Seattle Forrest

I've had a Fenix 3 for almost 2 years now. It's been fantastic. Best watch I've owned, and best GPS. Blows Edge computers out of the water, even if the form factor isn't great for cycling. I've loved my F3 so much I'm going to buy an F5 as soon as they're available.

https://buy.garmin.com/us-us/us/p/560327

Seattle Forrest

Specs compared:

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/cata...Product=160512

Seattle Forrest

DCR has a hands on preview already!

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/01/...h-mapping.html

pdlamb

Are you buying the new watch because the old one is shot after two years? Seems to me that if it's absolutely wonderful, you wouldn't need to replace it.

Seattle Forrest

Fenix 3 can do turn-by-turn directions, like in the last picture in post #3. To do that, however, you have to pre-plan the route using software like Ride With GPS, then export it as a TCX file, then use Garmin Training Center to convert that to a FIT file and send it to the watch. The one one has maps so can do turn-by-turn on the fly.

Other than maps, the improvements are to battery life, display, the ability to use BT sensors, improved fitness software, and several bike-specific features that will let me sell my Edge.

The original Fenix 3 is a wonderful device, and the F5 will be wonderful plus all this new great stuff.

TimothyH

This is a timely thread.

I've been considering moving to a wearable form factor myself and am interested.

What are the options for bike mount?


-Tim-

Seattle Forrest

For @TimothyH

They make a quick release kit for the watch, for triathlon use. It's a standard (Garmin) quarter turn mount.

I personally wear mine on my wrist, even on the bike. I have an old bike computer, with a much larger screen than in my watch. The watch has more bike-specific features than new Edge computers so I use it while cycling, I just don't bother taking it off my wrist to do so. But plenty of others do, and it looks like this:







In that last pic, the watch goes into the empty mount in the middle of the stem, not into the weird looking end cap.

TimothyH

Oh. Thanks!

Definitely interested and I miss my old Polar HRM run/cycle watch from back in the pre-GPS days.

Pricey though, and I'm saving for a new bike, and 2nd daughter learning to drive and needs a car, and I send my mom some money from time to time, and...

SpeshulEd 

I think the garmin watches look really sharp and currently have a vivomove. I'm trying to resist the urge to grab one of these though.

Seattle Forrest

Most cyclists are better served by an Edge unit, and Garmin will probably unveil a new one to replace their 1000 soon. Watches have smaller screens, and they're less convenient to look at while you ride, especially on a road bike.

Runners love watches. They're great for hiking, too. And skiing. And swimming. If you do multiple sports, a watch is a lot more attractive. It works very well for recording rides, can even be used as a display for a power meter or Garmin's rear-view radar - I'm not sure how that'll work in practice but I'm eager to see. A bike computer really doesn't work very well at all for other sports, so it's a trade off and the sweet spot probably depends how much time you spend in the saddle.

Also, the text/email/phone/calendar/etc alters people got used to on their Edge computers, it's nice to have those all the time. And to be able to silence them on demand.

My girlfriend has a Polar H7 strap. Says it's really comfortable. It's Bluetooth, so she pairs it to her phone. The Fenix 5 is going to be the first Garmin to use Bluetooth sensors. If you still have your old chest strap, it'll work. That's not at all relevant to me, but a lot of people have been wanting it forever, and it's interesting they've finally made it reality.

Agree about the price, I would love if it were a lot less. I'm going to sell my Fenix 3 HR to help pay for it, but, of course, not until I have it in my hands.

TimothyH

I've Wahoo bluetooth sensors and Polar strap and so the Fenix is looking better.

And I run but have not with an HRM for quite a while.

Seattle Forrest

I have Garmin's HRM-RUN chest strap. It has motion sensors in it, on your chest. From that, the watch can tell how much bounce you have in your step. It also measures your stride length per step. So, for running, it calculates a metric called vertical ratio, which is a cost/benefit analysis of your upward vs forward motion. Because you turn your chest when you run, it also measures L/R balance. I have an imbalance (55/45) on the bike, but a perfect 50/50 split when I run. I think that implies a fit issue, but it's been the case on two different bikes.

I also have an HRM-SWIM. It has memory in the chest strap; it sends the HR data to the watch as soon as you get out of the water, and all the swimming I do has HR data to go with it.

I'm excited. I've had my Fenix 3 for 2 years now, and I've loved it. Even more great stuff inside now! I don't want to wait!

TimothyH

I don't think they made all the editions and bundles complex enough.

Kopsis

Looks like Garmin has done a nice job on the Fenix 5, but their lack of a coherent software roadmap is really troubling when faced with a $600+ price tag. Garmin's Connect IQ software platform is still rapidly evolving and they've not been terribly consistent in being able to support new CIQ versions in older devices. Notably, the Fenix 3 HR is only a year old but won't be getting support for CIQ 2.x. Granted, the base software is pretty capable, so lack of access to new CIQ apps might not be a deal-breaker for some. But the general uncertainty about long-term software support for such an expensive wearable device really tempers my enthusiasm.

TimothyH

This is interesting and brings up a good point - the ecosystem.

I am ignorant of this topic in terms of Garmin and appreciate that you brought it up.


-Tim-

Seattle Forrest

I think this needs a little bit of context. I've had the F3HR for a year and the F3 for a year before it, so I can speak as a daily user about this.

If somebody makes a useful CIQ app, this might be worth worrying about. But CIQ has been out in the world for 2+ years now and there's some neat stuff but nothing really useful. A lot of the CIQ stuff that sounds most appealing is already built into the Fenix watches: visual HR zones, elevation charts, bread-crumb trails, VO2max calculations, etc. Some of the watch faces are nice, but they drain the battery too quickly.

Also, the F3HR is a minor update to the F3, but the parts that are responsible for running CIQ code are unchanged between the two versions. So it's probably more accurate to say the F3HR is 2 years old in this regard.

Here's an example of a CIQ data field: it calculates the number of beers you can drink for the calories you've just burned. Another is a pre-configured data page with lots and lots of fields. Honestly that's what most of them are. This one is an analogue speed gauge; neato, but I'll just take numbers.

Seattle Forrest

I found a picture of the charger. Not impressed. This will be almost impossible to charge during use while you run or ride. A step back from its predecessor.

TimothyH

Some Polar wearables have a port like that, next to the skin, and they had a lot of problems with corrosion due to perspiration. My understanding is that they addressed it with a better seal/cap. Not sure if the same is a concern for this Garmin.

Seattle Forrest

The back of the Fenix 3 looks like that, and it hasn't been a problem, either from sweat, rain, or swimming in lakes and pools (but not salt water).

But the current model uses a cradle. Below is the one for the F3HR. With this design, you can wear the watch on your wrist, or mount it to the bars, and use it while you charge the battery. It's just a better design.

Maybe with the improvements they've made to the battery (24 hours with GPS running, presumably that's with the optical HRM disabled, like if you're wearing a chest strap) it'll be less of an issue.

Also probably some 3rd party will come up with a charging cradle and then we'll all have to spend another $30.

TimothyH

Finally looked at the the different offerings. I don't know.

Maps only on the top of the line 5X and the 5x only comes in the most expensive Sapphire edition...

It would be nice to have one unified device for run and bike but at $800 it won't be replacing my $229 Polar V650 cycling computer any time soon, that's for sure. Just not a smart choice for me right now.


-Tim-

Seattle Forrest

I can't wait to get mine! Seriously, I wish I could walk out of the store with it today. $699 for a fully featured mutlisport watch with maps, sapphire glass, and an integrated HRM is pretty competitive these days. The new Suunto is the same price with half the features and no HRM. Polar's best watch is only $450 but it's several years old, black and white, can't track swimming, etc.

I'm wondering how useful the maps will be in practice without a touch screen. But I'm also pretty leery of a touch screen watch.

TimothyH

I just ordered a Polar M200 wearable. $134.90 @ Merlin.



It is a basic GPS (breadcrumb) running watch with a bunch of social media and phone "lifestyle" integration I'll never use. The built-in optical HR is interesting but if it isn't accurate then I'll just run with a chest strap like I always have. Already using a Polar V650 on the bike and keeping running and cycling on the same platform is important to me. Really just need heart rate. Elevation change, temperature and GPS track are bonuses.

That being said, I'd still like to eyeball one of these Fenix 5's, especially the maps, and will have to think about getting one if the maps are legible.


-Tim-

raqball

I have a fenix 3 titanium and a fenix 3 HR.. I went ahead and preordered the fenix 5 sapphire version. I don't need the upgrade but I like having the latest and greatest..

Looking forward to it's release! Hopefully I got my order in fast enough that I am in the 1st shipping wave..

chong67

I pre order today.

I will use this and sell by Edge 520.

Seattle Forrest

Where are you guys pre-ordering them? Not available at REI yet.