Moving away from Apple Watch to Fenix 5 Plus

Hi guys, been a while since I was here - originally a member with a Vivoactive HR and then bought an apple watch (series 2). I am now looking at changing and coming back to garmin with the Fenix 5 Plus to track my rowing, bike, skierg (if it does that) and possibly running! Anyone out there have the apple watch and moved to the Fenix? Am I doing the right thing?!!

Really looking forward to getting connections and a community back - I've missed that!

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Top tip for you purchasing in the UK if you want the 'standard' 5plus with stainless bezel.

RRP is £600.
Decathlon have it for £559.
Blacks offer a price beat promise so you can get 10% off Decathlon price.
Works out at £504.

0 Pseudo-fed over 6 years ago

Have AW2 and AW3 LTE, with service. Also have F3 (non HR), F5, and F5+. Wear the AW on non-activity days and a Fenix on activity days. Like playing with apps for all. Just got a Stryd today, connected to my F5+ and first run planned for after work. My AW3 goes with my Garmin on runs so I have emergency connectivity and also supplies apple Music. During the workday besides things already mentioned my AW unlocks my Mac repeatedly, and I also use the SecureAuth app for generating a two-factor authentication code. Easier than using my iPhone. Also have 20+ bands for my AWs and just 5 or so for my Fenixes. As a casual/fitness runner and cyclist the AW is probably enough. As a data nerd, the lack of ability to connect a footpod or Tempe sensor to the AW leads me to Garmin for activities. Rungap helps me share to Garmin even if I run with the AW, which I tend to do if traveling since I don't take two watches. There is also a great newer app called Workoutdoors for the AW which is great, though lack of the mentioned sensors.

With either I wear my Scosche Rhythm Plus or Rhythm 24 for HR, though the AW needs me to reconnect it right before I start a run--then it holds connection while in use. First world problems for sure! Welcome back!

Edited to add: as a 55 year old, my runs and rides are shorter, so no battery concerns with AW. I even track sleep with it using Heartwatch since I only need to charge the AW a couple hours per day to keep it charged.

0 VivoMiles over 6 years ago

Top tip for you purchasing in the UK if you want the 'standard' 5plus with stainless bezel.

RRP is £600.
Decathlon have it for £559.
Blacks offer a price beat promise so you can get 10% off Decathlon price.
Works out at £504.

Excellent tip thanks, will check Blacks out.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Have AW2 and AW3 LTE, with service. Also have F3 (non HR), F5, and F5+. Wear the AW on non-activity days and a Fenix on activity days. Like playing with apps for all. Just got a Stryd today, connected to my F5+ and first run planned for after work. My AW3 goes with my Garmin on runs so I have emergency connectivity and also supplies apple Music. During the workday besides things already mentioned my AW unlocks my Mac repeatedly, and I also use the SecureAuth app for generating a two-factor authentication code. Easier than using my iPhone. Also have 20+ bands for my AWs and just 5 or so for my Fenixes. As a casual/fitness runner and cyclist the AW is probably enough. As a data nerd, the lack of ability to connect a footpod or Tempe sensor to the AW leads me to Garmin for activities. Rungap helps me share to Garmin even if I run with the AW, which I tend to do if traveling since I don't take two watches. There is also a great newer app called Workoutdoors for the AW which is great, though lack of the mentioned sensors.

With either I wear my Scosche Rhythm Plus or Rhythm 24 for HR, though the AW needs me to reconnect it right before I start a run--then it holds connection while in use. First world problems for sure! Welcome back!

Edited to add: as a 55 year old, my runs and rides are shorter, so no battery concerns with AW. I even track sleep with it using Heartwatch since I only need to charge the AW a couple hours per day to keep it charged.

Thanks for all this helpful information. I did not know about Workoutdoors, which looks interesting. I was feeling guilty about having a 5+ and and an LTE AW3; your portfolio makes me feel much better :-). Regarding sensors, I'm sure you're aware that you can use Stryd on the AW with the Stryd app or with iSmoothRun. I use the much less expensive (and less sophisticated) Milestone Pod with the AW and iSR and the combination has worked well.

0 VivoMiles over 6 years ago

Have AW2 and AW3 LTE, with service. Also have F3 (non HR), F5, and F5+. Wear the AW on non-activity days and a Fenix on activity days. Like playing with apps for all. Just got a Stryd today, connected to my F5+ and first run planned for after work. My AW3 goes with my Garmin on runs so I have emergency connectivity and also supplies apple Music. During the workday besides things already mentioned my AW unlocks my Mac repeatedly, and I also use the SecureAuth app for generating a two-factor authentication code. Easier than using my iPhone. Also have 20+ bands for my AWs and just 5 or so for my Fenixes. As a casual/fitness runner and cyclist the AW is probably enough. As a data nerd, the lack of ability to connect a footpod or Tempe sensor to the AW leads me to Garmin for activities. Rungap helps me share to Garmin even if I run with the AW, which I tend to do if traveling since I don't take two watches. There is also a great newer app called Workoutdoors for the AW which is great, though lack of the mentioned sensors.

With either I wear my Scosche Rhythm Plus or Rhythm 24 for HR, though the AW needs me to reconnect it right before I start a run--then it holds connection while in use. First world problems for sure! Welcome back!

Edited to add: as a 55 year old, my runs and rides are shorter, so no battery concerns with AW. I even track sleep with it using Heartwatch since I only need to charge the AW a couple hours per day to keep it charged.

Thanks, it's good to be back and I can't wait to get back into it!I don't do a huge amount of running to be honest and when I do it's mostly indoors but when i have run it's been with an iphone in my hand, just not got round to adding music to the AW! I'll check out the apps you've mentioned, might help me. Any issues with bluetooth on the Fenix connecting to headphones?

I've just downloaded "Pillow" for the AW as it's free so will watch that and if not I'll download Heartwatch but by that time I may have my Fenix!! Appreciate the comments.

0 Pseudo-fed over 6 years ago

Thanks, it's good to be back and I can't wait to get back into it!I don't do a huge amount of running to be honest and when I do it's mostly indoors but when i have run it's been with an iphone in my hand, just not got round to adding music to the AW! I'll check out the apps you've mentioned, might help me. Any issues with bluetooth on the Fenix connecting to headphones?

I've just downloaded "Pillow" for the AW as it's free so will watch that and if not I'll download Heartwatch but by that time I may have my Fenix!! Appreciate the comments.

Don't know. Don't use the F5+ with headphones/music, and don't plan to.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

I use the 5+ with Jaybird Run Free earphones and they work well--at least as well as with the AW.

0 PatrickNSF over 6 years ago

Here's an interesting perspective –
https://tcrn.ch/2B79p4I

0 VivoMiles over 6 years ago

Here's an interesting perspective –
https://tcrn.ch/2B79p4I

Nice one Patrick cheers.

0 VivoMiles over 6 years ago

Top tip for you purchasing in the UK if you want the 'standard' 5plus with stainless bezel.

RRP is £600.
Decathlon have it for £559.
Blacks offer a price beat promise so you can get 10% off Decathlon price.
Works out at £504.

Gravity-Slave (for some reason it won't let me tag you) I've just emailed Blacks to see if they would price match Decathlon's price! I was going back and fore to the Foreunner 645 Music and this one but hopefully they will price match! I've also got £250 cashback due from quidco so makes it an even better deal! Thanks for the info. Fingers crossed!