Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Forerunner 265: Which one is right for you?
Navigating the labyrinth of Garmin’s wearable tech can be a daunting task, even for the most seasoned experts. Today, we’re diving deep into a few of recent Garmin offerings: the Vivoactive 5, Forerunner 265S, and Forerunner 265.
Whether you’re a fitness aficionado or someone who’s just looking for a smartwatch that can do it all, this comparison will provide you with all the details you need. We’ll dissect their hardware, delve into their technical specs, and evaluate their functionality to help you make an informed decision.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 (check price on Garmin, Amazon); Garmin Forerunner 265 series (check price on Garmin, Amazon).
Jump to
Hardware
Technical specs
Functionality
The bottom line
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Forerunner 265: Hardware
Look & feel
When you first lay eyes on these Garmin devices, you’ll notice that each has its own distinct aesthetic, yet they all carry the signature Garmin look—sleek, sporty, and functional.
The Vivoactive 5 is encased in a fiber-reinforced polymer with an anodized aluminum bezel, giving it a robust yet lightweight feel. It has a physical size of 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm and weighs just 23g (36g with the included band), making it comfortable for all-day wear. The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens adds a layer of durability, ideal for those who lead an active lifestyle. There’s just a single size option.
On the other hand, the Forerunner 265 and 265S both feature a fiber-reinforced polymer case and bezel. While they share the same lens material as the Vivoactive 5, their dimensions and weight differ. The Forerunner 265s measures 41.7 x 41.7 x 12.9 mm and weighs 39g, whereas the 265 is slightly larger at 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm and heavier at 47g. Regardless which you choose, these devices are designed for comfort, fitting a range of wrist circumferences.
All three models come with silicone straps, which are both durable and skin-friendly. The Vivoactive 5 uses a 20 mm industry-standard quick-release band, while the Forerunner 265 and 265S opt for 22 mm and 18 mm bands, respectively. This gives users the flexibility to swap out bands to match their style or activity.
The display is another area where these devices diverge. The Vivoactive 5 boasts a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with a 390 x 390-pixel resolution, offering vibrant colors and sharp images. The Forerunner 265s has a slightly smaller 1.1-inch display but maintains decent quality with a 360 x 360-pixel resolution. The Forerunner 265 goes big with a 1.3-inch display and a 416 x 416-pixel resolution, making it the best choice for those who prefer larger screens.
Under the hood
When it comes to the core technology, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Forerunner 265 range each have their own unique offerings. The Vivoactive 5 is equipped with the Elevate sensor version 5, which is the latest in heart rate monitoring. On the other hand, the Forerunners sport the older Elevate sensor version 4, a reliable but somewhat dated technology. The other notable difference as far as sensors, is that you will find a barometer on the 265 and 265s but not on Vivoactive 5.
The Multi-frequency satellite connectivity, available in the Forerunners, offers a distinct advantage over the standard satellite connectivity provided by Vivoactive 5. Utilizing multiple frequencies for communication with satellites enhances the accuracy and reliability of location tracking.
Storage is another area worth discussing. The Vivoactive 5 offers 4 GB of storage, which is adequate for your apps, music, and workout data. However, the 265 and 265s take it up a notch with 8 GB of storage, allowing for more room for your digital belongings.
Battery Life
Battery life varies among these devices but is generally robust. The Forerunner 265 and 265s outperform the Vivoactive 5’s 11 days on a single charge. In smartwatch mode they can keep going 13 and 15 days respectively. With GPS switched on all of these are good for around a day of tracking between charges. Which is pretty decent.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Forerunner 265: Technical specs
Before we delve into functionality, let’s take a quick look at the technical specifications of these devices.
Feature | Vivoactive 5 | Forerunner 265 | Forerunner 265s |
|---|---|---|---|
Lens material | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Bezel material | Anodized Aluminum | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
Quick Release Bands | Yes (20 mm, Industry standard) | Yes (22 mm, Industry standard) | Yes (18 mm, Industry standard) |
Physical size | 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9mm | 41.7 x 41.7 x 12.9mm |
Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
Touchscreen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Display size | 1.2″ | 1.3″ | 1.1″ |
Display resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels | 360 x 360 pixels |
Weight | 23 g (36 g with band) | 47 grams | 39 grams |
Water-resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Sensors | Heart rate (including SpO2), accelerometer, compass, ambient light sensor | Heart rate (including SpO2), barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, ambient light sensor | Heart rate (including SpO2), barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, ambient light sensor |
Satellite connectivity | GPS, Glonass, Galileo | GPS, Glonass, Galileo (multi-frequency) | GPS, Glonass, Galileo (multi-frequency) |
Battery life | Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days; GPS mode: Up to 21 hours | Smartwatch mode: Up to 13 days; GPS mode: Up to 20 hours | 265s: Smartwatch mode: Up to 15 days; GPS mode: Up to 24 hours |
Music storage | 4GB of internal memory | 8GB of internal memory | 8GB of internal memory |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, WiFi | Bluetooth, ANT+, WiFi | Bluetooth, ANT+, WiFi |
NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
RRP | $300 | $450 | $450 |
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Forerunner 265: Functionality
Vivoactive 5
The Vivoactive 5 is a versatile device designed to cater to a wide range of users. It stands out for its focus on rest and recovery, offering sleep coaching and nap tracking. The device is inclusive, providing workout options for wheelchair users.
While it may not offer a lot of advanced training metrics, it does come with move alerts to remind you to stay active. Unique to the Vivoactive 5 is its ability to track gaming activity. Additionally, the device supports live event sharing, but this feature is limited to Android users. For those who enjoy golf, the Vivoactive 5 is equipped with a comprehensive set of golfing features.
Forerunner 265/265s
The Forerunner 265 and 265s are geared towards serious runners and athletes. These devices offer advanced metrics like VO2 Max for trail running, training readiness, and load ratio. They also provide a comprehensive set of training features, including training status, training load, and training effect labels. The Forerunners excel in running dynamics, offering metrics like grade-adjusted pace, performance condition, and lactate threshold with compatible accessories.
These devices also come with specialized features for outdoor recreation like point-to-point navigation and bread crumb trail in real-time. Cyclists will appreciate the FTP (Functional Threshold Power) metrics and power curve workouts. Swimmers aren’t left out either; the Forerunners offer drill logging, pacing alerts, and pool swim workouts.
Here’s a detailed comparison.
Vivoactive 5 | Forerunner 265/265s | |
|---|---|---|
Floors Climbed | No | Yes |
Sleep Coach, Nap Tracking | Yes | No |
Workouts for Wheelchair Users | Yes | No |
On-Screen Workout Animations | No | Yes |
Move Alerts | Yes | No |
Gaming Activity | Yes | No |
Live Event Sharing | No | Android™ Only |
Training Readiness, VO2 Max (Trail Run), Load Ratio, Training Status, Training Load, Training Load Focus, Training Effect, Training Effect (Anaerobic), Primary Benefit (Training Effect Labels), Daily Suggested Workouts, Custom Alerts, Finish Time, Virtual Partner | No | Yes |
Other training features (% HRR, Auto Max HR, Race Glance/Widget, Rest Tier, Configurable Lap Alerts, Race an Activity, Auto & manual Multisport Activities, Course Guidance, Hot Keys, Unified Training Status) | No | Yes |
Running Dynamics | No | Yes |
Grade-Adjusted Pace | No | Yes |
Performance Condition | No | Yes |
Lactate Threshold | No | Yes (with compatible accessory) |
PacePro™ Pacing Strategies | No | Yes |
Trail Run Auto Climb | No | Yes |
Race Predictor | No | Yes |
Golfing features | Yes | No |
Outdoor recreating (Point-to-Point Navigation, Bread Crumb Trail in Real Time, TracBack®, UltraTrac Mode, Up Ahead, Elevation Profile, Distance to Destination,Barometric Trend Indicator with Storm Alert, Vertical Speed, Total Ascent/Descent, Future Elevation Plot, Projected Waypoint) | No | Yes |
Cycling features (Courses, Bike Lap and Lap Maximum Power, Race an Activity, FTP, Power Curve and % FTP Workouts, Power Meter Compatible) | No | Yes |
Swim features (Drill Logging, Pacing Alerts, Countdown Start, Pool Swim Workouts, Critical Swim Speed) | No | Yes |
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Forerunner 265: The bottom line
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a jack-of-all-trades, designed for a broad user base with features like sleep coaching, nap tracking, and even gaming activity tracking. It’s an inclusive device that doesn’t delve deep into advanced metrics but offers a well-rounded experience for everyday users.
On the other hand, the Forerunner 265 and 265s are specialized tools for serious runners and athletes. They offer advanced metrics and specialized features for various sports, including running, cycling, and swimming. These devices are not just about tracking but about enhancing performance through detailed metrics and training features.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
If you’re looking for a versatile, everyday wearable that can handle a variety of activities, the Vivoactive 5 is your go-to. At $300 it offers good value for money (check price on Garmin, Amazon). However, if you’re an athlete or a serious runner who needs in-depth metrics and specialized training features, the $450 Forerunner 265 series would be a more suitable choice (check price on Garmin, Amazon).
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