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Garmin fēnix 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 230

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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Garminfēnix 2GarminForerunner 230
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2014November 2015
Display
Case sizes49 mm45 mm
PanelLCDMemory-in-pixel
Always-on displayYesYes
Display detailTransflective monochrome LCD, 31 mm diameter and 70 × 70 pixels; negative display with red LED backlight and physical buttons.Sunlight-readable colour display, listed as 1.0 inch (25.4 mm) on Garmin Singapore's exact product page, 215 x 180 pixels, with button controls.
Health and fitness
ECGNoNo
Blood oxygenNoNo
Skin temperatureNoNo
Sleep apnoea alertsNoNo
High blood pressure alertsNoNo
Body compositionNoNo
Fall detectionNoNo
Crash detectionNoNo
GPSSingle-bandSingle-band
Water resistance50 m50 m
SensorsHigh-sensitivity GPS receiver, barometric altimeter, three-axis compass and accelerometer. Optional ANT+ heart-rate, HRM-Run, foot-pod, speed/cadence, power and tempe temperature sensors; no optical wrist heart-rate sensor.GPS, GLONASS and accelerometer; heart-rate data requires an optional external sensor.
Health features–Daily steps, calories and sleep tracking; no built-in optical heart-rate sensor.
Fitness featuresRunning, cycling, pool and open-water swimming, multisport, hiking and skiing profiles; advanced workouts, Virtual Partner, Training Effect, VO2 max estimates, race prediction and recovery advice. Running dynamics require an HRM-Run chest strap; indoor pace and distance use the accelerometer.Outdoor and indoor running, cycling, advanced workouts and pace alerts; VO2 max estimate, recovery advisor and race predictor with a compatible heart-rate strap.
Safety featuresBreadcrumb routes, waypoint navigation and TracBack to retrace the recorded route; no preloaded base maps.–
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 35 daysUp to 35 days
Mobile data optionNoNo
Works withiPhone and AndroidiPhone and Android
Battery life detailRechargeable 500 mAh lithium-ion battery; up to five weeks in watch mode, sixteen hours with normal GPS recording or fifty hours in UltraTrac with one-minute GPS polling, according to the owner's manual.Up to five weeks in smartwatch mode with activity tracking and notifications, or 16 hours in training mode.
ChargingUSB contact charging/data cradle and AC adapter.Rechargeable lithium-ion battery with charging/data clip.
ConnectivityBluetooth Smart phone notifications, Garmin Connect uploads and LiveTrack; USB computer transfer and ANT+ sensor connections. Garmin's 2015 catalogue confirms iPhone 4S or later and most Bluetooth Smart Android devices running Android 4.3 or later. The manual says ANT+ sensors cannot connect while Bluetooth is enabled.Bluetooth and ANT+; smart notifications, Connect IQ, Garmin Connect automatic uploads, LiveTrack through a paired phone and phone music controls.
Storage20 MB internal memory; up to 1,000 waypoints, fifty routes, 10,000 track points and 100 saved tracks.Stores 200 hours of activity history.
Design
Weight (lightest version)90.6 g41 g
SoftwareGarminGarmin
Case materialsCurved mineral-glass lens, shock-resistant housing and polyurethane wristband; 5 ATM water rating.5 ATM water rating.
Size49 × 49 × 17 mm; 90.6 g.45 x 45 x 11.8 mm; 41 g.
Colours–Black case with force yellow band.
BandsPolyurethane wristband; additional hook-and-loop fabric strap accommodates larger wrists or wearing over a jacket.–
In the boxWatch, fabric wrist-strap kit, USB charging/data cable, AC adapter and quick-start manual; HRM-Run chest strap included in the Performer Bundle.–

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