Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Forerunner 165 GPS Smartwatch 43 mm Fiber-Reinforced Polymer - Gray/Whitestone - (2024)
Average customer rating
4.5
(408 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 408 reviews
5 Stars
298
4 Stars
59
3 Stars
23
2 Stars
14
1 Star
14
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Forerunner 165 GPS Smartwatch 43 mm Fiber-Reinforced Polymer - Gray/Whitestone - (2024)
Customer Rating
1
Malfuntioned
on November 23, 2024
Posted by: ManuelM
I bought it in the us 4 months ago and the heart monitor malfunctioned. I live outside of the us and it’s a hustle to make that guarantee work. I already bought an Apple Watch and never buying Garmin again.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
From Apple to Garmin!
on November 24, 2024
Posted by: @SFW
As many, I was curious as to what benefits a Garmin watch had over my Apple Watch. I enjoyed the connectivity of my Apple Watch to all other things Apple for continuity. I was hesitant to make the switch. Not ready to go full in on a Fenix series or other higher end Garmin watches, I found the options offered by the Forerunner 165 to be a good compromise.
What I can say I noticed immediately were the increased metrics available to me following my runs. In just a short time, the Garmin was suggesting length and pace for my daily runs. The available metrics provided further insight into my running.
The sleep monitoring has been an unexpected positive to my Garmin experience. I didn’t realize how poorly I had been sleeping and making daily changes and seeing the stats the next day have allowed me the opportunity to increase my sleep quality which has had a profound impact on my daily living experience.
The only feature I miss from my Apple Watch with the Forerunner 165 is the ability to answer calls directly on my watch when my phone is not nearby. However, it hasn’t been as necessary as I thought it might be. That option is available on other models higher in the series and other Garmin models.
The thing that wasn’t immediately noted but became so quickly, was the crazy battery life of the Garmin Forerunner 165 over my Apple Watch. I have had the 165 for approximately three weeks. I have only charged it twice and it has never been below 40%! Even with daily use the battery blows Apple out of the water!
For runners or other athletes to enter the Garmin world, the Forerunner 165 is a great budget friendly watch that will be an obvious upgrade over your Apple Watch.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great Value and battery life - almost perfect.
on December 4, 2024
Posted by: Dsemprebon
I have been using the 165 for a few weeks now and have surprised myself with my love of the extra features, sleep stats, pulse oximeter, step tracking etc. The heart rate monitor is much more accurate than my older 225. I do have two issues. On the old watch I could make two custom screens for my run tracking. I always had elevation on one screen - since I run a lot of hills. This appears to not be available - I can't see elevation until I download my run. I have also tried to use the recommended workout - but if I am running hills, the watch will constantly tell me I am too slow going uphill, and too fast going downhill. Overall, I am very happy with the watch - and would recommend it.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Very cool watch
on December 7, 2024
Posted by: Robert1
Upgraded from a Forerunner 55. Great decision, adaptive plans, sleep coach, navigation and the awesome looking screen.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Goal setting!
on December 8, 2024
Posted by: Sebonne1
I have had this Garmin Forerunner 165 for almost 2 weeks and have used it for 7 running days as well as a few strength training days. I used a more basic training watch previously but this blows that out of the water.
It takes some getting used to as it doesn’t feel user friendly but I love seeing all the stats whether it’s sleep, heart rate or running. I really like HRV and VO2 measurements as well as seeing my potential paces for various races dependent on current performance.
I love using the coach 10k program which asked what kind of race I wanted to do, when, and at what speed then created a running program for me. Running 4x/week with tempo, speed and slow speeds has helped me be consistent and feel confident in my future ability to run a 10k, and perhaps a half marathon!
I am very glad I bought this watch as I want to enhance my running ability and this will get me there!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great features
on December 8, 2024
Posted by: Anonymous
It’s been around a month now since I’ve gotten my Garmin watch and I can say I absolutely love it. I love all the data it gives and as well as my favorite is a VO2 max and the sleeping points!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
LOVE MY GARMIN FORERUNNER 165
on December 8, 2024
Posted by: SC27
I just got it about 3 weeks ago and it is do easy to navigate with all things it can do. It is so pretty when it lights up. One of the coolest watches I've ever had.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Best watch I purchased
on December 9, 2024
Posted by: Tehspiderella
I originally upgraded my Fitbit to Garmin ForeRunner 165.
So far I've been very impressed and I like that how it tracks my sleep and what areas I need to improve.
The goal is to do a little bit more when spring time comes around, ei running.
So far I've been very impressed and I like that how it tracks my sleep and what areas I need to improve.
The goal is to do a little bit more when spring time comes around, ei running.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin