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First day with my new FR955

Data
2 months ago

I just bought a Forerunner 955 because I wanted to upgrade from my Fenix 7 Solar Sapphire to a watch with a better readable MIP display that would not need backlight all the time indoors. Disappointingly, the new Fenix line turned out to be either OLED or Solar+Sapphire. And really expensive. So I had a look at recent Garmins with MIP screens, researched them, FR955 came out on top, next I asked questions here and received good advice (thank you!!), and a few days later my FR955 arrived.

I expected the FR955 to have the same software as the Fenix 7, but I was in for a few pleasant surprises!
- New notification shows the most recent one in a conversation (Fenix 7: alerts for all new notification, but only shows the first unacknowledged message)
- It is quite a bit faster overall, especially when using the map. Twice the memory!
- The screen is even better than I expected. Crisp and lots of contrast. I never need the backlight during the day, not even late at night in low-light conditions.
- The History glance has 3 different overviews (week, month or last 30 days) instead of only one.
- Even new data: HRV analysis is present in activity FIT files.
- When I receive a phonecall, the watch vibrates a lot longer than the Fenix 7, I don't miss calls anymore!

Some things I missed, but the CIQ store more than made up for those:
- The temperature glance only shows degrees, no decimals, and does not display the 24 hour min and max when a Tempe is connected. However, there is an excellent CIQ widget that is way better than the stock temperature glance on the Fenix 7.
- Subjective, but stock watchfaces a bit limited. But I found the perfect watchface on the CIQ store.
- The Moon glance isn't there, but I'm sure I'll find one in the CIQ store.

My only regret: not having bought the 955 sooner.

  • 0 2 months ago

    I take it you purchased the 955 non-solar? 

  • 0 2 months ago in reply to Tyrese

    Indeed, I did not want any extra layer behind the glass.

  • 0 2 months ago

    For me, the primary advantage of the 955 over (any fenix) is the plastic the FR series is made of. It is and feels much lighter on my (tiny) wrist. I replaced my f6s with the 955 and now I'm not planning on getting another non-plastic watch in the future. 

  • 0 2 months ago

    However, Garmin discontinued it. I don't know why. The 955 was discontinued before the 975 was released. Not sure what Garmin is doing.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Tyrese

    It is also still available in the Netherlands and hope it will be for a few more years.

    I am afraid the 955 will be the last Forerunner with a MIP screen, so I may go so far as to buy another one as a backup, but not right now. There may be 2 years warranty on it, but there is no guarantee a replacement will be the exact same model, sometimes there just is no refurbs left.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Data
    5805901 said:
    However, Garmin discontinued it.

    I also don't think, it is discontinued. Garmin just took it of the page and comparison for "current" watches, probably because they want to push the AMOLED Forerunner and new Fenix a bit more.

    If they still produce 955, nobody will tell us. Maybe they just sell off the stock.

    Data said:
    I am afraid the 955 will be the last Forerunner with a MIP screen

    I am sure it is.
    It was the reason, they named the 965 like it was a successor, while in fact beside the AMOLED screen and other form factor, technically it is the same watch as 955. The internals are all the same.

    So they could have named it "955 AMOLED", but they didn't. Clear message: There will be no more MIPs Forerunners.

    At some point in the future I will maybe get me an Enduro 3

    https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/851039

    Have to see it in reality on my wrist first, but I like the features and the look from the marketing material.

    But probably I will keep my FR 955 at least one year, probably even longer, because I am quite happy with it, overall.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Grumpy from dawn till dusk

    Hi everyone. I have owned the FR955 solar for more than 2 years and after more than 1 year of beta testing in which things almost never went well, I am now let's say 90% satisfied with my 955. Some things will never be fixed (perhaps small things for some) but all in all for a few months it has been more than fine for my use. The thing I would like in my next device, in addition to LTE for safety in the event of an accident (not for calling friends, just to clarify), is a battery with a longer life (maybe a better solar panel?). Right now my 955 solar has a decent duration but during activities with map and scrolling pages, it also consumes 5/6% per hour which therefore allows a theoretical maximum recording of an activity of less than 20 hours (also because it does not you want your watch to turn off while the activity is being recorded). Just my opinion.hi

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Grumpy from dawn till dusk
    Grumpy from dawn till dusk said:
    At some point in the future I will maybe get me an Enduro 3

    Was considering that too, but from the pictures, I don't like the UI. And too many features I will never use, but still pay for.

    Strange idea this being probably my last new Garmin. I used to look forward to almost every new thing from Garmin since the FR60 and original Fenix.

    Anyway I am almost 60, I'll get a backup FR955 at one point and also still have a Fenix 6X and a few older ones that still work. Confident most those will last until I am too old to run :-)

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Albertone

    I did a 9hr ride with navigation and I still had 30% battery life left.  Since I had the watch strapped to my handlebars I wondered about charging the battery during the activity for very long rides using a right-angled USB-C charging adapter that allows the watch to sit on a flat surface.  Is that a possibility for you?