Welcome to Techodom’s Garmin Fenix 5 Review. The Garmin Fenix 5 appeared in early 2017 and is a more casual version of a sports watch. It is aimed at people of a large age range, who like activities and not necessarily athletes. It is available in various versions, one of which is also intended for women.
In this article, we are reviewing the Garmin Fenix 5s, which comes with a case diameter of 42mm. The other versions are Fenix 5 Plus (47mm) and Fenix 5X and Fenix 5X Plus with a diameter of 51mm and sapphire crystal.
The simple model does not have a sapphire crystal but is reinforced with a mineral crystal, which gives it relative protection from scratches. It would be a good choice to use a protective glass.
Features
The Garmin Fenix 5s is a really well-made smartwatch, robust, with high-quality construction. The bezel, the keys, and the underside are made of stainless steel. The display is 240 x 240 resolution, led backlit. The latter makes the screen legible, even in conditions of intense sunshine.
Of course, the smartwatch is waterproof at a pressure of up to 10atm, i.e. a depth of up to 100 meters. It features GPS and Glonass with the second to provide higher accuracy, but also greater battery consumption.
Finally, the Garmin Fenix 5s featured a three-axis compass with a gyroscope and barometer.
Design
Garmin Fenix 5 design is really impressive. The aesthetics of the watch, the product’s finishing, and stainless steel offer a very beautiful and sleek image, which gives style and combines aesthetics with your sports profile.
The five side keys, also made of steel, guide the user in the clock menu. Their sense and response are at a good level.
Color
Garmin provides personalization capabilities in terms of the image of Garmin Fenix 5. The truth is there could be more variety. For example, the background color selection is limited to black and white. There is even the option to select an analog dial (with indicators).
Clock
Although I am a fan of the analog watch, this option does not, in my opinion, fit in watches of this type, as the display does not capture the depth, so you are actually seeing a two-dimensional analog clock. Digital readings are clearly preferable.
The clock screen can also be personalized. The user can choose what to see on the screen. Among the options are the date, calories of the day, steps, fenix logo and barometer.
Strap
The silicone strap has the QuickFit system so that it is removed and repositioned in a single motion. It is worth noting that it is of high quality and quite soft. Its feeling has nothing to do with the cheap straps that you can find from third parties on the market. There is also a leather version, as well as a metal bracelet.
Performance metrics
The Garmin Fenix 5s provides the ability to measure performance in a wide variety of sports and activities. Some of these are walking, hiking, cycling, open sea swimming, running, mountain running, climbing, triathlon, indoor cycling, skiing, golf, rowing, and more.
Personalized Data
For each activity, the data screen can be personalized. For example, in cycling, the user can choose to see on his screen data such as speed, calories consumed, distance travel, time of day, and a timer. You can also remove or add any data point you want. Also, note that data is updated in real-time.
Screen Light
A very useful function is the automatic lighting of the screen after sunset. So when someone hiking wants to see their performance while it’s dark, the screen is automatically illuminated by the shrug. The movement of the hand should be a little intense, which makes sense so that the device can separate it from simple walking.
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Measurements
As far as measurements are concerned, they are generally valid, but deviations are presented. More particularly, in the measurement of heart rate, there is a noticeable difference during intense physical activity and especially in the time, it takes the device to perceive the decrease in pulses when the exercise stops. As far as the other measurements, there is great accuracy,
Also, sometimes in calorie recording, there is a deviation from day to day, even if it is the same routes. This is observed with a frequency of 10%.
MoveIQ
A reference to the Move IQ function should also be made here. Through it, the clock “perceives” the start of an exercise (e.g. cycling) without being selected by the user through the menu. This function is not very accurate, as it “confuses” some activities and perceives them incorrectly. For example, it can record a manual task such as using a bush cutter as cycling or swimming.
The accuracy of the GPS, timer and speedometer is at much better levels.
Battery
The battery performance of the Garmin Fenix 5 is very satisfactory. In watch mode, the duration reaches comfort 14 days, exactly as the company says in its specifications. With four activities a week, he comfortably makes a week. The activities he has been tested for are longer than an hour and are usually walking and cycling.
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Applications
The device connects to the mobile via the Garmin Connect™ app, which is complete with a wide variety of data and details.
For example, cycling is the option of adding equipment such as the model of the bicycle and the shoe. The total distance traveled from the first route and many other data can be recorded as well. Also, telephone calls can be identified and answered (no speech from the clock, only answer them).
The simple model cannot play music through the mobile library. In addition, applications for other types of exercise can be installed through ConnectIQ, for functions such as body temperature and more. There is also a wide variety of watch faces, i.e. the subject of the watch. Except for a few exceptions, however, none competes in aesthetics the default themes of the watch.
Garmin Fenix 5 Review – Conclusion
The Garmin Fenix 5 is a casual sport watch, with a particularly elegant design, perfectly finished and with high-quality construction and materials.
If someone wants a pure sports watch, the older Garmin Forerunner 935 or the latest Garmin Forerunner 945 might be more appropriate.
However, the Garmin Fenix 5 is aimed at people who want to record their activities, but also wear the same watch both during activities and tasks and on their way out.
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