Fenix 3 is over ! Fenix 5 is there

Might upgrade eventually depending on reviews, though that price might keep me from doing so. I do agree that HRV on the wrist would push me more towards getting one.

One thing I am glad Garmin did was make the new quick release straps compatible with the Fenix 3. Might have to pick up some of those once they are available.

Wow complaints already and the watch isn't even out :confused:

1. F3 is the best selling Garmin watch ever. There are MANY people getting excellent GPS performance. I suspect with newer hardware we will get less GPS complaints about this watch (despite actual GPS performance:rolleyes::rolleyes:)
2. Price is steep, but if too steep, then vote with your wallet. This isn't a must have upgrade. I think of it more like the iPhone# to iPhone#S upgrade.
3. HRV from an optical HR sensor is hard enough when sitting absolutely still. You'll be waiting a LONG time if you want to get accurate HRV while exercising
4. WiFi, who knows. The most recent multisport watches (Chronos and 735xt) lack wifi. It's entirely possible that they're putting a different chip into the Sapphire models.

Well, in fairness, he isn't complaining about the F5.

The question about GPS accuracy is both a valid one, and is more related to the F3, despite the snarkiness of his wording. And given the early and sometimes-continuing issues people have with GPS accuracy on an F3 variant that they didn't have with an older GPS device (as satisfied as I am with my F3HR's tracks usually, my 920 and 620 both still outperform it consistently), just introducing new hardware doesn't = better performance. I *hope* it's more in-line with my 920 in my use-case, but obviously can't know anything until I'm out running with it on the same courses I already run with other devices.

And the question about HRV was just that: a question. Even DCR has mentioned that at some point HRV would be available in advanced-gen optical sensors, speculating over a year ago that it could be as soon as a year away, which would put it into the "very soon" category. Like you, I don't really expect it *that* soon, but it could be understandable why people are asking a reasonable question.

Best-selling watch is a false equivalence. Satisfactory performance != excellent performance. Titanic was the top-grossing movie ever for a time too. :D

Best selling watch was not related to performance, but to illustrate the number of watches out there versus previous Garmin watches.

As for GPS performance. I'm VERY happy with my F3. I used to think my 910 spanked the F3 in GPS performance but I've learned 2 things
1. I didn't zoom into my 910 tracks like I do with the F3
2. Almost every time I compare similar F3 and 910/610 tracks the F3 comes out on top. (I do this when Strava compares my runs with previous runs).

I run mostly in a suburban environment so YMMV

I plan to buy one as soon as I'm able. I love my F3. Any improvement on an already great device is very welcome.

I really like the idea of maps. I had a hard time choosing between the F3 and Epix, and obviously made the right choice. I'm a little suspicious given what happened to the Epix. I also like the idea of better battery life, which, of course, is available in the model without maps. :(

Curious how it will work with Varia rear-view radar. That's the only reason I bought a new Edge unit, which was not satisfactory.

Of course I'll buy it from REI.

As another poster mentioned, thickness is pretty key too. The 5X is 0.5mm thicker than the Fenix 2 and 1.5mm thicker than the F3. I did own the F2 for a short time and remember it feeling pretty darned large on my wrist, so much so that I returned it, so unfortunately the 5X will be a no-buy for me. The F5 is 0.5 thinner than the F3, so I've pre-ordered it from CleverTraining but may have buyers remorse long before it ships, since I'm happy enough with my F3HR. My wife, on the other hand, will hopefully like her new F5S.

Now that's a concern because it needs to fit under the cuff of a down sweater and my favorite exercise jacket, both of which are pretty tight.

Does anyone know if the auto route creation has any concern for "good" cycling or running roads? Or just picks roads that exist (maybe busy, no path or sidewalks?). Auto route creation is kind of useless of it isn't "sport aware" honestly because I'd likely only use it in slightly unfamiliar areas.

Since none of us have seen an F5 in person, the best answer you're likely to get comes from the same feature in Edge bike computers.

I bought an Edge 1000 recently. Sadly it had to go back. But I had a chance to play with this for a while. In Seattle, it can take several minutes to generate the routes. In other places without a dense grid of streets it's much faster. DCR says the F5 will be slower in this regard than the Edge computers.

I had it generate 3 cycling routes in Seattle, where I live. The first one was bizarre, I don't know why anyone would want to ride there, but the specific route was ok, it's just not an interesting part of town. The other two routes it generated were ones I've been riding regularly for years.

Looks very interesting but NOT at that price!
Comparing UK and US clevertraining prices for the current F3, pre-order cost of 599USD and reusing the conversion to GBP for the F3, puts the F5 at £500!!!!! No chance.

£500!!!!!

HAH! That is twice as much as my car!

How many of the differences between Fenix3 and Fenix5 is not hardware related?

I guess the Fenix5 still needs to be connected to the Connect application on my phone to get group tracking and live segments. So in theory, this could be done for the Fenix 3 as well...?

As for GPS performance. I'm VERY happy with my F3. I used to think my 910 spanked the F3 in GPS performance but I've learned 2 things
1. I didn't zoom into my 910 tracks like I do with the F3
2. Almost every time I compare similar F3 and 910/610 tracks the F3 comes out on top. (I do this when Strava compares my runs with previous runs).

I find the GPS talk also quite puzzling. I have compared F3 and F3HR which I have owned to Polar V800 and Suunto Spartan Ultra, and it outperforms both of the units more often than not. V800 is on par or slightly better on good days, but it has much more bad days than F3 line has had on my use. SSU I had for a month, and it was better on GPS twice out of roughly 20 runs / rides. And this was compared with zoomed in tracks. The F3 is not perfect or razor sharp but it is a watch.

Will be interesting to see some first runs and rides done on the units. If the GPS accuracy is same or better than F3 I will definitely upgrade from F3HR. I have not yet decided will it be F5 or the X model.