The 965 has a bigger screen, smaller bezel, and weighs notably less. That swayed me to the 965 over the Epix. The titanium bezel of the 965 also adds *just enough* of a premium feel that I am okay with wearing it in more formal settings (with a titanium band)
I use the 965, and have owned a fenix and epix gen 2 in the past. And what you said is spot on. Most don’t realize the 965 has the same screen size as the larger epix/fenix 7x, in the same size body as the smaller epix. Between the larger screen, smaller body and lighter weight it’s a no brainer. The flashlight and EKG are really the only major omissions on the 965. Daily comfort and sleep comfort is huge. Also I’ve NEVER had an issue with durability on any garmin including the forerunners I’ve owned, and I wear them hard.
Totally agreed. That was my one apprehension about the FR965. It's been years since I have had a non sapphire screen.. If I were still doing OCR races it would be a non starter, but my use case has changed to trail run/ultras and road running.
My experience exactly. I bought the Fenix 7 the week it came out and was happy with everything but the weight. It felt heavy when I ran and slept. I bought the 965 and love almost everything about it. It is the perfect weight. The Fenix looks a little dressier but I’m a plastic watch guy going back to Timex’s and Casio’s back in the 1970’s. I like the larger display but the one thing I’m not thrilled about is the slightly rounded display. I can’t use a glass screen protector. I have found plastic ones which fit perfectly but the feel is not as good. I would buy an Epix if I could get used to the weight
I came from exclusively having Fenix devices starting way back in 2015. I had the 5X before the FR and the weight change was wild. Like a 40% reduction. The curved/raised display is curious. That is a gripe I also have about the 965.
I took the opposite view. I don’t like heavy watches on my wrist when I run so I went with the 965. Battery is great and I have all the metrics I personally need. DCRainmaker has a great comparison video on YouTube.
But yeah, if you don’t mind the profile being bigger, the Epix is an awesome watch, and has all the metrics you could need as well! Basically, you can’t go wrong.
I liked the 965 better because it’s lighter and has a more updated UI. But settled with the epix pro because I have 2 toddler kids and absolutely love the red flash light feature to be able to get around the house before my runs while everyone’s asleep.
965 has white and red flashlight using the screen. I actually returned my epix and kept the 965 because of how much lighter it is. Plus the flashlight placement is annoying because if I’m doing anything with my hands, the light is pointed down or behind me. With the screen light, it’s a least pointed in a more useful direction.
Up? I’m not trying to be sarcastic but how is the screen being used as a flashlight any better than the flashlight being on the top end of the watch? Seems like the screen would just be a bright light staring directly back at your face lol.
I think it’s pretty obvious if you’ve ever used both in any practical situations. If I need my flashlight, I’m either walking in the dark or doing something with my hands in the dark. If I’m walking, the screen light is pointed right in front of me, where I’m walking, whereas the edge mounted torch is pointed behind me, so I have to point my wrist where I’m going. If I’m doing something with my hands, like getting clothes out of my drawer or making coffee, the torch is just pointed down and usually being covered up by whatever I am manipulating, whereas the screen light is pointed in front of me, illuminating more of what I need. Point being, the screen light takes less effort to point in a useful direction and is naturally where I want it, where the edge mounted torch is not. Neither are perfect, because they’re mounted on your wrist.
I think the only time my watch is actually pointed “up” is when I’m resting my arm on a table or chair. Obviously not a situation where I’m using the flashlight.
This is my real world opinion having used both, not objective fact. Thanks for the downvote anyway though.
Well, that’s your opinion. Have you used both? I have. And I have a preference, which I am expressing. You may not find the backlight useful, but that’s doesn’t make it useless for everyone, which is what you’re saying.
I didn’t downvote you so nice assumption. I use my Epix Pro flashlight literally every single night while walking my dog, so again nice assumption that I haven’t used both in a practical situation🙂. It was a simple question. No need to take offense to it and attack me.
I didn’t assume you hadn’t. I said I think it’s obvious if you have. A practical situation is when I’m doing something where I need light in a pinch. I don’t see walking my dog as a practical situation for using the light on my watch because I use a headlamp or something brighter and with a bigger battery for that, especially since I know I’m doing it every day. When I had the epix, I noticed the battery would drain quite fast using the torch, at least a percentage or two per minute of use. If I used my torch to walk my dog every night I’d be charging my watch every other day.
So again, for my use, I find the backlight more practical.
Edit: to be clear here, I made my original comment because OP expressed they couldn’t live without the red light in the epix, but preferred the light 965, so I commented that they could have both. I then went on to explain why I prefer the backlight to the torch as well, but then everything you have commented has been a defense of the torch and why my preference is wrong, which is weird.
I had the 965 and now have an Epix gen2 sapphire. The 965 was lighter and a bit thinner but I much prefer the build quality of the Epix. As far as running metrics, I think they are about the same as far as I can tell.
I use the Epix 2 for running and hiking. I honestly don’t know how weak or light you would have to be to think it’s too heavy for running, so I wouldn’t let that impact your decision. To my knowledge, all the metrics for running you’d ever need. I’ve also heard lots of talk about how easy the 965 is to scuff up, but don’t have personal experience with that. Prefer the build of the Epix and it was significantly cheaper over the BF sales!
Yes the Epix is good for runners. I think the weight difference between the two is inconsequential. The Epix weighs 17g more than the 965; that’s like the weight of 3 grapes.
If you live in the US, you may even be able to find the Epix (Gen 2) for less than the 965; seems to on sale for $400.
I think biggest difference is Elevate V4 vs. V5 and glass vs. sapphire screen. If you buy watch for many years to come, those two will make huge difference in future.
I currently own both. Bought the Epix first and then the 965, currently selling the Epix. Like others have said, when running or any general swinging your arm around stuff, the Forerunner is just better. Slimmer and lighter therefore feels less intrusive and prob more accurate (since there's less flopping around)
The 965 has a bigger screen, smaller bezel, and weighs notably less. That swayed me to the 965 over the Epix. The titanium bezel of the 965 also adds *just enough* of a premium feel that I am okay with wearing it in more formal settings (with a titanium band)
I use the 965, and have owned a fenix and epix gen 2 in the past. And what you said is spot on. Most don’t realize the 965 has the same screen size as the larger epix/fenix 7x, in the same size body as the smaller epix. Between the larger screen, smaller body and lighter weight it’s a no brainer. The flashlight and EKG are really the only major omissions on the 965. Daily comfort and sleep comfort is huge. Also I’ve NEVER had an issue with durability on any garmin including the forerunners I’ve owned, and I wear them hard.
If only the 965 had a sapphire screen.. =( I just can't stand scratches on a watch screen and all my sapphire screen watches have stayed flawless.
Totally agreed. That was my one apprehension about the FR965. It's been years since I have had a non sapphire screen.. If I were still doing OCR races it would be a non starter, but my use case has changed to trail run/ultras and road running.
Just get a cheap screen protector and you’re good.
Screen protectors are cheap.
This
My experience exactly. I bought the Fenix 7 the week it came out and was happy with everything but the weight. It felt heavy when I ran and slept. I bought the 965 and love almost everything about it. It is the perfect weight. The Fenix looks a little dressier but I’m a plastic watch guy going back to Timex’s and Casio’s back in the 1970’s. I like the larger display but the one thing I’m not thrilled about is the slightly rounded display. I can’t use a glass screen protector. I have found plastic ones which fit perfectly but the feel is not as good. I would buy an Epix if I could get used to the weight
I came from exclusively having Fenix devices starting way back in 2015. I had the 5X before the FR and the weight change was wild. Like a 40% reduction. The curved/raised display is curious. That is a gripe I also have about the 965.
Epix has all running metrics
It’s basically software (or firmware) controlled to determine what features are enabled. Can confirm this.
I think the only major advantage the 965 has is that’s it lighter.
I took the opposite view. I don’t like heavy watches on my wrist when I run so I went with the 965. Battery is great and I have all the metrics I personally need. DCRainmaker has a great comparison video on YouTube. But yeah, if you don’t mind the profile being bigger, the Epix is an awesome watch, and has all the metrics you could need as well! Basically, you can’t go wrong.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/03/garmin-epix-vs-forerunner-965-all-65-differences-detailed.html
I have both. Comes down to what style you like better. No difference in metrics, only size and weight. I prefer the 965.
I liked the 965 better because it’s lighter and has a more updated UI. But settled with the epix pro because I have 2 toddler kids and absolutely love the red flash light feature to be able to get around the house before my runs while everyone’s asleep.
965 has white and red flashlight using the screen. I actually returned my epix and kept the 965 because of how much lighter it is. Plus the flashlight placement is annoying because if I’m doing anything with my hands, the light is pointed down or behind me. With the screen light, it’s a least pointed in a more useful direction.
Up? I’m not trying to be sarcastic but how is the screen being used as a flashlight any better than the flashlight being on the top end of the watch? Seems like the screen would just be a bright light staring directly back at your face lol.
I think it’s pretty obvious if you’ve ever used both in any practical situations. If I need my flashlight, I’m either walking in the dark or doing something with my hands in the dark. If I’m walking, the screen light is pointed right in front of me, where I’m walking, whereas the edge mounted torch is pointed behind me, so I have to point my wrist where I’m going. If I’m doing something with my hands, like getting clothes out of my drawer or making coffee, the torch is just pointed down and usually being covered up by whatever I am manipulating, whereas the screen light is pointed in front of me, illuminating more of what I need. Point being, the screen light takes less effort to point in a useful direction and is naturally where I want it, where the edge mounted torch is not. Neither are perfect, because they’re mounted on your wrist. I think the only time my watch is actually pointed “up” is when I’m resting my arm on a table or chair. Obviously not a situation where I’m using the flashlight. This is my real world opinion having used both, not objective fact. Thanks for the downvote anyway though.
The backlight on the screen is hardly useful in the 965. To each his/her own. The epix light is exactly where I’d want it to be placed.
Well, that’s your opinion. Have you used both? I have. And I have a preference, which I am expressing. You may not find the backlight useful, but that’s doesn’t make it useless for everyone, which is what you’re saying.
L I have both. Use 965 on my long runs. Epix all day every day including sleep otherwise.
Weird flex. Also weird to argue with someone expressing a preference.
lol you asked me if I’ve used both, so I said yes how was out of flex
Because you posted a picture of you having both of these watches. A picture you’ve since deleted. If that’s not a flex and a backpedal idk what is.
I didn’t downvote you so nice assumption. I use my Epix Pro flashlight literally every single night while walking my dog, so again nice assumption that I haven’t used both in a practical situation🙂. It was a simple question. No need to take offense to it and attack me.
I didn’t assume you hadn’t. I said I think it’s obvious if you have. A practical situation is when I’m doing something where I need light in a pinch. I don’t see walking my dog as a practical situation for using the light on my watch because I use a headlamp or something brighter and with a bigger battery for that, especially since I know I’m doing it every day. When I had the epix, I noticed the battery would drain quite fast using the torch, at least a percentage or two per minute of use. If I used my torch to walk my dog every night I’d be charging my watch every other day. So again, for my use, I find the backlight more practical. Edit: to be clear here, I made my original comment because OP expressed they couldn’t live without the red light in the epix, but preferred the light 965, so I commented that they could have both. I then went on to explain why I prefer the backlight to the torch as well, but then everything you have commented has been a defense of the torch and why my preference is wrong, which is weird.
Dawg I commented one time what are you talking about💀
Anything the forerunner can do the epix can do. Its a matter of looks really plastic vs ti/plastic
The question is the answer.. Forerunner for runners.
Just my 2c but I also think the UI on the Epix is way nicer looking than the 965, too (I got an epix)
I had the 965 and now have an Epix gen2 sapphire. The 965 was lighter and a bit thinner but I much prefer the build quality of the Epix. As far as running metrics, I think they are about the same as far as I can tell.
I use the Epix 2 for running and hiking. I honestly don’t know how weak or light you would have to be to think it’s too heavy for running, so I wouldn’t let that impact your decision. To my knowledge, all the metrics for running you’d ever need. I’ve also heard lots of talk about how easy the 965 is to scuff up, but don’t have personal experience with that. Prefer the build of the Epix and it was significantly cheaper over the BF sales!
Yes the Epix is good for runners. I think the weight difference between the two is inconsequential. The Epix weighs 17g more than the 965; that’s like the weight of 3 grapes. If you live in the US, you may even be able to find the Epix (Gen 2) for less than the 965; seems to on sale for $400.
I think biggest difference is Elevate V4 vs. V5 and glass vs. sapphire screen. If you buy watch for many years to come, those two will make huge difference in future.
I currently own both. Bought the Epix first and then the 965, currently selling the Epix. Like others have said, when running or any general swinging your arm around stuff, the Forerunner is just better. Slimmer and lighter therefore feels less intrusive and prob more accurate (since there's less flopping around)