I currently have a Fenix 5 and had my first Ant+ HRM drop today. I've also read that a lot of Fenix 5 users have way more dropouts. I'm thinking about getting one with a Sapphire screen now since I am a beach volleyball coach and am in the sand everyday. The black Fenix 5 sapphire is the same price as the 5x and figured that could be my switch, but wondered does the 5x have the same dropout problems as the Fenix 5?
Drops with chest straps are less common, partly because the distance is small. Drops are more common with cycling power meters and foot pods.
I'd suggest replacing the chest strap battery, giving your chest strap a wash (salt from sweat can build up over time, causing problems) and getting a stick-on screen film are much cheaper solutions than a 5X.
Other than maps, the 5X doesn't offer any features over the 5 (and has disadvantages in terms of being heavier and less battery life). Unless serious and repeated problems arise with your existing watch, I'd defer upgrading your watch until the Fenix 6 series comes out (I have no information on this, other than that Garmin have run a 2 year update cycle in the past, which would imply a 2019 release if they follow the same cycle).
my new power meter is dropping ANT+ signals like crazy on the Fenix 3. I was tempted to go to the 5 series (Bluetooth Support) until I read that the 5 series also has problems..
Looks like the watch series of fenix are not really capable.
