Garmin Fenix 5 GPS Watch Silver/Granite Blue

I have had this less than 1 week. I also have a Garmin Forerunner 910XT, which I have uses for running, hiking, biking and swimming. My understanding is that the Garmin Fenix 5 does those things and more. This model does not do real-time mapping, which the pricier models with more memory do (5X, 5XPlus, 6). However those models would have costed significantly more. Note: the model I have is not WiFi-capable although the online user manual mentions that some are, so I am unclear if WiFi capability is model-specific or if it is region-specific. The additional features / improvements when compared to the ForeRunner 910XT are: 1) Measures heart rate at the wrist, and can also pair to a chest strap if desired although I have not tried that yet. 2) Uses Bluetooth ... MoreI have had this less than 1 week. I also have a Garmin Forerunner 910XT, which I have uses for running, hiking, biking and swimming. My understanding is that the Garmin Fenix 5 does those things and more. This model does not do real-time mapping, which the pricier models with more memory do (5X, 5XPlus, 6). However those models would have costed significantly more. Note: the model I have is not WiFi-capable although the online user manual mentions that some are, so I am unclear if WiFi capability is model-specific or if it is region-specific. The additional features / improvements when compared to the ForeRunner 910XT are: 1) Measures heart rate at the wrist, and can also pair to a chest strap if desired although I have not tried that yet. 2) Uses Bluetooth through a smartphone App to Sync data. Reportedly, the Fenix 5 is also ANT+ capable, but there does not appear to be a way to pair it to the USB ANT+ stick that I use to sync Forerunner 910XT data, so I believe the ANT+ functionality must be for pairing with ANT+ activity sensors. 3) After syncing to smartphone, it can pull phone notifications, obtain weather data, calculate various stats (sleep analysis, activity analysis) if desired. 4) Many types of watch faces are available by default or by download including ones with arms and stats, but I haven't tried those yet. 5) Even without syncing to smartphone, it is able to log and display heart rate (including graph of last 4 hours), VO2 max analysis, caloric analysis, some previous activity details, daily steps, barometer (including graph of last 48 hours), ambient temperature (including graph of last 4 hours, indoors if that is where you are), compass, altimeter (including graph of last 4 hours), sunrise/sunset/twilight local times, daily flights of stairs climbed, battery level, date. Reportedly, one can integrate the following types of items for additional activity analysis, but I haven't used these yet: foot pods for running gait, heart rate chest straps, cadence sensor for cycling, power meter for cycling and cycling VO2 Max (I am unclear which Power Meters work right now). Reportedly, this is also one of a few types of Garmin devices that can be used for Group Tracking. i.e. - for every such device enrolled into this feature, and within a 25 mile (or 25 km?) radius, Group tracking can be done. Not having done this before, I am not clear what this means, but it may be useful for teams of other group activities. 6) There are a lot more activities to select, where the most notable one is weight training where you can track heart rate through the entire workout, specify set start/stop/reps/weight from the watch itself. The Fenix 5 attempts to determine what weight training activity you are doing, although this is often off and can be edited later in the smartphone app. 7) The display is color, although most of the metrics are black and white, and I would not describe the color as 'vibrant'. 8) The cover is some type of glass (there are also sapphire models), which appears to be different from that of the ForeRunner 910XT. 9) The bezel is stainless steel. 10) The strap if more flexible than that of the ForeRunner 910XT. ..... Characteristics similar to the ForeRunner 910XT are: A) 100m water resistance. B) After saving an activity you can see the breadcrumb map on the watch, or the map on the smartphone. There are a few route mapping apps one can download, but I have not tried any yet. My understanding is that such apps may provide real-time breadcrumb path view during the activity. To Be Determined: a) It would be useful to know how much memory is left for apps, and whether that cuts into memory for activity history, but I don't know how to determine that at this time. b) How well this works during Swimming for swim metrics, which is suspected similar to the ForeRunner 910XT. c) How well this works for hiking in remote and/or recessed areas (canyons, gullies etc.). d) Compatible Power Sensors.

1 star with an asterisk

This review is more on my experience than the watch itself. I purchased this watch about 3 days before I went on a ski trip. I wanted to track my activity as well as for a daily fitness tracker, though my main reason was for the activity tracking on the trip.I used the watch for the two days leading up and the "smart" phone functions worked perfectly and the heart rate was surprisingly accurate. As the ski trip went along I realized there was something very wrong with the watch. The temperature was reading in the negatives inside of our condo, like -79, not even close to what it actually was and the elevation was all over the place. I signed on to express to update the watch and it was already updated to the current version. The GPS was also all over the place. As ... MoreThis review is more on my experience than the watch itself. I purchased this watch about 3 days before I went on a ski trip. I wanted to track my activity as well as for a daily fitness tracker, though my main reason was for the activity tracking on the trip.I used the watch for the two days leading up and the "smart" phone functions worked perfectly and the heart rate was surprisingly accurate. As the ski trip went along I realized there was something very wrong with the watch. The temperature was reading in the negatives inside of our condo, like -79, not even close to what it actually was and the elevation was all over the place. I signed on to express to update the watch and it was already updated to the current version. The GPS was also all over the place. As far as the activity functions nothing worked. Disappointed I finished the trip and called Garmin when I got home.We went through the normal troubleshooting and he was quick to realize it had a hardware issue. What was surprising and even more disappointing was the watch was registered to another account and used in December of this year. So I was essentially sold a used watch at full retail price. I was given the option to have Garmin send me a new one or exchange it in the store. Since it was already returned once I decided to go with that option, since I felt it was more REI's fault for selling me used product than Garmin.As normal the exchange process was simple and easy in store. I was a little miffed at the lack of care I was given for being sold used equipment though. I bought this equipment at the time I did for the trip and it was essentially worthless and a waste of time and money. My iPhone would have been more accurate. I now have a functioning watch and am very happy with it.So if the watch works like it should I give it 5 stars, but my experience purchasing it was awful. I think for electronic items that are this expensive, if they are returned to the store they should be tested and made sure to work before being put on the shelf. After seeing what comes in a new box I was also missing the instruction manual. For $550 you should be guaranteed to at least have a new product, I get hardware issues happen but it sure is a coincidence I was sold a returned watch that had so many issues.

A massive stumble from Garmin

I am a massive Garmin fan having used numerous models over the years to support my running and fitness activities. However, my recent purchase has me questioning if Garmin is straying from quality control with its products now new models are being rolled out at an almost monthly rate.I purchased the Fenix 5 model to upgrade from my trusty Fenix 3HR and immediately had issues with one of the charging pins corroding during sweaty workouts. No sooner had I completed a workout, the pin would be covered in rust. This happened every workout despite best efforts to clean the watch between workouts. Eventually, it became apparent the pin in question was degrading and wearing down from the repeated episodes of corrosion. This was happening during the workout and certainly ... MoreI am a massive Garmin fan having used numerous models over the years to support my running and fitness activities. However, my recent purchase has me questioning if Garmin is straying from quality control with its products now new models are being rolled out at an almost monthly rate.I purchased the Fenix 5 model to upgrade from my trusty Fenix 3HR and immediately had issues with one of the charging pins corroding during sweaty workouts. No sooner had I completed a workout, the pin would be covered in rust. This happened every workout despite best efforts to clean the watch between workouts. Eventually, it became apparent the pin in question was degrading and wearing down from the repeated episodes of corrosion. This was happening during the workout and certainly not a product of attempting to charge the watch while the pins were wet.I returned the watch under warranty and Garmin sent me a replacement model. Full credit for Garmin's warranty and returns process. It's easy, efficient and hassle-free.Unfortunately, the replacement watch has done exactly the same thing so again I am returning the watch and this time asking for a refund while I go back to my Fenix 3HR and ponder my next move. The Fenix 5 range seems to have a design flaw as many others on the internet have reported the same issue. If you wear the watch daily but don't do heavy sweating prolonged activities, you may get away it. That said, it's a fitness watch and should be, and is promised to be, waterproof and sport-proof.I am no electrician but fellow Garmin users have pointed to a possible electrical arching between the charging pins.If you do long workouts and sweat, be wary of purchasing this watch.

Amazing Sports Watch

I have had the 5x series for nearly two years and I love this thing. I do tons of hiking, running and rowing and I am training for my first triathlon .I have had no problblems with inaccuracies - and I live on the not so open East Coast in the heart of the beast (Manhattan) The 5x effectively maps my runs through our densely forested park areas and around the buildings. I will say that calibration in midtown is an absolute mess. Go figure. It obviously is also not so great in buildings (as the GPS won’t work)..The heart rate sensor - on all smart watches including the new one from the other fancy tech company, are notoriously not accurate for any sort of cross training - you need the strap...which is disappointing. Battery life is amazing. I get 8 to 10 days ... MoreI have had the 5x series for nearly two years and I love this thing. I do tons of hiking, running and rowing and I am training for my first triathlon .I have had no problblems with inaccuracies - and I live on the not so open East Coast in the heart of the beast (Manhattan) The 5x effectively maps my runs through our densely forested park areas and around the buildings. I will say that calibration in midtown is an absolute mess. Go figure. It obviously is also not so great in buildings (as the GPS won’t work)..The heart rate sensor - on all smart watches including the new one from the other fancy tech company, are notoriously not accurate for any sort of cross training - you need the strap...which is disappointing. Battery life is amazing. I get 8 to 10 days using the ‘smart notifications’ and logging about 7 to 8 hours of exercise each week.What can I say? It is a great watch. The 5 and 5x are virtually identical except the 5x has a larger face and has integrated trail maps. The integrated maps have been really helpful hiking in the Grand Canyon last year.I also want to give a shout out to Garmin customer service. I started having a problem with some of the sensors and they replaced it out of warranty for a fraction of cost.

Bad for Ironman Training

I had to return the Fenix 5 after eighty days of use because of how inaccurate it was. I actually tested this in California and DC (both coasts). In CA it was pretty accurate, but moving to the East Coast with tall trees everywhere threw the whole system off. I’m not a picky person when it comes to accuracy, but this watch was particularly bad with run pacing, where it would read a 16:30/mile pace occasionally while I was running about a 10:00/mile pace, and I would watch my average lap pace jump by :30/mile instantaneously. Small fluctuations are expected but when pacing is that far off, you don’t know whether to chalk that mile up as a loss for accurate pacing or drop 2:00/mile just to get a good pace-entirely too frustrating if you need an accurate run pace over ... MoreI had to return the Fenix 5 after eighty days of use because of how inaccurate it was. I actually tested this in California and DC (both coasts). In CA it was pretty accurate, but moving to the East Coast with tall trees everywhere threw the whole system off. I’m not a picky person when it comes to accuracy, but this watch was particularly bad with run pacing, where it would read a 16:30/mile pace occasionally while I was running about a 10:00/mile pace, and I would watch my average lap pace jump by :30/mile instantaneously. Small fluctuations are expected but when pacing is that far off, you don’t know whether to chalk that mile up as a loss for accurate pacing or drop 2:00/mile just to get a good pace-entirely too frustrating if you need an accurate run pace over longer distances. The stress and HRV measurements were crazy off-I would get a high stress reading during a 20 minute nap or a low stress reading while I was freaking out over a stressful work situation. Garmin forums are littered with comments on the innaccuracy of the Fenix 5 and people switching them out for a Forerunner 935 instead, which apparently has the same internals but doesn’t suffer the same accuracy issues. The Fenix 5 is also heavy for a triathlon watch. If you don’t do regular triathlons or run races, this is probably still a great watch for you. Looks great with anything-formal or informal, and takes countless measurements that are really valuable to the every day user. If you really prize accuracy in your training though, I would not recommend it. Even if you live in a place like CA where it would be accurate, an East Coast Race could throw you off completely.

Great watch unless you're a runner

This is almost the perfect watch. If you are looking for a watch that does almost everything great then this is for you. The styling fits my needs, and the smaller size from my previous Fenix 3 is what brought me back to Garmin. The 3 was just too big for me to wear daily but this one fits my wrist and while it is still bigger than the average watch does the job. The watch is packed with features and should cover almost anything outdoors you can think of with some indoor activities as well. The batter life is phenomenal and has lasted 10-12 days per charge with a daily workout at the gym or a run. I now have a watch that I can charge prior to going out of town and don't have to worry about a useless watch is I happen to forget yet another charger at home. As great ... MoreThis is almost the perfect watch. If you are looking for a watch that does almost everything great then this is for you. The styling fits my needs, and the smaller size from my previous Fenix 3 is what brought me back to Garmin. The 3 was just too big for me to wear daily but this one fits my wrist and while it is still bigger than the average watch does the job. The watch is packed with features and should cover almost anything outdoors you can think of with some indoor activities as well. The batter life is phenomenal and has lasted 10-12 days per charge with a daily workout at the gym or a run. I now have a watch that I can charge prior to going out of town and don't have to worry about a useless watch is I happen to forget yet another charger at home. As great as it is, there is one downside to this watch. The GPS accuracy of this unit is not nearly as good as other devices I've tried and as it's from Garmin, the consumer GPS specialist, I expect more. With the right HRM this can provide a runner with everything you want to know about your run. The issue is if the watch can't provide an accurate distance, most of those metrics are off. I ran a know course with this watch over a dozen times after first getting it and the distance varied over a tenth of a mile with not much consistency from run to run. My other device only varied 0.02 of a mile with consistent results time and time again. For those wondering, both watches were worn on the same wrist at the same time so satellite constellations and atmospheric conditions were the same for both devices. When comparing the results of the Fenix 5 to that of the Fenix 3, I see the same errors so I'm guessing Garmin is using the same chip set and algorithms to compute the distance. They should and could do better, especially for the price.I wanted a watch that I thought looked great, had tons of features, and had a long lasting battery. This watch fits 95% of those so it's a keeper. I don't need to track my runs with the kind of accuracy I mentioned earlier but for those that keep an eye on pace and splits, you may need something better.

Hoping it is just bad luck

Hard to write this review, as I really like the watch and when working it has the ability to give you all kinds of feedback that I find very useful (and there is still much I haven't yet gotten into but like that it is there when I'm ready). Unfortunately, as a hiker, altitude is a big deal for me, and I've had all kinds of problems with the altimeter giving completely ridiculous readings (as I am sitting here in Denver, it is reading 65617', and has at times dropped to less than -100k feet). Recalibrating has not helped.My first Fenix 5 worked great for almost 3 months, but then the display wigged out, like when you squeeze on an LED and it darkens where you squeeze (this one was not altimeter related). Couldn't reset it, took it back to REI, they did a quick ... MoreHard to write this review, as I really like the watch and when working it has the ability to give you all kinds of feedback that I find very useful (and there is still much I haven't yet gotten into but like that it is there when I'm ready). Unfortunately, as a hiker, altitude is a big deal for me, and I've had all kinds of problems with the altimeter giving completely ridiculous readings (as I am sitting here in Denver, it is reading 65617', and has at times dropped to less than -100k feet). Recalibrating has not helped.My first Fenix 5 worked great for almost 3 months, but then the display wigged out, like when you squeeze on an LED and it darkens where you squeeze (this one was not altimeter related). Couldn't reset it, took it back to REI, they did a quick check and determined that it was indeed fried. Walked out with a new one. Customer service was very good.Second Fenix 5 had altimeter issues within a week. Tried various resets and calibrations, but it didn't help. Took back to REI who said to contact Garmin. I did, Garmin customer service was fantastic and they sent me yet another new watch (#3).Third Fenix 5 had the same altimeter problems within 3 days. I went back and forth with Garmin again and figured I might have to get use to a worthless altimeter. After a software update, it actually looked like the altimeter was working correctly again, but that only lasted a couple days. Wrote back to Garmin, who said they were aware of some altimeter issues but that they were pretty rare, and they were surprised I would have gotten two with watches with the same problems. Nevertheless, they are sending me another new watch (#4), which I have not yet received.My expectations for a $500+ watch are very high, so I expect something as basic as an altimeter would work properly. Still not sure why I've had altimeter problems twice now, but hoping the 4th time is the charm. The saving grace has been customer service. I've been very impressed with Garmin in particular, and REI was also good when I worked through them for the first exchange. I really do love the watch and will even more when it is firing on all cylinders, but I have to rate it low for all the issues I've had with 3 of them so far. I hope I've just been unlucky, as they are very well reviewed, but I'm getting nervous there is something in my environment here somehow or some basic thing I'm missing that is causing it to malfunction. When it works right, it is outstanding, but you may be taking your chances.

Perfect GPS Watch

So I had Garmin for years and started with a fitness tracker up to the Vivioactive HR. I decided to change and went to a Samsung Frontier S3. I was so sorry I did. It crapped out on me after a few months, so I was looking for something to replace it. I kept looking at the Fenix 5, but I just couldn't see spending that kind of money for a watch. So, I tried the Vivoactive 3 Music...and I swear it's highway robbery what they're charging for that piece of kid's toy plastic. I returned it for a Fitbit Ionic. It was good...but not having Geek Squad on something doesn't sit well with me with the job I have. I finally caved in and paid for the Fenix 5.I didn't think it was necessary to pay this much for a watch. However, when I opened it...it actually felt like it was ... MoreSo I had Garmin for years and started with a fitness tracker up to the Vivioactive HR. I decided to change and went to a Samsung Frontier S3. I was so sorry I did. It crapped out on me after a few months, so I was looking for something to replace it. I kept looking at the Fenix 5, but I just couldn't see spending that kind of money for a watch. So, I tried the Vivoactive 3 Music...and I swear it's highway robbery what they're charging for that piece of kid's toy plastic. I returned it for a Fitbit Ionic. It was good...but not having Geek Squad on something doesn't sit well with me with the job I have. I finally caved in and paid for the Fenix 5.I didn't think it was necessary to pay this much for a watch. However, when I opened it...it actually felt like it was made to withstand just about anything. Which then had me worried I wouldn't like wearing it because it was too bulky. This somehow straddles the perfect line between quality made heft, yet like you're not wearing it comfort.The watch also tracks everything you could ever want. I know it isn't the fancy Samsung or Fitbit screen, but I love not having to literally charge it every day. I've worn it non stop for 3 days now and the battery is still at 77%. I would've been happy with 3 day battery life after having the Frontier S3 last a single day, but this easily will last 2 weeks in normal watch mode.I also thought I wouldn't like the non touchscreen feature, but I have come to love it. It's nice not have accidental touches while showering with it or simply cleaning the face with my sleeve.There are so many faces and ways to customize it and make it exactly how you want it, there's no reason to not buy one if you're even thinking about it. I spent 3 days going to a different Best Buy and buying and returning other bands to not have to spend as much...but I should've just gave in and got the GPS watch I wanted in the first place.I've tried to find a reason to not like this watch at the price, but I love it all. Weeks long battery life, durability and comfort, a beautiful screen that's easy to read in the sunlight, tracking of just about any stat you could want, to complete customization of how you want the watch to look...I can not recommend this GPS watch enough!!

Pretty Perfect from a Picky Person

I don’t know what to say other than this is awesome. Not just an awesome activity tracker but just an awesome product.-Garmin pay attention to this next part, I bought this specifically because it went on sale for Memorial Day. Most of us ultra runners crave stuff like this but can’t justify the crazy cost. I know lots of people that would buy these types of trackers if the price point was more accessible for normal folks.The new Fenix Plus line introduced right after I bought the Fenix5 has lots of extras that I love but at 700 bucks most of us can’t justify that kind of purchase in a product we’ll be using during rough outdoor activities.Ok, enough complaining to Garmin about price point. This watch does almost everything I personally want or need from a ... MoreI don’t know what to say other than this is awesome. Not just an awesome activity tracker but just an awesome product.-Garmin pay attention to this next part, I bought this specifically because it went on sale for Memorial Day. Most of us ultra runners crave stuff like this but can’t justify the crazy cost. I know lots of people that would buy these types of trackers if the price point was more accessible for normal folks.The new Fenix Plus line introduced right after I bought the Fenix5 has lots of extras that I love but at 700 bucks most of us can’t justify that kind of purchase in a product we’ll be using during rough outdoor activities.Ok, enough complaining to Garmin about price point. This watch does almost everything I personally want or need from a watch.1. Solid GPS tracking2. Trail Run choice in activities. No more manually editing every trail run in the app.3. Long 24 hour battery life in GPS mode that I’m sure will exceed that if I turn off Bluetooth & wrist heart rate during hundreds. They were very smart to increase the battery life to 32 hours on the new plus series!4. Altimeter, I don’t need this but I like it.5. Love the golf option, I didn’t even realize this was on the watch but I’ve used it twice and it’s spot on!6. Great activity tracker that added things like stairs climbed, Love it.7. Nice looking so I can wear as my every day watch. I wore my 235 as well but this looks much nicer.Anyway, great gps watch and affordable during Garmin’s sale.The new plus version adds maps, music, Garmin Pay, & increased battery life, all things (except music) that I would really like if it wasn’t 700 dollars!

Too heavy

I am a serious (albeit slow) runner, and I love to geek out on all sorts of running data. I have been a Garmin user for years and I have always loved their watches, as well as the online Garmin portal that lets me see all of the data around my runs.My current running watch was a Garmin 235, which I absolutely loved. However, the battery life isn't great and I have a 50 mile race coming up and I really wanted a watch that would last the entire race. I had decided to get the 935, but saw this bundle deal for the Fenix 5 and decided to go with that instead.I really wanted to love this watch. And to be honest, the features of the watch are great - including the battery life. Even some of the "smart watch" features, like getting text and email notifications on my ... MoreI am a serious (albeit slow) runner, and I love to geek out on all sorts of running data. I have been a Garmin user for years and I have always loved their watches, as well as the online Garmin portal that lets me see all of the data around my runs.My current running watch was a Garmin 235, which I absolutely loved. However, the battery life isn't great and I have a 50 mile race coming up and I really wanted a watch that would last the entire race. I had decided to get the 935, but saw this bundle deal for the Fenix 5 and decided to go with that instead.I really wanted to love this watch. And to be honest, the features of the watch are great - including the battery life. Even some of the "smart watch" features, like getting text and email notifications on my watch while running I found useful even though I didn't really care about those.However, for me the one major flaw is that the face of the watch is bulky and very heavy compared to other running watches I've used. On long runs the watch would rub up against and irritate the little bone on the top of my wrist. It wasn't unbearable, but definitely irritating. And I figure for this price I better pretty much love every aspect of the watch, so unfortunately I had to return the watch.Fit is obviously going to vary from person to person, so your experience might be different.