Phew! I've very recently ordered the 955 on the strength of the quick review that you did some weeks ago. Excellent review! Looking forward to getting it now. Love the channel 😁
Another really good and useful video, thanks. I personally feel that the training readiness, morning report, race widget, HRV are just gimmicks to get people to upgrade. I don’t need a watch to tell me how I’m feeling, I can do that myself. Like one of the presenters said, touch screens are not of much use when running. And just to complete the rant, solar charging is of minimal use especially in the UK. I love the nine series for the maps, the routes and the lightness compared to the heavy, bulky fenix.
Agree with one exception in my case. Never been a morning person and now in my fifties, still having to train before work, I need any metrics on how I am actually doing, before embarking on a morning HIIT 😊
Again thank you also for showing solar and non solar watch faces side by side. As an Apple user looking at Garmins for more battery and integrated features to replace App subscriptions (readiness, sleep, load, plans), the dull solar seems impossible to live with. Epix pricing is out of my comfort zone, so 955 seems to be the bargain.
Hi, did you make the jump? I’m on an AW 6 which I used with Stryd pod but looking to move away from the AW to use a ‘proper’ sports watch. The fully integrated features I think are pulling me in, but will have to sacrifice the ‘smart’ side that I do use a lot on AW, but the phone isn’t too far away. Was looking at epic, but suppose once you get used to the screen, it becomes the norm?
Great review guys. Multi-band GPS the best feature for me (huge improvement on Fenix 6) but also loving training readiness, morning report and race events. Touchscreen handy outside of activity for notifications etc. Only thing I didn’t like was the strap which I felt made the watch look and feel cheap. Improved that easily with using quickfit and fitting my Fenix watch straps.
@@ryancorr1006 I’d say it depends on your use case - for me as primarily a runner the multi-band GPS, lightness of the watch and all the extra training features make it a must have. But the Fenix 6 is still a great watch and tbh better and more premium looking. I see Garmin are releasing some of the new features for it too…
Thanks for the review, and you mentioned the thing I was most interested in about the solar screen. I would much rather have a sharper screen and charge more often than a less sharp screen and charge less.
Really appreciated the discussion around whether or not the new metrics are meaningful or useful for you runners. Bought a FR245M last year that does everything I need but of course will never have the new training metrics. They seem really cool… but sounds like they are also great for your training which is what I was curious about! To your point about comparing HRV, I think in Garmin’s defense that’s why they had previously blinded users to the data itself and rolled it into the body battery and stress indicators - it’s interesting on its own but not useful as raw data, really. I think they bowed to market forces on publishing that, do you agree? Thanks for the great review.
I went from a Forerunner 630 to Fenix 5+ back in 2018 and I really love the Fenix line. I was thinking of upgrading to the 7+ in 2023 (assuming that they do this) to pick up the new features/sensors in the 955. This is an interesting alternative though. One thing that I do like about the Fenix line is onboard music which I don't think that the 955 has. I think that I would be able to use my QuickFit bands (I have three of them) with the 955.
This watch is great no doubt. Features galore and looks decent for a sports watch. Prefer the non-solar in the UK for most of the year. The only thing that irritates me about this watch though is the HRV / training readiness stuff. Reason being you have to wear the thing constantly to get readings, even overnight in bed. Surely a daily wake-up reading with the health snapshot feature would provide just as good a data. Not everyone wants to sleep with a fairly big watch on....
Just upgraded to 955 solar coming from 935. It's been 5 years, but wow this new top FR just rocks. Screen is nicer, contactless payment is very welcome, GPS accuracy is much better, hooks up way faster like in 3-5sec where the 935 could take 2-3min. Optical heart rate sensor much better. All the various programs like training readiness and morning report are nice too. Love to be able to program the watch from the app. Would skip the solar though. IMO the 955 looks better than the Fenix because is more understated, so you don't look like a wannabe navy SEAL. Goes better with for example a suit.
coming from Garmin Venu, I don't agree regarding the touchscreen being not super useful .. personally I almost only use the start and back button, the other 3 could be removed and I would not mind .. it seems more natural/easy to me to navigate using a touchscreen just like on a smartphone
Thanks for the review ...Guys with the Fenix 6 Pro at £309 is this still a better watch for the money at £479. Can't make my mind up on what to go for. Fenix 6 now had the HRV update but not training readiness.
Interesting about the Garmin and Oura. I've been torn between a Whoop band and an Oura ring. I have found wrist-based HRMs to be pretty poor for accuracy so I always use a chest strap. Convince me that the new 955 is accurate enough to get meaningful information! I currently have a 935. Oura is well priced, Whoop is a very expensive monthly fee. Tough decision!
Whoop is not worth the money. Any optical HR results should be taken with a few grains of salt. If you're staying with the 935, I'd suggest Oura just based on price.
I came from a coros pace 2 to this 955. I feel the colors are washed out on 955 vs coros pace 2. The watch feels way more bulky vs pace 2 also. For hundreds more dollars, idk. I do like Garmin. Just feels like a lot of "fluff". Stuff I don't need to keep track of or things I will never use. I do like the maps, though I'm only hiking trails in summer a few times a year. Idk if that justifies needing the maps.. I just hope Garmin can release a update to help with colors. Adding more colors into the UI. (I don't want a AMOLED screen). They should just give the UI more life in this 955.
this watch is for people who run, you can do ultramarathon using Forerunner 955, if you do not understand purpose of those features that means this watch is not for you
Hi guys - your reviews are great! In Czech Rep.... Prices for 11.7.2022 - now basic non-solar Fenix 7 (482GBP) and non-solar FR955 (458GBP) have almost the same price (cca 25GBP difference). What model choose if the weight is not so important? 😀That´s the question.
Excellent review, as usual. One question: it wasn't clear from your review if the solar edition justifies the extra cost given if one lives in the Mediterranean with ample sunny days throughout the year? Namely, I know the stats. Which Garmin publishes but how it actually works with rigorous daily training. Thank you and keep doing amazing reviews/pods.
Does installing a screen protector on the 955 solar affect its solar ability?? Just worry about the screen just scratch if not install screen protector
Supposedly it does, but I use a screen protector. The solar charging still works. I'd much rather have no screen scratches than 2 extra days of battery
Nick question for you. Did you adjust the metrics on the watch before use? Meaning did you manually enter hr zones and your height/weight? U said you paired it up with a strap straight away i ask this because for us to get the best predictions of vo2 max etc.the data needs to be correct. Im assuming you just paired the strap and away you went for the month or so you used for testing it?? Jezz i could have made this comment shorter 😂
I'm a shift worker. Does the morning report work after you wake up even if it's the afternoon? It's a shame no watch includes naps. I always have a 2 hour nap before going to night shift because I don't tend to get enough sleep during the day. I think it would throw all the info out the window.
Great video guys. Just your opinion. I’m going from a Apple Watch series 3 to something new. I ride a bicycle once or twice a week. Pretty much same routes. I run 4 sometimes 5 times a week 70% trail 30% road. But again same routes. Like 5 different trails and 2 routes or so on road. I travel sometimes maybe 3 to 6 times a year and I do like to run when I travel to see new trails or areas. I will most likely have my phone with since my wife likes having the fall detection for me. I’m torn between $349 Forerunner 255 or $399 forerunner 255 music or just jump right in get the 955!! Really it’s the maps on 955 I love . Not sure if I would use all the other features. Any insight would be helpful. It is $100. And I might expand my training in the future??
Hi. I notice you made a comment about the heavier the watch the likely the heart rate accuracy is off and this watch you said is slightly better than the fenix. This 955 weighs 50 g or so. The Fenix 7 solar titanium case also only weighs 50. If you were to get a lighter band on this fenix would it be relatively the same. I'm looking for accuracy but also a touch screen and compatible with Android.
Hi Guys, so are you saying, now if FR 955 has HRV and training readiness, doesn't worth to have Oura Ring? I'm getting primarily at sleep tracking, assessment, Oura still more accurate better for sleep analysis than FR 955? Thanks a lot.
With the 955, can I tell it that I want to run 2 miles in 11 minutes by a certain date, and then the watch comes up with a program to get me to that fitness??
Have your watches had any issues with dust under the screen or sensor, or what looks like slightly poor tolerance where the glass isn’t exactly even in the casing all around? (with what may be glue residue in the gap). Sounds extreme I know and I’ve only seen one review mention it, but I’ve seen other reviews with the same issue on macro closeups even though they didn’t mention it. It certainly gave me pause to pull the trigger on a £500 watch. I’d check in a shop but I’ve not seen it in retailers yet.
Could you try the gps, now with the new update, 12.23? I hope you can answer me. Did you notice any differences or worsening? Me and other users noticed, a worsening of the gps track, after the update. Now, it is much more inaccurate, even if it is set, to the utmost precision. Please can you give it a try. Thank you very much for your attention
@@liam9196 apart from the echo, clipping and amplitude difference between the guys, sure, there’s absolutely no problem what so ever. I’m not sure if your trolling or watching on mute.
@@kyrreloftaas Mike here. I had some big issues in this edit, so that's why the sound is off. Please play nice and hope you manage to at least enjoy some of the video where the sound quality hasn't been ruined by me. Tom sounds great at least.
@@TheRunTesters Mike, mate. It was meant as constructive feedback. Love your content, I’ve seen it all. Maybe it’s a language barrier thing, me being Norwegian, that made the comment seem harsh. I’m sorry if that’s the case. keep up the good work.
![Diggy Graves - Red Vineyard [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8Ro085T0mnQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Phew! I've very recently ordered the 955 on the strength of the quick review that you did some weeks ago. Excellent review! Looking forward to getting it now. Love the channel 😁
Another really good and useful video, thanks. I personally feel that the training readiness, morning report, race widget, HRV are just gimmicks to get people to upgrade. I don’t need a watch to tell me how I’m feeling, I can do that myself. Like one of the presenters said, touch screens are not of much use when running. And just to complete the rant, solar charging is of minimal use especially in the UK. I love the nine series for the maps, the routes and the lightness compared to the heavy, bulky fenix.
Agree with one exception in my case. Never been a morning person and now in my fifties, still having to train before work, I need any metrics on how I am actually doing, before embarking on a morning HIIT 😊
Again thank you also for showing solar and non solar watch faces side by side. As an Apple user looking at Garmins for more battery and integrated features to replace App subscriptions (readiness, sleep, load, plans), the dull solar seems impossible to live with. Epix pricing is out of my comfort zone, so 955 seems to be the bargain.
Hi, did you make the jump? I’m on an AW 6 which I used with Stryd pod but looking to move away from the AW to use a ‘proper’ sports watch. The fully integrated features I think are pulling me in, but will have to sacrifice the ‘smart’ side that I do use a lot on AW, but the phone isn’t too far away. Was looking at epic, but suppose once you get used to the screen, it becomes the norm?
@@adamrochester896 thank you for the advised
Great review guys. Multi-band GPS the best feature for me (huge improvement on Fenix 6) but also loving training readiness, morning report and race events. Touchscreen handy outside of activity for notifications etc. Only thing I didn’t like was the strap which I felt made the watch look and feel cheap. Improved that easily with using quickfit and fitting my Fenix watch straps.
you have regular Fenix 6?
@@tadejdanev5030 I had the Fenix 6 Pro Solar Titanium version…
@@rob8939 I just asked on the comments if I should go for this or the Fenix 6. The 955 a big upgrade? The Fenix 6 is now £309 so got me tempted.
@@ryancorr1006 I’d say it depends on your use case - for me as primarily a runner the multi-band GPS, lightness of the watch and all the extra training features make it a must have. But the Fenix 6 is still a great watch and tbh better and more premium looking. I see Garmin are releasing some of the new features for it too…
I've got the Fenix 6 pro and haven't noticed any of those updates
Thanks for the review, and you mentioned the thing I was most interested in about the solar screen. I would much rather have a sharper screen and charge more often than a less sharp screen and charge less.
I have the solar and I honestly wish I had the non solar. It is dimmer than what I was used to on my vivo active 4
Really appreciated the discussion around whether or not the new metrics are meaningful or useful for you runners. Bought a FR245M last year that does everything I need but of course will never have the new training metrics. They seem really cool… but sounds like they are also great for your training which is what I was curious about!
To your point about comparing HRV, I think in Garmin’s defense that’s why they had previously blinded users to the data itself and rolled it into the body battery and stress indicators - it’s interesting on its own but not useful as raw data, really. I think they bowed to market forces on publishing that, do you agree? Thanks for the great review.
I went from a Forerunner 630 to Fenix 5+ back in 2018 and I really love the Fenix line. I was thinking of upgrading to the 7+ in 2023 (assuming that they do this) to pick up the new features/sensors in the 955. This is an interesting alternative though. One thing that I do like about the Fenix line is onboard music which I don't think that the 955 has. I think that I would be able to use my QuickFit bands (I have three of them) with the 955.
fenix 7 will have the features of the 955 in an update soon and 955 has music storage
This watch is great no doubt. Features galore and looks decent for a sports watch. Prefer the non-solar in the UK for most of the year. The only thing that irritates me about this watch though is the HRV / training readiness stuff. Reason being you have to wear the thing constantly to get readings, even overnight in bed. Surely a daily wake-up reading with the health snapshot feature would provide just as good a data. Not everyone wants to sleep with a fairly big watch on....
Thanks guys.
Just upgraded to 955 solar coming from 935. It's been 5 years, but wow this new top FR just rocks. Screen is nicer, contactless payment is very welcome, GPS accuracy is much better, hooks up way faster like in 3-5sec where the 935 could take 2-3min. Optical heart rate sensor much better. All the various programs like training readiness and morning report are nice too. Love to be able to program the watch from the app. Would skip the solar though. IMO the 955 looks better than the Fenix because is more understated, so you don't look like a wannabe navy SEAL. Goes better with for example a suit.
It is also wayyyyy less durable than a fenix. Seals don’t wear fenix’s silly
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coming from Garmin Venu, I don't agree regarding the touchscreen being not super useful .. personally I almost only use the start and back button, the other 3 could be removed and I would not mind .. it seems more natural/easy to me to navigate using a touchscreen just like on a smartphone
Thanks for the review ...Guys with the Fenix 6 Pro at £309 is this still a better watch for the money at £479. Can't make my mind up on what to go for. Fenix 6 now had the HRV update but not training readiness.
Great content but could you please add chapters?
Just updated it for you
@@TheRunTesters Wow, thanks so much! Really appreciate you taking the time to do that!
Interesting about the Garmin and Oura. I've been torn between a Whoop band and an Oura ring. I have found wrist-based HRMs to be pretty poor for accuracy so I always use a chest strap. Convince me that the new 955 is accurate enough to get meaningful information! I currently have a 935. Oura is well priced, Whoop is a very expensive monthly fee. Tough decision!
Whoop is not worth the money. Any optical HR results should be taken with a few grains of salt. If you're staying with the 935, I'd suggest Oura just based on price.
I came from a coros pace 2 to this 955. I feel the colors are washed out on 955 vs coros pace 2. The watch feels way more bulky vs pace 2 also.
For hundreds more dollars, idk.
I do like Garmin. Just feels like a lot of "fluff". Stuff I don't need to keep track of or things I will never use.
I do like the maps, though I'm only hiking trails in summer a few times a year. Idk if that justifies needing the maps..
I just hope Garmin can release a update to help with colors. Adding more colors into the UI.
(I don't want a AMOLED screen). They should just give the UI more life in this 955.
this watch is for people who run, you can do ultramarathon using Forerunner 955, if you do not understand purpose of those features that means this watch is not for you
Good stuff! Thanks!
Hi guys - your reviews are great! In Czech Rep.... Prices for 11.7.2022 - now basic non-solar Fenix 7 (482GBP) and non-solar FR955 (458GBP) have almost the same price (cca 25GBP difference). What model choose if the weight is not so important? 😀That´s the question.
FR955. Basic fenix does not have multiband gps.
Excellent review, as usual. One question: it wasn't clear from your review if the solar edition justifies the extra cost given if one lives in the Mediterranean with ample sunny days throughout the year? Namely, I know the stats. Which Garmin publishes but how it actually works with rigorous daily training. Thank you and keep doing amazing reviews/pods.
I got the Solar, and no its mostly a gimmick. When you running the watch face is not getting direct sunlight so its barely charging anything.
Does installing a screen protector on the 955 solar affect its solar ability?? Just worry about the screen just scratch if not install screen protector
Supposedly it does, but I use a screen protector. The solar charging still works. I'd much rather have no screen scratches than 2 extra days of battery
Nick question for you. Did you adjust the metrics on the watch before use? Meaning did you manually enter hr zones and your height/weight? U said you paired it up with a strap straight away i ask this because for us to get the best predictions of vo2 max etc.the data needs to be correct. Im assuming you just paired the strap and away you went for the month or so you used for testing it?? Jezz i could have made this comment shorter 😂
I'm a shift worker. Does the morning report work after you wake up even if it's the afternoon? It's a shame no watch includes naps. I always have a 2 hour nap before going to night shift because I don't tend to get enough sleep during the day. I think it would throw all the info out the window.
Actually Amazfit watches track naps as well. Even the cheaper ones. It’s a bummer Garmin could not implement it.
I think it does not track naps, but I noticed that naps power up the bodybattery.
Great video guys. Just your opinion. I’m going from a Apple Watch series 3 to something new. I ride a bicycle once or twice a week. Pretty much same routes. I run 4 sometimes 5 times a week 70% trail 30% road. But again same routes. Like 5 different trails and 2 routes or so on road. I travel sometimes maybe 3 to 6 times a year and I do like to run when I travel to see new trails or areas. I will most likely have my phone with since my wife likes having the fall detection for me. I’m torn between $349 Forerunner 255 or $399 forerunner 255 music or just jump right in get the 955!! Really it’s the maps on 955 I love . Not sure if I would use all the other features. Any insight would be helpful. It is $100. And I might expand my training in the future??
Hi. I notice you made a comment about the heavier the watch the likely the heart rate accuracy is off and this watch you said is slightly better than the fenix. This 955 weighs 50 g or so. The Fenix 7 solar titanium case also only weighs 50. If you were to get a lighter band on this fenix would it be relatively the same. I'm looking for accuracy but also a touch screen and compatible with Android.
Hi Guys, so are you saying, now if FR 955 has HRV and training readiness, doesn't worth to have Oura Ring? I'm getting primarily at sleep tracking, assessment, Oura still more accurate better for sleep analysis than FR 955? Thanks a lot.
With the 955, can I tell it that I want to run 2 miles in 11 minutes by a certain date, and then the watch comes up with a program to get me to that fitness??
Have your watches had any issues with dust under the screen or sensor, or what looks like slightly poor tolerance where the glass isn’t exactly even in the casing all around? (with what may be glue residue in the gap). Sounds extreme I know and I’ve only seen one review mention it, but I’ve seen other reviews with the same issue on macro closeups even though they didn’t mention it. It certainly gave me pause to pull the trigger on a £500 watch. I’d check in a shop but I’ve not seen it in retailers yet.
Could you try the gps, now with the new update, 12.23? I hope you can answer me. Did you notice any differences or worsening? Me and other users noticed, a worsening of the gps track, after the update. Now, it is much more inaccurate, even if it is set, to the utmost precision. Please can you give it a try. Thank you very much for your attention
Hi! can you help me? I want to know, garmin forerunner 955 system language support or not support Chinese simplified thank you
You’ve got to work on your sound, guys.
There's literally nothing wrong with the sound quality
@@liam9196 apart from the echo, clipping and amplitude difference between the guys, sure, there’s absolutely no problem what so ever. I’m not sure if your trolling or watching on mute.
Yes, Mike's volume is substantially lower (and variable) compared with the rest of the testers.
@@kyrreloftaas Mike here. I had some big issues in this edit, so that's why the sound is off. Please play nice and hope you manage to at least enjoy some of the video where the sound quality hasn't been ruined by me. Tom sounds great at least.
@@TheRunTesters Mike, mate. It was meant as constructive feedback. Love your content, I’ve seen it all. Maybe it’s a language barrier thing, me being Norwegian, that made the comment seem harsh. I’m sorry if that’s the case. keep up the good work.
Fix your audio