Garmin Fenix 5 - anyone got one?

[Pesty]

mondeoman said:

I folded and got the 5x with the two straps, wear it every day now.

It does what it says on the tin...

My biggest gripe is that you really need a chest monitor if you’re doing anything other than running outside, because either your wrists are too mobile to get a good read, or you sweat too much to get a good read. Both of these are wrist monitor foibles, not unique to Garmin. Indoor rowing is something I really wanted it to work on, but hey ho.

Can’t wait to try it for skiing.

Don’t use it while you’re welding though, as weld splatter will ruin the glass, even if it is sapphire.

I found the exact opposite for but I don’t use mine for running or heavy excercise like rowing so your use may vary if you do. The heart rate monitor is extremely accurate but there is a few seconds lag. Not enough to worry about.

I’ve checked it against all kinds of medical devices I expected it to be useless very pleasantly surprised. Also surmised by the battery life mine exceeds the predicted 12 days

Yes I’m not moving in this test but you can see it tracks very accurately with a few seconds lag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTDKgN5zDs

This watch face is excellent. Well worth trying the sunrise and sunset is so useful.

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/05b74dbd-8158-4...

Edited by Pesty on Saturday 16th December 10:07

[S100HP]

A month in tomorrow. Probably the best £400 I've ever spent. Cannot imagine not having it now. Normally after making a big purchase I get buyers regret for a few days, but I've not had it with this!

Love my watch.

[chris4652009]

Tycho said:

I've got a Fenix 3 and love it. I'd it broke then I'd get a 5 without thinking of anything else.

Same. I’ve Got a Fenix3 HR Sapphire, the only thing I’d replace it with if need be is a 5X

[tenohfive]

I thought about the 5X and there are times when it would be handy, but having used the breadcrumb trail style mapping from the F5 (albeit on a 935 - same watch pretty much) extensively, including the Highlands, Lake District and (from a navigation viewpoint the far trickier) home counties muddy trails I've no regrets about not spending the extra for the 5X.

Now if they put the 5X mapping into the smaller, lighter, allegedly more GPS-stable 935 body I'd be tempted. Very tempted.

In other news, I'm husband of the year for getting the wife a Vivoactive 3. And from a day-to-day perspective I can really see the appeal. It wouldn't do everything I need running wise (I need the 24 hour battery life) but it's got some nice touches that I prefer to my 935 and has enough sporting ability to have proper credibility.

[eyebeebe]

I bought a 5X in September when I realised I was outgrowing my Apple Watch for triathlon training (particularly swimming). It’s barely been off my wrist since, displacing a Rolex Daytona and and JLC Master Geographique.

I’m very happy with the 24/7 HR, steps and recovery rate, as well as the sleep monitoring in comparison to the Apple Watch with the obvious improvements in battery life. I also have the Garmin chest straps for Tri and pool swimming and a foot pod for the treadmill. All links up very well and I’m very impressed with the Garmin Connect app and website. Apart from scale, I don’t see the point in using Strava over GC, as I’m not too interested in the social side of It.

I’ve used it once with my Tacx Neo and Zwift and even though it connected to them all, it didn’t measure any distance travelled. Maybe that’s user error though. It also consistently overestimates speed and hence distance on the treadmill, even though the food pod has been GPS calibrated. I probably need to check the treadmill is calibrated correctly.

The two obvious improvements that would make me upgrade to a newer model when released are:
NFC payments that are as convenient as ApplePay - I’ve read it will be available on one of the more lifestyle watches, but the implementation is quite clunky.
Built in music storage and playback.

With both of those, I could leave my phone at home when out for a run.

[S100HP]

Tycho said:

Not that I'm aware although there is a Strava group. Just search for pistonheads.

Is now

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/group/2369331/me...

[Tycho]

S100HP said:

Tycho said:

Not that I'm aware although there is a Strava group. Just search for pistonheads.

Is now

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/group/2369331/me...

That's cheating!!! Just joined.

[S100HP]

Tycho said:

S100HP said:

Tycho said:

Not that I'm aware although there is a Strava group. Just search for pistonheads.

Is now

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/group/2369331/me...

That's cheating!!! Just joined.

Just set up 4 weekly challenges. Furthest run and cycled. Most steps and most cals burnt.

[Tycho]

S100HP said:

Tycho said:

S100HP said:

Tycho said:

Not that I'm aware although there is a Strava group. Just search for pistonheads.

Is now

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/group/2369331/me...

That's cheating!!! Just joined.

Just set up 4 weekly challenges. Furthest run and cycled. Most steps and most cals burnt.

I'll take a look but I'm not running at the moment until the physio gives me the all clear. Hopefully this will be soon!

[eyebeebe]

I just joined too.

Maybe worth cross posting on the health forum to get more visibility/members?

[Yidwann]

I cracked and upgraded from my Vivoactiv HR to the Fenix 5, and I love it, its got all the features I want, looks great, smart enough to wear out too, where as the previous was good, was a bit like a naff casio though!

Love it!

[Tycho]

Yidwann said:

I cracked and upgraded from my Vivoactiv HR to the Fenix 5, and I love it, its got all the features I want, looks great, smart enough to wear out too, where as the previous was good, was a bit like a naff casio though!

Love it!

I went from the Vivoactiv HR to the Fenix 3 because the Vivoactive just looked nasty and the touchscreen was poor. Never looked back.

[S100HP]

Got a cheap strap from Amazon today, pretty impressed with it

[chris4652009]

Looks good. Do you have a link to the strap you went for please? I want a red one now lol.

[S100HP]

chris4652009 said:

Looks good. Do you have a link to the strap you went for please? I want a red one now lol.

Here you go

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075R4GJ29/ref...

[S100HP]

Finally found a watch face I actually like (apart from the default)



Called "Sun" and shows the sun rise and setting times

[tenohfive]

S100HP said:

Finally found a watch face I actually like (apart from the default)



Called "Sun" and shows the sun rise and setting times

I like that. Not sure I can be without the slowly circling dots that make up my second count though - it's faintly hypnotic at times.

[Dixie]

I'm thinking i might get one of these.

Are there any offers going about that anyone is aware of at the moment?

[S100HP]

Anyone elses step challenge from last week stuck still?

Would help if I added the correct picture

Edited by S100HP on Monday 24th September 20:49

[daddy cool]

Just received (about an hour ago) my new Fenix 5X Plus. Corr, its a big old beast! I mean, its technically the same size as my G-Shock Rangeman, but that has an irregular shape, rather than the dinner-plate look of the garmin.
Anyway, its got the basic rubber strap, and I quite fancy a metal strap - but not the ~£200 Garmin one.

Can anyone recommend a good aftermarket one? Good meaning it looks OEM/doesn't snap in 5 mins/easy to fit.

Saw this one on amazon for £27 - anything better for less?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07G71CGY9/ref...