whats the reason for the MK3 not having the gen 5 OHR

I'm a bit disappointed it did not get the OHR v5, especially considering the price of this watch.

I am guessing the development started on the Mk3 before OHR v5 was available for testing.

Its not a deal breaker for me, v4 works just fine on my current FR 965.

Also consider the MARQ Gen 2 Carbon editions didn't get v5 either and they are even more horrendously expensive than the Mk3's.

Did not buy the Mk1 as there was no AI..

Did not buy the MK2 because there was no Smart Trainer control (added later with  firmware).

I kept my Fenix's instead, 3, 5X, 6X, Epix2, 7X.

I currently have a Descent G1 Solar and FR 965 which I will sell both.

The Mk3i seems to tick all the boxes this time.

I do hope they add the "reply to text messages with on screen keyboard" that the Venu 3 has though.

Perhaps the four electrodes for the ecg wouldn't have liked seawater over time?

Yes, I was thinking a similar thing.

Those electrodes are exposed and may have a coating that saltwater may corrode over time.Probably not the same as the charging port.

Another thought, maybe OHR v4 is certified for 200m water depth, but OHR v5 is not.

yes and also the space in the watch case may be different.

Maybe in a few month there will be an Mk3i Pro with higher res MIPs screen, Solar and OHR5 ?

Doesn't make sense since watches like the Fenix 7 pro and Epix Gen 2 are made for activities like ocean swimming as well as everything else.

Circle H Scuba visited DEMA 2023 and made a video showing the Mk3 Series.

https://youtu.be/2vLWgpvtGE0?si=gk-F9Rdhiee1fE0m

I asked them through the comments if they knew why it had OHR v4 and not OHR v5.

They replied the next day, you can see it in the Video comments, Garmin said it was because the OHR v5 was not available when Production started on the MK3 Series.

The only thing OHR v5 gives you extra is the ECG I think anyway.

It's also more precise for fitness activitie :) 

Le-Chamoix said:

It's also more precise for fitness activitie :)

Will you still be getting an Mk3 despite the Gen4 OHR ?

As an Mk2s owner, I'm gonna wait until the Mk3 Pro or Mk4 that will eventually come out with the Gen 5 OHR or newer. I understand their reasoning but it's a very high price to pay for a watch that doesn't have the latest and greatest.