F5X vs Epix disaster

Beware: Garm easily abandons their watches with maps, should sales disappoint ...

A recent (and unexpected!) firmware release for the 'nearly deceased' Epix triggered some happy responses from a few Epix owners.
Being surprised about their enthousiasm, I posted the following on the Epix forum:


Title:
'Thank you, Garmin' ? Are you that thankful?

To my shame I have to admit .. I sometimes forget to feed my cats on time.

The weird thing is, these cats don't know that it is I who is to blame for that.
They are just so glad when I finally fill their trays .. and they love me for it ....

Some Epix owners react like my cats do:
Thanking Garmin for an incomplete firmware, that is also very very late and probably the last (as a sort of gesture).

I had such high expectations for the Epix.
But I returned mine months ago, after finally concluding that Garmin had put the Epix on the abandonware list ...

So now i have a Fenix 3! I'm very satisfied, the device is OK, firmware support is very good, but -of course- navigating is not it's strength. Activities are.
Will I buy the new Fenix 5X at launch? Mhhhh, I would certainly like to, but in that aspect -after the Epix failure- I cannot -and therefore will not- really trust Garmin.
The big question for me is: When the new 5X is purchased by too few customers, will Garmin drop support again ...? Like they did with the Epix?

So, the smart policy for early adapters like me is: Wait, wait, wait .. and see what happens ...

Please, don't thank Garmin for doing what they we're obliged to do in the first place ...


My advice:
Garmin makes great watches, it's true, but nevertheless:
Make very very sure Garmin will not also abandon the 5X, that is: not updating the map/nav part of the firmware, e.g. in favor of the sports/activities part or the support of other more popular watches. I never expected it of them, but unfortunately they have proven to be capable of just doing that
They showed very little respect for their Epix customers.
So should sales of the 5X prove low, history is likely to repeat itself....

I am afraid sales of the 5X will be held back by the (IMHO) relatively not-so-great deal that you get: only a sapphire version but not with an extra strap (as with the 5 sapphire). There is no regular mineral glass version. 750 euros is too high a price for me. So I will wait until a regular version comes out or prices drop. I will not be an early adopter. If many more decide to wait for this reason or because they know the fate of the Epix, sales will disappoint just as with the Epix.
And seeing that the firmwares are not released at the same time (5 and 5s are on 2.00 already for 2 weeks, 5X is on 0.88), it is fuelling my doubts.

" ... HOWEVER what is the surprise is that a LARGE number of orders are being placed for the top-end Fenix 5X model. ..." :-)

https://the5krunner.com/2017/01/15/garmin-fenix-5-interesting-pre-order-sales-indicators/

"Large numbers" sounds great, but is it 10 times as many as expected, or 2% more than expected? And relative to the 5/5s, what would be the proportion? (I know that is none of my business, I just like numbers).

some circumstantial public evidence: there's no 5x for sale on amazon.co.uk
but the comments in the quoted link are based on other info.

I'm not sure you could assume that people who buy the 5x would necessarily be the same ones who buy the epix - despite the obvious areas of similarity. I've always liked the epix but never got around to buying one (I don't really need maps) but I will buy a 5x. but i'm buying it as it is the 'top of the range' *FENIX* and I want to blow some cash ;-)

some circumstantial public evidence: there's no 5x for sale on amazon.co.uk
but the comments in the quoted link are based on other info.

I'm not sure you could assume that people who buy the 5x would necessarily be the same ones who buy the epix - despite the obvious areas of similarity. I've always liked the epix but never got around to buying one (I don't really need maps) but I will buy a 5x. but i'm buying it as it is the 'top of the range' *FENIX* and I want to blow some cash ;-)

The reason for lack of Amzaon.co.uk for 5X is simple: Garmin UK/Europe decided that the 5X would only be available to specialty hiking/outdoor retailers with physical stores.

Garmin UK/Europe has a fairly long history with making odd product availability choices/exclusivity choices. I've never understood exclusivity from a business standpoint such as Garmin's: Why limit potential sales and product visibility? If you're Apple...sure...I guess...but for someone like Garmin, it just seems...limiting. Shrug.

In the UK the numbers available from the "selected" retailer always seemed so low that I wondered if it was just easier to give that small stock to one retailer rather two here, three there etc etc. which must be a huge amount of admin.

From memory it was Sweatshop one time then Wiggle another. Wonder who will it be this time.

The reason for lack of Amzaon.co.uk for 5X is simple: Garmin UK/Europe decided that the 5X would only be available to specialty hiking/outdoor retailers with physical stores.

Garmin UK/Europe has a fairly long history with making odd product availability choices/exclusivity choices. I've never understood exclusivity from a business standpoint such as Garmin's: Why limit potential sales and product visibility? If you're Apple...sure...I guess...but for someone like Garmin, it just seems...limiting. Shrug.

oh. wow. interesting

perhaps that might explain why Garmin might have underestimated demand? It's definitely more than just the types of people who frequent those stores who will be buying the 5x. I'm buying one but would struggle to name my local bricks and mortar outdoor shop

Indeed for some of the store chains i'm thinking of in the UK, I'm not sure their typical customers would be forking out 5x-levels of money on high-end, £630, multisport nav watches (some obviously will and others will obviously go there as you say there are no other outlets at present).

Further strange as after a few cursory googles I can only find Cotswold (who??) advertising the 5x online. as you say...'odd/limited'. so odd/limited that it needed pointing out from NOT-the-Cotswolds marketing team.

maybe Garmin tie in the purchase of other units with exclusivity?

Also found http://www.upandrunning.co.uk/garmin-fenix-5x

Cotswold according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotswold_Outdoor are in same group as Runners Need who I have used before although can't see Fenix 5 on their website.

Cotswold had the exclusive on the Fenix 3 early sales in the U.K. They are a decent outdoors chain, selling good quality kit including clothing, rucksacks, ropes, and climbing gear. It doesn't surprise me if they are the first to have the 5x in the U.K. And they are my local bricks and mortar outdoors shop.

Picking up my Fenix 3 was hilarious, all the staff wanted a play before I could get out of the shop.