This product has been discontinued by the manufacturer. It's been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 945, you may want to check out that review instead.
(Note: My Fenix3 In-Depth Review is now published and available here, go forth and enjoy all the details there instead!)
Today, Garmin announced the latest iteration of their Fenix lineup with the Fenix3 multisport GPS watch. Described at its simplest – the Fenix3 takes the navigation and hiking functionality of Fenix2 and merges it with virtually all of the new functions found on the Garmin FR920XT watch. Except one difference: It leaves behind the plastic look of the FR920XT and introduces everything from a metal link band to different glass options.
As I noted above, this watch is really about a tribal merge between the functionality found on the FR920XT and the Fenix lineup. Historically speaking the Fenix lineup has always been aligned more to the Outdoor/Hiking crowd than the runner/cyclist crowd. While the Fenix2 changed that a fair bit in becoming a multisport watch, there were always little reminders that it wasn’t quite of the same bloodline as the Forerunner series.
That all disappears now with the Fenix3. This watch shares more in common with the Forerunner series than the Fenix series, from the ground up. However, it doesn’t do away with any of the Fenix family features – namely navigation related.
To keep it straight forward and to the point, here’s the run-down of all the new functionality found in the Fenix3 that weren’t present in the Fenix2:
Added WiFi connectivity: This allows you to upload workouts the moment you walk through your door. Added concurrent Bluetooth Smart/ANT+: While the Fenix2 had limitations on using one or the other at the same time, that limitation goes away here. 100m waterproofing: This is an increase from 50m waterproofing. New GPS antenna: The Fenix3 includes a new EXO GPS antenna which includes GLONASS support. New color screen: This screen and user interface looks virtually identical to the FR920XT, except in the body of the rounded Fenix watch face. It’s not HD-color like some smart watches, but it’s better than the FR620 and inline with the FR920XT. Connect IQ support: This will enable you to download apps, watch faces and other customizations for the Fenix3…starting today for watch faces and data fields, with apps coming shortly. Daily Activity Tracking: This will track steps, sleep, and how much couch surfing you’re really doing during the day. Virtual Racer: This adds in the capability to race against past performance and downloaded courses. Metronome: This audible/vibration alert was added on the FR920XT to be used for running cadence drills. Personal Records (PR’s): This will let you know when you’ve hit your best times against standard distances like 1-mile, 5K, and other common brag-able reference markers. Cycling Dynamics & Di2 support: These won’t be available at launch, but are being looked at for a post-launch update. Cycling VO2Max: In addition to already supporting running VO2Max, the Fenix3 adds in support for cycling VO2Max for those with a power meter. Multiple bike sensors: The Fenix2 didn’t support multiple bike profiles, the Fenix3 mirrors the FR920XT and allows you to pair to as many sensors as you’d like to save for automatic recognition as you change bikes. FirstBeat HRV/RR: This data will now be included in recorded files.
Addition of Activity Profiles: Now you can create highly customized activity profiles just like on the FR920XT and Edge 510/810/1000 devices. Multisport mode supports pool mode: Unlike the Fenix2, the Fenix3 allows you to choose the pool within a multisport event. Alpine Ski & Snowboard Mode: While this was technically on the Fenix2, I call it out simply because very few people realized it was there. Auto Climb Feature: This mode will automatically change your display fields when climbing. For example, you can set to show elevation, ascent, and grade fields as you start to run uphill.
Of course, what you see above might be somewhat familiar for Garmin FR920XT users. It is in effect almost every software feature on the FR920XT coming to the Fenix3 (yup, even that Ski mode recently hit the FR920XT). The key software differences then between the Fenix3 and the FR920XT becomes the additional more detailed navigation related functions found on the Fenix lineup that aren’t on the FR920XT.
The bands and watch materials:
Some of the biggest changes to the Fenix3 isn’t actually the software, but the hardware itself. It simply doesn’t look like any previous Garmin device…it actually looks physically attractive. The Fenix3 comes in three different models, which are:
Fenix3 Gray – $499/$549 with HR bundle (shown above left)
Fenix3 Silver – $499/$549 with HR bundle (shown above right)
Fenix3 Sapphire – $599, no HR included (shown above middle)
The Sapphire edition refers to the glass used on the exterior of the display, which is a harder material. It’s become popular with watch makers of late, as it implies being stronger. In reality, I’ve never heard of any recent non-Sapphire Garmin or Suunto high end GPS device actually having their display cracked/broken in regular (or even non-regular use). But to each their own.
In addition to the three Fenix3 models, there’s also a slew of different band options – which allows you to mix and match the different bands seen, including the metal band option seen below normally attached to the Sapphire unit.
Product Comparison Tool:
Now, it’s probably getting a bit confusing with some of these recent models as to how the FR920XT, Fenix3 and Epix all differ. In many ways, they’re basically the same base functionality with the material aspects of the watch and navigation capabilities being the difference. Here’s a nifty little over-simplified visual overview of the differences that I whipped up:
But, for those of you who are more spec oriented, here’s the full rundown of specs. Note that my charts don’t fully cover materials yet (like the glass front and band types), so this is more from a technical feature set level.
In many ways, I think the Fenix3 is cosmetically speaking what many FR920XT users have been asking for – something that doesn’t look like a plastic watch. And no doubt, with its weight and design, it certainly delivers there. But would-be consumers also got something they probably didn’t want: A $50 price jump over the FR920XT, or a $100 price jump over the Fenix lineup previously.
Garmin argues that the price bump is justified, saying: “Based on the comprehensive feature set and premium materials used, we had to put this at a higher price point. Fenix 3 uses stainless steel, a mineral glass or sapphire lens, and although the 920 is a great watch it’s all plastic.”
While I’m horrible at picking apart prices, I suspect that Garmin also feels that given semi-competitive offerings on the market are in the same price range, that they can probably charge more. While I think there’s some validity to that line of thought, we’re also seeing the floor drop out below connected watch makers as so many new entrants come onboard – be it Apple or other consumer electronic makers. Time will tell whether or not this works out for Garmin.
Still, the Fenix3 is an impressive watch. It is basically a FR920XT with advanced navigation features and a very clean external look, and to that end it does its job very well. While I’ve spent a bit of time toying with it, I’ll be waiting until I have a final production unit to make any final opinions on it. But, so far, so good.
Garmin is saying that the Fenix3 will ship in Q1 2015 (so by March), though it sounds like that might be quite a bit sooner rather than later. In any case, once I do have a final hardware and software version – expect about 3-4 weeks later for an in-depth review from me.
First though, here’s an 8-minute YouTube video I’ve put together walking through some features and allowing you to see the display quality and responsiveness a bit.
Fenix3 Video & Photo Galleries:
In addition, here’s three different galleries of Fenix3 photos I’ve shot, along with a video playlist that I’m constantly adding to. These are all shot on final hardware units. The videos are show mostly on final software Thus, there may be minor differences between now and release of the final software/firmware versions.
Video Playlist: This playlist starts with the final Fenix3 unit unboxing, and then moves into how it works, before going into videos on different Fenix3 functions. The little drop-down in the upper left allows you to change the video to other videos in the playlist. Keep checking back for new ones!
First Gallery: A mixed collection of shots
Second Gallery: Comparison Shots with a variety of watches
Fenix3 front, Fenix2 Center, Epix rear.
Fenix3 front, Epix in the back
Fenix2 front, Epix in the back
Vivoactive in the front, Fenix3 in back
Vivoactive in the front, Epix in the back.
Left to right: Fenix3, FR920XT, Vivoactive
Left to right: Fenix3, FR920XT, Vivoactive
Left to right: Epix, Fenix3, FR920XT, Vivoactive
Left to right: Polar V800, Fenix3
Left to right: Polar V800, Fenix3
Left to right: FR920XT, Polar V800, Fenix3
Front is Fenix3, back is Fenix2
Left to write: Suunto Ambit3 , Fenix3 Sapphire, Fenix3 Grey
Left to right: Suunto Ambit3, Fenix3 Sapphire
Left to wright: Suunto Ambit3, Fenix3 Grey
Left to right: Fenix3 Grey, Fenix3 Sapphire
Third Gallery: Just a lot of photos of the watch screens
This is just a boatload of photos from using the Fenix3, different sport modes, different layouts, different features and functions.
With that – thanks for reading, and feel free to drop any questions below (though to keep things tidy, try and keep this post for Fenix3 questions, and the Epix post for Epix questions).
Pre-Orders:
Note: You can pre-order the Fenix3 through Clever Training today (all three versions and associated bundles), as well as various accessory bands. The units will ship as soon as Garmin starts shipping, which is currently slated for Q1 2015.
Thank for the preview, Ray.
Can you say how much thicker is the F3 in comparison to the 920XT and the Polar V800?
I guess that the F3 is not a typical triathlon watch like the 920XT or the V800 and using it during any triathlon competition will be problematic.
Although I’m only a runner at this point and have no real use for fēnix 3’s multi-sport mode, I’m still gravitated toward its feature set and aesthetics. I think Garmin really put some thought behind this one for both on and off the grind. However, as mentioned my ideal wearable would be more in the Forerunner line. When do you anticipate updates to watches like the F220/620?
The vívoactive looks like a nice addition by Garmin. I’ve tried to get jazzed about the specs and features, but I just can’t get down with the square design or the touch-screen aspect of the peice. Something about me wants to push down on tactile buttons when using an athletic watch. Also, I’m not completely sold that I need smart notifications, although I’m sure I’d use it more than expected as others have noted. Who knows, maybe I’ll be more impressed in person…
A shared codebase between the 3 devices will hopefully help what has historically been lack lustre software development. ConnectIQ opens up an API so that’s nice, depending how responsive the virtual machine that monkeyC runs on is. Non native applications may or may not be an issue in the early days of this game.
Garmin has generally done well by us on the hardware side but been slow to respond to bugs and feature improvements on their devices. Treating these little $500 computers like disposable plates has been a good business model till now but at some point we will simply give up and run all our monitors from our android phones with open source software if Garmin/Polar/Suunto don’t step up.
Bluetooth Audio Drivers, 128 gb micro sims, bluetooth connectable monitors, software/roms that work, rom upgrades. If they want to stay relevant they need to perform as well as my phone and maintain their advantage in fitness monitoring solutions.
You have some good arguments, but I think that a triathlete (myself not being one) caring a phone during a competition (swimming, biking, running) is not that convenient at all? (Olu, Jose, etc.. correct me if I’m wrong)
A watch on the other hand, you put on, and that’s it.. A phone you need to carry in some sort of case/ strap around your arm (do that while swimming?) and how do you quickly look how your progress is (is vibrating enough to get the right info?)
I agree with you Jasper. Phones are not allowed in most races and far from a necessity to train well. I feel the phone is currently a crutch for all smart watches and in a couple of generations the smart watches will no longer need them. I think Garmin is approaching this the right way by building on what they are already very good at: servicing athletes from casual to professional. Adding too many features too fast and you run into the problem that Apple is now facing. I love my Apple products, but as a long time Apple user, I can tell you that as they’ve add more features to their devices, the ease of use has decreased and the number of bugs has increased.
Ray, as many others regularly comment, you do us all a great service with your work. I bought the 620 on your recommendation and eventually sold it via ebay once I had actual hands on experience with the 920 which I viewed in Kona and had hands on experience with once back home. The 920 GPS and other features have been hands down the best of the best I’ve experienced.
So many comments above of differing opinions, but when it comes down to it your opinion is the most influential for many of us. In your 920 review you alluded to the fact this could quite possibly become your daily running watch vs the 620, and it’s clear to most of us why. Now, can the F3 trump the 920 in this respect or would keeping both on hand be a silly decision? In this case the financial aspect should not be a factor, so before I return my 920 and go watch-less for a month or so while waiting for a February (anything more specific here??) delivery of my F3, do I keep two $500 watches or can you give more description to us as far as your comfort level while running in more detail? If you felt the F3 was just as comfy as the 920 it would be easy to return the 920. Thank you again, thank you and thank you.
It’s sort of funny to see how desperately people were trying to own 920, but now they put the same effort to get rid of it and get F3… My strategy here will be – wait till F3 (and all 920 returns) will melt price of 920, buy it, and then wait till optical HR comes in the picture 🙂
DITO, I think this is the best strategy ! I just bought a new Ambit2 HR for 200 € and I will wait until Fenix3 will be sold for the same price in about 1-2 years.
Hi
I´m trying to understand if the has manual altitude. Reed some of the post in the thread but I can´t find any answer. I think that Fenix 1 got it but not Fenix 2.
I’m wondering the same. I returned my 920xt today because I was not happy at all with how it performed with the altitude. Took over an hour to get to the correct altitude and no manual calibration killed it for me. For the rest the watch was great, but if I pony up €450 I expect all the function to work and not to be a beta-tester-keep-users-in-the-dark-on-upgrades. I didn’t want to mess around with beta software so now I’m going to wait for the Fenix 3. Hopefully Ray will give some insight on wether or not altitude can be manually calibrated.
Hi DC,
i’m a triathlete like you and i’m going to buy one gps sportwatch between the FR920XT and the Fenix 3.
Can you help with the choice? Which do you think is better for our sport? Thanks a lot for the answer!
Marco
I was wondering if it’s possible to use the wirstwatch bike mount together with the metal option? It looks like you could not open the band completly to fix it around the handle bar.
I wondered that exact same thing, Matthias. Looks like you’d have to switch to one of the rubber bands to use it with the bike mount (the sapphire model seems to come with a rubber band in addition to the metal band).
Can someone please explain to me why the 920XT has 40 hours in Ultratrack mode and Fenix 3 has 50 hours BUT at training mode (without GLONASS) Fenix 3 push 20 hours while 920t push 24?
Garmin also states in the specs on their website that the Fenix 3 has 6 weeks battery life in watch mode, BUT in the overview its says “3 months in watch mode (all depending on settings)” it would be very interesting to know the different specifications for different settings, at least the major ones like notifications and such.
*correction!* they say it has 6 weeks of battery life in smart watch mode… link to garmin.com almost all the way on the bottom …
The 3 months would be just watch mode (no sensors, bluetooth or what so ever, imo)
Thanks for the quick info Jasper. 6 weeks in smart watch mode is excellent. Now I just want to know why its a difference in regular training mode with GPS. Please let me know if you find this answer somewhere.
That … is a good question :p, don’t have an answer (yet?, but don’t think it will show up quite soon.. I think this one is for Ray, a user of both watches and connections with Garmin)
Fantastic review as always, looking forward to the full one. I noticed on the Garmin site there is a difference in some of the functions between the fenix 3 & the fenix 3 Sapphire. It would appear, according to Garmin the fenix 3 gets “Outdoor Features” while the fenix 3 Sapphire gets “Golfing Features”.
Seems strange to me why they wouldn’t offer both features on each watch?
“Golfing Features”
SwingTempo (measures backswing and downswing times as a ratio)
TempoTraining (audible tones convey ideal 3:1 backswing to downswing ratio)
SwingStrength™ (measures how hard you swing)
“Outdoor Featues”
Hunt/fish calendar
Sun and moon information
Area calculation
Hmm, if you read the UK website what you have said is correct.
If you read the US website there is no mention of either the Golfing features or the outdoor features.
Incidentally, the golfing features, or the hunting/fishing interest me not, just seems a curious choice to have to make if you wanted the metal strap you miss out on some stuff but can perfect your golf swing….
UK pricing definitely showing as £369. link to buy.garmin.com
Undercutting the 920 by £20 but offering more features. This seems like an odd pricing strategy. Not to mention upsetting many 920 buyers. A shame we don’t have the amazing 60 day returns policy in the UK. Not a good way to encourage brand loyalty Garmin.
Just found a 15% discount and Cotswold honoured it on my existing order which is great. It’s for supporters of the National Trust – see here: link to nationaltrust.org.uk
The Fenix 3 is clearly the best watch Garmin has produced to date for us triathletes. Feels like the stars lined up for me:- I’ve been waiting to buy the 920xt but its not been in stock apparently due to 15,000 pre-order backlog! Sold my lovely Ambit 2 on eBay for a good price before Christmas and I’ve just been waiting patiently….and now the Fenix 3 has risen from the the ashes so to speak. It quite simply does everything I could ever wish for being a triathlete and more to the point, Connect IQ is the future, much in the same way that Suunto apps were just great for the Ambit 2. I loved my Ambit and was flinching in terms of quality downgrade of materials to the 920xt – but now I don’t have to worry. And the icing on the cake? IT’S CHEAPER!! Bring it on.
Ray can you post a picture of a notification “on top of” normal watch mode and a “four fields” workout mode? I’m just curious how it looks compared to the 920XT.
At time index 7:43 you can see the 4 fields. This looks like 4 even quadrants, but I think you also use the traditional 4 way split of Garmin round watches (3 rows, middle row split into 2 columns)
Yes, a very nice video. But it didn’t show what the screen looks like when a phone notification comes up. (It does show the notifications screen). Does it take up the upper 1/3 of the screen? Does it display as much information as he 920 does?
Ray, I know this may be a redundant question but I did not see anything above. Do you by chance know if there is any possibility that a future update for Fenix 2 will include the virtual pacer/racer and some of the other software features on the F3? I am a very happy F2 owner and really can’t make a change at this time. The only thing on the F3 that I would really like is the color screen but I can live without it for awhile.
Thanks for the heads up on REI. Ordered the sapphire model and the REI site indicates that the sapphire version comes with the HRM for $600. Has there been a definitive answer on whether the sapphire is bundled with the HRM?
Yes, Ray said the sapphire version does NOT come with HRM… (I don’t know that REI shop/thing, maybe they just sell one with an HRM on there own behalf?)
The Garmin UK site lists both options for Sapphire – without the HRM or with it in the Performer bundle (+£30) link to buy.garmin.com
Interestingly the Sapphire comes with the metal strap, but also has “Extra black rubber band and tools” in the box (CT list this just as “extra black band and tools”) which I expect will be better for sports activities. This would be my choice, sapphire with metal strap for smart wear, and then use the extra black strap for sports.
I am hoping this extra band is like the fabric one in the Fenix 2 box which I really liked. I have asked CT to clarify and they are checking with Garmin.
Hmmm some clarification would be nice around this topic…
Maybe for US market it’s the sapphire without HRM, and for the UK (European) market it is with…
Looks like REI changed the description, price and title on their web site for the F3 Sapphire over the last 24 hours. It was $550 for the Sapphire alone and $600 w/ HRM. It’s now $600 for Saphire with no option for the HRM bundle (this price is aligned with the rest of the market). I ordered the bundle as well prior to them changing (the link on my receipt now takes me to a $600 Sapphire alone description), so perhaps it was a mistake.
I hope it will be the case as I would really like to see this on my 920XT but bear in mind the disclaimer in the bottom left corner “For illustrative purposes only”. So not sure that what we see is what we are going to get 🙁
It’s a cool app (Komoot), and yes, it’ll work on the FR920XT. But, it’s not exactly what you think it is, nor exactly what you want if you’re looking for traditional DIY navigation with TBT instruction.
More details tomorrow (and more photos I have of it).
I would like to address those that are saying “gutted” because they recently purchased another Garmin within the last year or so. I just finished a workout tonight on my Fenix 2 (which I love). Am I upset that they came out with a Fenix 3 so quickly? Not at all. Why shouldn’t we appreciate a company like Garmin that doesn’t overly delay product introductions simply to manage “product life cycle”? Think of the cost they are having to incur to design and manufacture a new watch, repackage it, re-market it, etc. Most companies try to drag those investments out so that they get a big return on those costs. Garmin is pushing the envelope to bring more amazing products to the market. I think it is pretty cool. I may wait for the Fenix 4 or 5 to come out but who knows. Maybe I’ll upgrade sooner rather than later. Until then my Fenix 2 is pretty sweet.
I’m a 920xt “early adopter”. I completely understand and somewhat agree with your sentiment. My gripe isn’t the timeline of new product releases. I think that’s great, and I think we’re witnessing an acceleration of new product releases in all consumer technology (e.g. Apple and Samsung smartphones). For me, it’s that it seems they purposely released the 920xt as the *flagship* multisport model with no mention of the Fenix 3 and Epix coming in less than a month. NOW, they’re pitching all 3 models as 3 tiers of of their multisport line. For my own purposes, I would’ve waited the 30 days and spent the *additional* (not same or less) money to get the Fenix 3.
I hear what you are saying, but the 920xt is still the flagship multisport model. The 3 tiers where already somewhat identified. I understood the tiers to a degree when I purchased the Fenix two about a year ago. Its not like any company is going to “mention” what they are going to do in other tiers when they release the latest and greatest within a particular tier. I do get your point though, maybe they could have released them all together and given customers a better opportunity to choose their preference between the latest amongst tiers.
Morning, just wanted to clarify one thing, is it still ONLY the Fenix range which had a ski/snowboard mode? None of the other recent announcement do, ie not the Vivoactive ??
The FR920XT now has it as well (in the public beta FW version anyway).
I don’t expect it on the Vivoactive though, due to lack of barometric altimeter that really makes the Ski/Snowboard concept work. That said, someone could likely recreate it down the road in an app.
Just be careful with Wiggle if you pay for next day delivery. I paid the extra for next day on a Thursday at 4pm and item didn’t arrive until Monday – which they argued is in their terms. It is but I still find that misleading and hard to justify as “next day” – it’s really “next working day if you order early enough”
Oke so I found a dutch website (Holland) where you can pre-order the Fenix 3 and there saying delivery date: end of January begin of February … quite soon no?
looking good those prices (hopefully in Belgium the same, different VAT %, or I’ll order it there)..
Sucks the steel band costs 130 separate, want it (not that bad), but sapphire is to expensive for me.
Np 😉 more people have trouble with errors browsing there phone’s..
And nope, that can’t be true! I’ve emailed the website for some clarification! Also on the Sapphire HRM thing, because apparently REI (don’t know the company) changed there info on there website about the Sapphire to $600 without the HRM… So this one is almost definitely a mistake on behalf of gps.nl (But also Garmin for not correct communicating with the shops I think…)
I’ve heard that the Fenix 3 features an aperture out of which shoots a titanium cable allowing the user to swing from building to building and destroy super villains. I’d find this tremendously useful – can you confirm this as well as all the other things people have asked?
Does the fenix3 have a map that has breadcrumbs? I dont see it in the product images. how is the speed when going through menus? and how hard are the buttons to press?
you have to search the posts here, look for weight or metal band or something like that… I thought it was around 22g for the metal band? but not sure any more…
don’t say a price and then Europe… that’s not correct (Europe ain’t a country 😉 )! In Europe many countries have different VAT’s so pricing differs… sometime 50€ lets say between Belgium (+50) and the Netherlands (-50).. UK is also less expensive then Belgium (in the case of Fenix 3).. Maybe France or Germany is cheaper.. or more expensive.. It all depends on the country, type of merchandise, etc…
I also noticed that the European prices (or at least Germany) for the Fenix 3 are exactly the same as for the 920xt, i.e. 449 EUR for the base and 499 EUR for the Fenix 3 performer bundle. Pocketnavigation.de seems to also confirm this. So no 50 EUR price jump over the 920xt, as previously assumed?
Will the round screen of Fenix vs. square screen of 920 have any impact on compatible 3rd party apps? Is there the potential for an app to be released that only supports the square format?
You mentioned that one can pre-order the Fenix3 through Clever Training but it seems you can also buy the watch straight off the Garmin website, with a processing time of 3-5 weeks. I have to have this watch before I leave the US at the end of March but I am nervous to pre-order in case I do not receive it before then. What would you say is my best bet? Clever Training or Garmin?
I suspect you’ll see it before then. In general (and folks are happy to correct me here), Garmin.com orders ship after specialty retailers like Clever Training. At least that was the case with the FR920XT and all other devices over the past few years.
Also, I suspect we’ll see the F3’s shipping sooner in Q1 rather than later.
A thought just struck me. Ray has set up a 10% discount for all of us, and he always says at the beginning of his posts that he goes out and buys all of these units himself. So very many units he has to spend his own money on for our benefit. Imagine the cost savings to him if we returned the favor by each contributing $1 as members of this blog? No special perks by being a member other than helping out Ray for all he does for us. I’m not a technical wizard so have no clue how to set something like this up, but if anyone does then by all means I’d certainly be happy to be a paying member.
Great article, and love the watch. Can’t wait for the release. I’m upgrading from a 4 month old Fenix 2… it’s a forced upgrade because my watch was left on a beach in Maui! 🙁 Thx again for the review.
Ray- thanks for the great review! I have a question for the over 40 crowd. I recently bought the Fenix2SE because it is easier to read. How is this diaplay for crispness and contrast in the field? Thanks!
Just as a heads up for folks, I’ve put together a not-so-short video doing a walkthrough of the F3 features and functions. It’s available here: link to youtu.be
I’ve also got a bunch of other photos that folks have requested in the 630+ comments, and will be working to add in a deeper gallery this weekend.
Also I felt like the screen was less dynamic then the 920xt until I realized that they use a different color scheme then the 920xt. They should really use the same color scheme with the menus (having the inactive menus white text on black, the active menu black text on white, and titles white text on grey)
Thank you Ray for your excellent review. For the purpose of triathlon, does the 920XT offer more than the Fenix 3 such as actual race function, including transitions times or the the Fenix 3 provide this also. In other words, are the triathlon functions identical? Thanks
I’m really looking forward to see the in depth review of this unit. I’d really like to have this or the 620 because of their looks over the 920 but functionality is still a keypoint.
I was wondering if I can use both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors at the same time. I already have a Bluetooth HR strap and a speed/cadence sensor for my bike. Could I have an ANT+ power meter there also?
Just ordered the Sapphire F3 from Clever Training – many thanks for the discount via the VIP programme Ray! Pays for Express International Delivery plus some 🙂
Due to cost difference, I’m leaning toward the gray w/ black band, but I really like the metal band of the Sapphire version.
The Sapphire comes with the black band, but does anyone know, will the metal band be available as a stand-alone option to add to the gray F3? Cost of metal band if it is available?
Thanks for the video Ray! Do you have an idea when Garmin will publish the manual? I have a ton of questions, but I’m sure you got enough to do already so I won’t ask them all here!
How does it track your movement for steps? What kind of sensor does it use? Will it track steps indoors?
Will it give false information if I am hammering a nail whilst at work with the watch on my wrist, like dodgy pedometres?
It tracks movement through an internal accelerator i think so will probably give false reading if you are hammering. Thing is does that really matter? If you are active & hammering stuff at work you are being healthy opposed to sitting still.
Please can you post some comparison side on pics with the 920XT? The watch and specs are appealing and I could even get over the slightly heavier F3 but the thickness worries me
Thanks Magnus. The on wrist picture makes the F3 seem a lot thicker than the 3mm difference claimed in the device specs. What was your perception of it?
I have the F2. Not sure where or what the worry is. I wore the F 2 comfortably during a 50 mile ultra and during a R2R2R run. Not even one did I think of it as heavy or big. It might look that way, and maybe the 920 is lighter but you aren’t go to let a race on a few watch ounces I hope. 🙂
Thanks Ted, weight-wise is not the issue but coming from a FR 310XT, which was a bulky beast to the 920XT, which is not and I can enjoy wearing it as a watch and not just a fitness device I really don’t want to go back to having a [more] bulky device on my wrist – hence the questions.
I don’t use it to often as a regular device, but I do when on vacation. I am not a large man and I don’t feel it’s to large or bulky or heavy. F2 are around try one of those on, F3 should be better 🙂
Thanks for the pictures Magnus. Surprisingly I find the 4 data fields look clearer on the F3. I think it’s the thinner font that looks nicer to my eyes.
The wrist shots are a bit deceiving however. We know the F3 will be a couple of mm taller then the 920xt, however you wore the F3 over the end of the radius/ulna bones which aren’t smooth. A watch can’t sit smoothly on the very end of the wrist with those bones sticking out (at least for me).
Have a 610 and need to update. Have it down to this or the 920XT. Prefer the looks of this for daily wear. I’m Mostly a road runner but do occasionally wonder on to trails. Would the fact that this is focused mainly for trail runners hurt it’s road running options? Or are the same, this just has the added navigation options that help it be more dual purpose.
Have a 610 and need to update. It’s thisthis or the 920XT. Prefer the looks of this for daily wear. Mostly a road runner but do occasional trails. Would the fact that this is focused mainly for trail runners hurt it’s road running options? Or are they the same, this just has the added navigation options that help it be more dual purpose.
Have a 610 and need to update. It’s thisthis or the 920XT. Prefer the looks of this for daily wear. Mostly a road runner but do occasional trails. Would the fact that this is focused mainly for trail runners hurt it’s road running options? Or are do the added navigation options that help it be more dual purpose.
Hey, great review as per usual. I have the Fenix 1 and when you go to the Clock menu, it has a stopwatch and a timer (as well as multiple alarms). Did they do away with that in the Fenix 2? It appears from the website that the Fenix3 doesn’t have it.
IMHO, it would be a bummer if you didn’t get a couple basic features that a 14 dollar timex would give you that the Fenix used to have. I can understand the 920XT a little because the 305/310/910/920 lines have been so activity focused. Not a deal breaker, however it does seem that they are making the Fenix3 more of a 920XT. I am thinking of
a) keeping 920XT and Fenix 1
b) upgrading to Fenix 3, returning 920xt
c) keeping 920XT and adding the Fenix3 as my daily driver/hiker watch.
Good question!
According to the manual, the F2 has the same stopwatch/countdown timer/multiple alarms/extra timezone options in the Clock menu as the F1, does the F3 have them too?
It would be a bummer to have to buy a cooking timer after upgrading to the F3! … Yes, I use the F1 in the kitchen. A lot.
As a F2 owner I can confirm that’s all there on the Fenix 2. No idea on the F3, but I’m a little concerned about a regression here since according to ray’s review the 920 only has one alarm, and it appears that the F3 has much more in common with the 920 than the F2.
Question I’m sure everyone interested in the Saphire edition would want to know: I know that it comes with both wrist bands (metal / rubber) plus the tool kit to swap band. However, how easy is it to switch band? How long does it take? I don’t see myself switching from metal (when I work) to rubber when I’m back home and want to go for a run before dinner and that time is already limited… Can you tell us your experience with that?
Second question: will Garmin make a package to include HRM strap with the Saphire? Have you heard anything about that?
As usual, thanks a lot for all the efforts you are putting into your very useful blog.
If it’s anything like the Fenix 2 then it’s a couple of minutes to swap straps – you get two screwdriver things and you put one in each side and undo, then put the new strap in and do up 🙂
Re the HRM with Sapphire – the garmin UK site currently shows this as available in the Performer package (and only £30 extra which seems like a good deal): link to buy.garmin.com
If you are doing more pics would love to see how the domed crystal on the Sapphire compares to the flat ones for the other watch; and how that impacts visibility if at all
Appreciate you are crazy busy with CES but Is there an ETA on the review of this & the Epix? Just trying to weigh up if its worth putting down for a pre-order or waiting for a review. Sorry if this has already mentioned.
Hah Neil, that is very funny. I am in the exact same place, and to complicate things further I am a recent 920XT owner that is very, very annoyed at Garmin for duping us on this one!!! :o)
thanks for this first look – I think this is the compelling product I’m looking for right now. I was also considering a Suunto Ambit 3 – from the looks of it, Garmin doesn’t have an internal accelerometer or a “FusedSpeed/FusedAlti” clone. Otherwise, the big differentiators seem to be MovesCount vs. Garmin Connect, a color display vs. non-color, and whether or not I want all bluetooth accessories or not.
Would you agree with that and do you (or anyone else) have any opinion on one vs. the other?
The Fenix 3 does have an internal accelerometer.
Also you can change screens and fields on the watch itself and not have to go back to a pc as you do with the Suunto.
Vibration alerts are great too especially for the alarm, another trick that the Ambit misses out on.
The Ambit 3 has no ant+ support either so if you want to use say an ant+ powermeter or heart rate monitor it won’t pick it up
Hey Ray!
Thnx for the review!
You haven’t written much about Daily Activity Tracking…
I would appreciate if you could answer to couple of questions:
1) Does it automatically recognize sleep, or you need to activate it manually?
2) It is clear that it counts steps, but can it recognize the activity such as walk, run, climbing, cycling, etc.?
3) is it accurate on steps count?
What is the color of the backlight, could you upload a photo?
I would agree with Ian on this. The 920XT seems to be above par on step count accuracy and is manual only on sleep recognition (I have found this to be habit forming, even when drunk!! So I wouldn’t worry about lack of auto here).
What I would like to see a picture of (Ray?) is the activity tracking screen on the F3. The 920XT has a great screen accessible in watch mode that shows steps done versus completed and also the calories burned and distance travelled each day. Is the F3 similar?
Yup, it’s the exact same screen as the FR920XT. I’ve got about 263 photos I’ll try and get a portion of which uploaded today. Sorry, just been catching up over the weekend after CES.
Is there any improvement on using route navigation within an activity (e.g. walk, ride) now? I know it’s meant to be possible with the F2 by starting an activity, then going to the Menu>User>Routes (or something like that), but it’s horribly cludgy, and most of the time it just seems to result in my activity not being tracked at all. Would be so much easier if it just worked liked tracking indoor activities, where you select “Indoor” and then go on to select your actual activity. So is it any better with the F3?
A quick Clever Training question; I’ve ordered a Fenix 3 from them, which with VIP discount and shipping is slightly cheaper than the UK price, so the main reason is to get it sooner. I am assuming Garmin release things in the US earlier than the UK?
And have any other UK readers ever bought anything like this from the US, and did you get stung for VAT? That’s what would mean the price is pretty much the same as UK price.
You should assume that you’ll get charged 20% VAT by customs, and whoever the shipping company is will charge you an “admin charge” for processing this customs payment on your behalf (typically between £5-10 depending on who it’s shipped by). You sometimes get lucky and your package gets delivered without any customs charges, but certainly don’t base the price on this – assume you will have to pay US price + 20% + courier fee, and if you don’t it’s a bonus.
In general, there won’t be a launch date published by Garmin…it’ll just happen. Once I get a final unit shipping notice (with tracking number), I’ll note it here. Typically that’s pulled from the first batch of production units that arrive in Kansas. Sometimes it’s part of the first massive lot, and sometimes it’s just part of a small production validation run before they ramp up. Either way, I’ll note here.
Otherwise though, as for Clever Training, what Neil writes is correct. Thanks for the support!
I purchased my Fenix 2 from Cotswold Outdoors. My wife is a member of the CTC ( Cycle Touring Club ) and I was able to use her card to get 15% discount. There are other organisations who have a similar arrangement with Cotswold so it may pay to ask around.
Is that a publically available code, or even one you’d care to share? £320 makes this look a lot more attractive than £400! Do you know if Cotswold take the money at time of order or on despatch?
20% is from one of their associated organisations so I don’t think I should share publicly, although if you have a google you may be able to find one – but I can share AF-VOUCHCLOUD-AF, which gives you 10%.
I pre-ordered the Sapphire with HRM from Cotswold on Saturday. The only place in the UK that i could find that advertised pre-ordering for the Fenix 3.
Ray, are you able to please clarify one item regarding shipment time. You state above that 3-4 weeks after you receive final hardware that your review will be available. Is there then a time lag to when it is available to the rest of us? Also, have you received the final hardware unit or do you know when that may be? Thanks.
Many thanks for the quick reply. I’m trying to gauge if I will receive my unit prior to an upcoming early-ish February trip to the beach. If not then I suppose mapmyrun on the iPhone will have to suffice until then.
Ray,I want to say Thank you for all the great reviews and posts.
But I was hoping you can answer a few question for me.
With the recent update on 920xt for Ski and snowboard mode. How is The Fenix 3 different from the 920XT?
From what I can gather from posts and discussion there’s only the new auto climb detection and hunting/fishing data.
What navigation features are there that set apart the Fenix 3 from 920XT?
I’ve just uploaded two new galleries, for a total of three Fenix3 galleries I’ve shot/uploaded. The first new gallery is a slew of comparison shots of all the new watches, along with some comparisons against the Fenix2 and Fenix3.
The second new gallery is just 30+ images from the user interface, sort of a walk through various sport modes and features.
All of these galleries can be found at this quick-link within the review: link to dcrainmaker.com
Thanks for the images! They’re a nice addition to this already impressive post. I’ve seen on a video (I think the German one) that the F3 has two different ways of displaying 4 fields, 1 being in quarter sections as shown in your gallerie 3 img4374, the second being one at the top, 2 in the middle, 1 at the bottom. Any chance of posting an image of this setup (or at least a confirmation that this layout exists?) Thanks in advance. PS Looking forward to your upcoming European partnership!
Good to hear. Thanks for clearing it up.
@Olu yeah I meant that video, sorry I tried to search for it again on youtube but they tend to run a bit long to watch over and over again for just a small screen that’s easily missed.
It’s just with all these “pre-release models” you never know what is being kept and what is being removed before a final release model is made. But the 1-2-1 display mode seems better suited to me than the 2×2 (quarter division). Now all I have to think about is whether or not I want the Sapphire or the regular model.
I’d be very hesitant on ‘trusting’ other sites with pre-release models. Everything you see listed here has been vetted against a model showing what they’ve confirmed will be in the final version.
For example, I saw a Vivoactive video from someone that had been shot some time ago on very early beta hardware and software with changes that already made portions inaccurate.
That’s not to say don’t trust anything, there’s certain videos/posts out there with perfectly fine coverage and are perfectly accurate. But, I’m only posting items here I’ve double and triple checked with the Garmin teams as being in the planned final product upon release. For the exact same reason that I’m waiting for the final hardware and final software to begin the review process.
I thought the 1-2-1 display would work better until I saw the picture of the 2 x 2 next to the 920xt. The 2 x 2 (in pictures) looked just as good as the 920xt
From the third gallery there is a image showing Map page, which actually showing track only, is it true we cant load a map or simply fenix 3 don’t have a pre-load map at all?
The same case happened for fenix 2, which i need to load a map and rename it to ‘gmapsupp”, otherwise it will show nothing like that image.
So are there a file ‘gmapsupp’ inside fenix 3? If there is such a file, then it probably support simplified OSM maps, Thanks
This pisses me off. Taking away feature for product differention alone is a good way to lose your loyal customers. Due to features degradation in newer models I skipped all models after 305 until Fenix 2.
Fair enough the map feature in F2 bearly works but F3 has a faster chipset so Garmin could have actually made maps more useful but no EPIX fail ☺
In the review, it would be interesting to know what happens when following a course is started during an activity. On the 910xt, this would reset displayed time/distance to zero, while still correctly recording the full activity.
Great info as always! The 920 made me miss things from the Fenix 2, and the F3 seems to bring it all back together.
The Connect IQ model raises a question though – On the Fenix 2, you could start an activity, then later begin navigating, then stop navigating, etc., all while still in the original sport (the displayed data would only show what’s configured for the Navigate mode, I know). Does the Connect IQ a-sport-mode-is-now-an-app change (or break) that feature, since it’d now be really changing apps? i.e.will it still continue to record as one .FIT file…?
I’m just starting to get into triathlons and i’m trying to start investing in good equipment. The watch that i own right now is purely for running. That’s buying a new watch is on top of my to do list this year. With that said, i’m confused on whether to get the 920xt or the F3. which do you think i should get?
Put it this way Rafa; I am impressed with the 920XT but am seriously regretting investing now that the F3 is on the table. I would go the F3 every time. I am in a mental battle with myself at the moment as to whether I should take the hit on selling the 920XT second hand and stump up for the F3
(If anybody wants a very new 920XT at a great price let me know!! ;o) )
I’ve decided to bite the bullet and sell my 920XT (and my Fenix 1) – I really want something I can wear every day – may also splash the cash on an Apple Watch when they arrive, but for running, cycling, hiking and skiing/mountaineering the Fenix is the best choice as an everyday/go anywhere watch.
Have a Sapphire on pre-order now I realise it comes with both straps.
@Rafa. I think if I was just starting with triathlons, the Vivoactive is hard to beat. If you plan on using a bike with a power meter or doing half-ironman or longer, then I’d go with whichever watch you think looks better.
Yes, I’ll be selling it once my Fenix 3 arrives (and a Fenix 1 as well!). I’ll drop a message on here before I put it on eBay (although I’ll advertise it with my cycling club).
Great review, pictures and commentary here. I have to admit I am just about salivating over the Fenix 3. I currently use the Polar v800 and after 6 months of use I am realizing that Polar hasn’t done much in terms of opening up to partnerships with other companies/apps, which has probably been the biggest disappointment. I still can’t do simple things like sync my activity data with MyFitnessPal etc.
I also have to send the watch back as I now have condensation building up inside. Will get this exchanged/repaired and then sell it so I can go back to the Garmin platform. I have placed my pre-order already for the Fenix 3 and can’t wait to get my hands on it. Garmin definitely seems to be heading in the right direction with Connect IQ and some of the smart watch capabilities. Great looking piece of hardware!
I’ve pre-ordered a Sapphire from CT, but have a burning question…
I’ve had a lot of Garmin devices including a fenix2 and now a 920XT. The 920XT is the first Garmin watch I’ve had that if you had four data fields configured on a single screen and one of them was time that it would keep showing you seconds after it passed the one hour mark. Prior to the 920XT, you had minutes:seconds until you crossed 60 minutes when you then got hours:minutes. Now with the 920XT you get a *tiny* hours number and still get minutes:seconds.
Does the fenix3 do this as well? I *really* hope so as it bugged me to lose seconds after the hour mark was passed.
Just ordered the Fenix 3 and while going through my electronics drawer I found a few things that I would like to sell. Anybody with any ideas where are some places to do it?
Should I assume that I *can’t* swim in a chlorinated pool with the metal band on the Sapphire version?
If I go on a business trip where the metal band would be the best fit for my work attire, would I have to change out the band if I want to get a workout at the local swim club?
I scanned around, but I couldn’t tell – or maybe I just don’t keep up – what watch are you currently favoriting/using? After waiting 4 weeks I had just gotten my 920xt, and while it is a great step up on the 910xt and everything I wanted in an improvement in the 910xt….
This damn Fenix 3 is what the MAN in me wants in a watch that I keep on my wrist all the time.
That said, just off preliminary touch and feel:
How does it weigh in comparison to the 920xt? With the fancy metal band?
For your testing do you plan to really test this thing and its metal band out with how it would function as a primary tri watch? Could you please? While the option of changing the band on and off is always there – I could see some of us getting lazy. I want to make sure that fancy snazy watch looks as good in my tux day one as it will next year, and function fine in races without any worries.
For those who want to know the size compared with 920xt, check out this video, exactly at 38 seconds. I think Fenix 3 is in par with 920xt, visually at least.
I’m with Donnie – would really like to see the seconds beyond an hour. Perhaps an ‘App’ can make one? Suunto is the same I think, after 10 hours no seconds.
I realize I am asking a lot.. sorry.. I also wonder about the seconds displayed on the watch screen; are the same clock screen functions supported as on the F1? i.e. seconds, day of week, date, sunset/sunrise, battery level? I’m not sure if I want to be my primary clock screen to be an app/watchface that I made myself (maybe it is as easy as making a watchface for a Pebble, but I don’t have any ConnectIQ experience and would prefer to have all the F1 options on the F3 right away).
I’d also like to know if the GPS Tools screen (for Sun & Moon information) will be available on the F3.
As to the extremely basic map missing: Maybe I’m the only one who sortof uses it when I’m running on the beach and in the dunes near the North Sea, not really for navigation, but just because it is nice to be able to see where the sea is on the map page. Perhaps it’s possible to create an app for it. MapMyCoast. Or something 🙂
I have a couple of questions about the screen and the backlight that I’d like to have answered befor I buy, so if Ray or FR920XT users know the answers, I’d be most grateful. (I understand the FR920XT has the same type of screen. I would have checked this in the FR920XT manual but I can’t find that on the Garmin site. Perhaps someone can share a link?)
In every image and video I’ve seen of the F3, the screen is really bright and crisp. Either it just is really really bright with the backlight is off, or the backlight is on. In the video’s, people are constantly pressing buttons to show options, and if pressing a button switches the backlight on for a second or two, that could explain why the backlight appears to be on all the time. Is that correct?
Are there photos that show what the display looks like when the backlight is off?
Is there a setting (ala Pebble) that switches on the backlight when you move the watch?
Does the screen go to sleep (ala Garmin Swim) when the watch is not moved at all for a certain period of time?
On your upcomming full review please test/clarify what is the character subset supported.
Using UTF8 (or UTF16) encoding for the text strings does NOT mean that the on-device font will have glyphs/representations for all the characters.
Usualy missing are large language subsets (Chinese, Arabic, Thay).
In concrete, what will happen if one’s smartphone (Android or iOS, both support full UTF charsets) receives a notification (WhatsApp message, Hangouts message, SMS) or even a phone call from someone who’s name contain characters from Russian/Portuguese/German/Spanish/etc languages ?
Will that notification text be properly displayed on Fenix 3 ?
This is of the utmost importance to me as, being a current Fenix-1 user, I was forced to get myself another notification watch because this kind of text was diisplayed as small boxes on the fenix-1.
This alone will make/break my purchase/upgrade of/to a Fenix-3.
On Fenix 2 was not possibbel to receive notification if you were using the HRM strap, with the fenix 3 would be possible to simultaneously use Bluetooth and ANT+ .
I would like to go run/bike and have the possibility to see who is writing or calling me ( so I can decide to answer or not without taking off my phone from bikehersey rear pocket )
I would like to know this as well. For me this is a major feature because I want to use me iPhone for live tracking. If I go out on a two hour run this is perfect. Please let us know Ray and thanks for the great work.
Good Lord, READ THE REVIEW. This is one of the main changes Ray mentions right up front from the fenix2 to the fenix3. Yes, it does simultaneous Bluetooth and ANT+, so yes, this feature now works on the fenix3.
Sorry, english is a second language to me and sometimes I miss these things. Saw it now and that’s a relief to know. I really love the features and the design. Looking forward to seeing it and try it, but most of all looking forward to read the in depth review from Ray. Thx again Ray.
So its now known that the Sapphire edition of the F3 DOESN’T come with a Heart Rate Monitor strap and there isn’t currently a bundle offering one.
As the F3 offers Run Dynamics I’m wondering if the Garmin Accounts Dept. didn’t elbow the Garmin pricing Dept. in the ribs and say if they can afford the ‘premium’ sapphire edition then they can afford the stand alone HRM Run HRM strap @ £80/$100 rather than us offer a bundle with a price difference for the HRM Run of £30/$50 as per the FR620.
Will be getting a Sapphire F3 but using my FR620 HRM Run Strap.
Well…. before I’m slapped down it appears that the UK DOES offer a Sapphire F3 Performer Bundle with HRM Run for £30 extra (so no need to by it separately for £80) It’s the US market that doesn’t offer an HRM Run Performer bundle so those people will need to pay $100 for it separately.
Can you confirm if the 15% discount code is valid for anyone and not just for members of a membership organisation ie BMC. Also whats the policy on charging cards.
Thanks
I’m sure I might have missed it in this long list of comments, but how does the F3 handle triathlon transitions in multisport mode? Similar to 910xt/920xt where its just a matter of pushing a button? Any images/video on how that looks on a round display vs. a square display? Im interested on how easily read it can be.
Seriously? No need for trolling or smart ass remarks…I asked for functionality and how it compares visually from square to circle….which from what I read, was not exactly covered.
hahahaha… maybe you lack comprehension or just your typical online troller with lackluster race times and all you have going for you is commenting on websites. Rather than helping a fellow out, you belittle them? Nice values your parents taught you.
Anyway, being that YOU haven’t touched the thing itself, I was asking for someone’s opinion that has.
Ctrl + F and look for it.. If you really don’t find it, you may post..
But I have seen your question about the screen already 4 or 5 times, if not even more: so you must find something about it.
Small effort, but it keeps the post a “little bit clean”.
For the transitions I think its in the review itself..
…and commenting on HOW to search for an answer rather than helping someone who may have overlooked it or didn’t see it helps clean the posts up?
Your (Jasper) and Gabriel Eguia’s logic seems a little off…
I understand, as a reader, it could get redundant/annoying rereading previously asked/answered questions…but bottom line is, we’re all here for the same reason. If you find it annoying…scroll down and read the next one. Easy as that. No need for badgering.
For the answer: It’s identical to the FR920XT where it’s just a matter of pressing a button. I don’t have a photo at the moment on it changing modes, but the displays are the same as the other shots I’ve included from a data field standpoint, so it’s up to you as to which data fields/metrics you display. Which in turn covers the readability aspects since that all remains the same.
Not that well to see for the screen comparison, but it’s already some thing..
Then you start at the photo galleries of the F3 above in the review: link to dcrainmaker.com
And compare to photo’s of his in-depth review of the 920xt: link to dcrainmaker.com
Here you can extract a lot of info and photo’s about basic functionality (as mentioned, the 920xt and the F3 will have the same software and options as a base, with the F3 having some more)
A photo of the 4 quadrant screen option: link to dcrainmaker.com
Then you look at the video’s people have posted about the F3 (Like Kenneth Rassmussen did on january 7: link to youtu.be)
Or Like MAGNUS on 10 of january posted a direct photo of them comparing: link to imgur.com …
If you would ask: no this wasn’t hard, no it didn’t took an hour (more like 5min [10 for me, because English isn’t my native language] )
This one looks like it might put my much-loved and super-reliable, but somewhat navigationally challenged 910 into retirement.
Granted this might mean I’ve missed something obvious, but on the temperature thing …
If I pair this with a Tempe [sensor], is the temperature field available on the watch just like any other bit of data, and can be added to any data-page-view in the same way as [for example] elevation, lap-time, HR, time-elapsed et cetera – or – will it only be available via an ‘App’ – which could mean quite a bit of work to build (or rebuild) the look of the data as I need it on a per-activity basis.
I can definitely see the use I’d make of one of my running pages, if I could show, elevation, direction of travel, *and* temperature (although I’d like to be able to do that natively on the watch, and on the fly if necessary, and not have to write / rewrite an IQ app to include that data).
Is the temperature reading added to the activity file and once the activity is uploaded, available in GC (along with elevation / HR / Pace)?
How often does it record temperature, timed, or when it changes (and if so, by whole, or partial º’s
Finally (!) – I’m assuming I can pair a HR strap and a Tempe concurrently ?
I have a Tempe connected to an Oregon 600 (big handheld gps) The temperature on that device is listed as whole degrees, so no partials there. I’m assuming the same will be the case for the F3.
On the f2, tempe seems to transmit temperature only in whole Celsius degrees as a result of which, when converted to F you get goofy looking results like 77°, 78.8°, 82.4.
Thanks for the the youtube walkthrough. One thing that doesn’t appear to be in the F3 is a night specific screen mode. I sort of had a love/hate with the F2 screen. It wasn’t always easy to read, but I found the red font to be a nice touch. It looks like that was lost when the screen technology mode. Is there a setting that allows it to go to a black screen with white font at night automatically?
You can create a new sport profile (based on an existing one if you’d like) and then just set the background mode to be black versus white (thus mimicking the night screen mode). It’s an easy way to quickly have a night mode available.
As per smartwatch notification features (displaying the notifications received by our smartphones, tucked away in some pocket) a thorough comparison with F1 e F2 would be mostly welcome.
Namely, on my F1:
1) On a non-sports F1 custom profile, with Bluetooth always ON and GPS always OFF, a fully charged F1 can barely go from sunrise to sunset, displaying no more than 1 notification/h, before depleting the batery.
2) Using a Note 4 runing stock Android 4.4.4, with Garmin connect mobile APP installed and properly authorized to access all notificatios, WhatsApp notifications are delivered to F1, Hangout notifications are NOT delivered.
None of them are actionable (dismissable, repliable)
1) With the F3 it’s more in line with the FR920XT, so at least 3-5 days, some are getting much more. Just depends on usage.
2) I can’t speak to that specific phone. Though, doesn’t actually sound like a Garmin problem but rather an upstream problem in the notifications settings and/or control panel.
Good morning everybody and special to RAY great work as usually.
beautiful watch a lot of question but i think is too early we need to wait your final review.
but one thing make me strange…which is the battery life in one second GPS recording, because if i go to American garmin they say 20 hours if i go to UK or Italian garmin is 16 !!!!
and an other important parameter is the battery of fenix 3 bigger of fenix 2 ( mAh)? adn what about epic?
help us RAY!
I read a post or 2 here, that said: the F3 has 300 mAh and the F2 had 500 mAh.. But since the F3 has a more efficient chip (cpu and gps I asume) the battery last longer..
Indeed a strange thing about those 2 different statements about the 1s GPS interval
I think the US Garmin sites shows the GPS time with just the GPS active and GLONASS disabled and the European site displays GPS time WITH GLONASS enabled. I can only guess why they don’t show the same battery life on similar circumstances on both websites (maybe Glonass is a bigger deal here in Europe?)
I really like to have a more “official “data because for ultrarunners 16 or 20 hours are very different….but maybe only the in depth review will give us the answer is it correct Ray?
wow this is really disappointing the 920xt is 24 & this is 20 & potentially 16? I thought it would at least match the 920xt. I just do not understand how garmin comes to these decisions.
I thought this was interesting video. link to youtube.com
At around the 1:06 mark where its listing features, there’s mention of Basecamp and Basecamp mobile.
I’ve yet to own a Garmin (Have an Ambit2) but isn’t this the mapping software that wasn’t suppose to be on this model?
Basecamp (PC) and Basecamp mobile are support apps that do NOT run on your Fenix, nor upload maps to it.
They serve to assist you manage your waypoints lists/colections, prepare/upload (to fenix) routes, visualise tracks on a map (after you download them from your fenix)
[off topic] Hi Ray. I remember seeing a link to an video interview you did at CES this year. I’ve been searching for that on your blog and youtube. No luck. can you post?
Regarding the HRM+ and the running dynamics. What data might be available (or not available) if a Scosche Rhythm+ was used instead of the HRM+. The F2 had an accelerometer I think so cadence could be gotten that way. I must interested in if a running cadence would be available if a Rhythm+ is used. I just continue to have issue with Garmin HR straps
I got 2 things to ask,
1: Can we change the straps from metal to plastic one easy? or do we need a special tool?
2: If I go for a run with my FR910XT, will my run data sync onto this watch or vise versa?
1) I seem to remember from a previous post (look for metal and/or band) was swapping it takes a couple of minutes with the provided tools
2) Your watches will not sync automatically. Activities are consolidated from different devices on Garmin Connect (which you can access through your computer or the smartphone app) but not on your watches. There may be ways to do that manually but I guess this is not what you are after
The customer service person at REI I spoke with on the phone said that Garmin pushed back the date. She said that REI will be shipping the Fenix 3 to me on Feb 3rd. Let the “delay game” begin 🙂
Reminder of the day: It’s only delayed when the company actually misses the mark they set. Retailers who over-commit on dates beyond what the device company told them…hard to blame the device company…
Well, in this case I think my procrastination has paid off! I started looking at a new GPS watch over a year ago!
After reading this, I have found my new watch. Happy Birthday to me!
One question that doesn’t seem to come up too often in reviews, is can you review the data from a run or a tri within the watch? During my cool down, I often like to scroll through to see my hr and pace for each mile. Wondering if I can do this in the watch or does the data have to be downloaded to view.
I have to say your reviews and website are awesome. You take time to do things properly (very time consuming and I imagine not so rewarding early on). Your reviews are the go to reviews if you are into cycling/triathlons.
I had the 910xt, lost it and went to buy myself a replacement at a great price. Then found out the 920xt was out.. Loved it, had to have it.. They had no stock.. Now the Fenix 3 has been released.. What the, it keeps getting better.. It is an awesome watch both looking (it will be my everyday watch, I currently switch between white and green forerunner 210 on smart casual days and the TAG when I want to look a little more formal). Love what you have done by pairing the Grey with the red strap, I am going to have to go the same way as I love red and the Silver unit does not have a red accent on the button (picky much?).
Thanks again for the review, I really want to buy the watch through your site but don’t think there is a viable way from Australia (I will look into the cleaver training VIP option to be sure before I hit the buy).
Thanks again for your site and reviews, you are awesome.
I’m from Australia and it’s cheaper from Clever Training but warranty is the issue within Australia. Garmin Australia even posted this in response to a Facebook post I did back to this site
I’m from Australia and it’s cheaper from Clever Training but warranty is the issue within Australia. Garmin Australia even posted this in response to a Facebook post I did back to this site.
I don’t think Garmin have released a AU$ for the Fenix 3 yet have they? Only price I have found from an Aussie retailer is $729 for the Grey performance and $849 for the Sapphire.
If purchased through CT, would I have to post back to US for warranty issues? Guess the 920xt issues are still fresh in ones mind?
RRP in Aus $729 for HRM grey , have confirmed with a number of Garmin dealers and this is the Garmin Aus pricing. You need to weigh up savings vs risk, personally I don’t like being shafted $$ because we are in AUS by big companies who have the buying power to offer US conversion prices here
I have finally got over my mental demons of having just purchased a 920XT only to find the F3 and ordered from Cotswold Outdoor in the UK. Great pricing and if you search around you can find codes for 10% off.
Garmin International Purchases info can be found at link to garmin.com. I personally think this is a huge rort and should be illegal but that is the way it is at the moment, I guess.
A quick question for you if you have tried: Can you get a tight tri wetsuit off over the this watch when it is on your wrist or is the 920XT much better for this?
I have a 310XT and am thinking of upgrading to either the 920XT, Fenix2 or Fenix3. I would like to ditch the quick release mount because it makes my watch quite bulky and getting my wetsuit off off over a newer watch is my only concern.
Hope you can reply. Thanks again for the excellent website and all the best to you!
P.S. If you have time/can be bothered in a sentance 920XT, Fenix2 or Fenix3 and why please 🙂
Hi Adrian
I think difference between 920xt and Fenix 3 are minimal other than design (where they are substantial).
The 920xt is function over form and with the Fenix, form has been made prettier resulting in a bulkier offering which can be worn on more occasions without screaming out, ‘look at me, I ride, run and swim lots’.
If watch is for training and racing mostly, I would go with the 920xt it is slimer, lighter and the buttons seem better placed for intervals etc.. If you want to wear your watch allot and not want to be seen as an athlete first and foremost, or if you head out trekking (I am not sure how much better the Fenix is over the 920) I would go the Fenix.
For me I am going the Fenix 3 as I will mostly be using it for a daily watch and for swimming (yes, I know a little extravagant but I like the way it looks and I want a watch to collect swim data (I don’t swim often so bulk should not affect me too much)). I have a FR 210 for running and a 510 for my bike so those disciplines are covered but I will probably use the Fenix 3 for running as well (for distances up to 21kms).
Hope this helps.
Ryan
Thanks Rusn for your thought process. I am having a difficult time deciding on where to go from my 220.
I am solely a runner right now but would like to incorporate biking and maybe some swimming into cross training. The Fenix 3 would allow me to record these events as well as give me IQ features and all the VO2 max, recovery, etc data.
However, my main concern is the move from a 40 gram watch to a 80 gram watch for marathons. Does anyone believe this is a major concern?
I used to use my 910xt for everything (I lost it :-(). The bulk never bothered me. People used to see it and go ‘whoooaa that is huge’ but it did not really bother me (and I am easily bothered. Most times during an event I will throw away my peak, I don’t wear my sunglasses on a long run as I will be tempted to throw them away too and they are more costly than a peak ;-).
My thoughts are the 920 and Fenix 3 are pretty much the same watch, just in different bodies (unless you are really nit picky). The 920’s form is better for the purpose it was built whereas the Fenix looks more like a normal watch and as a result has a higher profile and is heavier.
Only you can say how bothered you would be by the extra bulk. Only Ray can tell you how different the two feel when running for now.. Although, in February there will be a slew of people no doubt with their opinions..
So, you need to ask yourself if you can hold out till then 😉
I have a Suunto Core watch currently (thinking about upgrading to a Fenix 3). It weighs about 80 grams. I never notice the weight. I basically forget it’s there until I need it.
PS – You should definitely take cycling up. It’s good cardio but it’s also a lot of fun.
I know that this wasn’t directed at me but having come from a 310XT to a 920XT the difference in ‘bulk’ is massive. If you were able to get the wetsuit off over the 310 then you will have no problem with the 920XT and I would think will be fine with the F3.
Between the 3 options you have listed I can’t see why you would buy an F2 (even the reduced price wouldn’t attract me to this one). The 920XT has better battery life but doesn’t record temperature and the F3 has the additional navigation features and a better ‘everyday’ look.
sorry Ray to disturd again but any news about the battery life in 1 second GPS? a lot of difference around the net and also in the garmin offical site ( american vs european).
for ultrarunners is a make-decison parameter ( fenix 3 and epic please)
thankyou again
I won’t be able to test/validate that information until the watch is firmware and units are final. To that end, I suspect Garmin won’t be able to do those tests either…
For the F3, I suspect you’ll get that information sooner, for the Epix, it’ll be awhile.
Yet one more person that just bought a 920XT figuring out what to do.
I’m trying to learn what the Fenix3 offers over the 920XT and what I read is that the differences are on the navigation features, however when I go to the feature list compare they show the same capabilities in this category. I read the Fenix2 in-depth review but even that doesn’t shed much light. They both seem to offer courses and back to start (which directs you in a straight line.) Any pointers that go in more detail?
The F2 and F3 both have TracBack which routes you back along your breadcrumb route. The 920’s ‘back to start’ is a straight line, and pretty much useless, imo.
There’s some other “minor” stuff like the way the watch looks, the ability to record temperature and add the tempe sensor for even more accurate temperature measuring.
I’m sure by the time Ray has finished his in-dept review he’ll add a nice list with all the changes compared to the F2 and the 920XT. (hint, hint)
I understand the Fenix3 accounts for elevation change when calculating distance(3D distance) and it does so in in real time. Would it use this 3D distance to display current speed, or is a speed sensor still necessary? I understand speed without the sensor won’t be entirely accurate if GPS signal isn’t great, but at least it is better if it uses 3D distance in real time?
Does anyone know if the Fenix 3 will allow me to load a local trail network as a track file and view my present location when using the watch and see the nearby trails that are on the track, without having to use navigation? Just a view that shows my location and any of the nearby track if applicable?
I know you can load tracks on it. Just not sure about seeing them on the watch without navigating to them. This is likely the deciding factor as to whether I pre-order the Fenix 3 or stay with the Fenix 2/move to the Epix.
I emailed Garmin to make sure the Fenix 3 will allow tracks/routes to be downloaded onto the device and viewed, along with present location, without having to navigate them. It sounds like you can, which is what I assumed.
Just ordered the fenix 3 hrm bundle from Clever Training.
Btw, here’s Garmin’s response:
“In BaseCamp, you will be able to send waypoints, routes and tracks from your computer to the unit and from the unit to your computer. You can view the routes on your computer or watch, with or without navigating the route. You will be able to select the route and navigate to that route on the unit.”
Ray– when you’re all done putting the watches thru your normal tests, I really think you need to step it up with some drop tests, scratch & bump types. Lets find out what kind abuse these puppies can take (esp. the sapphire), and then you can send them back to Garmin. ;o)
I basically treat the watches like crap as it is, constantly bumping into and whacking stuff with them. As it stands, the Fenix3 is floating around the bottom of my backpack right now.
That said, expect to see the Fenix3 be the first unit to go through my waterproof testing chamber…
The challenge with drop tests is that so many variables get involved, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time someone actually noted breaking a Garmin/Polar/Suunto unit via dropping it. It’s been a long time…
My very first triathlon (Kemah Olympic) was one where they take you on a boat out in the bay and then you jump off and swim to shore. It was a big boat with medal floors. Right next to me a guy asked him buddy to hold his 910 while he put his wetsuit on. Two seconds later.. THUD! Sure enough he dropped it face first and it has a huge crack in it. The guy just stared at his friend and he friend said “Sorry.” lol. Poor bastard!
Connect IQ support – Underwater Free Diving App for Fenix 3?
Hi Ray, thanks for the great information as always. Your reviews have lead me to purchase a number of Garmins over the years with great results and I now have a Fenix 3 on pre-order in New Zealand.
Do you know if the sensors on the unit will allow for underwater depth recording? To my simple mind it appears if it can record air pressure it should also be able to measure water depth with the right conversion of the data. With the increased depth rating to 100m this watch may also be able to be offered to a whole new market segment – being free divers, as only the top pros go over 100m.
It would appear that it would just need an IQ connect app that can record depth and time underwater and surface intervals automatically when in freediving mode and then the Fenix 3 could be my everyday watch (as I can wear it with a suit), and my trail running watch, and my freediving watch. 3 watches in one – fantastic.
Anyone keen to try to get an app built for free diving – let me know?
Thanks again for the great reviews – really appreciate all the time you put into this for us all.
Finally I preordered in Cotswold, I found a 20% code, sorry for Ray, but the only option in CT was the 10% with Vip option
And for europeans I think is better because possible Duties increments with CT
And take note the Saphyre in CT does not include the HRM band
I hope Garmin begins to provide them in February, as Cotswold predicts
I suspect its a Cotswold’s DofE participants reward card which if correct isn’t going to be practical/cost effective to join to get the additional 5% discount. Be happy with a free 15% discount as many others are having to pay to get 10%!
I’ve kinda let the Cotsworld discount discussion go back and forth for the week, but it’s gotten a bit out of hand at this point. It’s taking up the majority of new comments right now to this post. Ok?
Sorry if I missed it somewhere. I know the F3 face is mineral glass, what is on the F2? Is it just plastic? If so then, the base F3 should be more durable right?
This code si accepted…I’ve juste tested it but I’m just waiting for miguel to share, if possible, his 20% code…..that would definitely seal the deal for me
This might seal the deal…..Purchase via quidco and you could end up with £25 cashback, mine has tracked already. So taking the cashback off as well it works out at 380ish for Sapphire performance bundle
This might seal the deal…..Purchase via quidco and you could end up with £25 cashback, mine has tracked already. So taking the cashback off as well it works out at £380ish for Sapphire performance bundle
Bob you mean you have shipping confirmation already? FYI I did find a 20% off coupon. I had to go through 4-5 pages of Google and try every code from every retail site, PDF, etc; but finally hit gold.
I’ve kinda let the Cotsworld discount discussion go back and forth for the week, but it’s gotten a bit out of hand at this point. It’s taking up the majority of new comments right now to this post. Ok?
Maybe I missed it somewhere, but do you think there is any chance we get a triathlon-compatible twist-off wrist-band for the F3? If that is the case, then there really is NO reason to buy the 920XT…Thanks Ray!
I think there’s a solid chance, but I don’t suspect we’ll see it in the near term. I think it’s worthwhile voicing that feedback to Garmin directly (via social media is best) though.
I have been using Garmin since my first days of becoming a runner (just over 10 years ago). I have been using the Forerunner series watches (201, 405CX, and 410). I am just getting into triathlons. From reading these details reviews from Ray on the 920XT and the Fenix3 I am learning that perhaps there are better HR bands than Garmin’s perhaps? I also had the concern of my dress shirts covering my upcoming watch (either 920xt or F3). My 410 does not allow most of my dress shirts to cover and it can be a little irritating trying to take my shirt off as I train during my lunch breaks. Do you know the height difference between the 410 and F3? I am assuming the 920xt is already smaller. I am also learning that there is a bit of a battle of Suunto and Garmin. Of course everybody has their opionions. I suppose I will need to do some more research there. But, I would like to know from people have had experience from both companies why they like one of the other in a practical sense. Remember I am coming from the 410 and the extra perks that have come around since then is only a bonus. I have been excited with the two latest releases from Garmin (920xt and F3), but now the more I read the more difficult it for me to decide.
I hope very detailed specifications will be available soon. I am using many of the rarely used or mentioned functions of the Fenix 1 a lot; GPS tools: satellite information, sun & moon information, the basemap, clock functions (chronograph & timer), and even the area calculation. The area calculation and basemap (happens to show useful landmarks for me) are just nice, but the other functions I would not give up even for an appealing piece of gear as the Fenix 3 or Epix.
Good News My Fellow Americans – This is from REI Customer Service.
It looks like we are receiving the Fenix 3 from Garmin on February 1, 2015 to ship to our customers the following day. So it may be to your address on or around February 6
I would take that with a grain of salt as the REI rep I just had a chat session with online said they EXPECT it in their warehouses on 1/29. Either way, I’m a CT customer when it comes to being able to support Ray, so hopefully they will be on par with a similar date.
They haven’t shipped yet from Garmin manufacturing in Taiwan (as of a few hours ago), so I’m about 100% certain REI isn’t shipping them today to you since they still have to be both made, sent to Kansas and then sent to REI’s distribution and then sent to you.
Would definitely be an interesting post if you or somebody in the know knew how Garmin handle these new product releases.
Knowing nothing about manufacturing I would have thought that Garmin would have had trucks full of product ready to ship or very shortly after the products announcement at CES.
This obviously isn’t the case so why? lead times? product secrecy? still finalising the details etc
You’ve already alluded to Garmin guessing sales levels for initial manufacturing runs. Do you think that Garmin has anticipated the (seemingly) huge buzz around the F3 and pitched levels to meet the demand?
Announcements are often timed to industry events (CES, Interbike, Eurobike, etc…) where more press is there. In the case of the F3/Epix/Vivoactive – that’d be CES.
Next is just the just a case of the product being ready to ship, due to announcements being timed probably earlier than they’d prefer, they wait to ship. Aside from Apple, this is pretty much the norm for every other technology company out there.
Finally, it allows them upon shipping to see if there are any issues not caught during testing that might only be apparent in wider numbers. So rather than sitting on 100,000 broke Fenix3’s, they’d only have a few thousand. This is sorta what happened with the FR920XT when the first production run had a waterproofing issue that the previous pre-prod runs didn’t have.
And while product secrecy is something that bigger companies like Apple and others attempt, the reality is with Garmin’s distribution model that’s pretty much a non-starter as an issue. Virtually every retailer and distributor would have seen these units starting as earlier as last summer (either in person or imagery). We saw that the case with the FR920XT where various bike shops went onto various forums and posted their experiences months ahead of launch.
“The Garmin Fenix 3 GPS Watch has an estimated delivery date of February 5, 2015. The item will be shipped as soon as it becomes available. Please keep in mind that this is an estimated time frame and is subject to change.”
Is the metal band that comes with the Sapphire version safe for use in a chlorinated pool? Not sure I want something that heavy on my wrist when doing laps…but I’m pretty sure my laziness to switch out bands will get the best of me.
Not by Garmin (at least nothing planned today anyway). However, I suspect we’ll see a golfing app do something there akin to what the trail hiking app that’s being developed by a 3rd party today for Connect IQ.
Ordered mine with Clever Training with the 10% off. Let’s hope it don’t have any issues with warranty.. And that they start shipping in the not too distant future 🙂
What’s your concern with Warranty Ryan? I would expect that if you are UK based and wondering about ordering from US, that it shouldn’t matter – Garnin UK would cover that? At least that would be my expectation.
Of course you may be concerned about something else all together !
Yes, can confirm that a number of my Garmin tech purchases were bought from REI stateside. I’ve have had no issue in getting warranty work actioned by Garmin UK. My FR405cx’s back plate went a nasty shade of green. It was bought from REI in Chicago but replaced no questions asked by Garmin UK even after I admitted it was a US (personal) import from the US. Credit where its due my experience of Garmin support has been first class i.e. the free phone 0800 number etc knowledgable staff and have been sent replacement parts free of charge.
If a problem arises within the first 60 days from the date the item shipped, we would process an exchange for the defective item and provide a new one. If more than 60 days from date the item shipped to you, you would need to return to the US for service.
According to Ray’s comparison chart in the review yes there is temp recording with both Internal and External sensor. I missed that in first read too, but I am glad the F3 has it 🙂
All the watch faces for F3 work on all 3 models of the F3. The watch faces can be downloaded from the IQ Connect app store and then send to your watch. It’s just that you probably seen a lot of the same pictures shared around on the websites that you haven’t seen a digital watch face on the F3 Sapphire.
Hi Ray. Sorry for asking again, but I think I didn’t got an answer the first time. Is there a notifications memu where the last smart notifications sent by your phone? I like this on the 920xt. Thank you
Will the metal band that comes with the Sapphire be safe for use in a chlorinated pool? I’m sure there will be times when I need to get a swim workout but will be too lazy to change out to one of the rubber bands.
Ray, It seems that many of us runners only are switching to the likes of the 920 and Fenix 3 simply because it just trumps the 620 in so many ways. Since the 620 is now aging, and because the F3 update was such a short time from the F2 release, do you expect an update 620 sooner rather than later that would bring it up to par with the 920/F3?
I’d second that question!
I have a F3 Sapphire Performer on pre-order and will definitely be using it as my ‘travelling’ sports watch for running and swimming (not sure on biking yet) but as an everyday running watch… no! It looks too big, bulky and weighty. The FR620 is the perfect running watch but I would happily upgrade if Garmin brought out a meaningful set of new features i.e a rock solid integrated HRM. I’m guessing that the FR620 is ‘due’ its upgrade in the 3rd quarter? Have a feeling that the FR620 is a very big seller for Garmin so will be upgraded unlike say the Swim which even I now accept has been quietly killed off.
I wouldn’t expect a replacement for the FR620 anytime soon. Garmin has more than enough on their plate already for the spring. Traditionally about the only times you see new running watch releases from Garmin (outside of CES) is the fall (marathon season) and then around the Boston Marathon.
Given Garmin pretty much holds a 2-year cycle, I can’t imagine seeing a FR620 replacement before the fall (which would be 2 years). I could see them perhaps refreshing the lower-end watches earlier to compete with other sub-$200 units, but that’s about it.
In my experience the harder material for the glass on the display is an welcome upgrade because I had i huge scratch on my Fenix 2 in now time, annoying the hell out of me. Not to pleased with what it’s going to cost me to upgrade now…..and Garmin isn’t very helpful in that.
In my experience the harder material for the glass on the display is an welcome upgrade because I had i huge scratch on my Fenix 2 in now time, annoying the hell out of me. Not to pleased with what it’s going to cost me to upgrade now…..and Garmin isn’t very helpful with that.
I went ahead and placed a preorder last night. I suppose I’ll test the market on a selling a used Fenix 2. I watched a CES video of the garmin booth and it appears that the Fenix 2 is going to remain in production. That might help with resale as it could be a current product.
Deciding factors for me on the upgrade:
WiFi upload: I’m just not happy with the bluetooth speed on the fenix 2 but with travel, I don’t want to be tethered to a computer. I’m hoping I will be able to configure my iphone hotspot as a wifi hotspot for the watch. Flip the “switch” on the phone and let the watch upload. Otherwise I’m hoping the straight bluetooth will be faster, perhaps in the edge speed range.
Connect IQ Apps: this seems like it is going to open all sorts of new doors. I’m worried that the internal memory is too limited, but I’m excited.
Color Screen: The Fenix 2 screen is just too hard to read in general use conditions.
You have to save wifi hotspots with the 920( and most likely Fenix 3) through Garmin connect so it may not be as easy as logging onto a random wifi hostpot. Still a very cool feature none the less. My data is usually uploaded before I take my running shoes off
I’d recommend setting up a private “wifi hub/hotspot” while on the go, whether it being your mobile phone or via a small pocket router (like the D-link dir506l) just so you have a “static” wifi network which the watch will easily recognise each time. I use this router myself while on holidays, just log into the local network with it and all my other devices just connect to the router (mobile/laptop/tablet/watch). Also has the benefit that you can place it in the most optimum place in your hotel room instead of just walking around with your phone etc all the time trying out the best place.
Thanks for a great review as usually. I have to disagree with this, however: “The Sapphire edition refers to the glass used on the exterior of the display, which is a harder material. It’s become popular with watch makers of late, as it implies being stronger. In reality, I’ve never heard of any recent non-Sapphire Garmin or Suunto high end GPS device actually having their display cracked/broken in regular (or even non-regular use). But to each their own.”
I´ve broken the glass of two garmin watches in only two years. What can I say, bad luck? Anyway, that makes me consider the sapphire edition. The problem is, however, not everybody seems to agree that Sapphire is better. It´s more scratch resistant, yes, but not necessarily more crack resistant. Can anybody comment on that…you think sapphire will lessen the odds of a cracked screen or not?
Forerunner 310XT and 910XT. I´m running guide in Iceland, so I run in the Icelandic mountains and highlands. When I had the 310, I had run a pretty tough mountain and was down on a gravel jeep road…typical–when it gets “easy” you loose concentration and fall 🙂 That time I probably landed on my wrist, trying to spare the camera I had in the same hand…unfortunately both devices broke.
When I had the 910XT I was going down a very steep part on a rocky mountain. That time I did not notice I had cracked the watch until much later in the trip…don´t think I landed on my wrist then but it must have come in contact with a rock I guess.
Is it possible to choose between Zero or Non-Zero averaging for Cadence and Power data like on FR910XT (MODE > Settings > Bike Settings > Data Averaging > Power)
Probably because the standard is to record zeros with Power and eliminate zeroes with cadence. Eliminating zeros from your power while riding serves no purpose that I can think of. Normalized power is a better way to look at what your average power could be over a period of time (assuming that your FTP value is entered correctly). All my training devices have been set up that way, so I didn’t mind that it was missing on the 920xt and won’t mind it on the F3 either.
There is no mapping on the Fenix 3 – you get navigation but not turn by turn guidance on a map, so if you use that on your Edge 800 then the F3 won’t be a replacement for it…
As mentioned a couple times already in reply to comments #286 & #664, Garmin requires CT to use a membership program instead of a general discount code. Thus you have to join their VIP program and you’ll get your very own 10% discount code that will work on recent Garmin products.
See here for more details (same as when you click on the CT banner on the right side of the page) link to dcrainmaker.com
O.K. gang… I just got the RMA for my 920XT. I know this is all just personal preference… but looking for some opinions before I place my Fenix3 order with CT.
I am really torn between the Grey vs. Sapphire. I like the red ring on the button better on the Grey as do I like the little red tick numbers on the face. I probably would not use the metal band on the Sapphire… so it comes down to the few little red accents vs. the sapphire glass. I am not considering $$$ as part of the decision… just purely the red accents vs. sapphire glass.
Thoughts? Is the Sapphire glass that desired, especially if my intent is to wear it daily?
I had the same dude
Finally ordered the grey because I know the metal band is useless for sports (I attach it continuously to the bike handelbar)
And I’m sure in the future we will see lot of metal bands for sale in ebay for that reason
And I think the standard glass for me is enough, I use glass covers with very good results in my actual ambit, 3 years and no scratches, they add a better protection than saphyre (scratch resistant but fragile against impacts)
I am exactly the same as you, I ordered themail grey as I had to have the red stripe on the button and I will buy a red strap. I really like the Fenix 2 se strap so will try buy that one if it will fit the Fenix 3.
Well after going back and forth… the thing that kept coming back was the reviewer comments that “maybe” the domed glass with the sapphire would provide better visibility in bright sunlight (reflection reduction etc.).
So I ordered the Sapphire from CT. I figure by the time we all get them, there will be plenty of info on the sapphire vs. non-sapphire form a glass/display standpoint. If there ends up not being as big a difference or the sapphire is just “o.k.”, then I have 60 days to return it and get the Grey. 😉
Thank you very much for this review (and all the other reviews)!
Can you say something about measuring heart rate variability? Obviously Fenix 2 used it to determine VO2max but you couldn’t make anything out of the HVR data. Is this different with the Fenix 3? Can you sync HVR data to Garmin Connect and it will be displayed in a graph like heart rate, pace or cadence? This would be really helpful.
The Fenix3 (and Epix) has the same HRV capability as the FR920XT, so it can record that data and 3rd party apps can leverage it via the .FIT files afterwards. It does not however show HRV graphs on Garmin Connect (no Garmin devices do).
Does anyone have any comments/suggestions/experience on transitioning from a Garmin Forerunner 220 to a Fenix 2 or 3 in terms of size and weight? I would love to hear your experience and comments. I am mainly a marathoner but want to start cross training and using the watch to record strength training, biking, and swimming but they will still be a minor part of my marathon training. The additional Fenix 3 features like VO3 max estimation, recovery time estimation, race prediction, having 4 data fields per screen, virtual pacer, and general fitness tracking would be valuable.
However, my main concern is the size and weight increase for running. Is the 82 grams going to be annoying while running a marathon compared to my 40.7 grams of my Forerunner 220? Anyone make a similar transition? I would love to hear.
I had a Fenix 2 and loved it apart from the size and weight . You will feel like you are wearing a brick on your hand after the 220. Go the Fenix 3 or the 920XT. I have a 920 and it is hardly noticeable. Still going to grab a Fenix 3 though as it look to combine the best of both worlds although it will sit higher on the wrist than the 920
Fantastic wealth of information, thank you all for your time.
I prefer the Silver/Red band but I like the red tick marks shown only on the Gray/Black band picture.
1) Are those red tick marks downloadable via “connect IQ”? Or the only way is to purchase the Gray/Black and replace the band with a red one?
2) Can the HRM of the Edge 800 series GPS work with the Fenix3?
Thank you again for great information and for your time.
The outer circle where the numbers and tick marks reside are not on the active display. So they never change regardless of programming. Thus if you like the red tick marks and red button you would need to buy the Grey version.
I believe any garmin HR strap will work with the Fenix. You will only be missing out on the additional data the new strap will provide like vertical oscillation.
I believe the red tick marks are only available with the Grey, hence why I have pre-ordered myself a grey and will be finding a red strap (I like the Fenix 2 SE strap, just need to find out if I can use it and find it for sale somewhere :-).
Yep, pretty sure. Have a look at Ray’s pictures, you can see there are different tick marks on the different versions of the Fenix 3. On some of Ray’s pictures (in a different post), you can see he has put a red strap on the Grey Fenix 3. I like this combo the best.
I purchased the F2 on preorder via Clever Training around a year ago. The F3 ticks the last few boxes in terms of what I’m looking for and I shall be visiting CT again. My problem is that I live in South Africa and will be getting the unit delivered to a friend in USA who will bring it back for me on his return. I did the same with the F2, and it saves a bundle on shipping. Is there still no official release date? I’d hate to have the unit, and other goodies I’m ordering in, delivered after his return.
I keep trying to get hold of Garmin, but my web browsers route me to the local site so I’m not even able to browse any new on Garmin’s main site.
Thanks for yet another informative review/preview.
The official release date is Q1 2015, so anytime before March. Different vendors have different interpretations on that based on what they’ve heard from their Garmin reps. In general, Clever Training tends to be conservative, so they usually take what Garmin says and adds a bit of time to account for unforeseen circumstances. Other vendors do the opposite to try and win sales by promising dates they can’t deliver.
Of course sometimes the issue is that different Garmin sales reps within various regions tell different dates to different retails.
In any case, if you focus on Q1 2015, then I suspect you won’t be disappointed.
I’m in the same boat as you Jason. Also from South Africa, also ordering VIP through CT, also getting a friend to bring it over for me.
I’m dead scared to pre-order in case it doesn’t get delivered to my friend by mid March when he comes back to SA. And it seems like so many people are keen on this watch that there might be a bit of a backlog?
Ray – can you address the difference in appearance of the ticks at the very edge of the sapphire model display for the 0 to 15 position in these two photos? link to dcrainmaker.com link to dcrainmaker.com
They appear to be highlighted in some manner for the first image. I’m guessing that’s a reflection and not a watch function, or is there some functionality with the imprinted ticks at the edge?
Hmm…odd, I honestly have no idea then. I’ll have to find out – I’ve got an e-mail to them tonight anyway. I don’t have that version, but a different unit (and the unit I have wasn’t the final exterior look, whereas the ones I took photos of has the final exterior).
its probably just the settings in how the “seconds” are displayed. the F2 had numerous ways to reflect the seconds. I personally like the one where each second add a tick (going clockwise). So my guess is the photo was taken with that mode on.. at about 15seconds past the last minute. You could say its highlighted to so you can see the seconds. interesting note on the F2 is you can have that display active and a numeric seconds as well. I think the later is associated with the Date/other info displayed settings
That looks like a hangover from a diving watch to me. Trying to remember the specifics, but @30m on air, you’d have about 15mins bottom time. The markings are more pronounced as it’s dark down there.
I may be wrong, but it seems like quite a coincidence.
Gabriel (also my first born’ name), I second your question. I just returned my 920 in anticipation of the F3 arrival, but am having second thoughts due to the weight difference. I enjoyed the light weight of the 620, but thought its performance was substandard so moved to the 920. I’m strongly considering ordering a 920 again due to knowing how nice and light it felt.
I’m on the same boat. I think I’m going to go to a local shop and try the F2 on. If it feels too heavy then doesn’t make much sense to wait for the F3, and I’ll have to “settle” for the 920XT.
Dont consider myself a big man. 5’11, waffling between 165-175. I dont like heavy watches. But IMHO, the F2 feels nice on my write. Wore it for a few ultra’s and a rim2rim2rim. never gave it a thought to being there. Would I complain if its lighter? guess not, but i dont notice it there. The band is great, flexible, not the stiff plastic bands on some other garmin models. Weight is important to some, no doubht. But a deal breaker? not for me. I am already prepping my ebay add to sell the F2. Cant wait for my preorder F3 to arrive.
The F3 is somewhat thinner than the F2 but they are almost identical in weight (82gr for the non-Shappire vs 85gr) so I’m thinking the F2 should give you a very good idea of how the F3 would feel on the wrist.
For me, the F3 feels less chunky, and thus feels more natural. As someone noted, it’s less top heavy, and the weight is a bit more distributed like the FR920XT. So it feels ‘normal’ to me.
It doesn’t feel awkard like the F2 kinda did for me. Same goes for using it with regular dress shirts, it does’t catch at all either.
Thanks for the review, they are always amazingly helpful! With the Tactixs there was a green backlight and then the Fenix 2 a red backlight. Is the Fenix 3 red again or possibly adjustable for what color backlight you need?
How much of the updates will trickle down to the Fenix 2? One of the things that finally got me to replace my 305 was that the Fenix team seems to be committed to updating the software on the older models.
I realize there’s hardware constraints on the bluetooth/ant issue, but couldn’t we get the bike profiles and perhaps the pedometer functions on the Fenix 2 (and 1)?
Speaking of the older models, would you point out to the Fenix software team and tell them that the non-Tri functions are really buggy still. I have yet to do a trail run without the software throwing up, and hiking is only slightly better.
The older watches won’t get daily activity monitoring, because the power drain from running the accelerometer continuously would give poor battery life; the 3 has a low power mode designed into the hardware which the earlier watches don’t have.
That said, you wouldn’t expect it to be any worse than the battery life with Bluetooth notifications turned on, and Garmin were quite happy to push that out.
Any chance anyone knows what kind of GPS chipset the Fenix 3 use?. Heard that Sirf III should be the best (Polar uses it in V800). Ray you also wrote that the FR920xt has the best reception out their, or at least at the top. Is it the same chipset?
Thanks for a great first look. Seems to be an awesome peice of equipment.
Just started running again and looking for my next smart/fitness/watch, was going for the Ambit3 Sapphire since I could get it at at very good price. Even though this Fenix3 seems better in many ways (just the display alone), I really would like a new watch now, and not in month.
But am very tempted to wait for this, even though patience and need of one now. Is it that much better the Fenix3 that I should wait, or should I go for the Ambit3 now at a decent price?
Using it most for running/walking/hiking and indoor activities.
Personally, if the Ambit 3 had just two additional things:
– The ability to display 4 data fields
– Vibration alerts
I would have bought the Ambit 3. I had an Ambit 2S and it was ROCK-SOLID. I had zero problems with it, but I miss those 2 minor issues above are that is why I went back to Garmin – I bought a 920xt and I pre-ordered the Fenix 3
Agree about the vibration, strange Suunto have not already included this. Never though about the Garmin has more lines on the display, that would be nice too.
Like you said Derek Sunto have reputation of being very dependent and solid. Also here in Denmark the Ambit3 have won several tests on running magazines, and is very well rated.
Though the points you are coming with, is they worth waiting for and not only to pay 30% more for in the case of the Fenix3 sapphire, it is quit expensive over the Ambit3 sapphire.
Would be nice with vibration, more details on the screen, and sleep tracking plus allot of other features the Fenix has over the Ambit, like both altimeter and barometer graphs can be shown at the same time (though different screen) and possibility to change the watch faces on the Fenix3, and allot of other cool stuff that is probably fun to play around with in the beginning.
I don’t think we’ll see Suunto release an Ambit4 this spring. They just came out with the Ambit3 in September. Of course, from a competitive standpoint – they’re already pretty far behind now.
Just a heads up on the confusion over european & us battery life. Apparently just an error on the website & this is now been fixed, european version is 20h the same as the us version.
I know the question of a quick release kit for the F3 has bounced around a bit, but is that now confirmed? I.e. there won’t be a quick release for the F3?
Perfect – thanks to both of you. FYI – I got confirmation from REI this AM that watches will be sent on Feb 2nd and should be received by Feb 5th (arrival date of course may be a bit different depending on where you reside in the US).
ROB, I just got an e-mail from REI stating they will receive the watch on February 19th! What to believe?
E-mail from CT states sometime in February but no precise date.
I really want to get it from CT because I think Ray’s blog and research work is outstanding, so thorough and detailed and he definitely deserves credit for all that time and effort.
Someone please inform us on the exact availability date at CT so I can place my order.
Thank you all.
Here’s the thing: Garmin hasn’t told anyone exact availability yet. So all guesses are just that.
Here’s what has to happen first:
1) They actually have to produce production units. That’s very very close, but once those units roll off the line they need to ensure they meet various QA levels (done in Taiwan)
2) Typically, an initial batch of those is the sent basically overnight to Olathe, where usually they’re given to internal testers there for a few days.
3) From that batch, typically some are then sent to external testers and typically that’s where the media units come from (i.e., the final unit I get).
4) Now, with that all set, Garmin will start production of batches of units. Typically, the first few batches are done at low volumes in case something crops up from the testers (i.e. exactly what happened with the FR920XT and the waterproofing issue). This prevents them from having tens of thousands of units that are garbage.
5) With production runs happening, all units first get sent to Kansas. Then, from there they are resent to various distributors and retailers.
6) In the case of REI and Clever Training, they generally get weekly shipments of new units. They don’t have any knowledge of what those shipments are until that week, when they receive an initial estimate for SKU count.
7) The day they ship is when the retailers get a final SKU count. So if it ships on a Thurs, Clever Training gets an e-mail mid-Thurs afternoon with the tracking number and total SKU counts.
8) Then, CT will send out updates to customers based on those numbers.
This process rinses and repeats each week until all backorders are complete. In general, Garmin prefers to send units to places with backorders, rather than having them sit on the shelf (since it means units in peoples hands).
Any dates that any companies are noting at this time is a rough swag. Anything more than “Roughly Mid-Feb” is quite honestly just a fake date, since nobody knows exact counts until the day of shipment. As always, Clever Training is very conservative with shipping estimates, and usually buffers against Garmin’s promises as well.
So what Ray is ..really.. saying is. Once I get my early/media/production unit it step 3. Only then will you know its really close 🙂 And of course fall all you waiting to see who gets shipments first, by delaying, you are just getting yourself further and further down in the queue. Now the real question, is Ray allowed to tell us when he gets “his” production model. Or if he needs to keep it under wraps because of some contract/arrangement
I have no issue posting an update when the unit is shipped to me. It’ll go from Kansas to my US forwarding box in Texas, and then two business days later in Paris. I’ll get a note once it leaves Kansas, and then I’ll post that update here.
Should the FENIX 3 or 920XT require a battery replacement is this possible? Can this be done in any location where there is a Garmin reseller or will this have to be sent to Garmin US and will the exact watch be returned or another refurbished one?
This question is especially relevant when one considers the Fenix 3 Sapphire that is more resilient to the test of time given the use of premium materials, however the battery may be a weak spot.
There’s no direct battery replacement, but it’s really not that much of an issue – despite how much worry people often have. You’re far more likely to kill you’re watch in so many more ways than when the battery slowly starts to fade 3-5 years from now. Plus, the technology will be outdated.
That said, Garmin typically does out of warranty repairs/swaps for about $80US.
Depending on how recent the watch still is (days/weeks since release) you either get a brand new one or a refurbished one if they treat the watches in a similar way as their handheld gps devices. I’ve never gotten my original device back in past repairs but the replacement always came very quickly.
Sadly not. But apparently it might come to the 920XT in a future update which means that it could trickle across to the Fenix 3. Or the easiest way is probably with a Connect IQ app (I came up with a very efficient way of converting between lat/long and grid ref a few years ago for Android, so might do this myself).
Is it true that the designers or engineers at Garmin for the F3 come from a different department that worked on the 920XT? I’ve read that the F2 lacked in the multisport functionality because of this reasoning, so the F2 wasn’t a hit for triathletes. I’d imagine the F3 following suit. Thoughts?
The Fenix lineup comes from the Outdoor Division, which is a separate team from the Fitness division.
That said, starting about 8-10 months ago both teams now report to the same director, which is why you see so much more integration between the two and normalization between features.
I use the FR620 and works great for running. However the HRM usually drops whenever I sweat a lot during hot days or heavy rain. Does anyone know if the fenix 3 has the same HRM strap system? The Suunto Ambit 3 has the swimming+hr monitor feature which obviously takes care of that problem. I honestly don’t care about recording my HR underwater, I only care about reliability in really wet conditions. The Fenix 3 looks promising but could be a deal breaker for me if that problem isn’t addressed.
Victor, I’ve eventually had problems with every garming I’ve owned. Sometimes months, sometimes weeks. Hot weather, cold weather. I must be in the small percentile whose electro/magnetic makeup make me a poor fit long term for most HRM. You might want to read through this article from Ray. For me, I’m in the process of saving some Amazon bonus $$ and plan to pickup a scosche rhythm+ optical HRM. read from plenty that work great and play very well with Garmins link to dcrainmaker.com
Still only seen rumours with dates varying between as early as January 29th up to as late as February 16th. The only official statement we have is release in Q1. Ray said he’d post more info if he has it about shipping so we can only wait for that. I take it as a good sign that new firmware is out but it’s more than likely we have to wait at least another week and a half with maybe a few weeks more.
I checked with Cotswold in the UK about my pre-order and they just responded with: “The Fenix 3 Sapphire are Due 11th Feb approx, therefore it should be with you towards the middle of February. This is subject to change according to the manufacturer.”
I also have a pre-order with CT – so it’s a race between the two of them! I have asked the same question of CT and am waiting on their response.
Difference in reported dates could be normal vs Sapphire version perhaps?
Awesome review Ray. I was about to buy a 920 when I saw the release of the Fenix 3 and changed my mind. I’ve been running for years with a Garmin 201 and have recently started a lot of trail runs. The GPS on the 201 drops quite a bit in the woods so I decided it was time to upgrade. I’ll be doing a few 50 milers this year so the battery life on the 620 concerned me. Pre-ordered from CT using the VIP program, all together cheaper then the 920 elsewhere so amazing deal. Can’t wait to get this thing and start logging some miles with it. Just noticed today Amazon changed their availability from 1-2 months to March 1st. I’m hoping for a Feb delivery though.
Ray when’s the big bad boy review going to be published? I must have trebled your web footfall just me alone the amount of times I’ve been back to look!!
I’ll publish a review approximately 3 weeks (at most) following getting a final production unit, which allows for enough time to ensure nothing has broken between the pre-prod units and the prod unit.
Does anyone know if there are plans or if Garmin is in talks with other companies to utilize a Connect IQ app to control bluetooth headphones w/ onboard storage to provide a music solution since most of the watches don’t have enough storage to hold the music? Bragi Dash comes to mind, though they offer more functionality than truly needed. A bluetooth headphone w/ heart rate and music onboard controlled by Fenix would provide everything you could ask for with just 2 devices.
Can’t thank you enough on all you do for us and these crazy detailed reviews. Current Fenix2 and vivofit owner, but looking at Fenix3 to combine both units into one watch. Can you give a little more info on how they work on one watch. I don’t create an activity on the vivofit when I am doing a bike ride or run and just let it count steps, however I walk alot during my work lunch hour and will wear HR strap and do an activity for that to get an more accurate calorie count. Now that step tracking and training are on a single device, I’m assuming that the activity tracker function is truly a step counter when you are actually recording a run or ride and if i wanted to track a fast walk on my lunch hour, I would use the run or walk “activity” on the watch to get the activity to upload to GC with steps and HR and calorie count?
Yup, same activity tracker function as the Vivofit (so activity alerts, etc…). It’s that exact technology just ported to the watch.
You would not need to start a GPS activity though to get walking distance and basic calories. Only if you wanted to get HR-based calories would you need that (as you kinda noted towards the end).
Split on this or the 920. I’ve not yet found any info on what the watch body and back is made from (just the glass and face). Looking for something to wear 24/7 to replace my wristwatch
fenix 3 has the same plastic case as the fenix 2. Difference is the metal EXO antenna which is attached to the front of the watch. It also appears that the case back on the fenix 3 is integral to the case (which means it is also plastic) and not a separate metal back as on the fenix 2.
Quote from Garmin in the above review: “Fenix 3 uses stainless steel, a mineral glass or sapphire lens, and although the 920 is a great watch it’s all plastic.” But I would think gaijin would know. What’s the real answer?
I think you’ve got it – the EXO antenna, as I mentioned earlier, is metal and is on the front of the watch. The watch body, back and lugs are “fibre reinforced polymer” which most probably is glass-filled Nylon66 – an engineering plastic. The watch crystal is either Mineral Glass (same as on the fenix and fenix 2) or Sapphire depending on the model.
I have some outstanding pretty serious issues with the fenix 2 and would like to know if they have been addressed in the 3:
Foot Pod—If you wish to use a foot pod even for running outdoors with a clear view of the sky for the superior moment in time pace information the foot pod gives you, the f2 insists on using the foot pod data for distance as well. There is some debate about whether this is the way it should be or not. I fall in the NOT camp. I want distance from the GPS if the signal is good with a back fall to the foot pod if the signal goes bad. Ray seems to agree with me or once did. In April of 2013, he wrote in his Ambit 2 review “Now, let me repeat that again – as it’s a pretty big stumbling block. Instead of supplementing your speed/distance data in cases where the GPS data may drop out (such as a tunnel), it will flat-out replace it for the entirety of the run. This sucks. This means you’ve got to have the footpod calibrated correctly, and even then, it still sucks. That’s sorta the point of buying a GPS watch.” Pretty strong language for Mr. Maker.
Sensor Nonsense—I am really hoping that “Addition of Activity Profiles” means this has been addressed but it is not clear. I use four external sensors: HRM-Run, Foot Pod, Tempe, and GSC-10. The f2 does not look for the GSC-10 unless I am cycling. It does not look for any sensors when I am swimming so they kind of sort of get it that certain sensors go with certain activities. However, if I go hiking, it does look for the foot pod. If I skip it, I get no speed, pace, or distance during the activity or after it is saved despite the fact that li lays down a nice GPS track. Same goes for Custom Activities. Don’t go kayaking or skating without your foot pod or you won’t get anywhere. I know you can turn the foot pod off and on depending on what you are doing but that is a royal PITA. Several button presses to turn BT off. Then a dozen more to turn the footpod off and a dozen more to turn it on for your next run . . . if you remember. I’ve heard rumors that the original fenix worked the way I wish the 2 did and hope the 3 does—allow the user to say what sensors go with what activities.
Battery Life—I’ve got a Vivosmart that I like so this is not a huge one for me, but, if I bought the 3, I would chuck the Vivosmart and use the f3 as my activity tracker and message notification device. My just refurbished f2 gives me a low battery notification after only 18 hours when BT is set to “Not in Activity”. That stinks and pretty much makes sleep tracking a nonstarter. Are BT notifications still such a battery hog in the f3?
File Corruption—This problem has apparently been going on for a loooong time. A little odd since all of the data the devices are consuming are coming from the device itself or Garmin sensors. My f2 has never taken a dump on me in the middle of a critical event but I’ve heard from dozens of others who were not so fortunate and my last f2 either auto-paused or rebooted almost continuously during a recent 10K. Why can’t they figure this out? Then there is the related master reboot that wipes out all of your settings. It takes me quite a little while to get everything back the way I like it. I finally had to make a list. Even then, the stupid watch has to start all over “learning” you. I’m guessing there is no reason to believe that this problem will not migrate to the f3 as well? Have there been any Garmin watches in recent history that were not subject to the dreaded file corruption/auto-reboot problem?
If any of you already have the answers to these questions, I would appreciate the information. Otherwise I suppose I will just wait and watch and read the comments of people after they begin using the 3. If it addressed all of my issues, I would definitely be interested despite feeling a little duped by the f2.
@ Frank
A few things: The fēnix3 appears to be using the codebase of the 920xt which is mostly Forerunner software, so
1) Footpod: At this point only measures pace indoors…that’s it. Outdoors pace defers to GPS. Outdoors cadence defers to HRM-Run 1st, then watch second.
2) Sensor nonsense: Also Forerunner software and newer sensor pool. If a sensor is not available it will use what’s available. Even before the sensor pool, Forerunners that were paired to foot pods would use GPS when available.
3) Battery life: Also in the same realm as the 920xt. With notifications on it will last weeks. I recharge my 920xt once a week. That’s with getting regular notifications (30-50 per day) each of which vibrate the watch and turn the light on. I’m currently working out about 12 hours a week with 3-4 of those outside using GPS
4) File corruption: VERY rare occurrence in the Forerunner series.
I wouldn’t think of the F3 as evolution of the F2, it’s a different ball of wax. BTW I disliked the F2 and returned 2 of them
Footpod: It uses GPS unless GPS is unavailable. I’ve been talking with them about bringing back the option for allowing you to select the speed/distance source like the older watches had (but the FR620/920XT/etc don’t have).
Sensor Pool: That issue doesn’t exist with the F3. It follows along with what the FR920XT does where you’ve got a large pool and it doesn’t much care what you’re doing, it just attaches what it finds and what it doesn’t find it just shrugs about. And of course, no worries about turning BT on/off.
Battery life: Totally different beast battery life-wise than the F2. The BT notifications on the F1/F2 were really shimmed in there, sorta a ‘Look, we can do it’, not nessessarily a ‘It’s the best thing for the watch’. The lower power mode wasn’t ideal there. For the F3, it’s inline with the FR920XT as Olu noted.
File Corruption: It’s inline with the FR920XT…which is a good thing.
As Olu said – think of the F3 more as a FR920XT++, rather than a Fenix2+.
Thanks Olu. That all sounds pretty promising. I’m a little confused by your answer to issue 1 though. Are you saying that the 920 (and by extension the f3) will totally ignore the foot pod if you have a good GPS fix? My understanding was that earlier FR’s like the 620 would show you pace information from the foot pod while measuring distance from gps. On both my 405 and f2, without the foot pod, the pace information bounces around so much that it is kind of useless. So I have been sacrificing distance accuracy for good, immediate pace information. I am not experienced enough to accurately gauge my pace without some kind of external input.
Are you sure a footpod is more accurate for speed? I found this not to be the case due to my stride length changing. Hence why distance is not accurate. I found It works ok if pace is constant but generally i find GPS better for speed & distance & foot pod only useful if GPS is not available.
Hi Ray,
It sounds, (and, based on your video, looks) like the Fenix has been taken over by the Forerunner team. Is this the case, and can we consequently hope that the F3 will have the more reliable/ less buggy software of the Forerunner line than the F1 and F2 had?
(I’m a 3-time victim of the dreaded “flashing line” crash on the F2)
No, the Fenix team has not been overtaken by the Forerunner team. They’re just actually working together now.
Also, while some have had problems with the Fenix1/2, most haven’t. But ignoring that, do remember how quickly the Outdoor team updates and releases new features and fixes almost monthly or more, whereas more or less there were no significant new features on the Forerunner (Fitness) team for the tri watches over the entire duration of being out. I suppose you pick your poison. But at least now they’re on the same page.
As noted in the post, the base of the FR920XT functionality is used, and then Fenix-specific features are layered on top of that (same goes with Epix).
Thanks Ray. I really appreciate you and your taking the time to respond. I am comforted by this news. In between problematic F2’s I tried a Forerunner 220. I couldn’t believe how well it “just worked”. Super quick bluetooth transfers, no freezing, etc.. The only problem was that, being a trail runner, and running ultras here and there, I couldn’t deal with the shorter battery life and lack of Baro altimeter. With this software shift in the F3, I’m cautiously optimistic about getting the best of both worlds! Thanks again. -anthony
Ray, thanks for your awesome reviews and for the ‘in’ at Clever Training – just ordered a Fenix 3 through the discounted VIP program!
Curious how the activity tracker incorporates/interacts with data from other sensors/activities. For example:
– When running with GPS on, will it count the steps? And will calories burned account for the run?
– When biking in GPS mode, will it know to ignore wrist movements so that steps aren’t counted?
– For daily activity tracking, will it account for altitude in calculating calories burned (i.e., is the baro always on?)? I know other devices like the Fitbit surge track/incorporate that data as ‘floors climbed’
A couple of other things I’ve been wondering about:
– Curious why Suunto and Garmin have not tried to include a way to ‘correct’ for skin temperature to report the true ambient temperature. Are you aware of anyone developing this feature?
– Also, seems like one way to save battery would be for the watch to default to using the phone’s GPS data when connected to a phone. Does the Fenix 3 do this or are there any plans to implement this type of ‘smart’ feature?
– Are you aware of any watch faces that include the current temp (in current location)? Ideal would be the default digital face with the temp as the ‘additional data field’ in the bottom right – with day/date still in bottom left)
I can comment on your last 3 questions: Garmin sells an external temperature pod called “Tempe” to make up for the inaccuracy caused by skin temperature. This adds extra revenue for Garmin and solves the problem. Maybe there will be a future app that can correct / compensate internal temperature by a fancy programmer, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for it.
As for the gps by phone: I have yet to see a phone that has more accurate or even to be on equal accuracy as a dedicated watch. You would gain more battery life (at the cost of your phone battery life) but would loose out on accuracy and for a lot of sporters using the watch is nicer so you can (and in some races have to) leave the phone at home. Since there’s little to be gained I wouldn’t expect a “smart” use the phone gps function, but it would probably be possible.
I think a watch face with interchangeable data fields (altimeter/temperature) will be easy to implement and I fully expect them once the Fenix 3 is out for a little while.
I don’t think that any algorithm can compensate for skin temperature as that is not the only factor affecting the internal watch temperature, wind, clothes rain etc. will also affect the internal watch temperature. A cold rainy day with wind the temperature difference will be higher than a cold day without wind and rain.
An external sensor as far away from any heat source is far better, tough that might be tricked as well if the sun is shining on the sensor.
Jimmy, I was thinking that if there were a thermometer on the back that measured skin temp and a separate one for ambient (not the case for Fenix 3), this could be possible
Patrick, on the watch faces: altitude would be easy if the baro is always on (is this the case?), for temp I was thinking through phone for current location – which would depend on whether Garmin’s SDK will allow for this – and not the internal thermometer (given it’s inaccuracy while watch is worn)
There’s already an always-on altimeter screen (just press up/down in non-GPS/standby mode). For example, since I just got off an airplane it shows the spikes for that up to the pressurized altitude a touch below 8,000ft.
Temperature through the phone, sounds a bit like you want the temperature off the internet and not from the watch / tempe sensor. I believe there’s a deal with accu weather or at least I think I saw their name float by on one of the promo videos where they show a bit on the apps that will be released later this year. I suspect more info will follow once they’re going live. If / once that’s released I think your wish of “internet location weather info” will be granted. I was under the assumption that you would like to see the actual temperature from the watch/Tempe sensor which is where my own interest is.
Not true. Depending on where you live, REI charge a sales tax. So after the 15%off (dividend plus card) you are looking at $425 for the Fenix 3 plus $37.50 sales tax (for NC) and a total of $462.50, or $12.50 more than the CT deal. Plus, don’t forget that your dividend will be taxed again when you use it to make a purchase next year…
On that note, any further word on your European CT-style thingy? I’m convinced the Fenix3 is the watch I want to buy, but really want to support the site when I buy it, in return for all the amazing info and entertainment you provide. Is February still on the cards? I don’t have an imminent cut-off, but I’m keen to get on with training with it as soon as I can!
Plan B is using a code elsewhere and sending you the difference, but it’s probably a lot more convoluted that way!
It’s close, I’m not sure if they’ll hit February or not – both they and I hope so. They were actually doing some systems testing earlier today, but there are still some outstanding pieces to be put in place. Trust me…everyone wants it sooner rather than later!
Bestdeal, for those living in states with REIs tax will often more than negate this difference (not to mention that the Clever Training discount is instant – you don’t have to wait until next year to see the 10%, not sure how the 5% works for CC)
A warning for Garmin Vivo users. I’ve just learned that the Garmin Connect Moble app is only capable of supporting one Garmin device at a time. It will kind of sort of act like it will work but won’t really work. As such, if you want your Vivo connected to your phone, your f3 will be relegated to it’s cable or wifi and you won’t be getting message notifications on it. I thought that my Vivofit was coexisting with my fenix 2 once upon a time but Garmin Support informs me that shouldn’t have worked either. The Vivosmart and fenix2 are definitely not playing together.
Don’t understand “the same way”. Does that mean they don’t work just like my f2 and VS don’t or that they do cohabit GCM without problems? Ryan and Ashley in support were both pretty definitive in their declaration that GCM did not support more than one device.
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Thank for the preview, Ray.
Can you say how much thicker is the F3 in comparison to the 920XT and the Polar V800?
I guess that the F3 is not a typical triathlon watch like the 920XT or the V800 and using it during any triathlon competition will be problematic.
How is the metal band when doing activities? Comfortable enough?
Thanks
Although I’m only a runner at this point and have no real use for fēnix 3’s multi-sport mode, I’m still gravitated toward its feature set and aesthetics. I think Garmin really put some thought behind this one for both on and off the grind. However, as mentioned my ideal wearable would be more in the Forerunner line. When do you anticipate updates to watches like the F220/620?
If running was my only discipline, I think I’d be really be tempted by the Vivoactive. Even as a triathlete I find this to be a tempting gadget.
Hey Olu,
The vívoactive looks like a nice addition by Garmin. I’ve tried to get jazzed about the specs and features, but I just can’t get down with the square design or the touch-screen aspect of the peice. Something about me wants to push down on tactile buttons when using an athletic watch. Also, I’m not completely sold that I need smart notifications, although I’m sure I’d use it more than expected as others have noted. Who knows, maybe I’ll be more impressed in person…
where is the temp sensor placed within the watch/how is it not influenced significantly by the wearer’s body temp?
thanks
it does – at least on the fenix 2 it did compared to actual ambient temperatures. – hence why i think the temp sensor is often quite inaccurate.
I suggest getting the tempe sensor if you want more accurate temperature readings.
A shared codebase between the 3 devices will hopefully help what has historically been lack lustre software development. ConnectIQ opens up an API so that’s nice, depending how responsive the virtual machine that monkeyC runs on is. Non native applications may or may not be an issue in the early days of this game.
Garmin has generally done well by us on the hardware side but been slow to respond to bugs and feature improvements on their devices. Treating these little $500 computers like disposable plates has been a good business model till now but at some point we will simply give up and run all our monitors from our android phones with open source software if Garmin/Polar/Suunto don’t step up.
Bluetooth Audio Drivers, 128 gb micro sims, bluetooth connectable monitors, software/roms that work, rom upgrades. If they want to stay relevant they need to perform as well as my phone and maintain their advantage in fitness monitoring solutions.
You have some good arguments, but I think that a triathlete (myself not being one) caring a phone during a competition (swimming, biking, running) is not that convenient at all? (Olu, Jose, etc.. correct me if I’m wrong)
A watch on the other hand, you put on, and that’s it.. A phone you need to carry in some sort of case/ strap around your arm (do that while swimming?) and how do you quickly look how your progress is (is vibrating enough to get the right info?)
Not to mention that carrying a phone is prohibited in many races.
I agree with you Jasper. Phones are not allowed in most races and far from a necessity to train well. I feel the phone is currently a crutch for all smart watches and in a couple of generations the smart watches will no longer need them. I think Garmin is approaching this the right way by building on what they are already very good at: servicing athletes from casual to professional. Adding too many features too fast and you run into the problem that Apple is now facing. I love my Apple products, but as a long time Apple user, I can tell you that as they’ve add more features to their devices, the ease of use has decreased and the number of bugs has increased.
+1 to everything Olu said. At some point the smartwatches will not need the phone. Full on Dick Tracy watches are coming!
So for the people asking about maps…
link to youtube.com
no it doesn’t mean fenix 3 will get maps, but turn by turn navigation..? (so maybo they do get sort of maps…)
Ray, as many others regularly comment, you do us all a great service with your work. I bought the 620 on your recommendation and eventually sold it via ebay once I had actual hands on experience with the 920 which I viewed in Kona and had hands on experience with once back home. The 920 GPS and other features have been hands down the best of the best I’ve experienced.
So many comments above of differing opinions, but when it comes down to it your opinion is the most influential for many of us. In your 920 review you alluded to the fact this could quite possibly become your daily running watch vs the 620, and it’s clear to most of us why. Now, can the F3 trump the 920 in this respect or would keeping both on hand be a silly decision? In this case the financial aspect should not be a factor, so before I return my 920 and go watch-less for a month or so while waiting for a February (anything more specific here??) delivery of my F3, do I keep two $500 watches or can you give more description to us as far as your comfort level while running in more detail? If you felt the F3 was just as comfy as the 920 it would be easy to return the 920. Thank you again, thank you and thank you.
Ray,
Since vivoactive will have an golf app, do you think the Fenix3 will have the same possibilites through the connect IQ? That would be really cool
Thank you
Yes, I’d be interested in this.
Garmin’s support of their golf line seems to be very much on the back-burner at the moment. I’d love to see good support on the F3 and Garmin Connect.
It’s sort of funny to see how desperately people were trying to own 920, but now they put the same effort to get rid of it and get F3… My strategy here will be – wait till F3 (and all 920 returns) will melt price of 920, buy it, and then wait till optical HR comes in the picture 🙂
DITO, I think this is the best strategy ! I just bought a new Ambit2 HR for 200 € and I will wait until Fenix3 will be sold for the same price in about 1-2 years.
phensel, were did you bye a new Ambit2 HR for 200 €???
Hi
I´m trying to understand if the has manual altitude. Reed some of the post in the thread but I can´t find any answer. I think that Fenix 1 got it but not Fenix 2.
I’m wondering the same. I returned my 920xt today because I was not happy at all with how it performed with the altitude. Took over an hour to get to the correct altitude and no manual calibration killed it for me. For the rest the watch was great, but if I pony up €450 I expect all the function to work and not to be a beta-tester-keep-users-in-the-dark-on-upgrades. I didn’t want to mess around with beta software so now I’m going to wait for the Fenix 3. Hopefully Ray will give some insight on wether or not altitude can be manually calibrated.
Hi DC,
i’m a triathlete like you and i’m going to buy one gps sportwatch between the FR920XT and the Fenix 3.
Can you help with the choice? Which do you think is better for our sport? Thanks a lot for the answer!
Marco
marco – if you don’t have a bike computer and you want to use the quick release function – i’d lean with the 920xt. it also has bigger text.
if you don’t mind some extra weight but no quick release function – also looks better – get the fenix 3.
it’s smaller text.
Hi Ray,
I was wondering if it’s possible to use the wirstwatch bike mount together with the metal option? It looks like you could not open the band completly to fix it around the handle bar.
Mathias
I wondered that exact same thing, Matthias. Looks like you’d have to switch to one of the rubber bands to use it with the bike mount (the sapphire model seems to come with a rubber band in addition to the metal band).
It would be great if anyone could confirm that. Metal belt looks great, but would be great to have also rubber option…
Thanks in advance,
Mike
Can someone please explain to me why the 920XT has 40 hours in Ultratrack mode and Fenix 3 has 50 hours BUT at training mode (without GLONASS) Fenix 3 push 20 hours while 920t push 24?
Garmin also states in the specs on their website that the Fenix 3 has 6 weeks battery life in watch mode, BUT in the overview its says “3 months in watch mode (all depending on settings)” it would be very interesting to know the different specifications for different settings, at least the major ones like notifications and such.
*correction!* they say it has 6 weeks of battery life in smart watch mode…
*correction!* they say it has 6 weeks of battery life in smart watch mode… link to garmin.com almost all the way on the bottom …
The 3 months would be just watch mode (no sensors, bluetooth or what so ever, imo)
Thanks for the quick info Jasper. 6 weeks in smart watch mode is excellent. Now I just want to know why its a difference in regular training mode with GPS. Please let me know if you find this answer somewhere.
Np, always glad to help (if I’m right 😉 )
That … is a good question :p, don’t have an answer (yet?, but don’t think it will show up quite soon.. I think this one is for Ray, a user of both watches and connections with Garmin)
Hey Ray,
Fantastic review as always, looking forward to the full one. I noticed on the Garmin site there is a difference in some of the functions between the fenix 3 & the fenix 3 Sapphire. It would appear, according to Garmin the fenix 3 gets “Outdoor Features” while the fenix 3 Sapphire gets “Golfing Features”.
Seems strange to me why they wouldn’t offer both features on each watch?
“Golfing Features”
SwingTempo (measures backswing and downswing times as a ratio)
TempoTraining (audible tones convey ideal 3:1 backswing to downswing ratio)
SwingStrength™ (measures how hard you swing)
“Outdoor Featues”
Hunt/fish calendar
Sun and moon information
Area calculation
Best wishes, Martin 🙂
Hmm, if you read the UK website what you have said is correct.
If you read the US website there is no mention of either the Golfing features or the outdoor features.
Make of that what you will….
Incidentally, the golfing features, or the hunting/fishing interest me not, just seems a curious choice to have to make if you wanted the metal strap you miss out on some stuff but can perfect your golf swing….
UK pricing definitely showing as £369.
link to buy.garmin.com
Undercutting the 920 by £20 but offering more features. This seems like an odd pricing strategy. Not to mention upsetting many 920 buyers. A shame we don’t have the amazing 60 day returns policy in the UK. Not a good way to encourage brand loyalty Garmin.
Seems odd indeed… If true, I which I lived in UK 🙂 it’s £30 cheaper then in Belgium!
yeah its going for £400 with hrm i noticed yesterday & thought it was a mistake but now confirmed here. I’m not complaining.
>A shame we don’t have the amazing 60 day returns policy in the UK
Swings in roundabouts I guess as it appears that Cotswold are offering 15% off pre-orders.
Which equates to the Sapphire F3 being £408 with free delivery.
Where do you get the 15%? I only got 10% 🙁
Just found a 15% discount and Cotswold honoured it on my existing order which is great. It’s for supporters of the National Trust – see here: link to nationaltrust.org.uk
Will a connect IQ Strava app allow us to bypass GC completely for uploads in the event of an outage? Seems this is a strong argument for CIQ.
Highly unlikely as the Connect IQ API does (at least in the current version) not allow to access activity history.
That sucks. Locked down:(
The Fenix 3 is clearly the best watch Garmin has produced to date for us triathletes. Feels like the stars lined up for me:- I’ve been waiting to buy the 920xt but its not been in stock apparently due to 15,000 pre-order backlog! Sold my lovely Ambit 2 on eBay for a good price before Christmas and I’ve just been waiting patiently….and now the Fenix 3 has risen from the the ashes so to speak. It quite simply does everything I could ever wish for being a triathlete and more to the point, Connect IQ is the future, much in the same way that Suunto apps were just great for the Ambit 2. I loved my Ambit and was flinching in terms of quality downgrade of materials to the 920xt – but now I don’t have to worry. And the icing on the cake? IT’S CHEAPER!! Bring it on.
Ray can you post a picture of a notification “on top of” normal watch mode and a “four fields” workout mode? I’m just curious how it looks compared to the 920XT.
Thanks
David
@David. Check out this link: link to youtube.com
At time index 7:43 you can see the 4 fields. This looks like 4 even quadrants, but I think you also use the traditional 4 way split of Garmin round watches (3 rows, middle row split into 2 columns)
Nice video. For those interested, it shows (very quickly) 2×2 format at 2:31 and the 1x2x1 format at 2:32 during the field setup demonstration.
Yes, a very nice video. But it didn’t show what the screen looks like when a phone notification comes up. (It does show the notifications screen). Does it take up the upper 1/3 of the screen? Does it display as much information as he 920 does?
Ray, I know this may be a redundant question but I did not see anything above. Do you by chance know if there is any possibility that a future update for Fenix 2 will include the virtual pacer/racer and some of the other software features on the F3? I am a very happy F2 owner and really can’t make a change at this time. The only thing on the F3 that I would really like is the color screen but I can live without it for awhile.
Where or who will get the Fenix3 to the public soonest? REI claims 2-1-15. I want one bad.
Thanks for the heads up on REI. Ordered the sapphire model and the REI site indicates that the sapphire version comes with the HRM for $600. Has there been a definitive answer on whether the sapphire is bundled with the HRM?
Yes, Ray said the sapphire version does NOT come with HRM… (I don’t know that REI shop/thing, maybe they just sell one with an HRM on there own behalf?)
The Garmin UK site lists both options for Sapphire – without the HRM or with it in the Performer bundle (+£30)
link to buy.garmin.com
Interestingly the Sapphire comes with the metal strap, but also has “Extra black rubber band and tools” in the box (CT list this just as “extra black band and tools”) which I expect will be better for sports activities. This would be my choice, sapphire with metal strap for smart wear, and then use the extra black strap for sports.
I am hoping this extra band is like the fabric one in the Fenix 2 box which I really liked. I have asked CT to clarify and they are checking with Garmin.
Hmmm some clarification would be nice around this topic…
Maybe for US market it’s the sapphire without HRM, and for the UK (European) market it is with…
Looks like REI changed the description, price and title on their web site for the F3 Sapphire over the last 24 hours. It was $550 for the Sapphire alone and $600 w/ HRM. It’s now $600 for Saphire with no option for the HRM bundle (this price is aligned with the rest of the market). I ordered the bundle as well prior to them changing (the link on my receipt now takes me to a $600 Sapphire alone description), so perhaps it was a mistake.
have you guys seen this? looks like nav app should work on all watches
link to youtu.be
dance to the music Ray – dance!
Jep I saw this (check my post of: January 8, 2015 at 4:33 am 😉 )
should be interesting what’s going to happen to the maps part… maybe an IQ app with maps?
Guys,
I hope it will be the case as I would really like to see this on my 920XT but bear in mind the disclaimer in the bottom left corner “For illustrative purposes only”. So not sure that what we see is what we are going to get 🙁
Keeping my fingers crossed…
It’s a cool app (Komoot), and yes, it’ll work on the FR920XT. But, it’s not exactly what you think it is, nor exactly what you want if you’re looking for traditional DIY navigation with TBT instruction.
More details tomorrow (and more photos I have of it).
Cheers Ray!
Looking forward to reading your post 😉
Thrilled! (Don’t need the TBT but a DIY navigation would be nice, but may not be the case as you imply 😉 )
Looking forward to your update post
More details on Fenix 3 tomorrow, woohoo!! you’re the best Ray!
Wot no rolling pin comparison? Please add!
I would like to address those that are saying “gutted” because they recently purchased another Garmin within the last year or so. I just finished a workout tonight on my Fenix 2 (which I love). Am I upset that they came out with a Fenix 3 so quickly? Not at all. Why shouldn’t we appreciate a company like Garmin that doesn’t overly delay product introductions simply to manage “product life cycle”? Think of the cost they are having to incur to design and manufacture a new watch, repackage it, re-market it, etc. Most companies try to drag those investments out so that they get a big return on those costs. Garmin is pushing the envelope to bring more amazing products to the market. I think it is pretty cool. I may wait for the Fenix 4 or 5 to come out but who knows. Maybe I’ll upgrade sooner rather than later. Until then my Fenix 2 is pretty sweet.
I’m a 920xt “early adopter”. I completely understand and somewhat agree with your sentiment. My gripe isn’t the timeline of new product releases. I think that’s great, and I think we’re witnessing an acceleration of new product releases in all consumer technology (e.g. Apple and Samsung smartphones). For me, it’s that it seems they purposely released the 920xt as the *flagship* multisport model with no mention of the Fenix 3 and Epix coming in less than a month. NOW, they’re pitching all 3 models as 3 tiers of of their multisport line. For my own purposes, I would’ve waited the 30 days and spent the *additional* (not same or less) money to get the Fenix 3.
I hear what you are saying, but the 920xt is still the flagship multisport model. The 3 tiers where already somewhat identified. I understood the tiers to a degree when I purchased the Fenix two about a year ago. Its not like any company is going to “mention” what they are going to do in other tiers when they release the latest and greatest within a particular tier. I do get your point though, maybe they could have released them all together and given customers a better opportunity to choose their preference between the latest amongst tiers.
Morning, just wanted to clarify one thing, is it still ONLY the Fenix range which had a ski/snowboard mode? None of the other recent announcement do, ie not the Vivoactive ??
The FR920XT now has it as well (in the public beta FW version anyway).
I don’t expect it on the Vivoactive though, due to lack of barometric altimeter that really makes the Ski/Snowboard concept work. That said, someone could likely recreate it down the road in an app.
Can you suggest the best online shop in Europe where to make a pre-order?
Attempted to purchase 920 for months with no luck.
Try wiggle.co.uk, they are really good, seem to have it on stock and tend to ship for free in Europe.
Only had good experience with them so far
Just be careful with Wiggle if you pay for next day delivery. I paid the extra for next day on a Thursday at 4pm and item didn’t arrive until Monday – which they argued is in their terms. It is but I still find that misleading and hard to justify as “next day” – it’s really “next working day if you order early enough”
they sell the F2 HRM for €37,36 more then a local web-shop here in Belgium…
So a no go 😉
Also re wiggle – couldnt find the fenix 3 on their site at all? Do you have a link?
I think Chris meant the 920. Wiggle don’t have the fenix 3 up yet.
Yes, I meant the 920XT as I understood this was the original question. Sorry if off topic.
I don’t believe any store would have the F3 in stock yet.
Oke so I found a dutch website (Holland) where you can pre-order the Fenix 3 and there saying delivery date: end of January begin of February … quite soon no?
Grey/Red : €449
Grey/Red HRM: €499
Sapphire: €549
And sapphire HRM: €599
looking good those prices (hopefully in Belgium the same, different VAT %, or I’ll order it there)..
Sucks the steel band costs 130 separate, want it (not that bad), but sapphire is to expensive for me.
Could you share the link??
link to gps.nl
On that website they mention it has a touchscreen, I assume and hope that is an error?
On that website it is mentioned the f3 has a touchscreen, I assume and hope that is an error?
on that site they say that the f3 has a touchscreen. I assume and hope that is an error?
sorry about the multiple comments,looks like a browser issue on my phone
Np 😉 more people have trouble with errors browsing there phone’s..
And nope, that can’t be true! I’ve emailed the website for some clarification! Also on the Sapphire HRM thing, because apparently REI (don’t know the company) changed there info on there website about the Sapphire to $600 without the HRM… So this one is almost definitely a mistake on behalf of gps.nl (But also Garmin for not correct communicating with the shops I think…)
Hi Ray
I’ve heard that the Fenix 3 features an aperture out of which shoots a titanium cable allowing the user to swing from building to building and destroy super villains. I’d find this tremendously useful – can you confirm this as well as all the other things people have asked?
Dan
Dan,
I heard it was adamantium! I think Ray must find out urgently.
Martin.
Yes but the Epix is big enough that it functions as a rocket pack.
Is the screen lower than the ring around?
Does the fenix3 have a map that has breadcrumbs? I dont see it in the product images. how is the speed when going through menus? and how hard are the buttons to press?
So no jumpmaster, tidal tables, geocashing?
What about being able to program MGRS grid coordinates and navigate to them?
Should I hush up and go back to my Tactix and Foretrex?
So no jumpmaster, tidal tables, geocashing?
What about being able to program MGRS grid coordinates and navigate to them?
Yeah I want to know about MGRS, but got no reply.
Also Mils for compass ?
So no jumpmaster, tidal tables, geocashing? What about being able to program MGRS grid coordinates and navigate to them?
Sorry for the multiple posts got errors everytime. My bad.
Metal band vs rubber/ is it significantly heaver? will it be bothersome when running with metalband?
you have to search the posts here, look for weight or metal band or something like that… I thought it was around 22g for the metal band? but not sure any more…
Is the lug width still 26mm? I want to use my nato straps with the fenix 3.
Thanks.
This thing is the bomb!
So… 449 euros in europe and 499 usd in USA? So strange…
…and 920xt: 449$->449E……. no Garmin, I want my money back!…
don’t say a price and then Europe… that’s not correct (Europe ain’t a country 😉 )! In Europe many countries have different VAT’s so pricing differs… sometime 50€ lets say between Belgium (+50) and the Netherlands (-50).. UK is also less expensive then Belgium (in the case of Fenix 3).. Maybe France or Germany is cheaper.. or more expensive.. It all depends on the country, type of merchandise, etc…
something of what you say it’s not right…. in Italy, where VAT (IVA…) is maximum (22%), fenix 3 on national garmin site is 449 euro….
Belgium VAT (BTW) is 21%, Netherlands its 18%..
Maybe they won’t make the difference here and just say it’s going to cost 449.. I think we have to wait and find out..
VAT (BTW) in .nl is also 21% 🙁
ow, they changed it?
I also noticed that the European prices (or at least Germany) for the Fenix 3 are exactly the same as for the 920xt, i.e. 449 EUR for the base and 499 EUR for the Fenix 3 performer bundle. Pocketnavigation.de seems to also confirm this. So no 50 EUR price jump over the 920xt, as previously assumed?
I always read your reviews, DC. So it wouldn’t be right of me not to become a VIP and order through your link. 😉 Hope the delivery is Feb!!!
Will the round screen of Fenix vs. square screen of 920 have any impact on compatible 3rd party apps? Is there the potential for an app to be released that only supports the square format?
Hi Ray
You mentioned that one can pre-order the Fenix3 through Clever Training but it seems you can also buy the watch straight off the Garmin website, with a processing time of 3-5 weeks. I have to have this watch before I leave the US at the end of March but I am nervous to pre-order in case I do not receive it before then. What would you say is my best bet? Clever Training or Garmin?
Also it seems the Clever Training DCR discount code is not valid for the Fenix3?
Sorry, I realise I need to be VIP for that. Definitely worth it.
Join DCR VIP and within 30 minutes they send a code you can use for the discount. I did that yesterday and it all worked fine.
Hi Chris-
I suspect you’ll see it before then. In general (and folks are happy to correct me here), Garmin.com orders ship after specialty retailers like Clever Training. At least that was the case with the FR920XT and all other devices over the past few years.
Also, I suspect we’ll see the F3’s shipping sooner in Q1 rather than later.
I appreciate the support!
Couple of quick questions from a Fenix 1 owner who is thinking of upgrading
Will this pick up the GPS signal from cold quicker than the Fenix 1?
Is it thinner than the fenix 1?
cheers
Greg
A thought just struck me. Ray has set up a 10% discount for all of us, and he always says at the beginning of his posts that he goes out and buys all of these units himself. So very many units he has to spend his own money on for our benefit. Imagine the cost savings to him if we returned the favor by each contributing $1 as members of this blog? No special perks by being a member other than helping out Ray for all he does for us. I’m not a technical wizard so have no clue how to set something like this up, but if anyone does then by all means I’d certainly be happy to be a paying member.
Great article, and love the watch. Can’t wait for the release. I’m upgrading from a 4 month old Fenix 2… it’s a forced upgrade because my watch was left on a beach in Maui! 🙁 Thx again for the review.
Ray- thanks for the great review! I have a question for the over 40 crowd. I recently bought the Fenix2SE because it is easier to read. How is this diaplay for crispness and contrast in the field? Thanks!
Far easier and crisper.
Just as a heads up for folks, I’ve put together a not-so-short video doing a walkthrough of the F3 features and functions. It’s available here: link to youtu.be
I’ve also got a bunch of other photos that folks have requested in the 630+ comments, and will be working to add in a deeper gallery this weekend.
Thanks Ray, great video. I didn’t hear any noises, does the F3 have distinctive noises for time alerts, auto laps/laps, too high/too low alerts?
Also I felt like the screen was less dynamic then the 920xt until I realized that they use a different color scheme then the 920xt. They should really use the same color scheme with the menus (having the inactive menus white text on black, the active menu black text on white, and titles white text on grey)
WOW Nice video! Thanks a lot!
Thank you Ray for your excellent review. For the purpose of triathlon, does the 920XT offer more than the Fenix 3 such as actual race function, including transitions times or the the Fenix 3 provide this also. In other words, are the triathlon functions identical? Thanks
Hey,
I’m really looking forward to see the in depth review of this unit. I’d really like to have this or the 620 because of their looks over the 920 but functionality is still a keypoint.
I was wondering if I can use both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors at the same time. I already have a Bluetooth HR strap and a speed/cadence sensor for my bike. Could I have an ANT+ power meter there also?
Just ordered the Sapphire F3 from Clever Training – many thanks for the discount via the VIP programme Ray! Pays for Express International Delivery plus some 🙂
Cheers
Ian
Due to cost difference, I’m leaning toward the gray w/ black band, but I really like the metal band of the Sapphire version.
The Sapphire comes with the black band, but does anyone know, will the metal band be available as a stand-alone option to add to the gray F3? Cost of metal band if it is available?
Thanks,
Don
The metal band is already listed for $129.99 as a separately sold accessory on the Garmin website.
Thanks David,
I didn’t even look at Garmin.com as I was planning to help DCR by buying at Clever Training and it wasn’t listed there.
Thanks!
Don
Thanks David,
I didn’t even look at Garmin as I was planning to help DCR by buying at Clever Training and it wasn’t listed there.
Thanks!
Don
Really, $130 for just the strap?? That’s nutzz.
I have never tried a watch with a metal band when exercising… is that even comfortable?
How about for instant pace? How quick and responsive is the F3 – any testing on that?
Thanks for the video Ray! Do you have an idea when Garmin will publish the manual? I have a ton of questions, but I’m sure you got enough to do already so I won’t ask them all here!
How does it track your movement for steps? What kind of sensor does it use? Will it track steps indoors?
Will it give false information if I am hammering a nail whilst at work with the watch on my wrist, like dodgy pedometres?
It tracks movement through an internal accelerator i think so will probably give false reading if you are hammering. Thing is does that really matter? If you are active & hammering stuff at work you are being healthy opposed to sitting still.
Uh, don’t you wear your watch on your non-dominant hand?
I own a forerunner 220,i almost upgraded to ambit 3 this weekend/
I wanted to know what do you think-upgrade or wait to the fenix 3?
Please can you post some comparison side on pics with the 920XT? The watch and specs are appealing and I could even get over the slightly heavier F3 but the thickness worries me
I posted links/pics towards towards the top of th comments section.
Thanks Magnus. The on wrist picture makes the F3 seem a lot thicker than the 3mm difference claimed in the device specs. What was your perception of it?
I have the F2. Not sure where or what the worry is. I wore the F 2 comfortably during a 50 mile ultra and during a R2R2R run. Not even one did I think of it as heavy or big. It might look that way, and maybe the 920 is lighter but you aren’t go to let a race on a few watch ounces I hope. 🙂
Thanks Ted, weight-wise is not the issue but coming from a FR 310XT, which was a bulky beast to the 920XT, which is not and I can enjoy wearing it as a watch and not just a fitness device I really don’t want to go back to having a [more] bulky device on my wrist – hence the questions.
I don’t use it to often as a regular device, but I do when on vacation. I am not a large man and I don’t feel it’s to large or bulky or heavy. F2 are around try one of those on, F3 should be better 🙂
Good point, thanks!
A few pics comparing to 920xt at different angles. I posted up above but given the number of posts they can be easily missed.
920 vs Fenix 2 side shot compare
link to imgur.com
920 vs Fenix 3 Gray side shot compare
link to imgur.com
920 vs Fenix 3 Red side shot compare
link to imgur.com
920 vs Fenix 3 Red (on wrist)
link to imgur.com
link to imgur.com
920 vs Fenix 3 Three Data Fields compare
link to imgur.com
920 vs Fenix 3 Four Data Fields compare
link to imgur.com
Excellent pictures! Many thanks for posting.
Excellent photos Magnus
So there it is
Bulkier and heavier than the 920xt
Surprisingly the 4 data fields don’t look that different in legibility.
So what are your thoughts ?
Thanks for the pictures Magnus. Surprisingly I find the 4 data fields look clearer on the F3. I think it’s the thinner font that looks nicer to my eyes.
The wrist shots are a bit deceiving however. We know the F3 will be a couple of mm taller then the 920xt, however you wore the F3 over the end of the radius/ulna bones which aren’t smooth. A watch can’t sit smoothly on the very end of the wrist with those bones sticking out (at least for me).
+1 on the bones comment of Olu, seems indeed a bit deceiving.
I notice the 920 has extra info at the top with battery, wi-fi etc. This reduces the screen real estate, is that permanently there?
No it goes shortly after you have pressed the menu button
Yep + 1 here too. Would love to see a comparison on the flat part of the arm if anybody can help
Ray, Any can tell how’s the color display perform? Thks.
Ray, Any can tell how’s the color display perform Thks.
Hi Ray , Thank you very much for your good job!
Please may I ask you that:
1. comparing displays of Fenix 3, FR 920xt, and Epix
which is the best readable one?
2. Does all of them have Metronom function?
Herzlichen Dank!
Naomi
Have a 610 and need to update. Have it down to this or the 920XT. Prefer the looks of this for daily wear. I’m Mostly a road runner but do occasionally wonder on to trails. Would the fact that this is focused mainly for trail runners hurt it’s road running options? Or are the same, this just has the added navigation options that help it be more dual purpose.
It’s a little thicker and heavier. That’s it. Feature wise it’s a superset of the 920xt.
Have a 610 and need to update. It’s thisthis or the 920XT. Prefer the looks of this for daily wear. Mostly a road runner but do occasional trails. Would the fact that this is focused mainly for trail runners hurt it’s road running options? Or are they the same, this just has the added navigation options that help it be more dual purpose.
Have a 610 and need to update. It’s thisthis or the 920XT. Prefer the looks of this for daily wear. Mostly a road runner but do occasional trails. Would the fact that this is focused mainly for trail runners hurt it’s road running options? Or are do the added navigation options that help it be more dual purpose.
Hey, great review as per usual. I have the Fenix 1 and when you go to the Clock menu, it has a stopwatch and a timer (as well as multiple alarms). Did they do away with that in the Fenix 2? It appears from the website that the Fenix3 doesn’t have it.
IMHO, it would be a bummer if you didn’t get a couple basic features that a 14 dollar timex would give you that the Fenix used to have. I can understand the 920XT a little because the 305/310/910/920 lines have been so activity focused. Not a deal breaker, however it does seem that they are making the Fenix3 more of a 920XT. I am thinking of
a) keeping 920XT and Fenix 1
b) upgrading to Fenix 3, returning 920xt
c) keeping 920XT and adding the Fenix3 as my daily driver/hiker watch.
Good question!
According to the manual, the F2 has the same stopwatch/countdown timer/multiple alarms/extra timezone options in the Clock menu as the F1, does the F3 have them too?
It would be a bummer to have to buy a cooking timer after upgrading to the F3! … Yes, I use the F1 in the kitchen. A lot.
As a F2 owner I can confirm that’s all there on the Fenix 2. No idea on the F3, but I’m a little concerned about a regression here since according to ray’s review the 920 only has one alarm, and it appears that the F3 has much more in common with the 920 than the F2.
My German comprehension is pretty bad, but I think this video says that in the beta there is only one alarm. Just after the 5:00 mark.
link to m.youtube.com
Question I’m sure everyone interested in the Saphire edition would want to know: I know that it comes with both wrist bands (metal / rubber) plus the tool kit to swap band. However, how easy is it to switch band? How long does it take? I don’t see myself switching from metal (when I work) to rubber when I’m back home and want to go for a run before dinner and that time is already limited… Can you tell us your experience with that?
Second question: will Garmin make a package to include HRM strap with the Saphire? Have you heard anything about that?
As usual, thanks a lot for all the efforts you are putting into your very useful blog.
If it’s anything like the Fenix 2 then it’s a couple of minutes to swap straps – you get two screwdriver things and you put one in each side and undo, then put the new strap in and do up 🙂
Re the HRM with Sapphire – the garmin UK site currently shows this as available in the Performer package (and only £30 extra which seems like a good deal): link to buy.garmin.com
Sapphire with HRM part-number (according to UK site) is: 010-01338-26
Thanks Ian, much appreciated!
Hi Ray
If you are doing more pics would love to see how the domed crystal on the Sapphire compares to the flat ones for the other watch; and how that impacts visibility if at all
Cheers
Ian
Me too
Appreciate you are crazy busy with CES but Is there an ETA on the review of this & the Epix? Just trying to weigh up if its worth putting down for a pre-order or waiting for a review. Sorry if this has already mentioned.
Hah Neil, that is very funny. I am in the exact same place, and to complicate things further I am a recent 920XT owner that is very, very annoyed at Garmin for duping us on this one!!! :o)
An ETA will be approximately 3-4 weeks after I receive final firmware and software of the unit.
With respect to F3, so far so good. With respect to Epix…it’s gonna be quite a bit further out timeline wise.
Hey Ray,
thanks for this first look – I think this is the compelling product I’m looking for right now. I was also considering a Suunto Ambit 3 – from the looks of it, Garmin doesn’t have an internal accelerometer or a “FusedSpeed/FusedAlti” clone. Otherwise, the big differentiators seem to be MovesCount vs. Garmin Connect, a color display vs. non-color, and whether or not I want all bluetooth accessories or not.
Would you agree with that and do you (or anyone else) have any opinion on one vs. the other?
The Fenix 3 does have an internal accelerometer.
Also you can change screens and fields on the watch itself and not have to go back to a pc as you do with the Suunto.
Vibration alerts are great too especially for the alarm, another trick that the Ambit misses out on.
The Ambit 3 has no ant+ support either so if you want to use say an ant+ powermeter or heart rate monitor it won’t pick it up
Hey Ray!
Thnx for the review!
You haven’t written much about Daily Activity Tracking…
I would appreciate if you could answer to couple of questions:
1) Does it automatically recognize sleep, or you need to activate it manually?
2) It is clear that it counts steps, but can it recognize the activity such as walk, run, climbing, cycling, etc.?
3) is it accurate on steps count?
What is the color of the backlight, could you upload a photo?
If it’s the same as the 920xt then:
1) manual only
2) steps only
3) seems on par with others I have seen such as iphone 5s and 6
Cheers
Ian
I would agree with Ian on this. The 920XT seems to be above par on step count accuracy and is manual only on sleep recognition (I have found this to be habit forming, even when drunk!! So I wouldn’t worry about lack of auto here).
What I would like to see a picture of (Ray?) is the activity tracking screen on the F3. The 920XT has a great screen accessible in watch mode that shows steps done versus completed and also the calories burned and distance travelled each day. Is the F3 similar?
Yup, it’s the exact same screen as the FR920XT. I’ve got about 263 photos I’ll try and get a portion of which uploaded today. Sorry, just been catching up over the weekend after CES.
probably catching up some sleep ;-). Nice Job Ray! (and damn, 263 photos, that sure is enough)
Ray, I bou the F3 from CT the day of your first post about it. When do you think realistically that will be shipped? Thank you for great work!!
Is there any improvement on using route navigation within an activity (e.g. walk, ride) now? I know it’s meant to be possible with the F2 by starting an activity, then going to the Menu>User>Routes (or something like that), but it’s horribly cludgy, and most of the time it just seems to result in my activity not being tracked at all. Would be so much easier if it just worked liked tracking indoor activities, where you select “Indoor” and then go on to select your actual activity. So is it any better with the F3?
I would also like to know this?
A quick Clever Training question; I’ve ordered a Fenix 3 from them, which with VIP discount and shipping is slightly cheaper than the UK price, so the main reason is to get it sooner. I am assuming Garmin release things in the US earlier than the UK?
And have any other UK readers ever bought anything like this from the US, and did you get stung for VAT? That’s what would mean the price is pretty much the same as UK price.
You should assume that you’ll get charged 20% VAT by customs, and whoever the shipping company is will charge you an “admin charge” for processing this customs payment on your behalf (typically between £5-10 depending on who it’s shipped by). You sometimes get lucky and your package gets delivered without any customs charges, but certainly don’t base the price on this – assume you will have to pay US price + 20% + courier fee, and if you don’t it’s a bonus.
Yep, it still works with VAT added, but once we get a launch date in the US and the UK that’ll help me decide whether to buy from the UK or the US.
In general, there won’t be a launch date published by Garmin…it’ll just happen. Once I get a final unit shipping notice (with tracking number), I’ll note it here. Typically that’s pulled from the first batch of production units that arrive in Kansas. Sometimes it’s part of the first massive lot, and sometimes it’s just part of a small production validation run before they ramp up. Either way, I’ll note here.
Otherwise though, as for Clever Training, what Neil writes is correct. Thanks for the support!
As of now it’s ordered from CT, so unless Wiggle or someone gets early stock I’ll get it from there as Ray gets some benefit!
Ditto here. The only UK site I have seen that may have it early is Cotswold Outdoors – they had the Fenix 2 early-ish. link to cotswoldoutdoor.com
Hopefully Ray will soon sort out a European partner for the future though…
I purchased my Fenix 2 from Cotswold Outdoors. My wife is a member of the CTC ( Cycle Touring Club ) and I was able to use her card to get 15% discount. There are other organisations who have a similar arrangement with Cotswold so it may pay to ask around.
I’ve just managed to get 20% discount from Cotswold with a code, so I’ll see who gets stock first!
Is that a publically available code, or even one you’d care to share? £320 makes this look a lot more attractive than £400! Do you know if Cotswold take the money at time of order or on despatch?
20% is a big discount – where did you get that voucher Andy? (if you don’t mind me asking?)
20% is from one of their associated organisations so I don’t think I should share publicly, although if you have a google you may be able to find one – but I can share AF-VOUCHCLOUD-AF, which gives you 10%.
Hi Neil, money is only taken at point of dispatch (unless you’re paying via Paypal). Thanks ^TH
Thanks Cotswold – any news on when you’ll have the Fenix 3 in?
Hi Andy, alas we can only say ‘soon’. Why not put in a pre-order in the meantime: bitly.com/CW_fenix3
Have done already. You’re in a race with Clever Training! Cheers.
And another race here – I have pre-orders at both CT and CO now 😉
I pre-ordered the Sapphire with HRM from Cotswold on Saturday. The only place in the UK that i could find that advertised pre-ordering for the Fenix 3.
I only see an option for it w HRM and at $560. Shouldn’t it be $550?
Do you plan to let us pre-order it without HRM?
Also ordered from cotswold with 10 % discount and free shipping to sweden, awesome!
Any plan to take pre-orders for the NON HRM version of the Fenix 3? I have a HRM and don’t need another one. Thanks.
Ray, I tried your 10% coupon on clever training and does not work
Do you know why? thanks
I think you need to take out VIP membership rather than just use the code.
Ray, are you able to please clarify one item regarding shipment time. You state above that 3-4 weeks after you receive final hardware that your review will be available. Is there then a time lag to when it is available to the rest of us? Also, have you received the final hardware unit or do you know when that may be? Thanks.
In general, the lag is only a few days in most cases – but it just depends on a variety of circumstances.
As for today, I have a non-final unit.
Many thanks for the quick reply. I’m trying to gauge if I will receive my unit prior to an upcoming early-ish February trip to the beach. If not then I suppose mapmyrun on the iPhone will have to suffice until then.
Ray,I want to say Thank you for all the great reviews and posts.
But I was hoping you can answer a few question for me.
With the recent update on 920xt for Ski and snowboard mode. How is The Fenix 3 different from the 920XT?
From what I can gather from posts and discussion there’s only the new auto climb detection and hunting/fishing data.
What navigation features are there that set apart the Fenix 3 from 920XT?
Hi All-
I’ve just uploaded two new galleries, for a total of three Fenix3 galleries I’ve shot/uploaded. The first new gallery is a slew of comparison shots of all the new watches, along with some comparisons against the Fenix2 and Fenix3.
The second new gallery is just 30+ images from the user interface, sort of a walk through various sport modes and features.
All of these galleries can be found at this quick-link within the review: link to dcrainmaker.com
Enjoy!
Thanks for the images! They’re a nice addition to this already impressive post. I’ve seen on a video (I think the German one) that the F3 has two different ways of displaying 4 fields, 1 being in quarter sections as shown in your gallerie 3 img4374, the second being one at the top, 2 in the middle, 1 at the bottom. Any chance of posting an image of this setup (or at least a confirmation that this layout exists?) Thanks in advance. PS Looking forward to your upcoming European partnership!
link to youtube.com
time index 2:32. This is the only place I’ve seen both 4 field layouts
I can confirm both four-screen variants are there, just wasn’t a photo I captured of the second variant last week.
Good to hear. Thanks for clearing it up.
@Olu yeah I meant that video, sorry I tried to search for it again on youtube but they tend to run a bit long to watch over and over again for just a small screen that’s easily missed.
It’s just with all these “pre-release models” you never know what is being kept and what is being removed before a final release model is made. But the 1-2-1 display mode seems better suited to me than the 2×2 (quarter division). Now all I have to think about is whether or not I want the Sapphire or the regular model.
I’d be very hesitant on ‘trusting’ other sites with pre-release models. Everything you see listed here has been vetted against a model showing what they’ve confirmed will be in the final version.
For example, I saw a Vivoactive video from someone that had been shot some time ago on very early beta hardware and software with changes that already made portions inaccurate.
That’s not to say don’t trust anything, there’s certain videos/posts out there with perfectly fine coverage and are perfectly accurate. But, I’m only posting items here I’ve double and triple checked with the Garmin teams as being in the planned final product upon release. For the exact same reason that I’m waiting for the final hardware and final software to begin the review process.
I thought the 1-2-1 display would work better until I saw the picture of the 2 x 2 next to the 920xt. The 2 x 2 (in pictures) looked just as good as the 920xt
Hi Ray
From the third gallery there is a image showing Map page, which actually showing track only, is it true we cant load a map or simply fenix 3 don’t have a pre-load map at all?
The same case happened for fenix 2, which i need to load a map and rename it to ‘gmapsupp”, otherwise it will show nothing like that image.
So are there a file ‘gmapsupp’ inside fenix 3? If there is such a file, then it probably support simplified OSM maps, Thanks
Correct, no loading of a mini-map ala the Fenix2 on the Fenix3.
And nope, no gmapsupp on the Fenix3.
This pisses me off. Taking away feature for product differention alone is a good way to lose your loyal customers. Due to features degradation in newer models I skipped all models after 305 until Fenix 2.
Fair enough the map feature in F2 bearly works but F3 has a faster chipset so Garmin could have actually made maps more useful but no EPIX fail ☺
Does not buying any new models in 6 years qualify you as a loyal customer!? ;o)
In the review, it would be interesting to know what happens when following a course is started during an activity. On the 910xt, this would reset displayed time/distance to zero, while still correctly recording the full activity.
Great info as always! The 920 made me miss things from the Fenix 2, and the F3 seems to bring it all back together.
The Connect IQ model raises a question though – On the Fenix 2, you could start an activity, then later begin navigating, then stop navigating, etc., all while still in the original sport (the displayed data would only show what’s configured for the Navigate mode, I know). Does the Connect IQ a-sport-mode-is-now-an-app change (or break) that feature, since it’d now be really changing apps? i.e.will it still continue to record as one .FIT file…?
Hey Ray!
I’m just starting to get into triathlons and i’m trying to start investing in good equipment. The watch that i own right now is purely for running. That’s buying a new watch is on top of my to do list this year. With that said, i’m confused on whether to get the 920xt or the F3. which do you think i should get?
regards,
Rafa
Put it this way Rafa; I am impressed with the 920XT but am seriously regretting investing now that the F3 is on the table. I would go the F3 every time. I am in a mental battle with myself at the moment as to whether I should take the hit on selling the 920XT second hand and stump up for the F3
(If anybody wants a very new 920XT at a great price let me know!! ;o) )
I’ve decided to bite the bullet and sell my 920XT (and my Fenix 1) – I really want something I can wear every day – may also splash the cash on an Apple Watch when they arrive, but for running, cycling, hiking and skiing/mountaineering the Fenix is the best choice as an everyday/go anywhere watch.
Have a Sapphire on pre-order now I realise it comes with both straps.
I also doubt about F3 and 920XT but i’m focus in triathlon and seems that F3 will not have a quick release kit so …
Paul, i really want a second hand 920xt an unbeatable price 😉
@Rafa. I think if I was just starting with triathlons, the Vivoactive is hard to beat. If you plan on using a bike with a power meter or doing half-ironman or longer, then I’d go with whichever watch you think looks better.
Whereabouts on the globe are you Santi? I am in Australia
Ha ha ha.
Paul, i think i’m a bit far from you. More or less in the other side of the globe. Madrid, Spain.
Seems to be a bit complicated transaction.
Te puedo vender my F1 a um precio muy razonable …
Lisboa, Portugal (vecinos)
Thanks a lot Alfonso but I’m not interested in a F1. Appreciated.
Thanks anyway
Andy are you really planning to sell your 920xt?
Since Paul lives far far away and you are more or less close and i have friends living in UK….
Yes, I’ll be selling it once my Fenix 3 arrives (and a Fenix 1 as well!). I’ll drop a message on here before I put it on eBay (although I’ll advertise it with my cycling club).
Great review, pictures and commentary here. I have to admit I am just about salivating over the Fenix 3. I currently use the Polar v800 and after 6 months of use I am realizing that Polar hasn’t done much in terms of opening up to partnerships with other companies/apps, which has probably been the biggest disappointment. I still can’t do simple things like sync my activity data with MyFitnessPal etc.
I also have to send the watch back as I now have condensation building up inside. Will get this exchanged/repaired and then sell it so I can go back to the Garmin platform. I have placed my pre-order already for the Fenix 3 and can’t wait to get my hands on it. Garmin definitely seems to be heading in the right direction with Connect IQ and some of the smart watch capabilities. Great looking piece of hardware!
I’ve pre-ordered a Sapphire from CT, but have a burning question…
I’ve had a lot of Garmin devices including a fenix2 and now a 920XT. The 920XT is the first Garmin watch I’ve had that if you had four data fields configured on a single screen and one of them was time that it would keep showing you seconds after it passed the one hour mark. Prior to the 920XT, you had minutes:seconds until you crossed 60 minutes when you then got hours:minutes. Now with the 920XT you get a *tiny* hours number and still get minutes:seconds.
Does the fenix3 do this as well? I *really* hope so as it bugged me to lose seconds after the hour mark was passed.
–Donnie
Just ordered the Fenix 3 and while going through my electronics drawer I found a few things that I would like to sell. Anybody with any ideas where are some places to do it?
Should I assume that I *can’t* swim in a chlorinated pool with the metal band on the Sapphire version?
If I go on a business trip where the metal band would be the best fit for my work attire, would I have to change out the band if I want to get a workout at the local swim club?
Ray,
I scanned around, but I couldn’t tell – or maybe I just don’t keep up – what watch are you currently favoriting/using? After waiting 4 weeks I had just gotten my 920xt, and while it is a great step up on the 910xt and everything I wanted in an improvement in the 910xt….
This damn Fenix 3 is what the MAN in me wants in a watch that I keep on my wrist all the time.
That said, just off preliminary touch and feel:
How does it weigh in comparison to the 920xt? With the fancy metal band?
For your testing do you plan to really test this thing and its metal band out with how it would function as a primary tri watch? Could you please? While the option of changing the band on and off is always there – I could see some of us getting lazy. I want to make sure that fancy snazy watch looks as good in my tux day one as it will next year, and function fine in races without any worries.
Thank!
For those who want to know the size compared with 920xt, check out this video, exactly at 38 seconds. I think Fenix 3 is in par with 920xt, visually at least.
link to youtube.com
Hey Ray, can the F3, display the growing movebar on the the analog and digital watch face?
I’m with Donnie – would really like to see the seconds beyond an hour. Perhaps an ‘App’ can make one? Suunto is the same I think, after 10 hours no seconds.
I realize I am asking a lot.. sorry.. I also wonder about the seconds displayed on the watch screen; are the same clock screen functions supported as on the F1? i.e. seconds, day of week, date, sunset/sunrise, battery level? I’m not sure if I want to be my primary clock screen to be an app/watchface that I made myself (maybe it is as easy as making a watchface for a Pebble, but I don’t have any ConnectIQ experience and would prefer to have all the F1 options on the F3 right away).
I’d also like to know if the GPS Tools screen (for Sun & Moon information) will be available on the F3.
As to the extremely basic map missing: Maybe I’m the only one who sortof uses it when I’m running on the beach and in the dunes near the North Sea, not really for navigation, but just because it is nice to be able to see where the sea is on the map page. Perhaps it’s possible to create an app for it. MapMyCoast. Or something 🙂
I am interested in connectivity with android phones. how to display important messages and can be set to what you want to get notice.
with what extension activities are stored?
one more 🙂 question. If you can delete various activities from the main menu. I would need only a few of them.
I have a couple of questions about the screen and the backlight that I’d like to have answered befor I buy, so if Ray or FR920XT users know the answers, I’d be most grateful. (I understand the FR920XT has the same type of screen. I would have checked this in the FR920XT manual but I can’t find that on the Garmin site. Perhaps someone can share a link?)
In every image and video I’ve seen of the F3, the screen is really bright and crisp. Either it just is really really bright with the backlight is off, or the backlight is on. In the video’s, people are constantly pressing buttons to show options, and if pressing a button switches the backlight on for a second or two, that could explain why the backlight appears to be on all the time. Is that correct?
Are there photos that show what the display looks like when the backlight is off?
Is there a setting (ala Pebble) that switches on the backlight when you move the watch?
Does the screen go to sleep (ala Garmin Swim) when the watch is not moved at all for a certain period of time?
Do either the Fenix 3 or the Epix float?
I’ve always been wary of losing a 500$ watch at the bottom of a lake/sea during an open water session.
On your upcomming full review please test/clarify what is the character subset supported.
Using UTF8 (or UTF16) encoding for the text strings does NOT mean that the on-device font will have glyphs/representations for all the characters.
Usualy missing are large language subsets (Chinese, Arabic, Thay).
In concrete, what will happen if one’s smartphone (Android or iOS, both support full UTF charsets) receives a notification (WhatsApp message, Hangouts message, SMS) or even a phone call from someone who’s name contain characters from Russian/Portuguese/German/Spanish/etc languages ?
Will that notification text be properly displayed on Fenix 3 ?
This is of the utmost importance to me as, being a current Fenix-1 user, I was forced to get myself another notification watch because this kind of text was diisplayed as small boxes on the fenix-1.
This alone will make/break my purchase/upgrade of/to a Fenix-3.
Please refer to the following page to get multilingual text samples
link to pebblebits.com
that you can copy/paste and email to yourself to see what ends up being displayed on the F3 screen.
On Fenix 2 was not possibbel to receive notification if you were using the HRM strap, with the fenix 3 would be possible to simultaneously use Bluetooth and ANT+ .
I would like to go run/bike and have the possibility to see who is writing or calling me ( so I can decide to answer or not without taking off my phone from bikehersey rear pocket )
I would like to know this as well. For me this is a major feature because I want to use me iPhone for live tracking. If I go out on a two hour run this is perfect. Please let us know Ray and thanks for the great work.
Good Lord, READ THE REVIEW. This is one of the main changes Ray mentions right up front from the fenix2 to the fenix3. Yes, it does simultaneous Bluetooth and ANT+, so yes, this feature now works on the fenix3.
–Donnie
Sorry, english is a second language to me and sometimes I miss these things. Saw it now and that’s a relief to know. I really love the features and the design. Looking forward to seeing it and try it, but most of all looking forward to read the in depth review from Ray. Thx again Ray.
Didn’t read
Added concurrent Bluetooth Smart/ANT+: While the Fenix2 had limitations on using one or the other at the same time, that limitation goes away here.
already answered
So its now known that the Sapphire edition of the F3 DOESN’T come with a Heart Rate Monitor strap and there isn’t currently a bundle offering one.
As the F3 offers Run Dynamics I’m wondering if the Garmin Accounts Dept. didn’t elbow the Garmin pricing Dept. in the ribs and say if they can afford the ‘premium’ sapphire edition then they can afford the stand alone HRM Run HRM strap @ £80/$100 rather than us offer a bundle with a price difference for the HRM Run of £30/$50 as per the FR620.
Will be getting a Sapphire F3 but using my FR620 HRM Run Strap.
Well…. before I’m slapped down it appears that the UK DOES offer a Sapphire F3 Performer Bundle with HRM Run for £30 extra (so no need to by it separately for £80) It’s the US market that doesn’t offer an HRM Run Performer bundle so those people will need to pay $100 for it separately.
Not often us Brits get one over the Yanks 😉
Yep, I’ve a Sapphire “Performer” on pre-order with Cotswold:
link to cotswoldoutdoor.com
Scott could you please post the web adress please? i dont find any in EU…
Hi Gabriel, this might help?
link to cotswoldoutdoor.com
Can you confirm if the 15% discount code is valid for anyone and not just for members of a membership organisation ie BMC. Also whats the policy on charging cards.
Thanks
order placed, thank you
I’m sure I might have missed it in this long list of comments, but how does the F3 handle triathlon transitions in multisport mode? Similar to 910xt/920xt where its just a matter of pushing a button? Any images/video on how that looks on a round display vs. a square display? Im interested on how easily read it can be.
Read
the
Article
Above.
Seriously? No need for trolling or smart ass remarks…I asked for functionality and how it compares visually from square to circle….which from what I read, was not exactly covered.
if you spared being lazy and read the comments you’d have your answer sparing us from questions that were asked.
CNTRL+F (find)
hahahaha… maybe you lack comprehension or just your typical online troller with lackluster race times and all you have going for you is commenting on websites. Rather than helping a fellow out, you belittle them? Nice values your parents taught you.
Anyway, being that YOU haven’t touched the thing itself, I was asking for someone’s opinion that has.
Good luck in Sactown bud.
butt hurt?
🙁
A reader posted photos comparing both here. but keep crying.
Yep, definitely butt hurt. You’re the man Gabriel Eguia.
I apologize to Ray and the rest of the readers…
+1 on Gabriel Equia!
Ctrl + F and look for it.. If you really don’t find it, you may post..
But I have seen your question about the screen already 4 or 5 times, if not even more: so you must find something about it.
Small effort, but it keeps the post a “little bit clean”.
For the transitions I think its in the review itself..
Too bad you didn’t get an answer…. I would have liked to have had this info as well. (and I’ve read all posts up to here…)
…and commenting on HOW to search for an answer rather than helping someone who may have overlooked it or didn’t see it helps clean the posts up?
Your (Jasper) and Gabriel Eguia’s logic seems a little off…
I understand, as a reader, it could get redundant/annoying rereading previously asked/answered questions…but bottom line is, we’re all here for the same reason. If you find it annoying…scroll down and read the next one. Easy as that. No need for badgering.
Again, I apologize to Ray and the other readers…
For the answer: It’s identical to the FR920XT where it’s just a matter of pressing a button. I don’t have a photo at the moment on it changing modes, but the displays are the same as the other shots I’ve included from a data field standpoint, so it’s up to you as to which data fields/metrics you display. Which in turn covers the readability aspects since that all remains the same.
Then I think you didn’t read them that well (I’ve also read them all..)
Lets start with a photo Ray posted: link to dcrainmaker.com
Not that well to see for the screen comparison, but it’s already some thing..
Then you start at the photo galleries of the F3 above in the review: link to dcrainmaker.com
And compare to photo’s of his in-depth review of the 920xt: link to dcrainmaker.com
Here you can extract a lot of info and photo’s about basic functionality (as mentioned, the 920xt and the F3 will have the same software and options as a base, with the F3 having some more)
A photo of the 4 quadrant screen option: link to dcrainmaker.com
Then you look at the video’s people have posted about the F3 (Like Kenneth Rassmussen did on january 7: link to youtu.be)
Or Like MAGNUS on 10 of january posted a direct photo of them comparing: link to imgur.com …
If you would ask: no this wasn’t hard, no it didn’t took an hour (more like 5min [10 for me, because English isn’t my native language] )
Sorry Ray for the squabbling
do you have any ideea if i can pre-order fenix 3 in europe? a web page eventualy would be of great help. thank you
cotswold outdoors, are you selling the Fenix 3 without the HR strap as I already have one and would pre-order if you had the option!!
Is the bundled HR strap an ANT+ one or Bluetooth??
thank you! i’ll buy the strap separately 🙂
the strap is included
Great coverage as usual Ray.
This one looks like it might put my much-loved and super-reliable, but somewhat navigationally challenged 910 into retirement.
Granted this might mean I’ve missed something obvious, but on the temperature thing …
If I pair this with a Tempe [sensor], is the temperature field available on the watch just like any other bit of data, and can be added to any data-page-view in the same way as [for example] elevation, lap-time, HR, time-elapsed et cetera – or – will it only be available via an ‘App’ – which could mean quite a bit of work to build (or rebuild) the look of the data as I need it on a per-activity basis.
I can definitely see the use I’d make of one of my running pages, if I could show, elevation, direction of travel, *and* temperature (although I’d like to be able to do that natively on the watch, and on the fly if necessary, and not have to write / rewrite an IQ app to include that data).
Is the temperature reading added to the activity file and once the activity is uploaded, available in GC (along with elevation / HR / Pace)?
How often does it record temperature, timed, or when it changes (and if so, by whole, or partial º’s
Finally (!) – I’m assuming I can pair a HR strap and a Tempe concurrently ?
Thanks (& sorry for the questions).
I have a Tempe connected to an Oregon 600 (big handheld gps) The temperature on that device is listed as whole degrees, so no partials there. I’m assuming the same will be the case for the F3.
On the f2, tempe seems to transmit temperature only in whole Celsius degrees as a result of which, when converted to F you get goofy looking results like 77°, 78.8°, 82.4.
Thanks for the the youtube walkthrough. One thing that doesn’t appear to be in the F3 is a night specific screen mode. I sort of had a love/hate with the F2 screen. It wasn’t always easy to read, but I found the red font to be a nice touch. It looks like that was lost when the screen technology mode. Is there a setting that allows it to go to a black screen with white font at night automatically?
You can create a new sport profile (based on an existing one if you’d like) and then just set the background mode to be black versus white (thus mimicking the night screen mode). It’s an easy way to quickly have a night mode available.
As per smartwatch notification features (displaying the notifications received by our smartphones, tucked away in some pocket) a thorough comparison with F1 e F2 would be mostly welcome.
Namely, on my F1:
1) On a non-sports F1 custom profile, with Bluetooth always ON and GPS always OFF, a fully charged F1 can barely go from sunrise to sunset, displaying no more than 1 notification/h, before depleting the batery.
2) Using a Note 4 runing stock Android 4.4.4, with Garmin connect mobile APP installed and properly authorized to access all notificatios, WhatsApp notifications are delivered to F1, Hangout notifications are NOT delivered.
None of them are actionable (dismissable, repliable)
1) With the F3 it’s more in line with the FR920XT, so at least 3-5 days, some are getting much more. Just depends on usage.
2) I can’t speak to that specific phone. Though, doesn’t actually sound like a Garmin problem but rather an upstream problem in the notifications settings and/or control panel.
Good morning everybody and special to RAY great work as usually.
beautiful watch a lot of question but i think is too early we need to wait your final review.
but one thing make me strange…which is the battery life in one second GPS recording, because if i go to American garmin they say 20 hours if i go to UK or Italian garmin is 16 !!!!
and an other important parameter is the battery of fenix 3 bigger of fenix 2 ( mAh)? adn what about epic?
help us RAY!
I read a post or 2 here, that said: the F3 has 300 mAh and the F2 had 500 mAh.. But since the F3 has a more efficient chip (cpu and gps I asume) the battery last longer..
Indeed a strange thing about those 2 different statements about the 1s GPS interval
I think the US Garmin sites shows the GPS time with just the GPS active and GLONASS disabled and the European site displays GPS time WITH GLONASS enabled. I can only guess why they don’t show the same battery life on similar circumstances on both websites (maybe Glonass is a bigger deal here in Europe?)
I really like to have a more “official “data because for ultrarunners 16 or 20 hours are very different….but maybe only the in depth review will give us the answer is it correct Ray?
wow this is really disappointing the 920xt is 24 & this is 20 & potentially 16? I thought it would at least match the 920xt. I just do not understand how garmin comes to these decisions.
I thought this was interesting video. link to youtube.com
At around the 1:06 mark where its listing features, there’s mention of Basecamp and Basecamp mobile.
I’ve yet to own a Garmin (Have an Ambit2) but isn’t this the mapping software that wasn’t suppose to be on this model?
Basecamp (PC) and Basecamp mobile are support apps that do NOT run on your Fenix, nor upload maps to it.
They serve to assist you manage your waypoints lists/colections, prepare/upload (to fenix) routes, visualise tracks on a map (after you download them from your fenix)
Hi Ray!….
Does it show the swimming rest screen (just like 920xt)?
Thank you!
Yup.
[off topic] Hi Ray. I remember seeing a link to an video interview you did at CES this year. I’ve been searching for that on your blog and youtube. No luck. can you post?
found it. link to youtu.be
Nice work Ray :o)
Regarding the HRM+ and the running dynamics. What data might be available (or not available) if a Scosche Rhythm+ was used instead of the HRM+. The F2 had an accelerometer I think so cadence could be gotten that way. I must interested in if a running cadence would be available if a Rhythm+ is used. I just continue to have issue with Garmin HR straps
Check out the 920XT review: Cadence can come from the internal accelerometer in the watch when using a 3rd party HR strap.
I’m a happy owner of a Scosche as well and would assume that the F3 works the same as the 920XT in this regard.
I got 2 things to ask,
1: Can we change the straps from metal to plastic one easy? or do we need a special tool?
2: If I go for a run with my FR910XT, will my run data sync onto this watch or vise versa?
Thank you!
Hi Grant,
1) I seem to remember from a previous post (look for metal and/or band) was swapping it takes a couple of minutes with the provided tools
2) Your watches will not sync automatically. Activities are consolidated from different devices on Garmin Connect (which you can access through your computer or the smartphone app) but not on your watches. There may be ways to do that manually but I guess this is not what you are after
Ray,
Can you speak to the GPS accuracy on the Fenix 3? I’ve heard that the GPS on the Fenix 2 was notoriously bad.
Thanks!
It’s inline with the FR920XT, nothing shared with the Fenix2 there.
Thanks for the info.
Another brief review of the Fenix 3 – link to trustedreviews.com
FYI – current availability (according to REI) for the watch is January 29th.
The customer service person at REI I spoke with on the phone said that Garmin pushed back the date. She said that REI will be shipping the Fenix 3 to me on Feb 3rd. Let the “delay game” begin 🙂
Reminder of the day: It’s only delayed when the company actually misses the mark they set. Retailers who over-commit on dates beyond what the device company told them…hard to blame the device company…
The ‘Delay’ game starts from 1st April.. Anything up until then is the ‘Impatience’ game (which I too am susceptible too ;-)..
Ray,
Thank you so much for your fabulous reviews!
Well, in this case I think my procrastination has paid off! I started looking at a new GPS watch over a year ago!
After reading this, I have found my new watch. Happy Birthday to me!
One question that doesn’t seem to come up too often in reviews, is can you review the data from a run or a tri within the watch? During my cool down, I often like to scroll through to see my hr and pace for each mile. Wondering if I can do this in the watch or does the data have to be downloaded to view.
Thanks so much for all your great work!
Karen
OK – I’ve heard enough…pre-ordered the Sapphire version through CT.
Now to go see who wants to buy my gently used 920xt!
I have the hrm band of the 910xt. Its work on fénix 3??
Thx from Argentina
Hi Ray,
I have to say your reviews and website are awesome. You take time to do things properly (very time consuming and I imagine not so rewarding early on). Your reviews are the go to reviews if you are into cycling/triathlons.
I had the 910xt, lost it and went to buy myself a replacement at a great price. Then found out the 920xt was out.. Loved it, had to have it.. They had no stock.. Now the Fenix 3 has been released.. What the, it keeps getting better.. It is an awesome watch both looking (it will be my everyday watch, I currently switch between white and green forerunner 210 on smart casual days and the TAG when I want to look a little more formal). Love what you have done by pairing the Grey with the red strap, I am going to have to go the same way as I love red and the Silver unit does not have a red accent on the button (picky much?).
Thanks again for the review, I really want to buy the watch through your site but don’t think there is a viable way from Australia (I will look into the cleaver training VIP option to be sure before I hit the buy).
Thanks again for your site and reviews, you are awesome.
Ryan
I’m from Australia and it’s cheaper from Clever Training but warranty is the issue within Australia. Garmin Australia even posted this in response to a Facebook post I did back to this site
I’m from Australia and it’s cheaper from Clever Training but warranty is the issue within Australia. Garmin Australia even posted this in response to a Facebook post I did back to this site.
Thanks Tony
I don’t think Garmin have released a AU$ for the Fenix 3 yet have they? Only price I have found from an Aussie retailer is $729 for the Grey performance and $849 for the Sapphire.
If purchased through CT, would I have to post back to US for warranty issues? Guess the 920xt issues are still fresh in ones mind?
RRP in Aus $729 for HRM grey , have confirmed with a number of Garmin dealers and this is the Garmin Aus pricing. You need to weigh up savings vs risk, personally I don’t like being shafted $$ because we are in AUS by big companies who have the buying power to offer US conversion prices here
I have finally got over my mental demons of having just purchased a 920XT only to find the F3 and ordered from Cotswold Outdoor in the UK. Great pricing and if you search around you can find codes for 10% off.
Garmin International Purchases info can be found at link to garmin.com. I personally think this is a huge rort and should be illegal but that is the way it is at the moment, I guess.
Thanks Tony
We did get a good rate in Aus for the 920xt. Shame I want to get the Fenix 3..
Hi Ray,
Thanks for the detailed first look.
A quick question for you if you have tried: Can you get a tight tri wetsuit off over the this watch when it is on your wrist or is the 920XT much better for this?
I have a 310XT and am thinking of upgrading to either the 920XT, Fenix2 or Fenix3. I would like to ditch the quick release mount because it makes my watch quite bulky and getting my wetsuit off off over a newer watch is my only concern.
Hope you can reply. Thanks again for the excellent website and all the best to you!
P.S. If you have time/can be bothered in a sentance 920XT, Fenix2 or Fenix3 and why please 🙂
Hi Adrian
I think difference between 920xt and Fenix 3 are minimal other than design (where they are substantial).
The 920xt is function over form and with the Fenix, form has been made prettier resulting in a bulkier offering which can be worn on more occasions without screaming out, ‘look at me, I ride, run and swim lots’.
If watch is for training and racing mostly, I would go with the 920xt it is slimer, lighter and the buttons seem better placed for intervals etc.. If you want to wear your watch allot and not want to be seen as an athlete first and foremost, or if you head out trekking (I am not sure how much better the Fenix is over the 920) I would go the Fenix.
For me I am going the Fenix 3 as I will mostly be using it for a daily watch and for swimming (yes, I know a little extravagant but I like the way it looks and I want a watch to collect swim data (I don’t swim often so bulk should not affect me too much)). I have a FR 210 for running and a 510 for my bike so those disciplines are covered but I will probably use the Fenix 3 for running as well (for distances up to 21kms).
Hope this helps.
Ryan
Thanks Rusn for your thought process. I am having a difficult time deciding on where to go from my 220.
I am solely a runner right now but would like to incorporate biking and maybe some swimming into cross training. The Fenix 3 would allow me to record these events as well as give me IQ features and all the VO2 max, recovery, etc data.
However, my main concern is the move from a 40 gram watch to a 80 gram watch for marathons. Does anyone believe this is a major concern?
Hi Runnerizer
I used to use my 910xt for everything (I lost it :-(). The bulk never bothered me. People used to see it and go ‘whoooaa that is huge’ but it did not really bother me (and I am easily bothered. Most times during an event I will throw away my peak, I don’t wear my sunglasses on a long run as I will be tempted to throw them away too and they are more costly than a peak ;-).
My thoughts are the 920 and Fenix 3 are pretty much the same watch, just in different bodies (unless you are really nit picky). The 920’s form is better for the purpose it was built whereas the Fenix looks more like a normal watch and as a result has a higher profile and is heavier.
Only you can say how bothered you would be by the extra bulk. Only Ray can tell you how different the two feel when running for now.. Although, in February there will be a slew of people no doubt with their opinions..
So, you need to ask yourself if you can hold out till then 😉
I have a Suunto Core watch currently (thinking about upgrading to a Fenix 3). It weighs about 80 grams. I never notice the weight. I basically forget it’s there until I need it.
PS – You should definitely take cycling up. It’s good cardio but it’s also a lot of fun.
I know that this wasn’t directed at me but having come from a 310XT to a 920XT the difference in ‘bulk’ is massive. If you were able to get the wetsuit off over the 310 then you will have no problem with the 920XT and I would think will be fine with the F3.
Between the 3 options you have listed I can’t see why you would buy an F2 (even the reduced price wouldn’t attract me to this one). The 920XT has better battery life but doesn’t record temperature and the F3 has the additional navigation features and a better ‘everyday’ look.
sorry Ray to disturd again but any news about the battery life in 1 second GPS? a lot of difference around the net and also in the garmin offical site ( american vs european).
for ultrarunners is a make-decison parameter ( fenix 3 and epic please)
thankyou again
I won’t be able to test/validate that information until the watch is firmware and units are final. To that end, I suspect Garmin won’t be able to do those tests either…
For the F3, I suspect you’ll get that information sooner, for the Epix, it’ll be awhile.
thankyou Ray i really wait your rewiev!!!!
Hi Ray. Is there “smart notifications” menu in the homescreen just like the 920xt? Thank you
Yet one more person that just bought a 920XT figuring out what to do.
I’m trying to learn what the Fenix3 offers over the 920XT and what I read is that the differences are on the navigation features, however when I go to the feature list compare they show the same capabilities in this category. I read the Fenix2 in-depth review but even that doesn’t shed much light. They both seem to offer courses and back to start (which directs you in a straight line.) Any pointers that go in more detail?
The F2 and F3 both have TracBack which routes you back along your breadcrumb route. The 920’s ‘back to start’ is a straight line, and pretty much useless, imo.
There’s some other “minor” stuff like the way the watch looks, the ability to record temperature and add the tempe sensor for even more accurate temperature measuring.
I’m sure by the time Ray has finished his in-dept review he’ll add a nice list with all the changes compared to the F2 and the 920XT. (hint, hint)
I understand the Fenix3 accounts for elevation change when calculating distance(3D distance) and it does so in in real time. Would it use this 3D distance to display current speed, or is a speed sensor still necessary? I understand speed without the sensor won’t be entirely accurate if GPS signal isn’t great, but at least it is better if it uses 3D distance in real time?
Does anyone know if the Fenix 3 will allow me to load a local trail network as a track file and view my present location when using the watch and see the nearby trails that are on the track, without having to use navigation? Just a view that shows my location and any of the nearby track if applicable?
I know you can load tracks on it. Just not sure about seeing them on the watch without navigating to them. This is likely the deciding factor as to whether I pre-order the Fenix 3 or stay with the Fenix 2/move to the Epix.
Thanks
I emailed Garmin to make sure the Fenix 3 will allow tracks/routes to be downloaded onto the device and viewed, along with present location, without having to navigate them. It sounds like you can, which is what I assumed.
Just ordered the fenix 3 hrm bundle from Clever Training.
Btw, here’s Garmin’s response:
“In BaseCamp, you will be able to send waypoints, routes and tracks from your computer to the unit and from the unit to your computer. You can view the routes on your computer or watch, with or without navigating the route. You will be able to select the route and navigate to that route on the unit.”
Ray– when you’re all done putting the watches thru your normal tests, I really think you need to step it up with some drop tests, scratch & bump types. Lets find out what kind abuse these puppies can take (esp. the sapphire), and then you can send them back to Garmin. ;o)
I basically treat the watches like crap as it is, constantly bumping into and whacking stuff with them. As it stands, the Fenix3 is floating around the bottom of my backpack right now.
That said, expect to see the Fenix3 be the first unit to go through my waterproof testing chamber…
The challenge with drop tests is that so many variables get involved, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time someone actually noted breaking a Garmin/Polar/Suunto unit via dropping it. It’s been a long time…
My very first triathlon (Kemah Olympic) was one where they take you on a boat out in the bay and then you jump off and swim to shore. It was a big boat with medal floors. Right next to me a guy asked him buddy to hold his 910 while he put his wetsuit on. Two seconds later.. THUD! Sure enough he dropped it face first and it has a huge crack in it. The guy just stared at his friend and he friend said “Sorry.” lol. Poor bastard!
Connect IQ support – Underwater Free Diving App for Fenix 3?
Hi Ray, thanks for the great information as always. Your reviews have lead me to purchase a number of Garmins over the years with great results and I now have a Fenix 3 on pre-order in New Zealand.
Do you know if the sensors on the unit will allow for underwater depth recording? To my simple mind it appears if it can record air pressure it should also be able to measure water depth with the right conversion of the data. With the increased depth rating to 100m this watch may also be able to be offered to a whole new market segment – being free divers, as only the top pros go over 100m.
It would appear that it would just need an IQ connect app that can record depth and time underwater and surface intervals automatically when in freediving mode and then the Fenix 3 could be my everyday watch (as I can wear it with a suit), and my trail running watch, and my freediving watch. 3 watches in one – fantastic.
Anyone keen to try to get an app built for free diving – let me know?
Thanks again for the great reviews – really appreciate all the time you put into this for us all.
Allan
How many data fields can you add to a single screen? 920xt does four, but the round screen looks like it might be too small for that.
@Eric – 4. The combination of a bigger screen real estate (compared to the Fenix 2) and smaller/cleaner fonts makes it easier to read (IMHO).
Enjoy.
Hi Eric,
4 is doable, either 4 quadrants or 1-2-1 as per fenix2.
Search for previous comments or look for additional pictures posted by Ray.
Cheers
Finally I preordered in Cotswold, I found a 20% code, sorry for Ray, but the only option in CT was the 10% with Vip option
And for europeans I think is better because possible Duties increments with CT
And take note the Saphyre in CT does not include the HRM band
I hope Garmin begins to provide them in February, as Cotswold predicts
Any hints on finding the 20% Code? Willing to join the relevant membership scheme etc, cotswold have a few things I fancy so it’d be worth it.
I suspect its a Cotswold’s DofE participants reward card which if correct isn’t going to be practical/cost effective to join to get the additional 5% discount. Be happy with a free 15% discount as many others are having to pay to get 10%!
I don’t know if still available: A3510035
Hi Guys-
I’ve kinda let the Cotsworld discount discussion go back and forth for the week, but it’s gotten a bit out of hand at this point. It’s taking up the majority of new comments right now to this post. Ok?
Thanks,
Ray
Sorry if I missed it somewhere. I know the F3 face is mineral glass, what is on the F2? Is it just plastic? If so then, the base F3 should be more durable right?
Is it February yet. Have the started shipping yet. Getting antsy.. cant wait to play with the F3
REI charged me yesterday so it must have shipped.
REI authorizes the amount on your card when the back order is created…it is almost like a hold on the $…doesn’t mean it shipped.
15% off at Cotswold – nt14
This code si accepted…I’ve juste tested it but I’m just waiting for miguel to share, if possible, his 20% code…..that would definitely seal the deal for me
Thx Bob for the info
This might seal the deal…..Purchase via quidco and you could end up with £25 cashback, mine has tracked already. So taking the cashback off as well it works out at 380ish for Sapphire performance bundle
This might seal the deal…..Purchase via quidco and you could end up with £25 cashback, mine has tracked already. So taking the cashback off as well it works out at £380ish for Sapphire performance bundle
Bob you mean you have shipping confirmation already? FYI I did find a 20% off coupon. I had to go through 4-5 pages of Google and try every code from every retail site, PDF, etc; but finally hit gold.
No shipping confirmation, I was referring to the cashback ‘tracking’. sorry for confusion
Ah thanks 😉
20% coupon? Do you mind sharing?
Hi Guys-
I’ve kinda let the Cotsworld discount discussion go back and forth for the week, but it’s gotten a bit out of hand at this point. It’s taking up the majority of new comments right now to this post. Ok?
Thanks,
Ray
Maybe I missed it somewhere, but do you think there is any chance we get a triathlon-compatible twist-off wrist-band for the F3? If that is the case, then there really is NO reason to buy the 920XT…Thanks Ray!
I think there’s a solid chance, but I don’t suspect we’ll see it in the near term. I think it’s worthwhile voicing that feedback to Garmin directly (via social media is best) though.
Thanks for the quick feedback Ray. I’ll drop them a line on fb or something.
Yeah I use CT most of the time but a 20% off coupon at Cotswold would be crazy good. Share Miguel 🙂
I have been using Garmin since my first days of becoming a runner (just over 10 years ago). I have been using the Forerunner series watches (201, 405CX, and 410). I am just getting into triathlons. From reading these details reviews from Ray on the 920XT and the Fenix3 I am learning that perhaps there are better HR bands than Garmin’s perhaps? I also had the concern of my dress shirts covering my upcoming watch (either 920xt or F3). My 410 does not allow most of my dress shirts to cover and it can be a little irritating trying to take my shirt off as I train during my lunch breaks. Do you know the height difference between the 410 and F3? I am assuming the 920xt is already smaller. I am also learning that there is a bit of a battle of Suunto and Garmin. Of course everybody has their opionions. I suppose I will need to do some more research there. But, I would like to know from people have had experience from both companies why they like one of the other in a practical sense. Remember I am coming from the 410 and the extra perks that have come around since then is only a bonus. I have been excited with the two latest releases from Garmin (920xt and F3), but now the more I read the more difficult it for me to decide.
I hope very detailed specifications will be available soon. I am using many of the rarely used or mentioned functions of the Fenix 1 a lot; GPS tools: satellite information, sun & moon information, the basemap, clock functions (chronograph & timer), and even the area calculation. The area calculation and basemap (happens to show useful landmarks for me) are just nice, but the other functions I would not give up even for an appealing piece of gear as the Fenix 3 or Epix.
Good News My Fellow Americans – This is from REI Customer Service.
It looks like we are receiving the Fenix 3 from Garmin on February 1, 2015 to ship to our customers the following day. So it may be to your address on or around February 6
I would take that with a grain of salt as the REI rep I just had a chat session with online said they EXPECT it in their warehouses on 1/29. Either way, I’m a CT customer when it comes to being able to support Ray, so hopefully they will be on par with a similar date.
I’ll also be ordering it from Clevertraining. Just some clue that this item ships pretty soon.
Best.
Weird, REI charged my card a couple days ago which they don’t do unless they ship…
They haven’t shipped yet from Garmin manufacturing in Taiwan (as of a few hours ago), so I’m about 100% certain REI isn’t shipping them today to you since they still have to be both made, sent to Kansas and then sent to REI’s distribution and then sent to you.
Would definitely be an interesting post if you or somebody in the know knew how Garmin handle these new product releases.
Knowing nothing about manufacturing I would have thought that Garmin would have had trucks full of product ready to ship or very shortly after the products announcement at CES.
This obviously isn’t the case so why? lead times? product secrecy? still finalising the details etc
You’ve already alluded to Garmin guessing sales levels for initial manufacturing runs. Do you think that Garmin has anticipated the (seemingly) huge buzz around the F3 and pitched levels to meet the demand?
Announcements are often timed to industry events (CES, Interbike, Eurobike, etc…) where more press is there. In the case of the F3/Epix/Vivoactive – that’d be CES.
Next is just the just a case of the product being ready to ship, due to announcements being timed probably earlier than they’d prefer, they wait to ship. Aside from Apple, this is pretty much the norm for every other technology company out there.
Finally, it allows them upon shipping to see if there are any issues not caught during testing that might only be apparent in wider numbers. So rather than sitting on 100,000 broke Fenix3’s, they’d only have a few thousand. This is sorta what happened with the FR920XT when the first production run had a waterproofing issue that the previous pre-prod runs didn’t have.
And while product secrecy is something that bigger companies like Apple and others attempt, the reality is with Garmin’s distribution model that’s pretty much a non-starter as an issue. Virtually every retailer and distributor would have seen these units starting as earlier as last summer (either in person or imagery). We saw that the case with the FR920XT where various bike shops went onto various forums and posted their experiences months ahead of launch.
You’re right. I just got this notice from REI:
“The Garmin Fenix 3 GPS Watch has an estimated delivery date of February 5, 2015. The item will be shipped as soon as it becomes available. Please keep in mind that this is an estimated time frame and is subject to change.”
Same here – I placed my pre-order with REI on January 11 and got charged right away. Would have ordered through CT, but I had to use my REI dividends.
Ordered and cant wait.
Just need to sell my 620 now…
Is the metal band that comes with the Sapphire version safe for use in a chlorinated pool? Not sure I want something that heavy on my wrist when doing laps…but I’m pretty sure my laziness to switch out bands will get the best of me.
Do you know if the HRV/RR data will also be available on the 920xt?
It’s compatible with Firstbeat Athlete. so that would be yes
Will be golf feature on fenix 3?
Not by Garmin (at least nothing planned today anyway). However, I suspect we’ll see a golfing app do something there akin to what the trail hiking app that’s being developed by a 3rd party today for Connect IQ.
Ordered mine with Clever Training with the 10% off. Let’s hope it don’t have any issues with warranty.. And that they start shipping in the not too distant future 🙂
What’s your concern with Warranty Ryan? I would expect that if you are UK based and wondering about ordering from US, that it shouldn’t matter – Garnin UK would cover that? At least that would be my expectation.
Of course you may be concerned about something else all together !
Cheers
Ian
I think someone posted online in another forum that warranty issues have to be mailed to the service center in the country of purchase.
So the concern is if you lived in UK but bought from US then you would have to mail all the way back to US for a warranty issue.
I think someone posted online in another forum that warranty issues have to be mailed to the service center in the country of purchase
So the concern is if you lived in UK but bought from US then you would have to mail all the way back to US for a warranty issue.
link to www8.garmin.com
Yes, can confirm that a number of my Garmin tech purchases were bought from REI stateside. I’ve have had no issue in getting warranty work actioned by Garmin UK. My FR405cx’s back plate went a nasty shade of green. It was bought from REI in Chicago but replaced no questions asked by Garmin UK even after I admitted it was a US (personal) import from the US. Credit where its due my experience of Garmin support has been first class i.e. the free phone 0800 number etc knowledgable staff and have been sent replacement parts free of charge.
Update from Clever Training:
If a problem arises within the first 60 days from the date the item shipped, we would process an exchange for the defective item and provide a new one. If more than 60 days from date the item shipped to you, you would need to return to the US for service.
As a general rule of thumb, Garmin will service pretty much any unit from anywhere. I haven’t heard of anyone indicating otherwise.
Hello, Is there a Thermometer on the Fenix 3?
Regards.
According to Ray’s comparison chart in the review yes there is temp recording with both Internal and External sensor. I missed that in first read too, but I am glad the F3 has it 🙂
Cheers
Ian
Thanks 🙂
is the analog mode the only option available for the sapphire version? i haven’t seen a picture with the digital watch mode like the normal F3
All the watch faces for F3 work on all 3 models of the F3. The watch faces can be downloaded from the IQ Connect app store and then send to your watch. It’s just that you probably seen a lot of the same pictures shared around on the websites that you haven’t seen a digital watch face on the F3 Sapphire.
Hi Ray. Sorry for asking again, but I think I didn’t got an answer the first time. Is there a notifications memu where the last smart notifications sent by your phone? I like this on the 920xt. Thank you
Ray,
Will the metal band that comes with the Sapphire be safe for use in a chlorinated pool? I’m sure there will be times when I need to get a swim workout but will be too lazy to change out to one of the rubber bands.
Thanks,
Mike
Ray, It seems that many of us runners only are switching to the likes of the 920 and Fenix 3 simply because it just trumps the 620 in so many ways. Since the 620 is now aging, and because the F3 update was such a short time from the F2 release, do you expect an update 620 sooner rather than later that would bring it up to par with the 920/F3?
I’d second that question!
I have a F3 Sapphire Performer on pre-order and will definitely be using it as my ‘travelling’ sports watch for running and swimming (not sure on biking yet) but as an everyday running watch… no! It looks too big, bulky and weighty. The FR620 is the perfect running watch but I would happily upgrade if Garmin brought out a meaningful set of new features i.e a rock solid integrated HRM. I’m guessing that the FR620 is ‘due’ its upgrade in the 3rd quarter? Have a feeling that the FR620 is a very big seller for Garmin so will be upgraded unlike say the Swim which even I now accept has been quietly killed off.
I wouldn’t expect a replacement for the FR620 anytime soon. Garmin has more than enough on their plate already for the spring. Traditionally about the only times you see new running watch releases from Garmin (outside of CES) is the fall (marathon season) and then around the Boston Marathon.
Given Garmin pretty much holds a 2-year cycle, I can’t imagine seeing a FR620 replacement before the fall (which would be 2 years). I could see them perhaps refreshing the lower-end watches earlier to compete with other sub-$200 units, but that’s about it.
In my experience the harder material for the glass on the display is an welcome upgrade because I had i huge scratch on my Fenix 2 in now time, annoying the hell out of me. Not to pleased with what it’s going to cost me to upgrade now…..and Garmin isn’t very helpful in that.
In my experience the harder material for the glass on the display is an welcome upgrade because I had i huge scratch on my Fenix 2 in now time, annoying the hell out of me. Not to pleased with what it’s going to cost me to upgrade now…..and Garmin isn’t very helpful with that.
I went ahead and placed a preorder last night. I suppose I’ll test the market on a selling a used Fenix 2. I watched a CES video of the garmin booth and it appears that the Fenix 2 is going to remain in production. That might help with resale as it could be a current product.
Deciding factors for me on the upgrade:
WiFi upload: I’m just not happy with the bluetooth speed on the fenix 2 but with travel, I don’t want to be tethered to a computer. I’m hoping I will be able to configure my iphone hotspot as a wifi hotspot for the watch. Flip the “switch” on the phone and let the watch upload. Otherwise I’m hoping the straight bluetooth will be faster, perhaps in the edge speed range.
Connect IQ Apps: this seems like it is going to open all sorts of new doors. I’m worried that the internal memory is too limited, but I’m excited.
Color Screen: The Fenix 2 screen is just too hard to read in general use conditions.
You have to save wifi hotspots with the 920( and most likely Fenix 3) through Garmin connect so it may not be as easy as logging onto a random wifi hostpot. Still a very cool feature none the less. My data is usually uploaded before I take my running shoes off
I’d recommend setting up a private “wifi hub/hotspot” while on the go, whether it being your mobile phone or via a small pocket router (like the D-link dir506l) just so you have a “static” wifi network which the watch will easily recognise each time. I use this router myself while on holidays, just log into the local network with it and all my other devices just connect to the router (mobile/laptop/tablet/watch). Also has the benefit that you can place it in the most optimum place in your hotel room instead of just walking around with your phone etc all the time trying out the best place.
Thanks for a great review as usually. I have to disagree with this, however: “The Sapphire edition refers to the glass used on the exterior of the display, which is a harder material. It’s become popular with watch makers of late, as it implies being stronger. In reality, I’ve never heard of any recent non-Sapphire Garmin or Suunto high end GPS device actually having their display cracked/broken in regular (or even non-regular use). But to each their own.”
I´ve broken the glass of two garmin watches in only two years. What can I say, bad luck? Anyway, that makes me consider the sapphire edition. The problem is, however, not everybody seems to agree that Sapphire is better. It´s more scratch resistant, yes, but not necessarily more crack resistant. Can anybody comment on that…you think sapphire will lessen the odds of a cracked screen or not?
Which two Garmin devices, and what were the circumstances of the breakage?
Forerunner 310XT and 910XT. I´m running guide in Iceland, so I run in the Icelandic mountains and highlands. When I had the 310, I had run a pretty tough mountain and was down on a gravel jeep road…typical–when it gets “easy” you loose concentration and fall 🙂 That time I probably landed on my wrist, trying to spare the camera I had in the same hand…unfortunately both devices broke.
When I had the 910XT I was going down a very steep part on a rocky mountain. That time I did not notice I had cracked the watch until much later in the trip…don´t think I landed on my wrist then but it must have come in contact with a rock I guess.
Everything I have researched sapphire just as likely to break , it has good scratch resistance but just as easily broken on direct impact scenarios
That´s what I thought, thanks.
Is it possible to choose between Zero or Non-Zero averaging for Cadence and Power data like on FR910XT (MODE > Settings > Bike Settings > Data Averaging > Power)
Yup.
Ray, this option is currently not available on the 920xt. Are you saying the F3 has this?
I thought FR920XT had this opportunity 🙁
Is there someone who knows if it comes to FR920XT later?
It’s nice if the Fenix3 have this option 😉
Oops, you’re right. I was thinking about the Edge 1000 that I had to reset it for yesterday.
I’ll poke and find out why it’s not there anymore.
Probably because the standard is to record zeros with Power and eliminate zeroes with cadence. Eliminating zeros from your power while riding serves no purpose that I can think of. Normalized power is a better way to look at what your average power could be over a period of time (assuming that your FTP value is entered correctly). All my training devices have been set up that way, so I didn’t mind that it was missing on the 920xt and won’t mind it on the F3 either.
ray,
i am thinking to change from edge 800 to fenix 3. what is your opinion? i use edge for cross country skiing and hiking.
and cycling of course :).
There is no mapping on the Fenix 3 – you get navigation but not turn by turn guidance on a map, so if you use that on your Edge 800 then the F3 won’t be a replacement for it…
i do not need navigation any more . i use roads that i know.
Is there any way to have a dual time watch face now ? When in another timezone, that would be nice on daily use…
Does someone try to develop it’s own watch face ?
Hey Ray,
I tried to preorder the Fenix 3 from Clever Training using your coupon code (DCR10JKW) and it is giving me “Coupon code “DCR10JKW” is not valid…”
Please advise. Thanks!
Ivo
As mentioned a couple times already in reply to comments #286 & #664, Garmin requires CT to use a membership program instead of a general discount code. Thus you have to join their VIP program and you’ll get your very own 10% discount code that will work on recent Garmin products.
See here for more details (same as when you click on the CT banner on the right side of the page) link to dcrainmaker.com
Awesome! Thanks, Lew!!!
O.K. gang… I just got the RMA for my 920XT. I know this is all just personal preference… but looking for some opinions before I place my Fenix3 order with CT.
I am really torn between the Grey vs. Sapphire. I like the red ring on the button better on the Grey as do I like the little red tick numbers on the face. I probably would not use the metal band on the Sapphire… so it comes down to the few little red accents vs. the sapphire glass. I am not considering $$$ as part of the decision… just purely the red accents vs. sapphire glass.
Thoughts? Is the Sapphire glass that desired, especially if my intent is to wear it daily?
Appreciate any opinions.
Rayo
I had the same dude
Finally ordered the grey because I know the metal band is useless for sports (I attach it continuously to the bike handelbar)
And I’m sure in the future we will see lot of metal bands for sale in ebay for that reason
And I think the standard glass for me is enough, I use glass covers with very good results in my actual ambit, 3 years and no scratches, they add a better protection than saphyre (scratch resistant but fragile against impacts)
Hi Raymond
I am exactly the same as you, I ordered themail grey as I had to have the red stripe on the button and I will buy a red strap. I really like the Fenix 2 se strap so will try buy that one if it will fit the Fenix 3.
Well after going back and forth… the thing that kept coming back was the reviewer comments that “maybe” the domed glass with the sapphire would provide better visibility in bright sunlight (reflection reduction etc.).
So I ordered the Sapphire from CT. I figure by the time we all get them, there will be plenty of info on the sapphire vs. non-sapphire form a glass/display standpoint. If there ends up not being as big a difference or the sapphire is just “o.k.”, then I have 60 days to return it and get the Grey. 😉
Thank you very much for this review (and all the other reviews)!
Can you say something about measuring heart rate variability? Obviously Fenix 2 used it to determine VO2max but you couldn’t make anything out of the HVR data. Is this different with the Fenix 3? Can you sync HVR data to Garmin Connect and it will be displayed in a graph like heart rate, pace or cadence? This would be really helpful.
Thanks again,
Lukas
The Fenix3 (and Epix) has the same HRV capability as the FR920XT, so it can record that data and 3rd party apps can leverage it via the .FIT files afterwards. It does not however show HRV graphs on Garmin Connect (no Garmin devices do).
Does anyone have any comments/suggestions/experience on transitioning from a Garmin Forerunner 220 to a Fenix 2 or 3 in terms of size and weight? I would love to hear your experience and comments. I am mainly a marathoner but want to start cross training and using the watch to record strength training, biking, and swimming but they will still be a minor part of my marathon training. The additional Fenix 3 features like VO3 max estimation, recovery time estimation, race prediction, having 4 data fields per screen, virtual pacer, and general fitness tracking would be valuable.
However, my main concern is the size and weight increase for running. Is the 82 grams going to be annoying while running a marathon compared to my 40.7 grams of my Forerunner 220? Anyone make a similar transition? I would love to hear.
I had a Fenix 2 and loved it apart from the size and weight . You will feel like you are wearing a brick on your hand after the 220. Go the Fenix 3 or the 920XT. I have a 920 and it is hardly noticeable. Still going to grab a Fenix 3 though as it look to combine the best of both worlds although it will sit higher on the wrist than the 920
Does is give a UK OS Map grid reference like the fenix 2?
Thanks
Fantastic wealth of information, thank you all for your time.
I prefer the Silver/Red band but I like the red tick marks shown only on the Gray/Black band picture.
1) Are those red tick marks downloadable via “connect IQ”? Or the only way is to purchase the Gray/Black and replace the band with a red one?
2) Can the HRM of the Edge 800 series GPS work with the Fenix3?
Thank you again for great information and for your time.
The outer circle where the numbers and tick marks reside are not on the active display. So they never change regardless of programming. Thus if you like the red tick marks and red button you would need to buy the Grey version.
Hi Siegfried
I believe any garmin HR strap will work with the Fenix. You will only be missing out on the additional data the new strap will provide like vertical oscillation.
I believe the red tick marks are only available with the Grey, hence why I have pre-ordered myself a grey and will be finding a red strap (I like the Fenix 2 SE strap, just need to find out if I can use it and find it for sale somewhere :-).
There are confusing pictures about the silver with red strap in the Internet. Are you sure it does not have the red button and outer red marks?
Yep, pretty sure. Have a look at Ray’s pictures, you can see there are different tick marks on the different versions of the Fenix 3. On some of Ray’s pictures (in a different post), you can see he has put a red strap on the Grey Fenix 3. I like this combo the best.
Thanks. CT sells the replacement band in red for $25!!
Thanks DT, I will take a look. I like the Fenix 2 red strap, need to be sure it will fit the Fenix 3.
Ray, do you know if it will?
Yes, all Fenix bands are interchangeable (1/2/3), plus all the Fenix product variants (i.e. Quatix/Tactix/D2).
Note that Epix is not interchangeable due to the width.
Awesome, thanks Ray..
Hi Ray,
I purchased the F2 on preorder via Clever Training around a year ago. The F3 ticks the last few boxes in terms of what I’m looking for and I shall be visiting CT again. My problem is that I live in South Africa and will be getting the unit delivered to a friend in USA who will bring it back for me on his return. I did the same with the F2, and it saves a bundle on shipping. Is there still no official release date? I’d hate to have the unit, and other goodies I’m ordering in, delivered after his return.
I keep trying to get hold of Garmin, but my web browsers route me to the local site so I’m not even able to browse any new on Garmin’s main site.
Thanks for yet another informative review/preview.
Jason
Hi Jason-
The official release date is Q1 2015, so anytime before March. Different vendors have different interpretations on that based on what they’ve heard from their Garmin reps. In general, Clever Training tends to be conservative, so they usually take what Garmin says and adds a bit of time to account for unforeseen circumstances. Other vendors do the opposite to try and win sales by promising dates they can’t deliver.
Of course sometimes the issue is that different Garmin sales reps within various regions tell different dates to different retails.
In any case, if you focus on Q1 2015, then I suspect you won’t be disappointed.
Oh, and thanks for the support via CT!
I’m in the same boat as you Jason. Also from South Africa, also ordering VIP through CT, also getting a friend to bring it over for me.
I’m dead scared to pre-order in case it doesn’t get delivered to my friend by mid March when he comes back to SA. And it seems like so many people are keen on this watch that there might be a bit of a backlog?
I think I’ve missed my opportunity on this one, gonna have to make another plan…
We could always share shipping if you don’t come right? Where in SA are you?
Hello,
Satellite timekeeping was imprecise on the fenix 2, is it still the case with the 3? Will it offer bluetooth timekeeping?
Thanks
Ray – can you address the difference in appearance of the ticks at the very edge of the sapphire model display for the 0 to 15 position in these two photos?
link to dcrainmaker.com
link to dcrainmaker.com
They appear to be highlighted in some manner for the first image. I’m guessing that’s a reflection and not a watch function, or is there some functionality with the imprinted ticks at the edge?
It’s just an odd light reflection. Those two photos were more or less taken two photos apart back to bak.
Strange – because the same highlight from 0-15 mins is in other photo’s I have seen such as this one: link to static.bhphoto.com and this one: link to gizbot.com ?
Ray – are you saying the ‘odd the light reflection’ is adding the highlight or removing it?
Hmm…odd, I honestly have no idea then. I’ll have to find out – I’ve got an e-mail to them tonight anyway. I don’t have that version, but a different unit (and the unit I have wasn’t the final exterior look, whereas the ones I took photos of has the final exterior).
its probably just the settings in how the “seconds” are displayed. the F2 had numerous ways to reflect the seconds. I personally like the one where each second add a tick (going clockwise). So my guess is the photo was taken with that mode on.. at about 15seconds past the last minute. You could say its highlighted to so you can see the seconds. interesting note on the F2 is you can have that display active and a numeric seconds as well. I think the later is associated with the Date/other info displayed settings
I’m not so sure that its software Ted – it looks etched on the glass above the display to me.
Anyway thanks for digging further Ray – will be interesting (though not critical) to find out.
Cheers
Ian
That looks like a hangover from a diving watch to me. Trying to remember the specifics, but @30m on air, you’d have about 15mins bottom time. The markings are more pronounced as it’s dark down there.
I may be wrong, but it seems like quite a coincidence.
Ray – does the fenix 3 feel similar in weight to the 920xt when wearing it?
i hardly noticed when i’d wear the 920xt and i loved that how it sat slim on the wrist.
I do recall my fenix 2 was bulky and was noticeably heavy – ie flopped around a bit.
now the fenix 3 per the garmin website says it’s 80 grams. not much lighter than the fenix 2 (83 grams) and heavier than the 920xt (60 grams).
20 grams doesn’t feel much of a difference but i suppose the watch shape and how it wears on the wrist can.
Any input on the feel and weight?
Thanks!
Gabriel (also my first born’ name), I second your question. I just returned my 920 in anticipation of the F3 arrival, but am having second thoughts due to the weight difference. I enjoyed the light weight of the 620, but thought its performance was substandard so moved to the 920. I’m strongly considering ordering a 920 again due to knowing how nice and light it felt.
I’m on the same boat. I think I’m going to go to a local shop and try the F2 on. If it feels too heavy then doesn’t make much sense to wait for the F3, and I’ll have to “settle” for the 920XT.
HB, the F2 will feel heavier and bigger, the only one who can answer for us on the F3 is our trusty leader Mr Maker :).
Dont consider myself a big man. 5’11, waffling between 165-175. I dont like heavy watches. But IMHO, the F2 feels nice on my write. Wore it for a few ultra’s and a rim2rim2rim. never gave it a thought to being there. Would I complain if its lighter? guess not, but i dont notice it there. The band is great, flexible, not the stiff plastic bands on some other garmin models. Weight is important to some, no doubht. But a deal breaker? not for me. I am already prepping my ebay add to sell the F2. Cant wait for my preorder F3 to arrive.
The F3 is somewhat thinner than the F2 but they are almost identical in weight (82gr for the non-Shappire vs 85gr) so I’m thinking the F2 should give you a very good idea of how the F3 would feel on the wrist.
Im hoping the thinner profile makes a difference then.
The F2 was chunky – it didn’t always cooperate when ripping off your wetsuit.
F2 also felt top heavy. i don’t know how else to put it. Ray would be able to better help us here. I suppose he’s writing up his final review.
If only the 920xt didn’t look so butt ugly most of us would of stuck with it.
I suppose we can wait for the 920xt Special Edition. All black lol
So…on weight/size/etc…
For me, the F3 feels less chunky, and thus feels more natural. As someone noted, it’s less top heavy, and the weight is a bit more distributed like the FR920XT. So it feels ‘normal’ to me.
It doesn’t feel awkard like the F2 kinda did for me. Same goes for using it with regular dress shirts, it does’t catch at all either.
Fantastic!
You just sold another dozen Fenix 3’s with that comment.
Pre-ordered from CT – thanks again Ray.
Hi Ray,
Thanks for the review, they are always amazingly helpful! With the Tactixs there was a green backlight and then the Fenix 2 a red backlight. Is the Fenix 3 red again or possibly adjustable for what color backlight you need?
No, just a normal backlight (a whiteish color).
can you configure the back light just to stay on? Find on shorter midweek runs the need to keep pressing the button a bit of a pain.
Yup, it’s what I use pretty much 100% of the time.
How much of the updates will trickle down to the Fenix 2? One of the things that finally got me to replace my 305 was that the Fenix team seems to be committed to updating the software on the older models.
I realize there’s hardware constraints on the bluetooth/ant issue, but couldn’t we get the bike profiles and perhaps the pedometer functions on the Fenix 2 (and 1)?
Speaking of the older models, would you point out to the Fenix software team and tell them that the non-Tri functions are really buggy still. I have yet to do a trail run without the software throwing up, and hiking is only slightly better.
The older watches won’t get daily activity monitoring, because the power drain from running the accelerometer continuously would give poor battery life; the 3 has a low power mode designed into the hardware which the earlier watches don’t have.
That said, you wouldn’t expect it to be any worse than the battery life with Bluetooth notifications turned on, and Garmin were quite happy to push that out.
Any chance anyone knows what kind of GPS chipset the Fenix 3 use?. Heard that Sirf III should be the best (Polar uses it in V800). Ray you also wrote that the FR920xt has the best reception out their, or at least at the top. Is it the same chipset?
Thanks for a great first look. Seems to be an awesome peice of equipment.
Just started running again and looking for my next smart/fitness/watch, was going for the Ambit3 Sapphire since I could get it at at very good price. Even though this Fenix3 seems better in many ways (just the display alone), I really would like a new watch now, and not in month.
But am very tempted to wait for this, even though patience and need of one now. Is it that much better the Fenix3 that I should wait, or should I go for the Ambit3 now at a decent price?
Using it most for running/walking/hiking and indoor activities.
Personally, if the Ambit 3 had just two additional things:
– The ability to display 4 data fields
– Vibration alerts
I would have bought the Ambit 3. I had an Ambit 2S and it was ROCK-SOLID. I had zero problems with it, but I miss those 2 minor issues above are that is why I went back to Garmin – I bought a 920xt and I pre-ordered the Fenix 3
Agree about the vibration, strange Suunto have not already included this. Never though about the Garmin has more lines on the display, that would be nice too.
Like you said Derek Sunto have reputation of being very dependent and solid. Also here in Denmark the Ambit3 have won several tests on running magazines, and is very well rated.
Though the points you are coming with, is they worth waiting for and not only to pay 30% more for in the case of the Fenix3 sapphire, it is quit expensive over the Ambit3 sapphire.
Would be nice with vibration, more details on the screen, and sleep tracking plus allot of other features the Fenix has over the Ambit, like both altimeter and barometer graphs can be shown at the same time (though different screen) and possibility to change the watch faces on the Fenix3, and allot of other cool stuff that is probably fun to play around with in the beginning.
…and you will see immediately after start selling the Fenix 3 it will come out the Ambit 4 … i ‘m pretty sure.. it’s 2 year they play like this
I don’t think we’ll see Suunto release an Ambit4 this spring. They just came out with the Ambit3 in September. Of course, from a competitive standpoint – they’re already pretty far behind now.
Just a heads up on the confusion over european & us battery life. Apparently just an error on the website & this is now been fixed, european version is 20h the same as the us version.
Greetings Ray,
The Fenix 2 had a nifty screen that displayed multiple time-zones, did you see this carry over to the Fenix 3?
Many Thanks,
Dan
This goes out to Ray…who’s had the experience and expertise with the watch…
Is it safe to say that this is a 920xt killer? In terms of using in and out of training?
In other words…if you were given the choice between the two, would you go the Fenix 3 route?
I don’t think so, at least for many triathletes. The Fenix3 lacks a quick release kit, whereas the 920XT has one.
Hi Ray
I know the question of a quick release kit for the F3 has bounced around a bit, but is that now confirmed? I.e. there won’t be a quick release for the F3?
Cheers
Ian
I am curious whether the Fenix 3 automatically adjusts the time when traveling into different time zones or does that have to be done manually?
@rob my f2 does not update automatically. you have to get gps lock, then the time will update to the correct time zone
@Rob if you put gps on and get a lock, it will adjust the time automatically..
Perfect – thanks to both of you. FYI – I got confirmation from REI this AM that watches will be sent on Feb 2nd and should be received by Feb 5th (arrival date of course may be a bit different depending on where you reside in the US).
ROB, I just got an e-mail from REI stating they will receive the watch on February 19th! What to believe?
E-mail from CT states sometime in February but no precise date.
I really want to get it from CT because I think Ray’s blog and research work is outstanding, so thorough and detailed and he definitely deserves credit for all that time and effort.
Someone please inform us on the exact availability date at CT so I can place my order.
Thank you all.
Here’s the thing: Garmin hasn’t told anyone exact availability yet. So all guesses are just that.
Here’s what has to happen first:
1) They actually have to produce production units. That’s very very close, but once those units roll off the line they need to ensure they meet various QA levels (done in Taiwan)
2) Typically, an initial batch of those is the sent basically overnight to Olathe, where usually they’re given to internal testers there for a few days.
3) From that batch, typically some are then sent to external testers and typically that’s where the media units come from (i.e., the final unit I get).
4) Now, with that all set, Garmin will start production of batches of units. Typically, the first few batches are done at low volumes in case something crops up from the testers (i.e. exactly what happened with the FR920XT and the waterproofing issue). This prevents them from having tens of thousands of units that are garbage.
5) With production runs happening, all units first get sent to Kansas. Then, from there they are resent to various distributors and retailers.
6) In the case of REI and Clever Training, they generally get weekly shipments of new units. They don’t have any knowledge of what those shipments are until that week, when they receive an initial estimate for SKU count.
7) The day they ship is when the retailers get a final SKU count. So if it ships on a Thurs, Clever Training gets an e-mail mid-Thurs afternoon with the tracking number and total SKU counts.
8) Then, CT will send out updates to customers based on those numbers.
This process rinses and repeats each week until all backorders are complete. In general, Garmin prefers to send units to places with backorders, rather than having them sit on the shelf (since it means units in peoples hands).
Any dates that any companies are noting at this time is a rough swag. Anything more than “Roughly Mid-Feb” is quite honestly just a fake date, since nobody knows exact counts until the day of shipment. As always, Clever Training is very conservative with shipping estimates, and usually buffers against Garmin’s promises as well.
Hope this helps!
Excellent update Ray with tremendous detail on how this all works! Many thanks.
Cheers
Ian
So what Ray is ..really.. saying is. Once I get my early/media/production unit it step 3. Only then will you know its really close 🙂 And of course fall all you waiting to see who gets shipments first, by delaying, you are just getting yourself further and further down in the queue. Now the real question, is Ray allowed to tell us when he gets “his” production model. Or if he needs to keep it under wraps because of some contract/arrangement
I have no issue posting an update when the unit is shipped to me. It’ll go from Kansas to my US forwarding box in Texas, and then two business days later in Paris. I’ll get a note once it leaves Kansas, and then I’ll post that update here.
Ray,
I ordered my on your site the day it was available. I paid with paypal but only received a invoice from paypal and not ct?
Thanks
Hmm, I suspect something might have gotten snagged in a junk mail folder, it happens occasionally.
The easiest way to double-check is to ring up the Clever Training folks, during normal hours a human will answer and it’s super quick: 844-399-6440
Appreciate the support!
So if stage 3 in the above list hasn’t even shipped is this looking more like end of Feb than the middle??
Probably.
Is there a built-in ACCELEROMETER in the fenix3? The comparison tables does not show that. It implies that you need a footpod.
There is an accelerometer, lap pool swim metrics would not be possible without it.
Should the FENIX 3 or 920XT require a battery replacement is this possible? Can this be done in any location where there is a Garmin reseller or will this have to be sent to Garmin US and will the exact watch be returned or another refurbished one?
This question is especially relevant when one considers the Fenix 3 Sapphire that is more resilient to the test of time given the use of premium materials, however the battery may be a weak spot.
There’s no direct battery replacement, but it’s really not that much of an issue – despite how much worry people often have. You’re far more likely to kill you’re watch in so many more ways than when the battery slowly starts to fade 3-5 years from now. Plus, the technology will be outdated.
That said, Garmin typically does out of warranty repairs/swaps for about $80US.
Thanks for the reply. So assuming items sent for repair may not be the same item returned. I noticed you train in Malta, lovely place!
Depending on how recent the watch still is (days/weeks since release) you either get a brand new one or a refurbished one if they treat the watches in a similar way as their handheld gps devices. I’ve never gotten my original device back in past repairs but the replacement always came very quickly.
Thanks Patrick.
Does is give a location as a UK OS Map grid reference like the fenix 2?
Thanks
Sadly not. But apparently it might come to the 920XT in a future update which means that it could trickle across to the Fenix 3. Or the easiest way is probably with a Connect IQ app (I came up with a very efficient way of converting between lat/long and grid ref a few years ago for Android, so might do this myself).
Are you sure? All previous Fenix had this, and as they’re advertising this as having “proper” navigation it’d seem an odd thing to de-spec.
That’s incorrect. The Fenix3 supports all the same massive list of position formats as the Fenix series has previously.
The UK map grid is officially known as ‘British Grid’, which is included.
Sorry Ray, I was told by Garmin that it included the same list as the FR920. That’s good to hear!
Excellent, thanks for confirming.
cotswold sent me an email with ‘mid feb’ as the likely date they receive them.
i got one too…
Is it true that the designers or engineers at Garmin for the F3 come from a different department that worked on the 920XT? I’ve read that the F2 lacked in the multisport functionality because of this reasoning, so the F2 wasn’t a hit for triathletes. I’d imagine the F3 following suit. Thoughts?
The Fenix lineup comes from the Outdoor Division, which is a separate team from the Fitness division.
That said, starting about 8-10 months ago both teams now report to the same director, which is why you see so much more integration between the two and normalization between features.
I use the FR620 and works great for running. However the HRM usually drops whenever I sweat a lot during hot days or heavy rain. Does anyone know if the fenix 3 has the same HRM strap system? The Suunto Ambit 3 has the swimming+hr monitor feature which obviously takes care of that problem. I honestly don’t care about recording my HR underwater, I only care about reliability in really wet conditions. The Fenix 3 looks promising but could be a deal breaker for me if that problem isn’t addressed.
Victor, I’ve eventually had problems with every garming I’ve owned. Sometimes months, sometimes weeks. Hot weather, cold weather. I must be in the small percentile whose electro/magnetic makeup make me a poor fit long term for most HRM. You might want to read through this article from Ray. For me, I’m in the process of saving some Amazon bonus $$ and plan to pickup a scosche rhythm+ optical HRM. read from plenty that work great and play very well with Garmins
link to dcrainmaker.com
Does the F3 have a built-in temp sensor? Specs very confusion. Comparison tables say yes, but i notice other talk about an external temp sensor!
It is like the F2, built in temperature sensor but will use the Tempe when paired for improved accuracy.
Looks like Garmin just released some new firmware, could this indicate ship time is close?
Fenix3 software version 2.10
link to www8.garmin.com
Still only seen rumours with dates varying between as early as January 29th up to as late as February 16th. The only official statement we have is release in Q1. Ray said he’d post more info if he has it about shipping so we can only wait for that. I take it as a good sign that new firmware is out but it’s more than likely we have to wait at least another week and a half with maybe a few weeks more.
I checked with Cotswold in the UK about my pre-order and they just responded with: “The Fenix 3 Sapphire are Due 11th Feb approx, therefore it should be with you towards the middle of February. This is subject to change according to the manufacturer.”
I also have a pre-order with CT – so it’s a race between the two of them! I have asked the same question of CT and am waiting on their response.
Difference in reported dates could be normal vs Sapphire version perhaps?
Cheers
Ian
Just a small update – Cotswold just confirmed that both models are expected at the same time.
Thank you for the heads up Ian. Lets just hope Sweden gets the same rlsdate.
Awesome review Ray. I was about to buy a 920 when I saw the release of the Fenix 3 and changed my mind. I’ve been running for years with a Garmin 201 and have recently started a lot of trail runs. The GPS on the 201 drops quite a bit in the woods so I decided it was time to upgrade. I’ll be doing a few 50 milers this year so the battery life on the 620 concerned me. Pre-ordered from CT using the VIP program, all together cheaper then the 920 elsewhere so amazing deal. Can’t wait to get this thing and start logging some miles with it. Just noticed today Amazon changed their availability from 1-2 months to March 1st. I’m hoping for a Feb delivery though.
Ray when’s the big bad boy review going to be published? I must have trebled your web footfall just me alone the amount of times I’ve been back to look!!
Yours in anticipation
D
I’ll publish a review approximately 3 weeks (at most) following getting a final production unit, which allows for enough time to ensure nothing has broken between the pre-prod units and the prod unit.
Ray, I’m also impatiently waiting for the full review. Did you already get a production unit?
Other question: Do you know whether the F3 will be available in Europe at the same time than in the US?
Thx.
Does anyone know if there are plans or if Garmin is in talks with other companies to utilize a Connect IQ app to control bluetooth headphones w/ onboard storage to provide a music solution since most of the watches don’t have enough storage to hold the music? Bragi Dash comes to mind, though they offer more functionality than truly needed. A bluetooth headphone w/ heart rate and music onboard controlled by Fenix would provide everything you could ask for with just 2 devices.
Ray,
Can’t thank you enough on all you do for us and these crazy detailed reviews. Current Fenix2 and vivofit owner, but looking at Fenix3 to combine both units into one watch. Can you give a little more info on how they work on one watch. I don’t create an activity on the vivofit when I am doing a bike ride or run and just let it count steps, however I walk alot during my work lunch hour and will wear HR strap and do an activity for that to get an more accurate calorie count. Now that step tracking and training are on a single device, I’m assuming that the activity tracker function is truly a step counter when you are actually recording a run or ride and if i wanted to track a fast walk on my lunch hour, I would use the run or walk “activity” on the watch to get the activity to upload to GC with steps and HR and calorie count?
Yup, same activity tracker function as the Vivofit (so activity alerts, etc…). It’s that exact technology just ported to the watch.
You would not need to start a GPS activity though to get walking distance and basic calories. Only if you wanted to get HR-based calories would you need that (as you kinda noted towards the end).
Split on this or the 920. I’ve not yet found any info on what the watch body and back is made from (just the glass and face). Looking for something to wear 24/7 to replace my wristwatch
Fenix 3 has a steel case. I’ve got a 920xt and and had a Fenix 2 . The Fenix 2 was a lot more solid unit than platic 920xt
fenix 3 has the same plastic case as the fenix 2. Difference is the metal EXO antenna which is attached to the front of the watch. It also appears that the case back on the fenix 3 is integral to the case (which means it is also plastic) and not a separate metal back as on the fenix 2.
Quote from Garmin in the above review: “Fenix 3 uses stainless steel, a mineral glass or sapphire lens, and although the 920 is a great watch it’s all plastic.” But I would think gaijin would know. What’s the real answer?
Sorry gaigin. I get it now. Only the face of the watch is stainless. Everything else is plastic except the glass or sapphire window. Right?
I think you’ve got it – the EXO antenna, as I mentioned earlier, is metal and is on the front of the watch. The watch body, back and lugs are “fibre reinforced polymer” which most probably is glass-filled Nylon66 – an engineering plastic. The watch crystal is either Mineral Glass (same as on the fenix and fenix 2) or Sapphire depending on the model.
I have some outstanding pretty serious issues with the fenix 2 and would like to know if they have been addressed in the 3:
Foot Pod—If you wish to use a foot pod even for running outdoors with a clear view of the sky for the superior moment in time pace information the foot pod gives you, the f2 insists on using the foot pod data for distance as well. There is some debate about whether this is the way it should be or not. I fall in the NOT camp. I want distance from the GPS if the signal is good with a back fall to the foot pod if the signal goes bad. Ray seems to agree with me or once did. In April of 2013, he wrote in his Ambit 2 review “Now, let me repeat that again – as it’s a pretty big stumbling block. Instead of supplementing your speed/distance data in cases where the GPS data may drop out (such as a tunnel), it will flat-out replace it for the entirety of the run. This sucks. This means you’ve got to have the footpod calibrated correctly, and even then, it still sucks. That’s sorta the point of buying a GPS watch.” Pretty strong language for Mr. Maker.
Sensor Nonsense—I am really hoping that “Addition of Activity Profiles” means this has been addressed but it is not clear. I use four external sensors: HRM-Run, Foot Pod, Tempe, and GSC-10. The f2 does not look for the GSC-10 unless I am cycling. It does not look for any sensors when I am swimming so they kind of sort of get it that certain sensors go with certain activities. However, if I go hiking, it does look for the foot pod. If I skip it, I get no speed, pace, or distance during the activity or after it is saved despite the fact that li lays down a nice GPS track. Same goes for Custom Activities. Don’t go kayaking or skating without your foot pod or you won’t get anywhere. I know you can turn the foot pod off and on depending on what you are doing but that is a royal PITA. Several button presses to turn BT off. Then a dozen more to turn the footpod off and a dozen more to turn it on for your next run . . . if you remember. I’ve heard rumors that the original fenix worked the way I wish the 2 did and hope the 3 does—allow the user to say what sensors go with what activities.
Battery Life—I’ve got a Vivosmart that I like so this is not a huge one for me, but, if I bought the 3, I would chuck the Vivosmart and use the f3 as my activity tracker and message notification device. My just refurbished f2 gives me a low battery notification after only 18 hours when BT is set to “Not in Activity”. That stinks and pretty much makes sleep tracking a nonstarter. Are BT notifications still such a battery hog in the f3?
File Corruption—This problem has apparently been going on for a loooong time. A little odd since all of the data the devices are consuming are coming from the device itself or Garmin sensors. My f2 has never taken a dump on me in the middle of a critical event but I’ve heard from dozens of others who were not so fortunate and my last f2 either auto-paused or rebooted almost continuously during a recent 10K. Why can’t they figure this out? Then there is the related master reboot that wipes out all of your settings. It takes me quite a little while to get everything back the way I like it. I finally had to make a list. Even then, the stupid watch has to start all over “learning” you. I’m guessing there is no reason to believe that this problem will not migrate to the f3 as well? Have there been any Garmin watches in recent history that were not subject to the dreaded file corruption/auto-reboot problem?
If any of you already have the answers to these questions, I would appreciate the information. Otherwise I suppose I will just wait and watch and read the comments of people after they begin using the 3. If it addressed all of my issues, I would definitely be interested despite feeling a little duped by the f2.
@ Frank
A few things: The fēnix3 appears to be using the codebase of the 920xt which is mostly Forerunner software, so
1) Footpod: At this point only measures pace indoors…that’s it. Outdoors pace defers to GPS. Outdoors cadence defers to HRM-Run 1st, then watch second.
2) Sensor nonsense: Also Forerunner software and newer sensor pool. If a sensor is not available it will use what’s available. Even before the sensor pool, Forerunners that were paired to foot pods would use GPS when available.
3) Battery life: Also in the same realm as the 920xt. With notifications on it will last weeks. I recharge my 920xt once a week. That’s with getting regular notifications (30-50 per day) each of which vibrate the watch and turn the light on. I’m currently working out about 12 hours a week with 3-4 of those outside using GPS
4) File corruption: VERY rare occurrence in the Forerunner series.
I wouldn’t think of the F3 as evolution of the F2, it’s a different ball of wax. BTW I disliked the F2 and returned 2 of them
Frank-
Here ya go:
Footpod: It uses GPS unless GPS is unavailable. I’ve been talking with them about bringing back the option for allowing you to select the speed/distance source like the older watches had (but the FR620/920XT/etc don’t have).
Sensor Pool: That issue doesn’t exist with the F3. It follows along with what the FR920XT does where you’ve got a large pool and it doesn’t much care what you’re doing, it just attaches what it finds and what it doesn’t find it just shrugs about. And of course, no worries about turning BT on/off.
Battery life: Totally different beast battery life-wise than the F2. The BT notifications on the F1/F2 were really shimmed in there, sorta a ‘Look, we can do it’, not nessessarily a ‘It’s the best thing for the watch’. The lower power mode wasn’t ideal there. For the F3, it’s inline with the FR920XT as Olu noted.
File Corruption: It’s inline with the FR920XT…which is a good thing.
As Olu said – think of the F3 more as a FR920XT++, rather than a Fenix2+.
Thanks Olu. That all sounds pretty promising. I’m a little confused by your answer to issue 1 though. Are you saying that the 920 (and by extension the f3) will totally ignore the foot pod if you have a good GPS fix? My understanding was that earlier FR’s like the 620 would show you pace information from the foot pod while measuring distance from gps. On both my 405 and f2, without the foot pod, the pace information bounces around so much that it is kind of useless. So I have been sacrificing distance accuracy for good, immediate pace information. I am not experienced enough to accurately gauge my pace without some kind of external input.
Are you sure a footpod is more accurate for speed? I found this not to be the case due to my stride length changing. Hence why distance is not accurate. I found It works ok if pace is constant but generally i find GPS better for speed & distance & foot pod only useful if GPS is not available.
It certianly seems that way to me. Lets move this conversation here: link to dcrainmaker.com
Hi Ray,
It sounds, (and, based on your video, looks) like the Fenix has been taken over by the Forerunner team. Is this the case, and can we consequently hope that the F3 will have the more reliable/ less buggy software of the Forerunner line than the F1 and F2 had?
(I’m a 3-time victim of the dreaded “flashing line” crash on the F2)
Kind of sort of maybe. See post 1058.
Thanks! Don’t know how I missed that one..
No, the Fenix team has not been overtaken by the Forerunner team. They’re just actually working together now.
Also, while some have had problems with the Fenix1/2, most haven’t. But ignoring that, do remember how quickly the Outdoor team updates and releases new features and fixes almost monthly or more, whereas more or less there were no significant new features on the Forerunner (Fitness) team for the tri watches over the entire duration of being out. I suppose you pick your poison. But at least now they’re on the same page.
As noted in the post, the base of the FR920XT functionality is used, and then Fenix-specific features are layered on top of that (same goes with Epix).
Thanks Ray. I really appreciate you and your taking the time to respond. I am comforted by this news. In between problematic F2’s I tried a Forerunner 220. I couldn’t believe how well it “just worked”. Super quick bluetooth transfers, no freezing, etc.. The only problem was that, being a trail runner, and running ultras here and there, I couldn’t deal with the shorter battery life and lack of Baro altimeter. With this software shift in the F3, I’m cautiously optimistic about getting the best of both worlds! Thanks again. -anthony
Ray, thanks for your awesome reviews and for the ‘in’ at Clever Training – just ordered a Fenix 3 through the discounted VIP program!
Curious how the activity tracker incorporates/interacts with data from other sensors/activities. For example:
– When running with GPS on, will it count the steps? And will calories burned account for the run?
– When biking in GPS mode, will it know to ignore wrist movements so that steps aren’t counted?
– For daily activity tracking, will it account for altitude in calculating calories burned (i.e., is the baro always on?)? I know other devices like the Fitbit surge track/incorporate that data as ‘floors climbed’
A couple of other things I’ve been wondering about:
– Curious why Suunto and Garmin have not tried to include a way to ‘correct’ for skin temperature to report the true ambient temperature. Are you aware of anyone developing this feature?
– Also, seems like one way to save battery would be for the watch to default to using the phone’s GPS data when connected to a phone. Does the Fenix 3 do this or are there any plans to implement this type of ‘smart’ feature?
– Are you aware of any watch faces that include the current temp (in current location)? Ideal would be the default digital face with the temp as the ‘additional data field’ in the bottom right – with day/date still in bottom left)
I can comment on your last 3 questions: Garmin sells an external temperature pod called “Tempe” to make up for the inaccuracy caused by skin temperature. This adds extra revenue for Garmin and solves the problem. Maybe there will be a future app that can correct / compensate internal temperature by a fancy programmer, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for it.
As for the gps by phone: I have yet to see a phone that has more accurate or even to be on equal accuracy as a dedicated watch. You would gain more battery life (at the cost of your phone battery life) but would loose out on accuracy and for a lot of sporters using the watch is nicer so you can (and in some races have to) leave the phone at home. Since there’s little to be gained I wouldn’t expect a “smart” use the phone gps function, but it would probably be possible.
I think a watch face with interchangeable data fields (altimeter/temperature) will be easy to implement and I fully expect them once the Fenix 3 is out for a little while.
I don’t think that any algorithm can compensate for skin temperature as that is not the only factor affecting the internal watch temperature, wind, clothes rain etc. will also affect the internal watch temperature. A cold rainy day with wind the temperature difference will be higher than a cold day without wind and rain.
An external sensor as far away from any heat source is far better, tough that might be tricked as well if the sun is shining on the sensor.
Jimmy, I was thinking that if there were a thermometer on the back that measured skin temp and a separate one for ambient (not the case for Fenix 3), this could be possible
But not even this way you can measure the thermal radiation and convection precisely.
Patrick, on the watch faces: altitude would be easy if the baro is always on (is this the case?), for temp I was thinking through phone for current location – which would depend on whether Garmin’s SDK will allow for this – and not the internal thermometer (given it’s inaccuracy while watch is worn)
There’s already an always-on altimeter screen (just press up/down in non-GPS/standby mode). For example, since I just got off an airplane it shows the spikes for that up to the pressurized altitude a touch below 8,000ft.
Temperature through the phone, sounds a bit like you want the temperature off the internet and not from the watch / tempe sensor. I believe there’s a deal with accu weather or at least I think I saw their name float by on one of the promo videos where they show a bit on the apps that will be released later this year. I suspect more info will follow once they’re going live. If / once that’s released I think your wish of “internet location weather info” will be granted. I was under the assumption that you would like to see the actual temperature from the watch/Tempe sensor which is where my own interest is.
Best Deal for the watch – sadly not through clever training. Though i do like them. REI – get 10% dividend and 5% from REI credit card for 15%.
Not true. Depending on where you live, REI charge a sales tax. So after the 15%off (dividend plus card) you are looking at $425 for the Fenix 3 plus $37.50 sales tax (for NC) and a total of $462.50, or $12.50 more than the CT deal. Plus, don’t forget that your dividend will be taxed again when you use it to make a purchase next year…
And, if nothing else – if you find what I post here valuable than support via Clever Training is appreciated.
On that note, any further word on your European CT-style thingy? I’m convinced the Fenix3 is the watch I want to buy, but really want to support the site when I buy it, in return for all the amazing info and entertainment you provide. Is February still on the cards? I don’t have an imminent cut-off, but I’m keen to get on with training with it as soon as I can!
Plan B is using a code elsewhere and sending you the difference, but it’s probably a lot more convoluted that way!
It’s close, I’m not sure if they’ll hit February or not – both they and I hope so. They were actually doing some systems testing earlier today, but there are still some outstanding pieces to be put in place. Trust me…everyone wants it sooner rather than later!
Ok, thanks for the update :).
I fully agree. Thank you very much for the reviews and everything you do, Ray!
Bestdeal, for those living in states with REIs tax will often more than negate this difference
Bestdeal, for those living in states with REIs tax will often more than negate this difference (not to mention that the Clever Training discount is instant – you don’t have to wait until next year to see the 10%, not sure how the 5% works for CC)
A warning for Garmin Vivo users. I’ve just learned that the Garmin Connect Moble app is only capable of supporting one Garmin device at a time. It will kind of sort of act like it will work but won’t really work. As such, if you want your Vivo connected to your phone, your f3 will be relegated to it’s cable or wifi and you won’t be getting message notifications on it. I thought that my Vivofit was coexisting with my fenix 2 once upon a time but Garmin Support informs me that shouldn’t have worked either. The Vivosmart and fenix2 are definitely not playing together.
As an FYI, the FR920XT and Vivo products have worked the same way on GCM.
Don’t understand “the same way”. Does that mean they don’t work just like my f2 and VS don’t or that they do cohabit GCM without problems? Ryan and Ashley in support were both pretty definitive in their declaration that GCM did not support more than one device.
Sorry, yes, correct as in “It doesn’t work, it’s the same way with the FR920XT and Vivo.”
I can’t seem to get the discount code to work with the VIP program at Clever Training when pre-ordering the Fenix 3 HRM bundle.
Do they need to be separate purchases?
Please disregard the comment. I have found my answer.