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need a garmin. 935 or 920?

jimmy augustinejimmy augustine
in General Training Discussions
after 2 weeks of hunting it is time to acknowledge my garmin 920 has vanished. So here is the question - do I get a new 935 (discount codes anyone?) or get on eBay and pick up a 920 cheap.
Ideally Id find a deal on a 935 if for no other reason than I am done with him straps.
Anyone have any experience with the 935?
thx!
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Comments

  • scott dinhoferscott dinhofer
    no experience with either unit, I use a 520
    but also look on the facebook group Tri n sell it or online swap meet
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/trinsell/
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/onlineswap/

  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    I've had a 920 for years and have been trying to think of ways to justify upgrading to the 935 :).  It certainly looks nicer and has a sleeker design.  I'm not sure my wife would stop mocking me for wearing a Garmin though.  There are a few upgrades but nothing that is worth spending a few hundred bucks, IMO.  You can use the DC Rainmaker comparison tool to see differences.
  • jimmy augustinejimmy augustine
    Thx guys. Also noticed that there is a 735 multisport that came out in between the two.
    the only reason for me so pay up is the optical hrm would be useful on raceday if it would allow me to go without a strap.
    after a couple weeks of swimming w the pool deck clock, riding w my old 520 and running by feel I have to admit that I am liking the lower tech approach. I think I'll wait till october and see if anything goes on sale once the "season" is over.
  • Brian TerwilligerBrian Terwilliger

    The one knock on the 735 I've heard most is battery life.  Garmin advertises it at 14 hours in GPS mode with OHR turned on. 

    I just cracked the screen on my 920 and went with the 935.  Hoping it gets delivered by Thursday for camp weekend or I'll have to swim without data and borrow my sons watch for the run.


  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    I had a 920XT for years and love it, but finally got fed up with the HRM strap about a month ago so I broke down and bought a 935.

    I like the 935, but the ONLY thing it does better for me (as a dedicated SBR watch) than the 920XT (besides look a bit more stealthy like a normal watch) is the Optical HRM.  However, my experience with the 935 HR has been spotty at best.  Even with the watch tighter than tight, it gives me good readings at easy paces or while sitting around, but during Tempo efforts or higher, or while sweating heavily, it's all over the place often times reading 10-20 beats higher than expected.  At this point, I'd rate the HR data as "not reliable" or "not usable" for training purposes and might have to go back to wearing a strap again anyways.  My opinion is that if it's just a watch for Triathlon activities (SBR and not multi-day hiking or golfing or skiing or other types of things) then save the $250-300 and just get the 920XT for much much cheaper.
  • scott dinhoferscott dinhofer
    Common knowledge is that the optical HRM doesn't work with the reliability of a strap. even if i had a watch with the optical version, I'd still be running a strap for that information. 

    I thought we were talking bike computers. I actually have a 920XT and see no reason to upgrade beyond it. 
  • jimmy augustinejimmy augustine
    Yea sounds like another 920xt. I just remembered that I prefer to wear it with the screen on the inside of my wrist anyway which would mean that the optical heart rate would t work anyway.
    thx guys.
  • Dawn CassDawn Cass
    @jimmy augustine
    I just got my 935 in the last few weeks so a bit early to tell. I am someone who hates to wear a chest strap for HR so have been using the Mio with optical HR and garmin 920xt for years. The last 2 A races the Mio failed to connect so after MT this year, end of Aug I got the 935. I actually like it a lot better. The screen is a better display and so far I have not seen issues with HR data. That said, I may not have used it enough to get the feedback that John has.

    i would look at it two ways...if $$s are a concern...go with the 920xt..it's still a fab watch. If you don't mind a chest strap then also a good pick.

    If you want something new...and are prepared to see how optical goes for you...I would go for the 935.

    in the end...they both do the same basic stuff so you won't go wrong.
  • jimmy augustinejimmy augustine
    Yea I just ended up picking up a used 920 for $150. Strapless would be nice but it sounds like it opwouldnt work for me anyway.
    i throw the strap on for submax tests but past that I don't train with it except for key sessions anyway.
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