I'll cut to the chase: the difference is not subtle. The 945 brings complete mappinga longer battery lifeand more margin in music storage — three levers which, in the field, are felt. Both remain watches multisport solid, but they do not occupy the same position. Frankly, confusing uses would be a costly mistake.
To situate the DNA of the 945 in its lineage, see our in-depth comparison between 935 and previous 945s: we quickly understand why the 945 marked a milestone. (Small digression, assumed.)
Real use, not theoretical. September 4, 2025, loop Pont d'Espagne → Lac de Gaube by the GR10 (7.2 km, +280 m, 1h38 at a steady pace): the 745 is enough to follow a trail and run clean. On September 5, extension towards the Oulettes de Gaube (16.4 km, +930 m, 5h09 with breaks, intermittent fog): the 945 saves time and peace of mind thanks to the map, readable contour lines and heading recalculation. Measure.
S/M triathlon, track sessions, road outings, bike commute: 745. Hilly trail, occasional off-trail, sport hike, ultras: 945. It depends your terrain and your tolerance for improvisation. That's a bad idea to go to the mountains without a map when the weather changes.
To frame the ecosystem and the more recent alternatives, browse if necessary complete analysis of the 945, 955 and 965 to situate — purely informative, without diverting our duel today.
Garmin announces (and we checked the technical sheets): 745 ≈ 7 days watch, 4 p.m. GPS, 6 a.m. GPS + music; 945 ≈ 14 days watch, 36 hours GPS, 10 a.m. GPS + music. Manufacturer sources consulted on October 17, 2025: 745 (manual and product page), 945 (Garmin manual).
Field measurements (identical parameters) : 1 s recording, GNSS GPS + Galileo, active optical cardio, 1 km auto-lap alert, low auto backlight. September 3exit tempo 11.1 km (+220 m, 57 min): 745 ≈ -8% ; 945 ≈ -5%. September 5long trail hike (16.4 km, +930 m, 5h09, breaks included): 745 ≈ -52%945 ≈ -33%. Yes, the endurance gap still exists in 2025.
Updates : the 745 received firmware 13.70 at the end of 2024, notably improving support for external sensors; the 945 remains updated via Express/Connect for software and carto. This software reconciliation does not clear the battery gap.
| Key specifications | Forerunner 745 | Forerunner 945 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life shows | Up to ~7 days | Up to ~14 days |
| GPS autonomy | Until ~4 p.m. (≈ 6 a.m. with music) | Up to ~36 hours (≈ 10 hours with music) |
| Mapping | No maps; track guidance | Regional TopoActive on the watch, turn-by-turn navigation |
| Music storage | ≈ 500 titles (≈ 4 GB) | ≈ 1,000 titles (≈ 16 GB useful) |
| Weight & size | 47g; 43.8 × 43.8 × 13.3mm | 50g; 47 × 47 × 13.7mm |
| Prices observed (10/2025) | Used FR: ~150–270 € | Used FR: ~190–400 € |
Sources: Garmin sheets (autonomy/weight), APAC docs and pages; Leboncoin FR for price ranges as of 10/17/2025.
On-board map. The 945 displays the TopoActive with curves, paths, POIs, profiles — practical for deciding on a B route without a phone. During the ascent to the plateau above Gaube (September 4, 2025, fog, visibility ≲ 70 m), we reset the course in 20 seconds, map on our wrist. Without map, the 745 is limited to breadcrumbs (sufficient in town, less on scree). Preloaded regional maps, updated via Express: basic but effective.
Music and storage. 745: approximately 500 titles. 945: approximately 1,000 titles. In practice, we keep two playlists + podcasts + a “dopamine” album for the pass. Prosaic but useful detail: more space = less cleaning. Data from manuals and product documents.
Guidance and visual comfort. 1.2″ MIP screens on both. Under cold drizzle 1,725m (Lac de Gaube), the 945 reads the terrain better thanks to the density of map information — not the screen, the information. Subtle for some, decisive when you have to decide quickly. (Am I quibbling? No.)
Triathlon & road : the 745 remains a training beast — calibrated sessions, transitions, advanced metrics, compact format (47 g). On the track, its lightness pleases. On September 3, 2025, 6×1000 m session on false flat (Cauterets), the vertical oscillation remained stable, and the autonomy changed little (-5%). Data from the test log (lap, optical cardio, GNSS GPS + Galileo).
Trail, committed hike, ultra : the 945 ticks everything – carto, ClimbPropoints of interest, back to start map, and an autonomy which allows the unexpected (improvised bivouac, detour, weather). September 5, 2025, on the return from Oulettes: change of route in 30 seconds, without a smartphone. Yes, enormous comfort. Specifications (autonomy, map) cross-checked on Garmin manuals.
Budget & availability. When new, these models will rarely circulate in 2025. In reconditioned/used France, I noted some active ads : 745 between ~150 and 270 €, 945 between ~190 and 400 €. Leboncoin sample consulted on 10/17/2025 (Paris, Rennes, La Rochelle, etc.). Volatile prices, obviously.
If you are completely new to GPS cardio, keep our rigorous guide to the best cardio watches in 2025 handy to reset your criteria before buying. Bulk : buy for your majority use, not for “just in case”.
A little, not enough to blur the line. The 745 has gained in sensor reliability (v13.70, Dec. 2024), the 945 continues to receive soft updates and map updates via Express/Connect. Training metrics remain rich on both. Autonomy and the map (material, basically) maintain the gap.
Availability. New rare; opportunity dominates. On Leboncoin, choose sellers with invoices + bracelets in good condition + original charger. Ranges observed as of 10/17/2025: 745 ~€150–270, 945 ~€190–400. Look at the photos of cardio optics (deep scratches = distrust), battery history (if indicated), and button wear.
Quick checklist (no nonsense): start an activity recording → capture GPS? buzz alert test? firm buttons? Garmin Connect sync OK? On 945, open the “Maps” app → zoom, smooth movement, correct region loaded. On 745, import a trace → trace to the readable trace. Simple. Effective.
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