Use & usefulness of 5X mapping capabilities

Former Member over 8 years ago

I am strongly hesitating between the two extremes in the Fenix 5 family, the 935 and 5X.
I like the 935 for its lighter weight and price (the latter still being high in my book).
While the weight of the 5X is much higher and the price is "through the roof", the mapping capabilities seem very attractive as a true standalone device as well as for an ultimate backup fixed to one's wrist.
I have great difficulty however to truly estimate how useful this will be in real life, considering by definition navigation from a watch will be limited by screen size, processing power, user interface, offline device, ...
It would therefore be of great help to get feedback from owners of the 5X on how and where they use the mapping capabilities and how useful they really are.
Among other activities, I am especially interested in hiking, running, biking, ... experiences both in the city and backcountry.
Thank you in advance for sharing...

0 eiwill over 8 years ago

navigation from a watch will be limited by screen size, processing power, user interface, offline device, ...

Screen size: depends on your eyesight :) Yes, it is small but for people with normal eyesight the screen should be OK.
Processing power: I really don´t see any limitation here? The maps load at a decent speed and routing is not so much a processing issue as far as I understand.
User interface: I think Garmin has made the UI as good as possible considering no touch screen and with the current button set-up. As with everything else, you need some time to get used to the UI but don´t see any big limitations here.
Offline device: hmm, can´t see that as a problem or limitation. Out in the woods I may lack phone coverage but I still have my map?

My use of the F5X: backcountry running and mountain biking with free maps available from misc OSM-sources (I haven´t bothered to buy any overpriced Garmin TOPO-maps). I have used the Garmin Edge 800 for MTB navigation on trails and I won´t replace that yet but the F5X could definitly be an alternative. And as I sometimes run or bike at locations where I am not familiar I look forward to have the map at my wrist.

There are still some bugs in the F5X firmware regarding navigation and routing (or possibly user error? no, can´t be) but I am sure these will be fixed at some point.

0 tickerguy over 8 years ago

Backcountry? Yes, yes I like it a lot.

City? Not enough experience to judge. But in the backcountry, to know you're where you think you are whenever you'd like to look?

Oh yeah, it works. REAL well.

0 etparks over 8 years ago

So far, so good with the map functions...can even see which side of a road I've run or am running on. Have not tried to ask it for a course, so can't comment on that aspect just yet.