Thank you for the comparison. Great job!

Great comparison . Love the suggested workouts moment :)

Yeahhh this video answers my question! Thanks Ray!

Great show and explanations which I really needed to pick the watch for me - liked and subbed

Oh phew - thought it was going to be a long list haha. Dude - awesome deep dive! Freaking amazing

Great video as always, you rock!

You made an incredible job, I'm sure it takes a lot of time to do a video like this. Compliments

Man It feels like I just bought the 955 yesterday and now there’s a new out. Thanks for the detailed overview…I can only imagine how much time this took.

Hello from one of the 6 people who used Reference Point almost on a daily basis! :-) - I use it for all sorts of things, most while travelling and roaming around on my way to a waypoint. I also use it in new areas with large car parks to find my car.

Thanks for a wonderful and informative video !

Fantastic video! Thank you so much!!!

great reviews. ive watched so many from u. so helpful

Great info Ray as always! 🤟🤟

Thanks a lot for this comparison. It’s great because you are comparing features from two different Garmin groups. And as you say - not sure if Garmin even knows all the differences!

I've been waiting for this comparison since I knew the fr965 2ill have an amoled display thanks so much

Thanks Ray. Great review. Love my Epix Sapphire only thing I would change it for is if they add LTE to it but they seem to have dropped adding LTE to their newer watches.

Well done for this! I wonder if 965 golf works. The 955's shot tracking has been broken since after one of the first updates. Worked perfectly on the 945 and even the 935...

Thanks, just the comparison I wanted

Thanks for the comparison. I compared quite a few different watches before finally selecting my next one. I ended up getting the Epix 2 Sapphire a month ago. Now that the 965 is out, I'm still glad I have the Epix. I wear a watch all of the time and am somewhat hard on my watches. So, I'm glad I have the sapphire lens to help reduce scratching. I also like the titanium back plate instead of plastic. I only wish it had the smooth backs of the Apple and Google watches. I guess I'll just have to live with the indentations in my wrist for a while longer. Overall, I'm happy with my choice.

Brilliant comparison!

Thanks...great review. Now I just have to determin if I want to upgrade from Epix2 to the 965....

Great video !!, thank you so much.

Thanks for this video. honesty, that is what I want see it 🤙

Dude, you are a real one. I like how you explain the differences between watches and why are you using them. Also, mentioning the excessive tools that most people looking for in a watch, are not going to use over the other watch. Most content creators will juice up the products or have a HEAVY BIAS towards one. You are great my good sir

Great job! Thank you

Thanks Ray.

Just a shoutout for the great comparison. I watched this several times lasyear trying to decide which one to get and ultimately went with the Epix simply because it went on sale when I felt like making a purchase and got it for $300+ less than the FR965. I am so happy with it, but do still wonder what could have been haha.

@DCrainmaker Thanks for excellent video. One of the major differences on those is the rounded edge on screen glass. I think they went wrong way with that. If you have a bezel, there should be straight glass. Rounded glass also practically prevents using any protector on that screen. That rounded glass seems to be also on a higher level than bezel so it is more prone to damage.

Very helpful, thanks

I've had the fr 965 for three days, and had the epix 2 for over a year. The bigger screen is a winner, and why I'll keep the fr 965 over the epix..But also found more differences (maybe some bugs?) Audio, is very average on the 965. Base is distorted and the voice call outs are also distorted. (using same headset- Shokz Open Run Pro) Going to the light mode, it always goes to one below full brightness, on the epix, it would go to last setting. Scrolling is a lot smoother on the 965 compared to the epix.. Did a 27km trail run at night, and although had it set to always on display, the screen would turn off (on the 965), having to tap the screen or move my wrist to make it come back on. Morning report would ask you to view it, instead of going straight to it.

Thank you

Nice work! Make me a sapphire 965 Garmin and we'll have a real killer combo!

I saved the position of an elderberry tree once so I could come back and get the berries when ripe. I then formatted my watch and lost the saved position. Recently found out you can save all this stuff and the settings as well.

Thank you for this

I am wearing an Epix, and I have no regrets about buying it. However, I have watched numerous KZread videos about the 965 as well, and I also love it.

These videos are just great. Thank you. One question. Do you know or have you asked from Garmin why doesn't their Sport watches include very common sports like basketball, soccer, etc?

2:38 there is one HUGE difference if I am correct. in 965 the bezel is lower than the gorilla glass, while in Epix the bezel protects the glass (at least it looks like this from this angle). And to be honest this is a deal breaker for me in FR965. This is exactly the reason why all my sport watches are/were G-Shock and all my smartwatches are/were damaged.

Coming from the Fenix 6 Pro, there is no better reason and time to switch now to the FR 965. Everything we ever wanted from Fenix 7 / Epix 2, but for less money 🥳

@deanrobbins8102

Жыл бұрын

My only fear is durability. Sapphire glass on my Fenix 3 HR made it virtually indestructible. I am also leaning towards the 965 as well.

@philippfella

Жыл бұрын

100% I went for FR 965 coming from a Fenix 6X as I wanted better display with same size and if possible lighter watch. I will keep my 6X when it gets dirty and rough so not that much worried about durability. Specially map and menu are a winner for me.

@markd.9538

11 ай бұрын

@@deanrobbins8102 If it helps, I’ve had a 935 since 2017 - and its still going strong - it just won’t die. I’ve banged it hard up against sandstone rocks and its had some hits, but there is still nothing wrong with it. I have since invested in a $3 glass screen protector, and a TPU shell for it to take on those rougher trail runs (the sandstone incident scared me!) - but the truth is, my 935 still looks like new. I look at the 965 and I’d love to get one, but with the 935 still in perfect working order, I can’t justify the expense. I’ll get whatever is in the 9xx forerunner series when my current one bites the dust.

@jonathan45732

3 ай бұрын

@@deanrobbins8102Same here, I think I’m def going 965 at this point you just get so much without having to spend too much. In terms of durability I think it’s solid but a screen protector would help

Amazing, Thank you so much. 965 it is.

Thanks a lot!!

@DCrainmaker Great work ! Any insight if Garmin plans on supporting sapphire glass on their next Forerunner watch ? Just like many here, this is the last missing bit to go 965 ;-)

I want a 965 screen size, just that touch bigger, but the Epix/Fenix durability!

Great video as always, very helpful. Reckon the 965 is for me.....will just keep the Fenix 6 sapphire for my other wrist 😂

In the opening shots, you can already see scratches on the case of the 965. So ruggedness is undoubtedly a differentiator between the two devices! I have always used Fenix devices because I wear my watch 24/7 and they need to be able to take a beating.

@Mdogbrown

Жыл бұрын

I may be in the minority, but I keep coming back to the Fenix. I can see the screen fine in darker environments with wrist gesture backlight. The ruggedness and battery life.

Assuming the 965 doesn't have Sapphire, how is the glass as far as scratching? I've scratched every watch I ever owned until I went to a Fenix with Sapphire and the raised bezel.

Glad you made this so no one else has to. 65+ Ouch 😓

@Dcrainmaker

Жыл бұрын

Haha...now wishing someone else had made it!

@mlegrand

Жыл бұрын

@@Dcrainmaker - We need to make another video called “Why Garmin Why?” - where we figure out why Garmin doesn’t have a single code base with branches for different models. There’s no reason to have two of the same features be so wildly different. It’s just inefficient. Why Garmin why?

@daishi711

Жыл бұрын

@@mlegrand It must be painful to be a software engineer at Garmin. Their stubbornness to add or improve features as well. You could take these devices back 10 years in a time machine and only the hardware would impress anyway.

Thank you so much for this video Ray. I've got the Venu 2 now and I wanted a comparison between the Forerunner 965 and Epix 2.... And you deliver it in its detailed brilliance.

@aw7945

Жыл бұрын

Same here. But will you upgrade ? Venu delivers everything I need from a sports standpoint. Plus not bulky during sleep

@bruceritchie7613

Жыл бұрын

Same here ... Waiting for venu 3 I think

@GhostWorld80

Жыл бұрын

Same here, I love my Venue 2 plus but with all the running I'm doing now I really need a watch with maps so I'll be upgrading to the Forerunner 965

@bruceritchie7613

Жыл бұрын

@@GhostWorld80 my venu's screen has burn in so bad it's almost unreadable at this point. If venu 3 doesn't come out soon I'll have to switch to something else

@Dcrainmaker

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the support - I appreciate it

I knew the 965 was coming and I picked up the Epix when it was on sale. I like the look of it and really wanted the sapphire glass. That being said, the 965 is a beast. At some point I think we are going to see a new Epic or Fenix that has a 1.4 Amoled with a flashlight, mic, ECG, possibly solar Amoled and all the features of Garmin's other watches. Usually there is a couple years between Garmin releases but I think the new Fenix/Epix is coming sooner rather than later.

@dnice362

Жыл бұрын

I just bought the epix and love it. The 965 has my attention but I like the style of the epix/Fenix better so I went with this. Wil not go back to anything else now.

@george.r

11 ай бұрын

U predicted the future

I am probably the only person in the comments to use this but what I love about my Fenix is i can connect it to the handheld device for my Garmin GPS Dog collars so I can see their location without having to get out my hand held while hunting or trail running. I'm not sure if the forerunner series has this feature though.

As someone who purchased a 255 less than a year ago I feel like Garmin is hurting some of their loyal customers. Most Garmin users pick up a watch knowing their watch will not be refreshed quickly and usually getting new features. I think it’s too bad for those who purchased a 255/955 only for these watches to be released less than a year later and for 255 owners to not get the training readiness feature which could easily be implemented in a software update. Great review as always you are a true professional and I always watch your content before making these type of purchases.

Great video, I was just about to get a 955 but then saw the 965 was coming. Then I saw the Epix 2 (I'm not very up to date) and was wondering what the differences were. So thanks for going through this. I'm definitely getting the Forunner as I prefer that slighter form factor, I'm just not 100% sure if I want the Amoled as I actually quite like the older transflective (?) screens and I'm not convinced it's worth the extra $. The added resolution of the Amoled is nice though. I'm not really a runner, my knees can't take it but I cycle (mostly MTB) and do some hiking so having the maps as a backup is my thought. I also need something to help me train back to reasonable fitness and updating from a 735xt to all these new training tips/prompts will hopefully help.

@icpart

Жыл бұрын

Amoled is better for maps or satellite images. It support more colors compared to mip display which I think was 64 colors only. Also watchfaces looks great on Amoled. I have older epix and it was first Grmin watch with touchscreen. I only use it on hiking trips. For daily life I prefer my GW4 with Amoled and I will never go back to transflective display. Watch is something you dont look always like bike gps for example. So Amoled for watch is big deal for me.

@eoinmccann8450

Жыл бұрын

There's also the 955 which doesn't have amoled

Great video. I've made my mind :)

I know I'm late to the game on this video, but figured I'd chime in. Been a Fenix user since the 3. Went to a 5x then to an epix 2. Love the Epix but also had a Venu 2 plus for a lightweight option for work days. I just sold the venu 2 plus and replaced it with the forerunner 965. I am absolutely loving the 965. I don't feel like I'm giving up much from the epix as a daily wear, it's lighter and slimmer, and the UI looks great. I still have my Epix but the 965 is getting a ton more use. After wearing 51mm Fenix watches and even the epix gen 2, the forerunner feels like a feather.

Thanks Ray , and Yes high time Gamin software teams were more streamlined! What a waste of resources and also results in less than ideal user experiences and bugs! There seems to be less glare on the Epix I must say. I tried the 265 and the screen in activities was quite irritating as the gesture is not sensitive enough and the AOD is to dim so one has to double take to see data, I am a 955 user currently.

THANK YOU. Excellent comparison! I've been using the FR945 for a year+ but then I tried the Coros Apex Pro 2 a month ago. Both are excellent watches. Kuddos to Coros' APP. If the 965 hadn't been released before my 30 day return date with Coros, I would have kept the Coros. I'm 52 years young and the 1.4" amoled display sold me. I NEED TO SEE IT. Coros AP2 is a GREAT watch but I'm still familiar with my 945 so my decision was a no-brainer. I'm looking forward to your deep dive wth the FR965. Ordered the 965 a week ago (delivers in 5-8 weeks as of now). On paper, it's everything I could want/need in a watch and then some, IMO. Thanks again!

Thanks for this nice review In the 965 can we savs locations but not during the activity or not ?

Any chance of doing a comparison between 965 & fenix 7x? Can’t decide between them

Love Garmin watches, now using my Fenix 6 pro and looking actively for any reason to change to 965. However, current situation with their lineup resembles situation with Nokia phones that we had back in the day - multiple models, working great, but not so sexy as recent apple products:/

Great review. What an effort! 👏🏼 I have a question regarding disabling touch during activities. Can you still use touch when looking at the map?

@2chregi

Жыл бұрын

As far as I know, you can activate the touch screen during an activity via a hotkey.

are there build / service differences? is the 965 glued like an apple watch? great video thx👍🏾

I can't believe Garmin still has a Forerunner team and a Fenix/Epix team - it's so stupid. They should have one code base with all features and just turn off those not relevant for the individual watches. Then all you have to worry about is cases and bands. Any new feature propagates across all relevant watches when released.

@Mark-fg3ku

Жыл бұрын

This is so true They should have one line each edition with 2-3 models one of them an amoled and it would be way better

@Nksmusings

Жыл бұрын

They will keep doing this as long as we keep updating our purchase to whatever they release.. I am already feeling Epix 2 might just see the end of updates

@Rmagnusama

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I am dropping the fenix line when my current watch dies and switching to Forerunner series

@AnonymousTaco3472

11 ай бұрын

But I also don’t want a 700-800$ baseline priced watch, 600$ is already too much lol.

@valentijnverheije7140

9 ай бұрын

Exactly what I said! And they should stop making so many different watches, it's confusing for consumers and expensive for them to develop and produce. It makes no sense

Great run through - so is there no way to view tide time on the 965?

I do have a very basic Garmin watch, with a plastic back, and it gives me a rash when wearing too long. Never experienced this with any other plastic watch. For this reason alone I would prefer an epix over the new forerunner, besides better water resistance etc

Need to figure out how to add the Reference Point to the menu - don't have it on my Fenix 7

Hi! For the 965, is it possible (via an app or otherwise) to display the hours/minutes in the "traditional" way, i.e. with hands? (i.e. like on the Epix-gen-2 or any "classical" watch)?? Thanks in advance!

Been using a Fenix 6 Sapphire since 2020 and will probably upgrade to the Forerunner 965. I would consider the Epix Gen 2, but that price is just too steep. I had a stint with the Apple Watch Ultra, and while I enjoyed the experience it just wasn’t really what I liked about a fitness watch. The AWU is basically just a smart phone on your wrist which is cool, but not necessary at all. Too much info imo. The Fenix has been great for me as a sportswatch and minimal smart watch. I can see texts/calls coming in and decide if they need to be answered right away or not. That’s basically all I need from a smartwatch.

@Amanda.c91

9 ай бұрын

Yeah I also had my stint with AWU before and after garmins lol moral of the story, I always come back to gamrin😊

It is quite interesting to think about what updates will come jn the next cycle for Fenix 7/ Epix line up. Greed has no bounds 😅

Can you explain more in detail about how to use the reference point feature. Being a hunter I can see this feature being handy.

love your contrant DC Rainmaker. I wanted to ask if there are is similar feature in the apple watch like the training load that garmin provides. Garmin is able to tell you if you are detraining or peaking etc. Is there something similar like that in apple watch or a third party app on the AW.

Weather widget is different between these two too. No idea why. FR series has the air quality and shows the weather station name.

100% agree that the new Forerunner is the better choice. Lighter , thinner, bigger screen and obviously more updated plus a better value. If you’re looking for something more rugged looking made with nicer materials, perhaps get the Epix or go all out and get the Marq. But like you said before a sports watch is not something that you will buy and hand down in your will like a Rolex or Cartier.

@Lasombra08

10 ай бұрын

And now, a few months later the 965 is already outdated with its last gen sensor. Oh, Garmin.

Thank yoy

Folks with Epix2 or Fenix7 experience; can you increase the font on UI? Did not see that upon basic Googling so figured I ought to ask. Guessing it may be why the Data Fields on the 965 might be limited to 6 total vs 8 on the Epix perhaps? Thanks if anyone can confirm.

I had the Venu but got fed up with charging it all the time. I had a Fenix 5X already so changed the Venu for an Instinct 2 Solar. I ended up selling the Fenix 5X as it was getting a bit old. I now miss the maps and all that good stuff. The 965 looks as though it might be a good option covering most of the good points of all of them. I have found that the solar charging on the Instinct makes very little if any difference so doubt I will miss that.

@Jianemba

8 ай бұрын

I'm coming from the venue sq (first watch) to the venu2s (for music). Now I'm looking at the 965, I realize I need the maps because I need routes and I travel.

Isn't the 965 better for triathlons? Thought it was one of the main features of the FR series.. I have a 935 and trying to figure out what to upgrade to

Also leaning towords 965 but worried about durability for watersports. Find for swiming and SUP but not Surfing/sailing and windsurfing. Surley diving into water will be similar impact to falling off a boat/surfboard? is it worth the risk vs the added wieght and cost of an epix?

Hi! What’s your experience with the Corning Gorilla Glass on the Epix, how scratch resistant is it? Thinking to get me the EPIX steel version. Thanks!

Just when I thought I had my mind made up! I’ve got a 945 and was going to upgrade to a 955 Solar…but the 965 is the same price! Go with the solar or skip the Gen and get the newer 965? 🤔

Can you change the UI font size on the 465? Not a fan of the larger text on the glances that gets cut off way more often than on the epix

amazing.

As someone who purchased the Epix 2 just over a month ago, I'm pretty bummed out by the release of the 965. My previous watch was a forerunner and my biggest concern about the Epix was the extra weight. Having a new forerunner come out so soon after my purchase that is pretty much at feature parity with the Epix 2, but with a larger screen and lighter body at a cheaper price, that gives me some regrets gotta be honest.

@anserum

Жыл бұрын

I purchased epix 2 just after fr 965 preorder released, don't like the design and materials, imo epix 2 gonna stay pretty more couple years

I have a Fenix 6 sapphire and wondering if it’s time to update. Or are the differences still out slight to justify the expense?

Seems to me that for all intents and purposes, the only real difference between the Epix 2 and the 965 is the design. Now that could play an important factor in once choice between the two, though in the past individuals chose the more expensive watches because of the software differences? That gap as of now, seems to have been closed with the 965. I suspect that Garmin had to stop any potential bleeding from the defections to the Apple Ultra. The 965 gives individuals 99.9% of the Epix 2 .A better and larger Watch display (pixel density), and What seems to be better color saturation, based on the KZread reviews. You ultimately have to enjoy the Watch you are wearing, especially if you wear it 24/7. I suspect that most garmin wearers choose garmin watches because of its functions and not so much the look, if so everyone would have a different watch other than a Garmin. I would say this was a great decision by Garmin, and a no-brainer for any individual who wants an Epix 2, with a slightly different design! UPDATE: I tried the 965 and something was missing....The watch face from the Epix pro and the build, front and back and ruggedness feel. I sent the 965 back and purchased the Epix Pro. The 965 felt more like a running watch and not an outdoor enthusiast watch.

I just bought the 955 and I cant returned it, I just hope the updates keep coming because garmin just launched the 955 9 months ago I bought it in january

Was thinking of upgrading from an Epix for the bigger display in a smaller body but the 6 data fields limit is an outright deal breaker. FR965 has the same 1.4” display size as the Fenix 7x (which can also do 8) AND has a much higher pixel density, yet it is limited to 6 fields?? 🤦‍♂️

I'm currently thinking about buying a new sports watch and I'm deciding between the new Garmin 965 and the Apple Watch Ultra, which I would use with the Athlytic und Work Outdoors apps. Any thoughts about those two apart from battery life?

Wow, thank you so much for your work Ray, very helpful 🙂 Did I get it wright that the 965 has no HRV Stress presentation? And is there a noticeable difference in readability and brightness of the displays (sapphire vs Gorilla DX)? And what about the buttons. Are the buttons on the 965 equal thight as on the Epix?

@Dcrainmaker

Жыл бұрын

Correct, no HRV Stress on 965, but does track HRV Status. Frankly, nobody is really sure what to do with the HRV Stress app, likely because it originated pre-HRV status and probably should be killed off. No differences in readability or visibility on my experience.

@Dcrainmaker

Жыл бұрын

Oh, and the Epix buttons look nicer, but I don’t notice much difference in feel.

@michaelbrenner9529

Жыл бұрын

@@Dcrainmaker Thank you Ray, I guess I got the stress app measurement mixed up with the stress wigdet, assuming the latter is still there?

I am of the mindset that the expensive watches should have all the features of the cheaper ones as long as the hardware supports it and there should be consistency between the UI of the devices. Garmin frustrates me sometimes

@chriscotton4207

9 ай бұрын

Think of anything that you have that's software related. You always have tiers. It's exactly the same. Eventually 1000 bhp motors will just be cheap enough to use and because of the extra power you will have them throttled and unlocked via subx. Hardware wise. Even CPUs have binning. It's unfortunate but we aren't going backwards anytime soon. So this is just something we have to accept. Unless we learn to break it lol😅

@dcrainmaker can we switch off those animations on the fr965? Kinda prefer all black background like on the epic

Will Armin putt the jet lag function on the forerunner series?

Hello, is there a possibility to set the screen always on display? In order to have the screen full brightness when I'm cycling? Like fénix 7

I own the epix (gen) because I like the style more. Replace the bands with leather ones and still looks good. Would have like the bigger screen on it tough. Not a really big fan of the new font, I hope Garmin keeps the one on the epix

@carlosrauljimenez

Жыл бұрын

I have a epix but i need a big font

@janjansen6263

Жыл бұрын

@@carlosrauljimenez Let's hope they make it optional then, the UI on the 965 looks to cartoonish with the new font, I would prefer the bold text for the selections(Fenix) instead of the color gradient on the 965

Garmin really needs to simplify and unity the OS across all watches. Something like a GarminOS with the same understanding as watchOS on Apple Watches. Make it unified across all watches with the same kind of menus and descriptions and just point out the differences. It seems they have different software teams for fenix, forerunner and so on... I can't imagine the unnecessary costs of that.

@Dcrainmaker

Жыл бұрын

Yup, they are seperate teams. It's definitely time for some convergence. Seperate teams for specific features makes sense - but less so for the base OS.

Could we know when the replacement for the Garmin 965 will be released?

I’d like a more in depth on maps/usability while hiking. Downloading trails etc. If it works like the Epix 2 then this is a much better buy imo.

@Dcrainmaker

Жыл бұрын

There's zero differences in maps/navigation except as noted. I spent many many hours in the maps especially, and had initially expected it to be a much wider difference, but in reality, Garmin has quietly added so many features to the FR955 over this past fall/winter, that by time the FR965 came out, there was a surprising level of parity.

@Mdogbrown

Жыл бұрын

@@Dcrainmaker Amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply!

One thing I noticed, the Garmin 965 display appears to be more sharp as compared to Epix gen 2 ( it appears more blurry)

@AshharHasan07

Жыл бұрын

Kinda expected. The FR965 has higher pixels per inch than the Epix. i.e. FR965's screen isn't just bigger than the Epix, it also packs more pixels.

@mateenrahman723

Жыл бұрын

@@AshharHasan07 thanks for insight!

The unanswered question for me is WHY is the GPS only run time so much better on the Epix? It suggests either (a) significant battery optimisations or better hardware on the 965 making the best of a smaller battery or (b) doing something differently on some other function which eats battery on the 965 in this mode. The answer may be interesting. Are we going to see much longer run times on the next Epix / Fenix version than the current ones?

@Ks-fp8dv

Жыл бұрын

Very important question !!! Hoping for answers as well

I think the subtle UI differences are under valued. I have the EPIX and it is simply a FENIX with an OLED display. It’s a FENIX in every way from the menu’s graphics, watch faces, colors, etc. Nothing about the Epix takes advantage of the OLED display. Yes, the colors and brightness look better than the Fenix, but its the same color options as the Fenix. Notice on the 965, the colors are deeper and richer with shading. the 965 is now changing the UI to take advantage of the advanced display. The menus and watch faces are more pleasing to the eye. The EPIX should really be sold as a FENIX w/OLED, and not as a new watch category. Why have a screen with a million color options but only display the same 10 you get with Fenix?? The only watch faces available for the EPIX are the same fenix watch face options. You don’t get any VENU style watch faces for the EPIX. There is nothing about the EPIX that is worth the extra $$. My opinion after owning since launch.

Hello from Germany. I could need your help on this. I got heart arrhythmia and i need to make sport again (should help said the cardiologist). From walking to slowly running. Problem is i can't decide which watch to buy. My budget is 1200 euros. Wich watch would you recommend? (I already got an AppleWatch for AF, but i would like something more sport-focused).

Does the FR955 have a flashlight function?