How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated May 14th, 2021 @ 3:16 pm New Window | |||
Price | $249 | $249 | $400.00/Discontinued |
Product Announcement Date | Oct 21st, 2015 | Oct 21st, 2015 | Jan 18, 2012 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | November 2015 | November 2015 | Apr 2012 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | USB, Bluetooth Smart | USB, Bluetooth Smart | USB |
Waterproofing | 50 Meters | 50 Meters | Yes - 100m |
Battery Life (GPS) | 16 hours | Up to 16 hours | 50 hours |
Recording Interval | 1-second & Smart | 1-second & Smart | Variable |
Alerts | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL | Sound/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Good | Good | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | Yes | No | Music | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Can control phone music | Yes | Yes | |
Has music storage and playback | No | No | Connectivity | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | No |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes | No |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | Yes | No |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | WITH SOME CONNECT IQ APPS (BUT CANNOT RECORD DATA) | WITH SOME CONNECT IQ APPS (BUT CANNOT RECORD DATA) | No |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | No | No | Running | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) | Yes |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | No | No | No |
VO2Max Estimation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Race Predictor | Yes | Yes | No |
Recovery Advisor | Yes | Yes | No |
Run/Walk Mode | Yes | Yes | No | Swimming | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Designed for swimming | No (protected though just fine) | No (protected though just fine) | No |
Record HR underwater | N/A | N/A | No | Triathlon | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Designed for triathlon | No | No | No |
Multisport mode | No | No | N/A | Workouts | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes | No |
On-unit interval Feature | Yes | Yes | No |
Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | Yes | No | Functions | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | No |
Virtual Partner Feature | No | No | No |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | No | No |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | Yes | No |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | Yes | YEs | No | Navigate | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | No | No | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | No | No | No |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No | No |
Back to start | Yes | Yes | Yes (point to point only) |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | No | No | No | Sensors | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Altimeter Type | GPS | GPS | Barometric |
Compass Type | N/A | N/A | Magnetic |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | No | YEs | |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | No | No | No |
ANT+ Lighting Control | No | NO | |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | NO | |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | NO | |
ANT+ Remote Control | YES FOR GARMIN VIRB | YES FOR GARMIN VIRB | No |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | NO | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | ||
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | NO | No |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | No | NO | No |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | NO | No |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | NO | No |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | NO | No |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | No | NO | Yes |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | YES (TEMPE) | YES (TEMPE) | No | Software | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
PC Application | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Moveslink Agent |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Movescount |
Phone App | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | Suunto Movescount |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | Yes (online) | Purchase | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Forerunner 230 | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Suunto Ambit |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link |