935 vs Fenix 5S as a runner's watch

Say, could you measure the lug to lug distance ? On the F5 it's 56mm, on the F5s it's 52 and on the FR235 it's 50mm.

Just received mine... 53mm lug-to-lug.

I have a 7" wrist, and size difference from my FR230 is negligible.

Just received mine... 53mm lug-to-lug.

I have a 7" wrist, and size difference from my FR230 is negligible.

somehow my previous post using DCR's photo didn't make it up here...
anyway, that is consistent with what i could get from the picture in DCR's review. the lug to lug distance, blown up on my computer monitor screen were the same for the 5S and 935 using a ruler up against the screen.

Just received mine... 53mm lug-to-lug.

I have a 7" wrist, and size difference from my FR230 is negligible.

Thanks for that feedback. Does the 935 feel like you're not wearing a watch at all? I have the FR235 and a 7" wrist and I wouldn't even know I'm wearing it unless I looked to make sure. I just bought the standard Fenix 5... and the weight of it actually left me surprised and disappointed. It's much too heavy to be a runner's watch and I suspect even the 5S would even feel a bit too heavy if you're used to the weight of a forerunner.

Just received mine... 53mm lug-to-lug.

I have a 7" wrist, and size difference from my FR230 is negligible.

Thanks for checking, so it's right in between the FR230/630 and the F5 and it's good to hear it feels the same as the FR230.

The F5 is definitely a more "substantial" watch although still manageable in terms of weight I'd say. The added thickness and big bezel makes it a more conspicuous watch though.

What size is your wrist, please?

it's 6.5"

+1 for real measurements to compare against...


that being said, i went to DCR's review picture and assuming the photo is close to zero parallax, what i see using a ruler to my large computer monitor zoomed in... (i.e., a relative scale)

5S 45mm
735xt 40mm (no 235 i shown but if i recall, the 235/230/630 are 1mm bigger than the 735XT)
935 45mm (maybe a hair less than 5S)
5 48mm
5X/3 49+mm (i'm surprised that this isn't that much bigger than the 5 but maybe it's a photographic effect)

of course, this is using a photograph but i think the 5S and 935 effective sizes are similar (i had that impression from reading/watching DCRs review that's why i went back and measured). i did get to put on a 5 on my wrist this weekend and it was a smidge for my wrist. (although the REI salesperson thought it looked great but he admitted to liking oversized watches and he
himself was wearing a Fenix 3 which looked huge on his wrist to me)

So, I returned the 935 and got the F5S Sapphire, and it's a much nicer watch than the 935 IMO. It also looks better on my skinny 6.5" wrist. It looks and feels like it's worth £500 whereas the 935 felt a bit cheap, although functionally speaking it's the same. The main reason for returning the 935 is the face looked too big for my wrist. If they had kept the same face size as the 630/735 I probably would have kept it. So if you want a new Garmin, and you have skinny wrists, the F5S is the only option, unless you get a 735XT, but you are then missing out on the new features of the latest models. It's worth pointing out that the distance between the lugs (52mm) is the same as the 935, but the F5S doesn't look oversized on a small wrist because of the smaller face size. I see a few people complain that the lugs extend too far, but I think the lug design is necessary for the quick release bands.

It's also worth pointing out that I compared the screens on the 935 and F5S, and even though the resolution isn't the same, the F5S looks just as sharp because it's a smaller screen size. The weight difference is noticeable compared to my old 630. Unlike the 630, I notice it's there. Hopefully it won't be too much of a distraction in a race.

Photo of F5S Sapphire on my wrist here:

Good then that they offer the 5S.

Just measured my wrist and seems to be about 7" (18 cm) so a little bigger than Scott but the 935 feels fine on my wrist so prefer the weight saving and the bigger screen.

Thanks for that feedback. Does the 935 feel like you're not wearing a watch at all? I have the FR235 and a 7" wrist and I wouldn't even know I'm wearing it unless I looked to make sure. I just bought the standard Fenix 5... and the weight of it actually left me surprised and disappointed. It's much too heavy to be a runner's watch and I suspect even the 5S would even feel a bit too heavy if you're used to the weight of a forerunner.

I don't really notice the weight difference between the two... for me, it's more about the band. Because of the OHR, I'm wearing it tighter than I wore my FR230. Not 'bad', just I notice it there now. Then again, I've only had it on for about 12 hours, so guessing I will get used to it quickly.

TIMGROSE: I agree 100%. I really wanted the slightly larger screen, lighter weight, and the thinner device.

So, I returned the 935 and got the F5S Sapphire, and it's a much nicer watch than the 935 IMO. It also looks better on my skinny 6.5" wrist. It looks and feels like it's worth £500 whereas the 935 felt a bit cheap, although functionally speaking it's the same. The main reason for returning the 935 is the face looked too big for my wrist. If they had kept the same face size as the 630/735 I probably would have kept it. So if you want a new Garmin, and you have skinny wrists, the F5S is the only option, unless you get a 735XT, but you are then missing out on the new features of the latest models. It's worth pointing out that the distance between the lugs (52mm) is the same as the 935, but the F5S doesn't look oversized on a small wrist because of the smaller face size. I see a few people complain that the lugs extend too far, but I think the lug design is necessary for the quick release bands.

It's also worth pointing out that I compared the screens on the 935 and F5S, and even though the resolution isn't the same, the F5S looks just as sharp because it's a smaller screen size. The weight difference is noticeable compared to my old 630. Unlike the 630, I notice it's there. Hopefully it won't be too much of a distraction in a race.

Photo of F5S Sapphire on my wrist here:

looks great! Congrats! i like the black on black (but not the price ;) ) i guess i need to hopefully see a 935 in the wild and put it on my wrist. i'm probably on the border... my wrist a smidge under 7"...from what i could do using a string right now, i'm at 17cm or so...

but again, it's all personal preference in the end. i'm sure some people with wrists your size or mine won't care if the watch is a little big.