I'd argue the 935 is better only because the Optical HR. Yes I prefer a square face, but I find it's not terrible to get used to it.

Also I do think I'm the looks department the 935 is thinner than the 920.

I too prefer the square face and simple operation of the 920. And it’s been dead reliable. I am tempted to get a spare since typical resale prices make the 920 a bargain.

I’d say that the 935 was the perfect watch. It has enough for almost anyone to complete an IM and the oHR on the back. Plus while some may prefer the square look the 935 kind of just blends in as a normal looking watch and has quick release bands. It’s a watch that in less than a second can be worn with a tuxedo or a speedo. And not stick out like a sore thumb in the process.

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I still lapped everyone on the couch!

I jumped from a 910XT to a 735XT, and I never missed the square face. I now have a 945, and that is pretty freakin' close to perfect. It does everything, and it has not let me down yet. The screen readability (combination of higher resolution, better contrast, and better lighting) of the latest Garmin watches crushes the 920XT.

Still using a 910 here. What are/were your gripes with the 910?

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

> I’d say that the 935 was the perfect watch

This.

I had the 920xt, the 935 and now the 945. The 935 is definitely the best watch in my opinion. I understand some people prefer there squared format, but that was never an issue to me, especially if you have a head-unit for the bike (and most triathletes have). The fact that the 935 (and 945) looks so much better than the 920xt and I can use it 24/7 is definitely a plus for me. The oHR is meh on both 935/945 (and most watches). I still use my HR strap because it's more reliable.

Some might ask, why isn't the 945 better than the 935? Well, the 945 is (still) facing many issues: poor GPS tracking, very poor battery life, oHR cracking, mushy buttons, sync issues, etc. I think the mushy buttons have been fixed in the last revision (D). I have this revision now and it's definitely better than the original watch I got in the beginning. The battery still sucks but I wouldn't be surprised if Garmin makes it more tolerable. GPS tracking and sync issues, are things that can be addressed with software update. Garmin just released (last night 11/06) the 3.30 update and it promises fixing some bluetooth connectivity issues. Let's see.

TLDR: I used all watches for many years (or months with 945) and I always loved my 935.

• Always felt bulky/stiff
• Didn't display the time when not in use so that I could actually use it as a watch
• Could never upload workouts or update software since the ant+ stick wouldn't work with my computer (had to use someone else's computer to do it); Automatic uploads and updates by wifi/bluetooth are a BIG deal
• Bluetooth connection allows me to view texts safely when driving (if necessary, expecting something important)
• Finds satellites much much quicker

For some reason, I still have my 910. I need to sell it.

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-Bryan Journey
Travel Blog | Training Blog | Facebook Page

The optical HR would be the only reason I would consider it and attempt to get used to the round face. I bought my wife a 735 so I'll probably try that out for a week just to see. Thus far though, I'm still holding out hope that Garmin comes to their senses and updates the 920 with an optical HR, longer battery, and thinner display.

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-Bryan Journey
Travel Blog | Training Blog | Facebook Page

[quoteThus far though, I'm still holding out hope that Garmin comes to their senses and updates the 920 with an optical HR, longer battery, and thinner display.[/quote]
They have zero square face watches left, no? Embrace it! No sense in fighting it. It's a losing battle.

My 735XT was my favorite watch of all time. It worked flawlessly for 3 years-- never rebooted or lost an activity that I can remember. I have a 945 because it is a shiny object. You should adjust to the 735XT round screen in minutes-- I did. The layout is actually way better than the square, because 1 field at top, 2 in the middle, 1 at the bottom. Mental processing is quicker.

Things to note... the 935/945 screens are an order of magnitude better than the 735XT. So, have that in the back of your mind. The 735XT screen is not round-- it is clipped on the top and bottom-- and that limits presentation a little. Also, the big boy watches have higher resolution and better contrast & lighting, so the text looks sharper and jumps off the screen more.

Garmin recently updated the 945 firmware to capture HR in a pool. I absolution love this feature, and would highly recommend the 945 over the 935 for this alone (despite the 945 issues mentioned above).

I have my wife’s old 920 for sale if you were interested in a spare.

If you compare the screens side by side, you actually get more display area in the 935 than the 920. I was surprised

This is what I did. Just watch the classifieds whenever a new watch gets released. Love the 920 (do not want the HR on my watches), and have picked up a couple of spares. Can't be the price either when others are looking to upgrade and sell their current/old 920.

I certainly can't think of anything about the 920 that I don't like, except that the battery is getting old---my life is probably half what it was 3 years ago. But, I just bought a new battery...I just need to install it. Also, I'm on my 4th watch band---the cheap silicone ones last a lot longer than the offical garmins do.

I only wish that garmin wouldn't obsolete things so quickly...as 2 years seems very short for software PLATFORM (CiQ) support. That said, the only thing I ever wanted in that regard was trainingpeaks app sync. But, I got that when garmin decided to enable the calendar sync API on the web instead of through the custom TP CiQ app.

all that said, its not like I've tried any of the newer watches. I've read the reviews, and couldn't really see that any of the new features mattered to me, as OHR is not on my wish-list.

My 920 is a solid backup to my 945. It's a good watch.

I like the 935 and 945. I recently gave my 935 to my GF and she likes it better than her 920.

The battery was better on my 935 but the 945 has some features i like.

I use a Garmin Fenix 5x and it has been the perfect watch for me. If I get anything else, it will be an upgrade from Best Buy to the 6x Sapphire (I don't trust the solar screen to my mayhem).

I'm kind of digging the casual brown band. I wear the 5x with a suit every now and then and the brown would be chill.

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https://www.strava.com/...tes/zachary_mckinney

935 out guns the 920... wayyyy Better Battery Life. More versatility W quick Release, (better band options/ so easy n fun to switch bands, keeps the Novelty factor going, faster GPS... Instant Optical Heart Rate, i could go on... Bye Square Face i will miss u!!!

PS AFFORDABLE!!!

They did All that... its called the 935...! 🥳

The adjective mentioned was 'perfect' - lol. Perfect comes with a price tag. Especially with diamonds.

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https://www.strava.com/...tes/zachary_mckinney

My 920xt has been great in every area except battery life for a full IM.

You should be able to replace the cover yourself, there are videos on YouTube on how to do it. Even triathlon Taren did one where he disassembled a 920. For me it’s great and I picked up a spare off eBay. I am very particular and when I get something that works for me I stick with it until convinced that something else is solid. Example: I had two 305’s. Watch all the threads on new forerunners, kept up with DC Rainmakers reviews, and finally bought the 920 after it was out for awhile. I’m sure some newer models are fine and probably will pick up one of the proven models in a few years.

It’s so choice. You’re right, it’s the perfect device. If they released the same square form factor with an optical HR and updated display they’d have a new hall of famer

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the world's still turning? >>>>>>> the world's still turning

No Bluetooth. That's about it.

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

You should look into Polar Vantage V. I had a Garmin 920XT before (still have it now) and loved it. Since I switch over to Polar Vantage V, I never went back. It has built in heart rate monitor so I don't need to wear a separate one. This watch comes also with power meter which can assist you with running. Check it out.

Lots of good points made already. Probably the most important reason to use the 935 is because you can buy a pack of luxury watch faces for a couple bucks. I’ve been wearing a Rolex Submariner face for a couple years and I always get a kick out of people noticing and acting impressed. They get a kick out of me explaining that it’s fake.

You can also make custom watch faces. Put my friend’s face on it once and slow played it. When he noticed a couple hours later that his face was on my watch, it was the hardest I’ve ever seen him laugh. It’s the simple things

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Darren
https://www.strava.com/athletes/12385497

How reliable/durable is the barometric altimeter in the 935 or 945? I love my 920, but the altimeter recently crapped out like everyone else’s has. I can’t see shelling out 400-500 dollars for a new watch only to have that capability die in a year.

Did your altimeter crap out after a year or 5 years. The 920XT has been around forever. I think it took around 3 years for the altimeter on my 910XT to crap out. There probably isn't enough information yet about the 935 and definitely not about the 945. I have had my 945 since launch, and it is great. But I may not have my 945 in 3 years when the altimeter might decide to go.

I tripped over a crack in the sidewalk, fell down, and cracked the face on my 920XT. It still works, but between the cracked face and Garmin no longer supporting the 920XT, I bought a new 935. The 920XT did everything I wanted, but the 935 really is better. The round/smaller/different looking screen isn't a problem. There are some whistles and bells on the 935 that you don't get with a 920XT and I don't use all of them (yet), but it has been a nice upgrade. As far as getting a 945, I don't listen to music while biking/running, so I didn't figure I needed to spend another $100 to have that capability.

Bottom line. I was happy with the 920XT and if Gamin still supported it and I could buy a new one for $100-$200 less than a 935 that's what I'd have done. But I'm glad I went with the 935.

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"Human existence is based upon two pillars: Compassion and knowledge. Compassion without knowledge is ineffective; Knowledge without compassion is inhuman." Victor Weisskopf.

The lack of Bluetooth is my only gripe with my 920. My stages power meter won’t connect to it with ANT.

Yes, this is a problem with the 920. It happened to two of them that I've had. I think the issue stems from using it in the pool or water a lot.

I had a 920xt for 5 years and the altimeter worked the whole time. Though the buttons just stopped working recently, but garmin is sending me a newly refurbished one as a replacement.

It's unfortunate that Garmin are withholding the Swim optical HR (update) from the 935 :/

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29 years and counting

I wouldn't get a 935 just for the Optical HR. Quite honestly optical HR is close to useless except when you are just walking around. I have a 935 and while working out optical HR just isn't close enough to actual HR. It sometimes differs by 20+.

Is there a way you can test altimeter? I'm asking you because I'm meeting a local seller to buy a used one. Thanks.

Yes, you can. Go into the activity history, for a ride or run (outdoors) and look at the details of one workout. It will have "ascent" and "descent" values that look "normal." Each time my altimeter crapped out the values were pegged at 20,000ft, which is clearly incorrect unless you live in Nepal.

My wife and I have about 3 years each on our 920xt and we both bought them used. They work flawlessly 100% of the time. I use my Suunto for running now but honestly, the Suunto falls short in a ton of categories specifically related to multisport. I wouldn't have a problem continuing to use them for years from now, it does everything I need it to. In my limited experience with multisport watches, it seems pretty near perfect to me.

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Benjamin Deal - Professional - Instagram - TriRig - Lodi Cyclery
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