Lets hear some reviews, comments about the maps feature

I really think F5 seems small if you are used to F3, and strap def feels too narrow. The maps are very nice and load very quick. If you are running/biking a new route then maps are awesome. You can actually see where to turn with street names! I will def explore new routes and trails with map features. For 100$ extra you get WAY more with F5X. Size is what makes a Fenix stand out! Regular F5 just seems a bit too mainstream looking to me and the 22mm strap too narrow.

How do you like the presentation of the maps on your screen?
Speed of loading maps?
How often do you see yourself using them?

Anything you would like to share is appreciated.

for me, i am still leaning towards what looks better and I prefer the 5 silver. not fond of the blue-grey strap, but I think it lends itself better to some leather bands, or even orange, black, or even a nice heavy stainless steel band in the future.

I own a Fenix 2 that is non saphire and have one small scratch on it, plus its all black. so why the black or slate grey don't appeal to me as much. Im trying to convince myself that its time to replace the strap for built in.

I really think F5 seems small if you are used to F3, and strap def feels too narrow. The maps are very nice and load very quick. If you are running/biking a new route then maps are awesome. You can actually see where to turn with street names! I will def explore new routes and trails with map features. For 100$ extra you get WAY more with F5X. Size is what makes a Fenix stand out! Regular F5 just seems a bit too mainstream looking to me and the 22mm strap too narrow.

I am coming from F3 to F5 and you are right: it feels smaller, strap too narrow, but I am struggling to like it. Hopefully like in an arranged marriage the love will come with time :-) If not?! I may get a F5X after all...

The mapping and navigating capabilities of the 5x are great. You have a lot of memory for adding additional maps and of course you can remove the preloaded maps, if you don't like/need them (but save them). I still own an epix- since I got it, my garmin Oregon 550t stays at home, I only have used the epix. Now I own a 5x and it is really better than the epix (which still has a lot of bugs, missing elevation plot...). The map scrolling/paning/drawing of the 5x is fast. Nice features like "around me" and "round trip " are added.

I bought it, because I often use maps.

I really think F5 seems small if you are used to F3, and strap def feels too narrow. The maps are very nice and load very quick. If you are running/biking a new route then maps are awesome. You can actually see where to turn with street names! I will def explore new routes and trails with map features. For 100$ extra you get WAY more with F5X. Size is what makes a Fenix stand out! Regular F5 just seems a bit too mainstream looking to me and the 22mm strap too narrow.

cjcates - check this out :-) https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?372458-F5-with-bands-from-F3-)&p=961676#post961676

That's super smart. Must be way more comfortabke too except defeats the quick-fit band idea though. I still am liking the extras of the 5X!

cjcates - check this out :-) https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?372458-F5-with-bands-from-F3-)&p=961676#post961676

Anybody using trail maps?

Two features I want for hiking are: for trails to be displayed so I can see where junctions are, and the ability to route along trails to a destination, eg I'm going to Doubtful Lake, how many miles and how much vert is it along the trail?

Can the Fenix 5X do this?

What maps would I need for this? I'm in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA.

The mapping and navigating capabilities of the 5x are great. You have a lot of memory for adding additional maps and of course you can remove the preloaded maps, if you don't like/need them (but save them). I still own an epix- since I got it, my garmin Oregon 550t stays at home, I only have used the epix. Now I own a 5x and it is really better than the epix (which still has a lot of bugs, missing elevation plot...). The map scrolling/paning/drawing of the 5x is fast. Nice features like "around me" and "round trip " are added.

I bought it, because I often use maps.

Interesting to hear from an Epix user!

You don't feel the round screen is limiting for map viewing?
How do you find the charging solution/connection for the 5X compared to the Epix one (for usage in the field with a USB power bank)? I'm primarily using my devices for trekking (sometimes multiple days in tent).

POIs

Hi Volker,

did you try POIs with custom symbols? Would be great, if it works! The epix shows that little grey spot...

Thanks for your time!

Two features I want for hiking are: for trails to be displayed so I can see where junctions are, and the ability to route along trails to a destination, eg I'm going to Doubtful Lake, how many miles and how much vert is it along the trail?

Can the Fenix 5X do this?

What maps would I need for this? I'm in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA.

1. I'm 99% sure routing along hiking trails is possible, provided the trail map that you load onto the device is "routable". The Garmin Epix does this, and so far there has been no suggestion that the F5X has any fewer nav features than the Epix other than touch.
2. I'm 99% sure that showing an elevation profile graph of the current route, with all elevation changes as well as your current position along it, is possible. Again, this is available on the Epix.
3. You need Garmin-formatted (.img, loaded through BaseCamp) maps that (a) contain hiking trails, (b) are routable, and (c) contain elevation data. These can either be purchased from Garmin for some parts of the world, or obtained free/cheap for pretty much the entire planet from sources derrived from OpenStreetMaps (OSM). For example, openMTBmaps has a relatively cheap subscription to get high-quality, topographic trail maps for the entire planet along with "contour" maps (elevation data / elevation contour lines that can be layered on top of the other maps).

Any guides or advice out there on backing up the builtin maps and loading custom maps and routes? I'm familiar with basecamp and the procedure for the early fenix models, so I assume it's similar.