Thanks for checking this one out! Best place to buy the 165: amzn.to/4aTMtkQ The FR 255 is also on sale: amzn.to/4bOmuwP FR 165 Screen Protectors: amzn.to/3VvUyrJ Extra Watch Band options (20mm): amzn.to/45hXtrp
Just looking for first watch. Can I ask about the watch durability? Like if i accidentally drop it to the ground, or bump it to the door, or if i falling from a bike ride, would it easily be broken? And can i expect this watch to last 3-4 years ? Really appreciate your work matt.❤
@@khueta2804 - There are more durable watches on the market for sure but they also cost a good bit more. This watch uses a strong material similar to your smartphone so it can take an occasional beating but it can definitely be scratched up. You can see some very close up shots in this video of my watch after about 2 months of usage. I also linked a screen protector which I recommend using. 🤷🏻♂️ And yes, I would expect about 2-4 years or so. Lithium ion batteries tend to degrade over time. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@mlegrand thanks a lot for the reply. I don't care much about the looks so i don't have any problems with scratches on the watch. I'm just afraid it would stop working or functionality like heart rate measurement go wrong, etc.. So base on your answer I guess I shouldn't worry about that 🥰
I'm repeating myself... For all considering the 165 you might as well check out the "old" 255! Apart from training readyness and the AMOLED touch display it has basically the same features as the 265 but nowadays for the price of the 165 (at least in Germany/Europe when on sale). So if you can live without AMOLED and touch the 255 is definitely the better pick over the 165. Bigger display with Gorilla glass, better battery life, triathlon plus power meter support, much more sport profiles, better GPS options, advanced training analysis like training load and training focus, more data fields per each page during an activity. Don't get me wrong, the 165 is a super nice little watch to get you into (running) sports. But given the fact that the Forerunner 255 is about the same price now I personally would go for it.
Very good point. I think this comes down to that AMOLED screen vs the extra features on the 255. But the 255 has been fantastic for me in the past. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I’ve been waiting for this review since I bought my FR165M almost three months ago just to validate my purchase 😂 but I would say this is great for someone like me who just started getting into running.. three months ago! Yes - I decided I wanted to start running, and I was looking for a replacement for my broken AWS6 so AMOLED is definitely an item in the list. This is the cheapest one out there that checks out all the boxes - great display, amazing fitness features that provide structured training plans for a beginner, and does not break the bank (too much). I love this thing. 😊 Great review as always! Better A-roll of you than the previous (I think you went to town with the vignette - the corners were very dark haha). One of the best quality fitness watch reviewers out there for sure.
Exactly! This is a watch that I'll be recommending to a lot of people. It's a very solid option. Sorry it took me so long to get this review out the door. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
A small correction: Dual frequency does not mean connecting to multiple types of satellites at the same time; this happens also in "all systems" mode. Dual frequency means getting signals of two different frequencies from the same satellite. Garmin has a page for that, titled "What is dual frequency/multi-band GPS?".
Thanks for the correction Shlomy. I say in here "multiple types of satellite systems". But it's getting duel signals on different frequencies from multiple types of satellites and satellite systems.
As always a great review. You also grew up running without technology like me. I ran high school and college cross country before gps watches (or before I knew about them). I used to track my miles in a notebook. Lost that notebook in 2001 when my townhome flooded. I love all my gps watches now ( I have several from Garmin, Suunto, and 2 from Coros. My Epix Pro titanium is my favorite, with my Suunto Race and Vertical being close second but I like the simple lightweight Coros Pace 3, especially for track workouts and matching my race kits😂😂😂. My 50 year old self loves all of this gps watch technology. I normally gift my watches to our local high school or young runners in my local running group. The 165 is perfect for high school and college runners.
That’s exactly right. I didn’t have a GPS watch until after my collegiate running was over. I actually still feel that some of those older watches were better for things like track workouts. 🤔 Hope all is well buddy. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Hey Matt. Longtime subscriber here so thank you for always putting out super high quality content. Being notified that you have new content posted to TH-cam is always brings a smile to my face! I’m a weekend warrior triathlete with a 5mo old and have an Apple Watch Ultra series one. It does the job just fine, but I can’t stand all the whole ring closing thing or that Apple won’t share my fitness info with apps like Garmin. So very much looking at the 165 to get back to the Garmin ecosystem (have a Garmin scale and cycling computer). If this watch had triathlon it would be a definite win for me, but even without it, given your positive points on its running and swimming capabilities I think I’m gonna get one. Keep up the fantastic content sir! And thanks for the information / advice! 👍😁
Sounds good. I think the big thing is that it’s missing triathlon for you. Seems like the 265 might be a better fit but it’s also more expensive. Thank you for watching all of these videos and I appreciate you taking the extra time to comment on this one. 👍
@@mlegrand Yeah, my wife agrees with you lol. She said "just buy the 265...not worth saving $200." And of course, with the triathlon function the watch will pair with my Garmin Edge bike computer during a race... One last question: If I'm going to spend the extra $200 and get the 265, will I be able to finish a full Ironman, or will the battery not make it? Thanks!
@@SmartWatchDumbPhone - You have some battery life options that you could change up to give you more confidence that the 265 would make it through a full Ironman but it should be fine. Best of luck with training!!! 👍
In my opinion Garmin watches struggle below the $400 mark - where an Apple Watch SE or even Series 8/9 delivers a lot more value and hardware to casual users not needing the stats of the Connect app. The higher end 965, Fenix, and Epix distinguish themselves with rock-solid hardware, mapping, and endurant battery life.
955 is unrivaled on the mip side of things when you balance features, accuracy and price. It's literally an epix without the chunky build and AMOLED screen, easy to find in the £300-350 range
Dude, can you do a vid on your nutrition and workout routine to get such manly wrists please. Damn these vids are so good. Not in market for another watch at the moment but I watched it anyway because it’s so ace! Love your channel, brother!
So happy to have found this video! I always thought the watch is too big for my wrist (don‘t like big watches) but you seem to have the exact same wrist size as me (I have tried it on and compared images) and I think it looks good on you. Nice review, too :)
Glad it was helpful! Yes, I have smaller wrists and this watch is perfectly fine for me. I will say that I am used to larger watches at this point but this is a nice option. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Im actually just ordering the 165 music.. so perfect timing for the review! I chose this over the 255 simply because of the amoled screen. I don't need the triathalon support, and the dual band GPS as you said, is overrated in most cases. This is the best all rounder watch garmin has made so far.
@@mlegrand I went with the white.. it looks very clean. I was concerned about how the color might hold up, but I heard they don't get too dirty with some cleaning.
A few years ago I switched from the Garmin 55 back to Apple Watch, because as much as I loved the DETAIL with Garmin, I really missed the touchscreen and other smartwatch features that Apple had. This video makes me think the 165 may need to be my next watch though....it feels like Garmin resolved almost very issue I had with the 55
The 165 is a great option but I do think there would be things you’d miss coming from an Apple Watch. Things like speaker and microphone and all the functionality that those allow. Tricky call. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I just bought mine. I had to go music option. If I'm doing a long easy run than it's no biggie for me to take a phone and put it in the side pocket of my compression shorts. But for intervals and track sessions this will be a game changer. I didn't mind paying the extra $50
@@mlegrand It came in today. Haven't done a run or sleep yet to analyze. The coaching plans seem a little weak. I'm finishing my 3rd week of a half marathon plan and the suggestion it was giving me was way below what I've been working at even though I put in my goal time. Also only let me run a max of 5 days a week, right now i'm running 6 days and going 7 days a week later in the plan. So I imagine it's more relaxed in mileage compared. I am going to test out the pace pro feature to try to run a negative split for a 5k on July 4th. Overall it's definetly a big upgrade over the apple watch I've been using. Also like how they partnered up with strava so everything syncs up including the livetrack and beacon.
I bought this watch about a month ago and really liked it, but felt some key features were missing that the 265 had. But, I felt the 265 was a tad overpriced @ $450. I returned the 165 and bought a 265, mainly because of the M Legrand discount Dialed cycling lab gives us - thanks to both of you!! I can't say yet which one is the better deal - but the 165 is a great watch and probably all that most runners need. Too bad there isn't something in the middle as far as price and accessories/options.
I decided to go with 165 for my son. It's a great watch for kids. Not too big, easy to use and colourful. The screen is so flashy with It's design, that my Descent Mk3i looks sad beside it.
@@mlegrand we have a different use case here. Main Sport for him i Taekwon-Do and he tracks his training indoors. We try to run together some times but I run a bit less after my knee injury. But main idea is to track overall activity.
Yeah, I had to mix the audio a little bit to make it all fit together with the timing but I got the song from Epidemic Sound. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Yeah, that’s a tricky call. I’ll be curious to see what watches are on sale for Black Friday. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I got mine recently and it's also my first "smartwatch", so to speak. For the money, it's hard to beat! I don't mind not having multiband gps because i'm not constantly looking at my watch whilst running. Battery life is fine. You charge your phone almost everyday too, so this watch not having the most insane battery life is not a problem. Data is very accurate. My friend has the 965 and the difference in tracking etc. is slim to none. Remember; it's your first one and it's great for getting familiar with such a unit whilst also recieving accurate feedback and stats with regards to your training/lifestyle. By the time you're gonna be looking for a new "smartwatch" you'll be familiar with features you like/dislike and features you're missing or don't need.
Great comment! I agree. I’ve found the data very accurate compared to the best watches on the market. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Amazing editing as always as someone who follows this Great points. The non power meter biking blows my mind. But as a high school teen who did xc, swim, outdoor track this would have been perfect for me the swim features I might point to my sister if they had the triathlon mode Happy training
@@bonn1771 - I haven't signed up for anything here. I might do a small triathlon here at the end of the summer called the Columbia River Triathlon. It's a fun one.
I'm a big fan of this one. Hopefully you're getting a good black friday deal. 👌 Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
The reason Garmin keeps the 55 model available is that it makes this watch look better value, at £250... YES that is expensive IMO. It should be around £175, given feature set, look back at past models, then look at what you do not use & put a price tag on that, it will be a lot less than you think
I think lots of people, you among them, see the software limitations and feel frustrated that they are effectively arbitrary. Coming to this from the other side; I want a running watch with the best hardware, multi-system, GPS, altimeter, etc. I'm actually glad they offer premium hardware with stripped down software because it means I get a much better watch for the money. Sure, they could remove the altimeter, but it wouldn't save them a ton of money and it would be just another arbitrary limitation enforced at time of manufacturing rather than in software. From my perspective that would be much worse.
Interesting. I still feel like if the software were hardware limited I would be more understanding. For example, if adding a mic and speaker were going to add cost to the device and some device is cost more and had those features, I would expect to pay more for it. Software being arbitrarily assigned to one model over another just feels like a money grab. 🤷♂️ Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment with your thoughts! I really appreciate it. 👍
Awesome, glad it was helpful in some small way. I think there might be things you’ll miss about the Apple Watch but the 165 is a fantastic training tool. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@Rob_Gilbert - The 255 has triathlon if that's something you need. The 255 also has better battery life but the older MIP style display. Both are accurate in my testing.
Great review thanks! I'm really hesitating between the 165 music and the 955. We can find them at respectively 300 and 360 euros. The 955 has so many more features (the most important missing for me would be training readiness as i think it could help me with managing my recovery), but also I'm a bit worried the 955 may be a bit too big and the 165 does have the AMOLED display (i did own a gear sport a while back and i fear going to a MIP display may feel going backwards)
Yes, you got it. That’s a really hard call between those two. It’s an amazing deal on the 955. It also has more storage if you’re really going to use that music feature. I guess you could try the 955 and if you hate the screen, return it?
Other than lackluster battery life, my forerunner 45 still works perfectly fine. I think if you are in the market for an upgrade you are better off going with the 255.
Yeah, that 255 is hard to beat. I think it comes down to whether you want the AMOLED screen or MIPs. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Great review.I'm happy with my old 235 for running but I need the AMOLED as I'm feed up with not being able to read the display easily when running.I figure my performance will improve drastically without contorting myself to read the watch.
These AMOLED displays are significantly brighter than MIP displays. Especially when viewing indoors. They’re also significantly sharper. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@mlegrand I would say that Garmin want to keep the amoled displays in a mid range level and keep the FR55 as a really "everybody can buy this" watch. Running is becoming a thing down here. Love your videos by the way.
@@Adrianobolado - Sounds possible. Hopefully Garmin is thinking about that 'everybody can buy this' category. Thanks for the feedback Adriano! And thanks for the support with this YT channel. 👍
Hey Matt great video and review ton of infor per usual. So the 165 vs pace 3 but all that missing is the 165 doesn't have a ton of activity? And does the running power tracking require additional equipment or the 165 track it based on the wrist like pace 3?
I’m struggling deciding between a garmin 165, coros pace 3, or splurging and getting a more expensive garmin. I’m in the military and want something that will really just track the basics for runs and workouts (HRV, sleep, pace, etc.) while also having a decent amount of battery life.
Be on the look out for good Black Friday deals. This 165 is discounted. I'm also a huge fan of the FR 265 which has a few more features. If battery life is more important, the older 255 might be the way to go. It just has the older MIP style display. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@ I’m honestly starting to lean towards the 265 because I still play a lot of pick up sports and I think it would be cool to be able to track that plus I like the touch screen. Definitely gonna keep eyes peeled for Black Friday. I appreciate you taking the time to respond you definitely just gained a new supporter.
Ive been considering FR165 for months now. I really like the brighter screen with big letters because I struggle to read my apple watch (6) when I run. I’m a beginner. Sometimes I train 2-3 a weeks sometimes I go a whole week and a half without running. So I dont think that the 265 would be worth it. Idk!!
The 265 would have an even bigger screen. But it's up to you. If you can hold out even longer, I imagine there will be some good deals on watches for Black Friday. But IDK either. 🤷♂️ Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I guess it is down to a decision of Coros Pace 3 or the Garmin Forerunner 165 for me. I am also a cyclist and if I am mistaken the 165 does have turn by turn GPS navigation for bike and running routes, whereas the Pace 3 does not include street addresses? Please correct me if I am wrong?
I think that's correct. But I think the decision between those two watches really comes down to the display technology. I think you'll like this 165. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment Stephanie! I really appreciate it. 👍
I have this as a light watch to wear when I get tired of the F7s. I've, funnily enough, found that the 165 works better when swimming 🤷 And it, IMO, has everything a casual / non-ultra runner needs for running. When biking I might not put a HR belt on, but use the 165 to broadcast HR to F7 and ise the F7S as my bike computer (for which I have a handlebar mount). But I find the screen going on and scrolling by itself insanely frustrating at times even though I have the touch to wake on.
So what do you think.. this is $199 now, but the 255 is at $249 now as well.. I really like the amoled display though.. I’m coming from an Apple Watch 3 I’ve had for so many years lol, just want to try something different and don’t want to spend $400 for a watch.. the 165 looks.. dainty? I think because it’s so thin, even though it’s technically 1 mm larger than my 42mm Apple Watch.. the 255 is a 45 or 46mm watch I believe.. but that screen seems “cheap” without the amoled.. I only run 20-30 miles a week, and truthfully just use my watch gps as a back up to my phone (use Strava app).. so idk if I NEED advanced running watch features.. lol idk so torn! Might just try and find a SE watch cheap on Black Friday lmao
Yeah, I'd probably try the 165. And I think if it were me, I'd probably set up Garmin to Strava auto-upload and then only use my phone as a back up. 🤷♂️ Yeah, at this point, it's probably worth waiting to see the final Black Friday prices. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Do you need or want mapping or Golf? That 955 is a pretty amazing watch. Do you need music to be played directly from your watch on runs? (leaving your smart phone behind)
@@mlegrandIt’s one of those things people expect now by default. It seems like it’d be on the order of cents for Garmin to include it vs the cost of manufacturing differences.
Great video! But I'm confused between coros pace 3 and Forerunner 165. For me display doesn't matter much, I don't listen to music while running, what I want is "accuracy" of my running statistics like Pace, Heart Rate, VO2 max and many more which are there. Im mainly aiming to improve my 1 mile and 5k race timings, not much interested in long distance running! So considering my interests which one would be better!!?
I'd probably go with the 165 non-music edition. That's a really fantastic watch and it's one that I tend to recommend to a lot of my athletes that train for 5k to 1m events. You'll want to use the track mode for all of the track work you'll be doing. Best of luck with training!
@@mlegrand hey Matt sorry to bother you again. I was just convinced to buy a Garmin 165 but now I'm getting suggestions to take a look at Garmin 255 with the same price range ( on offer ). Like I said earlier the Display doesn't matter to me much I just want a match to track my fitness and help me improve. So should I consider the old 255 with better features or stick with the new 165 with comparatively less training metrics! I promise this is my last doubt won't bother you again!!! 🙏
@@goclashing1897 - I'm a big fan of the 255. It's excellent. I would probably consider it if you're doing any sort of triathlons in the future. There's also multi-band GPS on the 255 but I wouldn't expect an increase in accuracy on the 255 vs the 165. If you truly don't care about the screen and increased screen resolution than go for the 255. 👌
After viewing this video and others of the forerunners I'm doubting between the 955 and 265. Prices are similar where I live. Which one would you choose Matt
Hi...you gave a lot of speculation about GPS accuracy but no real data. In my experience, multi-band (Garmin 255) is not only more accurate than just GPS (only), but more repeatable. I have compared extensively data between a Garmin 55 (using GPS and Galileo) and a Garmin 255 (all systems and multi-band turned on). Both watches set to record 1 Hz data. Tracks with the FR55 are kind of all over the place on a winding, tree lined course. Tracks with the RF255 are solid every time. At the end of this 3.11 mile (5k) course...the FR55 varies in distance by +-0.05 miles from the average of 10 runs. The FR255 varies by +-0.005 from the average of 10 runs. If you are running a 5k using your watch to accurately capture your pace...a +-0.05 is a big difference. At the extremes, your recorded distance could be short ~250 feet or long ~250 feet. Also, you (along with a few other youtube running channels) get the description of how multi-band GPS works wrong. It is not the use of multiple GPS satellites at once that makes multiband work (older watches like the FR55 let you use more than one satellite at once)....it is the (wait for it)...multi-band (or duel frequency) nature of current GPS satellites that make this work. GPS satellites of late now broadcast their signal to earth receivers (like our running watches) on not one, but two frequencies. These signals at two different frequencies interact with not only the earth's atmosphere differently, but they interact with immovable objects (like trees, buildings, cliffs...etc) differently. These differences are used to extract a cleaner (more accurate) ultimate position with your watch. A more accurate position leads to more accurate total distance and pace information.
Hi Steve, I don't think I said "multiple satellites" but instead said "multiple types of satellite systems" there's a subtle difference there. No GPS works with one single satellite. I've also tested the FR 255 and I had very very good data from the Garmin Forerunner 255 but not as great from the Forerunner 55. You shouldn't compare distance totals when assessing GPS accuracy. It's a fine metric to look at but a watch can over estimate one mile and under estimate a different mile and end up with the correct distance even though the GPS track isn't very accurate. I'd also recommend you compare more than just the two watches and the single watch brand. Let me know where I can review your results. Thanks for the feedback on the video!
@@mlegrand Ok...I disagree with most of what you just said. Total distance over the same course is a great metric to see how accurate a watches GPS is. A watch that spits out the same distance over and over again for the same course is going to give you better results as far as pacing goes. It is true I am only comparing two Garmin watches, but I look at the data and tracks very closely. Tracks are better for the FR255 compared to the FR55...hence pacing info is both better and more stable. Of course a GPS receiver uses many satellites as they (the sats) circle over the sky. The FR55 (like a lot of watches) allows you to use more than one satellite system simultaneously (like Galaleo, GLONASS, etc). What the FR55 does not let you receive is duel-frequency measurements from said sats. Regarding testing mulltiiple watches...I don't review watches for a living so don't get them sent to me for free like some of the running youtubers. Do you buy your watches outright or have them sent to you for review?
Ok, you mention how "Total distance over the same course is a great metric to see how accurate a watch's GPS is". My counter argument would be that if you have bad gps data and the watch measures your first mile long and your last mile short, it would provide bad pacing information and still provide a correct total distance. (My previous example) I don't think it's a horrible idea to mention total distance as an anecdotal metric but it's not nearly as good as looking at GPS tracks in my opinion. You mentioned that the 255 shows better tracks than the 55. Great work. You should make a youtube video about it. (I promise I won't come over there and post negative commentary given how much work that would be for you make and post something). But in my video I did say "multiple types of satellite systems". But duel band gps devices are getting duel signals of different frequencies from multiple types of satellites and satellite systems. I think that's a very fair correction to make. I buy most of the GPS watches but to be fair reviewing these watches does help pay for them. But very much like you, I don't "review watches for a living" I have multiple other jobs that pay the bills. I make free videos for people. I don't make sponsored videos for companies that I review. I've been very open about all of this but I'm guessing you don't know that and that this is your first time here on this channel. I also don't really consider this channel a running youtuber channel but I also don't find that too offensive.
I have had the 55 for the last couple of years and I am debating just stepping up to the 165 or leap to the 965. I love running long miles and I’m training for a 50miler right now. I run roads and trails. What is your opinion?😬
Hi Angela , I think you'll like the 965. The maps are great and if you're doing 50 milers, I'm guessing those are on trails and having a map would be a nice option. Just in case. Battery life would also go a lot longer on the bigger 965. As long as you're ok with the larger size?
@ thank you so much for your help! I’m definitely an over thinker and I value other people’s opinions! I only just found your channel today when doing more research and have already watched a couple of your videos. It sounds like your subscribers also value your content!
.... the battery life watch alarms and music controls is litrally all i use them for and the sleep tracker last all week and charge once on the weekends (battery and heart tracking is just waaaaay better than something like samsung apple) and they tend to be even higher cost and long term support is dead
I’d like to see less products with different features based on those slight hardware differences that drive price differences. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I would like to see a more affordable option from Garmin with led flashlight. Garmin seems to be the only big smartwatch maker that have led flashlight on their watches, but only for higher ends options. I'm fine with them put just a red led or with a less bright white led on cheaper models
It kind of depends on what you're going to use it for. The AMOLED screen on the 165 is fantastic but if you need better battery life or a triathlon mode than the 255 is a better option. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@mlegrand thanks for your repy. right now the 255 is on sale and only like 20 bucks more than the 165......and it would be my first garmin.......currently using the fitbit charge 5 to track........i mainly would use it for running......
@@originalequi6043 - For running you could really go either way. The screen on the 165 is going to brighter and sharper at the expensive of battery life. Best of luck!
i think there's no triathlon feature in this because it's an "entry level running" watch. and no beginner would immediately go for triathlon. i also think for marketing strategies, so higher tier would get those 'extra other features' if they buy the more expensive stuff lol.
Yeah, I agree. But the COROS Pace 3 and Apple Watches all have triathlon as an option. So hopefully Garmin is feeling pressure to add it to entry level watches. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Both are great for swimming. I prefer the 265 but only because it has a big bright screen that's easier to see in the pool. Best of luck with training Matheus!
You can kind of customize prompts. The 165 music has the ability to have prompts come from bluetooth connected headphones to the watch but the non-music edition is only going to prompt through the Garmin Connect app.
Ok. I really like the Pace 3. Between my wife and I we have two Pace 3s. They're great but I'd say it depending on what you're looking for in a watch. The display on this watch is fantastic. Especially during for indoor activities. But it's at a sacrifice of battery life. 🤷🏻♂️
I don't know if the gyroscope is critical but it's used in a lot of GPS watches to get an accurate step count and for calibration of the compass amongst other things. If you're mostly jogging, this would be a fantastic option. What other options are you considering?
@mlegrand instinct series has gyro and training readiness but overall looks dull. So i sorted all out and thinking to buy this watch only as my training focus is limited to jog ,swim and cycling.
@ not really. I don’t work that much and also in future I won’t see myself doing harsh training. Having something motivating to do daily and keep record of it is all i need. This is gonna be my first garmin watch so it is becoming difficult to sort it out after watching so many videos🙃
The Instinct series is super under rated. I've reviewed the Instinct 2 and 2X. They are fantastic. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I just don’t think it’s worth the extra money. I don’t tend to listen to music from my watch. So an extra $50 is a lot in my opinion. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
That would be a fun video to make. Thanks for the suggestion. Here's my video on the Pace 3 in case you want my thoughts on the device: th-cam.com/video/me5KpEl8j6Y/w-d-xo.html Personally, I think I'd go with this 165 unless I need a specific feature like the triathlon activity type that is offered on the COROS. I'd also look at the 255 which has been on sale recently: amzn.to/4do0p98
Not that I’m aware of. I’m a big fan of closing my rings each day. It’s just a little fun reminder to move. I think you’d want to look into an Apple Watch and they typically announce new products in September.
@@mlegrand The rest of the design isn’t bad at this price point. When I look at the run button though compared to the 965, the latter is so much nicer. Let alone the simpler buttons on the last gen 255.
I don't currently have. Since you mentioned it has all the hardware to support it, could the power meter support come as a potential future update from Garmin?
The 945 is getting pretty old. If you’re looking for a good discounted option I might suggest the 255. 👌 www.amazon.com/dp/B09WTP57Z5/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_BNGC94ESAVE4TKX0F48G?linkCode=ml2&tag=mlegrand0c-21-20 The main difference is the screen.
Think about all of those extra steps, VO2 max metrics and training loads. 😆 I am typically always wearing two watches Helps me test more devices and helps to compare each. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
My father wears an Apple Watch Ultra and an Garmin Fenix 8, he says he wears the Apple Watch because it’s just a phone slapped on to your wrist and the garmin for training
Kind of weird to me that the $300 range watch is now missing hotkeys, while the more expensive siblings do retain this feature. Like, I use the hell out of them. Am I the only person missing this feature? It really does seem arbitrary (and misguided) when your (now $150) Instinct 1 has hotkey functionality.
I haven’t noticed a difference in swim accuracy between this and the 265 but that might be something interesting to test specifically. I think I’d be pretty disappointed if there was a difference. I’ll try to look this week. 🤔
Thanks! I have not seen any comparisons between 165 and 265/965 for swimming related parameters/measurements. Would be super interesting to see! 😊 I have 245 - it measures swimming distance quite average - usually shows 5-10% more than I swam actually. However, my Apple Watch SE2 measures swimming distance very accurately 🤔
@@djDuff86 - The swimming activity type hasn't changed that much between the 245 and these newer models. It'd be interesting to test but if you're only looking for a lap swimming watch, I'd probably get something affordable like the 165. 👌
Good question. I think I'd go for the 255 if you're doing really long stuff and need the extra battery life. Otherwise, I'd get the 165. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Do all these reviews just go over the specs with no real world use? You are mad the button says "Run" LMFAO. So many snowflakes these days. Did you know you can mod the 165 to get 265/965 features and music ;) Even maps and the Compass
Snowflake here. Does this review seem like I didn't swim, bike or run with this watch? And no, I don't think it's possible to mod the 165 to get 265/965 features.
In my opinion Garmin watches struggle below the $400 mark - where an Apple Watch SE or even Series 8/9 delivers a lot more value and hardware to casual users not needing the stats of the Connect app. The higher end 965, Fenix, and Epix distinguish themselves with rock-solid hardware, mapping, and endurant battery life.
That’s a really good point. Garmin needs to consider the AW SE when eliminating features. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Thanks for checking this one out!
Best place to buy the 165:
amzn.to/4aTMtkQ
The FR 255 is also on sale:
amzn.to/4bOmuwP
FR 165 Screen Protectors:
amzn.to/3VvUyrJ
Extra Watch Band options (20mm):
amzn.to/45hXtrp
Just looking for first watch. Can I ask about the watch durability? Like if i accidentally drop it to the ground, or bump it to the door, or if i falling from a bike ride, would it easily be broken? And can i expect this watch to last 3-4 years ? Really appreciate your work matt.❤
@@khueta2804 - There are more durable watches on the market for sure but they also cost a good bit more. This watch uses a strong material similar to your smartphone so it can take an occasional beating but it can definitely be scratched up. You can see some very close up shots in this video of my watch after about 2 months of usage. I also linked a screen protector which I recommend using. 🤷🏻♂️ And yes, I would expect about 2-4 years or so. Lithium ion batteries tend to degrade over time. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@mlegrand thanks a lot for the reply. I don't care much about the looks so i don't have any problems with scratches on the watch. I'm just afraid it would stop working or functionality like heart rate measurement go wrong, etc.. So base on your answer I guess I shouldn't worry about that 🥰
I hope you can make a comparison with the forerunner 55.
I'm repeating myself...
For all considering the 165 you might as well check out the "old" 255! Apart from training readyness and the AMOLED touch display it has basically the same features as the 265 but nowadays for the price of the 165 (at least in Germany/Europe when on sale). So if you can live without AMOLED and touch the 255 is definitely the better pick over the 165.
Bigger display with Gorilla glass, better battery life, triathlon plus power meter support, much more sport profiles, better GPS options, advanced training analysis like training load and training focus, more data fields per each page during an activity.
Don't get me wrong, the 165 is a super nice little watch to get you into (running) sports. But given the fact that the Forerunner 255 is about the same price now I personally would go for it.
Very good point. I think this comes down to that AMOLED screen vs the extra features on the 255. But the 255 has been fantastic for me in the past. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@mlegrand
You're welcome! Thank you for your awesome work here on TH-cam! 💪💪💪
Have to agree, i absolutely love my FR255. I'm surprised it doesn't get more praise, it's a great watch.
Where can I buy 255 ? It's not in shops anymore
@@chimeluoezechukwu1996 - Here's where I've seen it discounted: amzn.to/4ca5jWa
I’ve been waiting for this review since I bought my FR165M almost three months ago just to validate my purchase 😂 but I would say this is great for someone like me who just started getting into running.. three months ago! Yes - I decided I wanted to start running, and I was looking for a replacement for my broken AWS6 so AMOLED is definitely an item in the list. This is the cheapest one out there that checks out all the boxes - great display, amazing fitness features that provide structured training plans for a beginner, and does not break the bank (too much). I love this thing. 😊
Great review as always! Better A-roll of you than the previous (I think you went to town with the vignette - the corners were very dark haha). One of the best quality fitness watch reviewers out there for sure.
Exactly! This is a watch that I'll be recommending to a lot of people. It's a very solid option. Sorry it took me so long to get this review out the door. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Hii how are u?
Have you ever swam with him on the beach or in open water?
@@lucasakiraisawa3460 I did! It worked fine, but for precaution I washed it off under running water to remove any possible salt residues.
I use a Fenix 7 Pro. I’m only watching this video because Matt made it. Always bangers.
Wow, thank you so much!!!
Ohh the battery life comparison. Ace!!! :) Fantastic editing and video as always :)
Glad you liked it!!! You know me. I love the editing part of the process!
A small correction: Dual frequency does not mean connecting to multiple types of satellites at the same time; this happens also in "all systems" mode. Dual frequency means getting signals of two different frequencies from the same satellite. Garmin has a page for that, titled "What is dual frequency/multi-band GPS?".
Thanks for the correction Shlomy. I say in here "multiple types of satellite systems". But it's getting duel signals on different frequencies from multiple types of satellites and satellite systems.
"I guess I'm just cheap". No, you're considered. Love your videos, keep it up.
Thank you!
Your videos are always highly entertaining, good work. Props for not forgetting older but still very capable watches like the 255 too!
The 255 is one of my favorites. I had very accurate data with that watch. I'm also seeing it on sale at the moment. Take care Rob!
As always a great review. You also grew up running without technology like me. I ran high school and college cross country before gps watches (or before I knew about them). I used to track my miles in a notebook. Lost that notebook in 2001 when my townhome flooded. I love all my gps watches now ( I have several from Garmin, Suunto, and 2 from Coros. My Epix Pro titanium is my favorite, with my Suunto Race and Vertical being close second but I like the simple lightweight Coros Pace 3, especially for track workouts and matching my race kits😂😂😂. My 50 year old self loves all of this gps watch technology. I normally gift my watches to our local high school or young runners in my local running group. The 165 is perfect for high school and college runners.
That’s exactly right. I didn’t have a GPS watch until after my collegiate running was over. I actually still feel that some of those older watches were better for things like track workouts. 🤔
Hope all is well buddy. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Hey Matt. Longtime subscriber here so thank you for always putting out super high quality content. Being notified that you have new content posted to TH-cam is always brings a smile to my face!
I’m a weekend warrior triathlete with a 5mo old and have an Apple Watch Ultra series one. It does the job just fine, but I can’t stand all the whole ring closing thing or that Apple won’t share my fitness info with apps like Garmin. So very much looking at the 165 to get back to the Garmin ecosystem (have a Garmin scale and cycling computer). If this watch had triathlon it would be a definite win for me, but even without it, given your positive points on its running and swimming capabilities I think I’m gonna get one.
Keep up the fantastic content sir! And thanks for the information / advice! 👍😁
Sounds good. I think the big thing is that it’s missing triathlon for you. Seems like the 265 might be a better fit but it’s also more expensive. Thank you for watching all of these videos and I appreciate you taking the extra time to comment on this one. 👍
@@mlegrand Yeah, my wife agrees with you lol. She said "just buy the 265...not worth saving $200." And of course, with the triathlon function the watch will pair with my Garmin Edge bike computer during a race...
One last question: If I'm going to spend the extra $200 and get the 265, will I be able to finish a full Ironman, or will the battery not make it?
Thanks!
@@SmartWatchDumbPhone - You have some battery life options that you could change up to give you more confidence that the 265 would make it through a full Ironman but it should be fine. Best of luck with training!!! 👍
@@mlegrand thank you!!
Love love love the new battery graphs!
They might be getting some reuse here. 🤷🏻♂️
Garmin accuracy... always a tough task to communicate during a concise video. Another nice wearable review & a fabulous intro 🤠
Yeah, it’s tricky to communicate that bit and I’m not sure I did it justice here. Oh well. 🤷🏻♂️
In my opinion Garmin watches struggle below the $400 mark - where an Apple Watch SE or even Series 8/9 delivers a lot more value and hardware to casual users not needing the stats of the Connect app. The higher end 965, Fenix, and Epix distinguish themselves with rock-solid hardware, mapping, and endurant battery life.
955 perhaps? 965 is way too expensive...550€ here.
The 955 is a great option. The battery life is solid and it’s loaded with features.
Apple Watch SE + WorkOutDoors and you’ve got basically every software feature the higher end garmins have
@@nilsalbAnd recharging it twice in a day
955 is unrivaled on the mip side of things when you balance features, accuracy and price. It's literally an epix without the chunky build and AMOLED screen, easy to find in the £300-350 range
Great review. After back and forth between choosing 165, Venu 3 and 965 - I settled for Epix Gen 2 due to the price drop cause of the new Fenix 8.
Yeah that’s an amazing deal!!! Smart move. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Dude, can you do a vid on your nutrition and workout routine to get such manly wrists please. Damn these vids are so good. Not in market for another watch at the moment but I watched it anyway because it’s so ace! Love your channel, brother!
I should probably build multiple playlists full of my nutrition, wrist workout routine and drug routines for my mainly wrists. Could be pure gold!!!
@@mlegrand it would be mate - please do! Seriously though - keep up the stellar work!
So happy to have found this video! I always thought the watch is too big for my wrist (don‘t like big watches) but you seem to have the exact same wrist size as me (I have tried it on and compared images) and I think it looks good on you. Nice review, too :)
Glad it was helpful! Yes, I have smaller wrists and this watch is perfectly fine for me. I will say that I am used to larger watches at this point but this is a nice option. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Im actually just ordering the 165 music.. so perfect timing for the review! I chose this over the 255 simply because of the amoled screen. I don't need the triathalon support, and the dual band GPS as you said, is overrated in most cases. This is the best all rounder watch garmin has made so far.
I think you’ll love it. What color are you going with?
@@mlegrand I went with the white.. it looks very clean. I was concerned about how the color might hold up, but I heard they don't get too dirty with some cleaning.
A few years ago I switched from the Garmin 55 back to Apple Watch, because as much as I loved the DETAIL with Garmin, I really missed the touchscreen and other smartwatch features that Apple had. This video makes me think the 165 may need to be my next watch though....it feels like Garmin resolved almost very issue I had with the 55
The 165 is a great option but I do think there would be things you’d miss coming from an Apple Watch. Things like speaker and microphone and all the functionality that those allow. Tricky call. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I just bought mine. I had to go music option. If I'm doing a long easy run than it's no biggie for me to take a phone and put it in the side pocket of my compression shorts. But for intervals and track sessions this will be a game changer. I didn't mind paying the extra $50
I think you’ll really enjoy this device. It’s a great option. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@mlegrand It came in today. Haven't done a run or sleep yet to analyze. The coaching plans seem a little weak. I'm finishing my 3rd week of a half marathon plan and the suggestion it was giving me was way below what I've been working at even though I put in my goal time. Also only let me run a max of 5 days a week, right now i'm running 6 days and going 7 days a week later in the plan. So I imagine it's more relaxed in mileage compared. I am going to test out the pace pro feature to try to run a negative split for a 5k on July 4th. Overall it's definetly a big upgrade over the apple watch I've been using. Also like how they partnered up with strava so everything syncs up including the livetrack and beacon.
I bought this watch about a month ago and really liked it, but felt some key features were missing that the 265 had. But, I felt the 265 was a tad overpriced @ $450. I returned the 165 and bought a 265, mainly because of the M Legrand discount Dialed cycling lab gives us - thanks to both of you!! I can't say yet which one is the better deal - but the 165 is a great watch and probably all that most runners need. Too bad there isn't something in the middle as far as price and accessories/options.
Nice! I’m glad you got some sort of discount from Dialed. 👌
I decided to go with 165 for my son. It's a great watch for kids. Not too big, easy to use and colourful. The screen is so flashy with It's design, that my Descent Mk3i looks sad beside it.
Is your son running XC or track? Best of luck to you both and Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@mlegrand we have a different use case here. Main Sport for him i Taekwon-Do and he tracks his training indoors. We try to run together some times but I run a bit less after my knee injury. But main idea is to track overall activity.
I like the « kind of » Portishead instrumental intro 🔊
Yeah, I had to mix the audio a little bit to make it all fit together with the timing but I got the song from Epidemic Sound. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Nice vid! I have the 245 and partner was looking to buy something similar. I think she's quite keen on the 165 :D
Oh I think they’d like it a lot. 👌 Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
still very torn between getting the 165 & 255 right now.. great review though! subbed 🤝
Yeah, that’s a tricky call. I’ll be curious to see what watches are on sale for Black Friday. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I got mine recently and it's also my first "smartwatch", so to speak. For the money, it's hard to beat!
I don't mind not having multiband gps because i'm not constantly looking at my watch whilst running.
Battery life is fine. You charge your phone almost everyday too, so this watch not having the most insane battery life is not a problem.
Data is very accurate. My friend has the 965 and the difference in tracking etc. is slim to none.
Remember; it's your first one and it's great for getting familiar with such a unit whilst also recieving accurate feedback and stats with regards to your training/lifestyle.
By the time you're gonna be looking for a new "smartwatch" you'll be familiar with features you like/dislike and features you're missing or don't need.
Great comment! I agree. I’ve found the data very accurate compared to the best watches on the market. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Amazing editing as always as someone who follows this
Great points. The non power meter biking blows my mind. But as a high school teen who did xc, swim, outdoor track this would have been perfect for me
the swim features I might point to my sister if they had the triathlon mode
Happy training
Thank you! It’s a good option for a certain person. Hope training by is going well and thank you for always watching these videos. 👍
@@mlegrand no problem when is your next race?
@@bonn1771 - I haven't signed up for anything here. I might do a small triathlon here at the end of the summer called the Columbia River Triathlon. It's a fun one.
This is the one I'm buying for my wife to replace her aging Venu SQ. She wants to stay in the Garmin family and wanted it to be more fitness based.
I'm a big fan of this one. Hopefully you're getting a good black friday deal. 👌 Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
The reason Garmin keeps the 55 model available is that it makes this watch look better value, at £250... YES that is expensive IMO. It should be around £175, given feature set, look back at past models, then look at what you do not use & put a price tag on that, it will be a lot less than you think
Good point. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I think lots of people, you among them, see the software limitations and feel frustrated that they are effectively arbitrary. Coming to this from the other side; I want a running watch with the best hardware, multi-system, GPS, altimeter, etc. I'm actually glad they offer premium hardware with stripped down software because it means I get a much better watch for the money.
Sure, they could remove the altimeter, but it wouldn't save them a ton of money and it would be just another arbitrary limitation enforced at time of manufacturing rather than in software. From my perspective that would be much worse.
Interesting. I still feel like if the software were hardware limited I would be more understanding. For example, if adding a mic and speaker were going to add cost to the device and some device is cost more and had those features, I would expect to pay more for it. Software being arbitrarily assigned to one model over another just feels like a money grab. 🤷♂️ Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment with your thoughts! I really appreciate it. 👍
Thanks for the review it was very helpful, the 165 is suitable for my needs especially coming from a Apple Watch
Awesome, glad it was helpful in some small way. I think there might be things you’ll miss about the Apple Watch but the 165 is a fantastic training tool. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@mlegrand how does it compare with the forerunner 255 as Amazon uk are selling the 255 for £50 less
@@Rob_Gilbert - The 255 has triathlon if that's something you need. The 255 also has better battery life but the older MIP style display. Both are accurate in my testing.
@@mlegrand thanks
Love this video! Great work. 😊
Wow, thank you 🙏
Great review thanks! I'm really hesitating between the 165 music and the 955. We can find them at respectively 300 and 360 euros. The 955 has so many more features (the most important missing for me would be training readiness as i think it could help me with managing my recovery), but also I'm a bit worried the 955 may be a bit too big and the 165 does have the AMOLED display (i did own a gear sport a while back and i fear going to a MIP display may feel going backwards)
Yes, you got it. That’s a really hard call between those two. It’s an amazing deal on the 955. It also has more storage if you’re really going to use that music feature. I guess you could try the 955 and if you hate the screen, return it?
@@mlegrand Thanks for the answer, that's a pretty good call, I'll probably end up doing that !
Very good man keep it up!!
Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Other than lackluster battery life, my forerunner 45 still works perfectly fine. I think if you are in the market for an upgrade you are better off going with the 255.
Yeah, that 255 is hard to beat. I think it comes down to whether you want the AMOLED screen or MIPs. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Great review.I'm happy with my old 235 for running but I need the AMOLED as I'm feed up with not being able to read the display easily when running.I figure my performance will improve drastically without contorting myself to read the watch.
These AMOLED displays are significantly brighter than MIP displays. Especially when viewing indoors. They’re also significantly sharper. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
In Brazil there is a big gap price between FR55 and FR165. More than double the price. That's why they keep doing the FR55, its simple.
That is very interesting. I wonder why there is such a difference in price in Brazil. Thanks for the feedback Adrian!
@@mlegrand I would say that Garmin want to keep the amoled displays in a mid range level and keep the FR55 as a really "everybody can buy this" watch. Running is becoming a thing down here. Love your videos by the way.
@@Adrianobolado - Sounds possible. Hopefully Garmin is thinking about that 'everybody can buy this' category. Thanks for the feedback Adriano! And thanks for the support with this YT channel. 👍
Hey Matt great video and review ton of infor per usual. So the 165 vs pace 3 but all that missing is the 165 doesn't have a ton of activity? And does the running power tracking require additional equipment or the 165 track it based on the wrist like pace 3?
It’s estimated using the watch sensors and doesn’t require a footpod. Thank you Muhammad!
I’m struggling deciding between a garmin 165, coros pace 3, or splurging and getting a more expensive garmin. I’m in the military and want something that will really just track the basics for runs and workouts (HRV, sleep, pace, etc.) while also having a decent amount of battery life.
Be on the look out for good Black Friday deals. This 165 is discounted. I'm also a huge fan of the FR 265 which has a few more features. If battery life is more important, the older 255 might be the way to go. It just has the older MIP style display. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@ I’m honestly starting to lean towards the 265 because I still play a lot of pick up sports and I think it would be cool to be able to track that plus I like the touch screen. Definitely gonna keep eyes peeled for Black Friday. I appreciate you taking the time to respond you definitely just gained a new supporter.
Ive been considering FR165 for months now. I really like the brighter screen with big letters because I struggle to read my apple watch (6) when I run. I’m a beginner. Sometimes I train 2-3 a weeks sometimes I go a whole week and a half without running. So I dont think that the 265 would be worth it. Idk!!
The 265 would have an even bigger screen. But it's up to you. If you can hold out even longer, I imagine there will be some good deals on watches for Black Friday. But IDK either. 🤷♂️
Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Thanks! What are you using for your macro shots out of interest?
I have a pretty weird set up. It’s a Sony A7S3 and an old Cannon macro lens with an adapter. 🤷🏻♂️
Not weird at all! Love it!
@@DomBurgess - BTW, I've now been binge watching your channel. Thanks for killing my entire work day! 😂
@@mlegrand Ha ha! Thank you!!! Glad you enjoyed! :)
I guess it is down to a decision of Coros Pace 3 or the Garmin Forerunner 165 for me. I am also a cyclist and if I am mistaken the 165 does have turn by turn GPS navigation for bike and running routes, whereas the Pace 3 does not include street addresses? Please correct me if I am wrong?
I think that's correct. But I think the decision between those two watches really comes down to the display technology. I think you'll like this 165. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment Stephanie! I really appreciate it. 👍
I have this as a light watch to wear when I get tired of the F7s. I've, funnily enough, found that the 165 works better when swimming 🤷 And it, IMO, has everything a casual / non-ultra runner needs for running. When biking I might not put a HR belt on, but use the 165 to broadcast HR to F7 and ise the F7S as my bike computer (for which I have a handlebar mount). But I find the screen going on and scrolling by itself insanely frustrating at times even though I have the touch to wake on.
Yeah, that’s a nice way to have options for different activities. Thanks for sharing this as I think others might enjoy some of those same things.
So what do you think.. this is $199 now, but the 255 is at $249 now as well.. I really like the amoled display though..
I’m coming from an Apple Watch 3 I’ve had for so many years lol, just want to try something different and don’t want to spend $400 for a watch.. the 165 looks.. dainty? I think because it’s so thin, even though it’s technically 1 mm larger than my 42mm Apple Watch.. the 255 is a 45 or 46mm watch I believe.. but that screen seems “cheap” without the amoled..
I only run 20-30 miles a week, and truthfully just use my watch gps as a back up to my phone (use Strava app).. so idk if I NEED advanced running watch features.. lol idk so torn! Might just try and find a SE watch cheap on Black Friday lmao
Yeah, I'd probably try the 165. And I think if it were me, I'd probably set up Garmin to Strava auto-upload and then only use my phone as a back up. 🤷♂️ Yeah, at this point, it's probably worth waiting to see the final Black Friday prices. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Hey mate can you help me decide if I get this 165 or the on sale 955? They are kinda both the same price right now. Thanks.
Do you need or want mapping or Golf? That 955 is a pretty amazing watch. Do you need music to be played directly from your watch on runs? (leaving your smart phone behind)
@ thanks. I just bought the 955 for just $499aud.
IIRC the non-music 165 is missing WiFi. I don’t use music on my watches, but the additional connectivity is nice for faster firmware updates.
Oh dang it. I should have mentioned this in this video. I have a music edition and over looked that distinction. Thanks Jason.
@@mlegrandIt’s one of those things people expect now by default. It seems like it’d be on the order of cents for Garmin to include it vs the cost of manufacturing differences.
Great video! But I'm confused between coros pace 3 and Forerunner 165. For me display doesn't matter much, I don't listen to music while running, what I want is "accuracy" of my running statistics like Pace, Heart Rate, VO2 max and many more which are there. Im mainly aiming to improve my 1 mile and 5k race timings, not much interested in long distance running! So considering my interests which one would be better!!?
I'd probably go with the 165 non-music edition. That's a really fantastic watch and it's one that I tend to recommend to a lot of my athletes that train for 5k to 1m events. You'll want to use the track mode for all of the track work you'll be doing. Best of luck with training!
@@mlegrand thanks a lot. Really helpful insights!
@@mlegrand hey Matt sorry to bother you again. I was just convinced to buy a Garmin 165 but now I'm getting suggestions to take a look at Garmin 255 with the same price range ( on offer ). Like I said earlier the Display doesn't matter to me much I just want a match to track my fitness and help me improve. So should I consider the old 255 with better features or stick with the new 165 with comparatively less training metrics! I promise this is my last doubt won't bother you again!!! 🙏
@@goclashing1897 - I'm a big fan of the 255. It's excellent. I would probably consider it if you're doing any sort of triathlons in the future. There's also multi-band GPS on the 255 but I wouldn't expect an increase in accuracy on the 255 vs the 165. If you truly don't care about the screen and increased screen resolution than go for the 255. 👌
@@mlegrand thanks Matt thanks a lot!!
Instead of the 165 I would have preferred a more basic watch. Do a 65 as an upstate to the 55.
I know right?!? I wonder if Garmin would ever make a FR 65. 🤔 I'm seeing the a few Garmin's on sale but not this 165.
After viewing this video and others of the forerunners I'm doubting between the 955 and 265. Prices are similar where I live. Which one would you choose Matt
I think it would depend on if you need the mapping, golf or battery life. Otherwise I’d go with the 265. 👌
Hi...you gave a lot of speculation about GPS accuracy but no real data. In my experience, multi-band (Garmin 255) is not only more accurate than just GPS (only), but more repeatable. I have compared extensively data between a Garmin 55 (using GPS and Galileo) and a Garmin 255 (all systems and multi-band turned on). Both watches set to record 1 Hz data. Tracks with the FR55 are kind of all over the place on a winding, tree lined course. Tracks with the RF255 are solid every time. At the end of this 3.11 mile (5k) course...the FR55 varies in distance by +-0.05 miles from the average of 10 runs. The FR255 varies by +-0.005 from the average of 10 runs. If you are running a 5k using your watch to accurately capture your pace...a +-0.05 is a big difference. At the extremes, your recorded distance could be short ~250 feet or long ~250 feet.
Also, you (along with a few other youtube running channels) get the description of how multi-band GPS works wrong. It is not the use of multiple GPS satellites at once that makes multiband work (older watches like the FR55 let you use more than one satellite at once)....it is the (wait for it)...multi-band (or duel frequency) nature of current GPS satellites that make this work. GPS satellites of late now broadcast their signal to earth receivers (like our running watches) on not one, but two frequencies. These signals at two different frequencies interact with not only the earth's atmosphere differently, but they interact with immovable objects (like trees, buildings, cliffs...etc) differently. These differences are used to extract a cleaner (more accurate) ultimate position with your watch. A more accurate position leads to more accurate total distance and pace information.
Hi Steve,
I don't think I said "multiple satellites" but instead said "multiple types of satellite systems" there's a subtle difference there. No GPS works with one single satellite.
I've also tested the FR 255 and I had very very good data from the Garmin Forerunner 255 but not as great from the Forerunner 55. You shouldn't compare distance totals when assessing GPS accuracy. It's a fine metric to look at but a watch can over estimate one mile and under estimate a different mile and end up with the correct distance even though the GPS track isn't very accurate. I'd also recommend you compare more than just the two watches and the single watch brand.
Let me know where I can review your results. Thanks for the feedback on the video!
@@mlegrand Ok...I disagree with most of what you just said. Total distance over the same course is a great metric to see how accurate a watches GPS is. A watch that spits out the same distance over and over again for the same course is going to give you better results as far as pacing goes. It is true I am only comparing two Garmin watches, but I look at the data and tracks very closely. Tracks are better for the FR255 compared to the FR55...hence pacing info is both better and more stable.
Of course a GPS receiver uses many satellites as they (the sats) circle over the sky. The FR55 (like a lot of watches) allows you to use more than one satellite system simultaneously (like Galaleo, GLONASS, etc). What the FR55 does not let you receive is duel-frequency measurements from said sats.
Regarding testing mulltiiple watches...I don't review watches for a living so don't get them sent to me for free like some of the running youtubers. Do you buy your watches outright or have them sent to you for review?
Ok, you mention how "Total distance over the same course is a great metric to see how accurate a watch's GPS is". My counter argument would be that if you have bad gps data and the watch measures your first mile long and your last mile short, it would provide bad pacing information and still provide a correct total distance. (My previous example) I don't think it's a horrible idea to mention total distance as an anecdotal metric but it's not nearly as good as looking at GPS tracks in my opinion.
You mentioned that the 255 shows better tracks than the 55. Great work. You should make a youtube video about it. (I promise I won't come over there and post negative commentary given how much work that would be for you make and post something). But in my video I did say "multiple types of satellite systems". But duel band gps devices are getting duel signals of different frequencies from multiple types of satellites and satellite systems. I think that's a very fair correction to make.
I buy most of the GPS watches but to be fair reviewing these watches does help pay for them. But very much like you, I don't "review watches for a living" I have multiple other jobs that pay the bills. I make free videos for people. I don't make sponsored videos for companies that I review. I've been very open about all of this but I'm guessing you don't know that and that this is your first time here on this channel. I also don't really consider this channel a running youtuber channel but I also don't find that too offensive.
I have had the 55 for the last couple of years and I am debating just stepping up to the 165 or leap to the 965. I love running long miles and I’m training for a 50miler right now. I run roads and trails. What is your opinion?😬
Hi Angela , I think you'll like the 965. The maps are great and if you're doing 50 milers, I'm guessing those are on trails and having a map would be a nice option. Just in case. Battery life would also go a lot longer on the bigger 965. As long as you're ok with the larger size?
@ thank you so much for your help! I’m definitely an over thinker and I value other people’s opinions! I only just found your channel today when doing more research and have already watched a couple of your videos. It sounds like your subscribers also value your content!
@@angelarodriguez8118 - It's a nice little community here! Best of luck with all of your training coming up.
.... the battery life watch alarms and music controls is litrally all i use them for and the sleep tracker last all week and charge once on the weekends (battery and heart tracking is just waaaaay better than something like samsung apple) and they tend to be even higher cost and long term support is dead
Thanks for posting your feedback!
Hi, may i know how often u do some activities in a week? Because mine don’t have that battery life span with 3 times a week running activities
Tell me, is it possible to disable Bluetooth and ANT+ on the watch itself when it is not needed? And they'll be fine
fit on a narrow wrist (~16 cm)?
I'm not sure. I think there's an airplane mode. But yes, this should fit fine on 16cm wrists in my experience.
Why in the world does Garmin have soooo many watches. Probably all them can do the same thing with software and the same sensors
I’d like to see less products with different features based on those slight hardware differences that drive price differences. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I would like to see a more affordable option from Garmin with led flashlight. Garmin seems to be the only big smartwatch maker that have led flashlight on their watches, but only for higher ends options. I'm fine with them put just a red led or with a less bright white led on cheaper models
I went with Venu 2Q because of more battery. But I do regret lack of data for running sometimes. Even if can't run that much anymore. 😅
The Venu is a cool watch. My wife is using one currently. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
what would you recommend: the forerunner 255 or the 165 overall?
It kind of depends on what you're going to use it for. The AMOLED screen on the 165 is fantastic but if you need better battery life or a triathlon mode than the 255 is a better option. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@mlegrand thanks for your repy. right now the 255 is on sale and only like 20 bucks more than the 165......and it would be my first garmin.......currently using the fitbit charge 5 to track........i mainly would use it for running......
@@originalequi6043 - For running you could really go either way. The screen on the 165 is going to brighter and sharper at the expensive of battery life. Best of luck!
i think there's no triathlon feature in this because it's an "entry level running" watch. and no beginner would immediately go for triathlon. i also think for marketing strategies, so higher tier would get those 'extra other features' if they buy the more expensive stuff lol.
Yeah, I agree. But the COROS Pace 3 and Apple Watches all have triathlon as an option. So hopefully Garmin is feeling pressure to add it to entry level watches. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
How come you get training readiness on garmin app I don’t see it anywhere I have 165
Maybe because I have other Garmin devices? 🤷🏻♂️
How is the 255 or 265 for swimming?
Both are great for swimming. I prefer the 265 but only because it has a big bright screen that's easier to see in the pool. Best of luck with training Matheus!
Is there a trainingsmode for bootcamp? Or do you use Hiit or Cardio for that one?
Probably HIIT. 🤷🏻♂️
Does the alerts for the heart rate monitor have an audible alert?
You can kind of customize prompts. The 165 music has the ability to have prompts come from bluetooth connected headphones to the watch but the non-music edition is only going to prompt through the Garmin Connect app.
@@mlegrand So the watch itself cannot make a beeping noise to alert you and must be connected to headphones?
you should recomend coros pace 3 then..
Ok. I really like the Pace 3. Between my wife and I we have two Pace 3s. They're great but I'd say it depending on what you're looking for in a watch. The display on this watch is fantastic. Especially during for indoor activities. But it's at a sacrifice of battery life. 🤷🏻♂️
Does gyro matters for casual runners? I jog mostly so im considering this over others
I don't know if the gyroscope is critical but it's used in a lot of GPS watches to get an accurate step count and for calibration of the compass amongst other things. If you're mostly jogging, this would be a fantastic option. What other options are you considering?
@mlegrand instinct series has gyro and training readiness but overall looks dull. So i sorted all out and thinking to buy this watch only as my training focus is limited to jog ,swim and cycling.
@@SumitYT44475 Any triathlons? This watch is missing the triathlon option.
@ not really. I don’t work that much and also in future I won’t see myself doing harsh training. Having something motivating to do daily and keep record of it is all i need. This is gonna be my first garmin watch so it is becoming difficult to sort it out after watching so many videos🙃
@@SumitYT44475 - Also, that new Instinct 3 looks pretty amazing. 🤩
Hello, any suggestion for small power bank for garmin? Thank you
Any charger would work. I use this one a lot:
amzn.to/3YGybjI
I would really like to see gps tests in a city type environment with normal GPS and a watch with Multi band.
Good call 89. I don’t typically run downtown but if I make a “duel frequency is over rated” video, I’ll need to do that.
There's some on YT but not with the 165 AFAIK so if modern multiband vs older single band may not be apples to apples.
The Instinct series is a bargain right now. $200USD for Instinct 2 which has all the advanced recovery metrics and full multisport mode.
The Instinct series is super under rated. I've reviewed the Instinct 2 and 2X. They are fantastic. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Nice review! Why don't you usually recommend the music edition?
I just don’t think it’s worth the extra money. I don’t tend to listen to music from my watch. So an extra $50 is a lot in my opinion. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Love your reviews. Do you ever review the Garmin Marq watches?
Not yet! Hopefully some day. Those watches are very cool. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Compared to the Coros pace 3???
That would be a fun video to make. Thanks for the suggestion. Here's my video on the Pace 3 in case you want my thoughts on the device: th-cam.com/video/me5KpEl8j6Y/w-d-xo.html
Personally, I think I'd go with this 165 unless I need a specific feature like the triathlon activity type that is offered on the COROS. I'd also look at the 255 which has been on sale recently: amzn.to/4do0p98
Does it sync with the apple fitness rings?
Not that I’m aware of. I’m a big fan of closing my rings each day. It’s just a little fun reminder to move. I think you’d want to look into an Apple Watch and they typically announce new products in September.
On the run button, it’s also has subjectivity worse physical design than the higher end Forerunners. Looks clunky to me.
It does have a “more affordable” look doesn’t it. 😬 But I think these colors will be popular. My high school kids think it looks good. 🤷🏻♂️
@@mlegrand The rest of the design isn’t bad at this price point. When I look at the run button though compared to the 965, the latter is so much nicer. Let alone the simpler buttons on the last gen 255.
one question please has an option for Jump rope and stationary bike thanks
It has an option for indoor cycling but I don't think it has an activity type for jump rope.
considering getting this for mainly biking/cycling. Is this a good fit? 255/265 is costlier w/o discount where I'm put
It’s a solid option. It’s missing support for power meters. Do you have a power meter?
I don't currently have. Since you mentioned it has all the hardware to support it, could the power meter support come as a potential future update from Garmin?
@@sat4ever0606 - It’s possible but I wouldn’t count on it. The 255 is a safer bet if you think you’ll end up with a power meter later.
For the same price 165 or 945?
The 945 is getting pretty old. If you’re looking for a good discounted option I might suggest the 255. 👌 www.amazon.com/dp/B09WTP57Z5/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_BNGC94ESAVE4TKX0F48G?linkCode=ml2&tag=mlegrand0c-21-20
The main difference is the screen.
3:30 “11.5 inches in depth” 😲😂
That’s massive!!!! Did you see the tiny text correction? I did catch that mistake during the edit. Nice work on paying close attention here!!! 👏
Why do you wear two Garmin? For 2x Vo2 Max 😅😅
Think about all of those extra steps, VO2 max metrics and training loads. 😆
I am typically always wearing two watches Helps me test more devices and helps to compare each. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Whenever I see someone in public with 2 watches, I always think theyre a TH-camr 😅
I always find it odd to see someone other than myself. I just assume they’re super weird. Also like me.
My father wears an Apple Watch Ultra and an Garmin Fenix 8, he says he wears the Apple Watch because it’s just a phone slapped on to your wrist and the garmin for training
Kind of weird to me that the $300 range watch is now missing hotkeys, while the more expensive siblings do retain this feature.
Like, I use the hell out of them. Am I the only person missing this feature?
It really does seem arbitrary (and misguided) when your (now $150) Instinct 1 has hotkey functionality.
Hotkeys are highly underrated. Great point Greg!
Good that I switched to Coros, quit the GPS watch rat race and concentrate more on training.
Always smart to be concentrating on the actual training. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
How accurate is it for swimming? .
I see that 165 is missing gyroscope (compared to 265), is it a big disadvantage? what is it used for in 265?
I haven’t noticed a difference in swim accuracy between this and the 265 but that might be something interesting to test specifically. I think I’d be pretty disappointed if there was a difference. I’ll try to look this week. 🤔
Thanks! I have not seen any comparisons between 165 and 265/965 for swimming related parameters/measurements. Would be super interesting to see! 😊
I have 245 - it measures swimming distance quite average - usually shows 5-10% more than I swam actually. However, my Apple Watch SE2 measures swimming distance very accurately 🤔
@@djDuff86 - The swimming activity type hasn't changed that much between the 245 and these newer models. It'd be interesting to test but if you're only looking for a lap swimming watch, I'd probably get something affordable like the 165. 👌
@@mlegrand Okay, I see. Agree! Big thanks for valuable information! :)
255 vs 165
Good question. I think I'd go for the 255 if you're doing really long stuff and need the extra battery life. Otherwise, I'd get the 165. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
it doesn't support mapping and non music edition don't have wifi
Thanks for the help Hassan!
You like eating crab?
Hard pass
Do all these reviews just go over the specs with no real world use? You are mad the button says "Run" LMFAO. So many snowflakes these days. Did you know you can mod the 165 to get 265/965 features and music ;) Even maps and the Compass
Snowflake here. Does this review seem like I didn't swim, bike or run with this watch? And no, I don't think it's possible to mod the 165 to get 265/965 features.
In my opinion Garmin watches struggle below the $400 mark - where an Apple Watch SE or even Series 8/9 delivers a lot more value and hardware to casual users not needing the stats of the Connect app. The higher end 965, Fenix, and Epix distinguish themselves with rock-solid hardware, mapping, and endurant battery life.
That’s a really good point. Garmin needs to consider the AW SE when eliminating features. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍