Garmin Instinct 2X vs Forerunner 965 Screen Visibility Review! Opposite Ends of the Spectrum
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มิ.ย. 2024
- Garmin Instinct 2X vs Forerunner 965 Screen Visibility Review! Opposite Ends of the Spectrum
Garmin Instinct 2X - amzn.to/3Vb8UvS
IG Channel: / fitgearhunter
00:00 Start
00:31 Two Reasons for This Review
01:37 Overview of Review
03:35 Basic Visibility in Various Lighting
04:11 Visibility of Reading Information
07:11 Summary
Thanks for this video! Excellent real world practical comparison/review. Subscribed
Awesome! Glad it helped
That was fun to watch.Thanks!
Hey helpful. Thanks. This is pushing me toward the 2x.
Glad I could help!
very interesting comparison. thanks. I have been thinking about which one to get.
Thanks so much! I know it was a little bit odd, looking at the polar opposites, but I felt like it was worth it!
Thanks for doing this! Yeah my 2X is still backordered. Two more weeks! The visibility is one of the reasons I just sold my Apple Watch and went with the 2X. Just easier to read and batter for like ever....
Loving my Instinct 2x. The AMOLED screen sure looks nice, but I prefer the rugged design of the Instinct, the flashlight, better readability, and much better battery.
Lookin forward to the 2x review
Yes trying to get it done in the next couple of days! Awesome watch
Great review. I don’t have an issue with my original Instinct, but eventually I wouldn’t mind the larger screen of the 2x.
Yes totally. It feels much better all around. Thanks!
We do get Heat Aclimatization acclimatization on the 965 at the training status page. You just need to exercise with your watch at temps above 26C to get a reading. If it's at 0% it will not show up at the training status page. This is also same for altitute acclimatization as well.
Ahhhhhhh - that makes total sense. Thank you so much for pointing out!
Thank you for this insightful review definitely helped me make up my mind about getting the I2X over the the FR 965 💯
So glad it helped! Hope you like the new I2X!
Same here
I moved from a Crossover to a FR 265 about a month ago.. now I see the Instinct 2X solar on sale for more than $100CDN less than what I got the FR 265 for .. yikes! What to do??
Recently, I’ve been struggling with this hard choice decision.
I had the same problem withe the 2 - too dark for my aging eyes. Ordered a 2x (waiting for it) hoping this is better. Your demo was very helpful and I am encouraged by how bright the 2x is. Sounds like you have the backlight always on? How do you do that?
Not always on but with gesture mode always on, and I have turned it up to 70% brightness to fully enjoy, but it takes a hit on battery pretty significantly. I'm getting 10 days. Will finalize that test for final review. Thanks!
10 days on the Instinct 2x?
@@adimperial still testing battery duration but yes bigger hit with backlight increased. Also - I don't get much sun exposure so not making full use of the solar.
I have the instinct 2x and 965 and can't decide which i like more, so i wear both, one on each arm lol i probably should choose one, it is nice to be able to see the screen all the time on the instinct 2x and it just has everything i need, the 965 is great too and it has maps, which i haven't used yet but ive played around with and like that it can make up random routes, which would be handy if i got lost lol love that they're both light, had a fenix 7x but sold it as the weight was too noticeable. Really tough decision and annoying because Garmin connect only connects to 1 watch at a time lol so trying to choose which to wear or use for the workout. Used to wear separately but now i wear both as i love them both 😂
Haha so sorry for delay but I totally get it! I love BOTH of those watches as well! I tried a similar test actually, and the 965 just won out bc its SO much better of a screen experience, even if I did/do like the old style of the I2X - let me know what you decide!
@@fitgearhunter I made the decision and sold my 965, I love the instinct far more, the screen on the 965 was great and so colourful, but I never used maps and the wrist gesture feature just got annoying, sometimes it wouldn't work and the annoyance of having to then tap the screen to see the time lol silly things but I felt the instinct 2x does everything I need, it's rugged and has a flashlight. It's got all the same features as the 965 except maps and the amoled screen. Even though I have had many watches that have been amoled over the years from Samsung etc, the instinct battery life and screen readability in all lighting conditions won me over, plus all the screens are very similar and give the same information. If I ever get lost on a walk or hike I've still got breadcrumb maps to take me back to the start lol I was also always afraid of breaking the 965.
@@eoinmccann8450thanks you saved me from buying the 965. I have the instinct 2
How big are your wrist? Thanks for the comparison!
Thanks! And 176mm
I love Garmin, and still have ordered the I2X and will sell my Epix 2 afterwards.
Alternative looked for the Casio Rangeman GPR B1000, but dislike the lack of functionality and bad menu setup, compared to Garmin.
Yes totally, and I don't think Casio is accomplishing nearly the same depth and quality of offering that you can get all in the box with the Garmin I2X!
hey fitgearhunter, as always very helpful content, thank you!
You mentioned once, that you love the new OLED display of the Garmin watches but looking at it threw the weeks (I think it was on an epix) it just feels wrong - they should have MIP.
Would you change your mind thinking about the new 965 in comparison with the X2/Fenix 7? Or do you think the clear and crispy colours on the Garmin OLEDs are the next go to for watches like this.
This is a very personal preference, but I would like to know your actually thoughts on this :)
Thanks and enjoy your weekend!
Hey! Great question all around. I absolutely love the beauty and clarity and legibility of the OLED watches, and they are continuing to get better and better and better all the time - plus with great battery life. But for some strange reason, for my daily device, I just still am attached to the MIP screen technology. Garmin has improved it tenfold to make it clear and crisp and with better contrasting color resolution, and backlight strength, so it is 1 million times better of an experience than the models of the past, so it makes it totally useful and still enjoyable in my opinion
And don't tell anyone because I haven't done the final review yet, but the 2X just checks so many boxes for me. Larger size, flashlight, clarity of screen even with the monochromatic display, and price! So much so that I even prefer it to the 965! I might still be on the fence between it and the 265, but the 265 a smaller. Mostly just looking at the overall cost because I have found myself never using the map functionality
Yes, I feel you. Same situation here with the MIP displays. For me, it feels kind of natural to always see everything on the MIPs, and it's a bit calming. Just feels right haha.
And Don't worry, your secret is safe with me, Can't wait to so your next updates on your thoughts!
I think The 2x seems more wearable as a daily watch (style similar to a G-Shock) over the more obvious sports warch design of the 965.
You'd make shitton of views and subs if you did a similar comparison between Instinct 2 vs 2x. A lot of punters ask for it but nobody bothered to do it, yet.
I know we have had a lot of back and forth but one last question. Let's start with this was an awesome review. Would you consider wearing the 965 or I2X more? I know the price is $150 apart but crossing my fingers on some sale in the future unless you feel the features on the I2X are good enough to just buy it now. Thanks again and if you want to reach out to me directly, feel free.
Sure thing. The 965 is a whole different experience and feature set, because of the screen technology used. It is definitely a superior watch, unless you're looking for raw durability, then that would be the only thing that makes the I2X worthwhile in the comparison
@@fitgearhunter That was quick and easy. Now I need to see if I am patient enough to wait for a sale or just bite the bullet and get the I2X. I doubt either will go on sale for Amazon Prime days but it might be worth the wait. I am just hesitant on the AMALOD screen due to my bad experience with th gen 1 Venu.
@@skelly013 yes a lot has changed and significantly improved since the first release of that screen tech!
That AMOLED is a huge step backwards when used in direct sunlight. Had to sell Epix and went back to Fenix. Instinct looks even better, if only it had maps...
I didn't have as much trouble with it but don't do outdoor sports really! And I usually turned brightness up high too. Yes - I2X is a great all around watch!
Dude. This is exactly the video I needed to see. Great job. I had the exact same problem with the instinct 2. Love the design but completely unreadable at night.
So glad! Let me know if you get the I2X, and what you think of the screen differences. Thanks!
@@fitgearhunter I ordered it last night. 👍 Currently I have the venue 2 which works great for what I need but I really like the design of the instinct so will let you know.
@@dallasgotschall414 nice!
Welp...i gave it a shot, and while I really like the design of the Instinct 2x, it's too hard to go back to a monochrome, non-touch screen watch after the convenience, clarity and brightness of my Venu 2. Plus, for how I use the watch, the Venu 2 is really more of what I need. Tracking workouts (gym) and sleeping and light weight smart watch duties. No real outdoor GPS needs or any of the tactical stuff. The only Garmin I might consider (sub $1k) is the Forerunner 265 or 965 but not being a runner there really isn't much difference between those and my Venu 2. Man, if they made an OLED touch screen watch that had the LOOK of the instinct, I would throw all the money at that thing. Keep up the great reviews!
Theres no backlight?
I wonder if some ppl like monochrome better. I need amoled with the 965. I love it, and this is coming from a 955. It's even easier to see in direct sunlight for me contrary to what everyone thinks with mips being better in direct sunlight.
How many days are you getting with always on on?
@@Tmacademia I got 7.5-8 as of last testing
Yes totally. I never found an issue reading in sunlight either, unless backlight didn't fully illuminate. Thanks!
For solar unlimited battery, heck yeah ill go MIP over fancy AMOLED! its the data that counts. I have a phone with fancy AMOLED screen.
I am very doubtful. After this review and others I see that I want the Instict 2x because of the screen brightness both indoors and outdoors. But I secretly think an amoled screen is also very Nice. But that I'm going to get annoyed with the gesture of the Forerunner 965.
But will the Forerunner have the extra features necessary for sports? Like hill climb and endurance score? Are these worth it? And is the watch durable?
These are some more questions but that's how I feel at the moment😅
Can you help me with a choice?
Hey! So sorry for delay - missed this comment. You don't have to use gesture on the 965 - you can have it always on and it'll get good battery life still. And yes - the 965 got an update adding hill and endurance scores, and is currently tracking all of the same capabilities of the Fenix series above it.
Yes - durability will feel different than a Fenix or I2X, but I put on a screen protector and generally felt like it would be fine barring a severe hit.
Let me know what you think if you got it!
@@fitgearhunter I chose the Forerunner 965. I really like the Instict version but it runs quite large compared to the 965. Weight was also a consideration.
I have placed a screen protector made of tpu and you can't see it. I did this through your video.
I have no regrets and am happy with the clear screen of the 965. You also see a lot more info with the widgets when you scroll down. And the graphs are very clear.
And the choice for everyday wear is also better!
Thanks for the help!
@@leob_workouts great! So glad to hear. The 965 has it all. Enjoy it!
amoled will burn out and not last asong.
@@RESISTAGE welllllllll - Garmin uses a custom technology called "pixel shift" so there is minute changes to where the pixels are lighting so that it reduces burnout rate effectively to minor impact. Meaning the technology should hopefully be way out of date before the screen will have issues.
I think the Instinct 2x looks a good buy.😀😀
I think I’ll stick to my 965 until Instinct 3x with hopefully a better design. Never loved I2 design as I think 1st gen looked better. Hoping 3rd gen looks more like the crossover but without the hands.
I like the 965 more than my Epix 2 which I sold. The UI is much nicer to look at.
Oh definitely- the there's such a difference w the bright amoled. For sure. I just wanted to show them alongside each other to highlight that the I2X was better than original I2
one is for tough men.
the other for gaming boys.
👌
I had 965 for 2 weeks but ended up returning it in fear of getting it destroyed or at least dinged up and scratched up at the gym or playing with the kids. Original Instinct still looked new after 2.5 years so ended up ordering the 2x. Hopefully i don't regret it lol. I know I'll miss that screen of the 965
Totally understand! And you will absolutely not regret it! I think if you have used the instinct in the past you will find this to be a major upgrade! Let me know what you think when you get it.
Iv returned two different instinct 2x watches. The first one had button problems, the buttons got mushy and the start stop would stick.
The second would not update at all. It was a never ending "sending update".
I'm not trying a 3rd...
Disappointing because I love the instinct 1&2.
@@Jay-sd9ye dear lord no! How come that is so terrible - I'm so sorry! I will say I've owner like 15-20 garmins at a minimum and haven't had an issue yet. That is tough!
@@fitgearhunter Maybe I just got "bad ones" idk. Maybe it's the instinct 2x, idk. But it's enough to make me move on. I'm going to dish out the 50 bucks more for 955.
@@Jay-sd9ye yes I totally get it. Excellent watch as well. Hope it works out much better
I love my instinct 2x👍
Me too - a total package of a watch in a completely rugged form factor