Garmin Forerunner 165 assessment: Barely a compromise

After I started reviewing the Garmin Forerunner 165, I used to be frightened that it could really feel an excessive amount of like a downgrade in comparison with my long-time Forerunner 965 watch. I instructed myself to not maintain any shortcomings in opposition to it since Garmin designed it as a finances working watch.

As an alternative, I discovered that the Forerunner 165 outperforms its value; it hardly feels low cost in any respect. 

Garmin’s first makes an attempt at sub-$300 watches with AMOLED shows — the Venu Sq 2 and Vivoactive 5 — put extra emphasis on a mainstream design that appealed to non-Garmin followers. The Garmin Forerunner 165 seems cheaper, but it surely feels extra like a watch constructed for Garmin followers who need to avoid wasting cash, and it is that distinction why it is already on our listing of the very best Garmin watches as we speak.

That being stated, Garmin did disable a working characteristic on the Forerunner 165, most definitely to make its $449 Forerunner 265 look extra interesting. Whether or not it can save you cash with the 165 or not will rely on how a lot of a data-driven runner you’re. 

Garmin Forerunner 165: Worth, fashions, and bands

Launched on February 20, 2024, the Garmin Forerunner 165 prices $249.99, whereas the Forerunner 165 Music prices $299.99. The latter model consists of 4GB of music space for storing and Wi-Fi assist—the bottom 165 depends solely on Bluetooth—however has no different variations. 

For context, the 165 Music has about 3.5GB of precise house on your Spotify, Deezer, or Amazon Music playlists — or your MP3 recordsdata. I may match about 500 songs from my private library by way of the Garmin Specific desktop app. Nonetheless, it will differ primarily based on the dimensions and high quality of your music recordsdata. If you’d like more room, the Forerunner 265 Music has 8GB of storage, whereas the Forerunner 965 has 32GB for music and maps.

Each variations of the Forerunner 165 ship in Black or Mist Grey circumstances, with dual-tone Slate Grey or Whitestone silicone bands, respectively. Solely the Forerunner 165 Music has extra colourful choices: a Berry case with a Lilac strap or a Turquoise case with an Aqua strap. 

Garmin makes use of 20mm Fast Launch bands for the Forerunner 165, that means they’re simply swapped out by pulling a tab. You should purchase substitute straps of any coloration in silicone ($39.99 every), nylon ($69.99), or leather-based ($69.99) from Garmin instantly, or have a look at third-party choices. 

Garmin Forerunner 165 specs

Garmin Forerunner 165: What you may love

For those who’ve owned a Garmin Forerunner watch prior to now, you usually know what to anticipate from the 165. It is easy to take Garmin’s algorithm with no consideration, however you continue to will not discover rival manufacturers that may suggest a custom-made each day run that takes your present health and fatigue ranges into consideration.

In my case, I hardly ever choose each day recommended exercises just like the one above as a result of I like having a little bit flexibility with out the Forerunner watch buzzing my wrist if I’m going off-pace. But it surely virtually at all times conjures up my alternative of how laborious to run and whether or not to stay to my neighborhood, jog to the monitor, or take an extended route loop.

To get this steerage in a $250 working watch with no month-to-month subscription is especially particular, figuring out that the majority Garmin watches have the sturdiness and post-launch software program assist to make them final for just a few years, at the very least. Working example, the 2015 Forerunner 235 and 2019 Forerunner 245 are nonetheless the preferred watches on Strava.

I predict that the Forerunner 165 may ultimately take that spot for a variety of causes — beginning, clearly, with the low value in comparison with most Garmin watches.

Prioritizes consolation, however nonetheless long-lasting

The Forerunner 965 has been my each day look ahead to a couple of 12 months, and I’ve gotten used to its weight and thickness in change for the 23-day battery life and a 1.4-inch show. As soon as I switched to the Forerunner 165, which is half an oz lighter and 1.6mm thinner, I out of the blue remembered why I favor lighter watches throughout lengthy runs. 

The Forerunner 165 design is not what I would name fashionable, however that is true of most Garmins, and I care extra that my wrist feels pleasantly mild carrying it. I turn into extra conscious of the 965 at any time when I maintain my wrist as much as verify my tempo, however the 165 falls out of my notion extra shortly.

I am additionally a fan of its lug-heavy silicone band for a safe and breathable match that is not overly tight — even when I’ve seen that the 965’s silicone band appears barely softer and extra versatile. One may want that Garmin provided a nylon improve at checkout as a substitute of constructing you pay an additional $70, however I’ve gotten used to this moisture-wicking choice.

The Forerunner 165’s skinny measurement and AMOLED show do have an effect on its battery life, however I am going to level out that loads of previous Forerunners just like the 245 and 745 — which price the identical or extra — solely lasted per week per cost, regardless of the MIP shows. The Forerunner 165’s 11-day battery with a extra readable show is unquestionably an enchancment, inside the typical vary for most inexpensive health trackers.

I am going to admit that 17 hours of all-systems GNSS monitoring is on the low aspect for a Garmin watch, and it does require extra frequent charging than I’ve grown accustomed to with each day runs or walks. But it surely’s about context: it’s going to nonetheless really feel game-changing to non-Garmin customers, there is no potential method it’s going to die on you throughout a race, and you’ll at all times pay for pricier Forerunners if the additional battery is a necessity.

Main upgrades over the Forerunner 55

For those who personal the Forerunner 55, Forerunner 745, or another Forerunner various years outdated, then the Forerunner 165 will really feel correctly next-generation, with {hardware} upgrades that any runner would respect.

For starters, you turn from a memory-in-pixel (MIP) non-touch show to a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen with superior decision — 390 x 390 versus 208 x 208 with the Forerunner 55. Whereas this does reduce three days of battery, I discover that studying notifications and health charts with out squinting turns into considerably simpler, particularly indoors, the place MIP shows look dim except you crank the backlight.

Extra importantly, you get the Elevate v4 sensor, which is able to registering coronary heart price variability (HRV) for stress and extra practical Physique Battery recharge information. Sure, it isn’t the newer v5 sensor of the Venu 3 with ECG and pores and skin temperature, however that is a tall ask for a less expensive watch. So far as I’ve seen in exams in opposition to chest coronary heart price straps, Garmin’s v4 and v5 tech are comparable for core coronary heart price accuracy, and different (dearer) Forerunners just like the 965 use v4 as properly. 

The AMOLED show, correct GNSS monitoring, and dependable coronary heart price information make the Forerunner 165 really feel really next-gen in comparison with previous Forerunners.

Plus, in fact, Garmin gave the Forerunner 165 entry to an all-systems GNSS mode that pulls from GPS, GALILEO, and GLONASS concurrently. Having two satellite tv for pc alerts prevents inaccurate exercise information in most contexts, even when it will probably’t pinpoint fairly in addition to dual-frequency GPS on the pricier Forerunners. For those who’ve made do with GPS-only up till now, it’s best to respect the improved outcomes (which I am going to talk about within the subsequent part). 

The updates do not cease there: the Forerunner 165 has an altimeter for judging elevation achieve, one thing lacking from the Forerunner 55 and more moderen Vivoactive 5. It is a must-have for runners since inaccurate elevation information means your watch cannot attribute larger coronary heart charges to hills, skewing your VO2 Max outcomes. 

As well as, should you wish to obtain GPX recordsdata for offline programs, solely the Forerunner 165 has a compass for breadcrumb navigation. There is not sufficient room for topographical maps just like the Forerunner 965 has, however Garmin treats that as a premium characteristic, so the 265 would not have this both.

On the software program aspect, the Forerunner 165 is not that completely different from the 55; loads of my favourite Garmin coaching metrics require a 265 or 965 improve. You do, at the very least, see post-run Coaching Impact information exhibiting its cardio or anaerobic influence, and you’ll cross-train with indoor exercises. 

You even get wrist-based working energy and kind evaluation, which is not particularly useful for amateurs except you’ve a working coach or professional group to contextualize the information. I am extra grateful that the Forerunner 165 added audio prompts, shouting out mile instances so you are not continually checking your wrist.

Garmin Forerunner 165: GPS/ HRM accuracy take a look at

Final month, I examined the Forerunner 165 in opposition to COROS and Fitbit trackers for GPS, elevation, step, and coronary heart price accuracy. I will summarize the outcomes right here, together with some supplemental data. 

For step depend, it tracked 6,016 steps after 6,000 precise steps, tracked with a bodily pedometer. The following closest was the COROS PACE 3 (91 steps above), with the Fitbit Cost 6 almost 200 steps quick of the particular complete. It proved that the Forerunner 165 does the very best for fundamental monitoring should you’re captivated with getting 10,000 steps a day.

For GPS accuracy, I weighed its All-Methods GNSS mode in opposition to the COROS PACE 3 dual-frequency mode, which (on paper) must be extra correct. My run maps above disabused this notion: my Garmin Forerunner 165 (pink) constantly stayed on the path more often than not, whereas the COROS PACE 3 (orange) continuously strayed off the trail. Their final distance end result — 5 miles for Garmin, 5.02 for COROS — wasn’t that completely different, nonetheless.

(The Fitbit Cost 6’s “Dynamic GPS,” which mixes outcomes from its built-in satellite tv for pc and my cellphone location information, was so erratic that I did not trouble cluttering my maps with the outcomes).

Throughout a subsequent mile-long monitor run within the third lane, the Garmin Forerunner 165 measured the right 1,660-meter distance, whereas the precise GPS line had me drifting into left lanes earlier than turns, filling the protection hole. Once more, COROS appeared considerably worse on the map however had an analogous distance complete, whereas Fitbit’s wonky GPS-only information (blue) was each inconsistent and 35 meters quick.

Analyzing these outcomes, it is clear that Garmin’s mid-tier location tech is healthier than its rivals’ top-tier outcomes. I am unable to say whether or not Garmin’s GPS-only watches are as unreliable because the Fitbit Cost 6 was, however assuming they’re, your post-run tempo and distance could be considerably off. The Forerunner 165 and its All-Methods GNSS may make an actual distinction in un-skewing your coaching information.

As for coronary heart price accuracy, you possibly can verify how the Forerunner 165 outcomes in comparison with the Polar H10 chest strap throughout a five-mile run (above) and through a monitor exercise (beneath). 

For the standard run, the Forerunner 165 was constantly correct for almost the whole run, with the identical common and minimal coronary heart charges and solely a 1 bpm distinction for max coronary heart price. It stored up with the Polar H10 when my coronary heart price rose shortly on hills however did lag barely at catching my falling coronary heart price on downhills.

For the monitor run, I alternated between sprints and jogs to see how properly the Forerunner 165 may deal with speedy adjustments in coronary heart price — an issue with wrist-based optical sensors.

The Forerunner 165 common bpm was just one bpm larger than the Polar H10, and the chest strap had a visual glitch with deflated outcomes early within the exercise, so I would say they have been very shut. That stated, you possibly can undoubtedly see how the Forerunner 165 lagged behind the Polar H10 throughout these sudden adjustments, each for coronary heart price will increase and reduces.

I will not embody the opposite coronary heart price charts right here, however the Fitbit Cost 6 stayed principally in lockstep with the chest strap throughout each runs, beating the Forerunner 165, whereas the COROS PACE 3 matched Garmin in the course of the five-mile run however lagged even worse in the course of the monitor run.

Total, you possibly can’t fault these ends in a $250 watch, particularly the steps, elevation, and GPS distance. 

Weeks of Forerunner 165 testing have me assured that it is as correct for coronary heart price and GPS information as costlier working watches.

Solely Fitbit does higher on this value vary for coronary heart price, however the poor location monitoring offsets the advantages. I have not discovered that the pricier Forerunners are any extra correct for coronary heart price, both, and although the Forerunner 165 lags a bit for speedy coronary heart price adjustments, it averages out to the right end result in the long run. If you’d like extra correct coronary heart price outcomes than this, do not have a look at pricier working watches: Have a look at the Polar H10 or the COROS coronary heart price monitor. 

For additional context, I completed a 5K run of my neighborhood loop carrying the Forerunner 165 and 965 to verify the hole in outcomes between the $250 and $600 fashions. As you possibly can see, my coronary heart price common was similar, a predictable however welcome end result on condition that each use the Elevate v4 sensor. 

Location accuracy is the minor sticking level. The Forerunner 165 measured an additional 0.02 miles after 3.1 miles, which skewed my tempo by a second. It is honest to imagine the Forerunner 965 is extra correct because of dual-frequency monitoring, but it surely’s additionally honest to notice that this hole is minimal in comparison with GPS-only watches that’ll be off by half a minute per mile.

Except you continuously run close to tall buildings or beneath dense foliage — which might make dual-frequency GPS particularly useful — I would say that you would be able to most likely make do with the Forerunner 165’s all-systems GNSS.

Garmin Forerunner 165: What you will not like

If you cannot already inform, I actually just like the Garmin Forerunner 165, and I believe most runners will, too. That stated, it has loads of compromises in comparison with the pricier fashions, with Garmin tantalizing you with lacking options and cutbacks to improve to the 265. 

On the design aspect, its polymer supplies are rugged and light-weight, however you will not get an MIL-STD-810G score just like the Intuition 2X Photo voltaic, and its “chemically strengthened glass” is not as scratch-proof because the 265’s Gorilla Glass 3 therapy, nor as proof against reflections because the 965’s Gorilla Glass DX. 

Extra importantly, its plastic, button-heavy look is not enticing; that additionally applies to different Forerunners, to be honest, however I need to make that clear for individuals who have not grown accustomed to the Garmin aesthetic and like aluminum or metal casing.

Visually, the 1.2-inch show is shiny sufficient, and since Garmin’s UI would not do something sophisticated, the Forerunner 165’s thick bezel is extra of an aesthetic problem than a practical one. 

With its focus solely on well being, sleep, and health monitoring, the Forerunner 165 will really feel substandard to anybody who likes highly effective smartwatches just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, which prices $50 extra and offers you a full collection of apps, together with third-party working apps like Strava or Nike Run Membership. 

Shifting away from basic downgrades to lacking Garmin options, the Garmin Forerunner 165 would not monitor coaching load or load focus. Technically, it can register post-run load, however you may solely see it within the Garmin Join app should you personal a pricier Forerunner just like the 265 with coaching load information. 

Coaching load issues as a result of it helps me decide whether or not I am over- or undertraining in comparison with previous weeks and which kind of run (low cardio, excessive cardio, or anaerobic) I have to do subsequent to enhance my VO2 Max over time. I wrote final month that this lacking characteristic, purposefully excluded by Garmin, is the explanation why I am unable to exchange my Forerunner 965 with the 165.

With out Coaching Load and Standing, it is more durable to substantiate should you’re bettering or deteriorating as a runner. This information could be enlightening or discouraging, and whereas data-driven runners will miss this, others will need to keep away from the distraction.

Different absent options embody Coaching Standing, which basically summarizes whether or not your health is bettering primarily based in your Coaching Load, and the corresponding VO2 Max chart exhibiting your altering rating in current weeks. You additionally lose Coaching Readiness, which matches past your Physique Battery and estimated restoration time to guage your stamina degree earlier than a exercise. Even should you’re absolutely recovered out of your final run, you continue to won’t be “prepared” because of stress, poor sleep, or different components.

I may proceed to listing options like Efficiency Situation, a lactate threshold take a look at, multisport actions for triathletes, and others that solely include the Forerunner 265. Ultimately, you may should determine should you want all of those ancillary options, which might imply upgrading to the Forerunner 265. 

Garmin Forerunner 165: Competitors

As must be apparent from studying this assessment, different Garmin Forerunner watches are the very best competitors to the Forerunner 165. 

The Forerunner 255 and 265 price $100 and $200 extra, respectively. The Forerunner 255 offers you Coaching Standing and Load information, plus dual-band GPS monitoring and an additional three days of battery life; in change, you must settle for an MIP show. The Forerunner 265 has the identical options with Coaching Readiness added, plus a 13-day battery life. 

If you wish to look exterior of Garmin watches, the COROS PACE 3 is the obvious rival. It prices $20 much less, with instruments like coaching plan calendars, post-run coaching impact, and restoration time that the Forerunner 165 has. Plus, it has the coaching standing and coaching load information that Garmin restricts, a 24-day battery life, and an analogous weight and measurement. Negatives embody its low cost look and boring MIP show, together with the truth that it misplaced to the Forerunner 165 in my accuracy take a look at.

Garmin Forerunner 165: Do you have to purchase?

You can purchase the Garmin Forerunner 165 if…

• You are a runner who wants personalised exercise recs and correct post-run information.
• You are utilizing a last-gen Forerunner and need a {hardware} improve — however you are proud of the software program.
• You’ll be able to’t afford the pricier Forerunners.

You should not purchase the Garmin Forerunner 165 if…

• You want Coaching Load information on your coaching schedule.
• You’d fairly prioritize battery life over an AMOLED show.

Since I moved away from New York Metropolis and its many working golf equipment — proper in time for a worldwide pandemic — I’ve turn into extra of a solitary, data-driven runner. The Garmin Forerunner 165 checks most of my bins, primarily with its exercise recommendations that take my fatigue, coaching load, and upcoming races into consideration.

As a result of I examined the Forerunner 265 and 965 first, I’ve turn into accustomed to seeing my coaching load information and VO2 Max graph for myself as a benchmark for whether or not I am staying on monitor. But when I would by no means used these watches, I would not know what I used to be lacking. I may merely obtain a Garmin marathon coaching plan to my calendar or use Garmin Coach and belief in my effort without having an algorithm to show my progress.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 will high my private listing of the very best working watches of 2024, however I would solely be capable to use it if I took a unique philosophical strategy to my working. Whether or not you purchase it’s going to rely on the identical factor: For those who do not want Coaching Load, then do not upsell your self to a pricier Garmin, and purchase the wonderful Forerunner 165.