Any of you fine Fenix users considering move to Apple watch?

Agree. So once again I don't get why Garmin doesn't work around this weakness of some high end model by alowing to catch GPS data from our smartphone (optionally). I may move to 945 or future upgrade of it but then I'll have to buy and wear another watch since the forerunners are too much for sport while Fenix is pretty classic and "all seasons" watch. 

Even worse than that: when tracking a path with my inReach Mini, which of course is way better than the watch itself, my Fenix can't fetch location data from the satellite messenger. My iPhone does, though.

Giannix said:

So once again I don't get why Garmin doesn't work around this weakness of some high end model by alowing to catch GPS data from our smartphone (optionally)

That would be an admission that the GPS accuracy sucks - worse than that of a phone. Most Garmin users strongly believe that the opposite is true. Furthermore a quality of phone's GPS would vary greatly depending on phone model and it's placement. While a phone facing a sky would be very accurate, a phone stored in a bottom of a backpack would struggle to get a reliable GPS reception.

While hiking I keep my iPhone XS in my pants pocket, often facing downwards. Analysing the GPX data afterwards the quality of the track is always inReach>iPhone>Fenix. My Fenix has never been that good, unless hen walking on larger paths with no tree coverage.

silentvoyager said:

And furthermore, even though I would never buy an Apple watch myself, the latest generation of Apple watch is surprisingly accurate, likely more accurate than most Garmin watches. In contrast, Fenix that we discuss in this thread is less accurate than just any other GPS enabled sport watch from a major brand. I think only Garmin Vivoactive series and Fitbits are less accurate than Fenix.

Yeah, I've heard a lot of anecdotal reports that the Fenix has GPS issues, and I've seen it firsthand when running the same 5K race as a Fenix user with my plastic Forerunner (same generation.) My buddy with the Fenix recorded wildly inaccurate distance (with GPS issues in the middle of the race), as opposed to me with the standard maybe 1-2% of GPS distance error.

I think the consensus is that the metal casing interferes with the GPS signal?

silentvoyager said:

At least when applied to Fenix series, I think the majority of users aren't runners. Or at least, running isn't their primary sport.

Yeah, probably not. I know one or two people who wear a Fenix because think it looks better as an all-day watch at work, but they're probably in the minority. As a runner. I would probably stay away from Fenix because of:

- GPS issues

- Size/weight

Whatever Garmin's niche(s) are, they're def not trying to directly compete with Apple Watch (and if they did, they'd lose badly.) All I can say is if I weren't a runner, I would have zero reason to buy a Garmin. As it stands, I sometimes try to justify my purchase to other runners who don't "get" the concept of a Garmin (like because they can't imagine needing physical buttons while doing a long run workout in the freezing cold or pouring rain.)

But then again does anyone really *need* a Garmin? Seems like some elites prefer training with a timex. Casual runners (and even "serious" hobby joggers like me could probably "get by" with an Apple Watch lol or even a phone in hand.)

ah yes...it can be "it would def be a huge marketing failure for Garmin to allow high end (or even mid-range) watches to be able to use a phones' GPS as a backup."

I'll live with Fenix but the GPS thing may let me choose a potential 945 successor when released. At that point I'll have to either keep the Fenix for non-GPS works or buy a cheapest but nice everyday-watch.

apple watch is not sport tester.... they are more fancy watch with "health" functions same as any mobile device.. + there is no reason to do such move, for active person it would be step back with sport measurement features , device availability ( batter life). 

FlowState said:

But then again does anyone really *need* a Garmin?

I can tell you why I bought a Garmin, specifically Fenix 6X. I thought it was an ultimate trail ultrarunning watch due to its insane battery life in GPS mode and strong navigation features, including on-device maps. Pretty much every ultra-runner I know uses a high-end GPS watch with typical choices being Garmin Fenix or FR 935/945, Suunto 9, Coros Apex or Vertix.

Well, the battery life certainly doesn't disappoint - my 6X has easily survived a mountainous 100 mile race while recording the entire distance and tracking a navigation course on the watch. But overall, as a running watch, it often disappoints. 

Nope.

However, I do now use a Sequent watch as my main watch (digital detox) and use my Fenix 6 for sports activities.