Comprehensive Review: Garmin Forerunner 965 Multisport Watch

The Forerunner 965 takes this legacy to the next level, offering a comprehensive suite of tools designed for multisport athletes. This review delves into its design, features, performance, and overall value.

Design and Build Quality

The Garmin Forerunner 965 features a sleek, modern design with a 1.4-inch AMOLED display that is bright, colourful, and easy to read in various lighting conditions. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass DX, enhancing durability while maintaining clarity. The watch’s lightweight titanium bezel adds to its premium feel without adding unnecessary weight, making it comfortable for all-day wear.

The silicone strap is soft yet durable, designed to handle intense workouts while remaining comfortable for casual wear. With a water resistance rating of up to 50 meters, the Forerunner 965 is suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.

Key Features

1. Advanced GPS and Navigation:
   • The Forerunner 965 supports multi-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo), providing highly accurate location tracking even in challenging environments. It includes full-colour mapping, turn-by-turn navigation, and round-trip routing, making it perfect for exploring new routes and trails.
2. Comprehensive Sports Modes:
   • This watch supports a wide range of sports modes, including running, cycling, swimming, triathlon, and more. It can automatically detect and transition between activities in multisport events, providing seamless tracking for triathletes.
3. Performance Metrics:
   • The Forerunner 965 offers an extensive array of performance metrics, including VO2 max, training load, training effect, and recovery time. Advanced running dynamics, such as ground contact time, stride length, and vertical oscillation, help athletes fine-tune their training.
4. Heart Rate and Health Monitoring:
   • Equipped with Garmin's latest Elevate™ heart rate sensor, the watch provides continuous heart rate monitoring with high accuracy. It also tracks other health metrics like SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation), sleep stages, stress levels, and respiration rate, offering a comprehensive view of your health and wellness.
5. Smart Features:
   • Stay connected with smart notifications for calls, texts, emails, and app alerts. The watch also supports Garmin Pay™ for contactless payments and has built-in music storage and streaming capabilities, allowing you to listen to your favourite tunes on the go.
6. Battery Life:
   • The Forerunner 965 boasts impressive battery life, lasting up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and up to 40 hours in GPS mode. This makes it ideal for long training sessions and multi-day events.
7. Customization and Connectivity:
   • The watch is highly customisable with various watch faces, data fields, and apps available through the Garmin Connect IQ™ store. It seamlessly integrates with the Garmin Connect app for detailed activity analysis, social sharing, and access to personalised training plans.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Forerunner 965 excels. The multi-band GNSS ensures quick and accurate GPS lock, even in dense urban areas or remote trails. The heart rate sensor provides reliable data during both rest and intense workouts. The advanced performance metrics offer valuable insights that help athletes optimise their training and recovery.

The user interface is intuitive, with responsive touchscreen and physical buttons providing versatile control options. The menus are logically organized, making it easy to navigate and access the watch’s many features.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High-precision GPS and advanced navigation features
• Comprehensive performance and health metrics
• Excellent battery life
• Lightweight and durable design
• Extensive customisation options
• Integrated music storage and streaming

Cons:

• Premium price point
• Can be overwhelming for beginners due to the plethora of features
• Limited third-party app support compared to some competitors

Conclusion

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is an exceptional multisport watch that caters to serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Its advanced GPS capabilities, comprehensive performance metrics, and robust health monitoring features make it an invaluable tool for training and competition. Despite its premium price, the Forerunner 965 offers excellent value for those who need a reliable, feature-rich watch to support their athletic endeavours.

Whether you’re a seasoned triathlete, a dedicated runner, or someone looking to take their fitness to the next level, the Garmin Forerunner 965 provides the tools and insights needed to reach your goals. Its blend of durability, functionality, and style makes it a standout choice in the world of multisport watches.