If you’re training for a race, couple of multisport see brand names do it like Garmin. There are 2 things I do not like about ’em. They’re costly, and the platform can be frightening to beginners. Have you seen its online shop? For newbies, it’s difficult to parse which of Garmin’s lots of watches gets you the fundamentals without damaging your wallet. Not any longer. After investing the last couple of weeks with the $299.99 Forerunner 165 Music, I’m persuaded this– or the $249.99 basic variation– is the Garmin watch that strikes the sweet area.
3 hundred smackeroos might not appear budget-friendly till you take a look at Garmin’s flagship watches. Those can choose a massive $700 to well over $1,000. Even midrange watches, like the exceptional Forerunner 265 series, retail for $450. I liked the Forerunner 265 series. The only thing I didn’t like was the cost. Which’s what makes this specific watch so attractive. It’s a near clone of the smaller sized 265S however for $150 to $200 less. The only things you’re truly missing out on are dual-frequency GPS and some sports profiles. (And like the Forerunner 265 series it’s likewise missing out on EKGs for atrial fibrillation.)
The Forerunner 265S (left) and the Forerunner 165 Music.
Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales/ The Verge and Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales/ The Verge
Seriously. Side by side, it’s difficult to inform my 165 Music and 265S apart. The buttons on the 265S are a bit fancier. Fortunately, my systems are various colors. I do not believe I ‘d have the ability to inform at a glimpse otherwise.
When it comes to efficiency, in 95 percent of my everyday usage, I didn’t see a distinction. Even without dual-frequency GPS, you still get precise outside activity tracking. I checked the 165 Music at the same time with my phone and the Apple Watch Ultra 2– both of which have dual-frequency GPS. The maps and range reported all corresponded within a 10th of a mile. I may’ve seen more of a distinction if I ran in a tough environment, like Manhattan’s monetary district. That stated, I’ve done a lot of keeping up multisport watches with and without dual-frequency GPS. While dual-frequency GPS is more precise, it primarily benefits folks who train in GPS dead zones. If that’s not you, you will not likely see.
For activity profiles and health tracking metrics, you get the essentials for a training watch. And Garmin’s meaning of standard is generous. Are you going to get snowboarding or boxing? No. More specific niche activities like triathlon, playing golf, mountain cycling, or group sports need a more pricey Forerunner or Garmin. If you usually stick to the fitness center, biking, running, swimming, treking, tennis (or pickleball!), and the periodic yoga or pilates session? You’re great. Sure, investing more will get you more– however this will get many people whatever they requirement
Heart rate information was likewise on par with my Ultra 2 and a Polar H10 chest strap.