Garmin Forerunner 165 In-Depth Review: Best Bang for Buck?

I have received the Vivoactive 5 for my birhtday (came from a Forerunner 645), it is the biggest disappointment ever due to the too sensitive touchscreen (and I have already put the sensitivity to low). If you hit pause and by accident the sleeve of your jacket hits the screen it starts saving, I lost so many nice data because of this as you then have to restart and you 45 kilometer hike is split in 2. So many frustrations on that one, instead of joy. Now I am considering this 165 as I do not want to spend a fortune on a new watch and I think for what I use it for this one should be fine. I am curious about the skiing function of the 165 as that is also bad on the Vivoactive 5, it keeps counting the elevators also, does not know when you go downhill. Is that OK on the 165?

Recently bought one for myself, since it's my first Garmin Watch I'm still learning how to use it.

I want to know if fr165 gps works well in race day with single band gps, any info regarding this?

Garmin 165 or Coros Pace 3?

I'm conflicted between the vivoactive 5 and the Forerunner 165. On one hand I think that the vivoactive is a much better/more elegant looking watch, and can go better with normal outfits as opposed to the forerunner which looks more sport-specific. At least in my eyes. If the vivoactive had the suggested workouts and pace predictor/pace pro then it would be an easy decision, but i'm not sure if those are dealbreakers or not!

Saw a lot of comment here comparing Garmin to Coros. Not sure about the watch capabilities as I only own Decathlon KIPRUN GPS 500 (it’s a Coros first model) after several years using Fenix 3, the most differences I can say it’s the ecosystem. I’m started using AllTrails app few months ago and it’s only supported Garmin. That’s the pain in the ass since I can’t seem to sync my hike to the app and loose the capability to verify my hike (from the list of mountains there). So it’s all go back to what you need and what you use it for. I’m definitely changing back to Garmin as I’m doing more hike now, just contemplating to choose either this new 165 or Instinct 2 Solar

Shouldn't the banner with FORERUNNER 265: $349 as the price, show $449 as the price instead? I managed to find a 265 on sale just before Christmas for $399 and since my old 245 was on it's last legs, I bought the 265. Had I known the FORERUNNER 165 at $249 was coming , I would have waited and bought it instead. I think the 165 is a great deal for all but the very serious racer, a bargain at $249, and should expand sales for Garmin.

Is this 165 music?

I am so confused with all these options. What Garmin watch would you buy, if you were a beginner runner but looking to advance, and a lifelong tennis player? I also do pilates and yoga. I don't really care about a pretty AMOLED screen so much as I don't think I'll constantly look at the watch while I'm running and don't intend to wear it for day to day activities, but just for sport. I'd like to listen to music without bringing my phone on my runs. I remember looking into the FR255 but the release of this watch just confuses me a bit. Thanks to anyone who can help :)

Specifically for swimming, is it as good as the 955?? Im iust talking about swimming, (pool/open water) is it as accurate when it comes to swimming ??

The FR255 and FR265 has had a update with the activity profile 'inline skating'. The Fr165 don't have it and will not get it with a update (looks like)... Is there a possibility to customize a profile and is there a differend with profile installed from Garmin?

If I want a watch to train for a triathlon would you recommend the garmin 165 or the coros pace 3 I am having a hard time deciding coros seems to be worth it but the garmin ecosystem seems really nice

Great vids I got the fr55 and I want a upgrade did want the fr965 but at £600 compare 2 the fr265 possible £300

Amsterdam ;) Lets go

Can anyone comment on how quickly the 165 reacts to current pace changes? My current watch has a delay of about 20-30 seconds, and I'm having trouble managing my pace as a newer runner, especially during elevation changes. Will the 165 be significantly better?

Which should I get as an avid cyclist looking to track more health data?

The sound on this video was not of the usual standard. I stuggled to hear clearly.

So just an update i tried the Fr255 and FR165, FR165 was trash for swimming and 255 wasnt great. Swapped to a galaxy watch 6 which isnt the most accurate for working out and other health metrics. But oddly enough like other people have noticed the galaxy watch is extremley accurate in the pool recognised all strokes amd meters were perfect. Others at my swim club on amdroid noticed the same thing.

hi, I would just like to know, which one is better, Garmin fr 165 or 255?

Can you do comparison between venu sq2 and forerunner 165?

And here i am using Garmin Venu Sq (bought a used one for $50) and very happy with it. Tracks all my activities and gives me accurate stats. Gps is good too. I just cannot justify spending on a new Garmin.

I need help choosing between the 165 and the 255?
HELP! lol

If u r using mostly for gym would u recommend this or vivoactive 5 or amazefit balance?

I just changed to the 265s from the 955. I never used the maps and navigation. So I didn't think I needed the 965.
I was hesitant about the AMOLED screen and battery.
Boy was I surprised. The bright crisp screen makes the watch feel like a whole new watch.
I normally work out early morning. So the sun is down or hardly popping out. So the screen looks great. The times I run in the day or cycle, the screen is still bright and visible. I'm getting a solid week of battery with allot of GPS activities.

This 165 sounds like a good idea. Just wish it was a little cheaper to really grab the new runners

Just a quick note, i got the garmin FR165 and you cant export swim workouts to the watch its not compatible. Thanks Garmin! Also using their website looks like the swim 2 can and Venu 2/4 and vivoactive 4. Which i dont trust the Venu and VA4 to be able to do this so i might purchase a swim 2 since they still sell these new at the shops.

If the 265 or 965 had a flat screen like the 165 for sure I'll buy them, but because of that I'll be holding even if that means years until they release they release a flat screen version sucesor of 265/965

Is there a way to have a black screen that only lights up with gesture or when you press a button?

I feel sorry for anyone interested in buying a garmin right now. I bought one last year and spent like two months researching the differences between different garmins and then between garmins and other brands. It's confusing as hell for the consumer and creates a huge mental barrier to entry. They desperately need to:

a) trim down the number of models, not add new ones. Again, when buying these things It's a right headache to have to learn how all the different garmins compare to each other, let alone other brands. A huge mental barrier to entry. Three forerunners per generation was complicated enough. There's the forerunner, vivoactive, venu etc etc. I say one line for running/athletics, one line emphasising style, and then the fenix and epix watches at the top. Two watches per product line is enough, maybe three for a basic/lite, pro and ultra approach.
b) fix the naming schemes (these numbers are nonsensical to someone who is new to the brand and even now I understand it I think they'd be better served with literally anything else. It's not original but we all understand the standard, pro, ultra naming schemes so just go with that.

Althought this watch is pretty I would probably go for the Coros Pace 3

Does this have turn by turn navigation? For example if I hit a fork in the trail will it direct me the correct way? (Before I hit the fork in the road will it have a notification on what way to turn?)

I need some woman point of view. I can't decide between 165 and 255 as a gift for my girlfriend. And obviously don't want to ask her. I know all the pros/cons but I am not able to recognize if that AMOLED display is so important comparing with all the functional things. For ladies. She is starting to run regularly, mostly in the city, but she wants to start preparing also for some trail races. Is there anyone of you ladies with some opinion? Or anyone with the same issue... 😅

Do I choose the Garmin forerunner 165 or the Garmin vivoactive 5?

I don’t see the list of activities you can track

Vive les boutons!

To answer the last comment, this watch is for me! I had a 245, and tried a 55. My vision is not great, so having an AMOLED screen is a huge factor. I just don't dig the style of the vivoactive 5, and the venues are too expensive.

I really like the 245, but you can't even increase the backlight on it. Under some conditions it can be hard to read if you're older like myself. Also, at my age, getting out is enough. I don't need the multi-band accuracy etc. that comes with the 255.

Can someone explain the math behind Garmin's business model? I don't see how all these stupid software-disabling games Garmin plays can help them, vs the competition that all do something better than anything Garmin sells. I'd think they'd be able to run a far more profitable business by differentiating only on hardware, enabling all software that the hardware can support (which reduces their costs dramatically), and selling far more capable watches for less money. This would reduce what must be pretty massive overhead from managing different SKUs, supply chains, development teams, code/bug databases, etc, let alone all the people who get daunted and convinced to buy an Apple because there are too many half-capable Garmin models to choose from. The only way their business model seems like it could work is if people are actually buying several different Garmin watches for different purposes. Any idea how often that happens?

Battery life. That is all.

reply massage with t9 keyboard possible like vivoactive 5?

Pleaseee i hope you consider making a video comparing coros pace 3 and FR 165

Q: will the Forerunner 65 pull a course from your "favorites" that you downloaded from you run club and will it give you a verbale and audible turn by turn if you have your bluetooth headset on? I am a back of the pack runner and always get lost in our downtown streets. I am looking for a watch that will give me audible turn by turn directions as I am on a run. thank you

Where can you find out which watches have the newer HR monitor ?

Now I know that my VO2 Max is slight better than DC's one

Seems like great value. I was set on the 265 @ $600 Canadian, but now have to consider this for $340 Cdn, 43% cheaper. Pretty big price difference to mostly gain multiband GPS, tri/multisport mode, and training readiness.

When am I going to get the "star stepper" activity?

Please compare FR 165 vs Coros Pace 3!

Ah, no power meter support. That’s something I need. But I can see this being useful for a lot of people.

I lost interest with touchscreen, it's cold and wet where I live most of the year, touchscreens don't work

Everyone has like 3 options depending what you want and there is Garmin with 100 options