It's here, initial impressions

Fast background on me. I'm a runner first and foremost. Started Garmin with a 310xt (worked great but was for exercise only and wanted an everyday watch), had pre-ordered a sapphire Fenix 3 and returned at the end of my 90 day window because the accuracy was TERRIBLE in my opinion (averaged close to 0.05/mile short and looking at tracks it would cut corners so bad it was obvious that was the lost distance), went briefly to a 220 and liked it, 225 when it came out and liked it, 235 since it came out and loved it (retiring to probably become my wife's first GPS watch instead of using the iPhone), and now gray/black Fenix 5.

Initial impressions, I love it. Was very stressed about the size. I thought, for me, the Fenix 3 was enormous which helped to seal the deal on returning it. Absolutely love the size of the 235. I'll attempt to add a picture (F5 vs 235) but this thing is BARELY bigger (was considering the 5s but glad I did the 5 already). When face to face you can barely see the 5 sticking out around the 235. Including the bump (on the 235) the thickness doesn't seem too different but on the wrist inevitably the F5 will have to stick out more. NOTICEABLY heavier but in 30 minutes i'm already getting used to it (note the 235 is LIGHT) so the change is noticeable. Out of the box before even activating GPS the altimeter said 719' (sitting upstairs of my house but ground level around here is 700ish). Will be running a known route 8 miler tomorrow (off day today) and 18 Sunday and will probably follow the same route as I did 17 last weekend and then just add at the end to compare tracks and mile splits. If those go good i'm going to be very happy with the decision to pull the trigger on the F5. If not.....well i'll try to not think about that. I was happy enough with everything i've ever had on accuracy except the F3 so hopefully they got that right this time.

Edit: Sorry the picture flipped sideways, it's saved correct on my computer? Also on size note the F5 looks a little bigger maybe due to the "tabs" that the bands attach to that stick out different from how they attach to the 235. Also the bands themselves are almost identical in width to the 235 ones.

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  • Good summary !
    Having had mine for half a day now there are quite a few things I like compared to the FR235 :
    - Feels like a "real" watch while not being too heavy
    - The hotkeys are great, quite convenient to launch the stopwatch or the timer quickly, to get access to the widgets while in an activity or get a screenshot
    - ABC features are a tad lacking
    - The new running analytics look interesting

    On the negative side :
    - Problems with the GPS accuracy and given the history of the F3 that has me a bit concerned...
    - Some of my favorite CIQ DF's/Widgets are not available (yet ?) : Runnerwindow, Flexirunner, Countdown, Accuweathe
    - The buckle of the strap digs into my wrist so I've temporarily replaced the strap with an extra VAHR strap I had...it fits but looks a bit strange !

    Yes the charging cable is short indeed but it's easy enough to use a cheap USB extender ;-)
  • - Some of my favorite CIQ DF's/Widgets are not available (yet ?) : Runnerwindow, Flexirunner, Countdown, Accuweathe


    Sometimes developers will hold back a bit on ports until devices shipping (or maybe get one themselves! :) )

    You can use "Contact Developer" in the app store for those apps and see what the plans are. Now that the devices are shipping, there could be a bunch of other apps ported quickly!
  • Good point! Now I could have also have mentioned my favorite CIQ "Apps" that have already been ported : Hike 2 or Weather Underground ;-)
  • Yes WEBVAN, I've had my stuff ported for quite some time! I have a few days now when I have a bunch on the first page of "most popular" for a the f5/f5s/f5x, but as more things are ported, it will get back to normal :(

    BTW, I always try to beat Accuweather to new devices with WU Widget! :)