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Is it worth spending over 500$ on garmin watch? (Forerunner 255 vs 955)

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(Please read the post) Is it worth spending the extra money for the Forerunner 955?

  • Yes!

  • No!

  • Don't buy a watch at all!

  • Buy another watch!

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21 - 40 of 80 Posts
#21 ·
Laupe said:
Hello

I'm lookin at buying a garmin watch, looking at the Forerunner 255 and 955.

I mainly ride mtb and use my Garmin edge 530 to track my rides. So, i'm looking for a watch to track all my other activities like strength training, running and PE. I want the full overview of my training load, recovery, body battery etc. that's why i think the forerunner is the best model for me, since i don't want to spend Fenix amount of money.

Is it worth spending 200$ more for the Forerunner 955 at 520$, when the Forerunner 255 costs 320$ ?
Main difference is touch screen vs no touch screen, even more training features and a bigger battery on 955

Please don't recommend other brands, i'm only interestedin Garmin :)
(All prices are converted from my countries currency)
Click to expand...
Yes, but we have a family that likes watches and $500 is very reasonable in that context.

I found the Garmin 830 did everything I wanted and cost a lot less than the next one up though.
 
#22 ·
Lots of sales going on (40%-60% off) if you Google the Fenix, if interested. I had the 935 and now have the 945. I prefer touch screen and would like a brighter screen but my Apple Watch doesn't come close to the features yet and that battery life is awful (it is a much better smart watch though). I'll probably get the one that is coming next, after this 955.

bikecloset.com

Garmin fenix 6 Pro Black with Black Band

Garmin Part Number: 010-02158-01 -For Sales and Service Text (707) 285-9196 Anytime! -The best prices guaranteed 100% of the time! -Always genuine new in box product under warranty! -We price match…
bikecloset.com bikecloset.com
 
#23 ·
BackWoodsHick said:
Take a look at the Venu 2 or 2+
Click to expand...
Just to elaborate a little bit, I have the Venu 2 and I also use a Garmin 530. They are an ideal pair.

I think it is true of any Garmin watch with a pulse rate monitor, but you can broadcast (their term) to the Edge.

On its own, it also has everything I could need. The display is incredibly high quality. It has all the training functionality that you said you would like to have, and in my experience, I have had it about 1 year and it behaves flawlessly and reliably.

I bought it because it was on sale (it frequently is in the US), and looked like it was the best bang for the buck. I was not disappointed.

(I got my wife a Withings Scan-watch, and that is horrible. Out of the box, it is hobbled by requiring your phone's GPS, but it turns out that is the least of its problems. It doesn't even tell time properly. It has been endlessly frustrating. Whatever you do, don't even think of getting that!).

If by any chance you haven't found it, DC Rainmaker 's website has many very detailed reviews of essentially every watch Garmin produces and sells.
 
#24 ·
I find the recovery time suggestions to be a joke and the body battery seems silly. But i really like my forerunner 55, it was under $200 and the battery is rated for 2 weeks/ or 20hrs with GPS. I used to have the vivoactive 3 and the touchscreen was really annoying, didn’t always work well when wet/ sweaty.
 
#26 ·
BackWoodsHick said:
I think it is true of any Garmin watch with a pulse rate monitor, but you can broadcast (their term) to the Edge.
Click to expand...
I did not know that. Very interesting. I have a Garmin Fenix, and a number of Edges. I always end up using an Edge because the Fenix doesn't have the ability to sense jumps, and I like that particular feature. OTOH, with an Edge I have to wear a Wahoo TikrFit to get my pulse and breathing, but at least I can do that.

Wearing the Fenix and using an Edge would be ideal, because I generally don't wear my Apple watch when downhilling, so I have an empty wrist available.

Yes, I'm a gear whore. I accept that.
 
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#27 ·
Garmin only puts old tech on sale typically. They also price fix their products in the US. If a retailer gets caught selling for less they lose the ability to sell their products. Maybe it’s different where you are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#30 ·
BFH9 said:
Another question. Do they track via gps even when wearing under a coat in the winter?
Click to expand...
Yes, this is not a problem. I used my instinct to track my segments during the Iditarod. 3 years in a row.
 
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#31 ·
I'm in a similar position but maybe not as driven for other training type recording. I have a forerunner 235 and am looking to upgrade. I'm going to get a 255 if there's a good christmas sale next month or a second hand 945, the 955 isn't worth the extra for me.
 
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#32 ·
BackWoodsHick said:
Just to elaborate a little bit, I have the Venu 2 and I also use a Garmin 530. They are an ideal pair.

I think it is true of any Garmin watch with a pulse rate monitor, but you can broadcast (their term) to the Edge.

On its own, it also has everything I could need. The display is incredibly high quality. It has all the training functionality that you said you would like to have, and in my experience, I have had it about 1 year and it behaves flawlessly and reliably.

I bought it because it was on sale (it frequently is in the US), and looked like it was the best bang for the buck. I was not disappointed.

(I got my wife a Withings Scan-watch, and that is horrible. Out of the box, it is hobbled by requiring your phone's GPS, but it turns out that is the least of its problems. It doesn't even tell time properly. It has been endlessly frustrating. Whatever you do, don't even think of getting that!).

If by any chance you haven't found it, DC Rainmaker 's website has many very detailed reviews of essentially every watch Garmin produces and sells.
Click to expand...
Wait, so if I have both 530 and Venu 2,
I can get the HRV data in my garmin app?
That'd be the killer combo if true.
I looked up and see the Venu 2 to lack training raw data (like HRV throughout the day) and advanced training matrices (like training readiness).

So, Garmin 530 can open up that missing information section in Garmin app?
 
#33 ·
Hexsense said:
Wait, so if I have both 530 and Venu 2,
I can get the HRV data in my garmin app?
That'd be the killer combo if true.
I looked up and see the Venu 2 to lack training raw data (like HRV throughout the day) and advanced training matrices (like training readiness).

So, Garmin 530 can open up that missing information section in Garmin app?
Click to expand...
No that’s what Garmin wants to sell you. You would need one of the current offerings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#34 ·
Funny thing regarding the touchscreen on the 955... I had touchscreens on the 610, then the 620. Was super sad not to have on the 645, then the 945, so I was super stoked when they announced the 955 would have touchscreen again, bought one a soon as it came out. Woohoo Touchscreen!

I think I have used the touchscreen 3 times...and 2 of those was by accident. It not that it works bad, it works perfectly well, but I just completely forget its there.
 
#35 ·
I use a vivoactive 4S for mtn biking, running, walking. Works great for those, don't know about any other types of exercise. Battery is excellent. Desfit on youtube has great reviews on workout watches, check him out.
 
#37 ·
I'm confused by the comparison of 955 with the lower end watches. 955 has maps. Other don't. Touchscreen is also handy, but I wish the UI was better. 955 has more accurate GPS (same as 255).

955 also has lots of bugs. I suggest to read forums before picking one.

Forerunner 955 Series - Running/Multisport - Garmin Forums

A dedicated community for Garmin users to ask questions, provide answers, and share feedback.
forums.garmin.com forums.garmin.com
 
Discussion starter · #38 ·
KVV said:
I'm confused by the comparison of 955 with the lower end watches. 955 has maps. Other don't. Touchscreen is also handy, but I wish the UI was better. 955 has more accurate GPS (same as 255).

955 also has lots of bugs. I suggest to read forums before picking one.

Forerunner 955 Series - Running/Multisport - Garmin Forums

A dedicated community for Garmin users to ask questions, provide answers, and share feedback.
forums.garmin.com forums.garmin.com
Click to expand...
Forerunner 255 and 955 is very similar, so that's why i'm comparing.
What's the problem with the UI?
Going to read about the bugs, thanks
 
#39 ·
I bought the Venu for MTB because I didn't want the Edge head unit on my bike -- it had come off in a crash, plus it looked a little too road-ridey-segment-chasey to me. The venu is/was great, but its short battery life and lack of features had me looking - though I still use it sometimes. The big feature I wanted was HRV which is now available in the Forerunner 255 with music (along with a bunch of other features -- is there actually a barometer in there?). I bought it for $350 I think. I love the 255 -- it does everything I need.
I find the sleep tracking and HRV valuable -- its free and compared to the Wahoo and Oura (and I've owned/tried both) its solid. However, the body battery and recovery is useless for me -- it adds no value. I recommend the Forerunner 255.
 
Discussion starter · #40 ·
greyfox said:
I bought the Venu for MTB because I didn't want the Edge head unit on my bike -- it had come off in a crash, plus it looked a little too road-ridey-segment-chasey to me. The venu is/was great, but its short battery life and lack of features had me looking - though I still use it sometimes. The big feature I wanted was HRV which is now available in the Forerunner 255 with music (along with a bunch of other features -- is there actually a barometer in there?). I bought it for $350 I think. I love the 255 -- it does everything I need.
I find the sleep tracking and HRV valuable -- its free and compared to the Wahoo and Oura (and I've owned/tried both) its solid. However, the body battery and recovery is useless for me -- it adds no value. I recommend the Forerunner 255.
Click to expand...
Thats very usefull information. How was it going from touch screen to buttons ?
 
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