Upgrade FR 945: 255s or 955

If you want an upgrade, get the 955. If you want the 945 in a smaller form factor, there's the 745 or 255. If you want both an upgrade and a smaller size, get the 755 next year.

It is not a HW problem of our 945 (like many others in the past then solved with SW upgrade), in the last alpha of F6 they have released a new SW gps and it seems that it works very well, as well as the chronic problem with the altimeter also 'it corrected to F6

We (me and my wife) went from 245 to 955 mainly because I wanted the stamina-feature (she is worthless at pacing herself so she actually needs that one). We run, bike, hike, swim, lift, do crossfit, and occasionally skating and nordic skiing. 

Had we only done the run-bike-swim parts, we probably would've bought the 255, but considering the extra features on the 955 and the great deal we got buying 2 pieces at once (955 €450 a piece, 255 at €399 when we upgraded so not big enough difference) there wasn't even a discussion about whether we should buy 255 or 955.

Have not yet been able to make friends with the map and navigation, breadcrumb on the 245 was way better for running in unknown areas, but I guess that's just me being incompetent with the settings. That's maybe the only thing that speaks for you to buy the 955 (map and navigation), but the decision is yours to make. 

But my recommendation is that you buy the 255 because it will be more than enough for your needs. Unless you have no problem coughing up the difference to get a couple of functions you won't use regularly (navigation and map that is). 

955 , for that difference in price and the additional functionality there is no reason to get the 255 in my opinion.

Thanks all for the responses. Settled with 955.

Good Luck. It's a nice device. I got it over the 255  for the touch screen availability after having used the 620/30 series, as well as Starva segments and the navigation.

I decided to go for the white one after years of black Forerunners.

I got both to compare. I liked the 255 a lot for the price. It was the regular 255 (non music) cos onbard music is useless for me. I always carry my phone anyways so I won't mess watch battery with music. For most ppl it's not worth the $50 extra, like solar or sapphire is not worth the $100 extra each, considering you get the same watch with same software and same annoying bugs as regular versions. 

The 255 is already a very complete watch with almost all new features, a big battery and 1.3" screen.

The 255 feels so light, thin and comfortable compared to the 955 (which is already much lighter than Fenix). The 255S will be even lighter. 

The reasons I kept the 955 instead: 

Better screen: the 955 screen has better black contrast and less reflex. Maybe due to the better gorilla glass or the screen itself, even they having the same specs. But in some light conditions they look the same. (Btw, 955 solar screen is a bit worse than regular 955, but still better than 255). 

Touchscreen; Stamina; Temperature widget; Maps; DEM; Garmin Explore support (waypoints and courses); Segment alerts; bit better battery.

In the end the 955 is a more complete watch, despite the bigger feel on the arm. And still much less expensive than Fenix. I hope it gets much more software updates to make it more on pair with Fenix line better user interface and usability.

Thanks for the reassuring post

I went for 955 mainly due to 

1) map, which I do need for occasional trail runs. Breadcrumb is not enough for me.

2) bigger battery, which translates into fewer charges and longer life

3) music storage is much bigger. I like to listen to marathon race during long runs. 255 has only 4GB storage while 955 32GB. Granted map will take around 20G, I still have 10G for music. 

4) I got a coupon of 20% off. For only $80 more, FR 955 seems a better deal.

Hello,

Ialso have both these 255 no music and 955 solar watches. 9970217 described it very well. I bought a 955 because of the maps and the touchscreen. Apart from moving the map, I do not use the screen at all. It is important that you check how the buttons work when buying. In my 255 they are perfect, while in the 955 one of them has a terrible click. When you will be buying, compare with others and choose the best one, because if you are a person like me who does not use a touch screen, you will be realy nervous with poorly functioning buttons :)

When it comes to the screen, I don't think 955 is better than 255. Even the 255 one seems cooler to me because it's looks to be closer to the glass.

Finally, I would take 955, but this time I would pay more attention to the buttons and be more patient while discovering new bugs, because there are some of thems :)

Got my 955 and took it for a 5K run. Here is what I found

1) The screen is much sharper than 945. Maybe higher contrast or brightness. I do not mess with either so they are defaults.

2) The screen feel noticeably larger. I can even use 6 data field layout.

3) The watch itself does not feel bigger than 945, even it is thicker. 

4) GPS locking is super fast. Compared to 945, no more corner cutting. I would say it is more accurate.

5) Touch screen is helpful, reducing the number of times I need to click the buttons. However, during run, sometimes it took me a couple of tries to get the swipe taken.

6) Stamina shows 82% left after 5K. Not sure how it gets that lower number as I can do full marathon.

 7) 3% battery used for around 30 min, so a full charge should be able to last 15-20 hours. This is with multiband without music.