Garmin - Forerunner 165

I got the Forerunner 165 non-music edition for $249. I do a lot of treadmill running, and I love being able to calibrate my runs to match my treadmill. I opted for the FR over the Vivoactive 6 due to the FR being able to count stairs counted, and the VA 6 doesn't.

My suggestion when deciding is to make a list of what you NEED the watch to do, then a list of what features you LIKE, and a third list for what you can live WITHOUT. Using this format, I was able to narrow down my choices. I ended up selecting the FR 165 without music. It's a great introductory running watch, with other wellness features I wanted with a great display. Since I always bring my phone, I didn't see the need for the music option.

I've had the Forerunner 165 for 3 weeks so far and love it. It's a great intro to the Garmin ecosystem. I love all the data, and the battery life is amazing. I turned off the always-on display and have been able to get the full 11 days of battery life. Coming from a Galaxy Watch 3 classic that I had to charge daily, the battery life alone has been worth the switch.

Garmin Forerunner 165. Music feature is not worth it, IMHO, so it's currently on sale for $237. [https://a.co/d/fBstsbZ](https://a.co/d/fBstsbZ)

Most of the new Garmins track pool swims. It doesn’t require a very expensive one. Even the Forerunner 165 supports pool and open water swimming: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1055469/ Garmin Forerunner® 165

Even the 165 is very good for running and many other activities. You have to get the “m” version to play music from the watch. (I always play from my phone.)

All the Garmins support the pool swim “widget“ (their name for an app). All the newer ones support open water, too. Look at the Forerunner 165, for example. It’s confusing, but the differences between the models are subtle!

Garmin is pretty sly in how they differentiate their watches. I think the Forerunner 165 ($250) would do just about everything you want. Running, cycling (the watch can broadcast HR to the bike computer, a hidden feature), pool swim, and open-water swim. All the sleep and readiness monitoring features(take them with a grain of salt). What it doesn’t support is the “Multisport” app, which can track a triathlons (as a sequence of any combo of other workouts). I’m sure it *could* and they just disable it on this model. Is “multisport“ essential? **NO.** You can track an entire triathlon as a run (or whatever), pressing the lap button before and after each transition, giving you the timing. Or, you can pay $300 more and get the FR 570 (or certain others), which has the “multisport” feature. (That’s how they get you to pay more— with one tiny software feature!)

Garmin Forerunner 165 is worth looking at. The “music” option has limited value, imho.

Any model with that says “multisport” in the specs. If you ever want to do a triathlon, it also needs to support open water swimming. It looks like you have to spend quite a lot to get it. Forerunner 570 has it. Of course, you can just buy a Foretunner 165 and track the whole thing as a run (or whatever), pressing the lap button at the transitions.

I've got the lowest end one - the Forerunner 165 non music and I love it. I use it for running and for CrossFit and while it does not have all the metrics of the more expensive models it's got all the features I need/want. Reading your post, I am not sure if you need your watch to alert you when you move from zone 1 to zone 2 to zone 3 etc. I don't think this Forerunner will do this - maybe none of the Garmins? I don't use any alerts myself but I think you can set a band - minimum and maximum heart rates as described in the manual below. [https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-607F08F6-33FC-40BF-9727-84E54043D82D/EN-US/GUID-D68697C7-D321-4B42-8A52-5C9D257B58CE.html](https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-607F08F6-33FC-40BF-9727-84E54043D82D/EN-US/GUID-D68697C7-D321-4B42-8A52-5C9D257B58CE.html) It sounds like you already have a chest strap. An external HR monitor is definitely nice to have if you are using a watch during CrossFit workouts - Because your wrist is moving into flexion and extension during many CrossFit movements there may be occasional glitches in the HR readings from the watch's sensor. Because of this I use a Coros HRM (armband heart rate monitor) along with my Garmin. Depending on the workout, the glitches are small and few.

I recently made the switch. I elected to go with the Garmin 165 (non-music). So far I'm pretty happy with it. It did take some getting used to the controls. The battery life is great, it's water resistant to 5 ATM (50M) so it's going to be OK to swim with, and has tons of health metrics. [https://www.garmin.com/en-CA/p/1055469/#specs](https://www.garmin.com/en-CA/p/1055469/#specs)

after my research i got my 165 non music editon from singapore which was like 4 months back or so and saw an amazing deal for 210 sgd which is around 164usd .. hard to pass an amazing deal.. and its been an amazing 4 months using it

I'm using a non-music fr 165 pero for your needs, I think fr 265/265s ang bagay sayo. Yung gps nyan is multiband so mas reliable especially kapag nasa city ka na maraming buildings. Battery life, wala ring problem. Pwede rin for swimming. Lastly, fr 265 ay may music capability na by default. Sa fr 165 kailangan mo pa yung music edition if you want to store music. >Planning to get a Garmin this time since I heard their watches also last for about two weeks in a single charge, which is what I'm used to. Ito, depende sya. Kung nakasmartwatch mode ka lang, yes pwede umabot ng 2 weeks pero kung lagi kang tumatakbo at nakagps, mas mabilis madedrain yung battery.

If you're a minimalist, the [Garmin Forerunner® 55 ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/741137/)is solid and boring and has some solid stats and basic activity profiles. It checks every box you have right now--but you'll probably outgrow it quickly. For only US$50 more, the [Garmin Forerunner® 165 ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1055469/)is AMAZING with a ton of data and activity profiles. At 43mm, it isn't bulky at all, wears light, has a good AMOLED screen, pairs with your phone (Android or Apple), and has good GPS. It takes a long time to need more than the Forerunner 165 gives you. 10/10 recommend. It's less of a running watch, but has similar data, a ton of activity profiles, is sleeker, smaller, has a more premium feel, and is geared toward lifestyle: [Garmin vívoactive® 5](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1057989/pn/010-02862-11/). Black Friday is coming up and discounts are coming your way. Welcome to Garmin!

When it comes to your budget, Garmin's premier value offering is the [Forerunner® 165](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1055469/pn/010-02863-20/#specs). It's sleek, well-made, has an AMOLED display, and has solid gym profiles: Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing. A step up from the FR165 is the [Forerunner® 265. ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/886785/pn/010-02810-00/)It's right there at the top of your budget, has a more premium construction, but offers minimal additions to gym profiles compared to the FR165. For a more rugged offering, the [Instinct® 2 Solar ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/775697/pn/010-02627-10/)is a great choice, and has the same gym profiles as the FR165/FR265. As a step up from the Instinct 2, The [Instinct® 3 ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1315317/pn/010-02934-00/)does everything the Instinct 2 does, but has a flashlight. And the flashlight is AMAZING. I use mine daily. For a sleek, lifestyle watch that also provides the same gym capabilities as every other watch, the [Garmin vívoactive® 6 ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1555457/pn/010-02985-02/)is a great choice. If the Vivoactive 6 doesn't quite scratch your itch, then the next step up from there at the top of your budget is the [Garmin Venu® 3](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/873008/pn/010-02784-01/#specs). It has a more premium construction than the Vivoactive 6, and it has the same gym/strength profiles as every other watch listed here. All these watches are under $450. Your considerations would be: 1. Do you want a middle-of-the-road watch with respectable gym capabilities? The Forerunners meet that criteria. 2. Do you want rugged, solar-charging capabilities and a design that looks good on a thick wrist? Check out the Instincts. 3. Do you prefer a premium build that looks great in the gym, at the opera, or on the beach? Go for the Vivoactive 6 or the Venu 3. Just in case you wanted ALL the data, here's a side-by-side comparison of these watches. You can toggle the "Show only differences" option for a more summarized view: [Garmin | Product Compare](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/compare/?compareProduct=1055469&compareProduct=886785&compareProduct=775697&compareProduct=1555457&compareProduct=873008) Have fun checking out your options--and early welcome to Garmin!

We need to know your budget, if your gender has any bearing on your style, and what your old Samsung watch was--if you're looking for something visually or functionally similar. All that being said, the [Garmin Forerunner® 165 ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1055469/pn/010-02863-21/)is your best value, entry-level watch. It has a ton of features and an AMOLED screen, as well as solid single-band GPS and more data and analytics than you'll know what to do with. It does hiking, swimming, and running very well--and a lot more. If an entry-level running watch is an offense to your style, then check out the [Garmin Forerunner 570 ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1463821/pn/010-02970-00/)or the cheaper [Garmin Forerunner® 265](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/886785/pn/010-02810-00/). If you're more into a lifestyle watch, your best entry-level watch is the [Garmin vívoactive® 6](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1555457/pn/010-02985-02/): it has great activity profiles--including hiking, swimming, and running--along with excellent connectivity to your watch, and a sleek, well-made look. If you want a watch that does it all from the gym to the office to the opera to your next half-marathon, then the [Garmin Venu® 4](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1614061/pn/010-03014-00/) is your go-to. It's premium, understated, has a flashlight, microphone and speaker, and is packed with a significant amount of data, analytics, and activity profiles. It goes without saying that it can handle hiking and swimming, too. Do you want a rugged, G-Shock style look, solar charging, a flashlight, and a great battery? The [Garmin Instinct® 3 ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1315317/pn/010-02934-00/)family is where it's at. It does running, hiking, and swimming, especially if you want to run, hike, and/or swim for days, nonstop. Do you want a premium, rugged, large-and-in-charge watch that does everything you could ever want, has maps, a flashlight, ECG capability, plus diving? The [Garmin fēnix® 8 ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1228493/pn/010-02903-10/)in all of its glorious, multiple variants is waiting to hug your wrist and love you long time. Are you understated, hate charging your watch more than once a month, have large forearms, and are committed to maps, a flashlight, and all the other premium features that go far, far beyond running, hiking, and swimming? The [Garmin Enduro™ 3 ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/851039/pn/010-02751-00/)is your boo. Those are the main families within the Garmin clan. Go to [Garmin Official Site](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/) and have fun finding what resonates with you. You can use the [Compare Function](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/wearables-smartwatches/?compare=1) to mix and match and zero in on which styles and capabilities are important to you. Welcome to Garmin! You'll love it here--and we love it that you're (almost) here!

I had the Vivoactive 5--which was nice for overall fitness--but I switched to the Forerunner 165 and it really is a superior platform for runners. The metrics and training plans are much more interesting/targeted/relevant. The barometric altimeter was dropped in the Vivoactive 4 but is very much essential to the FR165. I have the black 165 with black band, and it works well on a casual weekend as much as in a professional setting. I wear mine every day, and to sleep. It's a dream. PLUS, the screen of the FR165 is flat, rather than the slightly convex one on the Vivoactive series. Bumping my watch and worrying that I'm going to scratch the screen is a thing of the past. Here's the comparison: [https://www.garmin.com/en-US/compare/?compareProduct=1555457&compareProduct=1055469](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/compare/?compareProduct=1555457&compareProduct=1055469)

Are you the kind of person who loves data and wants to analyze your running metrics in detail? Do you often run heavily urbanized courses, where SatIQ ensures more accuracy amidst the skyscrapers? Do you want a slightly heavier, larger, more premium feel? Then, yes, the FR265 is for you. If data is fun but you don't keep track of every metric and data derivative, regular GPS is fine, and a light, sleek build is totally your thing, then go with the FR165 with no regrets. Here's the comparison: [Garmin | Product Compare](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/compare/?compareProduct=1055469&compareProduct=886785)

I love mine. At the price point, the amount of features and accuracy it has is just mind-blowing. I got mine during a Black Friday sale, when it was below $200. I feel like Garmin wanted the FR165 to be an entry-level watch, and then a subversive engineer packed the specs and marketing didn't figure it out until it was too late. :D In a world where prices keep going up and capabilities only increase marginally, the FR165 is a rock-solid entry that I recommend and proudly wear.

The [Garmin Forerunner® 165 ](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1055469/pn/010-02863-20/)is your best bet. Great capability and value, and the next step up from the FR55. If you want to take the next step up, the Forerunner 255 is a great choice.

The Forerunner 55 is absolutely a great watch that does everything you mentioned, for a great price. It has an MIP screen and good battery, and basic activity modes and simply analytics. For only US$50 more, you can get the Forerunner 165, which is the intersection of best price and capabilities, coupled with an AMOLED screen, great battery life, significant running analytics, and many activity modes. If you can afford the extra $50, go for the FR165. Here's a comparison between the two: [Garmin | Product Compare](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/compare/?compareProduct=741137&compareProduct=1055469)

Second vote for the Forerunner 165. It's an amazing value for everything it does.

FR 165 may be missing some more advanced options, but it should match your needs and budget (barely). Personally I would go for second hand FR255. If you care a lot about HR, especially during intervals, buy arm monitor like Polar OH1+ in addition to a watch. It is quite cheap, easily pairs with all Garmins and tests prove it is more reliable than almost any watch on the market.

All true except advanced metrics. They are also present in Fenix (it has even more features for hiking) and Instinct. Forerunner is not more advanced. The rugedness is mostly about the bezel. In fenix and instinct it has a rim which gives extra protection to the screen. But that means rugged watches are more bulky what can be a problem in the gym. The real question is lightness of forerunner vs battery life of fenix /instinct

Forerunner 165 is great for running.

Forerunner 55 for the absolute basics. Forerunner 165 is the cheapest with a AMOLED screen. Forerunner 255, 265, 955 and 965 are just discontinued. In my opinion 955 is the most value for money as it includes mapping. 965 is the same watch as the 955, but with an AMOLED screen. If you don’t need mapping, then go for the 265. It is the same as the 965, but without maps. So if you can find a 955 that would be your best bet in my opinion. Forerunner 570 and 970 introduce unnecessary features, such as microphone & speaker, sapphire glass, shiny metal bezels all of which add nothing to running but do increase the price.