Garmin Fenix 7 $650 or Forerunner 955 $700 - Please Help Me Choose

LLadygodiva on 22/03/2024 - 10:14
Last edited 22/03/2024 - 10:24 by 1 other user

Struggling to choose between these two - my budget is around $600 - $700. I run recreationally and interested in tracking heart rate, body temp etc etc… They seem to be similar in the regard. The 7 is heavier but not too worried about this..

The 7 when released was the more expensive option this seems to be reversed - now the 7 is cheaper….

https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/garmin-fenix-7-smartwatch-63… $650

https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/garmin-forerunner-955-watch-… $700

Advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

• 

  Hugh G Rection on 22/03/2024 - 10:36

  +2

  i own both. i do triathlon races and training (swim, bike, & run) with the forerunner.

  i wear my fenix casually, camping, hiking.

  it really depends on what you are focused on or what is more important to you.

  doing exercises with the fenix feels like i am unbalanced and wearing a brick on my wrist. lol

  if you are only running a few times, i would get the fenix. if you are actually active i would get the forerunner.

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  gormsby on 22/03/2024 - 10:43

  +1

  If you don't need maps you could go for the Forerunner 255 and save some money. Looks like these are currently on sale at Amazon.

  Non-music: $403.97 (https://www.amazon.com.au/Garmin-Forerunner-255-Music-Watch/…)
  Music: $510.12 (https://www.amazon.com.au/Garmin-Forerunner-255-Music-Watch/…)

  The 955 has been as low as $599 a few times in the past 6 months. I picked up mine at that price (less 10% using Rebel gift cards on sale at Woolies) and have been really happy with it. I run trails a bit though, so wanted the maps and preferred the lighter weight of the 955 over the Fenix range.

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  Ladygodiva on 22/03/2024 - 12:50

  Thanks for the advice. I do like the stainless steel element of Fenix 7, although doesn't have multi-band gps… Not sure if this a big deal.
  Will now likely price match the Fenix 7 with JB as I also have a stack of 10% vouchers. Cheers

• 

  Bredo on 22/03/2024 - 13:26

  +2

  You can also consider Epic which is $699 (I personally think it's the nicer of the 3 with the AMOLED display)

  https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/epix-gen-2-carrera-white-tit…

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  sunbro on 22/03/2024 - 14:24

  +2

  Patiently waiting for the FR965 to drop in price.

  • 

    sunbro on 27/03/2024 - 14:21

    Just an update on this:

    I was not patient.
    Ended up getting the 955 on sale at rebel after reading so many comparisons, regarding the display.
    I really needed something to replace my AW7 as my pace and GPS kept dropping out on my runs, which underestimated the lengths of my runs.

    I also considered Coros Apex 2 Pro, Suunto Race and Polar Vantage. I was close to seriously considering these but after reading feedback, there were common issues with all of them.
    Coros - pace lag issues.
    Suunto - UI experience and lag. And I think the metrics used are way too much for me (I know - Garmin is similar on this front)
    Polar - I think there was an issue with maps (and maps are important to me as I run on different trails).

    Wore the 955 on my run today - excellent!

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  Tee Rex Arms on 22/03/2024 - 16:07

  Fenix 7 still good for something that a few years old now

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  slipperypete on 22/03/2024 - 21:14

  I always had Fenix's, but I got the Forerunner 955 this time. The lightness and reduced bulk wins for me

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  8at8 on 10/04/2024 - 15:52

  There are two 965s on FB Marketplace near me going for $7xx if you are open to that. I would also go for Forerunner for the thinness.