I am considering an upgrade from the FR230 to the Fenix 5 (47mm). Is there any good reason to choose the sapphire version ? What does really bring the wi-fi ?
I have a Sapphire Fenix 3 and the biggest benefit to it is that the crystal is harder and much more scratch resistant than mineral glass. To be fair I don't think people have had a ton of problems with scratched glass on the Fenix series but since I wear it as an everyday watch and it sometimes gets bumped into things I wanted the extra protection against scratching and was willing to pay for it.
I wouldn't consider WiFi a deal breaker but for sync it is sometimes nice to have since it will sync a lot faster than bluetooth, especially for a long activity such as a long ride or multisport activity.
I won't buy a fitness watch that does not have a sapphire display.. I don't care about WiFi at all and usually never even set it up.. To me, the sapphire display is worth the extra money... For that extra $100 you also get an extra sports band too...
Thank's for the answers. I use my FR230 like an everyday watch since almost one year. I use it for trekking, fitness...I think that it comes with a basic mineral glass. I have had no scratch. and after dust cleaning, the glass looks like on the very first use.
Thank's for the answers. I use my FR230 like an everyday watch since almost one year. I use it for trekking, fitness...I think that it comes with a basic mineral glass. I have had no scratch. and after dust cleaning, the glass looks like on the very first use.
Best regards
sl91
Your FR230 actually has a PLASTIC screen so the normal glass of a Fenix actually is even MORE scratch resistant. That said I *still* got the sapphire version because I have scratched glass screens before and sapphire is so hard it will only scratch with a diamond, shattering is still possible, but it is essentially un-scratchable. I happen to also like the darker finishes on the sapphire versions and the wi-fi is a nice bonus. It's a choice and the normal version is still fantastic.
I've scratch and/or cracked every Garmin I've ever owned. Hopefully this one will be different. Even if it's not 100% scratch proof, it's still much better than mineral glass, and the $100 is peace of mind for me.
1. Sapphire display (for me, that alone seals the deal) 2. WiFi 3. Extra sports band
If money is not tight, then I'd highly recommend getting the sapphire version. If money is tight, then you have a decision to make. Save a little longer and get the sapphire or cave in and get the non sapphire...
My opinion is that the sapphire version is the better spend..
Ah here's a good spot for my little rant from the FR235 forum ! I wish Garmin stopped playing that mineral vs sapphire $100 game, it makes no sense, even cheap Seiko watches have sapphire crystals, the last time it was a big thing in the watch industry was...1972 when Omega launched it. A mineral glass with a nice Brotect screen protector should do just fine ;-) Now of course both versions would have to be seen in person to see if there's any difference in legibility. I don't think Garmin have said anything about any AR coating ? That could make a difference.
I scratched my f3 (not sapphire) the day I got it scraping it against some stone (admittedly a very minor scratch). It annoyed me at the time but doesn't worry me now. I put a screen protector on which is very scratched up, which you'd expect being plastic.
I think I'd probably buy the none sapphire next and just stick a screen protector on it. Having said that I often use wifi which I would miss. Not a deal breaker but wifi is miles quicker and more reliable, at least in my household.
That must have been annoying, did that with a nice Seiko 6 years ago, still can't help noticing when I wear it...
Plastic protectors are indeed bad as I found with the Savvies for my FR235 but the glass Brotect Airglass still looks very nice after 1+ month and I see Savvies makes a "Tempered Glass" version too now.
Ive had my fenix 3 without sapphire for 2 years. Wear it daily. Run 70-100k per week with it. Shower with it. Swimming with it. I dont even take it of for bedtime. I only take it off when I need to charge it.
I can tell you I have not been careful. Ive been using it also when renovating the house.
There is not a single scratch on it.
However I have a friend who do have the sapphire display on his fenix 3. It was smashed when he hit a furniture from a bad angle.
It doesnt matter which one you pick, it might break or scratch and the chances are equal. Its just depends on luck.
Also, the bezel is protecting the display surface well.
