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 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated October 23rd, 2023 @ 9:38 am New Window | |||
Price | $249 | $299/$349 | $169 |
Product Announcement Date | Oct 21st, 2015 | Apr 30th, 2019 | June 13th, 2018 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | November 2015 | Apr 30th, 2019 | June 13th, 2018 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | USB, Bluetooth Smart | USB, Bluetooth Smart, WiFi (Only Music has WiFi) | USB, BLUETOOTH SMART |
Waterproofing | 50 Meters | 50 Meters | 50 meters |
Battery Life (GPS) | Up to 16 hours | Up to 24hrs regular GPS, 24hrs+ for UltraTrac | Up to 13 hours GPS |
Recording Interval | 1-second & Smart | 1-second, Smart, UltraTrac | 1s or Smart Recording |
Alerts | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL | Vibrate/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 | Yes | Music | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Can control phone music | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Has music storage and playback | No | Yes (Music version) | Yes |
Streaming Services | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio | Payments | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Contactless-NFC Payments | No | Yes | Connectivity | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Group tracking | No | No | |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | Yes (via phone) | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
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) | With some Connect IQ apps |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | No | No | No |
Crash detection | Yes | No | Running | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
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 | Yes (with accessory) | No |
Running Power | No | No | |
VO2Max Estimation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Race Predictor | Yes | Yes | No |
Recovery Advisor | Yes | Yes | No |
Run/Walk Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Track Recognition Mode | Yes | Swimming | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Designed for swimming | No (protected though just fine) | Yes | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | N/A | No | No |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Record HR underwater | N/A | Yes | No |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | N/A | No |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | N/A | Yes | No |
Indoor auto-pause feature | N/A | No | No |
Change pool size | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | N/A | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | 17M/18Y TO 150Y/M |
Ability to customize data fields | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | N/A | Yes | Triathlon | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Designed for triathlon | No | No | No |
Multisport mode | No | No | No | Workouts | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
On-unit interval Feature | Yes | Yes | Sorta (2 preloaded ones, but no customization) |
Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Functions | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | No | Yes | No |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | Yes | No |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | YEs | YEs | Yes | Navigate | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | No | Yes | No (but some 3rd party apps can) |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | No | No | Yes (to pre-saved spots) |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No | No |
Back to start | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | No | Yes | NO | Sensors | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Altimeter Type | GPS | GPS | Barometric |
Compass Type | N/A | N/A | Magnetic |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | YEs | YEs | Yes |
SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | Yes | No | |
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 | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | NO | Yes | No |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | NO | NO | No |
ANT+ Remote Control | YES FOR GARMIN VIRB | YES FOR GARMIN VIRB | No (Yes for VIRB camera control) |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | NO | NO | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | No | No |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | NO | NO | No |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | NO | Yes | YEs |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | NO | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | NO | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | NO | NO | No |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | NO | NO | No |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | YES (TEMPE) | YES (TEMPE) | Yes | Software | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
PC Application | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Garmin Express |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
Phone App | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | No | Purchase | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link |
Backcountry.com | Link | ||
Competitive Cyclist | Link | ||
REI | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link |