Forerunner 255S Music

How much will playing music from the watch be a use for you? Battery life suffers a lot when you use the watch for music, and the 255 specifically suffers a lot. From a week or two of battery to hours. It might be worth it to upgrade to the higher end watch just for the battery life alone.

My experience with the 255 Music is the same as two other friends with the same watch. Playing music had a big drain for all of us. Maybe you got lucky and got a 950 battery accidentally installed in yours at the factory hahaha

Hello everyone. I’m having a hard time deciding which watch to commit to using. I have an Apple Watch Ultra 2 and a Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, and I’ve been alternating between the two, which makes it difficult to stay committed and keep all my training data in a single app. First, I’m a 35-year-old man and I started training a bit more seriously about 3 months ago. My workouts are mainly focused on health, since I have a full-time job that I can’t step away from, as I’m the primary provider for my family. However, I’ve been venturing a bit more into triathlon training with a dream—still distant—of completing an Ironman 70.3. I finished my first half marathon two weeks ago. I really like the battery life of the Forerunner 255 as well as the way Garmin presents health and training data. For example, in swimming, the rest intervals show up every time I get out of the water. During runs, there’s an upper graph displaying my heart rate zone or pace so I can check it with just a quick glance. I also really liked the Daily Suggested Workouts and the adaptive coaches that adjust based on my sleep and recent training. But the biggest issue with the watch is that it doesn’t have LTE, nor does it have a microphone or an assistant for timer requests, alarms, Apple reminders, or voice notes. With the Apple Watch, the screen is amazing and vibrant, but it’s not always-on like an MIP display. My workout data ends up split across two different apps (Health and Fitness), and it’s not presented very clearly. I end up using Bevel and WorkOutDoors to improve the layout and presentation, but this data doesn’t influence the training suggestions. My sleep doesn’t influence my workouts, nor do my recent exercises. Everything feels a bit disconnected. But I love going out for a run with just my watch, without carrying my smartphone, and using LTE to receive notifications and calls, as well as Apple Pay for payments. Also, the convenience of voice reminders, timers, alarms, answering calls without having to run around looking for my phone—these things make life so much easier. So, I’d like to know if anyone has gone through this and how you ended up solving it. I believe that if the LTE issue were resolved, I would switch to Garmin for good. I hate running with a smartphone. Do you keep it in your pocket? Do you use a specific Lycra band or something like that? What did you decide in the end?

I find that both are equally reliable on training. Pace, distance and everything else. Just the way Garmin presents are way better. If only Garmin create a LTE experience likewise Apple.

Try 265 music. I love my 255 music 

FR255M because it was on sale at the time and had all the features I needed.

I have both. It’s impossible to decide. Different watches for different purposes

I still use my 255 music every day and I’ve never said oh I wish I had that feature from another watch. This one does everything I need

Technically, OP *could* download MP3s directly onto the watch, if you don't want to bring the phone (one of the criteria I had for my Forerunner 255 Music purchase).

While I know you didn't mention it, IMHO this depends on your budget and what you're looking to get. I had (still have) a Vivoactive 3 Music, which I got 6 years ago for $199. It replaced my previous Fitbit which had fallen apart (literally) and I wanted something that had a) standalone, reliable GPS/barometer/altimeter, and b) music storage (I got sick of carrying my phone when I run). Recently, when Jeff Bezos needed more yachts (aka Prime Day), I snagged a FR255M for $249 (normally $399).

\^\^ This. I had a Vivoactive 3 Music for 6 years; hardly any new updates, but the thing kept working (the battery stopped holding a charge as well). The only reason(s) I updated to a 255 Music was because a) it was on sale for only $50 USD more than the VA3M from *6 years* prior, and b) it had more sensors I wanted to take advantage of. If my 255 lasts as long as my Vivoactive did (does), I'll be a happy dude.

It depends on what you need. When moving to Garmin from Fitbit, I opted for a Vivoactive 3 Music (aka VA3M). I was looking for a) GPS on the watch, and b) music storage. Hate carrying my phone when cycling/running. Recently moved on from the VA3M (worked for 6+ years, and *technically* still works). Picked up a Forerunner 255 Music and am quite happy with my choice. This may help: [https://www.garmin.com/en-US/which-watch/runner/compare/](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/which-watch/runner/compare/)

255: Not touch-screen; buttons only

For me, yes. Coming from a touchscreen that was frustratingly over-sensitive (even with a screen protector), it’s much easier to press the button when I mean to. It got to the point that if I got caught in the rain, the watch was responding to raindrops. YMMV, but having now had both, I like big butt(on)s and I cannot lie. 🎶🎤

Fellow Forerunner 255 owner here. Welcome to the family!