Garmin Forerunner 965/265 Screen Protectors Review! Options, Installation, Useability

[@fitgearhunter]

Two things - 1. 24 hours after making this video there is not a bubble or blemish or anything at all under the TPU I installed during the video - I can barely even tell it's on! And 2, the diameter of the 965 TPU is 41 mm, or 1.62"

[@striff]

Great, and does it affect the touch screen?

[@bruhbruh-nf8hu]

@@striff I just got my new 965 and I don't know if I should use protection foil. The display is so beautiful and glass is so soft and comfortable to use. I am scared I would ruin the user experience with the foil. It has gorilla glass dx, which should be durable "almost" as sapphire. Do we really need the foil to protect our displays? I don't know honestly.

[@fitgearhunter]

@@striff nope!

[@ntressler17]

@@bruhbruh-nf8hu I had a Fenix 5 with the sapphire glass for 6 years. Many mountain bike crashes over its life and not a single scratch. I've had the Forerunner 965 for 2 weeks and already have 2 massive scratches on it and I haven't even mountain biked with it yet. I wouldn't say it's even in the same ballpark for durability let alone "almost" as durable. I'm sending mine in for a replacement screen now. Very disappointed in this glass.

[@TheFreakazoid93]

Thought I'd share a tip I discovered by accident. Recently I got myself a 965, and a set of TPU screen protectors as well. Installation was relatively easy, but some bubbles were still present and I couldn't get them out. One night I rinsed the watch under relatively hot water, and noticed how all the air bubbles disappeared. I believe it's somehow related how the softer TPU material reacts when exposed to warm water, maybe it flexes and becomes more malleable? Who knows, but it's worth trying, my screen protector is now flawless.

[@fitgearhunter]

That's awesome advice man! Holy cow what a great and helpful tip! You are totally right I bet it does loosen everything up and smooth it out. Thank you for posting!

[@5ervalkat192]

Thank you for making this video! My Mimall variety TPU set did NOT come with instructions, and I was lost. This was extremely helpful and it worked like a charm!

[@fitgearhunter]

So glad it helped! I really appreciate hearing - kept thinking it would be helpful but wasn't sure

[@atlasthegracious]

If you want to avoid dust you can apply in the bathroom. Put on hot water for some minutes and the dust and particles in the air will fall down.

[@mathias68]

Never thought of that ! Thanks for the tips !

[@JasonRaneses]

Brave to do this on camera! I wish Garmin went with a flat, Tactix style screen and bezel on the new 965.

[@fitgearhunter]

Haha - and You and me both! That would have been an awesome design with the titanium bezel.

[@bitelogger]

This is actually what prevent me to buy the watch

[@fitgearhunter]

@@bitelogger understand that!

[@lowrights33]

Hey, thanks for all the tips; as a result, this was a relatively painless install. Some small bubbles remain, but hopefully will work themselves out over the next day or so. Thanks for everything you do to support the fitness community.

[@fitgearhunter]

Sure thing! Thanks for saying, and so glad they installed relatively easily.

[@23aviatorguy]

Thanks for this video; I have already bought a screen protector. But after watching this video, I'll be ordering the TPU. It looks 10 times better!!

[@fitgearhunter]

Yes for sure! I have not used them much in the past but it definitely works perfectly in this situation!

[@rheno03]

Nice video, first screen protector for 965 video I believe on KZbin, thx

[@fitgearhunter]

So glad you feel like it is helpful!

[@The_Bearded_Dan]

Thanks for the video was really useful to help fit my TPU screen protector

[@rlove21]

Really helpful video!. Thiis was exactly what I wanted to see before protecting my new Garmin 965 (Great watch but have seen too many for sale on eBay due to scratched screens) - shame Gamin hasn't better screen glass or a perfectly flat screen face on the 965, as my old 645 had no screen protection and has no scratches after several years.

[@isaacvff]

thanks so much, it will arrive tomorrow so now I prepare to intall it.

[@fitgearhunter]

Good luck!

[@martinlanders6135]

The dome / curved screen is the only thing putting me off the 265. Think I’ll stick with the 255

[@gnows63]

How about putting a dot with a marker on the TPU screen protector then lining this dot up with the center of an analog watch face that you pre-selected. This way you only have to worry about lining up the true center. The very last preloaded watch face on the 965 has a perfect center.

[@fitgearhunter]

Good idea! Thank you!

[@juliangudsell7956]

Great video. I really appreciate all the detail. It's not an easy thing to do on camera!

[@fitgearhunter]

Thank you! It was tricky and I think I just got lucky! Haha

[@Ballacks101]

Why on earth do we have to do this with a £600 watch. It's crazy. Anyway, thanks for the demo.

[@tommanseau6277]

I agree: TPU, liquid application, and patience. I found that the glass type always collected dust under the edges, lifted, and in one instance chipped and cracked. The brand I found most consistant are iQshield. I don't make any commission or have affiliation with the company. I've just had the best luck with that brand.

[@tonybowen455]

Wow I hate yt for not suggesting this to me! Luckily I ordered same tpu ones you have. I put it on yesterday. 15:35 I never knew it had a separate harder plastic to the tpu! The outer ring wasn't fully sealed on the outside by the bezel. I just took it off. It looks so much better ty!

[@fitgearhunter]

So glad it helped! Yes they are a tricky bunch. Once they are on they are fantastic in my opinion though.

[@Peakabike]

Well done ! For my Venu 2 I got these so-called "glass" protections that feel like semi-rigid plastic. They aren't as hard to apply as your TPU one. Not sure they have them for the 265/965 though.

[@fitgearhunter]

Thank you! And the one I put on the 265 was actually one from my venu 2 testing days!

[@ralphkuhn2291]

Great explanation!

[@fitgearhunter]

Thank you!

[@fendermon]

You're a screen protector god to be able to do that with the camera rolling :)

[@fitgearhunter]

Baha must've gotten lucky I guess! Someone else said something similar haha

[@MikeDirnt78]

Just bought the 265. Brilliant screen. But I got a headache searching for screen protectors. Good video that I came across yours. How does the TPU feel ? Is it smooth when touched ? Rubbery feel ?

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! No, surprisingly feels a lot like the glass did itself. It has been working well, just go for that one!

[@jonniesharpy]

Amazing video, so so useful

[@R.Medeiros]

Great!!!! Tidy and clean 👍

[@fitgearhunter]

Thanks so much!

[@ayowser01]

The takeaway from this video is that the glass screen is dome shaped and tpu is the way to go 👍

[@onwithandoverwith]

Excellent, thank you!

[@fitgearhunter]

Sure thing!

[@eleftheriazigiri8403]

Still waiting for mine and I am terrified to apply the film now😅

[@fitgearhunter]

Bahaha. You should be, you should be very afraid haha.

[@fitgearhunter]

It's not that bad, just not altogether easy to just pop on the watch!

[@The007vaib]

Ring thing didn't happen with me on galaxy watch 4 classic. Installed a tempered glass on it.

[@jan490]

Thank you!!

[@fitgearhunter]

Of course!

[@cassandrabache9264]

Would you recommend the tpu without or with spray istallation? Or are they pretty similar in feel after installation?

[@KaraJadePhoto]

I cannot for the life of me get the TPU to separate from the stupid protective film. I’ve already gone through 2 of 3 of them and still can’t even get the TPU to come off. Annoying that this is the only brand available as I wonder if other brands would be easier to separate.

[@fitgearhunter]

Oh lord I'm so sorry! I didn't run into that issue. On both applications I actually thought that the TPO wasn't separating but it actually was. Have you been able to separate the GPU from the plastic top even manually?

[@KaraJadePhoto]

@@fitgearhunter No I was unable to get it separate, even manually. It kept pulling the entire thing off no matter how slow or what angle I pulled the tab from. I emailed them and haven’t heard back yet and now they’re on back order through May. Not sure what I’m doing wrong and I’ve always used glass with other screens so my TPU application experience is limited.

[@fitgearhunter]

@@KaraJadePhoto so frustrating I bet! This is a stupid idea but you could leave the tpu along w the plastic on for longer to see if the tpu adheres to the screen more since it sinks in over time.

[@KaraJadePhoto]

@@fitgearhunter I’ll give that a shot once they send me a replacement package. I thought about doing that with the third one and left it on for like five minutes but maybe it wasn’t long enough. Hah maybe I’ll leave it on throughout the day and see if it’ll be successful. I’ll have three more tries to give it a shot. Thanks for the tip.

[@fitgearhunter]

@@KaraJadePhoto good grief - such a pain! Hope they don't take too long to send a replacement!

[@joe19782005]

Tpu on and time Will tell … if it is the way. Thanks for the video

[@fitgearhunter]

You bet

[@charithamunasinghe8880]

Hey man, is the TPU compatible for 265? Or just 965?

[@Mvg176]

Hi, thanks for a very informative video! This might be a stupid question but I just need to make sure what you mean abnout "melting into the screen" since I'm not a native speaker. Will the TPU film actually melt into the screen or will I be able to remove/exchange it after lets say 12 months of use? I know it's a dumb quetion.. Thanks in advance and thanks again for the video!

[@jonbdrone8806]

You will be able to peel it off.

[@HarryBrielmann]

did you try the full plastic covers that snap over the whole thing? I am thinking of using one of those for when I go on a month long hike

[@fitgearhunter]

I didn't for this watch but I have for a number of others, and they work well. Sometimes they are not a perfect fit, but usually really close, and sometimes they are a perfect fit

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Once the TPU is installed, I noticed that the TPU reflects light more than the naked screen glass. Has this been your experience as well?

[@genwu84]

hi i got problem looking for quick release strap for my garmin 965, can i use strap for garmin fenix?

[@fitgearhunter]

Yes - that's what you want to use actually. Just remove pins on 965 band and put just pins back in and you can use Fenix QuickFit bands

[@anujphadke9785]

What is the diameter of tpu screen protector ? Is it full edge to edge n does it fit on curve edges ?

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! I'm not sure the exact diameter but it is full edge to edge! And yes fits on the curved edges

[@bruhbruh-nf8hu]

Diameter of your tpu screen protector would be super handy..

[@fitgearhunter]

@@bruhbruh-nf8hu fished the covers out of trash - they are 41mm/1.6"

[@fitgearhunter]

41mm or 1.62"!

[@DivineTQ]

Is it need or just a preference

[@fitgearhunter]

It's a need really. The domed glass could get scratched

[@mrluckycrypto1332]

If used sapphire glass, are we need screen protector again?

[@fitgearhunter]

If sapphire then no, but these are not, so screen protectors for sure.

[@striff]

How is the TPU protector in real life visibility scenarios. More reflection during the day / night, affects visibility etc? Just curios if it impacts the screen clarity when in use in any way. Cheers

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! Honestly it's been working really well. I thought it may be more reflective, but it really just feels like the original glass did. Doesn't affect visibility at all for me

[@striff]

@@fitgearhunter great to know, thanks for replying. Oh does it affect the touch screen?

[@fitgearhunter]

@@striff nope!

[@beaualexemma]

I have tried 4 of these TPU protectors and the film will NOT separate!!!! HOW do you get it to stick to the face of the watch and not the protector?!?!

[@fitgearhunter]

Oh my gosh that has got to be so infuriating. I have no idea what to tell you! They were always difficult but I didn't have any problems on any attempts getting it to separate!

[@beaualexemma]

@@fitgearhunter I don't know what I"m doing wrong - I take of #1 and place on watch face - then slowly peel off #2 but the film won't stick to watch face! it all comes - I can feel the tackiness film on the protector #2 that I just peeled off! any tips? I'm on my 2nd package!

[@antoniemerks1375]

Did someone use the screen protector with rain drops? I've had a screen protector which seemed to trigger a keypress with every drop of rain 😞

[@fitgearhunter]

I didn't test that unfortunately but you feel more so than just the raw glass itself?

[@antoniemerks1375]

@@fitgearhunter yes, I started running in the rain with a cheap protector and it randomly stopped my workout. I didn’t understand at first why but then i noticed the rain drops and when I pulled of the protector the random stopping was gone

[@davidbraswell1481]

get these I didn't order mine with it and first day I ruined it scratched all the way down the middle of the screen bumped on fridge door! now looks like pure shit

[@Midwesterny]

But does it come off? Does it damage the screen? Anyone know

[@fitgearhunter]

Definitely never came off for me and didn't damage the screen at all!

[@Midwesterny]

@@fitgearhunter thank you!! 😀

[@fitgearhunter]

@@Midwesterny sure thing!

[@TimDunkelberg-r7i]

So the tpu ones come of when Swimming?

[@fitgearhunter]

Hey! I haven't tested but I haven't had any issues w them coming off w water!

[@bretts9409]

Hi. 8 months later. Have you had the tpu protector come off while swimming