Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Drops, spills and cracked screens due to normal use are covered from day one. Malfunctions are covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Real experts are available 24/7 to help with set-up, connectivity issues, troubleshooting and much more.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Drops, spills and cracked screens due to normal use are covered from day one. Malfunctions are covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Real experts are available 24/7 to help with set-up, connectivity issues, troubleshooting and much more.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
- Buy a lot of stuff on Amazon? Tons of items eligible for coverage, from the latest tech like laptops, game consoles, and TVs, to major appliances, sporting goods, tools, toys, mattresses, personal care, furniture, and more.
- Accidents happen. That’s why for your portable products we cover accidental damage from handling such as drops, spills and cracked screens. We also cover electrical and mechanical malfunctions, power surges, and wear and tear.
- Past and future purchases covered. 30 days after you are enrolled, all eligible past purchases (up to 1 year prior to enrollment) and future eligible purchases made on Amazon will be covered by your plan as long as you are enrolled.
- Fast, easy claims. Frustration-free claims, with most filed in minutes. We will fix it, replace it, or reimburse you with an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your product (excluding tax). File at Asurion.com/amazon.
- No hidden fees. For just $16.99 a month + tax you’re covered for up to $5,000 in claims per 12-month period. *THIS PROGRAM IS MONTH-TO-MONTH AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL CANCELED* Coverage for all products ends 30 days after the plan is canceled. Cancel any time.
Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
- 6 VIDEOS
Image Unavailable
Color:
-
-
-
- To view this video download Flash Player
Garmin fēnix 5s, Premium and Rugged Smaller-Sized Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Silver/Black
Learn more
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Garmin |
Model Name | 010-01685-02 |
Style | Watch Only |
Color | Silver / Black Band |
Screen Size | 1.1 Inches |
Special Feature | High-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver, Includes charging/data cable, Elevate wrist-based heart rate, Full-color display with LED Backlight, Automatic uploads to Garmin Connect See more |
Shape | Round |
Target Audience | Unisex adult |
Age Range (Description) | Adult |
Compatible Devices | Smartphone |
About this item
- Premium smaller sized (42 mm) multisport GPS watch with Elevate wrist heart rate technology
- Preloaded activity profiles for all of your sports and adventures. Battery life - Smartwatch mode: Up to 9 days. GPS/HR mode - Up to 14 hours. UltraTrac mode - Up to 35 hours without wrist heart rate
- Put key stats at your fingertips with the performance widget that shows the effects and progress of your workouts
- Connected features include smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect online fitness community and personalization through free watch faces and apps from our Connect IQ store
- Outdoor sensors, including GPS and GLONASS satellite reception and 3 axis compass with gyroscope and barometric altimeter
- Physical size: 42 x 42 x 15 mm; Display size:1.1” (27.94 mm) diameter
Consider a similar item
Buy it with
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
- Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn more
PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Pre-owned Certified: Electronics products are inspected, cleaned and (if applicable) repaired to excellent functional standards. Buying Pre-owned extends a product's life, reducing e-waste and raw material extraction.
- Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn more
PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Pre-owned Certified: Electronics products are inspected, cleaned and (if applicable) repaired to excellent functional standards. Buying Pre-owned extends a product's life, reducing e-waste and raw material extraction.
- Garmin Forerunner 945, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch with Music, Black - 010-02063-00Amazon's Choicein Running GPS Units
Compare with similar items
This Item Garmin fēnix 5s, Premium and Rugged Smaller-Sized Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Silver/Black | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | -34% $329.49$329.49 List: $499.99 | $449.99$449.99 | -21% $299.99$299.99 List: $379.99 | $249.99$249.99 | $488.99$488.99 | $239.99$239.99 |
Delivery | Get it May 15 - 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it May 14 - 16 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sleep tracking | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.2 | — | 4.0 |
Battery life | 4.5 | — | 3.5 | 4.7 | 5.0 | — |
Quality of material | 4.6 | — | — | 4.9 | 5.0 | — |
Durability | 4.5 | — | — | 4.6 | 5.0 | — |
Mobile App | 4.4 | — | 4.2 | 4.3 | — | — |
Sold By | Deals4Less (SN Recorded) | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Tech-Boutique | Infitek | Tech-Boutique |
size | 42mm | 46 mm | 44mm | 51 mm | 42 mm | — |
display size | 1.1 inches | 1.3 inches | 44 millimeters | 1.2 inches | 1.1 inches | 1.2 inches |
connectivity tech | GPS, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB | Cellular, Wi-Fi | GPS | Bluetooth | GPS |
supported applications | GPS | GPS | Sleep Monitor | Heart Rate Monitor | GPS, Heart Rate Monitor | Heart Rate Monitor, GPS |
input interface | buttons | touch screen, buttons | touch screen | buttons | buttons | buttons |
wireless standard | bluetooth | bluetooth | — | bluetooth | bluetooth | — |
Product guides and documents
From the manufacturer
For serious athletes and adventurers who want to do more, not wear more – fēnix 5S is the perfect fit. It’s our premium multisport watch that offers full-size performance in a lighter, sleeker, more compact design. So you can beat yesterday with advanced features such as wrist-based heart rate, built-in activity profiles, navigation functions, and performance metrics that measure the effectiveness of your workout. It’s one smart sportwatch you can comfortably wear anywhere – office or outback – to keep pace with your active lifestyle.
fēnix 5S
Get More From Your Workout with Less on Your Wrist
- Premium smaller-sized (42 mm) multisport GPS watch with Elevate wrist heart rate technology
- Preloaded activity profiles for all of your sports and adventures
- Put key stats at your fingertips with the performance widget that shows the effects and progress of your workouts
- Connected features include smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect online fitness community and personalization through free watch faces and apps from our Connect IQ store
- Outdoor sensors, including GPS and GLONASS satellite reception and 3-axis compass with gyroscope and barometric altimeter
Striking Design, Strong Performance
Athletes and adventurers come in all sizes. That’s why the fēnix 5 series offers multiple models that vary in size to fit every wrist and every workout. Each version offers a variety of stainless steel finishes, QuickFit watch band combinations and premium feature sets to give you the look, performance and lightweight comfort to match both your aesthetic and athletic interests.
Outstanding Readability on the Run
A bright, high-resolution, full-color Garmin Chroma Display with LED backlighting assures great readability in all ambient conditions. Transflective technology that reflects and transmits light at the same time enables the watch face to become even more readable under intense sunlight. Sapphire editions feature a scratch-resistant sapphire lens and are also Wi-Fi-enabled so your watch can connect to your wireless network and automatically send activity uploads for sharing on Garmin Connect.
Wrist-based Heart Rate
On your wrist, Elevate wrist heart rate technology lets you monitor your heart rate without wearing a chest strap. In addition to counting steps and monitoring sleep, the watch uses heart rate to provide calories burned information and quantify the intensity of your fitness activities.
Match Your Style with Interchangeable Watchbands
A selection of QuickFit bands in your choice of premium leather, metal or silicone makes it easy to mix and match styles to go with any sport or activity. No tools are required to make the transformation. Just swap, click and go.
Advanced Performance Metrics
Every fēnix 5S watch is packed with sophisticated training features to help monitor your form and performance. Enhanced readouts for Training Status and Training Effect show aerobic and anaerobic benefits of your workout – so you can see how your workouts are paying off and even compare results with your peers. The VO2 max estimator crunches data, including your running speed, beats per minute and heart rate variability, to estimate the maximum volume of oxygen you can consume per minute. And other fitness metrics include recovery advisor with a recovery timer and recovery check, plus a race predictor that estimates your ideal finish time based on your current VO2 max number.
Advanced Running Dynamics
Now you can go further with your running data. Garmin training features that tap into extended physiological metrics and advanced running dynamics can help improve your form and overall performance. These include: Performance condition, Lactate threshold, Cadence, Stride length.
Want more data?
By pairing your watch with a compatible heart rate chest strap such as the HRM-Run, you can access these additional fēnix 5S metrics: Vertical oscillation and ratio, Gound contact time and balance, Stress score.
Swim Profiles, Skiing, Paddle Sports, Golf and More
Beyond their running functions, fenix 5 watches also offer special feature sets to help with swim training, skiing, golfing and paddle sports, including stand-up paddle boarding and rowing. For swimmers, the device tracks your distance, pace, stroke count and more. Ski/Board mode puts speed, distance, vertical drop and an automatic run counter (with Auto Pause for the lift line) and more at your fingertips. The feature set for paddle sports includes stroke count, stroke rate and even distance per stroke. Golf mode gives you yardage to the front, back and middle of the green for any single course you’ve downloaded from Garmin Connect – and also adds enhancements such as stat tracking (fairways hit, etc.), Green View, AutoShot detection and auto measure.
Custom Apps and Watch Faces
You can customize your fēnix 5S watch with free downloads from our Connect IQ store. Change your watch face, add data fields or get apps and widgets for information at a glance.
fēnix 5S | fēnix 5 | fēnix 5S Sapphire | fēnix 5 Sapphire | fēnix 5X Sapphire | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Customer Reviews |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Price | — | — | — | — | — |
Watch face size | 42 mm | 47 mm | 42 mm | 47 mm | 51 mm |
Display size, resolution | 1.1" (218 x 218) | 1.2" (240 x 240) | 1.1" (218 x 218) | 1.2" (240 x 240) | 1.2" (240 x 240) |
Elevate wrist-based heart rate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Smart notifications | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
10 ATM water rating (100 meters) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Built-in altimeter, barometer, 3-axis compass | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Bluetooth Low Energy, ANT+ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Scratch-resistant sapphire lens | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Wi-Fi enabled | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Preloaded topographic and cycling maps | ✓ |
What's in the box
Videos
Videos for this product
0:56
Click to play video
Wrist or Chest Strap Heart Rate Morning? #thisorthat
✅ GearChase.com
Videos for this product
5:19
Click to play video
Garmin Fenix 5s menu& fitness screens Review
Celena's Reviews
Videos for this product
1:09
Click to play video
Watch or Head Unit for Cycling? #thisorthat
✅ GearChase.com
Videos for this product
0:50
Click to play video
Everything you need to know - Garmin Fenix 5
Parents and Projects
Looking for specific info?
Product Description
For serious athletes and adventurers who want to do more, not wear more -Fenix 5S is the perfect fit. It’s our premium multisport watch that offers full-size performance in a lighter, sleeker, more compact design. So you can beat yesterday with advanced features such as wrist-based heart rate, built-in activity profiles, navigation functions, and performance metrics that measure the effectiveness of your workout. It’s one smart sport watch you can comfortably wear anywhere -office or outback -to keep pace with your active lifestyle.
Product information
Product Dimensions | 1.7 x 0.6 x 1.7 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 4 ounces |
ASIN | B01NAK0DSD |
Item model number | 010-01685-02 |
Batteries | 1 CR2 batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #229,555 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #730 in Running GPS Units |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
RAM | 64 MB |
Connectivity technologies | Bluetooth, GPS |
Special features | High-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver, Includes charging/data cable, Elevate wrist-based heart rate, Full-color display with LED Backlight, Automatic uploads to Garmin Connect |
Other display features | Wireless |
Human Interface Input | Buttons |
Scanner Resolution | 218 x 218 |
Color | Silver / Black Band |
Whats in the box | fēnix 5S, documentation, charging/data cable |
Department | Electronics > GPS & Navigation > Sports & Handheld GPS > Running GPS Units |
Manufacturer | Garmin |
Language | English |
Date First Available | January 4, 2017 |
Weight | 4 ounces |
Standing screen display size | 1.1 Inches |
Memory Storage Capacity | 64 MB |
Ram Memory Installed Size | 64 MB |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the battery life, ease of use, graphics quality and quality of the wearable computer. For example, they mention it holds a charge for more than a day, it's very user friendly and great for easy at a glance updates and info. Some appreciate the heart rate tracking. That said, opinions are mixed on value, accuracy and performance.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the GPS watch. They say it's well-made, dependable, and accurate. They also say the functions are logical, rugged, and solid. Some customers even say it feels premium and is the best multi-sport watch on the market.
"...Button functions seemed logical and rugged with advanced features such as programmable hot-key/long-press button re-assignment...." Read more
"I purchased the Fenix 5S Sapphire - Champagne. The watch is solid and well built. Setup if you take a little time and read the instructions is easy...." Read more
"Great watch. Be aware it is big and is very high of the wrist. You will hit it on doorways and corners until you get used to it." Read more
"...Meanwhile, putting aside some issues, the combination of tough quality, super performance, seamless integration, and the current price make this an..." Read more
Customers like the battery life of the GPS watch. They say it holds a charge for more than a day, and consistently lasts 7 days in regular non-gps watch mode. Some customers also love the data it kicks out and the band options.
"...The battery life is just awesome I actually think it is twice as good as my versa and the Fenix doesn't suck for everything else like the versa..." Read more
"...Battery life is also much improved over older Garmin wearable devices such as the FR610 which could only GPS track for about 5-6 hours before the..." Read more
"...I love the battery life, the map, the fact its waterproof and load of other activities it has on here for the things like the gym, and as an..." Read more
"...Battery life is good. With GPS used about 4-6hrs/week and wearing it 24/7 battery will last about 1 week...." Read more
Customers like the heart rate tracking of the wearable computer. They say it has accurate features and can track every aspect of their workout. They also appreciate the variety of exercise tracking options and the support for Bluetooth straps. Overall, most are happy with the product's heart rate monitoring capabilities and the data it provides.
"...You can set the tempo, how you want it to alert you (tone, vibration, or both), and how frequently it should alert you..." Read more
"...watch updates better than fitbit, is far more accurate - the pulse coincides perfectly with my wifes pulse-ox meter...." Read more
"...The sleep tracking is also good. An improvement over my last smartwatch...." Read more
"...for a watch that could be a “do everything” watch - constant HR monitoring, GPS enabled for running/hiking/biking, but also small and subtle enough..." Read more
Customers like the graphics quality of the GPS or navigation system. They say it's a great looking watch, with a sapphire display. They also love the design of the app and the wealth of information provided. The lugs and domed bezel design allow the watch to be comfortable and attractive. The display is fantastic in outdoor sunlight, and the watch face is customizable.
"...I love the look and feel of the watch, but I miss seeing all of the data on the inside of my wrist while I am running instead of having to turn my..." Read more
"...I like the band and the styling, but that is just icing on the cake...." Read more
"...2. Sunlight. The Fenix/Pebble use a color LCD screen. In the sun it's even more bright and crisp...." Read more
"...The iWatch is dainty; my little sister loves hers and it goes great with yoga pants...." Read more
Customers find the GPS watch very user friendly, easy to learn, and convenient. They also say it's great for easy at-a-glance updates and info. Customers also mention that the maps are easy to read and load onto the watch. They say it navigates to and from climbing routes flawlessly.
"...It's very snappy and you can reach various items from more than one direction. Pretty cool...." Read more
"...11. Up-to-speed quickly with easy-to-learn, intuitive user-interface.--------- CONS ----------1...." Read more
"...My technical level is above average but setup is easy if you follow the instructions.Battery life is good...." Read more
"...The GPS map sounds pretty handy, right? Except that it's way too undetailed to be of any use, you can't upload proper maps without using Garmin's..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the wearable computer. Some mention that it performs well, and the tracking is pretty basic. They say that the fitness apps work extremely well, while others say that it doesn't work properly, and that the temperature sensor doesn''t seem to work particularly well. Some customers also mention that the sleep tracker is useless, and it has a terrible and ancient interface.
"...- Tracking alpine skiing activities worked surprisingly and unexpectedly well. Just turn it on and forget. It detects runs.-..." Read more
"...that making the whole unit, however powerful and rugged it is, pretty useless when it can't even be charged...." Read more
"...The apps actually work and don't just crash like my experience on fitbit and this watch keeps perfect time without syncing with your phone every..." Read more
"...This may be expensive, but personally, functions like the GPS (which doesn't need a phone signal) and the 'back to start' function, if running,..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the accuracy of the wearable computer. Some mention that the GPS feature seems to be very accurate, while others say that it's not exact. They also say that the watch has trouble calibrating inside houses and buildings, and that the HR sensor is not as accurate as a chest strap.
"...I can throw at it, the watch updates better than fitbit, is far more accurate - the pulse coincides perfectly with my wifes pulse-ox meter...." Read more
"...The altimeter requires frequent manual calibration, especially after air travel...." Read more
"...Steps counted seems much more accurate than with other fitness trackers I have used, which always seemed to overestimate pretty badly..." Read more
"...IMPRESSIONS AFTER 60 DAYS ----------I initially encountered accuracy issues with Altitude, Ascent, Descent, Heart-rate, and Distance metrics...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the GPS watch. Some mention that it's worth the price, the glass covers are inexpensive, and the sapphire glass is definitely worth getting. However, others say that it is pricey, well built, and hefty.
"...of tough quality, super performance, seamless integration, and the current price make this an excellent value worthy of a 5 ranking." Read more
"...US TOPO maps from the Garmin store separately, but the cost of the maps was too prohibitive, and they should have come with the watch anyway because..." Read more
"...If you can afford it, I think it is worth the money." Read more
"...for a watch but this is sooooo much more than just a watch and worth every penny, if you have the means to buy this watch and consider yourself an..." Read more
Reviews with images
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
I have been a Microsoft Band user since the first generation and I loved all of the data the band collected as well as the integration with my phone (yeah, I'm in the minority as a Windows Phone user). I love the look and feel of the watch, but I miss seeing all of the data on the inside of my wrist while I am running instead of having to turn my arm over and look at the top of my wrist. I was concerned that the heart rate data wouldn't be as good if I wore it on the inside of my wrist so I wore it on the outside. When I get the replacement I will experiment with it on the inside of my wrist and update my review. I also really like that it doesn't have a touchscreen. I live in Georgia and after a run on a humid day, the condensation on the glass of my Microsoft Band made it VERY difficult to navigate any of the functions, and I usually didn't have a dry spot on my sweat-soaked shirt to wipe it off so I would struggle with it for a few minutes. With the buttons on the Fenix 5x, I can easily start/stop a workout with no issues in the humidity.
I was very pleased with how customizable the screens are on the Fenix 5x watch as well as the data that is pushed to Garmin Connect. During the three runs I took while I had it, I also used the Endomondo app on my phone just to compare distances and they were fairly similar, though the watch always showed less mileage than the Endomondo app on my phone showed. The difference was negligible to me so it wasn't a big deal.
I was able to get everything (mostly) working with my Windows Phone. The only functionality that was really lacking was the ability to switch songs from the watch - the only thing I could do was start and stop the music. If you are having issues getting things working with your Windows Phone (I'm using a Lumia 950XL) I highly recommend downloading Garmin Express to your PC/Mac and syncing once through the computer. I think some firmware updates were installed to the watch when I used Garmin Express that then got everything working as expected with my phone (with the exception of the music widget) on both the watch and the phone. I did (briefly) also pair my watch with Garmin Connect on my iPhone 7 and my Surface Book and it worked fine with both of those devices, too.
I really wanted to test out the mapping functionality, but if you get the watch that is not preloaded with the TOPO maps for your region, you only get some pretty high-level maps. I couldn't even see any of the streets near me on the maps - it was just the major state and interstate highways in the Atlanta area. I considered just keeping the watch and buying the US TOPO maps from the Garmin store separately, but the cost of the maps was too prohibitive, and they should have come with the watch anyway because that is what I was paying for when I bought the watch.
I also like the haptic feedback for notifications and alarms. Having a vibrating alarm allows me to wake up in the early mornings without waking up my spouse.
I used the metronome feature on two of my runs and my feelings are mixed. The first time, it really helped me pick up the pace and I ran a faster time compared to the previous day. The second run with the metronome I completely ignored it because I was running a really tough course and there was no way I could keep up. I think this is a feature that I'll use based on the course and what I'm trying to accomplish. You can set the tempo, how you want it to alert you (tone, vibration, or both), and how frequently it should alert you (every beat, once every 4 beats, etc.).
I can't wait for the exchange to be processed so I can start using it again.
On the plus side:
- Instantaneous GPS fix with no wait (older Garmin devices could take a few minutes and if not allowed sufficient time for the GPS fix would produce very inaccurate GPS data for the first few miles)
- Quick charging, e.g. while I am in the shower and getting ready in the morning, means that I can wear it almost 24x7. This means I am not missing any steps and can use it for sleep tracking every night.
- I don't have to travel with 2 devices, chargers, and cables.
- I don't have to bring any charger on shorter business trips. If I make sure that I give it a full charge on Sunday night, I still have 30% or more of charge left when I return on Thursday.
- While the visibility is not stellar and inferior to the Forerunner, and some screens and watch faces can be difficult to read for the 50+ generation, I do not need reading glasses for the basic functions and I can operate all its features equally well in complete darkness and in bright sunlight.
- Tracking alpine skiing activities worked surprisingly and unexpectedly well. Just turn it on and forget. It detects runs.
- The watch was easy to pair with all my legacy accessories (mainly speed/cadence sensors on 3 bikes, and chest HRM straps)
- I don't need scientific HR data. When I compare the HR data between the watch and the chest strap on similar activities, the accuracy of the built-in optical HR monitor is similar enough that I don't fret when I forget the chest strap.
- The voice announcements via the phone speaker are configurable and useful, e.g. for lap times.
- Notifications from the phone, mainly for texts, emails, and incoming calls make it less likely to miss something important and are the main reason why I liked wearing the Zenwatch. The Fenix does this equally well.
On the "could be improved" side:
- The lack of voice operation is a small inconvenience. I appreciated the ability to make calls or send short texts with the Zenwatch while driving or riding a motorcycle or bicycle. It would be great if this could be added in future models to make it truly perfect (but I realize that this poses technical challenges and might require a compromise with waterproofness).
- I did get an external temp sensor that is attached to a running shoe. The built-in temp sensor does not provide useful temperature data because it displays a mix of ambient and body temperatures. Garmin says its real purpose is for calibration of the altitude sensor. Then I don't understand why they bothered with exposing the data to the user.
- The altimeter requires frequent manual calibration, especially after air travel. It does not recover on its own and will happily display negative altitudes for a while after landing. When I am on a plane, it seems to cut off at about 5,000 feet, which is odd. I have not taken it to higher elevations on the ground yet, so I don't know what it does during workouts on Mt. Everest.
- I prefer the metal band even while running, but the clip makes it a bit difficult to use the Garmin handlebar mount on a bicycle.
- Sizing of the metal watch band was more difficult than expected, even with all the right tools. The pins were very difficult to remove, did not have a defined click when pushing them out, and required substantial force that almost destroyed my watch band link pin remover.
I took it into the pool with no issues but have not had a chance to track a swim workout yet. I hope it will produce better GPS data than the 310 when worn on the wrist in the water. I used to put the Forerunner under my swim cap to get meaningful GPS tracking in open water. With the Fenix, I fear that it might slip out from under the cap due to its size and weight.
I wore it on the wrist on a mountain bike ride with good results.
Top reviews from other countries
Recomendo!
Reviewed in Brazil on April 16, 2023
Recomendo!