So I have been thinking about getting the 5S. I've been comparing specs and I don't see any difference between the 2 watched other than size and battery life. Would u guys confirm? Which one would you all recommend? I'm coming from a vivoactive 3 non-music and have really small wrists lol
If you care about sensor connections I'd recommend going with the F5+. I could make the F5S+ loose signal from Stryd when holding hand on the bezel for few seconds (similar to what my old F5 did), while on F5+ I can't make the connection drop even if I cover the watch for several minutes. HRM-Tri also had several second gaps with RD data even when there were no obstructions. The HRM-Tri actually worked better even with my old F5 than with the F5S+.
I admit the F5S+ is much better looking though as it comes with much less bezel, if you can first fit it on your wrist (the starp is much shorter and has only one retaining loop). Still I would've actually preferred the F5S+ otherwise, but end of the day I couldn't justify living yet again with a watch that drops connections so easily.
Interesting, I have both Stryd and the band and I have not experienced any drop.
I do agree with the starp though. However I have bougth a few from Amazon that are very nice and cost less than 10 quids.
Awesome! Sounds like overall it's a very decent watch. Has anyone seen straps similar to the the Apple watch strap? I find these straps for every day use super comfy.
Also, I read rumors of a Phoenix 6 coming out .Y'all think it's worth the wait to get the 6 or stock with the 5s+?
Interesting, I have both Stryd and the band and I have not experienced any drop.
I do agree with the starp though. However I have bougth a few from Amazon that are very nice and cost less than 10 quids.
Might be there is H/W variation too. The RD data has been problematic with the F5 also in the past. I had a HRM-Run that dropped data while the HRM-Tri was fine for example.
But I've had zero connection issues with the F5+ so far and the signal seems much stronger with the easy repeatable test of holding your hand over the watch while jogging. So just consider this as a first warning that your mileage might vary with the F5S+.
The GPS worked equally well on both + versions based on the short test runs I made. The GPS tracks were less jumpy than F5 with some offset on places where all my GPS devices usually struggle.
So if I only wanted a lighter weight GPS watch with a lot of features and less need to connect to sensors. I could recommend the F5S+.
If you're not in a rush wait until after CES which is in the next week or two and see what they release there. Even if an F6 isn't released then there's no saying there won't be a spring release but if you keep waiting you'll never buy anything. Get what fits your needs at the time you're ready to buy.
Edit to add: As far was what might be added in a next generation Fenix. There was a post on Reddit that speculates, based on FCC filings, that a VivoActive 3 (3+/4?) Music with LTE could be on the horizon. As usual, take with a huge grain of salt. But surely LTE will come to Garmin at some point.
I got the 5S because I have small wrists and the larger watches looked huge and I was always hitting my old 5X on things. Not a problem with the 5s. The battery life is fine with me. I am unlikely to do any ultra event using only the 5s for tracking. And, if I do, I can always charge while using it.
