Separate Wearable GPS Unit

Maybe something like the oregon series? But you'd be syncing the fenix heartbeat to the device.... not the GPS to the fenix.

Is there a separate wearable Garmin GPS unit that would sync with a fenix 5?

The F5 should be able to do everything you need...perhaps Garmin should have included a connection for an external antenna that you could wear on your head??

Have you tried the 310XT? :rolleyes:

The F5 should be able to do everything you need...perhaps Garmin should have included a connection for an external antenna that you could wear on your head??

Have you tried the 310XT? :rolleyes:

Thanks for the link, it's interesting.

It's fairly well acknowledged that the fenix models GPS is not very accurate.
If something within 4 to 8 ft. (at best) is "everything you need", then yes - it's good enough.

I'll wear the antenna on my head, if you'll wear your tinfoil hat :rolleyes:

Is there a separate wearable Garmin GPS unit that would sync with a fenix 5?, like a tempe does for temperature?
This would be very desirable for when following running trails or running "track-back" on a trail, or hiking when there's
not much daylight - when a wrong move could send you over the edge of a cliff, or down the wrong trail for a distance.

What you're asking for is probably out of the realm of possibility for any commercially available device, especially while running at speed and changing directions.
I agree that the Fenix 5 could be better, but oddly enough the best tracks I've had so far while using it were on a forest trail run last weekend. It tracked far better than my Fenix 3 ever managed to on the same course. It was never more than 5m off track which should be considered best in class for a consumer device, but this wouldn't be good enough to stop you falling off the edge of a cliff if you were relying on this information while running along a trail in the middle of the night.

There's a common misconception that consumer devices aren't as accurate as military devices but according to the US GPS website this isn't true and the difference is that military devices use dual-frequency equipment which they state is limited in consumer devices due to size/complexity/cost reasons. The single frequency GPS antenna is the limiting factor - even if you could boost the signal it would never be as good/accurate as a dual-frequency device.

There does appear to be less GPS issues with the F5X - I've read some information from people far smarter than me explaining the circumference of that watch makes it better at sending/receiving signals than the F5.
Plus with an ability to load up maps including topo maps surely this would be a better option for your use case than an F5/tinfoil hat combination?

Flashback to 2004 - http://www.sarkproducts.com/timex_GPS_Bodylink_2004.htm

The first GPS unit I owned. Worked reasonably well too.

Flashback to 2004 - http://www.sarkproducts.com/timex_GPS_Bodylink_2004.htm

Thanks Carl and Philip, that's great information. Perhaps Garmin will take note and produce a product that Timex
had 12 years ago, only better with today's technology (including a dual-frequency GPS). Imagine, an accurate track,
altitude and elevation - which would (as a result) produce accurate speed and distance. The Forum postings (for all
watches) would indicate there may be a large market for such product. Garmin, are you listening?

Thanks Carl and Philip, that's great information. Perhaps Garmin will take note and produce a product that Timex
had 12 years ago, only better with today's technology (including a dual-frequency GPS). Imagine, an accurate track,
altitude and elevation - which would (as a result) produce accurate speed and distance. The Forum postings (for all
watches) would indicate there may be a large market for such product. Garmin, are you listening?

Come on. This will never, ever, ever happen. Garmin sells millions of GPS watches. Only a tiny number of people on the internet have any issues with their performance. I'm not saying that you shouldn't be upset with your watch. You're entitled to expect whatever you want to expect. But you're nuts if you think that Garmin is going to take a best-selling, slim, stylish, feature-packed, semi-smart GPS watch and then tell people that they should strap a hockey puck on their arm to make it work properly.

Come on. This will never, ever, ever happen. Garmin sells millions of GPS watches. Only a tiny number of people on the internet have any issues with their performance. I'm not saying that you shouldn't be upset with your watch. You're entitled to expect whatever you want to expect. But you're nuts if you think that Garmin is going to take a best-selling, slim, stylish, feature-packed, semi-smart GPS watch and then tell people that they should strap a hockey puck on their arm to make it work properly.

Many, many people have problems with GPS, distance, pace, etc. accuracy, as expressed in the forums.
If Garmin can improve all of their exercise statistics, then why not, as the watch does not work "properly".

If your satisfied with mediocre, that's fine with me.

Many, many people have problems with GPS, distance, pace, etc. accuracy, as expressed in the forums.

A small sample of owners express dissatisfaction with the device in these forums. Is that representative of the whole user base?

Some have genuine issues that need addressing. Most need to realign expectations with reality.

A small sample of owners express dissatisfaction with the device in these forums. Is that representative of the whole user base?

Some have genuine issues that need addressing. Most need to realign expectations with reality.

Not just a "small sample" but many users of all GPS wrist-worn devices (see the forum).
This is an issue that Garmin can address, and meet expectations, make reality, and make money with.

Expecting improvement is better than satisfaction with the mediocre.