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Garmin Fenix 3 HR, Gray
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Brand | Garmin |
Style | Fenix 3 HR |
Color | Gray |
Screen Size | 1.2 Inches |
Special Feature | Bluetooth |
Shape | Round |
Target Audience | Unisex adult |
Age Range (Description) | Adult |
Compatible Devices | Smartphone |
Display Type | Color transflective memory-in-pixel Chroma |
About this item
- WRIST-BASED HEART RATE - Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate technology measures heart rate at the wrist, giving you the option to track your heart rate data without wearing a chest strap - Activity Tracking Accuracy
- BLACK SILICONE BAND - Soft, flexible black silicone band adds luxurious feel with resistance to discoloration
- CHROMA DISPLAY - 1.2” sunlight-visible high-resolution color Chroma optically-bonded display. Physical dimensions(Inches) - 2.0 x 2.0 x 0.6. Display resolution, WxH - 218 x 218 pixels transflective MIP color sapphire lens
- WATER RATING - Water rated up to 10ATM / 100 meters; suitable for swimming and display size, WxH is 1.2 inch (30.4 mm) diameter
- WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY- Utilize one or more Wi-Fi hot spots to automatically sync your data with Garmin Connect and update software (when in range)
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Pre-owned Certified: Electronics products are inspected, cleaned and (if applicable) repaired to excellent functional standards. Buying Pre-owned extends a product's life, reducing e-waste and raw material extraction.
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Top Brand: Garmin
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Price | $199.99$199.99 | -30% $449.99$449.99 New Price: $644.00 | $799.99$799.99 | -28% $573.99$573.99 List: $799.99 | $899.99$899.99 | $184.99$184.99 |
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Customer Ratings | ||||||
Battery life | 4.5 | — | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
For working out | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.7 | — | 4.7 | 5.0 |
Sleep tracking | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | — |
Accuracy | — | — | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.5 |
Mileage | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | — | — | — |
Sold By | YourDigitalFriend | Tech-Boutique | Amazon.com | Smooth Value | Amazon.com | New Life Deals |
size | — | 1.3" screen | One Size | One Size | 47 mm | — |
display size | 1.2 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.2 inches |
connectivity tech | Wi-Fi | GPS | GPS, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB | GPS |
supported applications | Heart Rate Monitor, Fitness Tracker | Camera | Elevation Tracker, Distance Tracking, Fitness Tracker, Multisport Tracker, Sleep Monitor | Elevation Tracker, Distance Tracking, Fitness Tracker, Multisport Tracker, Sleep Monitor | GPS | GPS |
input interface | buttons | buttons | buttons, touch screen | touch screen | buttons, touch screen | buttons |
wireless standard | bluetooth | — | bluetooth | bluetooth | — | — |
Product guides and documents
What's in the box
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Customer Review: Heartrate sensor is horrible
Arjun Bhattcharjee
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Fenix 3 HR Merch
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 0.6 x 2 x 2 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 3.2 ounces |
ASIN | B01A5HIQ7Q |
Item model number | 010-01338-70 |
Batteries | 1 CR2 batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #259,101 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #956 in Running GPS Units |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Connectivity technologies | Wi-Fi |
Special features | Bluetooth |
Other display features | Wireless |
Human Interface Input | Buttons |
Scanner Resolution | 218 x 218 |
Color | Gray |
Whats in the box | fēnix 3 HR^black silicone watch band^USB/charger cable^AC adapter with plug^documentation |
Manufacturer | Garmin |
Date First Available | January 5, 2016 |
Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
Standing screen display size | 1.2 Inches |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product Description
Fenix 3 HR combines rugged good looks with fitness training performance, which includes Elevate wrist heart rate technology. With uncompromising construction details like stainless steel bezel with fully integrated EXO antenna which, when paired with GLONASS and EPO, provides faster fixes and more accurate position than GPS alone. With a sunlight-visible high-resolution Chroma color display, Fenix 3 makes a statement on the trail and off. A full set of fitness training features, plus outdoor navigation capabilities offer the outdoor adventurist every option for training activities and competitions. Connect IQ lets you customize your Fenix 3 with a variety of downloadable watch faces, data fields, widgets and activities. When paired with a compatible smartphone
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, tracking, ease of use, and battery life of the GPS or navigation system. They mention that it's a great all-around smart watch, the GPS is great, and the user interface is intuitive. They appreciate the ability to customize the watch and that it runs 24/7. That said, some appreciate the appearance and the charging dock.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the GPS watch. For example, they mention it's a great all-around smart watch that works well for both running and hiking. They also appreciate the rest of the Garmin system, which is robust and powerful. Overall, customers are happy with the quality and functionality of the product.
"...know that it does the basics - not as smart as an Apple watch, but very useful...." Read more
"...So far is has proven pretty useful, I’d like to see more functionality, so I’ll probably end up writing one myself...." Read more
"...This works well. I can't respond of course, but I can see who is calling, texting and emailing and dismiss. I found this to work well and easy...." Read more
"...The fact that you can change the watch face pretty much any time you want to, and there's enough variety and really good looking and useful faces..." Read more
Customers like the ease of use of the GPS or navigation system. They say that the compact design, seamless user interface, and the ability to change the look and what is displayed is a plus. They also appreciate the ability customize the watch to their whims. Overall, customers are satisfied with the product's ease of usage and the fun features it offers.
"...The screens are infinitely customizable for runs or cycling, or really any other activity...." Read more
"...the usual information a bit more buried information, it is still easy to navigate around There is literally more information than I would need but..." Read more
"...But know, my list is way bigger.+Activity tracking screens are highly customizable and can track up to 4 different things you would like..." Read more
"...There is a learning curve to this watch. It is pretty simple to do basic things, but this watch packs a lot of advanced features and sometimes it..." Read more
Customers like the tracking capabilities of the GPS or navigation system. They say that the GPS is accurate, the barometer is quite useful, and the functions are many and all work well. They also mention that the product is a performance powerhouse of fitness and lifestyle tracking, with its step-tracking capability and the smart watch. Customers also say that it's accurate over time, but you'll sometimes get wonky readings at any one point.
"...Altimeter is for the most part accurate, but differs from Strava's GPS elevation by about 10% on the runs I've been on...." Read more
"...The barometer is quite useful. I turned on the barometric pressure alarm to notify me of pressure drops of 2mb in a three hour period...." Read more
"...It integrates nicely and gives you additional metrics to keep you motiviated!" Read more
"...stroke rate for both paddleboarding and rowing and has dedicated apps with associated metrics for them as well as the traditional swim/bike/run and..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the battery life of the navigation system. They mention that it runs 24/7, has a giant battery, and doesn't quit. Some appreciate the fact that it stays on the entire time.
"...I really like that it's running 24/7 as it gives me a good sense for my overall fitness level and health.In sum, I love the watch...." Read more
"...I’ve been blown away by battery life. When using it just as a watch and an occasional tracking of a walk during the day, it typically loses ~10%...." Read more
"...Battery life?: Excellent. This depends on how much you check the watch and interact with it...." Read more
"...The battery life and upgraded running metrics make it a great all-around smart watch for folks interested in a nice looking fitness-oriented device..." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the GPS or navigation system. They say that the watch looks nice enough that their wife is fine with it, and the charging dock is very well designed. The band is excellent and the safire crystal is awesome.
"...a watch guy just as much as I am a fitness guy, and the look of the watch is really pretty. Not reason enough to spend $600, but close...." Read more
"...much any time you want to, and there's enough variety and really good looking and useful faces means that you can appear to wear a different watch..." Read more
"...The great thing is that since it's an attractive enough watch to wear all the time, it really does work perfectly as a step counter/fitness tracker...." Read more
"...The fact that the watch looks nice enough that my wife is fine with it and the wonders of what the watch can do far outweigh the issues in my..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the connectivity of the GPS watch. Some mention it syncs with their iPhone over Bluetooth, while others say it stopped connecting to their Android phone. The app is not user-friendly, and the watch loses the Bluetooth connection randomly.
"...It's a Garmin and works really well and is quick to start (< 30 seconds)...." Read more
"...3. Use?: Ahh, great. The app is a pleasure to use and is actually the best I have found to date, although the competitor for this market also has..." Read more
"...-The App sucks. Compared to Fitbit, the dashboard looks like a mess...." Read more
"...I purchased it a couple of days after the Fenix 3 HR. It integrates nicely and gives you additional metrics to keep you motiviated!" Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the navigation system. Some mention it's good value, while others say it' s overkill for their needs, overpriced, and lacking in quality.
"...It’s an expensive watch, and I don’t regret making the purchase in the least bit...." Read more
"...Obviously though, this watch isn't for everyone. It's definitely expensive...." Read more
"...Awesome. A really great value because you find things you can use, rather than finding limitations and a desire fora better watch...." Read more
"...Finally, this watch is a great value at this point...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the size of the product. Some mention that it is very lightweight and medium-sized, while others say that it's a bit big if you have small wrists. The useable screen is actually a little small, and the watch face is pretty large. It's really too big to sleep in it every day and actually it detect my HR.
"...Wear?: The watch face is pretty large and the band is not dainty either. This is probably ore of a man's watch then for a woman...." Read more
"...Good, normal size for a classy watch. I wasn't running when I took the photos, so obviously disregard inaccuracies in the data...." Read more
"...Its much heavier and larger than anything I've worn before...." Read more
"...It’s smaller, lighter and the battery lasts a lot longer because it’s not powering a huge color screen...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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I've been holding out for this watch for about a year - and in the interim I've been reading pretty much every review out there (spending way too much time on DC Rainmaker's site). I thought I'd provide my own review after only a brief week of using it, and then will update this in a few months.
First, I'm a watch guy just as much as I am a fitness guy, and the look of the watch is really pretty. Not reason enough to spend $600, but close. Yes, the screen is a bit dim, but having the screen on 24/7 makes the tradeoff worth it. Garmin Connect has some pretty decent watch faces - even some that class it up like a fake Panerai. Others are downright hideous, but really you'll only cycle through three or four of them.
As a smartwatch, it's really in the Pebble category. It doesn't do much more than tell you who's calling or any notifications from the screen of your phone. Obviously, if your getting a Fenix, you're likely not concerned with this as much as other people would be, but it's good to know that it does the basics - not as smart as an Apple watch, but very useful. As an activity tracker, it does the job as well - steps and intensity minutes, as well as flights of stairs climbed (it's pretty awesome to come back from a trail run and see you've climbed the equivalent of 200+ flights of stairs).
Now, for the main reason you'll be getting the watch - the GPS and optical heart rate monitor. I won't add anything to the GPS you find from other sites. It's a Garmin and works really well and is quick to start (< 30 seconds). The screens are infinitely customizable for runs or cycling, or really any other activity. Especially since you can add user-generated screens from Garmin Connect. I have one screen right now for trail running that tells me ascent, descent, total elevation, current elevation, average pace, current pace, heart rate, distance, timer, and TOD. Yes, all on one screen. I downloaded this and love it (until my eyesight fails me).
The heart rate has been very accurate on the runs I've been on, and for my cycling as well. I have it pretty tight on my wrist - not tight enough to leave a mark on my skin, but it doesn't move. About .5 miles into my runs, I see it being pretty accurate. There is some lead time (it's still cold where I'm at). I really like that it's running 24/7 as it gives me a good sense for my overall fitness level and health.
In sum, I love the watch. I had to spend some time before I made the purchase justifying to myself (and especially my wife), why I needed the $600 Fenix 3 HR over a 235, for example. In the end, if you want a classy GPS watch you can wear anywhere, with HR and ways to track everything in your active life, get it. No buyer's remorse at all.
Other notes:
- Virtual racer is awesome (race against prior runs)
- Creating courses on Garmin Connect and using them for navigation is also awesome (and super easy)
- Altimeter is for the most part accurate, but differs from Strava's GPS elevation by about 10% on the runs I've been on. I'm not sure which is more accurate yet, as GPS elevations can be wrong, but I have calibrated the altimeter on the Fenix using both auto and GPS calibration and am happy with how close the numbers are to each other.
- I haven't even scratched the surface of what it can do, and I love that thought. More to come.
***UPDATE: 4/28/2016
I've had the watch now for about a month. I'm way more in love with it now than I was even at the beginning. I was on the fence about the Fenix 3 HR, Forerunner 235, Vivoactive HR, or Apple Watch 2 (or 3 or whatever version will finally have GPS). I can say now that I don't even keep up to date with rumors and reviews of the other watches because I love mine so much. I realize I'm gushing over a watch, but it's awesome.
I put some pictures out there to show how pretty it is, as well as how large it is on a wrist. Good, normal size for a classy watch. I wasn't running when I took the photos, so obviously disregard inaccuracies in the data. You'll note that I have one screen with grade, vertical feet per hour, and HR on it. The best part about this screen: it pulls up automatically when I'm climbing. I read about this feature, and even watched DC Rainmaker's video on it, but before I used it, I didn't really care about it. If you run trails, or ride up mountain roads, it's an amazing piece of information to help you continue in your training and geeky self-quantification.
I'm confident you won't find a better looking smartwatch in the next 5 years. You'll never find a better training watch. Put them together, and man it's a keeper.
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2016
I've been holding out for this watch for about a year - and in the interim I've been reading pretty much every review out there (spending way too much time on DC Rainmaker's site). I thought I'd provide my own review after only a brief week of using it, and then will update this in a few months.
First, I'm a watch guy just as much as I am a fitness guy, and the look of the watch is really pretty. Not reason enough to spend $600, but close. Yes, the screen is a bit dim, but having the screen on 24/7 makes the tradeoff worth it. Garmin Connect has some pretty decent watch faces - even some that class it up like a fake Panerai. Others are downright hideous, but really you'll only cycle through three or four of them.
As a smartwatch, it's really in the Pebble category. It doesn't do much more than tell you who's calling or any notifications from the screen of your phone. Obviously, if your getting a Fenix, you're likely not concerned with this as much as other people would be, but it's good to know that it does the basics - not as smart as an Apple watch, but very useful. As an activity tracker, it does the job as well - steps and intensity minutes, as well as flights of stairs climbed (it's pretty awesome to come back from a trail run and see you've climbed the equivalent of 200+ flights of stairs).
Now, for the main reason you'll be getting the watch - the GPS and optical heart rate monitor. I won't add anything to the GPS you find from other sites. It's a Garmin and works really well and is quick to start (< 30 seconds). The screens are infinitely customizable for runs or cycling, or really any other activity. Especially since you can add user-generated screens from Garmin Connect. I have one screen right now for trail running that tells me ascent, descent, total elevation, current elevation, average pace, current pace, heart rate, distance, timer, and TOD. Yes, all on one screen. I downloaded this and love it (until my eyesight fails me).
The heart rate has been very accurate on the runs I've been on, and for my cycling as well. I have it pretty tight on my wrist - not tight enough to leave a mark on my skin, but it doesn't move. About .5 miles into my runs, I see it being pretty accurate. There is some lead time (it's still cold where I'm at). I really like that it's running 24/7 as it gives me a good sense for my overall fitness level and health.
In sum, I love the watch. I had to spend some time before I made the purchase justifying to myself (and especially my wife), why I needed the $600 Fenix 3 HR over a 235, for example. In the end, if you want a classy GPS watch you can wear anywhere, with HR and ways to track everything in your active life, get it. No buyer's remorse at all.
Other notes:
- Virtual racer is awesome (race against prior runs)
- Creating courses on Garmin Connect and using them for navigation is also awesome (and super easy)
- Altimeter is for the most part accurate, but differs from Strava's GPS elevation by about 10% on the runs I've been on. I'm not sure which is more accurate yet, as GPS elevations can be wrong, but I have calibrated the altimeter on the Fenix using both auto and GPS calibration and am happy with how close the numbers are to each other.
- I haven't even scratched the surface of what it can do, and I love that thought. More to come.
***UPDATE: 4/28/2016
I've had the watch now for about a month. I'm way more in love with it now than I was even at the beginning. I was on the fence about the Fenix 3 HR, Forerunner 235, Vivoactive HR, or Apple Watch 2 (or 3 or whatever version will finally have GPS). I can say now that I don't even keep up to date with rumors and reviews of the other watches because I love mine so much. I realize I'm gushing over a watch, but it's awesome.
I put some pictures out there to show how pretty it is, as well as how large it is on a wrist. Good, normal size for a classy watch. I wasn't running when I took the photos, so obviously disregard inaccuracies in the data. You'll note that I have one screen with grade, vertical feet per hour, and HR on it. The best part about this screen: it pulls up automatically when I'm climbing. I read about this feature, and even watched DC Rainmaker's video on it, but before I used it, I didn't really care about it. If you run trails, or ride up mountain roads, it's an amazing piece of information to help you continue in your training and geeky self-quantification.
I'm confident you won't find a better looking smartwatch in the next 5 years. You'll never find a better training watch. Put them together, and man it's a keeper.
The Fenix sits on the fence of being a smartwatch in the sense of what a current generation smartwatch offers. Can I speak texts to it, no. Can I control my Nest or other home automation with it, not really (I could set it up as a location device in SmartThings if I really wanted). Does it display information from texts, emails, weather, and so much more, oh yes. I actually am not using the notification content on the Fenix in an attempt to stretch the battery. I have a Moto 360 and Pebble which work better for that purpose if I need that type of device.
I was in the market for a device which I could use to track hiking, mountain biking, and walking in regards to activities without relying on my phone. The Fenix has fit that purpose ideally. At the time of purchase, I had no idea that it would sync via Wi-Fi. And this is a huge benefit as I have a Verizon MiFi. So now when I’m out and complete an activity, I can power up the MiFi and have the activity sync with that. It’s smaller, lighter and the battery lasts a lot longer because it’s not powering a huge color screen. Not to mention it has a 4,000 mAh battery, weighs just under 5 ounces, and can charge the Fenix itself. On longer hikes I can now leave my phone powered off and only use it as an emergency phone without needing to carry a giant battery pack to charge the phone since the Fenix will record my routes. This saves me 5-10 ounces of pack weight typically depending on which battery pack I was previously bringing. I’m not a passionate ultralight packer, I do like to go light, but I am a data junkie so I need to feed that passion.
I’ve seen a lot of complaining about the heart rate monitor, inaccuracies of wrist based monitors, etc. My Moto 360 was horrid. I could only get a reading 20-30% of the time I’d say. It was so frustrating, I never bothered checking for accuracy and it was a spot reading. So far, my experience is that the Fenix has been spot on. One day at the gym while riding a stationary bike, I checked the hand based monitor against the Fenix. Both measured the exact same BPM rate. I then counted against a clock and my BPM matched what the Fenix was reporting. I also have a Tickr chest strap, which I have not yet paired or checked against the Fenix.
GPS accuracy is seemingly pretty good. Inside as expected leaves a lot to be desired. One of my indoor walking routes I take at work when it’s raining, was recorded as me jumping all over the place, likely when it grabbed reception and again lost it. The distance ended up being about correct however, the path was just crazy.
ABC’s – one of the main reasons I purchased
The altimeter is calibrated at the factory. I found it to be off by a couple hundred feet. This was easy to correct within the Fenix. Lidar imagery has accurate altitudes to use for calibration. Google, “Daft Logic Altitude” to find the site which allows you to click on a map and have the altitude returned. Once I calibrated this, it was accurate. I verified by clicking a point at the end of my driveway to get the altitude after doing the correction in front of my office.
The barometer is quite useful. I turned on the barometric pressure alarm to notify me of pressure drops of 2mb in a three hour period. I’ve had one occasion when out in the woods where nothing was on radar, and a storm literally popped up ten miles south of me, in two frames on the radar, it went from nothing to yellows and reds. Unfortunately I did not yet have the watch, so I can’t comment if this would have been detected, but that’s the hope when on the trail. The barometric sensor is also used to calculate flights of stairs ascended and descended. I tested starting from the street level walking up to the seventh floor, my office level, and it was spot on.
The compass is what pushed me to the Fenix 3 over the Vivoactive HR model. The Fenix has a magnetic compass whereas the Vivoactive is GPS based. Not everyone understands that there is a true north and magnetic north. Depending on where you are on the earth, this angle of difference varies. But for a quick rundown, if you were to navigate to a fixed location three miles away, at a 15º declination, the difference between magnetic and true north is almost three quarters of a mile. Do your research before finding this out in real life.
I race sailboats, and there is a watch face in the store for the Fenix. So far is has proven pretty useful, I’d like to see more functionality, so I’ll probably end up writing one myself. But this was another driver for me. I can use the watch to be notified of lifts and headers while racing. I’d like an app to notify of when you’ve reached the layline, etc. Of course the GPS vs. magnetic compasses will be useful here for taking into account for current offset.
I’ve been blown away by battery life. When using it just as a watch and an occasional tracking of a walk during the day, it typically loses ~10%. As I write this review, it has been 24 hours since charging, and the battery is at 87%.
It’s an expensive watch, and I don’t regret making the purchase in the least bit. I found the button layout to be a bit different in the sense of flow, but I’ve grown accustom to it. I just feel like the back button should be on the bottom left and the up/down menu buttons on the right middle and right bottom. Not a big deal, it works!
One gripe, which I'm not going to ding a star for, wish we could do half stars though. It's a proprietary charging system. My guess is that it's probably for water ingress reasons. But if it utilized a standard micro-usb connector, I'd already have one of these cables on trips. So it's another charging cable I have to bring on a backpacking trip, which adds weight. There are aftermarket chargers out there for the Fenix 3, non HR model. The plug into the watch side with a micro-usb connector. So far there are non which have the cutout for the HR sensor on the Fenix 3 HR watch. At the very least, make the OEM Garmin charger utilize a micro-usb connector, or as things are progressing now, a USB-C connector.
Oh yeah, it tells the time too. Because it’s GPS based, it follows you across times zones and is always spot on.
The Fenix sits on the fence of being a smartwatch in the sense of what a current generation smartwatch offers. Can I speak texts to it, no. Can I control my Nest or other home automation with it, not really (I could set it up as a location device in SmartThings if I really wanted). Does it display information from texts, emails, weather, and so much more, oh yes. I actually am not using the notification content on the Fenix in an attempt to stretch the battery. I have a Moto 360 and Pebble which work better for that purpose if I need that type of device.
I was in the market for a device which I could use to track hiking, mountain biking, and walking in regards to activities without relying on my phone. The Fenix has fit that purpose ideally. At the time of purchase, I had no idea that it would sync via Wi-Fi. And this is a huge benefit as I have a Verizon MiFi. So now when I’m out and complete an activity, I can power up the MiFi and have the activity sync with that. It’s smaller, lighter and the battery lasts a lot longer because it’s not powering a huge color screen. Not to mention it has a 4,000 mAh battery, weighs just under 5 ounces, and can charge the Fenix itself. On longer hikes I can now leave my phone powered off and only use it as an emergency phone without needing to carry a giant battery pack to charge the phone since the Fenix will record my routes. This saves me 5-10 ounces of pack weight typically depending on which battery pack I was previously bringing. I’m not a passionate ultralight packer, I do like to go light, but I am a data junkie so I need to feed that passion.
I’ve seen a lot of complaining about the heart rate monitor, inaccuracies of wrist based monitors, etc. My Moto 360 was horrid. I could only get a reading 20-30% of the time I’d say. It was so frustrating, I never bothered checking for accuracy and it was a spot reading. So far, my experience is that the Fenix has been spot on. One day at the gym while riding a stationary bike, I checked the hand based monitor against the Fenix. Both measured the exact same BPM rate. I then counted against a clock and my BPM matched what the Fenix was reporting. I also have a Tickr chest strap, which I have not yet paired or checked against the Fenix.
GPS accuracy is seemingly pretty good. Inside as expected leaves a lot to be desired. One of my indoor walking routes I take at work when it’s raining, was recorded as me jumping all over the place, likely when it grabbed reception and again lost it. The distance ended up being about correct however, the path was just crazy.
ABC’s – one of the main reasons I purchased
The altimeter is calibrated at the factory. I found it to be off by a couple hundred feet. This was easy to correct within the Fenix. Lidar imagery has accurate altitudes to use for calibration. Google, “Daft Logic Altitude” to find the site which allows you to click on a map and have the altitude returned. Once I calibrated this, it was accurate. I verified by clicking a point at the end of my driveway to get the altitude after doing the correction in front of my office.
The barometer is quite useful. I turned on the barometric pressure alarm to notify me of pressure drops of 2mb in a three hour period. I’ve had one occasion when out in the woods where nothing was on radar, and a storm literally popped up ten miles south of me, in two frames on the radar, it went from nothing to yellows and reds. Unfortunately I did not yet have the watch, so I can’t comment if this would have been detected, but that’s the hope when on the trail. The barometric sensor is also used to calculate flights of stairs ascended and descended. I tested starting from the street level walking up to the seventh floor, my office level, and it was spot on.
The compass is what pushed me to the Fenix 3 over the Vivoactive HR model. The Fenix has a magnetic compass whereas the Vivoactive is GPS based. Not everyone understands that there is a true north and magnetic north. Depending on where you are on the earth, this angle of difference varies. But for a quick rundown, if you were to navigate to a fixed location three miles away, at a 15º declination, the difference between magnetic and true north is almost three quarters of a mile. Do your research before finding this out in real life.
I race sailboats, and there is a watch face in the store for the Fenix. So far is has proven pretty useful, I’d like to see more functionality, so I’ll probably end up writing one myself. But this was another driver for me. I can use the watch to be notified of lifts and headers while racing. I’d like an app to notify of when you’ve reached the layline, etc. Of course the GPS vs. magnetic compasses will be useful here for taking into account for current offset.
I’ve been blown away by battery life. When using it just as a watch and an occasional tracking of a walk during the day, it typically loses ~10%. As I write this review, it has been 24 hours since charging, and the battery is at 87%.
It’s an expensive watch, and I don’t regret making the purchase in the least bit. I found the button layout to be a bit different in the sense of flow, but I’ve grown accustom to it. I just feel like the back button should be on the bottom left and the up/down menu buttons on the right middle and right bottom. Not a big deal, it works!
One gripe, which I'm not going to ding a star for, wish we could do half stars though. It's a proprietary charging system. My guess is that it's probably for water ingress reasons. But if it utilized a standard micro-usb connector, I'd already have one of these cables on trips. So it's another charging cable I have to bring on a backpacking trip, which adds weight. There are aftermarket chargers out there for the Fenix 3, non HR model. The plug into the watch side with a micro-usb connector. So far there are non which have the cutout for the HR sensor on the Fenix 3 HR watch. At the very least, make the OEM Garmin charger utilize a micro-usb connector, or as things are progressing now, a USB-C connector.
Oh yeah, it tells the time too. Because it’s GPS based, it follows you across times zones and is always spot on.
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El reloj superó mis expectativas. Lo utilizo principalmente para correr en exteriores e interiores (caminadora), así como para la bicicleta de montaña. El reloj se conecta sin problemas a los sensores Ant+ qué tengo para el ritmo cardíaco, para los pasos y la cadencia y velocidad en la bici.
Es muy cómodo apesar de su tamaño brumoso.
Lo compre para deshacerme de la banda de pecho y la duracion de bateria durante los trails (el Forerunner se me ha llegado a quedar sin bateria). Igual y te faltaran algunas metricas como longitud de zancada, oscilacion vertical...etc pero no hay mayor problema.
En cuanto a VO2max y el umbral de lactato el Fenix 3 HR te los puede dar sin problema y hay dos maneras:
1 Que dejes que el reloj te conozca despues de unos cuantos entrenamientos y/o carreras, en base a su algoritmo y tu actividad calculara esos parametros.
2 Puedes utilizar una banda de pecho para establecer los valores iniciales los cuales tomara de base el Fenix.
Habia leido que el reloj era muy grande, muy pesado, lastima y demas cosas:
1 Mas que grande es muuuuuuuy llamativo, no les recomeindo andar por metro Pantitlan a las 12 am luciendo su flamante Fenix 3 HR.
2 al principio si se siente la diferencia con un Forerunner 230, pero en un dia te acostumbras. Y si te pesa, pues, hazte mas fuerte.
3 Es incomodo SI NO SABES PONERTELO, si lo colocas en la muñeca te va a lastimar, va mas arriba del hueso de la muñeca, bien ajustado pero sin que te corte la circulacion.
El dia que pongan al mismo precio el Fenix 5, tal vez lo compre. Saludos.
Reviewed in Mexico on December 1, 2017
Lo compre para deshacerme de la banda de pecho y la duracion de bateria durante los trails (el Forerunner se me ha llegado a quedar sin bateria). Igual y te faltaran algunas metricas como longitud de zancada, oscilacion vertical...etc pero no hay mayor problema.
En cuanto a VO2max y el umbral de lactato el Fenix 3 HR te los puede dar sin problema y hay dos maneras:
1 Que dejes que el reloj te conozca despues de unos cuantos entrenamientos y/o carreras, en base a su algoritmo y tu actividad calculara esos parametros.
2 Puedes utilizar una banda de pecho para establecer los valores iniciales los cuales tomara de base el Fenix.
Habia leido que el reloj era muy grande, muy pesado, lastima y demas cosas:
1 Mas que grande es muuuuuuuy llamativo, no les recomeindo andar por metro Pantitlan a las 12 am luciendo su flamante Fenix 3 HR.
2 al principio si se siente la diferencia con un Forerunner 230, pero en un dia te acostumbras. Y si te pesa, pues, hazte mas fuerte.
3 Es incomodo SI NO SABES PONERTELO, si lo colocas en la muñeca te va a lastimar, va mas arriba del hueso de la muñeca, bien ajustado pero sin que te corte la circulacion.
El dia que pongan al mismo precio el Fenix 5, tal vez lo compre. Saludos.