Garmin Product Development Team, Hello!
I`m a Fenix 5 user since December 2018, and I have been using this product 24/7 since then. And probably it's one of the best products that I bought! But, you can do much better!
In 2018, and before that, my life was, let's say chaotic.. and I just wanted something that can track my sleep. Back then, my choices were a Gear S3 and Garmin. After some "youtubeing", and although it was more expensive, I chose the Fenix5 and I bought it from a Romanian Store (emag);
When I bought this product I did not know exactly what to expect, but now, almost 14 months later here is my take on your product:
Pros: It has improved my life: I am healthier, stronger, and overall feeling at a level 9 out of 10 !
To improve:
1./ The device itself:
- The Bands - after ~2 days of wearing they stink and need a wash. Also if they are to thigh closed to the arm (eg: at 5th hole) they irritate the skin - especially in the summer when there is more sweat;
- The Screen - I have the 47mm version (the one without sapphire screen) - and I don't know how the screen would have looked now, if I didn't place a protective screen. I`m now at my forth protective screen!!
- The Altimeter - at the train station, in my town there is a plate where the altitude is written. 883.5M above the sea level - I can recognize the fact that, it was written probably 100 years ago, but most of the days I go to sleep in the same bed at a certain altitude, and woke up in the same bed but at a different altitude +/- 10m in average. There a times, like in a longer period of time (eg a month) when the altitude goes really up 100+ m, then back down.
- The Barometer - I had the pleasure, a few times in the summer to receive a storm warning - No storms, just blue skies, with no clouds ...
- Hear Rate Sensor - There are times, during activities when I don't see my heart rate recorded. It's just blank;
- Battery - used just as a watch I can recharge the battery once every two weeks, witch is great! With a few activities in a week, around once a week. In Tracking Mode (Activity) less than 24h;
2./ The software - you really need to improve this and here are a few points:
- Whoever thought about the Badge system deserves more than a beer! Thanks to this system I started to challenge and improve myself; The only problem so far with this, is that the Zombie Badge ("Catch the zombie virus by completing a challenge with someone who has this badge.") is not offered even if you win a group challenge - this is the second week winning a group challenge when somebody in the challenge has this Badge and I`m wining :) Also, there are Badges that cannot be earned unless you have a certain equipment (a certain branded watch / certain pedals / drone etc). Why are they available? You're not selling drones anymore
- Automatically add a safe exclusion zone (100m radius) for users who don't check their privacy settings. You know where they sleep, so it should be simple;
- VO2 Max - it's only calculated if there are activities recorded. Also it does not factor in the weather conditions, and/or heart rate - It only factors in the miles/minute pace
- The Steps Goal - by default it's set to automatically, witch means the avg for the previous 7 days, but if over the weekend I do a long trail (20k+ steps), then on Monday I will have to much to achieve. Personally I set my goal at 5000 steps / day; There has not been a day in the past 30 days with less than 5k steps, this way I can earn my Badge ;)
- Also, I don't believe that I`m in the 99% of my group age in the Insights section for steps & floors, and so far this "insights tips" have not provided anything useful .... I strongly believe that an RNN network would do wonders for this section, and it would provide valuable insights to us, the users;
- Also, on connect.garmin.com (Manual Activity) there are plenty of activities that are not available on the device eg: Speed Walking, Rock Climbing etc ....
Now, you released Fenix 6 - The solar charging feature sounds good, but is it worth it ?