Having recently destroyed my latest Forerunner (645), I'm looking for something more robust. Seriously. I destroy, on average, one Garmin Forerunner watch a year and have since 2016. Garmin has always hooked me up and replaced them, but I'm sick of the treadmill considering how long it takes me to set up their replacements how I like. I'm looking at the Titanium model with the orange band, hoping it will be lighter? I know it's not going be as light as my 645, but I just want something that will last for years without self destructing. With my 645, the pin in one of the bands actually tore a chunk out of the watch chassis; I tried to upload a picture, but the forum software isn't letting me. Thanks for any and all opinions!
I went from a FR235 and 920XT. I didn't have any issues with those. I just liked the features of the 5+. I have a Fenix 5+ Sapphire and really like it....no regrets at all. It is a bit heavier, but I don't notice that any more. Mine works really well, but some have had issues...mostly with battery life.
As for longevity, I wore my FR235 for two years with a screen protector and it nearly looked new when I sold it. I had replaced the band just before selling it. So I'm not very hard on the watch. I've owned the Fenix 5+ Sapphire for a little over 6 months without a screen protector and it still looks new with just a few light scratches on the raised edge of the bezel.
I purchased a Ti 5+ as an upgrade to my forerunner 935 and have been a little disappointed so far. I've only had it about 2 weeks but at this point I think I'll probably end up returning it and staying with the 935. Based on the specs, I expected battery life to be about 75% of the 935 but I am seeing probably closer to 50%. I've found that some watch faces I've used with no issue on my 935 seem to kill the 5+ battery in no time - I lost 20% overnight with the watch sitting on the nightstand with one installed. In fairness, my 935 does better than advertised, while my 5+ does worse. The gps tracks were also a little better with the 935 - I've seen an occasional spike off the actual path with the 5+ and never saw that with the 935. The 5+ does definitely feel more robust, looks much nicer, and the maps and music are nice features. However, with the reduced performance in the areas above, I don't feel like it's worth the money. I had no durability issues with the 935 - I had a glass screen protector since new and after about a year and a half, just have minor bezel scuffs. If durability is your main concern though, the 5+ may be worth it to you as it does seem like it could take more abuse than my 935.
Thanks guys - I pulled the trigger on a Fenix 5+. Not a huge fan of the orange band, but this watch is *nice*. Unfortunately I have only done indoor runs with it so far; the track at the Y is a lot more appealing than subzero windchills in Michigan! Looking forward to really breaking it in this summer via hiking, biking, kayaking, etc., all the fun things that I can't do right now because I live in an arctic wasteland. Watch is a very nice upgrade from the 645, and I have no doubt it will survive trail running and all the rocks, trees, etc. that have killed my Forerunners. I will say, though, I'm having music/sync issues. Apparently for Garmin Express to work on my Mac I need to install some Android shim, which is ridiculous (Garmin, fix your sh!), and Garmin Express only finds one song in a massive iTunes library for some reason (Garmin fix your shx2!). The device hasn't gotten an update since November, so I'm assuming another huge update is incoming(?).
You don't need Android File Manager to use Garmin Express. You need Android File Manager if you want to access the file structure on your device.
I think the issue with the music might be something to do with DRM, but I might be wrong. There are a number of posts dotted throughout this forum about music and the 5+.
The latest public release software is 6.0. this was released in early December - https://forums.garmin.com/forum/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/fenix-5-5s-plus/1429464-software-version-6-00-now-available. If you cannot update to that then you need to find out whether you have a ROW (Rest of the World) or APAC (Asia Pacific) device. That might well depend on where you bought it. Since you live in the US chances are you do have an ROW device, but there have been instances where APAC devices have been purchased in the US. Typically APAC lags ROW in software by a couple of months or so. Not sure how you can check that on the 5+. Someone else might chip in here.
You don't need Android File Manager to use Garmin Express. You need Android File Manager if you want to access the file structure on your device.
I think the issue with the music might be something to do with DRM, but I might be wrong. There are a number of posts dotted throughout this forum about music and the 5+.
The latest public release software is 6.0. this was released in early December - https://forums.garmin.com/forum/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/fenix-5-5s-plus/1429464-software-version-6-00-now-available. If you cannot update to that then you need to find out whether you have a ROW (Rest of the World) or APAC (Asia Pacific) device. That might well depend on where you bought it. Since you live in the US chances are you do have an ROW device, but there have been instances where APAC devices have been purchased in the US. Typically APAC lags ROW in software by a couple of months or so. Not sure how you can check that on the 5+. Someone else might chip in here.
Thanks Phillip - what's odd is that until I installed the Android thing, Garmin Express told me that the software doesn't support the Fenix 5 Plus. When I installed it, that error message went away and it synced normally.
And thanks for the suggestion on the DRM; I'm sure that's the issue. Unfortunate for me as I primarily use Apple Music, but regardless, I never run with music so don't really care much about that functionality.
That's interesting. I've never seen that message with GE. Still, as long as it works now.
The only music I see in iTunes are from the CDs I've uploaded, to the free music iTunes give away on occasion. I went through the exercise if loading music on just to test it out. But other than that, like you, I don't run with music so never bothered with it. I guess there might be some use for it during the day though but I've always got access to a laptop or my iPhone anyway.
rtperna - I have to ask - how are you destroying the watches :) - I have had a 935 with no issues running roads and trails and swimming open water sometimes in large rough groups. I actually find that I am noticeably knocking my 5+ against things much more often ( I think due to the greater thickness and weight) but it is not showing signs of damage yet after about 3 months.
rtperna - I have to ask - how are you destroying the watches :) - I have had a 935 with no issues running roads and trails and swimming open water sometimes in large rough groups. I actually find that I am noticeably knocking my 5+ against things much more often ( I think due to the greater thickness and weight) but it is not showing signs of damage yet after about 3 months.
Forerunner 15: Battery died Forerunner 235 #1: Shatter blasted it on a trail run. Hit a patch of ice, slid about 10 yards down a steep slope before I caught myself, but in the meantime completely destroyed the face of the watch. Against a rock, log, tree, or ice, who knows. Forerunner 235 #2: Stopped reading activity data after running a full marathon. That was a weird one. Yeah, I tried doing a factory reset. It just didn't read steps, stairs, anything. Forerunner 935: "Back" button got permanently jammed inside the chassis. Most of the buttons on that watch got pretty sticky relatively fast, not sure why. My wife is using its replacement and loves it; no issues with the buttons. She does a lot of swimming and tris, so we'll see how watertight that casing is. Forerunner 645: Destroyed the chassis where the band's pin goes in. Big chunk of the watch just got yoinked right out. I must have whacked it really good on something, but have no idea what. The last run I had with the thing was on an indoor track at the Y, so have absolutely no idea what happened.
So yeah. I love Garmin watches, but mine see a lot of abuse. I can't wait to see what the titanium face on this Fenix looks like after a year.. watch is going to have some "character"! :-D
