Does anyone seen the fonts on the fenix 5? Is it significantly easier to read than on the fenix 3 HR?
Is the altimeter/Barometer issue that is plaguing Fenix 3 HR issues resolved in the 5?
While this isn't on a real device, the Connect IQ Simulator supports the f5/f5s/5fx. The Number fonts are the biggest change. Here's a simple watchface, with the f3 on the left and f5 on the right. The f3-hr looks just like the f3. And, the f5s looks like the f5 but the display is a bit smaller (218x218 vs 240x240) (pictures might be a bit out of scale)
(the CIQ SDK has had the f5/f5s/f5x for a few weeks now, and developers have been adapting their apps for it, and there will be many things ready for them when they start shipping!)
While this isn't on a real device, the Connect IQ Simulator supports the f5/f5s/5fx. The Number fonts are the biggest change. Here's a simple watchface, with the f3 on the left and f5 on the right. The f3-hr looks just like the f3. And, the f5s looks like the f5 but the display is a bit smaller (218x218 vs 240x240) (pictures might be a bit out of scale)
That would be a very welcome change. My eyesight is getting poorer, and I started to really struggle with small fonts on my Fenix 3. By using a simulator - are you able to post any example screen with notification (i.e. calendar notification, mail notification, text notification)? The best would be to do that in the same manner as above so F3 vs F5. Thanks in advance!
They've put out a Beta FW update for the Chronos that adds in a lot of F5 interface features including the fonts. From reading through the comments on that thread it seems that aside from causing problems with some CIQ data fields the feedback is pretty good. That speaks pretty well for the F5S which has a similar, if not the same, display as the Chronos.
Of course nobody can say anything about the altimeter until they're in the hands of users.
By using a simulator - are you able to post any example screen with notification (i.e. calendar notification, mail notification, text notification)?
Sorry, but with the sim, it can only be used for CIQ apps. Even for things like menus, in the sim they are generic for all devices, so don't show how they look on the real device.
Sorry, but with the sim, it can only be used for CIQ apps. Even for things like menus, in the sim they are generic for all devices, so don't show how they look on the real device.
OK, thanks for clarification. I'm still hoping that they will fix this area, or enable some kind of choices for text size in "Settings".
Just to follow up on what Jim pointed out, here are the text fonts for the fenix 3 (left) versus the fenix 5 (right). The fonts on the fenix 5 should be slightly more crisp as there are 10% more pixels in both width and height.
You will see the the fenix 5 fonts are now all bold (except extra tiny) and are significantly bigger at the smaller end of the range. Although this increase in size might be good for anyone who is visually challenged, I have found that from a developer perspective it is much less flexible. I typically use the tiny or extra tiny fonts to display any information that is nice to show but less critical and thus doesn't have to take up much room. I also find that from a UX perspective the extra tiny font actually appears taller since it is skinnier.
I have already had to use a custom font in a CIQ app on the fenix 5 because the smaller fonts are too large. I'm not sure I understand the logic behind having small, tiny and xtiny being the same size on the 5. The relative sizing on the 3 is much better IMO. I'd have preferred to see a similar range of sizes on the 5 but have had to use my own font to achieve this. Luckily I was able to find the same Roboto Condensed Bold font to create a matching but smaller font.
You will see the the fenix 5 fonts are now all bold (except extra tiny) and are significantly bigger at the smaller end of the range. Although this increase in size might be good for anyone who is visually challenged, I have found that from a developer perspective it is much less flexible. I typically use the tiny or extra tiny fonts to display any information that is nice to show but less critical and thus doesn't have to take up much room. I also find that from a UX perspective the extra tiny font actually appears taller since it is skinnier.
Thanks for this comparison. My understanding is that application/widgets/watchfaces developers can choose which size among those available font to be used in their respective case. However, what I'm more interested in, is if Garmin will eventually give user choice (in "Settings") how big should be the font in text notifications, call notifications, calendar events and so on - in other words - items build in the system. I was hoping that maybe new OS versions in F5 will eventually bring this.
Are you able to do the font comparision between the 5S and the 735XT please?
I hit 50 this year and find it hard to read the 735XT when running in workout mode with 3 displays at night so was wondering if the 5s (as similiar size) would be any better or not?
