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Has the FR 955 a different coating than the 945? (Durability)

Max
over 1 year ago

I'm about to get my first Garmin Watch and I am currently having both the 945 and 955 here. Technically both watches are capable of the things I am lookig for. But obviously the 955 is much more recent, has still software support and some other nice features. But I don't care as much about them. So what I am left with is the question of the durability. 

The 945, given it was released 2019, is a much more well established watch I'd say and looking at photos, even from heavy used watches, seems like it is pretty durable. When I see pictures from some (obviously they aren't as many yet) used 955s, it seems that scratches on the case/bezel look different. It looks to me, that a scratch there quickly shows the stuff behind the coating, so the scratch looks more white, is more visible. And that together with the fact, that the bezel itself is much smaller on the 955, leaves me unsure.

So since I plan to wear the watch daily for almost everything I do, I wonder if the 955 has a different coating? I'm not sure if I am making this up, but I also think the 955 case feels different, almost more "elastic", more soft. Important: I know I should get a Fenix or Epix, if I am worried about durability, but they are too expensive to me, so I am not interested in "get a fenix". I know, but I won't.

What are your thoughts on that and what do you think is more durable, 945 or 955? 

Thanks in advance!

  • 0 over 1 year ago

     i have owned a 935 (4 years), 945LTE (1 year), and 955 Solar (1.5 years) and they all have been very robust and durable. none have failed physically (except for the strap "keepers" which Garmin happily provides extras if asked for) and wear quite well over time. i don't sense any significant differences in materials or durability between the 3 watches i've owned. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to derek87

    Yes, I agree.

    I had the Forerunner 245 for 2,5 years, the 255 for 0,5 and now the 955 for a year.
    I can also see no significant differences in the material. The older watches looked quite new, when I sold them and I wore them 24/7

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    As far as I know, the plastic watch case should be made of SABIC PC 141R material.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    Thanks to everyone for the input so far. Good to hear, that you had good experiences with the durability of the FR 955. Of course the initial question due to the coating isn't really answered by that. But obviously this isn't anyones fault because who even knows what exact coating is used for those watches? Engineers or other guys who work at Garmin know that I guess, but we don't. And it is doubtful, that one of them shows up here to give us reliable information on that.

    But to @9694777 : You are referring just to the plastic material with this, I assume? And is that for just the FR 955 or do you mean the 945 by that? Becuase the reason why I asked specifically about the coating is, that I think this plays a much bigger role in terms of scratches on the watch case, than the material itself. The material is important due to its weight and obviously the durability in terms of literally breaking/falling apart. But I doubt that Garmin changed anything major on this from 945 to 955. With the coating however, I don't know. But the coating, in particular on black surfaces, will decide how hard it is to scratch it. Or maybe I am wrong, cause I am not an expert by any means, and the plastic itself already looks like that and doesnt even have a coating? Meaning, the raw material is black by itself?

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Max

    Based on my previous work experience, PC 141R will not be used for coating, and this PC is also the designated material that GARMIN used to use, including PC for the watch case and PC for the charging cable. Is it the same as 945? uncertain.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 9694777

    Interesting. So what you are saying is, due to your knowledge the case for the 955 is made out of PC 141R material. And at the same time, it is the material that Garmin used to use for the watch case(s)? (or are you only referring to the 955, based on your knowledge?) and the charging cable, but you had no insight back then when the 945 was made. Is that what you're saying? 

    Edit: I am trying to get some insights now due to how good that material is, but since I am not chemist or anything of that sort, I understand literally nothing, lol. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Max

    Because I used to be a supplier for Garmin and helped them produce several watch charging cables. The material of this PC is strong and impact-resistant. Electronic watches are consumables, so feel free to use them.^^

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Max

    Because I have not used 945, I cannot guarantee whether it is the same material.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 9694777

    So you are the local plastic dealer or something :-D Well, if I find myself to be unhappy one day with the charging cable, I know where to complain! haha

    But no, jokes aside. That's definitely way more solid information that I assumed I'd get here! Thanks for that. I guess all I have to do now is trying to get an answer from Garmin itself, what exact PC was used for the FR 945. And then I know if it's the same or not, or if one was stronger than the other! 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Max
    Max said:
    Becuase the reason why I asked specifically about the coating is, that I think this plays a much bigger role in terms of scratches on the watch case, than the material itself.

    I doubt (but don't know for sure), that the watches made from fiberglass reinforced plastic like Forerunners have a coating at all.

    In my opinion it is not like the metal watches like Fenix, where you definitely have metal and then a coating on it (that wears off after some time and heavy use).
    Just from looking at it closely, I think the Forerunners just have plastic with nothing on it additionally.

    But I won't scratch it to find out Slight smile

    Hope that helps, and like I wrote before: In my experience, this plastic material is quite robust. Of course, if you scratch the watch on stones or else, you will see that (but you also would with a metal Fenix).