New 5 Sapphire

Just got the Fenix 5 Sapphire bundle today.

I also have a Polar V800 which I have used for 3+ years and really like. Running, lifting, cross training, yoga, etc. I'm not a biker or a swimmer though.

First impression, the Fenix 5 is a beautiful watch. The weight is indistinguishable from the V800. Band is thinner than the V800 while the face is larger and thicker, but not to the point of feeling overly large.

Minor disappointments:

1. Low contrast display. I have trouble seeing the time in low light conditions where is is not problem with the V800. Maybe the sapphire glass?
2. Extra band was not included in my kit. I will talk to REI about this tomorrow.
3. First workout I paired the V800 to a VIIIIVA HRM on the bluetooth side, then paired to Fenix 5 I assume using Ant+. I lost the HRM a couple of short stretches on the Fenix 5. Also the calorie burn was about 20 calories lower on the Fenix but I have no idea which is correct in that regard.

Overall great watch. Still playing with settings etc.

Looking forward to a run tomorrow to compare the GPS tracks, which has always been good on the V800.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

As far as the screen goes - did you turn up the brightness. You can adjust the brightness for watch mode and also activity mode. I have mine at 80% and it looks amazing

0 tx911 over 8 years ago

The only brightness setting I could find was for the backlight. I'm talking about the screen contrast without the light. Much brighter digits on the V800.

0 Tangmu over 8 years ago

Totally agree on the brightness. When I first got an F3 it was much less visible than the Suunto Core I'd worn for years. No problem seeing the Suunto in very low light.

Then I got a 5x, and it's even dimmer. I still have all 3 so can compare them side-to-side. I use the built-in digital watch face and changed the background to white. That helps visibility on the watch screen, but the rest will still be tough in low light.

I think you can have the backlight on full time, but that will definitely shorten battery life. I've heard people suggest that a color LCD is darker than a black and white.

I hope the next generation doesn't continue the march into darkness.

0 tx911 over 8 years ago

FWIW the 935 is not any better, so it's not the sapphire glass.

I also noticed you can choose to enable backlight with gestures so I assume it would light up when you raise your wrist to check the time.

Overall not a deal-breaker but could definitely be better.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

You can turn gestures on in the backlight settings. when you turn you wrist up to look at the watch the backlight will come on for the time set.