I picked up a Garmin 255 for next to nothing 2nd hand. It replaced a 945 as I wanted to record hrv which the 945 doesn’t do. Sold the 945 for more than I paid for the 255
I’ve never turned on the pool temp sensor, not even sure if that is possible. I don’t see it reported in any of the swim activities, so I think it’s off. That particular question never came up in my conversations with Garmin support. They just look at my data, verify I’ve been swimming a lot, and send me a new one. I wish they’d let me keep the busted one or sell it to me at a steep discount, so I could use that as my pool swim watch. But to keep the busted one would cost me $300. Not worth it.
Pace 3 is a solid value play but do note that it doesn’t support dual-sided power meter pedals, which was not apparent to me until I bought one.
Instinct 2S (and solar version) is also a decent price these days imo.
I have a Garmin Forerunner 745 that I only used for a few months before getting the 945. As it has just been sitting in a drawer since then I would give it to you for free if you want it if you just paid shipping. Its white and I don’t have an extra charger but it should be in good condition.
Coros Pace 3 or grab an open box pace 2 for like 140
Thank you for the kind offer, PM sent
Yep, they’re certainly not cheep! But this watch is so good looking im probably going to trade my forerunner 965 for one of these in the next few months.
Yeah, feel you on the swim watch.
I went through about 3 935’s before selling it and getting a 245 just so I could swim without breaking the altimeter.
Then I upgraded to a Fenix 7 and kept the 245 as a swim watch as I don’t trust it to not break the altimeter 
Only issue is it lives in my swim bag so remembering to take it out occassionally to charge it
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I’m happy with my Coros Pace 2. It has its minor flaws like all watches but half the price of Garmin.
Are you still in warranty? Mine has the same issue and I can’t seem to correct it. I’m out of warranty so I’m wondering if they’d replace it or just require me to buy a new one.
Mine was probably still in warranty. I bought it new and replaced it 4-5 months later, then a second time after another 4-5 months. But I’d ask anyway.
My 735 just packed up over the weekend. I’ve just taken a shot on a refurbished 265. It’s $100 cheaper than brand new so assuming it’s “like new” then it seems like a good deal. Will find out once it arrives in a day or 2.
My wife got me the TAG sports watch. Looks it up. $2400 aud.
And it’s not That good. Too scared to say anything
I think you should just assume the altimeter on these watches is going to die, sooner rather than later. Happened on all 3 of my Garmin watches, even with the ‘fix’ they claimed would help (it didn’t).
It hasn’t affected me at all though, just use post-workout elevation correction on Strava or whatever to fix the elevation and you’re good to go. For me it’s definitely more accurate than even a new watch barometric sensor as well, super reproducible on the routes I ride, whereas even a new watch barometric was giving me like hundred+ feet of elevation discrepancy on the same exact route.
Not only getting out of hand, the quality is poor. I have a Garmin Epix 2. Purchased November 2023. Replaced about six months after that with a ‘refurb’, replaced again a few months after that with another refurb. Demanded a new one after that, which is currently okay.
Same issue with all three. The buttons fail. The buttons started off feeling ‘all different’. Different pressures to press, some clicked a lot, some a little, some not at all. All three failed watches had at least one button that started failing and then a few weeks later became entirely unresponsive. The issue is present with, at least, Garmin Epix and Fenix watches.
I have used Garmin for years - this is by far the most expensive of them I have worn. I have not had an issue before. I previously used the Garmin 910XT until it literally fell apart, then I drilled a hole straight through the main case, shoved a zip tie through it to re-connect the band, and it started right back up again. Then I had an Instinct which I abused for a few years and then sold it looking like new.
The Epix is up there in the '… purchase in my life I am least happy with …" list. So much money for a shitty-built watch.
I just snagged a Coros Pace 3 using FSA funds based on all the good comments on here. I have a 945 LTE that is good, but the altimeter is going and I like the battery life option of the Pace 3. It just came today, so I’m excited to try it out!
Wow, that’s strange. My Pace 2 works just fine with my Assioma Duo power pedals. Recorded data is consistent with my Wahoo head unit…
Following on from this. Amazon lost my watch in the warehouse so refunded me the money. Just so happens that the 265 (and 965 for that matter) are on sale at the moment, so now I’ll be getting a brand new one for $100 off.
If you can’t find an FR265 on discount, an FR55.
Hi. Have you tried cleaning the barometer ports on the rear of the watch? I had the same issue with my Instinct previously. Soap, suncream and sweat clogged mine and it kept giving me a massive altitude reading. Great for TSS. Not great for an accurate Normalized Graded Pace.
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