Interesting, good comprehensive review thanks. Looks like it's time to upgrade my 245 -> 955 for training readiness/maps and as I have no use for any smart watch features/amoled screen of the 65s. Also - I've clocked from this and another review that Nick must be a Phoebe Bridgers fan!
Thanks, and the 955 is set to be terrific value in sales over the next year or two I reckon. And yes, big Phoebe B fan, as well as the rest of boygenius!
I had a Venu 2 and wanted more training specific info but with a touch screen. Like Jane I always have my phone so not bothered about music or payments etc Totally agree with your review, I’m loving it. Quite a jump in price but a 15% code at Sportshoes helped. Thanks 😊
Hi @The Run Testers! Thanks for a great video! At this point in time, what do you think is a better buy, the Forerunner 265, or the Forerunner 955, especially if one wants to use it for swimming as well? It seems that the 265 has the flashier screen, but the 955 seems to have more features. Thank you for your help! Looking forward to hearing from you!
Thanks so much for the review!!! I've heard a lot of people complaining about Bluetooth connectivity issues when the GPS is on with the Forerunner 255s, does the 265s have the same issue?
Hi. I'm looking for a running watch device that allows you to create your own workouts since the very device itself. I mean, without connecting the watch with any website or app.
Bought myself the Forerunner 265 and my wife the forerunner 265s with 20% off so got each for around £344. Recouped by selling a Coros Apex 2 and a Forerunner 745 for near on £500 combined, so really please as the 265 is a really good watch on initial testing. Only thing is I still have the AW on the right wrist as I can't ditch both ecosystems yet :)
If you don't like a chest strap [neither do I] try a Polar OH 1. It's extremley accurate and can be worn on your arm, at your temple with a headband or over your femoral artery on your waist band.
You cannot compare sportwatch as Garmin with apple watch, I have been used Apple Watch SE 2 for sport tracking and health monitoring, it been ok but must say Garmin is more accurate and better for battery life, sport and health tracking.
WorkOutDoors is great but Apple Watch Series 8 hardware means that you get better GPS accuracy and battery life on the 265. Plus training analysis, which really is something that sets Garmin apart from Apple for now. The 265 tops the AW8 for sports tracking even with WOD as a result, but with the Apple you then get the smarts and great design of course, and it is a good sports watch.
Could you please have an educated guess as to whether the 265 would be able to do 8 hours of Yoga Activity (ie no GPS) in a day in AOD mode before needing a charge? Or in Gesture only mode? I don’t mind daily charging if required. My alternative would be Fenix 7S Solar Sapphire which would have much better battery life but is £230 more expensive. I don’t need maps but do want a touchscreen.
I am really on the fence of jumping back to Android and Garmin. I hate the bad iOS 16 experience but love the AW as a smartwatch. Nevertheless the AW is lacking the indepth training data of Garmin. Had a 245M followed by a 745. One of my main reasons to upgrade were the programmable hardware buttons behavior which the 245 didn't have but the 745 had it. Does the 265 finally support this feature? This has been an annoying software limitation by Garmin but was essential for my daily use of the watch.
hello. Did you decide in the end? I'm in a similar situation where I can't decide between Garmin or Apple Watch (I'm an Android user, but have a cheap iPhone I just got)
Same situation 😂 iOS updates are driving me nuts and iOS 16 is an absolute mess)) + AW can't be updated if you don't update your iPhone ... @@lenseclipse
@@Mascha_Eleonora I switched back a few months ago. I am now rocking the Fold 5 together with the Pixel Watch 2 and am in heaven again ❤️. The Pixel Watch 2 is good enough for my exercise tracking and I love the design of it 🫠. Fold 5 is just a productivity and media consumption monster. If you can look past the ecosystem benefits, Android is a far more individually customizable platform and just superior and more fun (to me!) 🫠.
It is the main problem with garmin for me, if you want maps for trails, you can get fenix, they have a metal case, better protection, better battery life, and if you want something for road running you can always get 255-265, idk what's 9 series are for.
Does the compass reliably point in the right direction? My Fenix 7 has a compass hardware flaw that makes it unusable. Does this watch have the same problem?
Does anyone know how to turn off the screen lock? It locks every 5 seconds and it’s really annoying.. I’d like it permanently unlocked. I know how to do auto lock when doing an activity but for general wear I can’t find it anywhere or online…
Had the 265 for a month and the delay/lag while the watch catches up to changes in pace is terrible, 5 seconds plus. Makes it unuseable for pacing intervals. Also only gives pace in 5 sec increments, no choice as in previous versions. All this while using 1 sec recording and all satellites in clear sky countryside and "satellite saturation" as suggested by Garmin. A great health/lifestyle watch but let down by the one activity it was designed for. At £400 !
Amoled does not bring you much outdoors... bit of an understatement. It brings a display that won't stay on (at least at full brightness) and it brings on burn-in worries. How nice is that display going to look in three years time? I mean, I get the problem Garmin is trying to solve here: the fact that these watches are a finished product and have been for a while. Once you nail down the basics, the rest is marketing fluff, just another way to present the same massaged numbers. There's only so much you can extract out of the optical HR sensor after all. So Amoled brings them over £100 extra and hopefully you'll change your watch more often due to display and battery degradation. As for what problem Amoled solves for me, I'm not sure. A morning report with more colours?
Just got this watch as my first watch but the the pace is way off compared to strava on my iphone which i normally use. Literally 20 seconds slower to my iPhone per mile., feel like just wasted 400quid.
How can that be? You should compare the GPS tracks and see what's up. Possibly the "faster" one cuts your corners while the "slower" one rounds them over? You did use both on the same run, yeah?
I am of the opinion that the review is really well done and structured. The only note that you should speak a little slower and in non-slang language to accommodate non-native English speakers who may have difficult to understand. Sure, there are subtitles but it would be more pleasant to understand what is being said rather than reading the translation. Thank you
Just picked this up in Blue. 10/10, its a great watch!
How much it improved your vo2 max over a year?
Nice review. I sometimes miss maps on my 245, so 955 is probably the upgrade for me. Would love the 965, but it is too expensive at the moment
What did you buy in the end?
@@lhzsdgsfbvvI bought an AW 8. Great smartwatch, but I missed the buttons. Sold it and bought a slightly used 965 last month. Love it!
you are the best sports equip reviewers, thanks!
Vo2 max is insane!
Love the reviews
Interesting, good comprehensive review thanks. Looks like it's time to upgrade my 245 -> 955 for training readiness/maps and as I have no use for any smart watch features/amoled screen of the 65s.
Also - I've clocked from this and another review that Nick must be a Phoebe Bridgers fan!
Thanks, and the 955 is set to be terrific value in sales over the next year or two I reckon. And yes, big Phoebe B fan, as well as the rest of boygenius!
I had a Venu 2 and wanted more training specific info but with a touch screen. Like Jane I always have my phone so not bothered about music or payments etc Totally agree with your review, I’m loving it. Quite a jump in price but a 15% code at Sportshoes helped. Thanks 😊
Great review that helped me making the right choice. Thanks!
Hi @The Run Testers! Thanks for a great video! At this point in time, what do you think is a better buy, the Forerunner 265, or the Forerunner 955, especially if one wants to use it for swimming as well? It seems that the 265 has the flashier screen, but the 955 seems to have more features. Thank you for your help! Looking forward to hearing from you!
Thanks so much for the review!!! I've heard a lot of people complaining about Bluetooth connectivity issues when the GPS is on with the Forerunner 255s, does the 265s have the same issue?
Hi. I'm looking for a running watch device that allows you to create your own workouts since the very device itself. I mean, without connecting the watch with any website or app.
Good review
Bought myself the Forerunner 265 and my wife the forerunner 265s with 20% off so got each for around £344.
Recouped by selling a Coros Apex 2 and a Forerunner 745 for near on £500 combined, so really please as the 265 is a really good watch on initial testing.
Only thing is I still have the AW on the right wrist as I can't ditch both ecosystems yet :)
Hey! Where did you find 20% off?
Sticking to my 255 until it breaks.😂
If you don't like a chest strap [neither do I] try a Polar OH 1. It's extremley accurate and can be worn on your arm, at your temple with a headband or over your femoral artery on your waist band.
Great review! One question, does the 265S hace the same 6 data fields?
Indeed it does
If a 245 music fits wrist fine will the 265 also fit or will it be to big? I don't fancy the 265s version. Thanks great video btw👍🏻
Would you still choose the 265 over the workoutdoors app on Apple Watch 8?
You cannot compare sportwatch as Garmin with apple watch, I have been used Apple Watch SE 2 for sport tracking and health monitoring, it been ok but must say Garmin is more accurate and better for battery life, sport and health tracking.
WorkOutDoors is great but Apple Watch Series 8 hardware means that you get better GPS accuracy and battery life on the 265. Plus training analysis, which really is something that sets Garmin apart from Apple for now. The 265 tops the AW8 for sports tracking even with WOD as a result, but with the Apple you then get the smarts and great design of course, and it is a good sports watch.
Is the calorie expenditure reliable ? Thinking of buying one. Sincerely another runner :)
Could you please have an educated guess as to whether the 265 would be able to do 8 hours of Yoga Activity (ie no GPS) in a day in AOD mode before needing a charge? Or in Gesture only mode?
I don’t mind daily charging if required.
My alternative would be Fenix 7S Solar Sapphire which would have much better battery life but is £230 more expensive.
I don’t need maps but do want a touchscreen.
It could do that easily without problems for multiple days.
Which one is more worth it? 955 or 265?
955.
Garmin Enduro 2 is technically the best watch they make.
Why is it? Doesn't even have an AMOLED screen
@@Fozzee.1970 Battery
Fanx for the review, do you know if the average hart rate shows live during a run, or can you only see the average hart rate once your done?
What's better: 265 or 955? they cost about the same now
Depends if you want maps
265
Hi, is it a good upgrade from the forerunner 645 music wich I love? Thanks
I am thinking of getting a used fr 265 for $260. Still contemplating if its a good deal or not? better deal than a new coros pace 3? Thoughts?
I am really on the fence of jumping back to Android and Garmin. I hate the bad iOS 16 experience but love the AW as a smartwatch. Nevertheless the AW is lacking the indepth training data of Garmin. Had a 245M followed by a 745. One of my main reasons to upgrade were the programmable hardware buttons behavior which the 245 didn't have but the 745 had it. Does the 265 finally support this feature? This has been an annoying software limitation by Garmin but was essential for my daily use of the watch.
hello. Did you decide in the end? I'm in a similar situation where I can't decide between Garmin or Apple Watch (I'm an Android user, but have a cheap iPhone I just got)
Same situation 😂
iOS updates are driving me nuts and iOS 16 is an absolute mess)) + AW can't be updated if you don't update your iPhone ... @@lenseclipse
Same situation. I switched to apple this year, but hate the Apple Watch! Did you three switch back? And happy with it?
@@Mascha_Eleonora I switched back a few months ago. I am now rocking the Fold 5 together with the Pixel Watch 2 and am in heaven again ❤️. The Pixel Watch 2 is good enough for my exercise tracking and I love the design of it 🫠. Fold 5 is just a productivity and media consumption monster. If you can look past the ecosystem benefits, Android is a far more individually customizable platform and just superior and more fun (to me!) 🫠.
So if you do want maps for trails etc do you reckon the 945 currently about £300 is a good option?
Just get a secondhand fenix 6
It is the main problem with garmin for me, if you want maps for trails, you can get fenix, they have a metal case, better protection, better battery life, and if you want something for road running you can always get 255-265, idk what's 9 series are for.
You never forget where’s the start/stop button.
We need smaller version of 955 or 965.
Great review but when’re you reviewing the 965?
955 is way better battery wise.
Soon as we can :) It's taking a bit of time to get hold of it, and then testing takes some time too
@@xkingofnuthinx Garmin Enduro 2 beats them all
@@thepatternforms859 Maybe but we are talking about forerunner series.
@@xkingofnuthinx true. How do you feel about the venue 2s?
Does the compass reliably point in the right direction? My Fenix 7 has a compass hardware flaw that makes it unusable. Does this watch have the same problem?
Does anyone know how to turn off the screen lock? It locks every 5 seconds and it’s really annoying.. I’d like it permanently unlocked. I know how to do auto lock when doing an activity but for general wear I can’t find it anywhere or online…
is this a good option for trail running?
Hate those constantly dimming, hard to see with sunglasses AMOLED screens 😡 long live truly always on, energy efficient MIP!
Nice
Have you experienced it being buggy?
Hi garmin forerunner 265 or 965 running ?
965 if you need maps
Had the 265 for a month and the delay/lag while the watch catches up to changes in pace is terrible, 5 seconds plus.
Makes it unuseable for pacing intervals. Also only gives pace in 5 sec increments, no choice as in previous versions. All this while using 1 sec recording and all satellites in clear sky countryside and "satellite saturation" as suggested by Garmin.
A great health/lifestyle watch but let down by the one activity it was designed for. At £400 !
Hello Garmin The price is unacceptable 😢
hahaha get the coros then or a fitbit
A lot of your smart watch complaints only applies to Apple users. For Android, and living in the US, almost none of your complaints apply.
Amoled does not bring you much outdoors... bit of an understatement. It brings a display that won't stay on (at least at full brightness) and it brings on burn-in worries. How nice is that display going to look in three years time?
I mean, I get the problem Garmin is trying to solve here: the fact that these watches are a finished product and have been for a while. Once you nail down the basics, the rest is marketing fluff, just another way to present the same massaged numbers. There's only so much you can extract out of the optical HR sensor after all. So Amoled brings them over £100 extra and hopefully you'll change your watch more often due to display and battery degradation.
As for what problem Amoled solves for me, I'm not sure. A morning report with more colours?
MIP displays last longer than Amoled's?
@hdmedia7404 They're not organic so they don't deteriorate like OLED do.
Just got this watch as my first watch but the the pace is way off compared to strava on my iphone which i normally use. Literally 20 seconds slower to my iPhone per mile., feel like just wasted 400quid.
How can that be? You should compare the GPS tracks and see what's up. Possibly the "faster" one cuts your corners while the "slower" one rounds them over? You did use both on the same run, yeah?
the watch will be accurate whilst ya phone will be pretty off
I am of the opinion that the review is really well done and structured. The only note that you should speak a little slower and in non-slang language to accommodate non-native English speakers who may have difficult to understand. Sure, there are subtitles but it would be more pleasant to understand what is being said rather than reading the translation. Thank you
SLOW DOWN..... can't digest what you are saying
265 over a fenix or 965. Lmao okay
Fenix is awesome but too heavy for running.