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Quo Vadis AMOLED?

I'm looking for opinions about latest Forerunner with AMOLED. Not the display but whole package for runners (and comparable sports).

Some years ago I bought a FR645M and I'm still extremely happy with this watch. Ok, meanwhile battery is not the best, and because of strange decisions of Garmin some 'nice to have' features are not available, but still best Garmin runners watch ever. But good sensors (ok, HR could be better), small, battery, music (thats mandatory to me)... only doubts I had were in direction of display, especially during twilight and indoor sports. FRx55 was not really progress in area of display. So I was really looking forward to new AMOLED forerunners.

Because of availability to ship I reflected on. Now I'm a lil (or totally?) deflated about. Why?

-> Extremely expensive (I not paying more than 400 for a running watch, that's my rule. Let's say there are 10% uncertainty

-> Case too big compared to display size for 265, I wonna have smaller or at lease same case size and at least same display size (better bigger) compared to 645.

-> If bigger case, at least the ratio display/case should be better. But 965 it's the biggest case ever seen for runners

-> Smaller version (FRxxxs) are not really an option, ratio display/case is the worst ever seen for runners (except the 945) and why to pay same for less ???

-> 23d battery with 965 sound great, but if I'm looking at my primary use (GPS with music) we have 965 8 hours and venu2 7 hours.

-> Garmin is using new fonts for FRx65, which makes many of IQ apps unusable. Even my apps I was forced to introduce own fonts, many developers will not do

-> Best ratio for Venu 2 Plus ... display/case

I summarized the specs from Garmins homepage in below chart. On the paper Venu2(plus) should be the better choice for runners, even if there are some features not available (ok, thats also the case for 265 like stamina). I'm very confused now - and a lil angry about. Better to continue with FR645 ?

0 mngreene over 2 years ago

Check out DCrainmaker's 965 review: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/03/garmin-forerunner-965-in-depth-review.html

and User's Guide video: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/03/garmin-forerunner-965-the-complete-beginners-guide.html

0 forandy over 2 years ago in reply to mngreene

965 review and beginner guide as links ????

The question is: Max price and max case size and minimum feature add. Is this the right direction for runners? To me not. Need small watches with max possible screen size with running features, thats not 965 and 265 is offering.

0 Elbo over 2 years ago

I can only give you my opinion on sportwatches.

tl;dr no need to buy a new watch except when the old one dies. Most new additions are marketing fluff

I now have a 6 year old forerunner 935. I choose a 935 over a 235 because of (breadcrumb) navigation and better battery life

batterylife, not because I do 24+ hour ultra’s but because I know battery life will reduce over years. My 6 year old 935 started with 24+ hours of gps usage and has now less that 10 left. So I can still do a 1 day hike and have to charge every 4 or 5 days. Which is still okayish. I would not buy a 265 due to batterylife. When it’s new it’s fine, but when it get’s older it might become problematic.

new watches have new gps chips with multiband greatness. But gps on my 935 is good enough for me. I don’t need better than good enough.

new high end watches have maps. Could be convenient but I never got lost with breadcrumb navigation.

new watches have a ton load more data, like body battery, treaning readiness and more like that. Dcrainmaker tell you these data is spot on with how he feels. Well, I also know my body pretty good and I don’t really need my watch to confirm how I already feel. So for me, most data is useless.

casesize. The case of my 935 is ok. Screen case ration isn’t very good. A bigger screen would be welcome for my aging eyes. The body of the 955 is too thick. The case of the 965 is thinner again (due to amoled?) and has a larger screen.

There is really no need to replace my 935, except when the battery dies. A 255 would be a good enough replacement and would be cheaper than the 935 was original.

But the bigger screen and extra battery life, compared to 255/265 would make it more interesting. And price? If I can use the new 965 again for 6 years, 649 euro is doable.

0 S.M.R. over 2 years ago

Thats an interesting tabulation.

I have had many Garmin over the years from the 201. I had the 630 for four years if I recall and was very happy with it . I eventually got a 745 (reluctantly as I really liked the touch interface of the 630) and more recently the 955. I though the 955 would feel too big , but actually with the correct strap I never notice it , despite wearing it 24 hours. The screen size makes a big difference for my aged eyes for sure.

You can see my post here , that I tried the 265 as a comparison. One thing for sure it is much thinner than the 955 and that was noticeable. I will try a 965 to see , hopefully next week. being thinner than the 955 will be interesting.

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-955-series/326176/955-vs-the-265---my-experience-as-a-955-user

I am not sure the Venu2 would have enough features for me now , having had the 745 and 955. One gets used to things like live segments as it adds to the experience and fun of the activity in a way.

But if the 645 is still working and doing what you need ....