Fenix 5 Sapphire - my thoughts after 1wk

Former Member over 8 years ago

So I've had my Fenix 5 Sapphire (black bezel) for 1 week now and so far I'm happyish with it. This is only my second Garmin previously owning a Fenix 3 HR Sapphire which I was very happy with.

I bought online (UK) from Cotswold and it arrived all well and good the next day. The box wasn't sealed but I don't think any of them are. The watch had a protective film on the face and the cable in the box was sealed and everything looked new so in that regard I was happy to keep it.

I originally came to these forums because I was experiencing some issues with the heart rate that was being recorded from my HRM-RUN. I did an interval run and the heart rate recorded was pretty much flat, no peaks and troughs to match my pace. The next issue I had regarding heart rate was that I could only ever get a score of 1 on the HRV Stress test. Both these issues seem to have sorted themselves out now and everything seems correct with the heart rate side of things.

The other issue I was having (in fact still am having) is poor Bluetooth connection to my phone. Where my Fenix 3 would hold connection throughout the whole of my house the Fenix 5 continuously drops out and reconnects. I guess this is something that may be sorted in a future update.

Whilst browsing around the forums I very quickly came across people reporting issues with instant pace. I pretty much went straight out for a run to test mine out and sure enough I found that the instant pace seemed a little erratic. Thinking back to my Fenix 3 I couldn't remember ever noticing the instant pace behaving that way. I checked some of my runs on Connect and Strava and the Pace charts produced by the Fenix 3 do look very similiar to those produced by the Fenix 5 and I actually came across some that looked a total mess. Whilst I was trawling back through my past runs I also compared how well both the watches tracked my route and I have to say that in the main the Fenix 5 tracks far better.

So basically I went from thinking that I'd return it and get a 935 to thinking, actually the Fenix 5 is superior to the Fenix 3 that I was very very happy with. For me I only run 20-30km a week with my longest single run being a 10km, I also don't run many races. Therefore I think the accuracy of the Fenix 5 is fine for me. I also can't imagine that the 935 can be that much more accurate. I'm pretty sure in dcrainmakers tests they looked comparable.

Just a few final points. I am concerned about the black bezel becoming scratched but I'll certainly live with it if it does. I've also just ordered the garmin foot pod to see if this helps my instant pace be a little more consistent/smooth when I'm out on a run.

Overall I think I went from being happy with it (despite not being able to get used to the narrower strap) to unhappy (because of the HR issues) to very unhappy (because of the pace issues) back to being happy now that I've realised my Fenix 3 was probably less accurate.

To all you other Fenix 5 owners, stick with it and just enjoy using it.

0 AndyKumar over 8 years ago

Interesting thoughts. I am glad that you have made peace with it.

I got a Fenix 5 sapphire from Cotswold, and it didn't have the protective film and the cable was not sealed (I later found the empty packet for the cable hidden in the manual!). it bothered me so I returned it.

The second unit has a dent on the bezel. Not noticeable unless I pointed it out (probably) but once I saw it, could not un-see it. That went back as well.

I have now ordered one from Amazon (non-sapphire) and it should be here this weekend. I have also ordered the stainless steel strap which is space-grey, and wouldn't have paired with the black Fenix 5, so it's a win-win tbh.

I have the 935 as well; in all honesty, it is probably much better for sports and way more comfortable than the Fenix 5. Coming from wearing the Fenix 3 for the past 2 years, the reduced weight is so much nicer when running.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Sorry to hear about your experience with Cotswold Andy, I would have returned both of those too.

Perhaps in hindsight I would go for the non sapphire version, I have no need for the WiFi and can always put a screen protector on. I think I do like the black bezel though.

Regarding the 935, yeh it's lighter but like I say I'm not really enough of a runner to be bothered by it. 20-30km a week isn't that far and the bulk of my training is Cardio/HiiT stuff.

Thanks for replying :)

0 stu365 over 8 years ago

I have owned a fenix 3 for a couple of years, when the 5 was announced I was immediately interested in that, and so I started the decision process about which one to go for. I was concerned about the issues of pace and accuracy that seemed to be highlighted on this forum.
I came across a post about the forerunner 935 and started looking at that, it seemed to everything the fenix 5 does, just cheaper, lighter and better. So I bit the bullet and ordered one from wiggle, it arrived 2 days later.
In my view it looks great, it's sleeker than my 3 - same screen size and resolution as the 5 and so much better for my eyes

I ran today with both the 935 using the OHR and the fenix 3 with HRM chest strap.

The 935 appears to be more stable in pace, no large fluctuations even on 90 degree corners. The plots from both were good, however the 935 is more accurate, even showing where I ran around a parked car. The distance on both was within 0.01 mile at the end of a 6 mile run so that was very good. The OHR tied up pretty well with HRM it did lag by a few seconds but at the end the max HR was the same and the average was within 1
The biggest difference though was the weight, I couldn't feel the 935, but the fenix 3 felt like a lead weight

If they can get the accuracy ( based on one run and here say from various threads ) on the 5 that they seem to have on the 935, then it will be a very nice watck

0 AndyKumar over 8 years ago

SIGNA Barbosa

To be fair, I haven't even set-up wifi on my 935 and have just been uploading by BT. This is because I have not set it up using Garmin express yet (I did it using the GC app). Will get around to it. Just goes to show that wifi clearly isn't going to be a selling point for my needs(?).

I use an Edge unit to record my bike rides (which are hours in duration) and that uploads via wifi anyway. I am only running around the same mileage as you right now as I am spending a little more time on the saddle. Hopefully increase the running again soon!

If you are on Strava, feel free to follow me. Would be good to see some of your training as well.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/7283344

0 scottj2 over 8 years ago

You pretty much nailed it. I upgraded from the FR235 and I'm mostly happy. I love that the F5 feels more durable and looks more like a rugged watch. If they can fix the pacing and GPS issues, I'll be very very happy for a long time, or until something better piques my interest.

My only regret is getting the sapphire with black bezel. It's already starting to show scuffs and dings, and I've been incredibly gentle with it. I imagine once I start hiking and camping this spring, it will really start to show wear and tear. If I could go back in time, I probably would have waited for the silver. I could have lived without the sapphire.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I'll also be doing some camping and hiking very soon and I'm a little concerned as to how well the black bezel will hold up. It's the one I bought though so I'll find a way to live with it :)