GarminForerunner 165, Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black

Grabbed the Forerunner 165 as a dedicated running watch and it does exactly what I need without overcomplicating things. GPS locks quick, heart rate tracking is consistent, and the display is bright and easy to read even in direct sun.The UI is clean — not overloaded with junk like some smartwatches. It tracks runs, walks, sleep, and daily stats without draining the battery fast. I’m getting almost a full week on a single charge with regular use.It syncs with Garmin Connect flawlessly, and I appreciate the training suggestions and recovery data. I’ve used it during interval runs and long distance — zero complaints.Super lightweight on the wrist too. You forget it’s there until the stats buzz in. If you’re a runner who wants accurate tracking without paying for features you won’t use, this is a solid pick.

I bought the 55 as an intro not knowing what I wanted. Within one day I realized that the 55 was too old, too dim screen (MIP pixels), it chewed through the battery using the backlight all the time (it was a renewed product though) and lacked support for the latest features and lacked sensors as well. I was totally into the Garmin vibe with the 55 but right out off the box (minus some confusion on the UI) I LOVE the watch. I def recommend this model as the entry level. The 55 is kind of steam locomotive with none of the charm. The menus and features are deep enough that you really DO need a touch screen even once you have the watch configured. The mix of hard buttons and touch screen is really nice. I def dig the sport vibe of this watch over some of the Garmins that are more "lifestyle". I'm sure anything higher in price would be excellent. Supposedly the glass on this isn't has good as Gorilla glass, so, perhaps if you are really a Gorilla with your gear you should go up to the 265, spending more to protect the money you've spent. But, i def wouldn't go any lower - especially if you want to use the breath trainers, (which are awesome) and the other health metrics. Not using for running, general fitness. I can def see gradually moving up to one of the $1K watches with maps, etc, that are more robust, but so far the light weight is great. Band is a little more irritating and sweaty than my Casio Pro Trek.

Been using mine for over a week now, it does everything that I need it to. This is a great budget running watch for those getting into running. I would definitely recommend getting a screen protector and a nylon band as it will get sticky with humidity. Overall, a great looking watch that is easy to use! Would definitely recommend!

Why did you pick this product vs others?:Bought this for my boyfriend and he loves it. It came in a day and was quick and easy to set up. It has a smaller profile than some of the other, more rugged versions that Garmin offers, but this is perfect for tracking his heart rate, activity and sleep. Also pairs well with his iPhone so he can see all his notifications on the watch!

I've been using the Garmin Forerunner 165 for several months now, and it has become an essential part of my active lifestyle.The first thing that stands out about this watch is the vibrant AMOLED display. The colors are crisp and bright, making it easy to read metrics during outdoor activities, even in direct sunlight. The screen responsiveness is excellent, with smooth transitions between different data screens during workouts.For running, which is my primary activity, the Forerunner 165 provides comprehensive metrics that have genuinely helped improve my performance. The GPS accuracy is impressive - much more reliable than my previous fitness tracker, with minimal distance discrepancies when comparing to known routes. The training insights have been particularly valuable, suggesting recovery times and training load adjustments that have helped prevent overtraining.The versatility of this watch is where it truly shines. I've used it for hiking, with the altimeter providing useful elevation data. For walking, it accurately tracks steps and distance. The swim tracking functionality works exceptionally well for lap swimming, counting strokes and identifying stroke types with surprising accuracy.Sleep tracking has been eye-opening, providing detailed breakdowns of sleep stages that correlate well with how rested I feel each morning. The step goal feature adjusts based on your activity levels, which I find more motivating than static goals. The calories burned estimations seem reasonably accurate when compared to other methods I've used.Battery life deserves special mention - I typically get 5-6 days between charges with regular GPS usage, which is excellent for a watch with this bright a display.The only consistent issue I've encountered is with the weather feature. It sometimes fails to update properly. This is a minor inconvenience since I typically check the weather on my phone anyway, but worth noting as it's the one feature that doesn't quite meet the high standard set by everything else.The companion app ties everything together nicely, presenting the data in an intuitive format that makes it easy to spot trends and improvements over time.For anyone serious about fitness tracking across multiple activities with recovery insights to help optimize training, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is an excellent investment.

I was very pleased with the order. Everything came in as expected. It is taking some time to get used to the watch because I have been using a digital watch for the past 35 years and have had no problems with it. I just felt it was time to move up to the new age of electronics.