New watches worth it?

I used a forerunner 935 for over 6 years and have a forerunner 965 since last year.

I find the 965 one big disappointment.

The watch is way more expensive, the firmware is way more buggier, the new functions don't add anything for the way I use it.

Maps is slightly more convenient when following a gpx train (I never got lost with the 935 and maps on a tiny screen are quite hard to see)

Batterylife isn't as good as the 935 was.

I never had any problems with gps on the 935 and I   don't need better than already good enough.

The optical heart rate sensor still can't replace a chest strap for me. Hrv is a nice addition, but  not a really must have.

I never had any problems with the MIP screen, buit I have loads of annoyances with the amoled screen, starting that the gesture detection doesn't work very well. And AOD has a way to big battery life penalty.

Configuring your device from the app is slightly more convenient, but you don't do that very often.

If I where you I would keep using the 935 and use the money to enter races or buy new shoes. Much more beneficial.

(not the popular opinion here, but it is my real life experience)

Totally no . Garmin its the worst for wrist Hr . I had the Fenix 3 and i sell it to buy the 965 for the wrist Hr . I use the belt again. The only good think sometimes is the morning HRV( I test it with the Elite HRV app with chest belt). 

Just adding another data point for 965. I mostly also use a HR strap while running, but I've compared wrist HR and strap HR on lots of my runs, both steady-state and intervals (this became possible using FitFileViewer after Garmin added HR source switching in recent firmwares). On almost all of my runs my wrist HR and strap HR are almost perfectly aligned. While walking I occasionally get a cadence lock at the beginning of the walk.

For me, upgrading from Fenix 5+ (which has a similar wrist HR sensor to 935) was a clear improvement. (Also, having multiband GPS gives better pace than my old Fenix 5+ did.)

Exactly for this comparison I created the ANT+ HRM datafield: https://apps.garmin.com/apps/7c83d402-4b68-4f0a-b167-7139788a19b3

You can compare the optical and the band sensor, both recorded in the same fit file and displayed in Garmin Connect, where you can overlay them. No need for 3rd party app, downloads, etc

Problem with OHR is that is more person dependent than technique dependent. You cannot say, if it works for 1 person it works for everybody. People living in colder climates might also experience less accuracy.

You can say, if it doesn't work for you on the forerunner 935 it probably won't work for you on the forerunner 965 either.

The software and hardware for wrist HR sensor have generally improved with new generations. But as you can see in these forums, several/many users still have issues with accuracy during workouts.

I would not recommend upgrading just to get "the better wrist HR sensor", because there is a high risk you will still get the issue you faced.

The newer watches have more training metrics to help you train well, but these metrics still depend heavily on consistent HR and HRV data accuracy.

There is no other way about it: if you care about the training metrics accuracy, you need to wear a chest strap. If you are not too worried about them, the wrist HR will be OK for training purposes, of course.

oooh, very cool.  I may play with this app, although, I already know that my wrist HR is hit or miss.

I've been through a lot of watches, and no wrist HR sensor works for me reliably when running or even cycling if the road is rough.  I blame it on my wrist.  The 965 is overall more reliable than my prior Fenix3HR and Fenix 6Pro- both of which were heavier watches.  That said- I've been through a number of the scosche and wahoo optical arm bands, and they work fine.  so- just get one of those.

I wouldn't upgrade for the HR sensor.

However- the 965 is such a cool watch, so many fun features, a truly huge and magnificent display... you owe it to yourself to spring the $500 and get this watch.

I'm very happy with my 965. In the 9 months that I've had it, I've had an inaccurate heart rate reading only twice while running--and that was because the watch was too loose on my wrist. I've found that it needs to be pretty snug (but not too tight), so I usually tighten it up one step before heading out the door. Check out DC Rainmaker's review if you want a more in-depth analysis.