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Fenix 6 Comparison To Apple Watch Series 5

Former Member
Former Member over 5 years ago

I have been using Garmin devices since April of 2015, and my first Garmin device was the vivoactive. As more and more advanced features have been added to these devices over the years I have been wondering lately...

Do I really needs all these features?

I am not an advanced athlete or anything. I'm just an OldAssDude trying to stay active, and all these new metrics i just think are becoming too much lately.

I got an Apple Watch Series 5 the other day because I heard the series 4 and series 5 are much better in fitness than previous versions. I tried the original, series 2, and series 3, and was not impressed with the fitness features, but since I could get this added to my mobile account for 19 bucks a month, and I have 14 days to return it if I'm not happy with it, so I figured I would give it a try.

Since getting it I have been wearing it along with my fenix 6X so I can test daily activity along with my daily workouts, and compare the data. The main things I will be looking for are...

Steps

Calories

Heart Rate

GPS Tracks

GPS Distance

This is day 3 and so far I am impressed with the Apple Watch. I have done a few workouts so far and the heart rate monitor seems to be even more accurate than the fenix 6X, and even the GPS seems to be a little more accurate as well.

Daily activity tracking seems to be very close to what I am seeing on the fenix 6X as well.

my only real concern is battery life. I will have to see if I can get used to charging this thing every night, but I have to charge my phone every night anyway, so it should not be that big a deal.

I will continue to wear them both daily to determine if I can get used to not having all the advanced features and charging daily, but so far I am still liking it.

Time will tell.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Gr4z

    The only acceptable situation for me was to get 2 of them.  now it makes no difference.  Got them on sale, basically 2 for one.  So what I just swap them in the charger when I wake up.  Never without a watch, well, for maybe 10 seconds while I put it on.

    I don't know if Apple will ever address this, they are the only smartwatch allowed to fully interact as if it is an iPhone.  Everything else is restricted by Apple.

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Hey BadAss,

    Finding some nice bands, dirt cheap.  Love the leather look.   Notice my complications?  :).   Workoutdoor is right there along with Zones.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to DCeremuga

    OK... now your just showing off...lol

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    $8.00 on Amazon.  I'm sure it's made form an unknown material from China, but.  It looks nice.  Slight smile

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    I'm surprised!  I'm over that "urge" to own a Garmin.  I think the biggest thing is lack of LTE, along with software/firmware issues that crop up with what I used it for.

    Once you go with the Fenix and start having to worry about carrying a phone, or other cellular device again.  It will grind on you.  Especially if older like us and can easily find ourselves in a situation needing help.

    Those younger chaps don't need to worry so much  :).   I have 2 daughters and wife to care for and need to be connected!

    I ALSO think that we may be close to seeing a Forerunner LTE and a Fenix 6+ LTE in the coming year.  Those could be game changers.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago

    I have to say since returning my apple watch I fell back in love with my fenix 6X sapphire.

    Right after returning the apple watch and going back to the fenix though I encountered the REM sleep and training status not updating issue, and was pissed as all hell.

    After the problem got resolved and everything started working again, it is working great now.

    I do have a slight bluish tint to the backlight, but not bad at all.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    I’m enjoying both.   But I will tell you, I got a winner 6x sapphire.  Not only perfect blacks, but it seems more stable.  5.0 firmware has been really good, but ohr is crap.  The Apple watch is blowing it away in that area.  If Garmin can resolve that, no complaints about my Fenix!

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to DCeremuga

    Hmmm. I have not had any issues with the OHR on this fenix and have had every official version since getting it. I even compared it to my V800 with a Polar H7 strap and it never strayed more than a few BPM even doing intervals.

    I will admit the AW OHR seems slightly better, but both are fine for the stuff I do.

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    This whole thread makes me smile and LOL. I’ve gone back and forth between Apple Watch and Garmin so many time I’ve lost count. Had Garmins since Fenix 3HR and Apple since AW2. I had a AW5 and just switched back to a Fenix 6. I’m also an “old ass dude” (well 52, is that old?) and I run (indoors and outside), bike (inside and outside), and lift. I do something everyday pretty much and have all the sensors to collect data (Stryd foot pod, bike cadence and speed sensor, etc.).

    Both do the job and each do some things better, but here are my key takeaways:

    Apple Watch is better for syncing podcasts to which I love to take with me.

    The AW is so common and everyone has one. I like the differentness of the Fenix plus round watches just look better. 

    Garmin has all your info in one place where with the AW you need a hundred different apps to collect and view your data. 

    I forgot how much I like the buttons on the Fenix. I like a clean and simple watch faces on both devices, but can check the temperature with one button press on the Garmin I arrange that widget first. 

    I also like audio cues when I run outside which Garmin does for me. I used iSmoothRun on the AW for this but it’s not as clean and elegant. 

    After a few days, the Fenix feels more comfortable on my wrist, and definitely more rugged. I’m also really digging the carbon color of it (not true black). Looks light in some light, and dark in other light.

    My $.02

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to mustakoira

    Not 100 apps.   2.   Workoutdoors and Autosleep.   the Audio Queues in workoutdoors blow away everything on the Fenix.  Totally customizable.  Badassdude intruced me to it and I'm hooked. 

    I like the look of the Fenix and the Buttons, but for functionality of all the sensors and data.  The AW blows the Fenix out the doors like a space airlock.  The HR values aren't random numbers  Slight smile