transition between sports with ease. The watch is water-resistant, so you can wear it in the pool or the shower without worrying about damaging it.
Forerunner 245 Performance
The Forerunner 245 has a battery life of up to 24 hours in GPS mode and up to 7 days in watch mode. It has a high-resolution display, which is easy to read in all lighting conditions. The watch is also compatible with a range of accessories, including heart rate straps and bike sensors.
One of the standout features of the Forerunner 245 is its advanced running dynamics, which provide detailed insights into your running performance. The watch also has a range of training features, including training status and Garmin Coach, which can help you improve your running and reach your goals.
Battery Life
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that can last for days without needing a charge, battery life is a crucial factor to consider. Here we’ll compare the battery life of the Garmin Forerunner 735XT and the Garmin Forerunner 245.
Forerunner 735XT Battery Life
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT has a battery life of up to 14 hours in GPS mode, and up to 11 days in smartwatch mode. This means that if you’re using the GPS feature for activities like running or cycling, you’ll need to charge the watch every 14 hours. However, if you’re using it as a regular smartwatch, you can go up to 11 days without needing a charge.
It’s worth noting that the battery life of the Forerunner 735XT can vary depending on how you use it. If you’re using features like music storage or the optical heart rate monitor, the battery life will be shorter.
Forerunner 245 Battery Life
The Garmin Forerunner 245 has a longer battery life than the Forerunner 735XT. It can last up to 24 hours in GPS mode, and up to 7 days in smartwatch mode. This means that if you’re using the GPS feature for activities like running or cycling, you’ll need to charge the watch every 24 hours. However, if you’re using it as a regular smartwatch, you can go up to 7 days without needing a charge.
Like the Forerunner 735XT, the battery life of the Forerunner 245 can vary depending on how you use it. If you’re using features like music storage or the optical heart rate monitor, the battery life will be shorter.
Overall, the Forerunner 245 has a longer battery life than the Forerunner 735XT. However, both watches have a decent battery life that should be enough for most users.
Price and Value
Forerunner 735XT Price
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT is priced at £299.99 on Garmin’s website, but it can be found for cheaper at third-party retailers. The watch is a bit more expensive than the Forerunner 245, but it comes with additional features such as multisport mode and open-water swimming mode, making it a great choice for triathletes and swimmers.
Forerunner 245 Price
The Garmin Forerunner 245 is priced at £249.99 on Garmin’s website, making it a more affordable option compared to the Forerunner 735XT. The watch still comes with impressive features such as advanced running dynamics and VO2 max estimates, making it a great choice for runners who want to track their performance.
Forerunner 735XT Value
The Forerunner 735XT offers great value for those who need advanced features for multisport activities and open-water swimming. The watch also comes with wrist-based heart rate monitoring and smart notifications, making it a great all-around fitness tracker. Despite being a bit more expensive than the Forerunner 245, the additional features make it worth the investment for those who need them.
Forerunner 245 Value
The Forerunner 245 offers great value for runners who want to track their performance and improve their training. The watch comes with advanced running dynamics, VO2 max estimates, and training status tracking, making it a great tool for serious runners. The watch is also more affordable than the Forerunner 735XT, making it a great choice for those on a budget.
Ultimately, the price and value of each watch will depend on your specific needs and goals. Consider the features that are most important to you and choose the watch that best fits your budget and fitness goals.
Specifications Comparison Table
| Feature | Garmin Forerunner 735XT | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 1.23 inches | 1.2 inches |
| Display resolution | 215 x 180 pixels | 240 x 240 pixels |
| Battery life (GPS mode) | Up to 14 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Battery life (Smartwatch) | Up to 11 days | Up to 7 days |
| Water resistance | 50 meters | 50 meters |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Advanced workouts | Yes | Yes |
| Running dynamics | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 max estimation | Yes | Yes |
| Recovery advisor | Yes | Yes |
| Music storage | No | Yes |
| Contactless payments | No | Yes (in some models) |
| Pulse Ox (blood oxygen) | No | Yes |
| Weight | 40.2 g | 38.5 g |
| Multisport mode | Yes | No |
| Training load balance | Yes | No |
| Body battery energy monitor | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in heart rate monitor | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Coach | No | Yes |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
Garmin Forerunner 735XT FAQs
What are the key features of the Garmin Forerunner 735XT?
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT is a GPS multisport smartwatch that tracks your running, cycling, and swimming performance. It also features advanced workout metrics, VO2 max tracking, and a recovery advisor to help you train more effectively. It also has smart notifications and music controls.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 735XT have GPS?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT has GPS and GLONASS satellite positioning, which provides accurate tracking of your outdoor activities.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 735XT waterproof?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT is water-resistant up to 50 meters, which means you can wear it while swimming or showering.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 735XT have a heart rate monitor?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT has a wrist-based heart rate monitor that tracks your heart rate throughout the day and during your workouts. It also has a feature called Pulse Ox that measures your blood oxygen saturation levels.
Can I use the Garmin Forerunner 735XT to track my indoor workouts?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT can track your indoor workouts such as treadmill runs, indoor track runs, and indoor cycling. It uses an accelerometer to estimate your distance and pace when GPS is not available.
Garmin Forerunner 245 FAQs
What are the key features of the Garmin Forerunner 245?
The Garmin Forerunner 245 is a GPS running smartwatch that tracks your running performance, heart rate, sleep, and more. It features advanced workout metrics, VO2 max tracking, and a recovery advisor to help you train more effectively. It also has smart notifications and music controls.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 245 have GPS?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 has GPS and GLONASS satellite positioning, which provides accurate tracking of your outdoor runs.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 245 waterproof?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is water-resistant up to 50 meters, which means you can wear it while swimming or showering.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 245 have a heart rate monitor?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 has a wrist-based heart rate monitor that tracks your heart rate throughout the day and during your workouts. It also has a feature called Pulse Ox that measures your blood oxygen saturation levels.
Can I use the Garmin Forerunner 245 for cycling or other activities besides running?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 has modes for running, cycling, swimming, and other activities. It also tracks your daily steps, calories burned, and distance traveled, making it a great all-around fitness tracker.
Conclusion – Which Watch Is Better?
So, which one should you choose? It all comes down to your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a watch with advanced training plans and contactless payments, the Garmin Forerunner 245 might be the one for you.
On the other hand, if you’re into multiple sports and want a watch with a few extra bells and whistles like training load balance and a body battery energy monitor, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT might be the better choice.
And hey, if the price is a factor, the Forerunner 735XT won’t disappoint. Whichever you choose, you’ll have a great GPS running watch to help you achieve your fitness and running goals.
