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Buying the 945 NOH in 2022

7593929
over 3 years ago

I am in the market for a running watch. I used to have a 745 that I sold for several reasons. I loved the watch while I had it. However, looking at the screen used make me anxious sometimes die the constant reminder, sometimes, that I am under my training load. I noticed that it is not the default on the 945. I know I could change it to the 745 if I wanted to and that is not the reason, I sold the watch.

Now I am in the market again. I am getting a NOH FR945 for 479.99 USD and a new FR745 for 454.99 USD. I do love the longer battery life on the 945. Maps are a bonus but not a priority.

Given that context, is it worth buying a 945 now knowing that the 955 is imminent? I wouldn't buy the 955 anyway as it will be expensive at launch and will be out of my budget. My main concerns are:

  1. Are NOH devices usually OK to purchase?
  2. How long can we expect software support for the 945, especially after 955?
  3. I also heard that GPS tracking is better on the 745. Is this true?
  4. I am not concerned about the HR as I wear a chest strap for all my workouts.

Please help me decide.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    1. Yes, as long as the price is right and you get a warranty.

    2. If by software support you mean firmware updates, then I wouldn't expect it to go for much longer. And if by software support you mean the ability to connect to garmin connect or garmin express, then it will last for the forseeable future.

    3. Haven't checked myself, but the GPS chipset is the same, so I wouldn't expect any significant difference.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    The 945 is older than the 745, so you'd be essentially buying an older version of the same watch with some additional features (minor IMO).  I can say I haven't been entirely happy with the 945, especially after they put the sleep tracking on board.  It tracks my REM sleep as being awake, so according to my watch I should be dead by now.  Supposedly fixed in the last beta, but who knows.  Overall I liked my 935 better.  I'd just hold off for a 955, and get a super cheap junker (used Forerunner 35, for example) to skate by.  The 945 dropped May 2019 (Garmin rep actually showed it to me at a race expo mid-April), I'd expect similar for the 955.  

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I have used 945 for 3 years, great watch, there was a time when there were gaps between features of FR745 and FR945, becuase the last one came later, but now you have all in both, so I don't think there is any major difference if you don't need the maps, it all depends on size, ladies prefer small size of FR745, other than that, screen resolution is the same, so if you want to same some money, go for FR745, but if size matters and you have the extra money, go for FR945