The Garmin Fenix 5 is a fitness and out of doors watch that’s no longer for the faint-hearted. it’s full of points, and may deliver very specified tips for people that want to video display their activities in minute detail.
one of the vital complications with sports watches is their measurement. My little wrists can fight with them, and that i’m not on my own. So Garmin makes the Fenix 5 in three sizes, with diameters of 42mm (the Fenix 5S), 47mm (the Fenix 5) and 51mm (the Fenix 5X). there is an more advantageous scratch-resistant Sapphire version of the Fenix 5S and Fenix 5, whereas the 5X handiest comes in the Sapphire version.
The starting fee is £499.ninety nine (inc. VAT) for the 5S and 5, rising to £599.ninety nine for the Sapphire version of both. The Fenix 5X is barely obtainable in Sapphire, at an eye fixed-watering £769.99. The 5X does include a number of on-board map information, which is an not obligatory additional for both smaller types. Full pricing options are available at Garmin’s website.
The fundamental 47mm-diameter Fenix 5 is a chunky watch weighing 87g.
photo: Sandra Vogel/ZDNet
My evaluation model turned into the simple Garmin Fenix 5. Its significant, readable, coloration watch face is a boon, however’s too big and chunky for my wrist. The 47mm diameter is not the main difficulty, so much as its weight (87g) and depth (15.5mm). five buttons additionally protrude from the perimeters, making for a device that’s without difficulty snagged on apparel.
still, if you get past the expense and the wearability concerns, the Fenix 5 is reasonably quite simply an attractive piece of gadget on the way to acquire statistics and share them with the Garmin connect app and website for analysis to the nth diploma. The watch has capabilities to tune loads of sports, including path run, track, indoor track, hike, climb, bike, bike indoor, MTB, pool swim, open water, triathlon, ski, snowboard, pass-nation ski, stand-up paddleboarding, rowing, indoor rowing and golf.
diverse metrics are recorded for distinctive activities. as an example, swimmers can song stroke varieties, swim efficiency, pool and open-water metrics, coronary heart price, and greater. The watch is rated to 10 ATM (100m depth). Golfers can tune yardage, shot distance and strokes used per round, and use a digital scorecard.
For runners, the regular speed and distance records is collected, along with VO2 max and coronary heart fee zones records. With the correct add-ons the Fenix 5 can also tune cadence, working symmetry, stride length, ‘soar’ in working action and more.
fees delivery at £499.ninety nine for the 42mm 5S and 47mm 5 models, rising to £599.ninety nine for the scratch-resistant Sapphire models. The suitable-end 51mm (Sapphire) Fenix 5X expenses £769.ninety nine.
image: Sandra Vogel/ZDNet
After a session is performed the watch will propose on the applicable recuperation duration earlier than the next undertaking. here is whatever of a susceptible spot, as the cautioned relaxation durations appear quite lengthy. in all probability Garmin is wary of any advice of encouraging overtraining injuries. Such conservatism may additionally underlie the initial step counter aim in the exercise monitoring a part of the Fenix 5, which is determined at 7,500 paces — a pretty low aim for somebody spending £500 or extra on a true-end sports watch. The aim does rise immediately as extra undertaking is tracked, although.
The activity tracker, incidentally, collects the standard metrics — steps, energy, flooring climbed, distance travelled, and sleep monitoring information. It additionally has a flow bar to remind clients they have been inactive for too long.
The Fenix 5 will settle for GPX or TPX tracks by means of Garmin’s free BaseCamp application, making it possible to down load trails counsel from third-birthday celebration websites and use these for hiking or other actions. For climbing, the watch will music tempo, distance and time, and may exhibit a reside compass direction and tune peak profit.
Garmin has delivered a number smartwatch points similar to notifications, calendar and even climate counsel. a range of watch faces is attainable, as well as interchangeable straps.
The menu system on the watch is monstrous and complicated. regardless of having 5 buttons (most with long and brief press facets) it be now not all the time easy to get to the desired vacation spot simply — or to bear in mind the route to it. this is overcome in part via defining screens of information as widgets, which are readily cycled through. When the time involves delve into the menu constitution once more, notwithstanding, the manual might come in handy.
Battery existence is quoted at two weeks (smartwatch mode) and 24 hours (GPS mode). The USB charging cable has a proprietary connector on the watch conclusion.
image: Sandra Vogel/ZDNet
Garmin says the battery lasts up to two weeks in smartwatch mode, and up to 24 hours in GPS mode. I’ve no longer had the possibility to take the Fenix 5 out on a protracted weekend to test battery life, however my experience to this point suggests you are going to deserve to elevate the proprietary charger and cable on a protracted weekend strolling holiday, as an example.
Garmin’s Fenix 5 does more than most of us will ever need when it involves sports monitoring, and provides within the features of a smartwatch and activity tracker for familiar use. it be cumbersome, with a tough menu equipment, and you will need to maintain a watch on the battery stage. however there isn’t any doubting its powers.
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