This product has been discontinued by the manufacturer. It's been replaced by the Garmin Fenix 6 Series, you may want to check out that review instead.
The Fenix3 aims to further blend the multisport watch realm (previously dominated by the Garmin Forerunner series), with the outdoor watches (such as the Fenix1 & Fenix2, as well as outdoor handhelds). To that end the Fenix3 is effectively a Garmin FR920XT with additional features aimed primarily at the outdoor and hiking crowd – more than the triathlon crowd. But, the appeal to triathletes since launch as clearly been the more normal watch looking feel, versus the plastic and blocky feel of the Forerunner 920XT units.
I’ve been using the Fenix3 for quite some time, and after a month on a final production unit with final production version – I’ve got enough data and detail for the in-depth review. Which…is what you’ll find below. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
To be clear, I’ve been using a Fenix3 provided by Garmin to test with (final production unit). Like always, I’ll be shipping that back to them in Kansas in the next little bit and going out and getting my own via regular retail channels. That’s just the way I roll.
Lastly, at the end of the day keep in mind I’m just like any other regular athlete out there. I write these reviews because I’m inherently a curious person with a technology background, and thus I try and be as complete as I can. But, if I’ve missed something or if you spot something that doesn’t quite jive – just let me know and I’ll be happy to get it all sorted out. Also, because the technology world constantly changes, I try and go back and update these reviews as new features and functionality are added – or if bugs are fixed. So – with that intro, let’s get into things.
Unboxing & Versions:
There are a number of versions of the Fenix3 that have different exterior surfaces. However, inside, all versions are identical. Again, there is no software differences between them – instead, it’s purely the materials used on the outside. Additionally, some Fenix3 variants are sold in bundles, which include the heart rate strap (HRM-RUN). Let’s do a bit of a walk-through on an unboxing of one version. All versions contain the same pieces and just vary in terms of which bundle you bought.
First up we’ve got all the parts pulled out of the box:
You’ll see you’ve got the USB charging clip (new/different for the Fenix3), the watch itself, and the HRM-RUN heart rate strap. Additionally, you’ve got some paperwork stuffs.
Here’s a closer look at the charging clip. It’s a new design for the Fenix3, which is a touch bit slimmer than previous designs. It features a bit of a slide in/out locking mechanism. Easily works to wear it while using the watch, should you want to charge on the go.
The box also includes a USB wall adapter. But fear not, you can use the unit with any USB port you’ll find on this planet:
Next, is the HRM-RUN strap. This is the strap that includes additional Running Dynamics metrics that were introduced with the FR620. I recently wrote an entire post dedicated to the HRM-RUN strap, which you can read here.
Then there’s some quick start guide information and legal documents:
And finally, the Fenix3 unit itself:
For those looking for a video-walkthrough of the box situation, here’s an unboxing video I did of the Fenix3 Grey Edition:
And then, another unboxing I did of the Fenix3 Sapphire. You’ll note that in the US there isn’t yet a Fenix3 Sapphire HR bundle (in the UK there is). However, the Sapphire edition does have one minor difference: It includes a spare set of plastic straps in case you get tired of the metal strap. Outside of that, same-same.
Here’s an unboxing video I did of the Sapphire edition:
And, just for clarity on all the editions, here’s a photo I shoot with the Fenix3 Red/Silver Edition:
With that, let’s briefly discuss some Sapphire specific notes before going through size specific comparisons.
Sapphire Edition Notables:
The Sapphire edition has a few tiny things that make it different, enough so that I’m going to very briefly cover them. First is that the glass is different. It’s a sapphire glass, which watchmakers sometimes use to increase scratch protection. Now, that said, I really haven’t seen any issues with scratches on the regular unit I’ve been wearing 24×7 for months. I’ve banged the crap out of it on surfaces and haven’t seen anything.
The second item to consider is that the Sapphire edition has metal links like numerous other high end watches. That means that you can’t separate the two ends like a lower priced watch bands. Further, you’ll need to resize the band by removing links. You can do that by bringing it to any jeweler, or, you can get this $2.30 tool and do it yourself.
Rather than put a bunch of pictures here, I just shot a quick video of how it works, which you can find below.
As you can see, it’s silly simple. Seriously, I shot that video within the first few minutes of opening that bag. It’s that simple, and, you can resize any other watch whenever you’d like.
As for deciding between the Sapphire and regular? Well, I’ve mostly been using the regular over the Sapphire, and to that extent I’ve been happy. The thing with the Sapphire is that it’s double the weight of the regular. So obviously it’s gonna feel heavy. For me personally, it takes a week or two to get used to that kinda weight on my wrist (when I’ve done it for regular wrist watches). But, more than that, it’s really limiting if you want to mount it to a bike.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t let the scratch-resistance be the driver of that decision. I’d honestly focus on your personal style preferences and whether or not the bike mount situation is of importance (see bike section on that).
Size & Weight Comparisons:
The Garmin Fenix3 is slightly slimmer than previous Fenix editions, which is easily seen when settled next to another unit (the Fenix3 is up front, the Fenix2 is towards the back):
It’s slightly thicker however than the Garmin FR920XT – at least without the 920XT quick release kit applied. Not much thicker, but a touch bit:
Meanwhile, looking at the front of the unit, here’s how things shake out against other watches in the category.
Finally, when it comes to wrist sizes, you’ll see plenty of my wrist throughout the review, but nonetheless, as a starting point here are the two editions on my wrist (which is 17cm, or about 6.5 inches):
And for The Girl’s wrist, I figured I’d include that here. At 5’2” tall, she’s fairly petite. Her wrist measures 14cm (or 5.5 inches). Here’s a few shots on her wrist:
I haven’t resized the Sapphire yet for her, but once I do, I’ll include that in here.
Running:
There are numerous modes and sport profiles available within the Fenix3, all of which are highly customizable. For this review I’ll start with running and talk about many features within the running section. But keep in mind that virtually all of the functions (such as alerts, data page customization, etc…) are applicable to all modes.
To begin though, you’ll head outside and choose an activity type. Technically these are now called ‘Apps’, and there’s an app for each sport (i.e. Run, Bike, Bike Indoor, etc…). This also makes the structure more extensible to 3rd party apps as those are released.
Assuming you’ve selected a sport mode that’s GPS-enabled, such as running outdoors, the unit will start to find satellite. The ring around the outside will slowly grow to 100%, in red first, and then green once complete.
The satellite acquisition time on the Fenix3 is based on a cached database that is updated each time you sync with your phone, computer, or WiFi. That database enables faster acquisition so that acquisition times only take a few seconds, especially if you’re in the same spot as your last activity ended:
As you were finding satellites you’ll have noticed that the unit would have found any ANT+ sensors that were paired. This would show a small icon at the top for the sensor type – such as heart rate straps.
With everything all set it’s time to actually run. At this point you’ll press the start button (the one with the red ring) and then it’ll start recording. Your pace, distance and any other data fields you’ve configured will appear on the display:
I’ll discuss data fields a bit later on, but you can customize them quite a bit including changing the number of metrics per page as well as the number of pages.
When it comes to pace, the Fenix3 is like the FR620, FR920XT and other recent Garmin watches that shows pace in 5-second increments, but slightly smoothed. This is done to ensure a smoother pace metric. Ultimately, all GPS watches have to smooth pace data in some manner. Either they’re doing it in a visible way (i.e. 5-second increments), or in a non-visible way (smoothing the data further behind the scenes). So the discussion on methods is somewhat academic.
Nonetheless, here’s a look at instant pace reaction times on the Fenix3 during a recent run where I was running along at a long-run pace, and then stopped for traffic for a moment, and then continued running again:
As you can see, it’s reasonably quick – even despite going under a large steel structure holding up the Parisian Metro/Subway system.
Within running (and all activities), you have a variety of functions you can enable such as Auto Lap – which automatically triggers laps on a preset interval, such as every 1-Mile or 1-Kilometer. I tend to use this on long runs, but I don’t use it on interval runs as I manually trigger the laps instead using the lap button in the lower right corner.
Anytime a lap is triggered though the Fenix3 supports customized lap banners. This means that you can change which metrics are shown anytime a lap is triggered.
Next there’s other common Garmin functions like Auto Scroll and Auto Pause. Auto Scroll will iterate through your data pages like a carousel. Whereas Auto Pause will automatically stop and start the timer when you stop/start running. This is more useful for city running or riding.
One new unique feature to the Fenix3 is Auto Climb. Auto Climb works by showing a different set of data fields when you start to climb (go uphill). This feature can be used on any profile including cycling. The feature works by configuring a set of data pages that you want to show while climbing.
For example, for me I’ve configured ones with the incline as a data metric:
Then, once you reach about 2-3% in incline, it’ll automatically trigger those data pages. By default it’ll invert the data page colors, but you can just leave the colors the same if you’d like.
Here’s a video I put together during a recent hill workout showing how it all works:
The feature of course won’t appeal to everyone, but is probably most relevant to ultra and trail runners in the mountains who are going up and down and may want to grab quick elevation related stats.
Now the Fenix3 includes the HRM-RUN Running Dynamics capabilities. Within that, you’ll get stats like Vertical Oscillation and Ground Contact Time. I recently wrote up a full post on the strap here, and whether or not to get it.
While running you’ll also get stats like Recovery Advice, such as whether or not you’re fully recovered. In my experience it’s very rare to get anything other than ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. I feel like Garmin is trying to make everyone feel all warm and happy inside, as opposed to telling them ‘Sucky’. Most other users who have been using these metrics for a few years now seem to get pretty similar results.
And then afterwards you’ll get Recovery Time estimates. These estimates are geared at letting you know how much time you should wait until your next hard workout. Of course, for multisport athletes this isn’t aimed for your next workout (of any sort), but just hard workout. This was after a long run…so while perhaps a bit overaggressive, it’s not horribly off the mark.
Additionally, upon completing a run you’ll get information such as any PR’s that were broken (Personal Records) – such as best mile split or longest run. Note that by default these are only specific to this watch.
And finally, you’ll get a summary of your run that you can dig through and look at all the stats, both for the entire run, and each individual lap:
Now, you’re not limited to outdoor running with the GPS. Like most Garmin devices you can also use the Fenix3 indoors, such as on a treadmill. For that you’ve basically got two options. First is to use the built-in accelerometer within the Fenix3 to capture pace and distance. In my experience, this works ‘ok’, but not great.
The way this function works is that while you’re running outdoors it learns your paces and effectively your wrist movement. With that knowledge, it’s important that for the highest accuracy indoors that you wear it on the same wrist as outdoors. Most people have slight differences in how much wrist movement they have on each wrist.
Nonetheless, despite this, what I find is that certain paces are fairly accurate – but others less so. For example when I run my long-run pace, the internally calculated pace is pretty accurate. However, when I go into intervals, the pace tends to fluctuate a bit more – often upwards of about 10%. This isn’t really unique to Garmin however; virtually all wrist-based pace/distance detection solutions are the same in the market today.
The second option for indoor pace is the ANT+ footpod. That allows you to enter in a calibration value and get very accurate pace on a treadmill. I talk about the footpod here in this post in uber-detail.
But, I’ve been using the footpod with the Fenix3 quite a bit on the treadmill over the past few months – all without issue. In each one of those instances my pace nearly matches that of my treadmill (once calibrated), and the distance as well.
Ultimately, my recommendation is that if you want truly accurate pace/distance recorded while indoors – to get a footpod. Also note that at this time there’s no method of selecting pace while outdoors from a footpod. All pace when outdoors comes from GPS, except in scenarios where the GPS signal is lost (i.e. tunnel), in which case it falls back to the footpod (and failing that, to the wrist based detection).
Cycling:
The Fenix3 includes virtually all of the cycling functions and features found in any previous Garmin Edge device – including the Edge 1000. The only features it lacks are turn-by-turn navigation with mapping (i.e.: Turn Left on Maple Street), Auto-Lap by position, and the Edge Remote Control support. That said, let’s spend a few minutes walking through it.
First up is that like running, cycling has its own sport mode. In this case either ‘Bike’ or ‘Bike Indoor’, depending on the weather I suppose. Once you’ve selected that mode it’ll go ahead and find any relevant sensors that you’ve paired. In my case that’s usually a power meter along with a heart rate strap, plus sometimes a speed or cadence sensor if indoors:
It’ll pair with any ANT+ cycling sensors out there (see my section later on that), which includes all power meter brands except Polar/Look and their Keo Power solution.
The Fenix3 also will shortly support Cycling Dynamics, so for those Garmin Vector users, you’ll get that data as well. In the meantime, you’ll still get all the regular left/right data.
When cycling, the functions at a foundational level are the same as running. The only difference for most is that you now have power meter support. This includes all of the power meter relevant fields like Training Peaks metrics such as TSS/NP/IF, and any power balance fields.
Indoors, the situation is much the same. You can go ahead and pair to trainers such as the Wahoo KICKR or TACX Smart series trainers, which broadcast open ANT+ metrics like power, speed and cadence.
All of these metrics are then saved after the fact for uploading to Garmin Connect (and if you choose, automatic sync to sites like Strava).
So what about mounting the Fenix3 to your bike? Well, for that it’s a bit tricky. See, the Fenix3 lacks a quick release kit, so thus it lacks any way to mount it directly using the ubiquitous Garmin quarter-turn mount that’s supported by the Edge series as well as the FR310/FR910XT/920XT watches. This means instead if you don’t want it on your wrist you’ll need to use a little block like this rubber mount from Garmin for about $10:
But, the challenge with that block is that with the Sapphire band you can’t detach it to fit through the hole. So instead, your better bet is this also-$10 rubber block from Timex. The challenge there though is that you can’t put that on your bike handlebars easily unless perhaps it’s a mountain bike.
So I don’t have a solution for road bikes, but for triathlon bikes you could use the Profile Designs bike computer UCM mount, and mount it from the side. Kinda lame, but it does technically work:
Now for me personally, it’s this single item that’s probably the biggest reason I’ll probably still stick with the FR920XT as my main triathlon watch. I don’t like looking at it on my wrist – especially in aero position. Instead, I want it mounted on the bike. Hopefully Garmin will look to release a quick release kit – it’s something that realistically should be simple for them to do, and basically just puts more money in their pocket anyway (since people have to spend at least $50 more for the Fenix3 over the FR920XT anyway).
Swimming:
The Fenix3 supports tracking of both pool and openwater swims. For pool swims the unit will use the internal accelerometer within it to track swims. This means that it’s looking at your movements and trying to determine what type of stroke you’re swimming as well as when you reach the end of each length of the pool.
To start a pool swim you’ll select it from the list of sports:
Next, if it’s the first time using a pool swim it’ll ask you your pool size. Else, it’ll remember your pool size for future swims. If you go to a different pool that requires changing the size, you can simply select it within the settings menu:
There are preconfigured sizes for common pool lengths such as 25m, 25y, and 50m. Additionally, you can specify and pool length between 17m/18y, and 150m/y.
Next, it’s time to swim. Now when swimming with the watch you can do either a flip turn or an open turn (non-flip turn). It’ll track either way. The thing to keep in mind is that it’s essentially measuring acceleration and change in movement direction. So if you stop mid-lane in the pool, it’ll confuse the unit. Likewise if you sit at the end of the lane line for a few seconds and then do your next lap and do the YMCA song with your arms – it’ll confuse it.
Just swim, and keep swimming…and it’ll work out just fine.
As you swim it’ll show you your pace and splits, all of which can be customized. When you reach the end of a given portion of your workout (set), you can press the lap button to go into the rest timer. This will separate out the different sections of the workout for you automatically. It’ll also invert the screen so you know it’s in a paused state.
In addition the Fenix3 supports the Drill Log mode. This mode allows you to do drills that the watch wouldn’t recognize distance on, such as kickboard drills. For this you enter drill mode and then at the end simply tell it how far you swam:
Afterwards, all of this data is available on Garmin Connect and can be sliced and diced. Note that I only swim freestyle, so I can’t really comment on accuracy of other strokes.
While Garmin Connect doesn’t allow editing of swim data, some 3rd parties like Sport Tracks do. For example, in the above swim I had to stop mid-lane on one of my lengths, which caused a missed length. Completely my fault (I dropped a camera out of my swim shorts), but there’s no method to fix that on Garmin Connect today.
Also note that at this time there is no method for any Garmin swim-capable watches to give you structured swim workouts. However, interestingly Connect IQ was coded with that in mind – so it’s certainly possible we’ll see swim workout functionality come soon via that route instead.
Next, we’ve got openwater swims. These are any swims in a lake/pond/ocean/etc… Basically any body of water big enough that GPS is logical. Note that for outdoor pools (except the massive one in Chile), you should always use pool mode.
Once you’ve selected this mode it’ll go ahead and search for GPS just like other modes. Interestingly, within the openwater swim mode you can actually do Live Tracking using the Garmin Connect Mobile app. I’ve done that on a few occasions now using the Safer Swimmer buoy with my phone inside the dry compartment in it:
The Fenix3 communicates with the phone just fine in between each stroke. Heck, I even got a text message from The Girl during one of my openwater swims.
Next, while swimming the unit will track distance, pace and stroke information – such as it does in a pool:
You can create laps as you see fit as well – for example to split apart a course.
Remember that the way openwater swim mode works is that each time your watch goes underwater it loses satellite, thus, each time it comes back up again it has to reacquire satellite in the half a second or so your wrist is above the water. This obviously results in less accurate readings. So what companies do is they take a bit of an average plot of where you’re going and try to figure it out, despite the reduced accuracy. It’s usually not perfect, but it’s also usually pretty good.
I found that in all of my openwater swims that the Fenix3 was the most accurate Garmin openwater swim capable device to date that I’ve tried. Typically I give a very slight edge to the Suunto series for openwater swim accuracy, but that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore. They seem to probably be a wash.
Below you can see some swim tracks with the Fenix3 on my wrist, and where I put another GPS watch (typically the FR920XT on the swim buoy above the water floating next to me). This helps me create a ‘reference’ track to compare against.
Ultimately, these are pretty good. Here’s the exact number comparisons.
First Test: 1,194 vs 1,200yds
Second Test: 1,249 vs 1,305yds
Third Test: 1,475 vs 1,540yds
That last one is actually really impressive track-wise, especially where I edged around the barriers, it perfectly nailed that.
Just as a bit of a tip, if when swimming I find it helps to start the GPS above water where you know it has a lock for the first 1-2 seconds. That establishes a good solid ‘starting point’. And the same is true when you exit the water – just give it a second or two to find your ending point. Seems to help (across most GPS watches).
Multisport activities:
Being a multisport watch, the Fenix3 supports what’s known as ‘multisport’ mode. In this mode (well, actually multiple modes), the watch will automatically transition to the next sport upon pressing the lap button. This allows you to line-up multiple sports such as in a triathlon and get sport-specific settings and records for each segment: Swim, T1, Bike, T2, Run.
You can also create your own custom multisport profiles, using any combination of existing sports. Unlike the Fenix2, there is no limitation on creating a fully indoor triathlon for example.
Within these modes you can customize whether or not to include transition data. What’s nice about the custom modes is that it’s easy to create duathlons. For example, I did an openwater swim/run brick two weeks ago quite easily.
Afterwards, on Garmin Connect the Fenix3 multisport activities will show each segment of the workout separately – but as part of a larger workout. This new Garmin Connect feature was introduced last fall for all new multisport workouts uploaded after that date (or, re-uploaded). You can see my short swim/run brick here:
And you can see how if I click for just the swim tab I get additional detail, and it removes the other portions of the activity from view:
Note however that the Fenix3 lacks a quick release kit, so you’ll need to basically keep it on your wrist the entire time.
Daily Activity & Sleep Tracking:
The Fenix3 incorporates daily 24×7 activity tracking including such metrics as steps, distance walked, calories, and sleep. It also incorporates the Garmin inactivity/move bar, which triggers to tell you that you’ve been lazy.
This activity tracker mode then transmits that data to your smartphone app (Garmin Connect Mobile), which stores the data on the Garmin Connect site for display. Additionally, Garmin Connect can transmit the data to partners such as MyFitnessPal.
This data is also visible on the Fenix3 through the “Wellness” widget (activity tracking widget). It’ll show you your steps towards goal, your current goal, and your calories burned and distance walked.
Along the bottom you see the red ‘move’ bar.
That bar fills up when you don’t move, eventually alerting you after an hour that you need to move. You can clear the move bar by walking roughly 100 yards:
The goal steps that are displayed each day are dynamic, based on your previous days steps and trending data. So, the more you walk, the higher the goal goes – and the inverse is true. It’s designed however such that a single long run on a weekend won’t totally hose up your daily goals.
Next there is calories. Calories on the Fenix3 activity tracker are inclusive of your baseline calories (BMR), aka, the calories you need to stay alive. That’s why if you just sit there watching Saved by the Bell re-runs, it’ll still show you burning calories. That’s pretty much the norm for activity trackers on the market.
There’s also support for MyFitnessPal as well, in the event you want to track both your consumed calories as well as burned calories:
Finally, we look at sleep. The Garmin Fenix3 requires you to manually trigger sleep. This is like the rest of the Garmin units that support sleep metrics…and is honestly pretty lame. Most other watches/trackers will automatically sense it, such as the Fitbit series. Worse yet, is that even when you do manually enter it in, the data that Garmin displays after the fact is pretty useless.
No ‘times/minutes awake’, or anything else of value. Just a very blah-like up and down chart vaguely showing movement.
As far as accuracy of activity tracking in general goes, the Fenix3 measurement of steps has been inline with other activity trackers for me. Which means that it’s generally within 5-8% of what I’m seeing on other devices I’ve been wearing at the same time such as the Fitbit Charge HR and Jawbone Move.
However, keep in mind that there is no ‘perfect’ activity tracker. Different companies use different algorithms to try and minimize inaccuracies. Further, different wearable locations can also impact accuracy. For example, if I’m pushing a shopping cart with a wrist-based device such the Fitbit Charge or Fenix3, I’ll likely get reduced step counts. This is because the accelerometer isn’t likely to be triggered due to the static position of my hand.
Companies try and counter these sorts of items – such as ensuring steps aren’t counted when you’re showering or washing the dishes. But the reality is that sometimes they do trigger steps.
Here’s what I’d remind ya: You shouldn’t be concerned about a few hundred extra steps. At the end of the day, you’re aiming for a goal in the 10,000+ step range – so a few hundred steps really isn’t that meaningful. If you only walked 2,000 steps, then no, you didn’t walk enough. And at the other end of the spectrum, if you walked 18,000 steps – then yes, you walked a lot and an extra 100 steps washing the dishes wasn’t likely the cause for that 18,000 steps.
To that end these devices are best looked at from a trending standpoint. They help you assess whether you’re walking a lot or a little. That’s no different between a Fitbit, a Garmin, a Polar app – or even your phone. They all have imperfections in certain scenarios – and excel at others.
Navigation:
The Fenix series ultimately has it’s roots in navigation – and thus to that end much of that remains the key reason that you’d buy the Fenix3 over another device such as the FR920XT. There’s two types of navigation capabilities within the Fenix3. The first is the basic ‘ABC’ (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) functionality. These features require no GPS enablement, and are otherwise running 24×7.
They’re accessible at any time by pressing the up/down buttons on the left side of the watch. You can change the time scale for these, but by default they show historical values such as a 48-hr barometer and 4hr temperature.
The sensors that support these features (Compass, Altimeter, Barometer), can be accessed and configured within the settings and then sensors menu of the watch:
It’s here that you can do tasks such as enable the Storm Alert, or change the plot length. Additionally, in the case of the altimeter, you can calibrate it by manually entering in the current elevation (useful for trailheads). Further, you can change the behavior of Auto Calibration, which controls when and how often the unit will calibrate the altimeter. By default it’s once at the start of an activity, but you can change it to be continuous if you’d like.
Note that for compass, as well as other position-format based metrics, you can change to a wide assortment of display formats. I’ll try and get these manually typed up, but Garmin basically covers every possible position format I’ve ever heard anyone ask for.
Next, beyond the ABC functions there’s the GPS-based navigation capabilities. These use GPS to guide you to various points, either pre-defined or on the fly. To start navigation you’ve got two options. The first is to simply select ‘Navigation’ from the main menu, and then select a given type of navigation: Courses, Activities, Saved Locations, Sight ‘N Go, or Coordinates.
When you do this, it’ll ask you for further details on what you’re navigating to – such as the pre-created course name:
Then, it’ll give you a bit of an overview of that particular selection. For example, in a course it’ll show you a map of the course, as well as the elevation profile. Interestingly however, that elevation profile is not available once you start the activity.
Then you an select ‘Do Course’ to start the navigation. At this point the unit will ask you which activity profile to use. You can use any GPS-enabled sport to navigate, for example hiking, running, or cycling.
At this point, the unit will add the navigation-specific screens that you have to that sport profile. These four screens can be fully customized (each with four data fields), plus the Map and Guide screens.
And of course, it’ll start navigation once you press the Start button. As you navigate, it’ll guide you based on a map showing progress. You can change the zoom level of that map by holding the middle left menu button:
In my case, I had pre-created a course on Garmin Connect and downloaded it to the unit via the Garmin Connect Mobile app:
You can also use the desktop application called Garmin Basecamp, but that lacks the free base map set seen on Garmin Connect, so it’s a bit more tricky to create routes with a default Garmin Basecamp install. Note that rather unfortunately the Fenix3 is not compatible with Basecamp Mobile. That’s quite a bummer because Basecamp mobile was super-easy to create waypoints, whereas there’s no method on Garmin Connect to create Waypoints, only routes. So oddly, things got slightly harder with this new version. Hopefully Garmin will enable support for it on the Fenix3. Ultimately in my mind if they don’t have that in place by time the Epix releases, otherwise it’ll be a super-disjointed story.
In any case, back to navigating the route. As you’re navigating you’ll get various status on your progress related to the course. For example if you’re on course, and how much of the course is remaining.
If you’ve defined a given pace for the course, the unit will show that as well within the screens. This is essentially the same functionality that’s then leveraged for the ability to follow a previous activity.
In addition to courses you can also save coordinates and route to them. You can further save these coordinates with given names, such as ‘Start of trail’, or ‘Home’. Or perhaps more critical place names like ‘Burger place’. Note that the Fenix3 does not contain any sort of POI (Point of Interest) database, so you’ll have to create all your own POI’s.
Finally, note that there are actually a number of very small (but important to some) navigational differences between the Fenix3 and the past Fenix1/Fenix2. In order to minimize the amount of updating I have to do each and every time Garmin updates/addresses these, I’ve placed them all into a massive comparison table a few sections down from here. Please do read that section though to better understand if there’s any gaps that cause you pain.
Battery Life:
The Fenix3 has a few different technical specs when it comes to battery life, depending on how you use it. For example, they note on the product page that it’ll get: “50 hours in UltraTrac mode, 16 hours in GPS mode and up to 3 months in watch mode” (yet in other places on the spec pages it notes 20 hours in GPS mode).
So how does that compare in reality? Well, it depends. First, we’ll start with just a simple long-life battery test. For that, I simply fully charge the unit up and plunk it on my roof and see when it dies.
In this case, I went with 1s recording (non-UltraTrac, 1-second recording, GLONASS-off) Here’s the results there:
As you can see, it went 18 hours and 12 minutes, a bit shy of their claimed 20 hours but above their 16 hours. We’ll call it splities. In my case the temperatures here have been about 38°F/3°C, so you’ll see that impact battery life slightly. Still, at 18 hours it easily covers an Ironman triathlon.
The next option you’d have is UltraTrac. This mode reduces the GPS update frequency to save battery life. This means you’ll get less GPS track points, as it works in a 15-20 seconds of GPS on-time, then about 45 seconds of GPS off-time pattern. Because of this, it cuts some of the corners, because of the reduced update rate. Now, for something like city running – it’s not really ideal. But, if you’re doing a longer hike where you might otherwise be tight on battery, it’s probably fine. That’s because your rate of speed is lower.
Note that with UltraTrac you DO get ANT+ data, which is a change from prior Fenix versions, where you didn’t get ANT+ data. This data is recorded at 1-second rate. Additionally, instant pace, temperature and cadence is also recorded at the 1-second rate, since all of that comes from the accelerometer.
But what if UltraTrac isn’t enough? For that you can use a USB battery charging pack. These packs allow you to charge the Fenix3 while it’s recording mid-use. So you can simply attach it and re-charge as you complete your activity.
To get an understanding of how that works, I’ve put together this quick little video:
Finally, what about day-to-day battery life? Well for that the unit is spec’d at 6 weeks. But quite frankly, I wasn’t about to wait 6 weeks without plugging it in, because then I wouldn’t have had the battery juice for all my day to day GPS workouts. Instead, let’s focus on battery life for day-to-day activity.
Within the Fenix1/Fenix2 timeframe, the battery life was pretty good (lasted a long time) in normal day to day mode. But, on the Fenix1/2 it was greatly shortened if you enabled Bluetooth Smart (for notifications, primarily). Down to about 24-36 hours, on a good day.
With the Fenix3 however, you can leave Bluetooth Smart on and it’ll last quite some time. It’s tough to get an exact real-world figure, since again the mere act of using GPS for other activities would drain things. But we’re talking at least a week or more here. Perhaps it’s three weeks, I just don’t have any way of knowing. Either way, for most people you’ll need to charge it again before that point simply for use during GPS activities.
Sensor Compatibility & Sensor Pools:
The Fenix3 follows in the footsteps of both the Edge 1000 and FR920XT in including the sensor pool concept. This means that instead of having ‘bike profiles’, you just pair all your sensors into what is effectively a pool. When those sensors turn on (such as turning your bike wheel, or putting on your HR strap), then the Fenix3 will automatically find them.
This is ideal for people with multiple bikes that may or may not forget to change the bike profile before starting the ride – as the sensors automatically pickup instead. It’s also great if you have more than one pair of running shoes with footpods on them, or simply different heart rate straps.
To pair a sensor you’ll go into the sensors menu and add a new sensor. You can tell it to search for everything, or you can pair a specific sensor type:
The Fenix3 can save numerous sensors of the same type within the pool. For example, you can see multiple heart rate straps saved here on my unit (you can give them custom names too!):
The Fenix3 supports the following sensor types:
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap
ANT+ Running Footpod
ANT+ Cycling Power Meter
ANT+ Cycling Speed-only Sensor
ANT+ Cycling Cadence-only Sensor
ANT+ Cycling Speed/Cadence Combo Sensor
ANT+ Tempe (Temperature Sensor)
ANT+ VIRB Action Camera
ANT Shimano Di2 (coming in future update)
For those that want more accurate temperature data during activities (so that it’s off your wrist, due to body heat interference), you’ll want to look into the Tempe sensor, which is made by Garmin. This sensor lasts a year on a coin cell battery and transmits the temperature to the Fenix3.
Like existing Garmin products, the Fenix3 does not support any Bluetooth Smart sensors, nor other sensor technologies such as analog sensors or Polar W.I.N.D. sensors. Nor does it support Nike+ straps or sensors.
Finally, a brief note about optical sensors (such as the Scosche or Mio products). With using optical HR, you do run the risk that you’ll get reduced accuracy on metrics that require heart rate variability (such as Recovery Time, VO2Max, Race Predictor, and to a much more limited degree, calories). This is because these sensors today largely ‘estimate’ heart rate variability (HRV/RR) information. However, they are required to transmit said information according to the ANT+ heart rate specification. So instead of transmitting nothing, they estimate it (but not measure it).
For some people, it’ll work out and their metrics would lineup against a normal chest strap. For others, the differences may be more apparent. It’s hard to know exactly how it would impact a given person. For me personally, some workouts line-up near identically, yet others are far off the mark. Again, just a lot of variables (none of which are the fault of the Fenix3, but rather the state of optical sensor technology today).
Data Fields & Display Customization:
The Fenix3 includes numerous ways to customize the display within activities (as well as outside of activities). Within activities you can display up to four pieces of data on a single page, and you can have up to 10 pages of data per activity profile (app/sport). I honestly can’t think of a reason you’d need more than 40 pages of concurrent data. And technically speaking, you get another few pages of data when you add in the ‘Navigation-specific’ pages.
Each of these is customized on a per-sport basis, which is handled through the settings option. But you can also change these on the fly during the activity if you need to. There is no method to change these via the app or online.
You can display 1, 2, 3, or 4 data fields per data page. But, there are also different ways you can display some of those – such as the way the screen is split up. The below little gallery shows you all the ways you can show the data:
Note that there is not an active HR graph like there has been on some previous Garmin units, however there is some Connect IQ HR graph data fields (but reaction to those is mixed from folks).
Note that widgets also show data as well when not in an activity, such as the temperature, barometer, and altitude. These are on 24×7 and do not require necessarily GPS (though some do leverage it):
Finally, the exact listing of all available data fields can be found within the Fenix3 manual.
GPS Accuracy:
The Fenix3 includes additional GPS related technologies (GLONASS) which can increase GPS accuracy in most situations. In my testing of the Fenix3 over quite some time now, I’m seeing accuracy on par with the Garmin FR920XT and Suunto Ambit3 – both of which I’ve had virtually zero issues with in a wide variety of scenarios.
Now, when it comes to GPS accuracy I tend to take a fairly practical viewpoint. I’m generally looking at how well a unit tracks compared to where I went, as well as the total distances seen between different units. Generally speaking I’m running/riding with 2-5 other GPS devices at the same time. I feel this is pretty important – comparing two different runs, even on the same route, will result in differences due to environmental factors and simple things like body placement. Which, is also important to consider. You can get different results between the left and right wrists, depending on how your body impacts GPS reception. In most cases, it’s negligible, but in edge cases it could be more overt.
When looking at GPS accuracy and tracks on a map – you must be sure to be in satellite mode and not map mode. Maps don’t always align with reality, while satellites are much closer. A map might have you running in the water whereas the satellite will show you on a river path.
Finally, do recognize the limitations of consumer grade GPS, which is generally specified as +/-3M. By default the Fenix3 does NOT have GLONASS turned on, so you’ll want to enable that via: Settings button > Settings menu item > System > GLONASS = ON. Note it will have a slight impact on battery, but not significant. Note however that a very small percentage of folks have seemingly seen worse accuracy with GLONASS enabled on other watches like the FR920XT. So, if you’re having some GPS issues, try simply turning that off instead. Finally, be sure that you have 1-second recording enabled, otherwise you’ll often see cut-corners.
All that said, I’ve seen consistently impressive results when it comes to GPS accuracy with GLONASS enabled. Here’s a data sheet of distances recorded by two or more devices. Obviously, with only two devices in some cases, it’s hard to know who was right – but as you can see, in almost all those cases the two devices were nearly identical. For cases where I had a third device, I included that.
My personal testing with the Fenix3 has been in the following locales in a variety of conditions from snow to sun, rain to fog: USA, Canada, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Turkey, Spain, and the Netherlands. For the below table however, I’ve only included activities on the final firmware versions (despite having a vast library of accurate data prior to final firmware) – and only activities where two or more devices finished their recordings (i.e. sometimes another unit would run out of battery).
Fenix3 GPS Accuracy
Description
Fenix3
Other 1
Other 2
Openwater Swim 1
.74mi
.71mi (FR920XT Buoy)
-
Openwater Swim 2
.68mi
.68mi (FR920XT Buoy)
.69mi (Ambit2 S)
Openwater Swim 3
.87mi
.84mi (FR920XT Buoy)
-
Long Run
14.64mi
14.65 (Epson 810)
14.87 (Polar V800)
Hill Repeats
7.77mi
7.816mi (Epson 810)
-
Sunday Mixed City/Park Ride
23.44mi
23.55mi (Edge 510)
23.65mi (Edge 810)
Sunday Long Run Through City
14.43mi
14.47mi (Epson 810)
-
Evening City Run
5.82mi
5.84mi (FR920XT)
5.85 (Polar V800)
Cycling - Sunday
30.10mi
30.09 (Edge 810 #1)
30.16 (Edge 810 #2)
River Long Run
12.56
12.60 (FR920XT)
12.69 (Polar V800)
(Activities below this are post-review additions)
Interval 800m Repeats
7.33
7.28 (Fenix3 #2)
7.38 (Vivoactive)
Long Run
12.15
12.31 (Vivoactive)
-
City Sunday Run
10.02
10.26 (Epson 810)
10.31 (Vivoactive)
Bahrain Run
4.15
4.12 (Epson 810)
-
Evening City Run
5.60
5.62 (Epson 810)
5.63 (Vivoactive)
Half-Marathon
13.04
13.13 (Epson 810)
-
Night River Long Run
12.63
12.77 (Vivoactive)
-
Interval 800m Repeats Les Berges
7.29
7.35 (Vivoactive)
-
Numerous indoor rides
-
-
-
Numerous treadmill runs
-
-
-
Note that virtually all of my activities are available on Strava, so you’re free to look at any activity. Unfortunately Strava has yet to update the device name mapping field, so it shows these as the FR920XT. Fear not, any file I’ve uploaded to Strava since late January has been with the Fenix3 (unless it says Garmin Edge).
Additional post-review note: I’ve been occasionally adding in activities I’ve done since publishing this review, into the table above.
Connect IQ Compatibility:
The Fenix3 supports Connect IQ, which is Garmin’s new app store concept for Garmin devices. The platform was unveiled this past fall, and contains four basic types of ‘things’:
– Watch Faces
– Data Fields
– Widgets
– Apps
At present, only Watch Faces and Data Fields are released in the Connect IQ store. The Apps and Widgets will release tomorrow (Friday, March 6th). Today within that store you can download various data fields and watch faces. These include both Garmin and 3rd party made options:
Once downloaded to your watch you can include Connect IQ data fields within any of your existing data pages:
Similarly, you can change to the Connect IQ watch faces as you see fit.
The next set of things that Garmin will release tomorrow (Friday) are- Apps and Widgets – are really where the major benefits of the platform come into play. That’s where you’ll start to see cool logic driven programs that can run on the Fenix3 and generate meaningful feedback and guidance. For example, there’s an upcoming App that does turn-by-turn navigation on Connect IQ:
Now in some cases, Garmin has selected to make widgets instead of adding base functionality into the Fenix3. For example, in the past the Hunt & Fish, as well as Moon & Sun functionality was within the Fenix1/Fenix2 natively. But now it’s a Connect IQ widget. Here’s an early preview into these two widgets which will be released tomorrow – the Sunset/Sunrise, and Hunt/Fish ones. (Update: These specific widgets have been delayed slightly now, and will not release tomorrow.)
Finally, here’s a preview of another app coming up called Sky Watch. This app will show you the locations of star constellations, planets, and the moon (with phases), as you move the watch around. It’s pretty cool. Here’s a quick video I shot of it tonight:
The Fenix3 like virtually all of Garmin’s new devices made in the last 2 years, can connect to the Garmin Connect Mobile app for smartphones. The Fenix3 will leverage Bluetooth Smart to connect to your phone for uploading of workouts, downloading of courses, and the sync of notifications and other smartphone related goodness.
Unlike the Fenix1 & Fenix2 however, the Fenix3 can do all this while concurrently using ANT+. Meaning that there’s no longer a limitation of using sensors with things like Live Tracking, as there was previously.
In addition as well, the battery drain profile for use of Bluetooth Smart notifications from your phone is much more normal now, allowing you to go quite some time before re-charging (on the Fenix1/2, it was only a day or two). Now, you’re realistically looking at charging perhaps every 1-2 weeks depending on how much GPS activity you have for workouts.
Notifications on the Fenix3 can be enabled to buzz or beep you, and customized as to when it will do so. For example, you can configure it to leave you alone during workouts if you want.
The notifications will appear immediately on the Fenix3 screen – often before it even shows up on your phone (it’s kinda impressive):
In addition, they’ll disappear after a timeout – but can still be accessed via the notifications widget by just pressing the up/down buttons:
(The above phone number isn’t real, it’s just used by Google News Alerts to send notifications)
In either location you can dive into the details of a notification further:
Note that notifications are controlled by the respective phone platforms notification center. So it’s not Garmin deciding which notifications to show – but rather how you’ve configured it on your iOS or Android device for a given app. To get an idea of how both the inbox widgets work, as well as how notifications work, I put together a little video of it:
Beyond notifications, the Garmin Connect Mobile app will automatically upload completed workouts as soon as they are saved, assuming your phone is in-range.
Additionally, you can use the app to download courses (as I showed in the navigation section). And the phone is also used to upload step and sleep data from the Fenix3.
Beyond these functions, you can utilize Live Tracking with the Fenix3. This function works the same as with previous Garmin devices whereby it uses your phone’s data connection for uploading your current position and post track locations to a website that you can share with friends and family (and stalkers of your choosing).
This site will also display ANT+ data from your workout as well:
The benefit of doing this over just a regular phone app that transmits your location is that this offloads the GPS service to your Fenix3, as opposed to the battery drain on your phone. As anyone who has used the GPS on their phone knows – the battery drain of GPS can be huge.
Finally, the Fenix3 is the first Garmin ‘smart’ device that has managed to remember it’s marriage to my phone the entire time. Now this may sound like an odd statement, but whether the fault of Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM) updates, iOS updates, or just the device itself – I’ve yet to have an issue where I’ve had to re-pair the Fenix3 to the GCM app. It just works. Day in, and day out, it notifies me for various notifications.
Bugs and other quirks:
By and large, the Fenix3 has been pretty bug-free for me. I have seen a handful of little quirks, most of which have already been addressed since I’ve noted (and reported) them. I haven’t seen anything that’s systematic, nor anything that was a show-stopper. Finally, I haven’t seen any single oddity more than once (meaning, a repeating issue).
The minor quirks I have seen on production versions of the Fenix3 include some oddities with Live Tracking here and there, such as sessions that showed odd sensor data to people following me live (but my data recorded/shown to me was perfectly fine). Also, a discrepancy where Garmin Connect told me a course was ~14.9 miles, yet when I actually ran it, it was ~14.6 miles – nearly a third of a mile off. It’s not clear to me if that’s a Fenix3 issue or a Garmin Connect course creator issue. Similarly, I did see an issue where the Fenix3 wasn’t reading the estimated paces within a course file from Garmin Connect. But again, it could be that Garmin Connect wasn’t sending them correctly.
Finally, I’ve seen one issue with reboots related to changing power meter data fields during configuration. Garmin has confirmed/reproduced that as being fixed in the next firmware update.
I haven’t seen any GPS accuracy issues, nor have I seen any reboots beyond what I just noted. I’ve not seen any data loss either across not just production units but any pre-production units.
Which of course this doesn’t mean you’ll see something I don’t. I can only test what I think to test, or stumble into during day to day use across swim/bike/run/hike/etc… In looking at other sources, such as the Garmin Forums, I don’t really see any sort of widespread issues either with people that have had the unit going on a month now.
Update #1 (May 4th 2015): Issues with trail running/riding and under-reporting of distance:
Some users are seeing issues in trails with the Fenix3 undereporting distance (cutting corners). I reached out to the Fenix product manager and Garmin PR regarding the issue. My question/inquiry was specifically related to those seeing GPS shortages primarily in wooded areas while running/riding, most often associated with changes in direction and switchbacks. Their official quotable response to that topic area from both the PR lead for the Outdoor team, as well as the program manager for the Fenix product line is below:
“We’re aware of the customer concerns and are working towards a resolution. This is a priority for the Garmin team, and we’ll be sure to communicate to consumers once a firmware update is available to fix the issue.”
They aren’t comfortable giving a specific time frame for said firmware update at this time.
Update #2 (May 18th, 2015): Secondary update on Fenix3 shortening
I received another update, albeit a very brief one on the distance shortening, here’s the latest from Garmin (media lead, after checking directly with Fenix3 engineering team lead):
“…our engineering team has this issue at the top of their priority list. They’re moving quickly to get a fix pushed out, and I’ll be sure to let you know once I have more information on when the firmware update will be released.”
Not a whole lot more detail than before, other than to say it’s being worked.
Deciding between the Fenix3 & FR920XT (and the Fenix2):
Since the Fenix3 has come out there’s been a lot of questions on whether to get the Fenix3 or the FR920XT. Additionally, how precisely the Fenix3 differs from the Fenix2. The key thing to consider is that the Fenix3 is largely built on the same software platform as the FR920XT. Thus, they share many features. The Fenix3 should be looked at as a superset of the FR920XT. So, a FR920XT++.
However, there is one aspect that might sway many people towards the FR920XT: The lack of quick release kit on the Fenix3. Given it doesn’t have one, for triathletes that’s kinda a big deal. Additionally, some might find that because of the rectangular nature of the FR920XT screen, it allows the numbers to be a smidgen bigger versus the rounded display that cuts into some of the display area.
Shifting to past changes between the Fenix3 and the Fenix1/2, there’s a host of them – mostly minor, but for some those tiny little differences may be a big thing. On the flip side, for many, they might not matter. Do keep in mind that the below chart doesn’t encompass many of the ‘better known’ differences between the models (i.e. weight, sensors types like Di2, etc…). This is really about capturing a lot of the ‘tiny’ changes between them.
Fenix3 Feature Differences
Functionality/Feature Differences
Garmin Fenix3
Garmin FR920XT
Garmin Fenix2
Garmin Fenix1
General: Multiple Time Zones Displayed (i.e. showing both US EST and US PST on device)
Planned Connect IQ Widget
No
Yes
Yes
General: Multiple Time Alarms (i.e. 8AM, 10AM, etc…)
Initially March 2015 - now Summer 2015
No
Yes
Yes
General: Battery with Bluetooth enabled lasts a long time (more than ~24-36 hours)
Yes
Yes
No
No
General: Ability to operate dual ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart concurrently
Yes
Yes
No
No
General: Weather Widget (uses cellular data via Bluetooth Smart for weather data)
Yes
via Connect IQ
No
No
General: GLONASS for increased GPS accuracy in some situations
Yes
Yes
No
No
General: Show exact satellite accuracy (i.e. +/- 15ft)
No
No
Yes
Yes
General: Show satellite map (display of satellite positions)
No
No
Yes
Yes
General: Daily Activity Tracker/Sleep Tracking
Yes
Yes
No
No
General: Resume later functionality (stops GPS activity, allows you to resume activity later)
Yes
No
Yes
General: Ability to use device while being charged
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
General: Auto Light capability
No
No
Yes
Yes
General: Configurable hot key capability
Yes (added Apr 2015)
No
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Ability to display coordinates ('Where am I'/similar function)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Can save GPS locations on watch for future navigation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Ability to configure position formats (Datum/Spheroid/Coordinates)
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Numerous Compass Data Fields (Heading/GPS Heading/Compass Heading)
Yes
Only 'Heading'
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Numerous Navigation Data Fields (Dist remaining, Bearing, Course, Off Course, Lat/Long, etc…)
Yes
Minimal Fields
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Has 'Sight 'N Go' functionality (following compass heading)
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Has navigate to Coordinate (entered on device) functionality
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Can navigate on/following historical activities
Hiking: Can one-tap display Altimeter, Barometer, Compass,Temp (no GPS enablement needed)
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Hiking: Can display barometer value
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Ability to share routes wirelessly between devices
No
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Calculate distance between two points
No
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Area calculation functionality
No
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Man overboard functionality
No
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Sun & Moon functionality
Planned Connect IQ Widget
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Hunt & Fish functionality
Planned Connect IQ Widget
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Jumpmaster functionality (parachuting)
No
No
Yes
Yes
Sports: Autoclimb functionality
Yes
No
No
No
Sports: Ability for multisport profile with indoor swim
Yes
Yes
No
No
Sports: Has quick release kit (for triathlon)
No
Yes
No
No
Sports: Support for sport-specific heart rate zones
Yes
Yes
No
No
Sports: Support for multiple activity profiles (via multiple saved sensors)
Yes
Yes
No
No
Apps: Garmin Connect IQ Support
Yes
Yes
No
No
For the bigger changes, see the below main comparison tables. The above is like a ‘special edition’ comparison table for just this one post to try and ferret out all the little differences.
Product Comparisons:
If you’re looking for a general (but still detailed) comparison chart between the Fenix3 and other units on the market, check out the product comparison tool. Below is just a look at the Fenix3, FR920XT, and Fenix2 – but every GPS watch product I’ve reviewed is available to mix and match and create your own comparisons here.
Again, remember that all products are available in the product comparison tool – so you can mix and match and create your own comparison there. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
I’ve attempted to consolidate many of the most frequently asked questions I’ve seen about the Fenix3 into the following sections.
When is the Fenix3 going to ship?
Technically it’s been shipping for about a month now. Though, it’s probably been one of the more bungled Garmin distributions to date, full of miscommunications and misinformation (really, I haven’t seen anything this hosed up in years from the company). While Garmin is within their previously stated “Q1 2015” range, their shipment of just a single handful of units early February has caused a lot of confusion – even within Garmin. Unfortunately, their move has only led to disappointed consumers. Hopefully things will get sorted out in the next few weeks with larger volumes.
Should I get the Fenix3 or FR920XT?
See the above section on that, but I think for most it’ll come down to whether you care about some of the additional navigation features, the quick release kit, and the slight differences in weight and screen sizes.
Will Garmin start selling a Fenix3 quick release kit?
I don’t know. I think I’ve made it really clear that it’s silly they don’t – just seems like lost money left on the table for them.
What about using optical sensor such as the Mio Link or Scosche?
These are great units, but do keep in mind there are some limitations using optical sensors with certain features of the Fenix3 (along with other Garmin/Suunto/Polar units). These features such as recovery time, VO2Max, and to a limited degree calories – depend on accurate heart rate variability information. With today’s technology, that transmission is often quite estimated. See a bit more detail in my sensors section.
No, it cannot. No ANT+ or Bluetooth Smart strap is capable of transmitting through water. In the case of the Suunto Ambit3, they use a cache and forward technique where it saves the data while swimming and sync’s it afterwards. In the case of Polar and the V800 they use a legacy analog signal to transmit the data underwater.
What about the Garmin Epix, how does the Fenix3 compare to that?
Honestly, it’s too soon to know. With the Epix seemingly on a path for an April (or even later) release, there’s just too much that’s not finalized at this point. Ultimately the biggest difference will be that the Epix obviously supports mapping, but beyond that it remains unclear how many other differences there may be. See my previous preview for the latest news there.
Summary:
For the multisport crowd who’s been looking for Garmin to come out with a multisport sport watch that’s as elegant as more classical time pieces, the Fenix3 definitely delivers there. For the outdoor/hiking crowd, there’s been some changes from the Fenix1/2 that some won’t quite like (such as lack of basemap). Yet, there are certainly features that same crowd will be quite happy about. So, it’s really going to be a personal preference.
When it comes to stability and functionality, given the Fenix3’s foundation of the FR920XT (which is widely seen as quite stable and solid), the watch continues in that vein. I simply haven’t had any major issues (and barely any minor issues) on the final production firmware. The single biggest issue I have has nothing to do with firmware, but just really the lack of quick release kit for cycling.
When it comes to looking at other units on the market, it’s going to be incredibly tough for any other multisport or hiking GPS to compete with the Fenix3. Feature by feature, nobody is really in the same ballpark these days. Some are closer in certain areas (such as the Ambit3 in the multisport realm), but with Garmin Connect IQ, that gap is going to start widening very quickly tomorrow with the release of Apps & Widgets.
At this point I’ve got no issues recommending the Fenix3. For myself personally, I’ll likely stick with the FR920XT however for most swim/bike/run ventures, purely because of the slightly thinner profile and ability to use the quick release kit. However, should I go hiking or skiing – I’m likely to grab the Fenix3 out of the bin instead.
Thanks for reading!
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Hopefully you found this review/post useful. At the end of the day, I’m an athlete just like you looking for the most detail possible on a new purchase – so my review is written from the standpoint of how I used the device. The reviews generally take a lot of hours to put together, so it’s a fair bit of work (and labor of love). As you probably noticed by looking below, I also take time to answer all the questions posted in the comments – and there’s quite a bit of detail in there as well.
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Since the Garmin Fenix3 is no longer sold, I recommend looking at Garmin Fenix 6 Series:
And finally, here’s a handy list of accessories that work well with this unit (and some that I showed in the review). Given the unit pairs with ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart sensors, you can use just about anything though.
This is a dual ANT+/Bluetooth Smart cycling cadence sensor that you strap to your crank arm, but also does dual Bluetooth Smart, so you can pair it both to Zwift and another Bluetooth Smart app at once if you want.
This is one of the top straps I use daily for accuracy comparisons (the others being the Polar H9/H10). It's dual ANT+/Bluetooth Smart, and in fact dual-Bluetooth Smart too, in case you need multiple connectons.
Seriously, this will change your life. $9 for a two-pack of these puck Garmin chargers that stay put and stay connected. One for the office, one for your bedside, another for your bag, and one for your dog's house. Just in case.
This speed sensor is unique in that it can record offline (sans-watch), making it perfect for a commuter bike quietly recording your rides. But it's also a standard ANT+/BLE sensor that pairs to your device. It's become my go-to speed sensor.
This wifi-connected scale will track your weight and related metrics both on the scale display and in Garmin Connect (plus 3rd party apps like TrainingPeaks). It'll also then sync your weight to your watch/bike computer, to ensure accurate calorie data.
The HRM-PRO Plus is Garmin's top-end chest strap. It transmits dual ANT+/Bluetooth Smart, but also transmits Running Dynamics & Running Pace/Distance metrics, stores HR data during a swim, and can be used without a watch for other sports. Also, it can transmit XC Skiing Dynamics as well.
And of course – you can always sign-up to be a DCR Supporter! That gets you an ad-free DCR, access to the DCR Quarantine Corner video series packed with behind the scenes tidbits...and it also makes you awesome. And being awesome is what it’s all about!
Thanks for reading! And as always, feel free to post comments or questions in the comments section below, I’ll be happy to try and answer them as quickly as possible. And lastly, if you felt this review was useful – I always appreciate feedback in the comments below. Thanks!
MEDIA CONTACT:
Maddie Estrada
Garmin International Inc.
Phone | 913/397-8200
E-Mail | media.relations@garmin.com
Garmin® introduces three new fēnix® 3 Sapphire multisport watches featuring wrist heart rate, new activity profiles and more band options
OLATHE, Kan. /January 5, 2016/Business Wire — Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced an update to the fēnix 3 multisport watches that includes Garmin Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology, additional activity profiles and new, stylish watch bands. The three new sapphire-lens options include a premium version featuring a titanium bezel and band, a version with easily interchangeable leather and nylon straps, and a version touting Garmin Elevate wrist-based heart rate. All watches are also getting a software update with new activity profiles for golf, stand up paddleboarding and rowing, as well as the latest advanced running dynamics and physiological measurements. This free update will be available to all current fēnix 3 owners, so all fēnix 3 users can download the new profiles. These watches are being announced in conjunction with the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and will be showcased at the Garmin booth, #35811.
“As one of our most popular watches, we’re thrilled to offer new fēnix 3 devices to consumers,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “We’re excited to bring Garmin Elevate technology to the fēnix line, and the updated leather and titanium versions will appeal to users no matter if they’re hitting the trails, the boardroom, and now even the golf course.”
Boasting a full multisport and navigational toolset, fēnix 3 is also stylish enough to go from the trail to the office. The new genuine leather and nylon bands are easily interchangeable with no additional tools required, making switching back and forth a breeze. The premium titanium bezel and band looks sharp while also reducing weight and improving durability.
Now featuring Garmin Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology, fēnix 3 HR users now have the freedom to measure heart rate 24/7 at the wrist. Fēnix 3 HR users can get credit for their workouts and extra effort with the Intensity Minutes. By tracking daily Intensity Minutes, users can monitor their progress against weekly aerobic activity goals recommended by leading health organizations like he American Heart Association, World Health Organization, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Depending on settings, fēnix 3 HR can get up to 40 hours of battery life in UltraTrac mode, 16 hours in GPS training mode, 3 weeks in watch mode and 2 weeks in smartwatch mode.
Building off the previous version of advanced running dynamics like cadence, vertical oscillation and ground contact time; fēnix 3 users will be able to utilize more data and physiological measurements1. The new metrics include:
• Stride Length: Measures the length of a runner’s stride in real time.
• Ground Contact Time Balance: Measures a runner’s ground contact symmetry, which some
runners have found to correlate with injuries or strength imbalances.
• Vertical Ratio: The cost-benefit ratio of vertical oscillation to stride length, serving as one indictor
of a runner’s efficiency.
• Lactate Threshold: Estimates the level of effort at which fatigue rapidly increases in terms of a
runner’s heart rate and pace.
• Stress Score: Measures heart rate variability to make an assessment of a user’s overall level of
stress.
• Performance Condition: Provides a real-time fitness-level measurement relative to a runner’s
average baseline, which indicates performance readiness for the day’s workout or race.
All current fēnix 3 owners will have access to a software update that will include the updated advanced running dynamics, as well as new activity profiles for golf, SUP and rowing. With the recently updated
Garmin Connect mobile app, users can download more than 40,000 worldwide golf courses for precise course data and use their watch as a digital scorecard. With the new SUP/Rowing mode, users can measure their paddle stroke count, stroke rate and distance per stroke to gauge their efficiency. The fēnix 3 software update will come preloaded on new units and will is available for current users to download now.
The new fēnix 3 models will still be compatible with the Connect IQ platform for endless customization options. Through the Connect IQ store in the Garmin Connect mobile app, users can download any of the free apps, widgets, watch faces or data fields so their fēnix 3 can suit their individual needs.
The new fēnix 3 Sapphire watches will be available in Q1 2015. The fēnix 3 HR will have a suggested retail price of $599.99, the titanium fēnix 3 Sapphire will have a suggested retail price for $799.99, and the fēnix 3 Sapphire with leather and nylon bands will have a suggested retail price of $599.99.
Fēnix 3 is the latest solution from Garmin’s expanding outdoor segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ outdoor experiences. Whether hiking, hunting, geocaching, golfing, dog training, or capturing it all on VIRB action cameras, Garmin outdoor devices are becoming essential tools for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. For more information about Garmin’s other outdoor products and services, go to link to garmin.com, http://www.garmin.blogs.com and link to twitter.com.
For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.
1 HRM-Run or HRM-Tri is required to get Stride Length, Ground Contact Time Balance and Vertical Ratio. A chest-strap HR monitor is required to get Lactate Threshold, Stress Score, and Performance Condition.
About Garmin
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin, Forerunner and fēnix are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2014, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at link to garmin.com. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward- looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
With the fenix storing ant+ devices in a pool and no longer offering ‘bike profiles’ is there any way to set two different ftp values – one for tri bike and one for road bike. My road position ftp is noticeably higher.
Thank you for the great site.
With the new update did they move how to activate ‘sleep’ mode. When I press ‘start’ now at the steps page it gives me the weeks summary of my steps and not give me the option of turning on sleep. Thanks
My guess for why this got moved is due to the ‘auto’detect for sleep mode if you have a sleep schedule set in the app. Which doesn’t capture naps or anything like that. I haven’t played with the new update, but did they add an option under the hot keys for sleep mode?
I follow your reviews for some years now and love the details and tips. Currently I use the Forerunner 620 but I look foreward to a watch without a HR-strap.
The Fenix 3 HR seems to be the solution. I look forward to your review. Can you give me any idea when you’re going to put this watch to the test?
Thanks for your reply.
Albert.
I’am a road/trail runner (might start with a short triatlon) and using a Forerunner 310xt for a coupe of years… It is getting a bit old now and the strap needs to be replaced… But overall i’am very happy with the device. And from a technical standpoint I can use it for sure for another year.
On papier the Fenix 3 HR is my ideal device… But have the impression that HR on the wrist technology (by garmin) is not mature enough yet… So save bet would to wait for the Fenix 4 HR e.g. next year.
… Or spend the money now on a normal Fenix 3 with band and see what the future brings.
So what would the advise of you guys/girls would be:
– stick with 310xt for now
– buy Fenix 3 with band
– buy Fenix 3 HR without de band
– wait for next gen Fenix 4 / Fenix 4 HR; which might also be in general a bit better/more stabel the the current Fenix 3
For the Fenix3, you’ll need to use the VIP program instead (a Garmin requirement). Don’t worry, it only takes a second to sign-up and you still save 10% (and also help out Girls On The Run).
Hi-
Just purchased the Fenix and still getting it set up. I just updated the software to the latest 6.50 version. However, even after the update, the new activities, such as rowing, still aren’t appearing under my avail activities to choose from. Any tips??
Hi Ray,
Does adding your workouts from GC to the Fenix3 take up your free space on the device? How is this handled by the device and is it ever cleared (after like 2months) like rolling on a certain period of time when it overwrites your old workouts so you dont run out of space? If not how do I clear the calendar myself without having to completely reset the watch. I assume this will bring it back to the ‘out the box’ state.
I’m wondering if you can comment on how the Garmin watches determine calories burned while swimming. At the moment I don’t have a watch that supports swimming (I use the FR220 for running), so I’m adding activities manually in Garmin connect, which wants time and distance. I’ve noticed that GC figures calories burned proportional to time — distance apparently doesn’t matter, which seems wrong. Example: I create a manual activity and select lap swimming. I enter a distance of 1000 meters. If I enter a time of 30 minutes, GC tells me I’ve burned 365 calories, and if I change the time to 25 minutes, I’ve apparently burned 304 calories, even though the distance is the same (and I’m swimming harder). Do the numbers you get when you use the watch for lap swimming make more sense than this? What about other swimming watches?
Maybe Ray can add to this but here is my knowledge of calories calculations based on my time a few years ago working for a software developer who wrote diet and calories diary.
Forget ever getting accurate figures for calories calculations it just is not possible and here’s why.
There is a list of activities and their calorie count which was produced by some university the name of which escapes me but basically nearly everybody uses it to calculate calories. The problem is, from memory, only 13 categories for something like swimming. So it looks like Garmin are using that same list but it (again from memory) is divided by stroke and pool -v- outdoor swimming so there really isn’t likely to be a change in the calculations based on anything other than time.
Now my area, running, has the same issue. Imagine me running for 30 mins at 6mph on a nice flat tarmac road cannot possibly be the same calorific expenditure as doing the same time through muddy fields in the wet and undulating but I suspect Garmin and every other site would classify them the same.
In conclusion use calories as a VERY rough estimate as the science is very immature and inaccurate.
I do understand that whatever I get through GC is going to be a rough estimate, given any number of things that can vary. I wish the swimming estimate made a bit more intuitive sense though, like the rule of thumb I always hear for running (~100 cal per mile). The distance-based rule of thumb for running makes sense to me because although there will be variation based on the conditions of any given run, I’m still hauling my mass for a given distance, so 100 cal/mile should be in the ballpark. I would think that distance would be more relevant than time for swimming as well. Now I’m going to have to look for that study :)
Ray, after being less than pleased with the OHRM in the 235, I reverted back to my rock solid ambit 3 sport/rhythm + combo. I still find instant pace (fused speed) to be accurate when comparing to lap paces and also quite stable during runs. I was also an early adopter of the fenix 3 but eventually decided not to stick with it due to inaccuracies. With so many software updates since then, I have an F3 hr on order with the hopes the larger size will result in a more accurate OHRM experience, knowing full well I may need to go with the chest strap or rhythm + for intervals or even regular runs. Despite the 2-5 devices at any given time on your person, do you still consider the F3 as your go to device and do you anticipate that changing with the many new devices recently announced?
It’s hard to say still, it’ll depend on whether or not Garmin can work out some of the minor kinks with the optical HR in the Fenix3 that I saw in the FR235.
Please allow me to narrow in my question a bit better…if you could have one watch today as it sits with current software/firmware/hardware, one only, would it be 920 or F3 (HR vs regular is irrelevant). BTW, sorry to read of the inability to increase the lease. Hopefully the cupcake biz can succeed via the internet for you guys.
I own the 920 and F3 and the F3 wins hands down in so many ways with stability being key as the 920 updates have come at the cost of stability as it y never crashed 6 months ago
I own both as well. except I owned the F3 first and finally had to buy the 920 b/c the F3 was worthless for OWS. I agree, in every other way, I prefer the F3. As a “smart watch” the 920 is almost worthless. For “apps” the F3 also wins. I even prefer the ergonomics of the buttons on the F3 much better.
However, after dozens and dozens of open water swims with consistently missing data I finally had to give up and buy the 920 which has performed flawlessly in many, many OWS’s (except perhaps once or twice) and pool workouts.
The 920 is also lighter and more streamlined which is better for workouts//
I re-installed the metal band on the F3 and it is a great looking work/dress smartwatch. And with the metal band, it is so heavy that, in a pinch, it could probably be used as a weapon for self defense.
I would definitely say that, in the end, having “both watches/options” is expensive but worthwhile IF you can and are willing to do that. If OWS are not a big issue for you (or and smart watch features are), then I would absolutely go with the F3. I love mine. But the 920 is SO much better than the 910 as a sports watch.
Do you consider that it worths waiting for the Fenix 3 OHR to be available, or should i advance and buy the Fénix 3 Saphire or non-Saphire edition already available?
From the review that you’ve made to FR235 and small review of Fénix3 OHR, i assume that this kind of technology, optical heart rate, will never reach a point that would replace the HR chest strap.
What is your opinion on this?
If i buy the non-saphire version it will costs me 409 euros, which is a discount price currently. I already have a heart rate chest strap from my FR210, so i believe that will work with Fénix 3 right? Besides that, i also read your review regarding the HRM-Run, and that the additional metrics measured are basically useless right?
Looking forward for your comments.
Best Regards,
Orlando
I don’t know at this stage whether the F3 HR will be worth it. I know folks really want an opinion there, but ultimately I can’t deliver that opinion until I’ve had numerous workouts of varying intensities on the unit (a production unit) to determine that.
Any swags now, are just swags. Garmin got a reasonably good distance of the way there with the FR235, but it’s not perfect. The Fenix3 would be using that as a starting point for optical HR, but it doesn’t mean it will be better (or it could somehow be worse). It’s just too early.
I understand your point. I really appreciated your effort in giving me an answer.
I believe i will stay with the HR chest strap and buy the Fénix 3 without OHR. Anyway, here where i am, in Portugal, it means saving something like 200 euros, which is a lot.
Same thoughts here… Can buy the Fenix 3 performer bundle for 429,- euro, the Fenix 3 HR will be 599,- euro; where I might still want/need to buy a separate HR strap to get the extra running dynamics.
So is it the extra money for the oHR good value… Do not realy care for the Saphire screen.
Has anyone had any issues with HR dropping out after the 6.5 update? it’s worse via indoor runs than indoor cycling. I have changed out battery and cleaned HRM strap per Garmins care instructions and it appears to be working correctly. I used Zwift and watch at same time and drop outs were not in Zwift data but were from watch upload so this should rule out any strap issues? I also have lost some of the running dynamics: vertical ration and ground contact time balance. No data there at all
I have not had any issues till after 6.5 upgrade and like i said…riding zwift and downloads from Zwift uploaded data has no HR issues via Ant+. When I also upload same workout from F3, there are drop outs. I would assume from this that watch and zwift are reading same HR strap over ant+ and watch is losing connection to ant signal. Ray….right at the edge of year warranty…any suggestions? open a ticket with Garmin support?
It’s hard to say. ANT+ signal dropouts can be caused by a sensor running out of battery (most common), reducing signal quality/range, or by placement of something else (body/wifi/etc…). I wish I had a good idea there, but it’s gonna be tough to know.
Ray,
I did a little looking around and fixed the running dynamics as the 6.5 upgrade apparently turned those features off. I also found that 6.5 has a firmware update for the HRM strap unit and applied the firmware update via the watch to the strap and it appears to work better now, but still having drop out issues with the watch but not when connecting to ant+ connector in laptop that is farther away than the watch from strap while using zwift or trainer road. I looked back and in GC I have always seen the pretty picture of hte F3 in the bottom right of activities at all versions till 6.5. Now it shows up with the generic shadow of a wrist gps watch and the name of the watch is rubber ducky now and not Fenix3. Has anyone had any issues with this same thing? I think either something has happened to my watch or the upgrade didn’t go as well as I thought. Is there a way to re-apply the upgrade or do you have an idea when the next update is coming out?
A question for all of you Fenix 3 experts. When I am on a run I get a screen that looks like a steam gauge that says “Baseline +1 or Baseline +3” etc. What is that measuring and trying to tell me?
I have FW 6.5 on my F3 and I do not get any recovery advisor nor performance condition metric. How do one enable it to come up like the recovery advisor used to?
It is documented in the 630 manual – Performance condition. “analyzes your pace, heart rate, and heart rate variability to make a real-time assessment of your ability to perform compared to to your average fitness level”
Thanks. I thought it was something like that. I used a 620 for the last year and a half so when I switched to the Fenix 3 my V02Max went down 4 points. I generally get anywhere from a +1 to a +3 so maybe it will go back up in time.
Could you share the link where to go get the 6.30 manual for F3? I looked in the Garmin support website and the most recent manual they have is dated March 2015 and has no mention of the performance condition metric.
Does the performance condition only works when running outdoors? I just did a 7 mile treadmill run and the PC never showed up (like the old recovery notification used to do). I also added a datafield with the PC to one of the the screens on my “Run indoors” app. The datafield did show the title “Performance Cond” but the screen was blank for the duration of the run.
As multi-functional as the Fenix 3 is, there is one outdoor activity it doesn’t really cater for – geocaching. Let me explain why I feel let down.
In spite of its useful navigation features, I am unable to input and store a series of cache locations prior to setting out on the geocaching path. I can only navigate to saved locations of places I have already been to or to one set of coordinates I enter while on the trail.
If anyone knows how I can pre-store locations on a Fenix 3, please advise.
You can’t set below 17m, so out of the gate your distances will be off (since the lowest you can configure is 17m). Since your distances are off, then your paces will be off (because pace is simply a function of distance and time).
So, things will be off, but what’s not so much the question. The real question is knowing that, how well it’ll track in a 15m pool vs a 17m pool. Garmin has put in the limitation not because they have some fetish hatred of small pools, but because they’ve found they can’t get good accuracy there. Typically this is because with accelerometer based swim devices, there is an element of validation/checking that occurs as you swim away from the wall. So with a shorter pool, that validation period is reduced.
For some people, and some speeds – it’ll probably be fine. But for others, it might stumble. There really isn’t a way to predict based it’s often highly dependent on your swim style.
I have the Garmin 210 and 910, having many issues downloading data. My computer nor phone will recognize either hr device. So I was looking at buying the fenix 3 HR or the ambit peak 3 HR. I found the fenix 3 for $499 and the ambit peak 3 HR for $330. The reviews were very detailed but now I’m more confused about the best way to go. I am an ultra runner, primarily doing trail 50k, 50M and 100M. I got into TDS and want a solid training watch. Suggestions? Thank you so much
Ray, thanks for the great review (as usual). I have a quick question regarding the Fenix 3 in “Run” mode. It is possible, with a 5km training program to program a “beep/vibration” at the half way point ?
First of all thanks for the great reviews. Altough the in-depth review covers lots of details, I cannot find anything about one feature I am missing with the Fenix 2 and know that it is available with the 920xt: configurable lap screens. Is it possible to configure, what is shown when hitting the lap button (particularly in run and swim modes)?
Thanks a lot.
Yes, you can (Ray mentions it on the running section).
For example, I am currently using autolap every 1km.
After starting the Run app, if I choose setting / current app/ alerts / autolap / Lap alert, I find to fields (Primary and Secondary Field) that I can change to my liking.
I guess the procedure would be the same for any other alert.
Yes, you can (Ray mentions it on the running section).
For example, I am currently using autolap every 1km.
After starting the Run app, if I choose setting / current app/ alerts / autolap / Lap alert, I find TWO fields (Primary and Secondary Field) that I can change to my liking.
I guess the procedure would be the same for any other alert.
great, thanks … must have somehow missed it scrolling through the review again. I guess, I only focussed on the Data Fields Section. If someone could confirm this for swimming as well, it would be awesome (as the swimming activity handles lap/pause differently). I know that there is a view for the rest timer, but is this also configurable?
GPS Accuracy question. I got my Fenix3 for Christmas so I have had it for about a month. I replaced a 620 which I found to be very accurate and consistent with its GPS. When I first got the Fenix3 it seemed to be just as accurate and I was pleased. A couple of weeks ago it started measuring short and was progressively getting worse run by run. It seemed like it was especially bad at the first of a run saying the first mile might be as much as 10% slower than runkeeper and finally over a 10 mile run being about 5% short. My 620 was always within 1% of runkeeper and most of the time it measured shorter. I GPS soaked the Fenix3 and it seems to have gotten back on track of measuring the same route about where the 620 did. My questions are
1. Has anyone else experienced this?
2. If so, how often have you GPS soaked to keep it accurate? I only did the 620 when I had a software change.
I was comparing the Sapphire to the regular Fenix 3 on the Garmin site and they list feature differences. Is that the case or are they basically the same except the glass?
I use my Fenix 3 to keep track of my ski runs. I use a spreadsheet to keep track of my season’s total. As of yesterday I was at 1,013,494 feet. Is there a way the fenix can keep track of season’s data. Thanks
Having a Fenix 3 now for the a month and having a rough time using it on my run and getting to show accurate pace and mileage, I think it would be fair for you to post that their are over 200 pages on the Garmin Forum raising questions to how well the Fenix actually performs: link to forums.garmin.com
Absolutely realize all GPS are a bit all over the place but there seems to be even more evidence to show that the F3 is an outlier in terms of reliability compared to its cohorts. I realize you dont want to upset Garmin too much for obvious reasons but a report showing performance across the GPS offering range I think would be really good for your audience and would have been great to know before I bought this watch.
My F3 is relatively new and Its comparable to my 920XT when used side by side the problem is we have no idea what hardware changes have happened as production evolved and what was defective enough that Garmin had to exchange the units
No need to make up reasons (like defective watches) for why people are finding poor GPS accuracy on the Fenix 3. http://fellrnr.com has already provided excellent data as to why. The 920xt has “middling” accuracy, and the Fenix 3 and Epix are a notch below, “poor” and “crappy” being used to describe them.
The issue is overblown. In my experience, the GPS accuracy improved significantly with an update a few months ago. Sure, it is not as good as the Ambit3 (which I also have), but I use the Fenix3 almost exclusively because GPS is good enough and the other features are generally superior. (Although, I do miss a couple of custom apps I had created for my Ambit3.) I do notice that the Fenix3 loses the track under bridges much worse than the Ambit3.
The biggest issue with the Fenix3 is not GPS accuracy, it is instant pace – that is rubbish if you do not use a footpod. It averages over far too long a time (perhaps it needs to do so to smooth rough GPS points). Footpod solves that problem, and calibrating it (manually) is a piece of cake. Ambit3 has excellent instant pace without a foodpod due to its FusedSpeed feature.
I agree, I think the issue is overblown as well, especially these days.
I think it’s also a case of when you have somewhere between 250,000-500,000 Fenix3 units in the wild, then people are just going to see stuff (just like any product). So even if one out of 100 people have a bad unit/track/whatever, that’s still 250-500 complaints. Simply scale at work here.
So when Suunto goes and ships perhaps a few tens of thousands of units (at best), you’re going to see less stuff (but still see stuff, as Tommays56 shows below).
Despite what the forums would have you believe (and keep in mind, only people with issues go to forums), for the channels I see, the return rates are incredibly low. It’s a metric I often look at to see if there are larger trending issues beyond just random forum data points.
The fact that many on the garmin forum have had their watches replaced by customer support as “defective” and STILL have issues with the new watches received belies your two cents. Some have had 3 and 4 different watches, one no better than the last. The Fenix 3 GPS accuracy is “good enough” for many uses, but it CLEARLY suffers in certain situations as compared to the more accurate watches, like walking, woods with switchbacks, and around buildings, anything more than a couple of stories.
Question for Ray and serious runners: instant pace on my F3 stinks, lap pace is fine. I am just switching over from an Ambit 3 and would appreciate opinions on which would be best:
Going to a footpod, but then I need to be concerned with proper calibration
Using Lap pace
Using avg pace
Go with the footpod. Pace accuracy is much improved, and much easier to use than lap pace. Calibration is easy and only needed very occasionally. I generally find footpod accuracy to be very good even out of the box with no calibration but YMMV.
Thank you, Garmin just recommended the pod as well. So clearly they recognize it and this is the way I will go but WOW and bummer, the Ambit 2 was so much easier and accurate then all of these band-aids. But Garmin’s F3 over all make/look and notifications are better….market is still open for a category killer clearly.
Yep, it’s that simple. I just received the Garmin footpod for my Fenix 3 today. Straight out of the box, uncalibrated, I find it matches up very closely with the distance and current pace reported by the treadmill. Another benefit of the footpod that I didn’t expect was accurate cadence numbers, as compared to using the watch alone.
I dot not find it that simple. My experience with two foot pods (garmin rc4) is the following:
When you calibrate it, it will then display correct pace for the speed at which you calibrated it, if you vary your running speed then the pace will be incorrect.
For example, I’ve calibrated by running 5km at 4’06″/km, when I run at 4’02″/km it show 3’59”, when I run at 3’30” it shows 3’21” and when I run at 4’55” it shows 5’10” …
So basically you need to constantly re-compute the pace displayed on the watch by guessing how much you need to add or subtract to get the correct speed … This is really a pain and makes the device hard to use…
As far I can tell I’m not the only one seeing this, other people have reported the same on the garmin forums…
Ok now what? Garmin is willing to exchange the watch for me (nice to see this level of support and its barely 4 weeks old) is it worth trying a new unit? i.e. this problem with live running pace might be solved unit to unit or is the group think here it is only solved with a foot pod? Thanks
That is odd. It is not based on stride length (at least not alone), so very small pace differences like you mention should still be very accurate. The calibration, as I understand it, is to take account of movement patterns that could confuse the accelerometer. For example, if you move your foot in a slight arc, rather than straight through. Those movement patterns can change at different speeds, but should not be changing for the few seconds per km pace differences you are talking about. I can (sort-of) imagine a variation between the fastest and slowest paces.
For me, I have found a footpod with my Fenix3 is at least as accurate as GPS for paces from 5:00/km to 6:30/km. Previously, using an Ambit2 with the same footpod, I have also found that accuracy to work down to 4:10/km.
I’ve made another test on a track during the week-end and here are the results. Again I’m getting calibration factors spread all over the place which makes the footpod quite useless:
Speed -> computed Cal factor
3’52″/km -> 960
4’02″/km -> 974
4’39″/km -> 100,2
4’42″/km -> 100,1
4’56″/km -> 102,5
Quite hard to get an accurate pace during a normal run session where you run at different paces ….
Ray and others, 2nd run today with F3 silver/red bundle. Results:
1) Tracks, pretty damn close, deviation of .04/mi over 7 miles, I’ll take it!
2) Pace: I ran using average pace which is still taking some getting used to. In GC, the pace graph is showing times ranging from 8:45-9 and change. Splits however were 8:03-8:28, and the 8:28 was the first mile and was only slower because it took the watch about .10 mile to settle in. Most splits were 8:10 give or take a few seconds.
3) When I spoke with Garmin yesterday, the rep said he had not heard any complaints about instant pace and he has been on the F3 team since it was released. They are however sending me a new footpod to replace the one I had that no longer works.
Questions:
1) When I run using footpod, will avg pace be calculated as it currently is, or will it then use footpod data? I ask because I feel confident the avg pace, as it is now, is accurate based on feel and HR (mid 140s-mid 150s).
2) I’m not the only one who has this issue right? Ray, in your original review, specifically your instant pace demo, because you didn’t have another watch on by which to compare, do you feel the pace was accurate or lagging behind 30-40 seconds like I am seeing? I wonder if you’d be able to post a demo using a footpod and showing instant pace?
I’m not aware of *anyone* who has been satisfied with instant pace. link to fellrnr.com has written that NONE of the current crop of GPS watches have accurate enough GPS to provide good current pace. I suggest you take a look at his page. The guy knows his running watches. There are Connect IQ fields available that will average the current pace over a period of time. I believe you can find fields that average over 5, 10, 20 seconds and more. That might be a good solution for you. Of course, there’s the footpod solution too. I believe lap pace is provided by GPS, even when the footpod is being used. The fact that the garmin rep doesn’t know about the issues with current paces says volumes about his real knowledge and usefulness as a support resource.
Except that it’s simply not true that no GPS watch is good enough for pacing at instant pace. Hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of runners with GPS watches are contrary to that. Perfectly happy.
It may be true for FellRNR, given he primarily runs on trails, where instant pacing is less ideal with GPS. But to say it’s just at all useful is silly.
While I generally prefer lap pace because I’m trying to hit specific targets, I’ve used instant pace just fine – and most of the time in reviews when I remember I include snippets of instant pace (like this one), which again, people found just fine.
Give the limitations of GPS will there ever be a watch that has truly “instant pace”? I’m willing to bet no without some sort of predictive software, but that would only be an educated guess. The focus on “instant pace” is wholly misplaced to me. It’s probably impossible to run at a standard pace for mile after mile, feet after feet. Anyone who’s tried to run a pace at local track knows this.
Somehow runners manages for years and years without having “instant pace”
link to fellrnr.com says that the problem with getting accurate instant pace is that GPS watches just aren’t accurate enough. I’m pretty sure he’s not just talking about trail running. In any case, the Fenix 3, by itself, is pretty much useless for instant pace.
Can you explain what you mean here Ray? The way I read it, you’re saying the you use the instant pace field only when it doesn’t really matter to you what your pace is, since the instant pace on GPS is not very accurate. link to dcrainmaker.com
“Instant pace is just that – your instant pace. It’s the speed the unit thinks you’re going right this second (well actually it lags about 5-7 seconds behind). The challenge with instant pace and running is that it tends to wander a bit. One second it’s displaying 7:30/mile, and the next second it’s showing 7:50/mile – even if you didn’t vary your actual pace any.
Nonetheless, I use instant pace on the majority of my non-paced runs as a quick metric to glance at. By non-paced I mean runs where I’m not trying to hit an exact pace, but rather focusing on some other measurement (heart rate, perceived, not dying, etc…). In these cases, I don’t much care what the pace is, as long as I’m not being passed by grandma in a wheelchair.”
Instant pace has continued to differ in terms over the years, specifically in how it’s display.
In my post above (5 years ago), most watches didn’t do much smoothing. Then came the age of more smoothing, mostly kicked off by the FR10. In that case, things got heavily smoothed – so much so that some folks didn’t like it (mostly advanced runners), yet other folks (less familiar with running tech) loved it.
It’s gone see-saw back and forth on smoothing rates since then – some watches more smoothing, others less smoothing. However, the thing is – all GPS watches smooth. To what degree they do varies. Personally, I’d love to see a simple setting to allow me to adjust that.
However, in the meantime, for me using instant pace on the Fenix3 is perfectly acceptable for road running. As far as I know, FellRNR isn’t really a road runner (which is perfectly fine). I showed instant pace in a video, and nobody that it had any issues (a year ago). In fact, everyone seemed pretty happy with that. So, to make a blanket state that nobody is happy, doesn’t really jive with reality.
As far as trail usage goes with instant pace, that will undoubtedly vary. No disagreement there. That’s been the case forever. But again, I’m betting 95-99% of runners who buy GPS watches never run with them on a trail. So, for 95-99% of people, they don’t need a footpod and it doesn’t matter.
“Personally, I’d love to see a simple setting to allow me to adjust that”.
i feel exactly the same. it is easy to understand that a +/-3m precision technology explains the lack of precision on 2 consecutives mesures at 14km/s, but my Cardio is still laggy during my 100m interval.
being annoyed with the smoothing of my TomTom Runner Cardio, it is clear that i will select a watch that propose this feature (eg : rolling average time, “aggressive / slow smoothing, …)
Polar can you hear me ;)
I had a question about connecting to the Macbook Air. I thought I read in a few places (not here) that the mac’s USB ports do not recognize the Fenix 3. Does anyone know this to be true or not?
Wow… just wanted to thank you for this COMPLETE review! It is much appreciated. I currently own the Fenix 2 and wanted to see if it was worth the upgrade.
The key reason for upgrade for me would seem to be battery life. I want to go backpacking and have the benefit of a longer battery life. But is it worth that much money at this point… errr. Maybe have to sell the fenix 2 and use that toward the new one.
I would add that the Fenix 3 is one of the only watches that you can charge WHILE it’s recording an activity. So it’s essentially unlimited in its tracking time, as long as, you have a portable power.
Yeah, thats pretty awesome. The review states that this is also possible on the Fenix2, however I do not think thats accurate. If its possible then please advise.
GENERAL: ABILITY TO USE DEVICE WHILE BEING CHARGED
It would be great if you could store/play some music on the Fenix 3 as well.
Thanks for the great review, Ray. I was considering purchasing the 230/235 or the 630. But after reading all the issues people are having with the wrist based HR on the 235, the complaints about no pace alerts with the 230/235 and the issues with the touch screen on the 630, I’m now considering the Fenix 3. I currently have a 305 and before that ran with a 205. I don’t do triathlons. I just run. But I do like to make custom workouts and set pace zones, so that my watch beeps when I’m outside of the pace set. I had thought I wanted the wrist based HR, but with all the inconsistencies, I think I can just wear a strap when I run and skip the 24-7 HR. Now that the Fenix 3 has all the features of the 630, but without the touchscreen, it’s looking like what I want. Has anyone else decided on the Fenix 3 over the 230/235 or 630? I’m also wondering if the plastic strap is as comfortable on the Fenix as the one on the 230/235? Thanks.
Are you missing stride length also? I have had issues with the HRM Run extra metrics since the last upgrade. I even have the new HRM Tri belt and the HRM Run and both seem to not work correctly. Sometimes part of the metrics are there and sometimes they are not. Rather random.
Alternatively, just connect your watch to your computer via USB, and then use the Garmin WebUpdater. If it offers you a firmware update for the strap – the strap wasn’t updated.
got it! I had to remove the HRM from the sensors list, then added it back and it prompted me to update to 6.60 – thanks!
Even when I plugged the watch into my laptop via usb it did not prompt me to update – only when I removed it from the watch then re-added it did it them prompt me to update via the F3. Thanks!!
I use it for racquetball. I created and indoor cardio activity with GPS off. It tracks my HR and distance run (by cadence, but likely very inaccurate given the “running” style). Works well for me for calories and such.
Hi all, this is my first post, but have been using Ray’s reviews to make my decisions for the last two years. I recently purchased a fenix 3 Sapphire and I am having an issue with the ‘auto pause’ feature, and I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same problem.
I have ‘auto pause’ turned on for all of my activities and so far it has proved to be very unreliable for a watch that costs $850 in Canada. It will most often take between 10-30 to pause after stopping, often longer. When it does pause I have to move at a speed exceeding 5 km/hr for it to unpause; this is totally unusuable because in a walking or hiking situation starting to move again is not likely to be at that speed. Today I did a 7.5 km walk on a beach, but the watch only recorded 6.5 km because it took me so long to figure out why it would not restart as soon as I started moving.
To put this deficiency in perspective, my $230 Canadian Polar M400 stops and starts almost immediately upon both situations occuring. Pretty poor performance for a watch that is basically four times the price.
I am not sure how ‘auto pause’ functions, but could it mean my watch has a faulty accelerometer or some other problem?
Thaks in advance for any input you might all have, and thank you for the great reviews Ray!
Have you customized the auto pause, or left as defaults? Either way, double-check the Auto Pause settings. I vaguely remember someone a long while back that someone had the auto pause settings oddly in a super-low threshold that caused similar issues to what you noted. A simple reset of those, and was good to go.
hello , anyone facing problems after latest software update to 6.8 , my F3 creates about 10 files a day as workouts and syncs it to GC and than to strava, .. even if I haven’t done anything during the day , it like working or running workouts.
Yes. I’m having the same and I’m on. Facebook group that is speaking about it as well. It sounds like Garmin is aware and has been trying to fix but do not yet have a solution. For now I turned off auto-sync so at least I only get the burst of activities at once and are easier to delete.
Any information from your contacts at Garmin regarding the “phantom” activity issue that seems to be plaguing Fenix 3 users? I know someone from the Fenix 3 team has responded a couple times on the forums indicating it’s a Garmin Connect issue and they’re working with them, but it’s going a few weeks with issues (in the beta) and their new “stable” release introduces the issue to everyone (although it still seems hit and miss who it affects) so I would imagine this is now hitting critical issue status.
I’ve been doing some testing on my GPS accuracy. A lot of mornings I hit the road at 4:15 AM for a 6-10 mile run. In doing that I turn on either a workout or just run and as soon as the watch tells me its ready I go. When doing that I get really bad measurement in the first quarter to one third of a mile. Sometimes that first part doesn’t even show up on my tracks. I noticed when I did my long runs with a group that this never happens as we stand around waiting to go. I started giving the watch a minute after saying it was locked before running and voila it is right on track (i.e. within 1%) with both my old 620 and runkeeper in pace. It seems to me that the lock is being noted prematurely and it really hasn’t locked the satellites until sometime after it turns green.
That’s a known issue. Many at the Garmin forum have noticed that. Best practices dictate that one waits at least two minutes after getting the green gps lock before starting the activity. If you start the activity immediately after getting the lock, sometimes the Fenix 3 show GPS points well away from your actual starting point, and in some cases, the watch may never completely recover, delivering a poor gps trace for the entire activity. Garmin is being optimistic when it reports the gps is ready . http://fellrnr.com reports the same behavior in many of the watches he has tested.
Thanks. I guess it just wasn’t known to me as I never experienced it with the 620. It’s hard to stand around at 4:15 in the cold waiting for a lock :-)
I’ve had the watch 6 months and never had this issue, just press start as soon as I hear the beep. That being said I sync with bluetooth which downloads a list of current satellite locations for faster locks so this may be why I never have issues.
I sync with bluetooth and wifi as well, but that isn’t preventing the problem. I’ve had the watch since Christmas and it seemed fine at first, but started doing this in late January. It may be only on some watches and not the whole batch, but the sync isn’t the reason it isn’t wandering on you.
I think it depends on how challenging your gps environment is. What posed less or no challenge for earlier watches now poses more of a challenge for the F3. I wholeheartedly disagree with Ray when he says that this is a tiny subset of defective watches. There are a couple of thousand posts on GPS accuracy at the Garmin forum about accuracy issues. IMO this is a far better laboratory for wringing out the strengths and problems of the watch than a single reviewer’s limited experience with the watch. Many have had their watches replaced by Garmin as “defective,’ but then go on to find the replacement watch behaves the same way. Some have had two and three replacements, all behaving similarly, significantly less accuracy than previous watches they have owned. I’ve used three Fenix 3, all behave similarly when it comes to GPS issues. Ray likes to throw out numbers like hundreds of thousands of watches being sold, yet only a few GPS complaints, but IMO that’s simply a testament to the fact that a large percentage of Fenix 3 owners aren’t GPS “power users,” don’t mind if their distances are off by 5% or more, etc.
Well I’ll defend Ray here as what he says is correct. There are millions of Fenix 3 watches in existence so a forum of a few hundred complaints is well within the margin of defective units. You’ll find any product has around 1% which are defective.
Now I cannot vouch for every Fenix 3 in the same way you cannot say they are all defective but I ran mine side by side with a TomTom, iPhone and on occasions Nexus 5 for the first month and all were within the margin of error. I always double up on devices so always record twice and only once have I had a problem. Now I’m aware you’ve had a bad experience and this has clouded your judgement but the numbers just don’t stand up.
link to support.garmin.com will give you a bit more info on pre-gps location and remember gps without this will take a few minutes to lock all the satellites.
I agree with a lot of what you have said depicus, but my watch is always connected to the wifi in the house prior to my runs that have been a problem and I always have it bluetooth to my phone which is with me to use runkeeper. There is something happening with the Fenix 3 that wasn’t happening with the 620. I have had acceptable results only with the wait after the lock. With that I am seeing a 1 – 1.5% difference with my runkeeper which is what I typically saw with the 620 and I deem to be acceptable. If I don’t wait it is 10% off in the first mile and sometimes gives me very strange tracks which the 620 did not. There is something different that is not being fixed by the pre-load of the satellites.
Do me a favor, do the math and figure out what the odds are of a watch being replaced as defective by Garmin, and that the replacement watch exhibits the same “defective” behavior as the first watch. After you’ve done that, figure what the odds are of not one replacement watch, but two and sometimes three replacement watches exhibiting the same “defective” behavior. Yes, we’re on a forum, but as a group, we rack up far more mileage than Ray I’m sure, put the watch through all sorts of environments. Add to that that we we have no inherent bias. I mean bias in the technical, scientific sense. Users on the forum who relay their experience with the watch do not have revenue producing websites that are supported by, among other things, sales of the watch.
Michael, do what many of us have done, call Garmin. After they go through the usually litany of things to do, (reset,) you’ll probably hear that the watch needs to be replaced. Let us know how your replacement watch works. Of all the users on the forum who have had replacement watches, I don’t think I have seen one who replacement worked any better than the first. For the statisticians here, figure those odds. It’s VERY unlikely.
I agree that there is a problem, but at least with mine I think the wait time is the work around. I’ll put up with that quirk for the couple of years I’ll have it before I go to something newer. My point of posting was to try to help someone else who may be experiencing the same issue. I like the watch even if it does have “premature indication of lockage”.
Michael – may be that the satellite update file on the watch has become corrupt so new updates are not being uploaded, I know I hate it when people say this but I’d try a factory reset and see if that helps.
I also had an F3 replaced. New watch had absolutely identical “errors” (defects/deficiencies) as the old one. Questionable accuracy for run but nearly worthless (i.e., completely unreliable) for open water swimming (OWS). On nearly every (70%?) OWS, I lost large segments of the swim, had no GPS track, etc. (recurrent signal drop-out). I described this problem in numerous posts.
Bought a 920 and out of probly 40 OWS’s with it, so far, have had only 1 time where a segment (lap) did not record.
I LOVE my F3 but it I put the metal bracelet back onto it and it is now strictly my “daily driver” formal looking smart watch for work/social. I rarely use the GPS features, anymore, (unless I have forgotten my 920- then it’s still a reasonable stand-in). It is an expensive smart watch to be sure, but the “non sport” connected smart watch features are spectacular. With the metal bracelet on, I am also confident that it could be used as an effective weapon should the need arise. (though I might need to switch wrists occ to keep my biceps equal size)
Ultimately, I think those that are having NO issues at all have simply gotten sick of a small number of vocal users telling them they’re idiots and that their Fenix3 ‘must’ be broken and that they just don’t realize it. It’s why people have stopped trying. Even the thread that’s supposedly dedicated to ‘accuracy issues’, about half of the posts these days are basically people showing tracks that they’re perfectly happy with and with comparisons to boot. Yet, those instantly get dismissed/overlooked. In fact, I’m not even sure the majority of the pot-stirring folks even have Fenix3’s anymore.
I also don’t agree that somehow there’s hundreds of thousands of people having 5%-off accuracy issues. The people who buy the Fenix3 care more than that, and are far more aware that that same vocal minority gives them credit for.
Now ironically, when I go and show a different product with accuracy issues, then instantly it’s a combination response of: “Oh, you’re just a single sample” (except, I’m not, numerous others see the same) – or “It’s growing pains, it’ll be fixed in a software update” (except, they haven’t since November). Shrug.
If 1 in 100 watches are defective, the odds of getting TWO defective watches are 1 in 10,000. That’s one in TEN THOUSAND. Many posters in the Garmin forum have had supposedly “defective” watches replaced by Garmin, only to find that the replacement watches are no better. Some have had even two replacement watches! Those odds would be 1 in 100,000!
There’s no better source of GPS accuracy in these watches than fellnr. link to fellrnr.com
I’d suggest taking a good look at these tests. He’s no ravel rouser, no ulterior motives, no bias. He does hundreds, in some cases THOUSANDS of tests on each watch. The Fenix 3 test is ongoing, but so far, the author says it appears to have no better GPS accuracy than the Epix, which according to the author, has “rather poor GPS Accuracy.”
Well cv it looks like you don’t understand GPS at all. GPS is inherently not accurate, Ray says +-3m I seem to remember my days working with it it was +-10m so your friend over at fellrnr is correct in saying a foot pod is more accurate for instance pace but I could spend all day poking holes in his mythology – the simple truth is, like most running metrics, they are a guide. If you want true running metrics get a stop watch and run on an indoor track.
The problem with fellrnr’s tests is, that he does not take into account the changing satellite constellation and tropospheric effects. The satellite constellation repeats every 24h – 2 seconds above a specific location on earth. So if you measure a run in the morning and one in the afternoon, you will have a different satellite geometry and thus the performance of the measurements can’t be compared (because you have a different satellite geometry and thus a different Dilution of Precision). Even if you manage to get the same constellation, you still can’t control the troposphere, which can heavily influence the measurements.
The only possibility to actually assess the accuracy of GNSS watches is, to wear them all at the same time (mount them on a pipe or something) and then only compare these runs individually.
He is measuring something – but it is not really related to the accuracy of the GNSS measurements.
I’ve discussed FellRNR’s methodology more times than I can count. In short, while I think he does cool stuff, I don’t agree with the basis of using a single trail running segment (over and over) as the end-all-be-all for running watches. I’d guess that about 99% of people don’t run trails, for example.
You said: “He does hundreds, in some cases THOUSANDS of tests on each watch.”
No, actually, he doesn’t. Understand his tests better. He simply slices up a run into tiny little segments to make it appear that it’s run thousands of times. Seriously. Go understand how the tests work. Perhaps I’ll start slicing my tests in hundreds of segments for fun, thus giving me thousands of tests quickly.
And…while we’re at it…it’s incorrect to think that FellRNR doesn’t take revenue from watch purchases (or shoe and everything else). Every page he has has Affiliate Links to Amazon. Nothing wrong with that (as I do as well), but to imply that somehow he doesn’t is incorrect.
And just like him, I don’t really care what device you purchase. If you find an Ambit3 fits your better, go for it. If you find toilet paper is better, that’s fine too. Just use a link on either of our sites and we are equally happy.
I have done it both ways (just by chance, not deliberately as a test) and have never noticed any difference in nearly a year of use. Lock followed by run works perfectly well. Not quite as accurate as my Ambit 3, but easily good enough.
I don’t have limitless funds BUT I do have enough to compare
1.RCX5
2.920XT
3.Ambit 3
4.Fenix 3
If you want a never faltering GPS track stick with the RCX5 and the shoulder mount receiver as it is in fact the best track BUT it acuminates distance LONG about 5% on trails with no solution and your only navigation feature is lat/lon
I understand the F3 hate as my 920XT was a dud and source of endless grief it was finally exchanged by Garmin for a second Fenix 3 which I sold as I dont really want to own 1200 dollars worth of trail watches
My Ambit 3 was a DUD in many trail scenarios were side by side the 920 or F3 were not affected and Suunto was not able to offer a resolution
I only use the Fenix 3 in heavily wooded trails since November 2015 with 5.0 it has recorded tracks I can overlay with others or a topo map and I am certainly not going to get lost or have it off enough to affect the outcome of a race which would seem to meet the goal for me
As far as support there is still and issue with VMG and a few data fields not supporting complex courses and Garmin spent a LOT OF TIME on the phone with me ,reproduced the issue on there test watch and are taking resolving it very seriously
I agree Harald and I appreciate your political correctness….but I think we passed “a bit tiring” a good ways back and are in the arena of ridiculous and crazy now with cv’s argumentative banter.
Ray, Not sure what cv’s gripe is with you, but I know the rest of us on here greatly appreciate the things you do and the information given. i personally love my F3 and the fact that Garmin is still working on issues and providing updates and features. I have had almost zero issues with my f3 and the only times i have really had GPS issues is when I take off just as GPS locks. Found that out by looking on this board and finding people with similiar issues and used the resolution that was proposed and it resolved my issues. I think “some” have forgotten that the real purpose of this site is to educate and learn as a group. Everyone can input info to help everyone else and with your ability to get production units prior to our ability to purchaseand give them a manufacturer unbiased review is a great thing….Keep on doing what you are doing and the rest of us will continue to support!!!!
I agree with this comment, people coming here basin a person or product is ridiculous, if you don’t like it here don’t come here. Ray we can’t thank you enough for all you do for us, for FREE. We of course love to support you by ordering through Clever Training but lets be honest, that benefits us too with savings. I love this site and all you do THANK YOU! and also for the record I have the Fenix 3, I had a battery issue during IMLP that the battery died just shy of my finish at 12:45, but Garnmin promptly and easily replaced jt and I haves had no issues since, sure a GPS glitch here and there, but it’s GPS, not perfection. I’m also glad that Garmin continues to add value to the F3, doing more than bug fixes, adding functionality that I don’t have to pay again for. Are they perfect, no one is, but I appreciate their efforts and will continue to stick with Garmin products as long as their current support remains the same
One more in Ray’s support.
I enjoy this site a lot and I have always been guided in my purchases (original Tomtom multisport, Vivoactive and recently Fenix 3) thanks to Ray’s totally FREE advice.
I live in Italy, so it is difficult to support the site through Clever Training (I only managed to with the Tomtom).
But, as Ray provides a lot of added value, I am happy to remunerate it directly: that is why I decided to directly support the site, as I can see many other readers do.
As for the Fenix 3, after 1.5 months I am pretty happy with its GPS (running, cycling, cross-country skiing, skiing, a couple of OWS).
A couple of occasional initial GPS issues when taking off right after initial GPS lock, easily solved by turning the app a bit more in advance of being ready to push the GO button: e.g. before putting my skis on, before getting to the running park gate, etc.
““He simply slices up a run into tiny little segments to make it appear that it’s run thousands of times.”
CV: Yea, I’m sure he’s trying to deceive.”
As for FellRNR CV, I suggest you spend some time reading up on his methodology. He’s very clear about how it works (more so than in the past). On his explainer page he goes into exactly how he slices them up. It sounds like you believe he’s now deceiving you. I personally don’t – I just simply read how it works.
Obviously, there’s no way one could run thousands of times with the Fenix3, given it only started shipping 12 months ago. That’d be ~6 runs per day, every day. Elementary math is my BFF.
“As for FellRNR CV, I suggest you spend some time reading up on his methodology. He’s very clear about how it works (more so than in the past). On his explainer page he goes into exactly how he slices them up. It sounds like you believe he’s now deceiving you. I personally don’t – I just simply read how it works.”
No, that’s not what I meant at all, but I’ll let it go. Also, I’ve read his methodology page quite thoroughly. I’d suggest your readers do the same, as it’s really the only thorough source for GPS watch accuracy around. link to fellrnr.com
I posted the incorrect link. Again, anyone looking to really learn to about GPS watch accuracy should take a good read though this. You’ll understand to what great length he tests these watch’s, statistical analysis and all. link to fellrnr.com
12 official runs (5er, 10s, 3x Marathons)
most of them for reasons not interesting enough here tracked with my Lumia 930/950, too
all of them officially measured courses.
funny enough.
my F3 seems to deviate less than 2-3% from any of the official measurements.
Same like my phone.
I must be an extremely lucky guy.
so, what´s your point, cv?
can´t find someone and somewhere else to play?
Well Harold, I thought my point was quite clear, but I’ll make the point crystal clear…for you. It’s not the case that these GPS farts are rare. That forum poster that I linked to, as have many forum posters, had a watch replaced by Garmin under warranty, and the replacement watch exhibits the very same GPS farts. His watch(es) is almost useless to him. I have seen some on the Garmin forum get two and even three replacement watches, one no better than the last. If these GPS defective watches are representative of a small percentage of the overall watches, then the odds of someone getting two, three, and God forbid four, are *exceedingly* low. It’s exceedingly unlikely, therefore, that these are very rare isolated incidents. The fact that you are satisfied with the performance of your watch contradicts not in the slightest way.
I’ll add this. Until Garmin acknowledges and finally fixes these issues, (assuming they are fixable) the only safe place to purchase a Fenix 3 is from a vendor with a very good return policy. In the US, the only place I’d recommend is REI, with it’s lifetime 100% guarantee. Otherwise it’s a real crapshoot.
you must be expert on units F3 shipped.
so, how many units have shipped?
and, how many different users post in the Garmin Forums with GPS issues?
have you actually counted them?
have you put them in relation to numbers shipped?
have you put them in relation to numbers users, who are satisfied?
neither fellrnr nor Ray are presenting “official GPS measurements” (ha, if that would even exist), but only their experience and their (rather small) test range. And yes, both of them have statistically not relevant test ranges – and both state that clearly.
and some basic website/forums/Facebook statistics:
how many satisfied users post in forums?
how many unsatisfied users post?
I really don´t want to continue this topic now, as it seems that you and me have quite different opinions and don´t really appreciate the other´s opinion.
But please, stop your personal feud here in this thread.
I would really appreciate that :)
This is no personal feud Harold. I’m trying to make the point that there is in fact something going on here with these watches, and it’s signifiant. Just put yourself for a moment in the shoes of those getting “defective” watches. Put yourself in the shoes of the guy whose post I just linked to, the guy whose watch is practically useless because the GPS jumps around, and now the replacement watch, on the very first run, is doing the same. The chances of getting multiple defective watches is the mathematical product of the chance of getting one single defective watch.
F3 question everyone. Does the F3 record run dynamics to garmin connect if they are not “enabled” under the run profile on the watch. I don’t see as well as I used to and have 3 fields of info in scroll and don’t want to see the run dynamics yet.(still trying to keep pace/cadence/HR and PE all straight in my head on the run) I hope to test this out later today, but thought I would ask first. Thanks for your help
Sorry, Needs a better clarification. I don’t want to see the run dynamics scroll by during run but would like to see them added to the run on GC. Assuming if I disable both of these under run/data screens app section, this will be the default behavior.
Anyone else having issues with Phantom Activities in Garmin Connect with the latest 6.80 firmware update?
I have been, but have found that simply turning Move Alerts off in settings seems to fix it. link to alananna.co.uk
That is until Garmin roll out a fix themselves which I’m sure they will do soon.
Loving my Fenix 3 though and the fact that it is being updated all the time too.
i have phantoms too. about 8-17 per day an this is very very very annoying, although it just lasts about 3days (for me).
turning off move alerts didn’t solve the problem for my, the forum suggests turning off the activity tracker.
in the end, i hope the will correct this somehow but this must not happen in users paying 400 bucks for a sport watch.
never had problems with my polar m400….. simple but working.
Overall love the watch, but the last month or so on 70% of runs I get a gps “glitch” at some point during the run. See example here: link to strava.com at the 3.4 mile point. Any suggestions? This is with every second data recording and GLONASS Off
I was having that kind of glitch as well about a month ago. I did two (2) things that don’t make sense to me regarding this and haven’t had it since over the last 20+ runs. I turned GPS to smart recording rather than every second and I wait 1 minute after the watch says it is locked before starting. I did a hard reset as was suggested and saw no change by doing that. I think the glitch is prevented by the wait after the watch says it is locked. The smart recording for some reason seems to stop the watch from measuring very short. I have no idea why, but that is what seems to be working for me.
Do you know if the infinite multisport mode is possible on fenix 3 or do I have to pre program the events I want?( for example 3x swim and run ) I had 920xt last time and it allowed me to switch between sports instantly (although without transitions) and infinitely.
I know there’s a way to move Garmin Connect workouts to Movescount but can I move all my previous workouts from Movescount to Garmin Connect? Thanks Tim
Hi Reda: That issue is very well know, it has been reported in the forums multiple times. They call them phantom activities. Apparently Garmin fixed the issue last Friday, as far as I know. It was related to Garmin Connect, not to the watch or its firmware.
Thank you
Hi Reda: That issue is very well known, it has been reported in the forums multiple times. They call them phantom activities. Apparently Garmin fixed the issue last Friday, as far as I know. It was related to Garmin Connect, not to the watch or its firmware.
Thank you
Good afternoon, I’ve a FR220 for about 15 months and no issues at all. my question for you ray is about accuracy. Is the FR220 more accurate than Fenix 3?? i’m about to give a step forward (at leats i thing is forward)
Is is a good change, or shoud i go to suunto 3 peak, i just want to stay with garmin because i’ve already have HR strap (standard) and speed cadence sensor both ant+
Rui,
Eu tive um Ambit Peak 3 durante um ano e depois decidi vender para comprar um Fenix 3 neste natal.
Tambem estava receoso em relacao a precisao do Fenix 3, mas felizmente comigo nao tenho tido problemas. Tambem nao sou muito rigoroso…mas a coisa funciona bem para o meu uso (corrida, trail run, bike de estrada e BTT).
Posso te dizer que nas voltas de tenho feito com a bike de estrada, levo um EDGE e o Fenix e a distancia final ‘e a mesma.
Nas corridas (estrada e trail) em relacao a outro fenix 3 e um Tom Tom, as distancias tambem sao iguais. Agora se em 9km, 200 ou 200 metros de diferenca te incomondam, entao o GPS nao serve.
O software da Garmin funciona muito bem em Android, o Sunnto era uma porcaria.
Sinceramente, depois de passar para a Garmin, o Sunnto parece um relogio com 5 anos, nunca como algo de foi lancado em 2015.
A garmin lanca muitos updates, a Suunto lanca updates muito ocasionalmente…ou seja nao fiques as espera de novas features.
Muito obrigado pela opinião Nuno, eu também tenho um edge 810 que uso tanto para BTT como para estrada, e foi o que usei nas primeiras corridas, depois comprei o FR220 sei que nao é nenhum relogio suiço em precisao GPS mas serve-me bem, já fiz trail e corridas com ele, e nunca me deixou mal.nao ligo nenhuma a diferenças de 100m ou 200m.
Mas como comecei a fazer natação também e gostava de ter algo mais evoluido na corrida, com as funções que o Fenix 3 tem. também sou utilizador Android (e não mudo)
Outra das razões para manter na garmin vs Suunto sao os sensores que tenho todos ant+
Nou comprar o NFenixx Normal sem oHR pois nao quero dar mais quase 200€ por uma funcionalidade que nao me interessa, pois teria de ter na mesma o HRM-RUN.
Abraço e obrigado pela ajuda, já agora onde compraste??
One Buy Shop em Lisboa,perto da cidade universitária faz só o relógio por 395€. Melhor preço e o Senhor é uma simpatia. Também vou adquirir um fénix 3 na onebuyshop.
Nada a apontar, impecável. mas não me importava de trocar pelo oHR para ao menos ir tendo o RhR.
Já agora, o preço que eu dei foi com a faixa hrm-run. Esse negócio na “One Buy Shop” não parece grande coisa ao pé do preço que consegui no ebay (novo, na caixa)…
Vou comprar o só o relógio mesmo, depois tenciono comprar a HRM run. O fenix 3 HR que está a começar a ser vendido a bateria dura menos e pelo que tenho lido a leitura no pulso não é a mesma que a fita. Se tiver algum problema é só ir a loja, moro a cerca de 4 km da loja. Se for na net temos que ser nós a enviar se tiver problemas.
Verdade Tiago, ter a presença de alguém e/ou espaço onde nos possamos deslocar por vezes vale a diferença. a diferença entr os modelo sem HRM-RUn sao 45€ e se comrares a banda depois sai mais caro. para alem de que sem a HRM-RUN nao temos acesso a algumas funcionalidades.
Mais um André aqui, feliz com o seu Fénix 3 desde Julho. Na natação funciona perfeitamente mesmo, desde que o configures bem e não poupes no impulso das pernas em cada viragem :)
Comprei o meu na Decathlon, com a HRM-RUN, quando estavam a fazer uma promoção de 10% para paypal (mas o código funcionava para pagamentos por transferência também) e o preço base já tinha desconto também. Ficou mais barato do que importado.
Já comprei o fenix 3 com a nova banda hrm run e estou maravilhado . Que grande relógio que tem o lado positivo de poder ser usado no dia a dia como relógio normal
Boas.
Wu tb comprei o meu na NET, em junho de 2015.
E agora, tem sido uma cagada! o GPS de vez em quando demora tempos a apanhar sinal, outras vezes, a 600km de onde o liguei apanha em poucos segundos.
Do que me queixo agora é o facto de numa corrida, pensar tar a fazer um tempo do caralhão, afinal aquilo estava a contar mal os km, ou seja, teoricamente fiz 14 e na teoria fiz 12..
Este fim de semana que passou estive na meia de madrid, e ao fim de 8km, já tinha 600m de diferença para o meu primo que tem um suunto. No final deu prai 3km de diferença.
No resto do dia andei com ele e reparei que mesmo na esplanada, estando parado, ele contava km…
Ja contactei a GARMINIBERIASAT , estou a espera do que vão fazer. Reparei num site do facebook, que a existe pessoal a queixar-se da precisão do sinal, mas não querem que se saiba, o que se faz é mandar para reparação e enviam um novo.
In the Garmin First Look article you write “FirstBeat HRV/RR: This data will now be included in recorded files.” According to Runalyze there is no HRV/RR data in the data recorded by my Fenix 3 at the moment and I did not find anything on that except in a support article on the Firstbeat website that has me copy a .fit file of theirs to the directory \GARMIN\NEWFILES. Is this the official way or some kind of hack? Will this make permanent changes to the current software on the device?
That’s somehow the official way, see link to the5krunner.com as well. That file will adjust your settings and enable hrv recording in fit files. Your fit files will slightly get larger but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Though, I’m not sure if this setting can be undone. There was no need to do that so far for me.
Can any of you silver-bezeled fénix 3 owners (standard or sapphire) chip in (had to do it) on how their watch’s bezel and glass are holding up scratch-wise in the long term?
Please include what version of the watch you have (standard or sapphire), how long you have had it for, how rough are you treating it, and how bad/visible/bothersome the blemishes seem to you.
Grey version owners feel free to share your experiences as well.
Exactly the reason I went for the silver and red band version…no scratch (at least visible).
Sapphire is useless for me…I do trail and mountain bike, on the rain and muddy conditions. I prefer to have a plastic cover for the glass ( similar to the ones we use on the mobile phones screen) that I can replace whenever is scratched….
Even if I had bought the sapphire, I would use the screen protection….
Same here. I also use the screen protector, which is pretty much invisible until ir gets scratched. So I just exchange for a brand new one and the watch is like day 1. Paid about EUR 8.00 for a pack of 16 protectors on eBay.
On the other hand, I bought the gray model. Use it 24×7 since May 2015 and I don’t have a single scratch on the bezel so far. I try to be as careful as I can but once in a while it hits a wall here of there.
Not really answering your question because I have the gray bezel (sapphire), but I’ve only owned this watch since x-mas and I’m blown away by the wear. I wear the watch everywhere, but I’m not a hard core athlete right now. All indoor trainer rides and occasional commutes. So, this is just normal wearing bumps. Notice the scratch right above the bluetooth icon on the indestructible glass. Notice the wear on the bezel between 11 and 12. I may contact garmin and see what they say. It’s only month 4!
I’m on my second sapphire, the first had battery issues. The glass is spotless, the bezel has some detect able marks on it, nothing to major but if you look you can see them. I wear my watch all day everyday, taking off just to sleep/charge. I do try and treat it very carefully because I’m weird when it comes to blemishes, they bother me more than they should. With that being said it has taken a few hard knocks on door jams and such and other than the little stuff it show it has held up pretty well, well enough that mu OCD lets me still wear it, lol.
DITTO. exact same experience as Steve. I do take it off when doing mechanical work where it might bang on metal. Crystal is scratch free. A few very minor blemishes on case but I really try to be careful around metal, fences, etc.
Wow! I’m blown away by your post, Jeff! Was it raining diamonds or rubies over there? The scratch on your display seems extremely suspect, I’ll tell you that! Where did you buy the watch from? Was the watch relatively cheap/with a massive discount from a new and/or shady seller? Did the watch come in a factory sealed box with certificate of authenticity? Do you believe it is the genuine Sapphire model and not a fugazi, i. e., standard version in the Sapphire version’s box? It could be a manufacturing error: some poor overworked underpaid person put the wrong glass in! I mean take a look at this vid: youtu[dot]be/FiqMYWTDACU?t=2m26s and tell me what you think! I’d sure be worried if I were you!
Steve, do you have the grey-bezeled metal band or the silver-bezeled leather band version of the watch?
I bought from Dicks in a factory sealed box. I still have the box. Now your making me wonder weather they sent the wrong box, although it came with a metal band and I think only the sapphire comes with a metal band. Assuming its sapphire and it hasn’t rained diamonds (lol), I think I have a warranty to issue on my hands.
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Looks like a Garmin employee leaked this out to early for CES. Fenix 3 with optical HR sensor.
It’s from the Fenix 3 forum run by Garmin
link to newsroom.garmin.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Maddie Estrada
Garmin International Inc.
Phone | 913/397-8200
E-Mail | media.relations@garmin.com
Garmin® introduces three new fēnix® 3 Sapphire multisport watches featuring wrist heart rate, new activity profiles and more band options
OLATHE, Kan. /January 5, 2016/Business Wire — Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced an update to the fēnix 3 multisport watches that includes Garmin Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology, additional activity profiles and new, stylish watch bands. The three new sapphire-lens options include a premium version featuring a titanium bezel and band, a version with easily interchangeable leather and nylon straps, and a version touting Garmin Elevate wrist-based heart rate. All watches are also getting a software update with new activity profiles for golf, stand up paddleboarding and rowing, as well as the latest advanced running dynamics and physiological measurements. This free update will be available to all current fēnix 3 owners, so all fēnix 3 users can download the new profiles. These watches are being announced in conjunction with the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and will be showcased at the Garmin booth, #35811.
“As one of our most popular watches, we’re thrilled to offer new fēnix 3 devices to consumers,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “We’re excited to bring Garmin Elevate technology to the fēnix line, and the updated leather and titanium versions will appeal to users no matter if they’re hitting the trails, the boardroom, and now even the golf course.”
Boasting a full multisport and navigational toolset, fēnix 3 is also stylish enough to go from the trail to the office. The new genuine leather and nylon bands are easily interchangeable with no additional tools required, making switching back and forth a breeze. The premium titanium bezel and band looks sharp while also reducing weight and improving durability.
Now featuring Garmin Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology, fēnix 3 HR users now have the freedom to measure heart rate 24/7 at the wrist. Fēnix 3 HR users can get credit for their workouts and extra effort with the Intensity Minutes. By tracking daily Intensity Minutes, users can monitor their progress against weekly aerobic activity goals recommended by leading health organizations like he American Heart Association, World Health Organization, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Depending on settings, fēnix 3 HR can get up to 40 hours of battery life in UltraTrac mode, 16 hours in GPS training mode, 3 weeks in watch mode and 2 weeks in smartwatch mode.
Building off the previous version of advanced running dynamics like cadence, vertical oscillation and ground contact time; fēnix 3 users will be able to utilize more data and physiological measurements1. The new metrics include:
• Stride Length: Measures the length of a runner’s stride in real time.
• Ground Contact Time Balance: Measures a runner’s ground contact symmetry, which some
runners have found to correlate with injuries or strength imbalances.
• Vertical Ratio: The cost-benefit ratio of vertical oscillation to stride length, serving as one indictor
of a runner’s efficiency.
• Lactate Threshold: Estimates the level of effort at which fatigue rapidly increases in terms of a
runner’s heart rate and pace.
• Stress Score: Measures heart rate variability to make an assessment of a user’s overall level of
stress.
• Performance Condition: Provides a real-time fitness-level measurement relative to a runner’s
average baseline, which indicates performance readiness for the day’s workout or race.
All current fēnix 3 owners will have access to a software update that will include the updated advanced running dynamics, as well as new activity profiles for golf, SUP and rowing. With the recently updated
Garmin Connect mobile app, users can download more than 40,000 worldwide golf courses for precise course data and use their watch as a digital scorecard. With the new SUP/Rowing mode, users can measure their paddle stroke count, stroke rate and distance per stroke to gauge their efficiency. The fēnix 3 software update will come preloaded on new units and will is available for current users to download now.
The new fēnix 3 models will still be compatible with the Connect IQ platform for endless customization options. Through the Connect IQ store in the Garmin Connect mobile app, users can download any of the free apps, widgets, watch faces or data fields so their fēnix 3 can suit their individual needs.
The new fēnix 3 Sapphire watches will be available in Q1 2015. The fēnix 3 HR will have a suggested retail price of $599.99, the titanium fēnix 3 Sapphire will have a suggested retail price for $799.99, and the fēnix 3 Sapphire with leather and nylon bands will have a suggested retail price of $599.99.
Fēnix 3 is the latest solution from Garmin’s expanding outdoor segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ outdoor experiences. Whether hiking, hunting, geocaching, golfing, dog training, or capturing it all on VIRB action cameras, Garmin outdoor devices are becoming essential tools for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. For more information about Garmin’s other outdoor products and services, go to
link to garmin.com, http://www.garmin.blogs.com and link to twitter.com.
For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.
1 HRM-Run or HRM-Tri is required to get Stride Length, Ground Contact Time Balance and Vertical Ratio. A chest-strap HR monitor is required to get Lactate Threshold, Stress Score, and Performance Condition.
About Garmin
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin, Forerunner and fēnix are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2014, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at link to garmin.com. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward- looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
With the fenix storing ant+ devices in a pool and no longer offering ‘bike profiles’ is there any way to set two different ftp values – one for tri bike and one for road bike. My road position ftp is noticeably higher.
Thank you for the great site.
Ray,
Any update on when are they releasing new software update for Fenix 3 Supphire?
Its out now, I just downloaded it about an hour ago
I believe it’s already up. Mine updated to 6.something when plugged in.
H
Thanks! I am trying through Bluetooth connectivity. It says no updates available. May be it works on Garmin Express.
With the new update did they move how to activate ‘sleep’ mode. When I press ‘start’ now at the steps page it gives me the weeks summary of my steps and not give me the option of turning on sleep. Thanks
My guess for why this got moved is due to the ‘auto’detect for sleep mode if you have a sleep schedule set in the app. Which doesn’t capture naps or anything like that. I haven’t played with the new update, but did they add an option under the hot keys for sleep mode?
Dear DC,
I follow your reviews for some years now and love the details and tips. Currently I use the Forerunner 620 but I look foreward to a watch without a HR-strap.
The Fenix 3 HR seems to be the solution. I look forward to your review. Can you give me any idea when you’re going to put this watch to the test?
Thanks for your reply.
Albert.
Love to read this to!
I’am a road/trail runner (might start with a short triatlon) and using a Forerunner 310xt for a coupe of years… It is getting a bit old now and the strap needs to be replaced… But overall i’am very happy with the device. And from a technical standpoint I can use it for sure for another year.
On papier the Fenix 3 HR is my ideal device… But have the impression that HR on the wrist technology (by garmin) is not mature enough yet… So save bet would to wait for the Fenix 4 HR e.g. next year.
… Or spend the money now on a normal Fenix 3 with band and see what the future brings.
So what would the advise of you guys/girls would be:
– stick with 310xt for now
– buy Fenix 3 with band
– buy Fenix 3 HR without de band
– wait for next gen Fenix 4 / Fenix 4 HR; which might also be in general a bit better/more stabel the the current Fenix 3
Like to hear any thoughts!
Or… Wait for the indept review from DC ?
Hey Ray,
Was looking to purchase the Fenix 3 on Clever Training with the 10% discount but it is not working. Is there any other code I could use for that?
Thanks,
Hi Arianna-
For the Fenix3, you’ll need to use the VIP program instead (a Garmin requirement). Don’t worry, it only takes a second to sign-up and you still save 10% (and also help out Girls On The Run).
Link: link to dcrainmaker.com
Thanks for the support!
Just updated my Garmin Fenix 3 Set up Post to reflect the updates in the latest firmware: link to alananna.co.uk
Loving my Fenix 3 more each day!
Does the fenix 3 allow you to calibrate a power meter with a zero reset. I can’t find anything in the online manuals.
I use the Stages power meter.
Hi-
Just purchased the Fenix and still getting it set up. I just updated the software to the latest 6.50 version. However, even after the update, the new activities, such as rowing, still aren’t appearing under my avail activities to choose from. Any tips??
Hi Ray,
Does adding your workouts from GC to the Fenix3 take up your free space on the device? How is this handled by the device and is it ever cleared (after like 2months) like rolling on a certain period of time when it overwrites your old workouts so you dont run out of space? If not how do I clear the calendar myself without having to completely reset the watch. I assume this will bring it back to the ‘out the box’ state.
Pleased with all the features.. Used to have Garmin Fenix , Garmin 110, Garmin 620 and Suunto ambit 2. Sold them all and only use this now…
Great review Ray.. Long time fan..
It be good if their are more stock and index widgits that support stocks outside usa
Hi Ray,
I’m wondering if you can comment on how the Garmin watches determine calories burned while swimming. At the moment I don’t have a watch that supports swimming (I use the FR220 for running), so I’m adding activities manually in Garmin connect, which wants time and distance. I’ve noticed that GC figures calories burned proportional to time — distance apparently doesn’t matter, which seems wrong. Example: I create a manual activity and select lap swimming. I enter a distance of 1000 meters. If I enter a time of 30 minutes, GC tells me I’ve burned 365 calories, and if I change the time to 25 minutes, I’ve apparently burned 304 calories, even though the distance is the same (and I’m swimming harder). Do the numbers you get when you use the watch for lap swimming make more sense than this? What about other swimming watches?
Hi Erica
Maybe Ray can add to this but here is my knowledge of calories calculations based on my time a few years ago working for a software developer who wrote diet and calories diary.
Forget ever getting accurate figures for calories calculations it just is not possible and here’s why.
There is a list of activities and their calorie count which was produced by some university the name of which escapes me but basically nearly everybody uses it to calculate calories. The problem is, from memory, only 13 categories for something like swimming. So it looks like Garmin are using that same list but it (again from memory) is divided by stroke and pool -v- outdoor swimming so there really isn’t likely to be a change in the calculations based on anything other than time.
Now my area, running, has the same issue. Imagine me running for 30 mins at 6mph on a nice flat tarmac road cannot possibly be the same calorific expenditure as doing the same time through muddy fields in the wet and undulating but I suspect Garmin and every other site would classify them the same.
In conclusion use calories as a VERY rough estimate as the science is very immature and inaccurate.
Thanks, depicus.
I do understand that whatever I get through GC is going to be a rough estimate, given any number of things that can vary. I wish the swimming estimate made a bit more intuitive sense though, like the rule of thumb I always hear for running (~100 cal per mile). The distance-based rule of thumb for running makes sense to me because although there will be variation based on the conditions of any given run, I’m still hauling my mass for a given distance, so 100 cal/mile should be in the ballpark. I would think that distance would be more relevant than time for swimming as well. Now I’m going to have to look for that study :)
Ray, after being less than pleased with the OHRM in the 235, I reverted back to my rock solid ambit 3 sport/rhythm + combo. I still find instant pace (fused speed) to be accurate when comparing to lap paces and also quite stable during runs. I was also an early adopter of the fenix 3 but eventually decided not to stick with it due to inaccuracies. With so many software updates since then, I have an F3 hr on order with the hopes the larger size will result in a more accurate OHRM experience, knowing full well I may need to go with the chest strap or rhythm + for intervals or even regular runs. Despite the 2-5 devices at any given time on your person, do you still consider the F3 as your go to device and do you anticipate that changing with the many new devices recently announced?
It’s hard to say still, it’ll depend on whether or not Garmin can work out some of the minor kinks with the optical HR in the Fenix3 that I saw in the FR235.
Please allow me to narrow in my question a bit better…if you could have one watch today as it sits with current software/firmware/hardware, one only, would it be 920 or F3 (HR vs regular is irrelevant). BTW, sorry to read of the inability to increase the lease. Hopefully the cupcake biz can succeed via the internet for you guys.
I own the 920 and F3 and the F3 wins hands down in so many ways with stability being key as the 920 updates have come at the cost of stability as it y never crashed 6 months ago
1765 (Forerunner 920XT) SW ver: 610
Build Type: RELEASE
ESN: 3899710312
Battery Voltage: 4.148000V
12/23/15 17:56:23
RTL
errnum: 0x000
r0: 0x00000000
r1: 0x20004018
r2: 0x20003AA8
r3: 0x0008B0CA
Return Address (LR): 0x0010E171:Call Stack – PSP at 0x20003AD0:
0x0008B0BD
0x0008B6FB
0x0008942F
0x0008D979
0x001619DF
0x0008AFAB
0x000C7EF1
0x000274A7
0x0000FFFF
0x0008D80D
0x0008E20F
0x000C8CA1
0x00060001
0x0004371B
0x000EFF2F
0x0010CA95
0x001473D5
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At least it documents its crashes which it did again today looking at and old activity
Then there are real things like compleat navigation on the F3 vs crippled 920 navagition
I don’t understand why but the F3 has much better battery life and charge on the go
It really is there flagship watch and continues to get all the good updates and effort at evolving the watch
I own both as well. except I owned the F3 first and finally had to buy the 920 b/c the F3 was worthless for OWS. I agree, in every other way, I prefer the F3. As a “smart watch” the 920 is almost worthless. For “apps” the F3 also wins. I even prefer the ergonomics of the buttons on the F3 much better.
However, after dozens and dozens of open water swims with consistently missing data I finally had to give up and buy the 920 which has performed flawlessly in many, many OWS’s (except perhaps once or twice) and pool workouts.
The 920 is also lighter and more streamlined which is better for workouts//
I re-installed the metal band on the F3 and it is a great looking work/dress smartwatch. And with the metal band, it is so heavy that, in a pinch, it could probably be used as a weapon for self defense.
I would definitely say that, in the end, having “both watches/options” is expensive but worthwhile IF you can and are willing to do that. If OWS are not a big issue for you (or and smart watch features are), then I would absolutely go with the F3. I love mine. But the 920 is SO much better than the 910 as a sports watch.
HI Ray,
Do you consider that it worths waiting for the Fenix 3 OHR to be available, or should i advance and buy the Fénix 3 Saphire or non-Saphire edition already available?
From the review that you’ve made to FR235 and small review of Fénix3 OHR, i assume that this kind of technology, optical heart rate, will never reach a point that would replace the HR chest strap.
What is your opinion on this?
If i buy the non-saphire version it will costs me 409 euros, which is a discount price currently. I already have a heart rate chest strap from my FR210, so i believe that will work with Fénix 3 right? Besides that, i also read your review regarding the HRM-Run, and that the additional metrics measured are basically useless right?
Looking forward for your comments.
Best Regards,
Orlando
I don’t know at this stage whether the F3 HR will be worth it. I know folks really want an opinion there, but ultimately I can’t deliver that opinion until I’ve had numerous workouts of varying intensities on the unit (a production unit) to determine that.
Any swags now, are just swags. Garmin got a reasonably good distance of the way there with the FR235, but it’s not perfect. The Fenix3 would be using that as a starting point for optical HR, but it doesn’t mean it will be better (or it could somehow be worse). It’s just too early.
I understand your point. I really appreciated your effort in giving me an answer.
I believe i will stay with the HR chest strap and buy the Fénix 3 without OHR. Anyway, here where i am, in Portugal, it means saving something like 200 euros, which is a lot.
Best Regards,
Orlando
Same thoughts here… Can buy the Fenix 3 performer bundle for 429,- euro, the Fenix 3 HR will be 599,- euro; where I might still want/need to buy a separate HR strap to get the extra running dynamics.
So is it the extra money for the oHR good value… Do not realy care for the Saphire screen.
Has anyone had any issues with HR dropping out after the 6.5 update? it’s worse via indoor runs than indoor cycling. I have changed out battery and cleaned HRM strap per Garmins care instructions and it appears to be working correctly. I used Zwift and watch at same time and drop outs were not in Zwift data but were from watch upload so this should rule out any strap issues? I also have lost some of the running dynamics: vertical ration and ground contact time balance. No data there at all
I have a Mio and wear that round my ankle for indoor cycling with Zwift and not having an issue with heart rate.
I have not had any issues till after 6.5 upgrade and like i said…riding zwift and downloads from Zwift uploaded data has no HR issues via Ant+. When I also upload same workout from F3, there are drop outs. I would assume from this that watch and zwift are reading same HR strap over ant+ and watch is losing connection to ant signal. Ray….right at the edge of year warranty…any suggestions? open a ticket with Garmin support?
It’s hard to say. ANT+ signal dropouts can be caused by a sensor running out of battery (most common), reducing signal quality/range, or by placement of something else (body/wifi/etc…). I wish I had a good idea there, but it’s gonna be tough to know.
Ray,
I did a little looking around and fixed the running dynamics as the 6.5 upgrade apparently turned those features off. I also found that 6.5 has a firmware update for the HRM strap unit and applied the firmware update via the watch to the strap and it appears to work better now, but still having drop out issues with the watch but not when connecting to ant+ connector in laptop that is farther away than the watch from strap while using zwift or trainer road. I looked back and in GC I have always seen the pretty picture of hte F3 in the bottom right of activities at all versions till 6.5. Now it shows up with the generic shadow of a wrist gps watch and the name of the watch is rubber ducky now and not Fenix3. Has anyone had any issues with this same thing? I think either something has happened to my watch or the upgrade didn’t go as well as I thought. Is there a way to re-apply the upgrade or do you have an idea when the next update is coming out?
Example Prior to 6.5: link to connect.garmin.com
After 6.5 Prior to strap firmware updates> link to connect.garmin.com
After strap update> link to connect.garmin.com
Garmin is pretty buzy with Fenix 3 formfactor models…. now a Quatrix 3 marine.
link to garmin.blogs.com
A question for all of you Fenix 3 experts. When I am on a run I get a screen that looks like a steam gauge that says “Baseline +1 or Baseline +3” etc. What is that measuring and trying to tell me?
Thanks.
I know I did a run while i was fighting a cold. It was horrible and my watch said factor -4.
Then I had a somewhat good run and it showed +1.
I suppose it means how well you run according to your potential, based on VO2max
I have FW 6.5 on my F3 and I do not get any recovery advisor nor performance condition metric. How do one enable it to come up like the recovery advisor used to?
I have 6.5 as well. Recovery and V02max are turned on in settings.
It is documented in the 630 manual – Performance condition. “analyzes your pace, heart rate, and heart rate variability to make a real-time assessment of your ability to perform compared to to your average fitness level”
Thanks. I thought it was something like that. I used a 620 for the last year and a half so when I switched to the Fenix 3 my V02Max went down 4 points. I generally get anywhere from a +1 to a +3 so maybe it will go back up in time.
Thanks. I’ll look at that in the 630 manual.
I told you wrong below. Go to My Stats, it and the V02Max are under that to turn on. Sorry about the mistake earlier.
Could you share the link where to go get the 6.30 manual for F3? I looked in the Garmin support website and the most recent manual they have is dated March 2015 and has no mention of the performance condition metric.
link to static.garmin.com
Here is a video on it I found after the discussion
link to youtube.com
Thank you!
Does the performance condition only works when running outdoors? I just did a 7 mile treadmill run and the PC never showed up (like the old recovery notification used to do). I also added a datafield with the PC to one of the the screens on my “Run indoors” app. The datafield did show the title “Performance Cond” but the screen was blank for the duration of the run.
You are correct, it does not work on a treadmill run. I tried it this weekend and it did not register. It did register this morning on my outside run.
As multi-functional as the Fenix 3 is, there is one outdoor activity it doesn’t really cater for – geocaching. Let me explain why I feel let down.
In spite of its useful navigation features, I am unable to input and store a series of cache locations prior to setting out on the geocaching path. I can only navigate to saved locations of places I have already been to or to one set of coordinates I enter while on the trail.
If anyone knows how I can pre-store locations on a Fenix 3, please advise.
Planning to buy fenix 3 and will be swimming in 15 Mtr will I be able to get correct data. As it says minimum as 17Mtrs.
It’ll likely be off. I think a few folks have done it, but I’m not sure about longer tests in terms of accuracy in that.
Thanks for your reply “It’ll likely be off”, Is it yes or no. Sorry as did not get that.
You can’t set below 17m, so out of the gate your distances will be off (since the lowest you can configure is 17m). Since your distances are off, then your paces will be off (because pace is simply a function of distance and time).
So, things will be off, but what’s not so much the question. The real question is knowing that, how well it’ll track in a 15m pool vs a 17m pool. Garmin has put in the limitation not because they have some fetish hatred of small pools, but because they’ve found they can’t get good accuracy there. Typically this is because with accelerometer based swim devices, there is an element of validation/checking that occurs as you swim away from the wall. So with a shorter pool, that validation period is reduced.
For some people, and some speeds – it’ll probably be fine. But for others, it might stumble. There really isn’t a way to predict based it’s often highly dependent on your swim style.
I have the Garmin 210 and 910, having many issues downloading data. My computer nor phone will recognize either hr device. So I was looking at buying the fenix 3 HR or the ambit peak 3 HR. I found the fenix 3 for $499 and the ambit peak 3 HR for $330. The reviews were very detailed but now I’m more confused about the best way to go. I am an ultra runner, primarily doing trail 50k, 50M and 100M. I got into TDS and want a solid training watch. Suggestions? Thank you so much
Ray, thanks for the great review (as usual). I have a quick question regarding the Fenix 3 in “Run” mode. It is possible, with a 5km training program to program a “beep/vibration” at the half way point ?
Regards.
Yes there is an alert function based on distance – and maybe time ? I have mine set for an alert every 1km.
First of all thanks for the great reviews. Altough the in-depth review covers lots of details, I cannot find anything about one feature I am missing with the Fenix 2 and know that it is available with the 920xt: configurable lap screens. Is it possible to configure, what is shown when hitting the lap button (particularly in run and swim modes)?
Thanks a lot.
Yes, you can (Ray mentions it on the running section).
For example, I am currently using autolap every 1km.
After starting the Run app, if I choose setting / current app/ alerts / autolap / Lap alert, I find to fields (Primary and Secondary Field) that I can change to my liking.
I guess the procedure would be the same for any other alert.
Yes, you can (Ray mentions it on the running section).
For example, I am currently using autolap every 1km.
After starting the Run app, if I choose setting / current app/ alerts / autolap / Lap alert, I find TWO fields (Primary and Secondary Field) that I can change to my liking.
I guess the procedure would be the same for any other alert.
(typo corrected)
great, thanks … must have somehow missed it scrolling through the review again. I guess, I only focussed on the Data Fields Section. If someone could confirm this for swimming as well, it would be awesome (as the swimming activity handles lap/pause differently). I know that there is a view for the rest timer, but is this also configurable?
GPS Accuracy question. I got my Fenix3 for Christmas so I have had it for about a month. I replaced a 620 which I found to be very accurate and consistent with its GPS. When I first got the Fenix3 it seemed to be just as accurate and I was pleased. A couple of weeks ago it started measuring short and was progressively getting worse run by run. It seemed like it was especially bad at the first of a run saying the first mile might be as much as 10% slower than runkeeper and finally over a 10 mile run being about 5% short. My 620 was always within 1% of runkeeper and most of the time it measured shorter. I GPS soaked the Fenix3 and it seems to have gotten back on track of measuring the same route about where the 620 did. My questions are
1. Has anyone else experienced this?
2. If so, how often have you GPS soaked to keep it accurate? I only did the 620 when I had a software change.
Thanks.
I was comparing the Sapphire to the regular Fenix 3 on the Garmin site and they list feature differences. Is that the case or are they basically the same except the glass?
I use my Fenix 3 to keep track of my ski runs. I use a spreadsheet to keep track of my season’s total. As of yesterday I was at 1,013,494 feet. Is there a way the fenix can keep track of season’s data. Thanks
Ray,
Having a Fenix 3 now for the a month and having a rough time using it on my run and getting to show accurate pace and mileage, I think it would be fair for you to post that their are over 200 pages on the Garmin Forum raising questions to how well the Fenix actually performs:
link to forums.garmin.com
Absolutely realize all GPS are a bit all over the place but there seems to be even more evidence to show that the F3 is an outlier in terms of reliability compared to its cohorts. I realize you dont want to upset Garmin too much for obvious reasons but a report showing performance across the GPS offering range I think would be really good for your audience and would have been great to know before I bought this watch.
Thank you,
ian
My F3 is relatively new and Its comparable to my 920XT when used side by side the problem is we have no idea what hardware changes have happened as production evolved and what was defective enough that Garmin had to exchange the units
No need to make up reasons (like defective watches) for why people are finding poor GPS accuracy on the Fenix 3. http://fellrnr.com has already provided excellent data as to why. The 920xt has “middling” accuracy, and the Fenix 3 and Epix are a notch below, “poor” and “crappy” being used to describe them.
The issue is overblown. In my experience, the GPS accuracy improved significantly with an update a few months ago. Sure, it is not as good as the Ambit3 (which I also have), but I use the Fenix3 almost exclusively because GPS is good enough and the other features are generally superior. (Although, I do miss a couple of custom apps I had created for my Ambit3.) I do notice that the Fenix3 loses the track under bridges much worse than the Ambit3.
The biggest issue with the Fenix3 is not GPS accuracy, it is instant pace – that is rubbish if you do not use a footpod. It averages over far too long a time (perhaps it needs to do so to smooth rough GPS points). Footpod solves that problem, and calibrating it (manually) is a piece of cake. Ambit3 has excellent instant pace without a foodpod due to its FusedSpeed feature.
I agree, I think the issue is overblown as well, especially these days.
I think it’s also a case of when you have somewhere between 250,000-500,000 Fenix3 units in the wild, then people are just going to see stuff (just like any product). So even if one out of 100 people have a bad unit/track/whatever, that’s still 250-500 complaints. Simply scale at work here.
So when Suunto goes and ships perhaps a few tens of thousands of units (at best), you’re going to see less stuff (but still see stuff, as Tommays56 shows below).
Despite what the forums would have you believe (and keep in mind, only people with issues go to forums), for the channels I see, the return rates are incredibly low. It’s a metric I often look at to see if there are larger trending issues beyond just random forum data points.
Just my two cents…
The fact that many on the garmin forum have had their watches replaced by customer support as “defective” and STILL have issues with the new watches received belies your two cents. Some have had 3 and 4 different watches, one no better than the last. The Fenix 3 GPS accuracy is “good enough” for many uses, but it CLEARLY suffers in certain situations as compared to the more accurate watches, like walking, woods with switchbacks, and around buildings, anything more than a couple of stories.
Well
My Ambit 3 was quite challenged to keep a fix and Suunto was not able to resolve it
Question for Ray and serious runners: instant pace on my F3 stinks, lap pace is fine. I am just switching over from an Ambit 3 and would appreciate opinions on which would be best:
Going to a footpod, but then I need to be concerned with proper calibration
Using Lap pace
Using avg pace
Thank you in advance for the feedback.
Go with the footpod. Pace accuracy is much improved, and much easier to use than lap pace. Calibration is easy and only needed very occasionally. I generally find footpod accuracy to be very good even out of the box with no calibration but YMMV.
Thank you, Garmin just recommended the pod as well. So clearly they recognize it and this is the way I will go but WOW and bummer, the Ambit 2 was so much easier and accurate then all of these band-aids. But Garmin’s F3 over all make/look and notifications are better….market is still open for a category killer clearly.
So strap the pod to my shoe, pair it, and go? I have one but haven’t really used it before.
Yep, it’s that simple. I just received the Garmin footpod for my Fenix 3 today. Straight out of the box, uncalibrated, I find it matches up very closely with the distance and current pace reported by the treadmill. Another benefit of the footpod that I didn’t expect was accurate cadence numbers, as compared to using the watch alone.
I dot not find it that simple. My experience with two foot pods (garmin rc4) is the following:
When you calibrate it, it will then display correct pace for the speed at which you calibrated it, if you vary your running speed then the pace will be incorrect.
For example, I’ve calibrated by running 5km at 4’06″/km, when I run at 4’02″/km it show 3’59”, when I run at 3’30” it shows 3’21” and when I run at 4’55” it shows 5’10” …
So basically you need to constantly re-compute the pace displayed on the watch by guessing how much you need to add or subtract to get the correct speed … This is really a pain and makes the device hard to use…
As far I can tell I’m not the only one seeing this, other people have reported the same on the garmin forums…
I go for a calibration factor that gives me 5 miles on a hilly 5 mile trail loop
While its a bit off when your short stepping steep descents it is about the best solution I have found to get good pace the greatest amount of time
Ok now what? Garmin is willing to exchange the watch for me (nice to see this level of support and its barely 4 weeks old) is it worth trying a new unit? i.e. this problem with live running pace might be solved unit to unit or is the group think here it is only solved with a foot pod? Thanks
That is odd. It is not based on stride length (at least not alone), so very small pace differences like you mention should still be very accurate. The calibration, as I understand it, is to take account of movement patterns that could confuse the accelerometer. For example, if you move your foot in a slight arc, rather than straight through. Those movement patterns can change at different speeds, but should not be changing for the few seconds per km pace differences you are talking about. I can (sort-of) imagine a variation between the fastest and slowest paces.
For me, I have found a footpod with my Fenix3 is at least as accurate as GPS for paces from 5:00/km to 6:30/km. Previously, using an Ambit2 with the same footpod, I have also found that accuracy to work down to 4:10/km.
I’ve made another test on a track during the week-end and here are the results. Again I’m getting calibration factors spread all over the place which makes the footpod quite useless:
Speed -> computed Cal factor
3’52″/km -> 960
4’02″/km -> 974
4’39″/km -> 100,2
4’42″/km -> 100,1
4’56″/km -> 102,5
Quite hard to get an accurate pace during a normal run session where you run at different paces ….
Hello
so i bought fenix 3.. replacement for my ambit3 peak.. I give it to my father.. sooo
can anybody check my activities on connect to check my acuracy.. is it very bad or is it like everybody elses fenix 3?
link to connect.garmin.com
Cause i dont know owners of the fenixes i asked you…
Best regards. Marko
link to connect.garmin.com
sorry for previous link.. hope these one works :)
Ray and others, 2nd run today with F3 silver/red bundle. Results:
1) Tracks, pretty damn close, deviation of .04/mi over 7 miles, I’ll take it!
2) Pace: I ran using average pace which is still taking some getting used to. In GC, the pace graph is showing times ranging from 8:45-9 and change. Splits however were 8:03-8:28, and the 8:28 was the first mile and was only slower because it took the watch about .10 mile to settle in. Most splits were 8:10 give or take a few seconds.
3) When I spoke with Garmin yesterday, the rep said he had not heard any complaints about instant pace and he has been on the F3 team since it was released. They are however sending me a new footpod to replace the one I had that no longer works.
Questions:
1) When I run using footpod, will avg pace be calculated as it currently is, or will it then use footpod data? I ask because I feel confident the avg pace, as it is now, is accurate based on feel and HR (mid 140s-mid 150s).
2) I’m not the only one who has this issue right? Ray, in your original review, specifically your instant pace demo, because you didn’t have another watch on by which to compare, do you feel the pace was accurate or lagging behind 30-40 seconds like I am seeing? I wonder if you’d be able to post a demo using a footpod and showing instant pace?
I’m not aware of *anyone* who has been satisfied with instant pace. link to fellrnr.com has written that NONE of the current crop of GPS watches have accurate enough GPS to provide good current pace. I suggest you take a look at his page. The guy knows his running watches. There are Connect IQ fields available that will average the current pace over a period of time. I believe you can find fields that average over 5, 10, 20 seconds and more. That might be a good solution for you. Of course, there’s the footpod solution too. I believe lap pace is provided by GPS, even when the footpod is being used. The fact that the garmin rep doesn’t know about the issues with current paces says volumes about his real knowledge and usefulness as a support resource.
Except that it’s simply not true that no GPS watch is good enough for pacing at instant pace. Hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of runners with GPS watches are contrary to that. Perfectly happy.
It may be true for FellRNR, given he primarily runs on trails, where instant pacing is less ideal with GPS. But to say it’s just at all useful is silly.
While I generally prefer lap pace because I’m trying to hit specific targets, I’ve used instant pace just fine – and most of the time in reviews when I remember I include snippets of instant pace (like this one), which again, people found just fine.
Give the limitations of GPS will there ever be a watch that has truly “instant pace”? I’m willing to bet no without some sort of predictive software, but that would only be an educated guess. The focus on “instant pace” is wholly misplaced to me. It’s probably impossible to run at a standard pace for mile after mile, feet after feet. Anyone who’s tried to run a pace at local track knows this.
Somehow runners manages for years and years without having “instant pace”
link to forum.slowtwitch.com
‘If really want accurate current pace, don’t think you will be happy with any of them. Thats a huge complaint all the time on these boards. “
link to fellrnr.com says that the problem with getting accurate instant pace is that GPS watches just aren’t accurate enough. I’m pretty sure he’s not just talking about trail running. In any case, the Fenix 3, by itself, is pretty much useless for instant pace.
Can you explain what you mean here Ray? The way I read it, you’re saying the you use the instant pace field only when it doesn’t really matter to you what your pace is, since the instant pace on GPS is not very accurate.
link to dcrainmaker.com
“Instant pace is just that – your instant pace. It’s the speed the unit thinks you’re going right this second (well actually it lags about 5-7 seconds behind). The challenge with instant pace and running is that it tends to wander a bit. One second it’s displaying 7:30/mile, and the next second it’s showing 7:50/mile – even if you didn’t vary your actual pace any.
Nonetheless, I use instant pace on the majority of my non-paced runs as a quick metric to glance at. By non-paced I mean runs where I’m not trying to hit an exact pace, but rather focusing on some other measurement (heart rate, perceived, not dying, etc…). In these cases, I don’t much care what the pace is, as long as I’m not being passed by grandma in a wheelchair.”
Instant pace has continued to differ in terms over the years, specifically in how it’s display.
In my post above (5 years ago), most watches didn’t do much smoothing. Then came the age of more smoothing, mostly kicked off by the FR10. In that case, things got heavily smoothed – so much so that some folks didn’t like it (mostly advanced runners), yet other folks (less familiar with running tech) loved it.
It’s gone see-saw back and forth on smoothing rates since then – some watches more smoothing, others less smoothing. However, the thing is – all GPS watches smooth. To what degree they do varies. Personally, I’d love to see a simple setting to allow me to adjust that.
However, in the meantime, for me using instant pace on the Fenix3 is perfectly acceptable for road running. As far as I know, FellRNR isn’t really a road runner (which is perfectly fine). I showed instant pace in a video, and nobody that it had any issues (a year ago). In fact, everyone seemed pretty happy with that. So, to make a blanket state that nobody is happy, doesn’t really jive with reality.
As far as trail usage goes with instant pace, that will undoubtedly vary. No disagreement there. That’s been the case forever. But again, I’m betting 95-99% of runners who buy GPS watches never run with them on a trail. So, for 95-99% of people, they don’t need a footpod and it doesn’t matter.
“Personally, I’d love to see a simple setting to allow me to adjust that”.
i feel exactly the same. it is easy to understand that a +/-3m precision technology explains the lack of precision on 2 consecutives mesures at 14km/s, but my Cardio is still laggy during my 100m interval.
being annoyed with the smoothing of my TomTom Runner Cardio, it is clear that i will select a watch that propose this feature (eg : rolling average time, “aggressive / slow smoothing, …)
Polar can you hear me ;)
I had a question about connecting to the Macbook Air. I thought I read in a few places (not here) that the mac’s USB ports do not recognize the Fenix 3. Does anyone know this to be true or not?
Thanks!
Ok with my MacBook Air.. No issues with usb.. At times slow to recognize, but works fine
Thank you so much!!
Wow… just wanted to thank you for this COMPLETE review! It is much appreciated. I currently own the Fenix 2 and wanted to see if it was worth the upgrade.
The key reason for upgrade for me would seem to be battery life. I want to go backpacking and have the benefit of a longer battery life. But is it worth that much money at this point… errr. Maybe have to sell the fenix 2 and use that toward the new one.
Thanks again!
I would add that the Fenix 3 is one of the only watches that you can charge WHILE it’s recording an activity. So it’s essentially unlimited in its tracking time, as long as, you have a portable power.
link to youtube.com
Yeah, thats pretty awesome. The review states that this is also possible on the Fenix2, however I do not think thats accurate. If its possible then please advise.
GENERAL: ABILITY TO USE DEVICE WHILE BEING CHARGED
It would be great if you could store/play some music on the Fenix 3 as well.
It is possible (USB charging on Fenix2 while in activity). You just need to change the charging mode in the settings.
I had both Bluetooth and GPS issues with my original Fenix 3. Called Garmin and got a replacement (new device). Things are fabulous now!
My recommendation is get it from somewhere that has new stock, like Amazon or CleverTraining.
Thanks for the great review, Ray. I was considering purchasing the 230/235 or the 630. But after reading all the issues people are having with the wrist based HR on the 235, the complaints about no pace alerts with the 230/235 and the issues with the touch screen on the 630, I’m now considering the Fenix 3. I currently have a 305 and before that ran with a 205. I don’t do triathlons. I just run. But I do like to make custom workouts and set pace zones, so that my watch beeps when I’m outside of the pace set. I had thought I wanted the wrist based HR, but with all the inconsistencies, I think I can just wear a strap when I run and skip the 24-7 HR. Now that the Fenix 3 has all the features of the 630, but without the touchscreen, it’s looking like what I want. Has anyone else decided on the Fenix 3 over the 230/235 or 630? I’m also wondering if the plastic strap is as comfortable on the Fenix as the one on the 230/235? Thanks.
Can anyone help – My last 3 runs with the HRM-RUN I do not see GCTB (balance) data showing – the graph is there but there is zero value for both.
Thanks!
Are you missing stride length also? I have had issues with the HRM Run extra metrics since the last upgrade. I even have the new HRM Tri belt and the HRM Run and both seem to not work correctly. Sometimes part of the metrics are there and sometimes they are not. Rather random.
Just vertical ratio and GCTB are both missing –
Also no data here –
Are sure that your HRM-RUN/TRI strap has had the firmware update?
The easiest way to check is looking at the sensors menu, and then looking at the firmware version listed.
HRM-RUN: link to www8.garmin.com
HRM-TRI: link to www8.garmin.com
Alternatively, just connect your watch to your computer via USB, and then use the Garmin WebUpdater. If it offers you a firmware update for the strap – the strap wasn’t updated.
got it! I had to remove the HRM from the sensors list, then added it back and it prompted me to update to 6.60 – thanks!
Even when I plugged the watch into my laptop via usb it did not prompt me to update – only when I removed it from the watch then re-added it did it them prompt me to update via the F3. Thanks!!
Has anyone tried to use this watch to track cardio metrics, in a custom activity like tennis or paddle Tennis
I use it for racquetball. I created and indoor cardio activity with GPS off. It tracks my HR and distance run (by cadence, but likely very inaccurate given the “running” style). Works well for me for calories and such.
I created a new bike activity type “road”.
I have to edit the activity type once it uploads to Garmin Connect .
Can it be autocratically?
great review !!! encyclopedia!!!
Hi all, this is my first post, but have been using Ray’s reviews to make my decisions for the last two years. I recently purchased a fenix 3 Sapphire and I am having an issue with the ‘auto pause’ feature, and I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same problem.
I have ‘auto pause’ turned on for all of my activities and so far it has proved to be very unreliable for a watch that costs $850 in Canada. It will most often take between 10-30 to pause after stopping, often longer. When it does pause I have to move at a speed exceeding 5 km/hr for it to unpause; this is totally unusuable because in a walking or hiking situation starting to move again is not likely to be at that speed. Today I did a 7.5 km walk on a beach, but the watch only recorded 6.5 km because it took me so long to figure out why it would not restart as soon as I started moving.
To put this deficiency in perspective, my $230 Canadian Polar M400 stops and starts almost immediately upon both situations occuring. Pretty poor performance for a watch that is basically four times the price.
I am not sure how ‘auto pause’ functions, but could it mean my watch has a faulty accelerometer or some other problem?
Thaks in advance for any input you might all have, and thank you for the great reviews Ray!
Dean
Have you customized the auto pause, or left as defaults? Either way, double-check the Auto Pause settings. I vaguely remember someone a long while back that someone had the auto pause settings oddly in a super-low threshold that caused similar issues to what you noted. A simple reset of those, and was good to go.
hello , anyone facing problems after latest software update to 6.8 , my F3 creates about 10 files a day as workouts and syncs it to GC and than to strava, .. even if I haven’t done anything during the day , it like working or running workouts.
Yes. I’m having the same and I’m on. Facebook group that is speaking about it as well. It sounds like Garmin is aware and has been trying to fix but do not yet have a solution. For now I turned off auto-sync so at least I only get the burst of activities at once and are easier to delete.
Hey Ray,
Any information from your contacts at Garmin regarding the “phantom” activity issue that seems to be plaguing Fenix 3 users? I know someone from the Fenix 3 team has responded a couple times on the forums indicating it’s a Garmin Connect issue and they’re working with them, but it’s going a few weeks with issues (in the beta) and their new “stable” release introduces the issue to everyone (although it still seems hit and miss who it affects) so I would imagine this is now hitting critical issue status.
Thanks!
I’ve been doing some testing on my GPS accuracy. A lot of mornings I hit the road at 4:15 AM for a 6-10 mile run. In doing that I turn on either a workout or just run and as soon as the watch tells me its ready I go. When doing that I get really bad measurement in the first quarter to one third of a mile. Sometimes that first part doesn’t even show up on my tracks. I noticed when I did my long runs with a group that this never happens as we stand around waiting to go. I started giving the watch a minute after saying it was locked before running and voila it is right on track (i.e. within 1%) with both my old 620 and runkeeper in pace. It seems to me that the lock is being noted prematurely and it really hasn’t locked the satellites until sometime after it turns green.
That’s a known issue. Many at the Garmin forum have noticed that. Best practices dictate that one waits at least two minutes after getting the green gps lock before starting the activity. If you start the activity immediately after getting the lock, sometimes the Fenix 3 show GPS points well away from your actual starting point, and in some cases, the watch may never completely recover, delivering a poor gps trace for the entire activity. Garmin is being optimistic when it reports the gps is ready . http://fellrnr.com reports the same behavior in many of the watches he has tested.
Thanks. I guess it just wasn’t known to me as I never experienced it with the 620. It’s hard to stand around at 4:15 in the cold waiting for a lock :-)
I’ve had the watch 6 months and never had this issue, just press start as soon as I hear the beep. That being said I sync with bluetooth which downloads a list of current satellite locations for faster locks so this may be why I never have issues.
I sync with bluetooth and wifi as well, but that isn’t preventing the problem. I’ve had the watch since Christmas and it seemed fine at first, but started doing this in late January. It may be only on some watches and not the whole batch, but the sync isn’t the reason it isn’t wandering on you.
I think it depends on how challenging your gps environment is. What posed less or no challenge for earlier watches now poses more of a challenge for the F3. I wholeheartedly disagree with Ray when he says that this is a tiny subset of defective watches. There are a couple of thousand posts on GPS accuracy at the Garmin forum about accuracy issues. IMO this is a far better laboratory for wringing out the strengths and problems of the watch than a single reviewer’s limited experience with the watch. Many have had their watches replaced by Garmin as “defective,’ but then go on to find the replacement watch behaves the same way. Some have had two and three replacements, all behaving similarly, significantly less accuracy than previous watches they have owned. I’ve used three Fenix 3, all behave similarly when it comes to GPS issues. Ray likes to throw out numbers like hundreds of thousands of watches being sold, yet only a few GPS complaints, but IMO that’s simply a testament to the fact that a large percentage of Fenix 3 owners aren’t GPS “power users,” don’t mind if their distances are off by 5% or more, etc.
Well I’ll defend Ray here as what he says is correct. There are millions of Fenix 3 watches in existence so a forum of a few hundred complaints is well within the margin of defective units. You’ll find any product has around 1% which are defective.
Now I cannot vouch for every Fenix 3 in the same way you cannot say they are all defective but I ran mine side by side with a TomTom, iPhone and on occasions Nexus 5 for the first month and all were within the margin of error. I always double up on devices so always record twice and only once have I had a problem. Now I’m aware you’ve had a bad experience and this has clouded your judgement but the numbers just don’t stand up.
link to support.garmin.com will give you a bit more info on pre-gps location and remember gps without this will take a few minutes to lock all the satellites.
I agree with a lot of what you have said depicus, but my watch is always connected to the wifi in the house prior to my runs that have been a problem and I always have it bluetooth to my phone which is with me to use runkeeper. There is something happening with the Fenix 3 that wasn’t happening with the 620. I have had acceptable results only with the wait after the lock. With that I am seeing a 1 – 1.5% difference with my runkeeper which is what I typically saw with the 620 and I deem to be acceptable. If I don’t wait it is 10% off in the first mile and sometimes gives me very strange tracks which the 620 did not. There is something different that is not being fixed by the pre-load of the satellites.
Do me a favor, do the math and figure out what the odds are of a watch being replaced as defective by Garmin, and that the replacement watch exhibits the same “defective” behavior as the first watch. After you’ve done that, figure what the odds are of not one replacement watch, but two and sometimes three replacement watches exhibiting the same “defective” behavior. Yes, we’re on a forum, but as a group, we rack up far more mileage than Ray I’m sure, put the watch through all sorts of environments. Add to that that we we have no inherent bias. I mean bias in the technical, scientific sense. Users on the forum who relay their experience with the watch do not have revenue producing websites that are supported by, among other things, sales of the watch.
Michael, do what many of us have done, call Garmin. After they go through the usually litany of things to do, (reset,) you’ll probably hear that the watch needs to be replaced. Let us know how your replacement watch works. Of all the users on the forum who have had replacement watches, I don’t think I have seen one who replacement worked any better than the first. For the statisticians here, figure those odds. It’s VERY unlikely.
cv
I agree that there is a problem, but at least with mine I think the wait time is the work around. I’ll put up with that quirk for the couple of years I’ll have it before I go to something newer. My point of posting was to try to help someone else who may be experiencing the same issue. I like the watch even if it does have “premature indication of lockage”.
Michael – may be that the satellite update file on the watch has become corrupt so new updates are not being uploaded, I know I hate it when people say this but I’d try a factory reset and see if that helps.
depicus,
I’ll try that. Thanks for the suggestion.
I also had an F3 replaced. New watch had absolutely identical “errors” (defects/deficiencies) as the old one. Questionable accuracy for run but nearly worthless (i.e., completely unreliable) for open water swimming (OWS). On nearly every (70%?) OWS, I lost large segments of the swim, had no GPS track, etc. (recurrent signal drop-out). I described this problem in numerous posts.
Bought a 920 and out of probly 40 OWS’s with it, so far, have had only 1 time where a segment (lap) did not record.
I LOVE my F3 but it I put the metal bracelet back onto it and it is now strictly my “daily driver” formal looking smart watch for work/social. I rarely use the GPS features, anymore, (unless I have forgotten my 920- then it’s still a reasonable stand-in). It is an expensive smart watch to be sure, but the “non sport” connected smart watch features are spectacular. With the metal bracelet on, I am also confident that it could be used as an effective weapon should the need arise. (though I might need to switch wrists occ to keep my biceps equal size)
Ultimately, I think those that are having NO issues at all have simply gotten sick of a small number of vocal users telling them they’re idiots and that their Fenix3 ‘must’ be broken and that they just don’t realize it. It’s why people have stopped trying. Even the thread that’s supposedly dedicated to ‘accuracy issues’, about half of the posts these days are basically people showing tracks that they’re perfectly happy with and with comparisons to boot. Yet, those instantly get dismissed/overlooked. In fact, I’m not even sure the majority of the pot-stirring folks even have Fenix3’s anymore.
I also don’t agree that somehow there’s hundreds of thousands of people having 5%-off accuracy issues. The people who buy the Fenix3 care more than that, and are far more aware that that same vocal minority gives them credit for.
Now ironically, when I go and show a different product with accuracy issues, then instantly it’s a combination response of: “Oh, you’re just a single sample” (except, I’m not, numerous others see the same) – or “It’s growing pains, it’ll be fixed in a software update” (except, they haven’t since November). Shrug.
If 1 in 100 watches are defective, the odds of getting TWO defective watches are 1 in 10,000. That’s one in TEN THOUSAND. Many posters in the Garmin forum have had supposedly “defective” watches replaced by Garmin, only to find that the replacement watches are no better. Some have had even two replacement watches! Those odds would be 1 in 100,000!
There’s no better source of GPS accuracy in these watches than fellnr. link to fellrnr.com
I’d suggest taking a good look at these tests. He’s no ravel rouser, no ulterior motives, no bias. He does hundreds, in some cases THOUSANDS of tests on each watch. The Fenix 3 test is ongoing, but so far, the author says it appears to have no better GPS accuracy than the Epix, which according to the author, has “rather poor GPS Accuracy.”
Well cv it looks like you don’t understand GPS at all. GPS is inherently not accurate, Ray says +-3m I seem to remember my days working with it it was +-10m so your friend over at fellrnr is correct in saying a foot pod is more accurate for instance pace but I could spend all day poking holes in his mythology – the simple truth is, like most running metrics, they are a guide. If you want true running metrics get a stop watch and run on an indoor track.
“…but I could spend all day poking holes in his mythology.”
You sound jealous.
The problem with fellrnr’s tests is, that he does not take into account the changing satellite constellation and tropospheric effects. The satellite constellation repeats every 24h – 2 seconds above a specific location on earth. So if you measure a run in the morning and one in the afternoon, you will have a different satellite geometry and thus the performance of the measurements can’t be compared (because you have a different satellite geometry and thus a different Dilution of Precision). Even if you manage to get the same constellation, you still can’t control the troposphere, which can heavily influence the measurements.
The only possibility to actually assess the accuracy of GNSS watches is, to wear them all at the same time (mount them on a pipe or something) and then only compare these runs individually.
He is measuring something – but it is not really related to the accuracy of the GNSS measurements.
I’ve discussed FellRNR’s methodology more times than I can count. In short, while I think he does cool stuff, I don’t agree with the basis of using a single trail running segment (over and over) as the end-all-be-all for running watches. I’d guess that about 99% of people don’t run trails, for example.
You said: “He does hundreds, in some cases THOUSANDS of tests on each watch.”
No, actually, he doesn’t. Understand his tests better. He simply slices up a run into tiny little segments to make it appear that it’s run thousands of times. Seriously. Go understand how the tests work. Perhaps I’ll start slicing my tests in hundreds of segments for fun, thus giving me thousands of tests quickly.
And…while we’re at it…it’s incorrect to think that FellRNR doesn’t take revenue from watch purchases (or shoe and everything else). Every page he has has Affiliate Links to Amazon. Nothing wrong with that (as I do as well), but to imply that somehow he doesn’t is incorrect.
And just like him, I don’t really care what device you purchase. If you find an Ambit3 fits your better, go for it. If you find toilet paper is better, that’s fine too. Just use a link on either of our sites and we are equally happy.
I have done it both ways (just by chance, not deliberately as a test) and have never noticed any difference in nearly a year of use. Lock followed by run works perfectly well. Not quite as accurate as my Ambit 3, but easily good enough.
“He simply slices up a run into tiny little segments to make it appear that it’s run thousands of times.”
Yea, I’m sure he’s trying to deceive.
‘Every page he has has Affiliate Links to Amazon.”
I’ll bet he didn’t quit his day job.
@cv: your personal feud gets a bit tiring after a while.
I don’t have limitless funds BUT I do have enough to compare
1.RCX5
2.920XT
3.Ambit 3
4.Fenix 3
If you want a never faltering GPS track stick with the RCX5 and the shoulder mount receiver as it is in fact the best track BUT it acuminates distance LONG about 5% on trails with no solution and your only navigation feature is lat/lon
I understand the F3 hate as my 920XT was a dud and source of endless grief it was finally exchanged by Garmin for a second Fenix 3 which I sold as I dont really want to own 1200 dollars worth of trail watches
My Ambit 3 was a DUD in many trail scenarios were side by side the 920 or F3 were not affected and Suunto was not able to offer a resolution
I only use the Fenix 3 in heavily wooded trails since November 2015 with 5.0 it has recorded tracks I can overlay with others or a topo map and I am certainly not going to get lost or have it off enough to affect the outcome of a race which would seem to meet the goal for me
As far as support there is still and issue with VMG and a few data fields not supporting complex courses and Garmin spent a LOT OF TIME on the phone with me ,reproduced the issue on there test watch and are taking resolving it very seriously
I agree Harald and I appreciate your political correctness….but I think we passed “a bit tiring” a good ways back and are in the arena of ridiculous and crazy now with cv’s argumentative banter.
Ray, Not sure what cv’s gripe is with you, but I know the rest of us on here greatly appreciate the things you do and the information given. i personally love my F3 and the fact that Garmin is still working on issues and providing updates and features. I have had almost zero issues with my f3 and the only times i have really had GPS issues is when I take off just as GPS locks. Found that out by looking on this board and finding people with similiar issues and used the resolution that was proposed and it resolved my issues. I think “some” have forgotten that the real purpose of this site is to educate and learn as a group. Everyone can input info to help everyone else and with your ability to get production units prior to our ability to purchaseand give them a manufacturer unbiased review is a great thing….Keep on doing what you are doing and the rest of us will continue to support!!!!
I agree with this comment, people coming here basin a person or product is ridiculous, if you don’t like it here don’t come here. Ray we can’t thank you enough for all you do for us, for FREE. We of course love to support you by ordering through Clever Training but lets be honest, that benefits us too with savings. I love this site and all you do THANK YOU! and also for the record I have the Fenix 3, I had a battery issue during IMLP that the battery died just shy of my finish at 12:45, but Garnmin promptly and easily replaced jt and I haves had no issues since, sure a GPS glitch here and there, but it’s GPS, not perfection. I’m also glad that Garmin continues to add value to the F3, doing more than bug fixes, adding functionality that I don’t have to pay again for. Are they perfect, no one is, but I appreciate their efforts and will continue to stick with Garmin products as long as their current support remains the same
One more in Ray’s support.
I enjoy this site a lot and I have always been guided in my purchases (original Tomtom multisport, Vivoactive and recently Fenix 3) thanks to Ray’s totally FREE advice.
I live in Italy, so it is difficult to support the site through Clever Training (I only managed to with the Tomtom).
But, as Ray provides a lot of added value, I am happy to remunerate it directly: that is why I decided to directly support the site, as I can see many other readers do.
As for the Fenix 3, after 1.5 months I am pretty happy with its GPS (running, cycling, cross-country skiing, skiing, a couple of OWS).
A couple of occasional initial GPS issues when taking off right after initial GPS lock, easily solved by turning the app a bit more in advance of being ready to push the GO button: e.g. before putting my skis on, before getting to the running park gate, etc.
Keep it up Ray
Thanks all – glad you enjoy!
““He simply slices up a run into tiny little segments to make it appear that it’s run thousands of times.”
CV: Yea, I’m sure he’s trying to deceive.”
As for FellRNR CV, I suggest you spend some time reading up on his methodology. He’s very clear about how it works (more so than in the past). On his explainer page he goes into exactly how he slices them up. It sounds like you believe he’s now deceiving you. I personally don’t – I just simply read how it works.
Obviously, there’s no way one could run thousands of times with the Fenix3, given it only started shipping 12 months ago. That’d be ~6 runs per day, every day. Elementary math is my BFF.
“As for FellRNR CV, I suggest you spend some time reading up on his methodology. He’s very clear about how it works (more so than in the past). On his explainer page he goes into exactly how he slices them up. It sounds like you believe he’s now deceiving you. I personally don’t – I just simply read how it works.”
No, that’s not what I meant at all, but I’ll let it go. Also, I’ve read his methodology page quite thoroughly. I’d suggest your readers do the same, as it’s really the only thorough source for GPS watch accuracy around. link to fellrnr.com
I posted the incorrect link. Again, anyone looking to really learn to about GPS watch accuracy should take a good read though this. You’ll understand to what great length he tests these watch’s, statistical analysis and all. link to fellrnr.com
Here’s one extremely unlikely guy I guess. Garmin sent him a new watch because his first watch was having huge gps track deviations.
link to forums.garmin.com
only did 1.250km since May 2015 with the F3
12 official runs (5er, 10s, 3x Marathons)
most of them for reasons not interesting enough here tracked with my Lumia 930/950, too
all of them officially measured courses.
funny enough.
my F3 seems to deviate less than 2-3% from any of the official measurements.
Same like my phone.
I must be an extremely lucky guy.
so, what´s your point, cv?
can´t find someone and somewhere else to play?
Well Harold, I thought my point was quite clear, but I’ll make the point crystal clear…for you. It’s not the case that these GPS farts are rare. That forum poster that I linked to, as have many forum posters, had a watch replaced by Garmin under warranty, and the replacement watch exhibits the very same GPS farts. His watch(es) is almost useless to him. I have seen some on the Garmin forum get two and even three replacement watches, one no better than the last. If these GPS defective watches are representative of a small percentage of the overall watches, then the odds of someone getting two, three, and God forbid four, are *exceedingly* low. It’s exceedingly unlikely, therefore, that these are very rare isolated incidents. The fact that you are satisfied with the performance of your watch contradicts not in the slightest way.
I’ll add this. Until Garmin acknowledges and finally fixes these issues, (assuming they are fixable) the only safe place to purchase a Fenix 3 is from a vendor with a very good return policy. In the US, the only place I’d recommend is REI, with it’s lifetime 100% guarantee. Otherwise it’s a real crapshoot.
so, to make my point “crystalclear”, too
you must be expert on units F3 shipped.
so, how many units have shipped?
and, how many different users post in the Garmin Forums with GPS issues?
have you actually counted them?
have you put them in relation to numbers shipped?
have you put them in relation to numbers users, who are satisfied?
neither fellrnr nor Ray are presenting “official GPS measurements” (ha, if that would even exist), but only their experience and their (rather small) test range. And yes, both of them have statistically not relevant test ranges – and both state that clearly.
and some basic website/forums/Facebook statistics:
how many satisfied users post in forums?
how many unsatisfied users post?
I really don´t want to continue this topic now, as it seems that you and me have quite different opinions and don´t really appreciate the other´s opinion.
But please, stop your personal feud here in this thread.
I would really appreciate that :)
all the best from Hamburg
Harald
This is no personal feud Harold. I’m trying to make the point that there is in fact something going on here with these watches, and it’s signifiant. Just put yourself for a moment in the shoes of those getting “defective” watches. Put yourself in the shoes of the guy whose post I just linked to, the guy whose watch is practically useless because the GPS jumps around, and now the replacement watch, on the very first run, is doing the same. The chances of getting multiple defective watches is the mathematical product of the chance of getting one single defective watch.
F3 question everyone. Does the F3 record run dynamics to garmin connect if they are not “enabled” under the run profile on the watch. I don’t see as well as I used to and have 3 fields of info in scroll and don’t want to see the run dynamics yet.(still trying to keep pace/cadence/HR and PE all straight in my head on the run) I hope to test this out later today, but thought I would ask first. Thanks for your help
Sorry, Needs a better clarification. I don’t want to see the run dynamics scroll by during run but would like to see them added to the run on GC. Assuming if I disable both of these under run/data screens app section, this will be the default behavior.
Anyone else having issues with Phantom Activities in Garmin Connect with the latest 6.80 firmware update?
I have been, but have found that simply turning Move Alerts off in settings seems to fix it.
link to alananna.co.uk
That is until Garmin roll out a fix themselves which I’m sure they will do soon.
Loving my Fenix 3 though and the fact that it is being updated all the time too.
Al.
i have phantoms too. about 8-17 per day an this is very very very annoying, although it just lasts about 3days (for me).
turning off move alerts didn’t solve the problem for my, the forum suggests turning off the activity tracker.
in the end, i hope the will correct this somehow but this must not happen in users paying 400 bucks for a sport watch.
never had problems with my polar m400….. simple but working.
Overall love the watch, but the last month or so on 70% of runs I get a gps “glitch” at some point during the run. See example here: link to strava.com at the 3.4 mile point. Any suggestions? This is with every second data recording and GLONASS Off
I was having that kind of glitch as well about a month ago. I did two (2) things that don’t make sense to me regarding this and haven’t had it since over the last 20+ runs. I turned GPS to smart recording rather than every second and I wait 1 minute after the watch says it is locked before starting. I did a hard reset as was suggested and saw no change by doing that. I think the glitch is prevented by the wait after the watch says it is locked. The smart recording for some reason seems to stop the watch from measuring very short. I have no idea why, but that is what seems to be working for me.
For a start turn GLONASS on, two GPS signals should hopefully be better than one.
I use GLONASS on as well, but really haven’t seen any difference with it on or off myself.
Hi Ray,
Do you know if the infinite multisport mode is possible on fenix 3 or do I have to pre program the events I want?( for example 3x swim and run ) I had 920xt last time and it allowed me to switch between sports instantly (although without transitions) and infinitely.
I know there’s a way to move Garmin Connect workouts to Movescount but can I move all my previous workouts from Movescount to Garmin Connect? Thanks Tim
Og youre on android then Syncmytracks and if you’re on iOS then Rungap app
can I use fenix3 for underwater scuba diving?
i read it can support up to 100m depth.
thanks
cris
Hi ,
Since some weeks my garmin fenix 3 is adding multiple fake training that i never did in my garmin connect , does anybody have an idea ?
Hi Reda: That issue is very well know, it has been reported in the forums multiple times. They call them phantom activities. Apparently Garmin fixed the issue last Friday, as far as I know. It was related to Garmin Connect, not to the watch or its firmware.
Thank you
Hi Reda: That issue is very well known, it has been reported in the forums multiple times. They call them phantom activities. Apparently Garmin fixed the issue last Friday, as far as I know. It was related to Garmin Connect, not to the watch or its firmware.
Thank you
Thank you edgard :)
Good afternoon, I’ve a FR220 for about 15 months and no issues at all. my question for you ray is about accuracy. Is the FR220 more accurate than Fenix 3?? i’m about to give a step forward (at leats i thing is forward)
Is is a good change, or shoud i go to suunto 3 peak, i just want to stay with garmin because i’ve already have HR strap (standard) and speed cadence sensor both ant+
sorry bad english
thanks
Rui,
Eu tive um Ambit Peak 3 durante um ano e depois decidi vender para comprar um Fenix 3 neste natal.
Tambem estava receoso em relacao a precisao do Fenix 3, mas felizmente comigo nao tenho tido problemas. Tambem nao sou muito rigoroso…mas a coisa funciona bem para o meu uso (corrida, trail run, bike de estrada e BTT).
Posso te dizer que nas voltas de tenho feito com a bike de estrada, levo um EDGE e o Fenix e a distancia final ‘e a mesma.
Nas corridas (estrada e trail) em relacao a outro fenix 3 e um Tom Tom, as distancias tambem sao iguais. Agora se em 9km, 200 ou 200 metros de diferenca te incomondam, entao o GPS nao serve.
O software da Garmin funciona muito bem em Android, o Sunnto era uma porcaria.
Sinceramente, depois de passar para a Garmin, o Sunnto parece um relogio com 5 anos, nunca como algo de foi lancado em 2015.
A garmin lanca muitos updates, a Suunto lanca updates muito ocasionalmente…ou seja nao fiques as espera de novas features.
Muito obrigado pela opinião Nuno, eu também tenho um edge 810 que uso tanto para BTT como para estrada, e foi o que usei nas primeiras corridas, depois comprei o FR220 sei que nao é nenhum relogio suiço em precisao GPS mas serve-me bem, já fiz trail e corridas com ele, e nunca me deixou mal.nao ligo nenhuma a diferenças de 100m ou 200m.
Mas como comecei a fazer natação também e gostava de ter algo mais evoluido na corrida, com as funções que o Fenix 3 tem. também sou utilizador Android (e não mudo)
Outra das razões para manter na garmin vs Suunto sao os sensores que tenho todos ant+
Nou comprar o NFenixx Normal sem oHR pois nao quero dar mais quase 200€ por uma funcionalidade que nao me interessa, pois teria de ter na mesma o HRM-RUN.
Abraço e obrigado pela ajuda, já agora onde compraste??
Vale o que vale, mas eu comprei no ebay por 389.34€ em Agosto de 2015.
Obrigado André e a tua experiência com o Fenix???
Bom dia.
One Buy Shop em Lisboa,perto da cidade universitária faz só o relógio por 395€. Melhor preço e o Senhor é uma simpatia. Também vou adquirir um fénix 3 na onebuyshop.
Cumps
Obrigado Tiago, foi onde comprei o meu FR220,
Vais comprar o oHR ou o normal com HRM-Run
Nada a apontar, impecável. mas não me importava de trocar pelo oHR para ao menos ir tendo o RhR.
Já agora, o preço que eu dei foi com a faixa hrm-run. Esse negócio na “One Buy Shop” não parece grande coisa ao pé do preço que consegui no ebay (novo, na caixa)…
Vou comprar o só o relógio mesmo, depois tenciono comprar a HRM run. O fenix 3 HR que está a começar a ser vendido a bateria dura menos e pelo que tenho lido a leitura no pulso não é a mesma que a fita. Se tiver algum problema é só ir a loja, moro a cerca de 4 km da loja. Se for na net temos que ser nós a enviar se tiver problemas.
Verdade Tiago, ter a presença de alguém e/ou espaço onde nos possamos deslocar por vezes vale a diferença. a diferença entr os modelo sem HRM-RUn sao 45€ e se comrares a banda depois sai mais caro. para alem de que sem a HRM-RUN nao temos acesso a algumas funcionalidades.
Mais um André aqui, feliz com o seu Fénix 3 desde Julho. Na natação funciona perfeitamente mesmo, desde que o configures bem e não poupes no impulso das pernas em cada viragem :)
Comprei o meu na Decathlon, com a HRM-RUN, quando estavam a fazer uma promoção de 10% para paypal (mas o código funcionava para pagamentos por transferência também) e o preço base já tinha desconto também. Ficou mais barato do que importado.
Já comprei o fenix 3 com a nova banda hrm run e estou maravilhado . Que grande relógio que tem o lado positivo de poder ser usado no dia a dia como relógio normal
Boas.
Wu tb comprei o meu na NET, em junho de 2015.
E agora, tem sido uma cagada! o GPS de vez em quando demora tempos a apanhar sinal, outras vezes, a 600km de onde o liguei apanha em poucos segundos.
Do que me queixo agora é o facto de numa corrida, pensar tar a fazer um tempo do caralhão, afinal aquilo estava a contar mal os km, ou seja, teoricamente fiz 14 e na teoria fiz 12..
Este fim de semana que passou estive na meia de madrid, e ao fim de 8km, já tinha 600m de diferença para o meu primo que tem um suunto. No final deu prai 3km de diferença.
No resto do dia andei com ele e reparei que mesmo na esplanada, estando parado, ele contava km…
Ja contactei a GARMINIBERIASAT , estou a espera do que vão fazer. Reparei num site do facebook, que a existe pessoal a queixar-se da precisão do sinal, mas não querem que se saiba, o que se faz é mandar para reparação e enviam um novo.
In the Garmin First Look article you write “FirstBeat HRV/RR: This data will now be included in recorded files.” According to Runalyze there is no HRV/RR data in the data recorded by my Fenix 3 at the moment and I did not find anything on that except in a support article on the Firstbeat website that has me copy a .fit file of theirs to the directory \GARMIN\NEWFILES. Is this the official way or some kind of hack? Will this make permanent changes to the current software on the device?
That’s somehow the official way, see link to the5krunner.com as well. That file will adjust your settings and enable hrv recording in fit files. Your fit files will slightly get larger but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Though, I’m not sure if this setting can be undone. There was no need to do that so far for me.
New forum about fenix 3! http://fenix3forum.com
The newest forum with ssl certification added! https://fenix3forum.com
DC:
Any idea if Garmin is going to add a feature to auto turn off step tracking while swimming? It’s counting strokes while swimming which is bizarre.
-Mitch
I would have thought so a long time ago (same goes for running), but kinda given up on it.
Hey guys!
Can any of you silver-bezeled fénix 3 owners (standard or sapphire) chip in (had to do it) on how their watch’s bezel and glass are holding up scratch-wise in the long term?
Please include what version of the watch you have (standard or sapphire), how long you have had it for, how rough are you treating it, and how bad/visible/bothersome the blemishes seem to you.
Grey version owners feel free to share your experiences as well.
Thanks a lot!
Exactly the reason I went for the silver and red band version…no scratch (at least visible).
Sapphire is useless for me…I do trail and mountain bike, on the rain and muddy conditions. I prefer to have a plastic cover for the glass ( similar to the ones we use on the mobile phones screen) that I can replace whenever is scratched….
Even if I had bought the sapphire, I would use the screen protection….
Same here. I also use the screen protector, which is pretty much invisible until ir gets scratched. So I just exchange for a brand new one and the watch is like day 1. Paid about EUR 8.00 for a pack of 16 protectors on eBay.
On the other hand, I bought the gray model. Use it 24×7 since May 2015 and I don’t have a single scratch on the bezel so far. I try to be as careful as I can but once in a while it hits a wall here of there.
Hope that helps!
Not really answering your question because I have the gray bezel (sapphire), but I’ve only owned this watch since x-mas and I’m blown away by the wear. I wear the watch everywhere, but I’m not a hard core athlete right now. All indoor trainer rides and occasional commutes. So, this is just normal wearing bumps. Notice the scratch right above the bluetooth icon on the indestructible glass. Notice the wear on the bezel between 11 and 12. I may contact garmin and see what they say. It’s only month 4!
I’m on my second sapphire, the first had battery issues. The glass is spotless, the bezel has some detect able marks on it, nothing to major but if you look you can see them. I wear my watch all day everyday, taking off just to sleep/charge. I do try and treat it very carefully because I’m weird when it comes to blemishes, they bother me more than they should. With that being said it has taken a few hard knocks on door jams and such and other than the little stuff it show it has held up pretty well, well enough that mu OCD lets me still wear it, lol.
DITTO. exact same experience as Steve. I do take it off when doing mechanical work where it might bang on metal. Crystal is scratch free. A few very minor blemishes on case but I really try to be careful around metal, fences, etc.
Thank you for your replies!
Wow! I’m blown away by your post, Jeff! Was it raining diamonds or rubies over there? The scratch on your display seems extremely suspect, I’ll tell you that! Where did you buy the watch from? Was the watch relatively cheap/with a massive discount from a new and/or shady seller? Did the watch come in a factory sealed box with certificate of authenticity? Do you believe it is the genuine Sapphire model and not a fugazi, i. e., standard version in the Sapphire version’s box? It could be a manufacturing error: some poor overworked underpaid person put the wrong glass in! I mean take a look at this vid: youtu[dot]be/FiqMYWTDACU?t=2m26s and tell me what you think! I’d sure be worried if I were you!
Steve, do you have the grey-bezeled metal band or the silver-bezeled leather band version of the watch?
Thanks!
What version you have, Norm?
I bought from Dicks in a factory sealed box. I still have the box. Now your making me wonder weather they sent the wrong box, although it came with a metal band and I think only the sapphire comes with a metal band. Assuming its sapphire and it hasn’t rained diamonds (lol), I think I have a warranty to issue on my hands.