Really disappointing screen Fenix 5 Plus Saphire

Yesterday i received the Fenix 5 Plus Saphire watch, Today i returned it. Unboxing was fun until i started the watch.Garmin advertises that the screen is a "clear, full-colour, transflective Garmin Chroma Display

display with high resolution and the LED screen illumination is readable in all light conditions, even in bright sunlight. The disappointing fact is that the screen is not what you may expect for this huge amount of money. The screen on it's own is not high resolution / full colour. You only get the full colours if you keep it in direct sunlight. This means without the sunlight (for example indoors) you are looking at a screen that reminds of the eighties. Black is not black and red is a pale colour even with brightness on maximum. There is a huge difference in what Garmin advertises versus what Garmin really delivers as shown on the photo's. For this price disappointing and to me unacceptable. ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1390842.jpg ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1390843.jpg ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1390844.jpg

Top Replies

All Replies

0 SAHO over 3 years ago in reply to RunR

Except when using the map, the screen could just as well been black and white for my sake. It's mainly for viewing numerical data in the most accessible manner while doing sports/activities, and the chosen screen technology is perfect for serving this purpose.

It's not like I'm gonna watch a Hollywood blockbuster on it.

0 1559504 over 3 years ago in reply to Narziss

I am not as concerned about the battery life if the main reason I bought the watch is good looks. Some people buy porche even though they know the gas mileage is not as good as the dodge minivan. I was buying the Fenix 5 more on looks and that’s why I was so disappointed. The pictures on the box are not what you get on the watch. It’s really too bad because if I had the opportunity to see a demo I would have passed.

0 RunR over 3 years ago in reply to SAHO

I totally agree. The data screens of my Fenix 1 were well readable without backlight even in dim twilight. The visibility of maps is of course much better on the newer watches - so everything is a compromise!

0 RunR over 3 years ago in reply to 1559504

When I bought my Porsche 911, I was totally disappointed that it cannot tow my caravan, although it has lots of horse powers. Maybe I should have informed myself before...

0 SAHO over 3 years ago in reply to 1559504

Which YouTube videos are you referring to exactly?

Just browsed around the Garmin web pages looking at product photos, videos, etc. for both the F5+ and the F6.

To be honest - I don't feel misleaded at all.

The screen as shown in the product photos and videos looks pretty much exactly like mine does OUTDOORS IN DAYLIGHT. (Which is what this watch is intended for.)

0 OneGoodKnock over 3 years ago in reply to RunR

That's really excellent Alan. All the best.

0 Outside over 3 years ago

I think you made mistake. When I first got the watch, I also wasn't sure about the display. But many days later, including many very bright sunlit days, I'm a total believer. The watch is eminently readable in bright reflective light.

0 Former Member over 3 years ago

If Garmin didn't wanna intentionally lie and really show you the truth, then hey would simply have shown you a sample picture of the screen in outdoor conditions and another one in indoor conditions.

But since they know that people would not buy as many watches if they were honest, they prefere to intentionally lie at potential customers and ignore complaints completely.

0 RunR over 3 years ago in reply to Former Member

As the watches are available in many stores and there are numerous YT-Videos with tests and presentations online, I don't think that many people do not know what they buy. Every educated consumer knows that advertising is advertising - oh, sorry, I forgot that this is the American forum.

BTW: Lying in advertising is illegal and would in this case very likely be sued by competitors.

0 Outside over 3 years ago in reply to RunR

..........