Garmin Forerunner 165 In-Depth Review // The Best Running Watch for the Money?
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- Опубликовано: 19 фев 2024
- Comprehensive review of the Forerunner 165 covering smartwatch features, health features, and sports-tracking capabilities. Get the Forerunner 165 here 👉 bit.ly/GarminForerunner165 (affiliate link that helps support the channel - thanks!)
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Garmin needs to condense their lineup. It’s confusing and probably turns a lot of people off. There’s no reason to have 20 versions of watches. Have 5.
Agree, this is what I like about Apple. Just a select few best options.
That is so true! I don't even know what to get, so I end up not getting any.
It takes 2 minutes on their website to figure out what watch will work for you. Having a choice is always a good thing, sorry you want to be spoon fed.
I see this argument a lot and a I definitely get it, but Garmin is clearly doing something right to get to this point. Time will tell if self-cannibalism comes back to bite them lol
The reason is: people buy them. The day it stops working, they’ll do something different. A huge amount of sales go to the “shiny new toy” crowd.
Excellent video, Des!
As a person that mostly does cycling and weight-lifting, I'm definitely looking forward to the in-depth video about the 265/165 differences. My good ol' 245 is showing its age. :)
I always wait for your reviews. Thanks for this useful content as usual.
Happy to help. Thanks!
As always, excellent and thorough review! Thanks a lot for that! It is also quite enjoyable to watch your videos.
Thanks so much!
The watch I was waiting for 🤘🏻Thx @desfit for the excellent review 💪🏼
Sure thing, thanks!
Great in depth information that helped me make a decision finally! Thanks
Glad the info helped. Thanks and enjoy your watch!
Great review as always! The price point is now the same as Vivoactive 5. Will you also create a video comparison between Forerunner 165 and Vivoactive 5?
another great review Des. I was hoping I'll see a video on Fenix 8 on your channel (wishful thinking) but this is also good news. too bad there isn't bigger version of this watch, for us taller people, if we decide it's good option for us. thanks for the awesome review and keep up with the great work!
Thanks!
So exciting’ 😅 my mom bought me this as a gift for my new journey with running! Excited to see the open water. I love by La Jolla and I’ve been thinking about joining!
Excellent video as usually. Thank you. I wish it had training readiness and it would nail it.
Thanks!
Great review!!! I ran out and bought one TODAY! The display is DIM.... very little difference between lowest and highest setting. Garmin tech support is investigating.
Des doing good work again. Thanks, man!
🙌
Great review, thanks 👍🏼
Thanks!
This watch packs so many features in a nice package. Recently my Fenix 5x battery decided it was time to die and no luck to replace from Garmin Support here. So, it´s about to get help somewhere else for a new battery or buy a new watch. The 165 ticks all the boxes for all the activities I normally do, but of course I would miss the Fenix feeling :D
Great video and very detailed information as usual.
Cheers!
Amazing video thanks 🙏🏽
Thanks!
Amazing video Des!!! The 165 looks great. Open water swimming but no triathlon support . . . 🤔 I find Garmin's choices of what they leave out so perplexing. I'd love to see Garmin move to a simpler software offering where the software stays the same across all models unless the hardware can't support the feature. And I know this is yet another Forerunner option but I think it really replaces the FR 55. I'm not sure who would buy that option right now unless it's heavily discounted. It feels like a watch I could comfortably recommend to my high school athletes. Thanks for all of your work on this video 🙌
Thanks Matt! We'll have to see what Garmin does in the next few years - a topic Ray and I covered in this week's upcoming podcast :)
@@DesFit - Looking forward to it! 🎙️
what is the problem? I swim a lot in the ocean and don't train for any triathlon.
@@dliedke Hey Daniel, not a problem exactly. It just seems to me that if Garmin has all of the hardware needed to handle open water swimming than they'd have the hardware to handle multisport and triathlon.
@@mlegrandthey don’t want to lose money cuz triathletes will buy 265 just because it has the triathlon mode. Even tho there is the hardware needed in the cheaper watch 😢
Nice vid. Really awesome watch for the money. Hopefully Garmin makes the rotating bezel smart watch I want someday : ( Til then I love my epic pro gen 2.
Perfect timing,i was weighing up the 265 and 965 trying to justify the decision to purchase and now this which is more palatable in the uk the 165 with music is £290 or the 265 cheapest is £399 so looking forward to the comparison of both.But really think I’ll go 165.
Great review!
Thanks!
@@DesFit . Love your videos. Just watched the review. I'm considering buying this and I'll definitely be using your link.
I had a quick question. I play soccer and I'm wandering about those activity profiles. What kind of information do they provide? Is it worth considering 265 over 165 just for the activity profiles?
Decided to get 165 to focus on health and my main exercise is running. Love the adaptive training plan and the upgrade from a Venu sq is a much needed upgrade that gives me just enough running data to not overload my brain. That’s for this review!!
Does the watch provide live pace monitoring during runs? Thanks
I also upgraded from a Venu SQ!! The screen alone makes the Forerunner 165 so beautiful. My main exercise is running as well, so it definitely felt nice to have a more focused watch to match!
My new Forerunner 255 is arriving today I've already submitted a return request and ordered a 165 hahah wish I knew sooner!
Unless you are really keen on Amoled the 255 is the better watch...
AMOLED for the money❤❤
@@robhunt8378Yea the AMOLED is a deal breaker for me I wanted the 265 but couldn’t justify the price as a beginner runner so the 165 is perfect for me :)
Main reason to get 255 would be multiband in my opinion. But if you don’t need multiband then definitely go for 165!
@@robhunt8378 totally agree
I wish I'd seen this video before I got my Garmin swim 2. Thanks 😊
This watch just came out this week so if you just got your swim 2 recently it may be eligible for return
@@DesFit 😊 thanks
Just ordered the FR165 so excited and glad I waited almost got the FR55
Perfect. Have you made a review/comparison of Garmin watches specifically for Thriatlon?
Hey @Desfit! Great video as always! Any idea when the fenix 8 is coming out? Do you think they’ll get rid of the MIP display?
hi Des, can you add lug to lug measurement to your next videos? nice review btw😁
Garmin is ahead of apple watch in terms of recovery and deeper analysis, we hope to see those upcoming with watchos 11
I have a fr245 music, wondering if it is worth to upgrade. Unfortunately I just released that 165 is not supporting the running pod I already had, I know we have wrist based running dynamics now but are these accurate? Choosing between 165 and 265. Waiting for the comparison video.
I bought a 165 and setup the watch face, which included an elevation data field so you could access that information as needed. After the first update, that feature was removed and you can no longer access the elevation data outside of an activity. After reaching out to Garmin, they told me they removed the feature to "differentiate" the lower end device as such. To remove a feature that was previously there as soon as you release the product, which contains the hardware for the feature is a really bad look. I opened up a case with Garmin and they verified the presence before, the the lack of the feature after the update and told me they would reach out via email to update me on whether this will be aded back. So far, I've not heard back form them ...sad.
Do I understand it right that even though you have the music version, you cannot control your music (play next song or pause for example) while on a run, if you do not have your phone with you?
Dang, just gave my dad a 55 for Christmas. I feel dumb now. He just uses it for walking, anyway, but he does walk 5ks-5 miler races that allow it. I just wanted a way for him to measure miles on trails that are not marked, and a way for us to track each other during races that does not exhaust too much battery life.
Also it would be awesome if Garmin brought maps to more watches. Before they made a lot of these watches, they were known for gps navigation devices in cars. I believe Coros has it on the Pace line, if I’m not mistaken, and even the Apple Watch SE has access to google maps. Sometimes you just want to take a trail through the woods without getting lost.
165 has breadcrumb navigation so you can preload a route and follow it. Works well. I have a 965 and if I don’t want to get lost I usually preload the route anyway so I think breadcrumb is enough for most people.
Btw, I wouldn’t worry too much about just getting the 55. :) That one is still very good and also less than half the price of 165 (at least where I live). Sounds like it will serve his purpose well!
Also, when paired with nylon strap, is that a new lightweight champ?
Does the 165 have an Extend display feature like 265 for garmin cycle computers?
Can you do a video comparing Coros pace 3 vs garmin forerunner 165? which watch has a better value for money?
Hi
I do have a question for you : I assume that you’re wearing your watch constantly and daily (?), do you have like a little cavity / hallow on your wrist by wearing your watch too much? I wear Apple Watch all day long and night too, I do have this little cavity created by the sensor and the intense wearing. And I this question apply to everyone seeing this
Hai desfit.Can you help me to recommended between pace 3 or garmin 165? Which one should i buy. Without looking the amoled? Thank you
I'm a bit late to the game, but I see that you frequent other devices and pair them against the new. I've got the Fenix 6x, Marq Captain, and Epix G2. If you were choosing one out of the three, which would that be?
Out of reference sake, the 6x I pair with an orange silicone band, Marq I pair with either the Epix G2 band that I've put the titanium Garmin clasp on or the Garmin titanium band, and the Epix G2 I only pair with its original black silicone.
2:59 why are the times different on both watches?
Please Garmin, release a FR965 with 5th gen elevate sensor soon! Or an Epix with a bigger screen less bezel on the mid size.
First time here. Great video, Des! Am also reading that while the 165 is good, opting for the slightly-older-but-heavily-discounted 255 could be the play, as that has the dual gps capability? Yes you lose the AMOLED screen, but it's much cheaper than the 265 and functionally performs just as well. Thoughts on that?
Dual band is great in certain situations but I've never had a massive failure either with the single band on Garmin's devices over the last couple years. Even for the trail running, hiking, and mountain biking that I do, I still trust their single band watches. TLDR: I think the other feature differences other than the satellite chipsets make a more meaningful difference. Thanks!
Coming from a samsung watch 5 pro, and i never use the phone features. Wanting to switch to Garmin. Seems like either the 165 or instinct 2 are on my list. I'm new to fitness and hoping for a device to motivate and push me. I'm overwhelmed by the choices. What's your recommendations? I'm going cross-eyed looking up reviews!
whats the benfit to buy the venu 3 if you dont care about mic and a speaker
Specifically for swimming, is it as good as the 955?? Im iust talking about swimming, (pool/open water) is it as accurate when it comes to swimming ??
Which is better? Coros pace 3 or this?
I'm not a runner, mostly I go cycling indoor and outdoors also gym training and trekking.
Do you think is a good idea change my vivoactive 3 music for this? Is there a better suggestion for me?
Best regards from Guatemala
If I set an alarm on my iPhone will the garmin wake me up with a vibration like how the Apple watch does?
@Desfit thanks for your content, it made my decision easier. I appreciate it a lot.
"I've set myself the goal of starting to run, as I've barely done any sports in the last few years. I want to focus completely on running and my first challenge is to go from the couch to 5 kilometers. I've already ordered the Garmin Forerunner 165. Do you have any beginner tips for me?"
Nice video as always! Would you suggest a 165 for a beginner triathlete that is training for a 70.3? I personally think it would be a good watch also considered the amount of money that the rest of the gear costs.
Thanks! Unfortunately it does not have a triathlon profile. You could manually end and start each activity but that would not track transitions.
@@DesFit that’s bad! Prob I’ll stick with the original idea of getting a pace 3!! Thanks for the content and the kind answer!
New subscriber here. I’m looking to upgrade from a 245M and am totally confused by all the offerings. I only use it to track runs so I don’t need fancy screens or maps etc. aaarrrggghhh!!
Great review as always. I'm in the market for a new Garmin & price/features wise I thought I'd decided on a FR255 (non-music version). The cost of the FR265 is over budget. I had no idea Garmin were about to launch the FR165 which is basically the same price. The main differences I can see between the 255 & the 165 are that the 255 has triathlon/multisport, better battery life and a slightly larger screen although the resolution on the 165 screen is better. As I'm a bit long-in-the-tooth my eyesight isn't what it was & I need glasses for reading. But don't need them for distance/driving or running. But I do struggle to see watch faces. So, in your opinion which offers the clearest face with the largest visible digits?
Difficult question to answer considering your budget. I am the same situation and I am still not at the point of needing wearing glasses all the time but I might need to in a couple of years. Maybe have an exam with eye sight?
@@jeromeblouin I don't wear glasses all the time - just for reading/close-up stuff. I am probably overdue an eye-test too & have thought about contact lenses just for running. But, I'm squeamish about putting things in my eyes. So, for now - I just try and get watches with the largest text/numbers and clearest displays possible.
Can anyone comment on how quickly the 165 reacts to current pace changes? My current watch has a delay of about 20-30 seconds, and I'm having trouble managing my pace as a newer runner, especially during elevation changes. Will the 165 be significantly better?
Can watch faces be customized? For example, is it possible to change default watch face to show heart rate? Is it possible to customize on each watch face each complication?
Yes you can. I have 265 but it should be the same software.
Do forerunner 165 have personal trainer ? Like 265 I am confused
It seems like the 265 and 965 are a little bit more colorful and does a little color wave splash thing when you scroll through the widgets at the bottom or even the sport modes. Can you tell me if the 165 also does this? Or is it not as pretty-looking on the 165?
I think this is something you normally see on a music version of 165. Mine is a non-music version so I don’t have that flashy thing/color when scrolling through the widgets/glance ☹️
Wish they'd offer the Nylon strap as an option, instead of a $40 separate purchase.
When Garmin will release an upgraded version of 965 model?
As I see latest Garmin lineup - everything comes only to your feeling of how "serious athlete" you are. Want to feel yourself a more sportsman - easy! you can just pay more! and doesn't matter that features are mostly the same everywhere, and for running, cycling, swimming, any would work.
Want to look "serious athlete" between your friends? Easy! Just spend more to show everyone your Fenix's :)
Couldn’t agree more. At this point, their dev team is a self licking ice cream cone
Can I do threshold threshold test on this 165 like 255?
Does the 165 have animated workout videos in the Strength activity?
Hey! Thanks so much! can you please do a comparison between the Forerunner 165 and the Coros Pace 3? I had already decided to buy a Coros 3 mainly because of the price difference with the Forerunner 265, but I'm guessing the 165 changes the game a little bit. I've heard some contradictory opinions on the Coros Pace 3. Thanks!
If you don't care about Amoled there's the 255, undeniably a lot more complete than the 165. Pace 3 vs 255 may be a harder choice depending on whether you use music streaming services, prefer a touch screen etc.
Does swimming in the ocean, fall under open water swimming, or freshwater only?
How’s the durability? If I hit it against some weights at the gym will it crack the screen?
Does it have follow the predefined route feature?
Hey Dez, would you suggest using the footpod for most accurate metrics on a treadmill? For all watches, not just this one
In general, footpods will be more accurate than watches since arm swing isn't as consistent as stride.
Hi Des, so means that user unable to use for triathlon or duathlon event? need your further advice on this, thanks.
It doesn’t have triathlon or multi sport support. In theory, you could just manually change sports by ending and starting another but that’s not ideal and wouldn’t track transitions.
Still waiting for that pixel watch 2 review
Could you make one with the 165 vs the Venu 3s??
Maybe a video on glass type is 165 worth as glass seems not that strong compare to gorilla ?? Anyone could help ?
How about a video comparing the 165 vs vivoactive 5 and the other same price level watches from Garmin?
I’ll see what I can do!
@@DesFitGreat idea. Especially if HR accuracy is any better.
@@aaakmm1785 the vivoactive 5 has the same HR sensor as the FR165
So why would someone choose one over the other....? Oh Altimeter would be a factor. Also the training metrics? They're visually very different too. I wish Garmin had made a FB charge competitor instead. That, I'd buy. Garmin's AMOLED tech at the prices they charge is not compelling (to me).
Subscribed to see this comparison, really curious which one's better!
Which activity do you use for weight and interval training? I do calisthenics and it feels weird to use the "cardio" profile for that.
You could try the strength training for weights and HIIT for intervals
Oh don’t know what to do! Was going to get FR255 but the 165 looks great. I only run so don’t need multi sport. Sounds like few more features on 255 but offset by Amoled on 165. 🤔
My 265 vs 165 video comes out tomorrow which may help!
Hi Des. Why is Garmin releasing all these new watches with the older HR sensor? It seems like they have had 3 releases with the V5.0 and then 4-5 newer ones after that with the V4.0. Hope this does not sound too negative, but did they just have a bunch of old sensors lying around?
That or to keep costs down since the new models getting the gen 4 sensor are more on the budget aide. I’d have to assume the gen 4 sensor is cheaper to manufacture just by rules of production.
@@DesFit They have too many models and too many sensors/options, IMHO.
Can’t disagree that they have a lot of models, for sure
There's no chance they'll release a so-called budget watch with the new sensor while the stupidly expensive 265/965 have the old one. They'll choose a new 275/975 for that or whatever they want to call them with the customary price hike.
Can you also easily connect your heart rate belt and see on your watch while running which zone you are running in?
yup
Sorry if it’s mentioned in the video ( I may have missed it ) but did you purchase this or was it provided by Garmin?
This is a media review unit like the other hands-on reviews that were published on launch day
What better vivo active 5 or 165?
I need a watch that can make it past 30 hours on GPS. This is a tough sell when there are cheaper watch that can do that.
Did you found threshold test on this watch?
tell me if there is sup training (paddle board)
Will there be a new 965 in the nearest future?
I wish I'd seen this video before I got my Garmin swim 2
This watch just came out this week so if you just got your swim 2 you could possibly do a return if you’re within a return window
reply massage with t9 keyboard possible like vivoactive 5?
I would like to know this as well.
Can you compare Forerunner 165 and vívoactive 5?
That’s the watches I’m looking at too did you pick one ?
Hello everyone, im currently using huawei gt3 , what is best option for accurate heart rate, im doing gym and walking mostly, thanks
apple
How does it compare to the $230 Coros Pace 3?
Music controls on your phone ou directly from your watch with music option, amoled, garmin health statistics and plenty other. Normal 165 gonna hurt pace 3 a lot :) but after someone prefer coros to garmin from the start. ;)
Pace 3 has triathlon support and better battery life. Time will tell whether the dual mode GPS in the Pace out-performs Garmin's single mode, particularly in challenging conditions such as open water swimming.
@@graemewoodwardthere are already tests that shows that 165 GPS give same results
Open water swimming though - that tends to be very challenging for GPS. Pace2 was poor. Pace 3 is rather good. Garmin 165 - time will tell.
does it have only 4 data fields max per screen?
4 data field max
Thnks👍
🙏
Seems like a better upgrade from the FR245 than the FR265 for me.
👍
It also looks like a amoled FR245 and the price is almost the same as well. In my opinion they should have named this one the 265 and the real 265 should have been named something like 465. If that makes sence.
@@bastiaanvandenheuvel2890agree for sure. The 265 pricing is crazy high compared to what the 245 was priced at launch
Garmin forerunner is ready to triathlon?
Seems to me that Garmin made this model to directly compete with Coros Pace line. Comparison with that watch instead of with Forerunner 55 would be more interesting IMHO.
Garmin hopes you will be so dazzled by Amoled that you won't notice the Pace 3 is a proper competitor to the 255.
It’s time for a forerunner with the elevation 5 sensor and without those ridiculous big bezels (765 maybe?)
I love my Venu 3 but will gladly replace it once there is a similar forerunner watch available.
I can't agree more.
Considering to buy Coros Pace 3... May i wait for this one?
do you need triathlon / multisport modes?
@@graemewoodward no, just running. And swimming, but as standalone activity.
Coros pace 3 or Forerunner 255 are the best choice.
What makes the Forerunner 255 better than the 165? The Coros Pace 3 has a 20 second pace lag, which rules it out for me.
@@chrisu2002 IMOP, the 255 better than 165 for Dual Frequency Satellites and you can make the data field up to 6 data fields in one page and also download your running map into your watch for trail running, For the Coros pace 3 same as the 255 but you can get it with lower price and for the issue about pace lag I think they will release the FW to fix them.
Best Garmin for price
Man! I really wish the Epix/Fenix UI would get with the program and update to match the forerunner UI. This base level forerunner UI looks better than my $1000+ Epix Pro Gen 2!
Same here
Lol you paid $1,000 for a watch 😂
@@emdblyou i did not, but anyway, if we can do it, what is your problem?
Does this have built in speaker to play spotify?
The Venu 3 and Venu 2 Plus have built in speakers
@@DesFit looking for a budget one though but still thank you
wich would you recommend the FR245 or the FR165?
165 - the 245 is getting a bit dated
@@DesFit do you think that the sensor used in the FR265 is much better ( more accurate) than the FR165?
Under the most extreme conditions like around skyscrapers or tall canyon walls but under most situations the 165 will be similar to the 265. More details in my video tomorrow.
@@DesFit Thank you for answering, looking foward to wach it
wich would you recommend FR255 or FR165? @@DesFit
So pace 3 or 165?
How about upgrading fr 245 to 165 is it worth?
If you want Amoled at all costs, yes. Otherwise, you don't gain that much, other than HRV perhaps. You even lose metrics like training load.
This watch or coros pacer 3? Anyone
Sad to see the transflective mip display go. I don't see amoled as an upgrade.