Garmin Forerunner 165 /// An Unbiased In-depth Review

Summary

The Garmin 4Runner 165 is an entry-level running watch with a vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED display, suitable for runners, swimmers, and cyclists, priced at $250. It offers various activity profiles but lacks Triathlon mode and some advanced features like ECG and cycling power meter support. Despite its 4-day battery life and missing dual-frequency mode, it provides solid GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring. The watch also includes sleep tracking, recovery metrics, and Garmin Connect integration, making it a top choice for budget-conscious athletes seeking a feature-packed device.

Takeaways

• 🏃 The Garmin 4Runner 165 is positioned as an entry-level running watch, offering a more affordable option compared to the 4Runner 55.
• 🎶 For an additional $50, the music edition of the watch is available, providing about 2.5 GB of music storage and compatibility with streaming services and MP3 files.
• 🌈 The watch comes in six color options, with the music edition featuring additional vibrant colors like Berry lilac and turquoise aqua.
• 🖥 It features a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels, providing a sharp and vibrant image.
• 📐 The watch has a diameter of 43 mm and a slim profile of about 11.5 mm in depth, making it unobtrusive on smaller wrists.
• 💓 Equipped with Garmin's fourth-generation Elevate Optical heart rate sensor, which offers reliable heart rate tracking without ECG functionality.
• 🔋 The battery life is around four days with an always-on display and about 11 days in raise-to-wake mode, but it's not as long-lasting as some competitors.
• 🏞 The watch lacks dual-frequency GPS mode, which can improve accuracy in challenging environments, but the speaker still finds it tracking well.
• 🔄 The watch offers various sports profiles, but notably lacks a specific Triathlon mode, which is available only in higher-end models.
• 📊 It includes features like sleep tracking, heart rate variability (HRV), and recovery metrics, contributing to a comprehensive health and fitness tracking package.
• 📲 Garmin Connect, the accompanying app for the watch, offers in-depth analysis and syncing with other services without a subscription fee.

Q & A

What is the Garmin 4Runner 165?

The Garmin 4Runner 165 is an entry-level running watch from Garmin, designed for runners, swimmers, and cyclists, featuring a vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED display and a variety of sports profiles.

Why might someone consider the Garmin 4Runner 165 over the 4Runner 55?

The Garmin 4Runner 165 might be considered over the 4Runner 55 because it offers more features and is more affordable, despite the 55 still being technically available.

What are the color options for the Garmin 4Runner 165?

The Garmin 4Runner 165 comes in six color options, with two options (black and slate gray or mist gray and white stone) available in the non-music editions, and additional colors like berry lilac and turquoise aqua in the music editions.

What is included in the music edition of the Garmin 4Runner 165 and why might it be worth the extra cost?

The music edition of the Garmin 4Runner 165 includes about 4GB of total memory, with approximately 2.5GB left for music storage after the operating system's use. It allows syncing music from streaming services or direct MP3 file transfers and can connect to Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

How does the Garmin 4Runner 165 display compare to other watches in terms of size and resolution?

The Garmin 4Runner 165 has a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels, providing a sharp image that is considered vibrant but not massive.

What is the battery life of the Garmin 4Runner 165 under normal use?

Under normal use, which includes about an hour of GPS activities per day and always-on display mode, the battery life of the Garmin 4Runner 165 is approximately four days.

How does the battery life of the Garmin 4Runner 165 compare to other watches?

Compared to other watches, the Garmin 4Runner 165 has a shorter battery life due to its bright AMOLED display and lack of space for a larger battery. For instance, Apple Watches typically last one day, while the Coros Pace 3 and Garmin 4Runner 255 can last up to two weeks.

What are the GPS capabilities of the Garmin 4Runner 165, and does it lack any advanced features?

The Garmin 4Runner 165 offers GPS tracking in basic and all systems GNSS modes, providing about 19 hours in basic GPS mode and 17 hours in GNSS mode. However, it lacks dual-frequency mode, which can improve accuracy in challenging environments.

What is the 'Ultra track' mode on the Garmin 4Runner 165, and what are its limitations?

The 'Ultra track' mode on the Garmin 4Runner 165 is designed for multi-day hikes or similar activities, offering extended battery life at the cost of significantly reduced tracking accuracy.

What are some of the activity tracking features available on the Garmin 4Runner 165?

The Garmin 4Runner 165 offers over 30 different sports profiles, including various running, cycling, and swimming activities. However, it lacks a specific Triathlon mode, which is available only on higher-end devices.

What additional features does the Garmin Connect system offer, and is there a subscription fee?

The Garmin Connect system offers deep insights into recent activities, the ability to earn badges, and a redesigned app experience. There is no subscription fee required to use it, as it comes with owning a Garmin watch.

What are some of the limitations or missing features of the Garmin 4Runner 165 as highlighted in the script?

The Garmin 4Runner 165 lacks a Triathlon mode, support for cycling power meters, and certain skiing and climbing activity types. It also does not include a training readiness score, which is reserved for higher-end Garmin devices.

Why might the reviewer suggest that the dual-frequency GPS mode is overrated?

The reviewer suggests that the dual-frequency GPS mode might be overrated because they have observed solid GPS tracking with the Garmin 4Runner 165 without this feature, possibly due to good antenna design and custom firmware that effectively discards bad GPS data.

What are some alternative watches to the Garmin 4Runner 165 mentioned in the script?

Some alternative watches mentioned are the Coros Pace 3, which has a longer battery life and includes a triathlon mode, and the Garmin 4Runner 255 and 265, which offer different display types and additional features.

How does the Garmin 4Runner 165 compare in size to other watches like the Apple Watch Series 7?

The Garmin 4Runner 165 is 43 mm in diameter and about 11 1/2 mm in depth, making it slim and not bulky. In comparison, the Apple Watch Series 7 comes in 41 mm and 45 mm sizes, with the 41 mm option being shown in the script.

What is the reviewer's final recommendation regarding the Garmin 4Runner 165?

The reviewer recommends the Garmin 4Runner 165 for many runners and swimmers due to its affordability, features, and performance, despite some missing features and limitations.