Outdoor Recreation Archive

fēnix 5 Series Having my doubts about this watch

Having my doubts about this watch

Former Member over 8 years ago

I really want a F5. Currently using a Suunto ambit 2r. I am a trail/ultra runner and based on the GPS problems I have been reading... I hesitate to buy one. So someone talk me into it.... how bad is the GPS accuracy on wooded trails? Clearly everyone will have different results... but is it just a software/firmware fix or am I just over thinking this?

I am sure this question has prob been asked a lot but I figured It wouldn't hurt to ask again before shelling out $650 on a GPS watch.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Ramada South

Clearly everyone will have different results... but is it just a software/firmware fix or am I just over thinking this?

F3 had similar problems and people waited for promised Firmware fixes. They still wait.

Now make up your mind. It's your decision:

If you want a more accurate watch, look at the 935 with very same specs (even with WiFi) but better GPS. Could be your watch!
If you want to go for a better looking watch: Take the F5 but you have to live with mediocre GPS in woods. In open space you can live with the GPS but if you like winded trails maybe the 935 would satisfy you more...

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

F3 had similar problems and people waited for promised Firmware fixes. They still wait.

Now make up your mind. It's your decision:
If you want a more accurate watch, look at the 935 with very same specs (even with WiFi) but better GPS. Could be your watch!
If you want to go for a better looking watch: Take the F5 but you have to live with mediocre GPS in woods. In open space you can live with the GPS but if you like winded trails maybe the 935 would satisfy you more...

I used the F5 a lot and in general I'm happy with it. But me preferred terrain is open space. Now I got a very good bargain for a 935 and do the switch. It is a hard decision but now the saved money make my decision a little easier... I can justify myself for running with the 935 because I saved a lot of money... (spending it directly for a running dynamics pod... :D)

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

F5 GPS accuracy is acceptable only in open space; very, very poor in woods or narrow valleys: in these situations it's quite unusable.
I fear that it's a hardware problem (GPS chipset, antenna), so no hope (for me) that firmware updates will significantly improve the situation.
F5 has many cool features, but if you want GPS accuracy, look for a watch with a SIRF chipset (Suunto, Polar ....)

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

So far not seeing any big issues compared to my FR235, which was not 100% perfect either but what I consider definitely good enough for my use. Not seeing erratic pace or heavy zig zagging some people have been experiencing. The track may be a bit offset at times (as did my FR235) but it's been relatively straight and distance is very close to map measured on different routes (so far within 99.5%).

I haven't tried any heavy forest trails but it's practically some sort of tree cover everywhere where I live. Actually large buildings seem to cause the biggest jump in GPS tracks so far and not the trees. The FR235 was similar.

I can also get GPS lock inside like I also did with my FR235, which is a good thing as I don't have to wait for signal outside.

Only problem so far is that the BT range is quite short (only 5m),but at least it works when in range...

Might be that there are differences between units but mine hasn't certainly been as bad as I feared based on the comments here so far.

Only done 3 runs where the longest was 12k so might be a bit soon to say but at least initial impression is already quite good.

0 manueleltoro over 8 years ago

I went with the FR935 because of the many accuracy complaints on the current fenix series and I am more than happy.
I do not exaclty trail running, but lots of hiking, climbing and my runs are usually in difficult GPS environments (I live in the mountains).

All in all, I am quite satisfied with the FR935 performance, then again, anyone has his own demands from such a watch.
I posted some of the tracks in the FR935 forum: https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?372931-Forerunner-935-GPS-Accuracy-Performance/page20

Here's another one from yesterday's hike with a friend. GPS 1 sec. I think the FR935 did great again, especially as we were hiking slowly which is a challenge to GPS. Weather conditions were perfect though.
http://www.mygpsfiles.com/app/#GgFqUH2q

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Thank you for everyone's input! I was looking at the features of the FR935 last night and A few years ago I had a FR220 that I really liked. I think I will go with the 935.

0 manueleltoro over 8 years ago

Thank you for everyone's input! I was looking at the features of the FR935 last night and A few years ago I had a FR220 that I really liked. I think I will go with the 935.

You may also want to have a look at the following discussion of previous Fenix 5 users who have switched to FR935 (and some back). There are a lot of pros and cons discussed so you might want to comb through:
https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?374004-Fenix-5-Conversion-Club

0 Zeet over 8 years ago

it is basically the same watch. Like with all mobile phones if it is covered with metal signal will always be weaker ...

0 rtperna over 8 years ago

Thank you for everyone's input! I was looking at the features of the FR935 last night and A few years ago I had a FR220 that I really liked. I think I will go with the 935.

You're going to be thrilled. I've had mine for a couple months now, and it is literally amazing (came from a 235).

Only goofiness is the alarm overwriting issue (well documented, affects all the newer watches), and the WiFi can be wonky.

Definitely no issues with GPS accuracy, and it hits my phone's bluetooth from an incredibly long distance (which might be, in retrospect, why I think the wifi isn't that great... it just finds the phone first). But the battery life, functionality, etc. is top shelf. Could not be happier with this watch.

Do wish sometimes I'd gone with the tri bundle just to get the yellow band/button, but it's all good.