Garmin Forerunner 645chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Many runners report Bluetooth audio dropping out during runs, often tied to arm position or which wrist the watch is worn on relative to the headphone receiver. This is described as frustrating and a recurring theme across multiple headphone brands.

@Sertao2013

If the bluetooth music is cutting out ,its not because of the watch . Its the power in the signal from the bluetooth head phones . I can put on my sonys over the ear bluetooth headphones ,leave the watch on the table and walk back 37 yards before I start to lose signal . If I put in my ear bubs I can only walk 10 yards . I have about 10 different ear buds most of them are super cheap but they all give me at least a 10 to 15 yards range . Losing it within a arms length means your ear buds suck big time .launch

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November 14, 2024

@tmpopson1

I've owned my Garmin 645 for over a year. I use it primarily for running, but am getting back into biking. So far I have very few complaints. The headphones I have drop signal often. But I don't really use the music all that much. Overall I love this watch.launch

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July 19, 2019

@austntexan

The music cutting out is very prevalent on the Apple Watch as well. I think it's difficult to stay within safe margins of RF radiation. I've found that depending on where the receiving antenna is located on your BT headset will determine how well your watch connects with the headphones. The fact that this watch uses a cable to transfer songs is a huge benefit. Ask any Apple Watch user how well transferring​ songs over BT works for them (it's terrible and takes forever). I'll eventually ditch my Apple Watch for the 645 music.launch

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October 8, 2018

@JeremyWhite84

The Bluetooth connection is very weak with this watch. I tried the Bose soundsport head phones and found that running with my arms bent 90 degrees works ok but if let arms hang it cuts out. I tried the jabra elite 65t and had to move the watch to my right arm to maintain a connection while running. Can be really frustrating.launch

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July 12, 2018

Several users report the watch measuring distance noticeably wrong, both over and under actual distance, across multiple runs and even after a replacement unit.

@madisonheady3875

Could you pls make a video about the Garmin 645 Music not recording accurate distance? My watch is brand new and is 300m out from my old Garmin, I can't find anything on this topic, can you pls help?launch

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March 27, 2021

@newhavenr

Nice hardware, terrible user interface for setups.\nHad problems with BTconnection, synching, updating, and setting up preferred face. Still have not resolved. Setup instructions for BT were just wrong.\nDont recommend this watch unless you have great deal of patience and experience with other similar devices. Touch screen might be better but dont have that.launch

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February 24, 2021

@WinterRapids

In addition to the review above. Here are is MY personal verdict after about 8 months of extensive use: DO NOT BUY THIS DEVICE. \r\nAs a running-watch it is the worst one I have ever owned. \r\nThe GPS is extremely inaccurate and often quite all over the place. On average the watch measures distance +5% wrong. It might not sound too bad, but that's 2km during a marathon! This means that all functions that rely on distance (such as for example running pace) is more or less useless. \r\n\r\nI have been in contact with Garmin (excellent customer service!) and got a new watch delivered to me. However, the new one is just as bad. After analyzing other runners with the same watch on Strava it is fairly obvious to me that this is a general problem with Garmin Forerunner 645 (Music). \r\n\r\nFurthermore, (and as mentioned in the review above) I have yet not been able to use the watch for music as the connection between the watch and my headphones always drops after just 5-10 minutes of use. \r\nFinally, the built in analytical features on the watch is waaaaay off. For example according to the watch I should be able to do a marathon in 2:46:25, lol! ...I wish! :D Can any of the data really be trusted?launch

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August 10, 2019

@4091rusty

Sir my garmin forerunner 645 is constantly showing less distance every time i run.\nLast 3 10k’s which i ran .it showed 9.69,9.6 and 9.59.\nIs there any solution for improving its accuracy.i am using gps plus glonass settings.launch

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December 17, 2018

Transferring music, especially non-purchased MP3s, through Garmin Connect is described as slow, crash-prone, and unreliable, with one user unable to transfer 90% of their library.

@newhavenr

Nice hardware, terrible user interface for setups.\nHad problems with BTconnection, synching, updating, and setting up preferred face. Still have not resolved. Setup instructions for BT were just wrong.\nDont recommend this watch unless you have great deal of patience and experience with other similar devices. Touch screen might be better but dont have that.launch

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February 24, 2021

@mikewilloughby5448

I own the 645m and would HIGHLY recommend that people DO NOT BUY the music version. Garmin over Fitbit any day but the MUSIC will cause you so much frustration and headaches. I was unable to transfer 90% of my music without converting to MP3 which took forever, then, it didn't work. The connect app is buggy and crashes, and then when it does work, it won't see your watch or will see it but won't move your music over. Just stick to the plain 645 (non music) and use the phone connect app for all your run/workout statslaunch

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May 8, 2018

The strap attachment points are made of plastic and reported to crack or break after roughly 1.5 years of use, sometimes without warranty coverage.

@mahatana_r

It is January 2023 and this watch is still for sale on Amazon and Garmin website. So I'd like to add an additional awful review. This watch has a design problem. The case is made of fragile plastic. So the lugs break after some time. If you are lucky and live in some specific countries, Garmin would replace yours for free. In some cases, they would ask you for some money, which can be a lot. And in other countries, you get a big sorry, not eligible.\nPS: the replacements are refurbished and break also after some time. I googled and it appears that you could buy a replacement case from China for about 20 dollars but they are all sold out at this time. Who bought them all, I don't know.launch

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January 25, 2023

@marekhajny5862

Beatiful watch, but... the straps holder is made from plastic (as the all other garmin watches, even Fenix 5, 6 series), so the \nmost stressed part of the watch is fragile and suffers from times, sun light, water\nand etc., I have broken mine already after 1,5 years using :( without no warranty claim because of mechanical damagelaunch

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October 19, 2020

Using music playback alongside GPS and heart rate tracking drains the battery quickly, with one user seeing a 6% drop in 7 minutes of navigation and another noting it only lasts one day with an hour of workout and music.

@the987abc

Thanks so much for the video. I just moved from the VA3music to the 645 music and I noticed that when I start going around the menus and especially when I sync or add podcasts through Spotify battery drain is worry some. I took a video and for 7mins of navigation and syncing battery dropped from 75% to 69%. Then if I utilize it while running with music and HRM a 45min run drops the battery around 30%. Is this what your experience has been as well? Just wanted to check. Hope to hear from you. Cheers!launch

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January 13, 2019

@aishteru85

I have this. And love this to bits, I always pair it with HRM Tri. The only downside is the battery life, it only lasts one day max with one hour workout with one hour music play per day. Thanks for the review!launch

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August 11, 2018

Some users report Spotify integration breaking, disappearing after reinstalls, or repeatedly prompting to reconnect to Garmin Connect Mobile.

@anilzor

I find it impossible to get spotify to work on the forerunner 645. Did work the first time but now the app keeps disappearing. Reinstalled it 5 times already. Going crazy trying to figure this out !launch

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April 28, 2019

@Twillyt1

I keep getting a message on my watch \"Open Garmin Connect Mobile on your phone to log onto Spotify\". My phone was already connected to Spotify, so I don't know why my watch keeps showing this message. Now it wont even let me play music through my wireless headphones. Can you please help me??launch

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November 19, 2018

Some users note the watch doesn't support pairing with HRM-tri or power meters for cycling, and lacks heart rate recording during pool swimming, despite being marketed as multisport.

@matoatlantis

2:20 Is this true even now in 2022? On Garmin web HRM-tri lists 645 as supported watch. I'm wondering if maybe software update fixed that?\nI've hrm-tri, I'm looking around for a watch to track my swimming and hiking. This watch seems good but it would be a showstopper if this sensor can't be used.launch

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July 30, 2022

@pmapires

This watch disappoints by not allowing to record your hr in pool swimming (hr-tri, hr-swim) and power meters in cycling. The watch is sold with multisport capabilities but lacks basic stuff like pairing with hrm-tri and power meters?launch

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October 17, 2018

At least one user found the setup process for Bluetooth, syncing, and watch faces frustrating, calling the documentation incorrect and the interface unintuitive without a touchscreen.

@newhavenr

Nice hardware, terrible user interface for setups.\nHad problems with BTconnection, synching, updating, and setting up preferred face. Still have not resolved. Setup instructions for BT were just wrong.\nDont recommend this watch unless you have great deal of patience and experience with other similar devices. Touch screen might be better but dont have that.launch

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February 24, 2021