Is the 5x GPS precision on par with other comparable watches out there, or is it worse? I frequently experience long periods of no GPS lock at all during outdoor activities, which I never experienced on my F3. Is this lack of precision something that is acknowledged by Garmin, and is a software update that supposedly fixes this on the way?
When I was chipset nerd 10-12 years ago, SIRFstar chipsets were considered the most precise and sensitive
Garmin uses Mediatek GPS chipsets. When looking at this comparison of GPS watches, the watches with Mediatek are generally at the bottom, and the watches with SIRFstar are generally at the top, with one exception for each:
Again, when I was a chipset nerd, SIRFstar chipset were considered somewhat power hungry. So I find comfort in telling myself that I probably have longer battery time with my Garmin watch than I would have had with a SIRFstar chipset in the watch.
I find it to be average compared to other devices I have owned or when comparing against other devices. I don't seem to lose lock or anything, just don't get quite the same tracking. That said it seems to depend on location. Here is fine, other places I've tried not so much.
Compared with my Fenix 3 is this watch is basically the same. If I compare it to other watches from Garmin (305 and 601) the Fenix is far worse. The complains at the Fenix 3 forum has been massive and I think this watch isn´t any better. This is when I use it in the forrest or high buildings. When I use the watch with no obsticles in the sky its ok.
Here is one of my runs in the forest. If you zoom in a bit then you´ll see how bad it is. I had the same result with my Fenix 3 but its much better with 305 and 601. So I guess the GPS in Fenix isn´t very good under these conditions. https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2368390982
Here is one of my runs in the forest. If you zoom in a bit then you´ll see how bad it is. I had the same result with my Fenix 3 but its much better with 305 and 601. So I guess the GPS in Fenix isn´t very good under these conditions. https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2368390982
Thanks for sharing! So at least the F5 is comparable to the F3. I guess that'll have to do then, and I take comfort in knowing that the Mediatek chipset is less power hungry than the SIRFStar. Even so, a shame that the precision isn't better. The hardware being what it is, all I can do is hope that SW tweaks will improve the GPS performance in the future. In the NEAR future, hopefully. Thanks guys.
It will be a miracle if the gps accuracy for fenix5 will be better.Look at the older fenix3 and so on.They know that the accuracy it's bad and what they did at the new fenix ?Nothing.They sold it with a bigger price and that's all.At least they did not do nothing about gps accuracy...
Not sure if you bothered to look at my post, but if you zoom in you can see that there are points where all 3 devices strayed at different points on the route. My point is that you are not going to get much better result from any commercial grade GPS device that is small enough to fit in a watch. Sure some chip sets are slightly better than others, but they are all within an acceptable range for commercial grade devices.
I own the fenix 5x, Polar V800, and Suunto Ambit 3 Peak. They are all usually within a few hundredths of a mile on the courses i use (3 to 10 miles), and they have all strayed off at times.
The fenix 5x has a definite advantage over other devices as it has the ability to view the map right on the device. For example if i put a course on my 5x, and i want to explore new trails during the course, i can see those trails right on the map and be able to know where i am and see where all the trails lead. You cannot do that with other devices.
Not sure if you bothered to look at my post, but if you zoom in you can see that there are points where all 3 devices strayed at different points on the route. My point is that you are not going to get much better result from any commercial grade GPS device that is small enough to fit in a watch. Sure some chip sets are slightly better than others, but they are all within an acceptable range for commercial grade devices.
I own the fenix 5x, Polar V800, and Suunto Ambit 3 Peak. They are all usually within a few hundredths of a mile on the courses i use (3 to 10 miles), and they have all strayed off at times.
The fenix 5x has a definite advantage over other devices as it has the ability to view the map right on the device. For example if i put a course on my 5x, and i want to explore new trails during the course, i can see those trails right on the map and be able to know where i am and see where all the trails lead. You cannot do that with other devices.
JMO
Comforting words indeed. And the map feature is absolutely outstanding. We'll see if some future SW tweak will fix the GPS - if not, I'm still a happy owner. Great watch, no doubt.
