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A general conversation about the future of MIP for our watches..

7828711
over 1 year ago

Just got the 955 Solar.  Love it.  That said, I see Garmin has made great strides in the AMOLED offerings.  I would love to get ahold of their K1 annual reporting to see how they are affecting sales from a financial standpoint, but I am sure it's great for Garmin as many just want the pretty look on the screen (totally get that).   Personally, I was tempted by the Epix myself but living in Maimi, FL where I have bright, non-stop sun every day the MIP display is just amazing.  I love that it "feels" more like a regular watch vs a typical "smart watch" in that sense.  

Anyway, the question I have (which I know none of you can answer, lol) is do we think that Garmin will continue to offer MIP's in the future?  I saw one post on Reddit where someone thought that maybe phasing them out.  That would make me sad (and others I am sure).  But, I can't help but see a pattern in their product offerings that appear to support both types moving forward.:

The base, you have the 45 / 55 (which I am sure may be consolidated to just the 55 in the future).  This of course is MIP screen.

Then, I feel like the 245 will stop and the 255 is really that replacement (also MIP).   The 265 is the dedicated AMOLED version.

Same with the 955 / 955 Solar.  MIP, but the 965 AMOLED version.

Then with the Fenix.  You now have all MIP and all solar.    The AMOLED version would of course be the Epix line.

In fact, the only real place where I don't see an option anymore is on the Marq line.  Now all AMOLED.  Also the other lines like the Venue etc (II dont even pay attention to them, not my style) seem to be going all AMOLED.

What are your thoughts?  Again, this is not a knock against the AMOLED watches.  I am sure they are great, just truly wondering how Garmin will move forward.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Bitti

    Screen and case protectors - an ugly solution to get a prettier screen ...

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Aslam

    If I'm hiking in the forest, I don't care about a pretty wrist, and that's the only place where I use the case protector (and people use them on MIP watches as well to protect the... case).

    And I don't want the additional cost and reflections of the sapphire screen, so I used a screen protector on my MIP screen as well, as I just wrote.

    So sorry, I really don't get your point. If I had bought a MIP 955 instead of an amoled 965, what would have changed in terms of need for protection?

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Bitti

    the 965 screen is above the bezel and more prone to damage. but still good idea to protect any screen

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Wayne C

    Yes, the 965 screen  is curved and slightly above the bezel, but that's not because of amoled, but an aesthetic/design decision. Epix 2 and Fenix 7 screens are both flat and below the bezel. 

    (The 965 curved screen was the factor that made me hesitate to buy it most. But since my priorities were 1.4" screen (for maps), multiband gps, 32 gigs of space, and screen with good contrast, the only watches that fit the bill were 965 and Epix 2 Pro 51 mm. And 965 was cheaper and lighter.)

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Wayne C
    Wayne C said:

    The end of MIPS displays?

    youtu.be/481Cmj1Dg5k

    That DCR video isn't news, he has said over and over that he thinks MIP is dead except for a handful of product lines where battery life is paramount

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I hope they will still offer MIP displays. But I fear there will be no more MIP option for the forerunner 900 series...unfortunately.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 5355728

    Yeah, when they discontinue the 955 that will probably be the end of MIP for that range. And years later when people notice the effects of burn in they'll realize these are now disposable devices and want MIP back.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Jacquers

    It will just be an opportunity for Garmin to sell ppl on MicroLED display tech (or whatever comes after.) This might be a good thing, if we ever get displays with the best of both worlds: bright, crisp and readable indoors and outdoors, with a truly always-on display, and good battery life. Ppl who like the transreflective “look” (like ereaders) might be disappointed tho.

    I don’t blame Garmin bc again, ppl have been complaining about “washed out” and “dull” Garmin displays for 10+ years now. “It looks much better in marketing photos than in real life”, “I can’t read the display indoors”, etc.

    As an analogy, just bc there’s a tiny niche secondary CRT market for retro video game nerds, it doesn’t mean CRT display tech is ever coming back. Maybe there’ll be a secondary market for refurbished MIP Forerunners but I think ppl will either continue to hold on to their old watches (like how many ppl still rock a 235) or they’ll just shrug and buy the latest shiny Garmin watch (or Apple Watch.)

    Even today, ppl change their phones every 3-4 years (used to be more like 2-3 years). From that POV, it probably sounds crazy that many ppl still wear a Garmin from 2015. I bet nobody wears the original Apple Watch, released around the same time as 235.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to FlowState

    For me too, want to keep the Mip Display! And a correct Heart Sensor. FR955 is so bad....