This product has been discontinued by the manufacturer. It's been replaced by the Garmin Fenix 6 Series, you may want to check out that review instead.
The Fenix3 aims to further blend the multisport watch realm (previously dominated by the Garmin Forerunner series), with the outdoor watches (such as the Fenix1 & Fenix2, as well as outdoor handhelds). To that end the Fenix3 is effectively a Garmin FR920XT with additional features aimed primarily at the outdoor and hiking crowd – more than the triathlon crowd. But, the appeal to triathletes since launch as clearly been the more normal watch looking feel, versus the plastic and blocky feel of the Forerunner 920XT units.
I’ve been using the Fenix3 for quite some time, and after a month on a final production unit with final production version – I’ve got enough data and detail for the in-depth review. Which…is what you’ll find below. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
To be clear, I’ve been using a Fenix3 provided by Garmin to test with (final production unit). Like always, I’ll be shipping that back to them in Kansas in the next little bit and going out and getting my own via regular retail channels. That’s just the way I roll.
Lastly, at the end of the day keep in mind I’m just like any other regular athlete out there. I write these reviews because I’m inherently a curious person with a technology background, and thus I try and be as complete as I can. But, if I’ve missed something or if you spot something that doesn’t quite jive – just let me know and I’ll be happy to get it all sorted out. Also, because the technology world constantly changes, I try and go back and update these reviews as new features and functionality are added – or if bugs are fixed. So – with that intro, let’s get into things.
Unboxing & Versions:
There are a number of versions of the Fenix3 that have different exterior surfaces. However, inside, all versions are identical. Again, there is no software differences between them – instead, it’s purely the materials used on the outside. Additionally, some Fenix3 variants are sold in bundles, which include the heart rate strap (HRM-RUN). Let’s do a bit of a walk-through on an unboxing of one version. All versions contain the same pieces and just vary in terms of which bundle you bought.
First up we’ve got all the parts pulled out of the box:
You’ll see you’ve got the USB charging clip (new/different for the Fenix3), the watch itself, and the HRM-RUN heart rate strap. Additionally, you’ve got some paperwork stuffs.
Here’s a closer look at the charging clip. It’s a new design for the Fenix3, which is a touch bit slimmer than previous designs. It features a bit of a slide in/out locking mechanism. Easily works to wear it while using the watch, should you want to charge on the go.
The box also includes a USB wall adapter. But fear not, you can use the unit with any USB port you’ll find on this planet:
Next, is the HRM-RUN strap. This is the strap that includes additional Running Dynamics metrics that were introduced with the FR620. I recently wrote an entire post dedicated to the HRM-RUN strap, which you can read here.
Then there’s some quick start guide information and legal documents:
And finally, the Fenix3 unit itself:
For those looking for a video-walkthrough of the box situation, here’s an unboxing video I did of the Fenix3 Grey Edition:
And then, another unboxing I did of the Fenix3 Sapphire. You’ll note that in the US there isn’t yet a Fenix3 Sapphire HR bundle (in the UK there is). However, the Sapphire edition does have one minor difference: It includes a spare set of plastic straps in case you get tired of the metal strap. Outside of that, same-same.
Here’s an unboxing video I did of the Sapphire edition:
And, just for clarity on all the editions, here’s a photo I shoot with the Fenix3 Red/Silver Edition:
With that, let’s briefly discuss some Sapphire specific notes before going through size specific comparisons.
Sapphire Edition Notables:
The Sapphire edition has a few tiny things that make it different, enough so that I’m going to very briefly cover them. First is that the glass is different. It’s a sapphire glass, which watchmakers sometimes use to increase scratch protection. Now, that said, I really haven’t seen any issues with scratches on the regular unit I’ve been wearing 24×7 for months. I’ve banged the crap out of it on surfaces and haven’t seen anything.
The second item to consider is that the Sapphire edition has metal links like numerous other high end watches. That means that you can’t separate the two ends like a lower priced watch bands. Further, you’ll need to resize the band by removing links. You can do that by bringing it to any jeweler, or, you can get this $2.30 tool and do it yourself.
Rather than put a bunch of pictures here, I just shot a quick video of how it works, which you can find below.
As you can see, it’s silly simple. Seriously, I shot that video within the first few minutes of opening that bag. It’s that simple, and, you can resize any other watch whenever you’d like.
As for deciding between the Sapphire and regular? Well, I’ve mostly been using the regular over the Sapphire, and to that extent I’ve been happy. The thing with the Sapphire is that it’s double the weight of the regular. So obviously it’s gonna feel heavy. For me personally, it takes a week or two to get used to that kinda weight on my wrist (when I’ve done it for regular wrist watches). But, more than that, it’s really limiting if you want to mount it to a bike.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t let the scratch-resistance be the driver of that decision. I’d honestly focus on your personal style preferences and whether or not the bike mount situation is of importance (see bike section on that).
Size & Weight Comparisons:
The Garmin Fenix3 is slightly slimmer than previous Fenix editions, which is easily seen when settled next to another unit (the Fenix3 is up front, the Fenix2 is towards the back):
It’s slightly thicker however than the Garmin FR920XT – at least without the 920XT quick release kit applied. Not much thicker, but a touch bit:
Meanwhile, looking at the front of the unit, here’s how things shake out against other watches in the category.
Finally, when it comes to wrist sizes, you’ll see plenty of my wrist throughout the review, but nonetheless, as a starting point here are the two editions on my wrist (which is 17cm, or about 6.5 inches):
And for The Girl’s wrist, I figured I’d include that here. At 5’2” tall, she’s fairly petite. Her wrist measures 14cm (or 5.5 inches). Here’s a few shots on her wrist:
I haven’t resized the Sapphire yet for her, but once I do, I’ll include that in here.
Running:
There are numerous modes and sport profiles available within the Fenix3, all of which are highly customizable. For this review I’ll start with running and talk about many features within the running section. But keep in mind that virtually all of the functions (such as alerts, data page customization, etc…) are applicable to all modes.
To begin though, you’ll head outside and choose an activity type. Technically these are now called ‘Apps’, and there’s an app for each sport (i.e. Run, Bike, Bike Indoor, etc…). This also makes the structure more extensible to 3rd party apps as those are released.
Assuming you’ve selected a sport mode that’s GPS-enabled, such as running outdoors, the unit will start to find satellite. The ring around the outside will slowly grow to 100%, in red first, and then green once complete.
The satellite acquisition time on the Fenix3 is based on a cached database that is updated each time you sync with your phone, computer, or WiFi. That database enables faster acquisition so that acquisition times only take a few seconds, especially if you’re in the same spot as your last activity ended:
As you were finding satellites you’ll have noticed that the unit would have found any ANT+ sensors that were paired. This would show a small icon at the top for the sensor type – such as heart rate straps.
With everything all set it’s time to actually run. At this point you’ll press the start button (the one with the red ring) and then it’ll start recording. Your pace, distance and any other data fields you’ve configured will appear on the display:
I’ll discuss data fields a bit later on, but you can customize them quite a bit including changing the number of metrics per page as well as the number of pages.
When it comes to pace, the Fenix3 is like the FR620, FR920XT and other recent Garmin watches that shows pace in 5-second increments, but slightly smoothed. This is done to ensure a smoother pace metric. Ultimately, all GPS watches have to smooth pace data in some manner. Either they’re doing it in a visible way (i.e. 5-second increments), or in a non-visible way (smoothing the data further behind the scenes). So the discussion on methods is somewhat academic.
Nonetheless, here’s a look at instant pace reaction times on the Fenix3 during a recent run where I was running along at a long-run pace, and then stopped for traffic for a moment, and then continued running again:
As you can see, it’s reasonably quick – even despite going under a large steel structure holding up the Parisian Metro/Subway system.
Within running (and all activities), you have a variety of functions you can enable such as Auto Lap – which automatically triggers laps on a preset interval, such as every 1-Mile or 1-Kilometer. I tend to use this on long runs, but I don’t use it on interval runs as I manually trigger the laps instead using the lap button in the lower right corner.
Anytime a lap is triggered though the Fenix3 supports customized lap banners. This means that you can change which metrics are shown anytime a lap is triggered.
Next there’s other common Garmin functions like Auto Scroll and Auto Pause. Auto Scroll will iterate through your data pages like a carousel. Whereas Auto Pause will automatically stop and start the timer when you stop/start running. This is more useful for city running or riding.
One new unique feature to the Fenix3 is Auto Climb. Auto Climb works by showing a different set of data fields when you start to climb (go uphill). This feature can be used on any profile including cycling. The feature works by configuring a set of data pages that you want to show while climbing.
For example, for me I’ve configured ones with the incline as a data metric:
Then, once you reach about 2-3% in incline, it’ll automatically trigger those data pages. By default it’ll invert the data page colors, but you can just leave the colors the same if you’d like.
Here’s a video I put together during a recent hill workout showing how it all works:
The feature of course won’t appeal to everyone, but is probably most relevant to ultra and trail runners in the mountains who are going up and down and may want to grab quick elevation related stats.
Now the Fenix3 includes the HRM-RUN Running Dynamics capabilities. Within that, you’ll get stats like Vertical Oscillation and Ground Contact Time. I recently wrote up a full post on the strap here, and whether or not to get it.
While running you’ll also get stats like Recovery Advice, such as whether or not you’re fully recovered. In my experience it’s very rare to get anything other than ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. I feel like Garmin is trying to make everyone feel all warm and happy inside, as opposed to telling them ‘Sucky’. Most other users who have been using these metrics for a few years now seem to get pretty similar results.
And then afterwards you’ll get Recovery Time estimates. These estimates are geared at letting you know how much time you should wait until your next hard workout. Of course, for multisport athletes this isn’t aimed for your next workout (of any sort), but just hard workout. This was after a long run…so while perhaps a bit overaggressive, it’s not horribly off the mark.
Additionally, upon completing a run you’ll get information such as any PR’s that were broken (Personal Records) – such as best mile split or longest run. Note that by default these are only specific to this watch.
And finally, you’ll get a summary of your run that you can dig through and look at all the stats, both for the entire run, and each individual lap:
Now, you’re not limited to outdoor running with the GPS. Like most Garmin devices you can also use the Fenix3 indoors, such as on a treadmill. For that you’ve basically got two options. First is to use the built-in accelerometer within the Fenix3 to capture pace and distance. In my experience, this works ‘ok’, but not great.
The way this function works is that while you’re running outdoors it learns your paces and effectively your wrist movement. With that knowledge, it’s important that for the highest accuracy indoors that you wear it on the same wrist as outdoors. Most people have slight differences in how much wrist movement they have on each wrist.
Nonetheless, despite this, what I find is that certain paces are fairly accurate – but others less so. For example when I run my long-run pace, the internally calculated pace is pretty accurate. However, when I go into intervals, the pace tends to fluctuate a bit more – often upwards of about 10%. This isn’t really unique to Garmin however; virtually all wrist-based pace/distance detection solutions are the same in the market today.
The second option for indoor pace is the ANT+ footpod. That allows you to enter in a calibration value and get very accurate pace on a treadmill. I talk about the footpod here in this post in uber-detail.
But, I’ve been using the footpod with the Fenix3 quite a bit on the treadmill over the past few months – all without issue. In each one of those instances my pace nearly matches that of my treadmill (once calibrated), and the distance as well.
Ultimately, my recommendation is that if you want truly accurate pace/distance recorded while indoors – to get a footpod. Also note that at this time there’s no method of selecting pace while outdoors from a footpod. All pace when outdoors comes from GPS, except in scenarios where the GPS signal is lost (i.e. tunnel), in which case it falls back to the footpod (and failing that, to the wrist based detection).
Cycling:
The Fenix3 includes virtually all of the cycling functions and features found in any previous Garmin Edge device – including the Edge 1000. The only features it lacks are turn-by-turn navigation with mapping (i.e.: Turn Left on Maple Street), Auto-Lap by position, and the Edge Remote Control support. That said, let’s spend a few minutes walking through it.
First up is that like running, cycling has its own sport mode. In this case either ‘Bike’ or ‘Bike Indoor’, depending on the weather I suppose. Once you’ve selected that mode it’ll go ahead and find any relevant sensors that you’ve paired. In my case that’s usually a power meter along with a heart rate strap, plus sometimes a speed or cadence sensor if indoors:
It’ll pair with any ANT+ cycling sensors out there (see my section later on that), which includes all power meter brands except Polar/Look and their Keo Power solution.
The Fenix3 also will shortly support Cycling Dynamics, so for those Garmin Vector users, you’ll get that data as well. In the meantime, you’ll still get all the regular left/right data.
When cycling, the functions at a foundational level are the same as running. The only difference for most is that you now have power meter support. This includes all of the power meter relevant fields like Training Peaks metrics such as TSS/NP/IF, and any power balance fields.
Indoors, the situation is much the same. You can go ahead and pair to trainers such as the Wahoo KICKR or TACX Smart series trainers, which broadcast open ANT+ metrics like power, speed and cadence.
All of these metrics are then saved after the fact for uploading to Garmin Connect (and if you choose, automatic sync to sites like Strava).
So what about mounting the Fenix3 to your bike? Well, for that it’s a bit tricky. See, the Fenix3 lacks a quick release kit, so thus it lacks any way to mount it directly using the ubiquitous Garmin quarter-turn mount that’s supported by the Edge series as well as the FR310/FR910XT/920XT watches. This means instead if you don’t want it on your wrist you’ll need to use a little block like this rubber mount from Garmin for about $10:
But, the challenge with that block is that with the Sapphire band you can’t detach it to fit through the hole. So instead, your better bet is this also-$10 rubber block from Timex. The challenge there though is that you can’t put that on your bike handlebars easily unless perhaps it’s a mountain bike.
So I don’t have a solution for road bikes, but for triathlon bikes you could use the Profile Designs bike computer UCM mount, and mount it from the side. Kinda lame, but it does technically work:
Now for me personally, it’s this single item that’s probably the biggest reason I’ll probably still stick with the FR920XT as my main triathlon watch. I don’t like looking at it on my wrist – especially in aero position. Instead, I want it mounted on the bike. Hopefully Garmin will look to release a quick release kit – it’s something that realistically should be simple for them to do, and basically just puts more money in their pocket anyway (since people have to spend at least $50 more for the Fenix3 over the FR920XT anyway).
Swimming:
The Fenix3 supports tracking of both pool and openwater swims. For pool swims the unit will use the internal accelerometer within it to track swims. This means that it’s looking at your movements and trying to determine what type of stroke you’re swimming as well as when you reach the end of each length of the pool.
To start a pool swim you’ll select it from the list of sports:
Next, if it’s the first time using a pool swim it’ll ask you your pool size. Else, it’ll remember your pool size for future swims. If you go to a different pool that requires changing the size, you can simply select it within the settings menu:
There are preconfigured sizes for common pool lengths such as 25m, 25y, and 50m. Additionally, you can specify and pool length between 17m/18y, and 150m/y.
Next, it’s time to swim. Now when swimming with the watch you can do either a flip turn or an open turn (non-flip turn). It’ll track either way. The thing to keep in mind is that it’s essentially measuring acceleration and change in movement direction. So if you stop mid-lane in the pool, it’ll confuse the unit. Likewise if you sit at the end of the lane line for a few seconds and then do your next lap and do the YMCA song with your arms – it’ll confuse it.
Just swim, and keep swimming…and it’ll work out just fine.
As you swim it’ll show you your pace and splits, all of which can be customized. When you reach the end of a given portion of your workout (set), you can press the lap button to go into the rest timer. This will separate out the different sections of the workout for you automatically. It’ll also invert the screen so you know it’s in a paused state.
In addition the Fenix3 supports the Drill Log mode. This mode allows you to do drills that the watch wouldn’t recognize distance on, such as kickboard drills. For this you enter drill mode and then at the end simply tell it how far you swam:
Afterwards, all of this data is available on Garmin Connect and can be sliced and diced. Note that I only swim freestyle, so I can’t really comment on accuracy of other strokes.
While Garmin Connect doesn’t allow editing of swim data, some 3rd parties like Sport Tracks do. For example, in the above swim I had to stop mid-lane on one of my lengths, which caused a missed length. Completely my fault (I dropped a camera out of my swim shorts), but there’s no method to fix that on Garmin Connect today.
Also note that at this time there is no method for any Garmin swim-capable watches to give you structured swim workouts. However, interestingly Connect IQ was coded with that in mind – so it’s certainly possible we’ll see swim workout functionality come soon via that route instead.
Next, we’ve got openwater swims. These are any swims in a lake/pond/ocean/etc… Basically any body of water big enough that GPS is logical. Note that for outdoor pools (except the massive one in Chile), you should always use pool mode.
Once you’ve selected this mode it’ll go ahead and search for GPS just like other modes. Interestingly, within the openwater swim mode you can actually do Live Tracking using the Garmin Connect Mobile app. I’ve done that on a few occasions now using the Safer Swimmer buoy with my phone inside the dry compartment in it:
The Fenix3 communicates with the phone just fine in between each stroke. Heck, I even got a text message from The Girl during one of my openwater swims.
Next, while swimming the unit will track distance, pace and stroke information – such as it does in a pool:
You can create laps as you see fit as well – for example to split apart a course.
Remember that the way openwater swim mode works is that each time your watch goes underwater it loses satellite, thus, each time it comes back up again it has to reacquire satellite in the half a second or so your wrist is above the water. This obviously results in less accurate readings. So what companies do is they take a bit of an average plot of where you’re going and try to figure it out, despite the reduced accuracy. It’s usually not perfect, but it’s also usually pretty good.
I found that in all of my openwater swims that the Fenix3 was the most accurate Garmin openwater swim capable device to date that I’ve tried. Typically I give a very slight edge to the Suunto series for openwater swim accuracy, but that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore. They seem to probably be a wash.
Below you can see some swim tracks with the Fenix3 on my wrist, and where I put another GPS watch (typically the FR920XT on the swim buoy above the water floating next to me). This helps me create a ‘reference’ track to compare against.
Ultimately, these are pretty good. Here’s the exact number comparisons.
First Test: 1,194 vs 1,200yds
Second Test: 1,249 vs 1,305yds
Third Test: 1,475 vs 1,540yds
That last one is actually really impressive track-wise, especially where I edged around the barriers, it perfectly nailed that.
Just as a bit of a tip, if when swimming I find it helps to start the GPS above water where you know it has a lock for the first 1-2 seconds. That establishes a good solid ‘starting point’. And the same is true when you exit the water – just give it a second or two to find your ending point. Seems to help (across most GPS watches).
Multisport activities:
Being a multisport watch, the Fenix3 supports what’s known as ‘multisport’ mode. In this mode (well, actually multiple modes), the watch will automatically transition to the next sport upon pressing the lap button. This allows you to line-up multiple sports such as in a triathlon and get sport-specific settings and records for each segment: Swim, T1, Bike, T2, Run.
You can also create your own custom multisport profiles, using any combination of existing sports. Unlike the Fenix2, there is no limitation on creating a fully indoor triathlon for example.
Within these modes you can customize whether or not to include transition data. What’s nice about the custom modes is that it’s easy to create duathlons. For example, I did an openwater swim/run brick two weeks ago quite easily.
Afterwards, on Garmin Connect the Fenix3 multisport activities will show each segment of the workout separately – but as part of a larger workout. This new Garmin Connect feature was introduced last fall for all new multisport workouts uploaded after that date (or, re-uploaded). You can see my short swim/run brick here:
And you can see how if I click for just the swim tab I get additional detail, and it removes the other portions of the activity from view:
Note however that the Fenix3 lacks a quick release kit, so you’ll need to basically keep it on your wrist the entire time.
Daily Activity & Sleep Tracking:
The Fenix3 incorporates daily 24×7 activity tracking including such metrics as steps, distance walked, calories, and sleep. It also incorporates the Garmin inactivity/move bar, which triggers to tell you that you’ve been lazy.
This activity tracker mode then transmits that data to your smartphone app (Garmin Connect Mobile), which stores the data on the Garmin Connect site for display. Additionally, Garmin Connect can transmit the data to partners such as MyFitnessPal.
This data is also visible on the Fenix3 through the “Wellness” widget (activity tracking widget). It’ll show you your steps towards goal, your current goal, and your calories burned and distance walked.
Along the bottom you see the red ‘move’ bar.
That bar fills up when you don’t move, eventually alerting you after an hour that you need to move. You can clear the move bar by walking roughly 100 yards:
The goal steps that are displayed each day are dynamic, based on your previous days steps and trending data. So, the more you walk, the higher the goal goes – and the inverse is true. It’s designed however such that a single long run on a weekend won’t totally hose up your daily goals.
Next there is calories. Calories on the Fenix3 activity tracker are inclusive of your baseline calories (BMR), aka, the calories you need to stay alive. That’s why if you just sit there watching Saved by the Bell re-runs, it’ll still show you burning calories. That’s pretty much the norm for activity trackers on the market.
There’s also support for MyFitnessPal as well, in the event you want to track both your consumed calories as well as burned calories:
Finally, we look at sleep. The Garmin Fenix3 requires you to manually trigger sleep. This is like the rest of the Garmin units that support sleep metrics…and is honestly pretty lame. Most other watches/trackers will automatically sense it, such as the Fitbit series. Worse yet, is that even when you do manually enter it in, the data that Garmin displays after the fact is pretty useless.
No ‘times/minutes awake’, or anything else of value. Just a very blah-like up and down chart vaguely showing movement.
As far as accuracy of activity tracking in general goes, the Fenix3 measurement of steps has been inline with other activity trackers for me. Which means that it’s generally within 5-8% of what I’m seeing on other devices I’ve been wearing at the same time such as the Fitbit Charge HR and Jawbone Move.
However, keep in mind that there is no ‘perfect’ activity tracker. Different companies use different algorithms to try and minimize inaccuracies. Further, different wearable locations can also impact accuracy. For example, if I’m pushing a shopping cart with a wrist-based device such the Fitbit Charge or Fenix3, I’ll likely get reduced step counts. This is because the accelerometer isn’t likely to be triggered due to the static position of my hand.
Companies try and counter these sorts of items – such as ensuring steps aren’t counted when you’re showering or washing the dishes. But the reality is that sometimes they do trigger steps.
Here’s what I’d remind ya: You shouldn’t be concerned about a few hundred extra steps. At the end of the day, you’re aiming for a goal in the 10,000+ step range – so a few hundred steps really isn’t that meaningful. If you only walked 2,000 steps, then no, you didn’t walk enough. And at the other end of the spectrum, if you walked 18,000 steps – then yes, you walked a lot and an extra 100 steps washing the dishes wasn’t likely the cause for that 18,000 steps.
To that end these devices are best looked at from a trending standpoint. They help you assess whether you’re walking a lot or a little. That’s no different between a Fitbit, a Garmin, a Polar app – or even your phone. They all have imperfections in certain scenarios – and excel at others.
Navigation:
The Fenix series ultimately has it’s roots in navigation – and thus to that end much of that remains the key reason that you’d buy the Fenix3 over another device such as the FR920XT. There’s two types of navigation capabilities within the Fenix3. The first is the basic ‘ABC’ (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) functionality. These features require no GPS enablement, and are otherwise running 24×7.
They’re accessible at any time by pressing the up/down buttons on the left side of the watch. You can change the time scale for these, but by default they show historical values such as a 48-hr barometer and 4hr temperature.
The sensors that support these features (Compass, Altimeter, Barometer), can be accessed and configured within the settings and then sensors menu of the watch:
It’s here that you can do tasks such as enable the Storm Alert, or change the plot length. Additionally, in the case of the altimeter, you can calibrate it by manually entering in the current elevation (useful for trailheads). Further, you can change the behavior of Auto Calibration, which controls when and how often the unit will calibrate the altimeter. By default it’s once at the start of an activity, but you can change it to be continuous if you’d like.
Note that for compass, as well as other position-format based metrics, you can change to a wide assortment of display formats. I’ll try and get these manually typed up, but Garmin basically covers every possible position format I’ve ever heard anyone ask for.
Next, beyond the ABC functions there’s the GPS-based navigation capabilities. These use GPS to guide you to various points, either pre-defined or on the fly. To start navigation you’ve got two options. The first is to simply select ‘Navigation’ from the main menu, and then select a given type of navigation: Courses, Activities, Saved Locations, Sight ‘N Go, or Coordinates.
When you do this, it’ll ask you for further details on what you’re navigating to – such as the pre-created course name:
Then, it’ll give you a bit of an overview of that particular selection. For example, in a course it’ll show you a map of the course, as well as the elevation profile. Interestingly however, that elevation profile is not available once you start the activity.
Then you an select ‘Do Course’ to start the navigation. At this point the unit will ask you which activity profile to use. You can use any GPS-enabled sport to navigate, for example hiking, running, or cycling.
At this point, the unit will add the navigation-specific screens that you have to that sport profile. These four screens can be fully customized (each with four data fields), plus the Map and Guide screens.
And of course, it’ll start navigation once you press the Start button. As you navigate, it’ll guide you based on a map showing progress. You can change the zoom level of that map by holding the middle left menu button:
In my case, I had pre-created a course on Garmin Connect and downloaded it to the unit via the Garmin Connect Mobile app:
You can also use the desktop application called Garmin Basecamp, but that lacks the free base map set seen on Garmin Connect, so it’s a bit more tricky to create routes with a default Garmin Basecamp install. Note that rather unfortunately the Fenix3 is not compatible with Basecamp Mobile. That’s quite a bummer because Basecamp mobile was super-easy to create waypoints, whereas there’s no method on Garmin Connect to create Waypoints, only routes. So oddly, things got slightly harder with this new version. Hopefully Garmin will enable support for it on the Fenix3. Ultimately in my mind if they don’t have that in place by time the Epix releases, otherwise it’ll be a super-disjointed story.
In any case, back to navigating the route. As you’re navigating you’ll get various status on your progress related to the course. For example if you’re on course, and how much of the course is remaining.
If you’ve defined a given pace for the course, the unit will show that as well within the screens. This is essentially the same functionality that’s then leveraged for the ability to follow a previous activity.
In addition to courses you can also save coordinates and route to them. You can further save these coordinates with given names, such as ‘Start of trail’, or ‘Home’. Or perhaps more critical place names like ‘Burger place’. Note that the Fenix3 does not contain any sort of POI (Point of Interest) database, so you’ll have to create all your own POI’s.
Finally, note that there are actually a number of very small (but important to some) navigational differences between the Fenix3 and the past Fenix1/Fenix2. In order to minimize the amount of updating I have to do each and every time Garmin updates/addresses these, I’ve placed them all into a massive comparison table a few sections down from here. Please do read that section though to better understand if there’s any gaps that cause you pain.
Battery Life:
The Fenix3 has a few different technical specs when it comes to battery life, depending on how you use it. For example, they note on the product page that it’ll get: “50 hours in UltraTrac mode, 16 hours in GPS mode and up to 3 months in watch mode” (yet in other places on the spec pages it notes 20 hours in GPS mode).
So how does that compare in reality? Well, it depends. First, we’ll start with just a simple long-life battery test. For that, I simply fully charge the unit up and plunk it on my roof and see when it dies.
In this case, I went with 1s recording (non-UltraTrac, 1-second recording, GLONASS-off) Here’s the results there:
As you can see, it went 18 hours and 12 minutes, a bit shy of their claimed 20 hours but above their 16 hours. We’ll call it splities. In my case the temperatures here have been about 38°F/3°C, so you’ll see that impact battery life slightly. Still, at 18 hours it easily covers an Ironman triathlon.
The next option you’d have is UltraTrac. This mode reduces the GPS update frequency to save battery life. This means you’ll get less GPS track points, as it works in a 15-20 seconds of GPS on-time, then about 45 seconds of GPS off-time pattern. Because of this, it cuts some of the corners, because of the reduced update rate. Now, for something like city running – it’s not really ideal. But, if you’re doing a longer hike where you might otherwise be tight on battery, it’s probably fine. That’s because your rate of speed is lower.
Note that with UltraTrac you DO get ANT+ data, which is a change from prior Fenix versions, where you didn’t get ANT+ data. This data is recorded at 1-second rate. Additionally, instant pace, temperature and cadence is also recorded at the 1-second rate, since all of that comes from the accelerometer.
But what if UltraTrac isn’t enough? For that you can use a USB battery charging pack. These packs allow you to charge the Fenix3 while it’s recording mid-use. So you can simply attach it and re-charge as you complete your activity.
To get an understanding of how that works, I’ve put together this quick little video:
Finally, what about day-to-day battery life? Well for that the unit is spec’d at 6 weeks. But quite frankly, I wasn’t about to wait 6 weeks without plugging it in, because then I wouldn’t have had the battery juice for all my day to day GPS workouts. Instead, let’s focus on battery life for day-to-day activity.
Within the Fenix1/Fenix2 timeframe, the battery life was pretty good (lasted a long time) in normal day to day mode. But, on the Fenix1/2 it was greatly shortened if you enabled Bluetooth Smart (for notifications, primarily). Down to about 24-36 hours, on a good day.
With the Fenix3 however, you can leave Bluetooth Smart on and it’ll last quite some time. It’s tough to get an exact real-world figure, since again the mere act of using GPS for other activities would drain things. But we’re talking at least a week or more here. Perhaps it’s three weeks, I just don’t have any way of knowing. Either way, for most people you’ll need to charge it again before that point simply for use during GPS activities.
Sensor Compatibility & Sensor Pools:
The Fenix3 follows in the footsteps of both the Edge 1000 and FR920XT in including the sensor pool concept. This means that instead of having ‘bike profiles’, you just pair all your sensors into what is effectively a pool. When those sensors turn on (such as turning your bike wheel, or putting on your HR strap), then the Fenix3 will automatically find them.
This is ideal for people with multiple bikes that may or may not forget to change the bike profile before starting the ride – as the sensors automatically pickup instead. It’s also great if you have more than one pair of running shoes with footpods on them, or simply different heart rate straps.
To pair a sensor you’ll go into the sensors menu and add a new sensor. You can tell it to search for everything, or you can pair a specific sensor type:
The Fenix3 can save numerous sensors of the same type within the pool. For example, you can see multiple heart rate straps saved here on my unit (you can give them custom names too!):
The Fenix3 supports the following sensor types:
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap
ANT+ Running Footpod
ANT+ Cycling Power Meter
ANT+ Cycling Speed-only Sensor
ANT+ Cycling Cadence-only Sensor
ANT+ Cycling Speed/Cadence Combo Sensor
ANT+ Tempe (Temperature Sensor)
ANT+ VIRB Action Camera
ANT Shimano Di2 (coming in future update)
For those that want more accurate temperature data during activities (so that it’s off your wrist, due to body heat interference), you’ll want to look into the Tempe sensor, which is made by Garmin. This sensor lasts a year on a coin cell battery and transmits the temperature to the Fenix3.
Like existing Garmin products, the Fenix3 does not support any Bluetooth Smart sensors, nor other sensor technologies such as analog sensors or Polar W.I.N.D. sensors. Nor does it support Nike+ straps or sensors.
Finally, a brief note about optical sensors (such as the Scosche or Mio products). With using optical HR, you do run the risk that you’ll get reduced accuracy on metrics that require heart rate variability (such as Recovery Time, VO2Max, Race Predictor, and to a much more limited degree, calories). This is because these sensors today largely ‘estimate’ heart rate variability (HRV/RR) information. However, they are required to transmit said information according to the ANT+ heart rate specification. So instead of transmitting nothing, they estimate it (but not measure it).
For some people, it’ll work out and their metrics would lineup against a normal chest strap. For others, the differences may be more apparent. It’s hard to know exactly how it would impact a given person. For me personally, some workouts line-up near identically, yet others are far off the mark. Again, just a lot of variables (none of which are the fault of the Fenix3, but rather the state of optical sensor technology today).
Data Fields & Display Customization:
The Fenix3 includes numerous ways to customize the display within activities (as well as outside of activities). Within activities you can display up to four pieces of data on a single page, and you can have up to 10 pages of data per activity profile (app/sport). I honestly can’t think of a reason you’d need more than 40 pages of concurrent data. And technically speaking, you get another few pages of data when you add in the ‘Navigation-specific’ pages.
Each of these is customized on a per-sport basis, which is handled through the settings option. But you can also change these on the fly during the activity if you need to. There is no method to change these via the app or online.
You can display 1, 2, 3, or 4 data fields per data page. But, there are also different ways you can display some of those – such as the way the screen is split up. The below little gallery shows you all the ways you can show the data:
Note that there is not an active HR graph like there has been on some previous Garmin units, however there is some Connect IQ HR graph data fields (but reaction to those is mixed from folks).
Note that widgets also show data as well when not in an activity, such as the temperature, barometer, and altitude. These are on 24×7 and do not require necessarily GPS (though some do leverage it):
Finally, the exact listing of all available data fields can be found within the Fenix3 manual.
GPS Accuracy:
The Fenix3 includes additional GPS related technologies (GLONASS) which can increase GPS accuracy in most situations. In my testing of the Fenix3 over quite some time now, I’m seeing accuracy on par with the Garmin FR920XT and Suunto Ambit3 – both of which I’ve had virtually zero issues with in a wide variety of scenarios.
Now, when it comes to GPS accuracy I tend to take a fairly practical viewpoint. I’m generally looking at how well a unit tracks compared to where I went, as well as the total distances seen between different units. Generally speaking I’m running/riding with 2-5 other GPS devices at the same time. I feel this is pretty important – comparing two different runs, even on the same route, will result in differences due to environmental factors and simple things like body placement. Which, is also important to consider. You can get different results between the left and right wrists, depending on how your body impacts GPS reception. In most cases, it’s negligible, but in edge cases it could be more overt.
When looking at GPS accuracy and tracks on a map – you must be sure to be in satellite mode and not map mode. Maps don’t always align with reality, while satellites are much closer. A map might have you running in the water whereas the satellite will show you on a river path.
Finally, do recognize the limitations of consumer grade GPS, which is generally specified as +/-3M. By default the Fenix3 does NOT have GLONASS turned on, so you’ll want to enable that via: Settings button > Settings menu item > System > GLONASS = ON. Note it will have a slight impact on battery, but not significant. Note however that a very small percentage of folks have seemingly seen worse accuracy with GLONASS enabled on other watches like the FR920XT. So, if you’re having some GPS issues, try simply turning that off instead. Finally, be sure that you have 1-second recording enabled, otherwise you’ll often see cut-corners.
All that said, I’ve seen consistently impressive results when it comes to GPS accuracy with GLONASS enabled. Here’s a data sheet of distances recorded by two or more devices. Obviously, with only two devices in some cases, it’s hard to know who was right – but as you can see, in almost all those cases the two devices were nearly identical. For cases where I had a third device, I included that.
My personal testing with the Fenix3 has been in the following locales in a variety of conditions from snow to sun, rain to fog: USA, Canada, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Turkey, Spain, and the Netherlands. For the below table however, I’ve only included activities on the final firmware versions (despite having a vast library of accurate data prior to final firmware) – and only activities where two or more devices finished their recordings (i.e. sometimes another unit would run out of battery).
Fenix3 GPS Accuracy
Description
Fenix3
Other 1
Other 2
Openwater Swim 1
.74mi
.71mi (FR920XT Buoy)
-
Openwater Swim 2
.68mi
.68mi (FR920XT Buoy)
.69mi (Ambit2 S)
Openwater Swim 3
.87mi
.84mi (FR920XT Buoy)
-
Long Run
14.64mi
14.65 (Epson 810)
14.87 (Polar V800)
Hill Repeats
7.77mi
7.816mi (Epson 810)
-
Sunday Mixed City/Park Ride
23.44mi
23.55mi (Edge 510)
23.65mi (Edge 810)
Sunday Long Run Through City
14.43mi
14.47mi (Epson 810)
-
Evening City Run
5.82mi
5.84mi (FR920XT)
5.85 (Polar V800)
Cycling - Sunday
30.10mi
30.09 (Edge 810 #1)
30.16 (Edge 810 #2)
River Long Run
12.56
12.60 (FR920XT)
12.69 (Polar V800)
(Activities below this are post-review additions)
Interval 800m Repeats
7.33
7.28 (Fenix3 #2)
7.38 (Vivoactive)
Long Run
12.15
12.31 (Vivoactive)
-
City Sunday Run
10.02
10.26 (Epson 810)
10.31 (Vivoactive)
Bahrain Run
4.15
4.12 (Epson 810)
-
Evening City Run
5.60
5.62 (Epson 810)
5.63 (Vivoactive)
Half-Marathon
13.04
13.13 (Epson 810)
-
Night River Long Run
12.63
12.77 (Vivoactive)
-
Interval 800m Repeats Les Berges
7.29
7.35 (Vivoactive)
-
Numerous indoor rides
-
-
-
Numerous treadmill runs
-
-
-
Note that virtually all of my activities are available on Strava, so you’re free to look at any activity. Unfortunately Strava has yet to update the device name mapping field, so it shows these as the FR920XT. Fear not, any file I’ve uploaded to Strava since late January has been with the Fenix3 (unless it says Garmin Edge).
Additional post-review note: I’ve been occasionally adding in activities I’ve done since publishing this review, into the table above.
Connect IQ Compatibility:
The Fenix3 supports Connect IQ, which is Garmin’s new app store concept for Garmin devices. The platform was unveiled this past fall, and contains four basic types of ‘things’:
– Watch Faces
– Data Fields
– Widgets
– Apps
At present, only Watch Faces and Data Fields are released in the Connect IQ store. The Apps and Widgets will release tomorrow (Friday, March 6th). Today within that store you can download various data fields and watch faces. These include both Garmin and 3rd party made options:
Once downloaded to your watch you can include Connect IQ data fields within any of your existing data pages:
Similarly, you can change to the Connect IQ watch faces as you see fit.
The next set of things that Garmin will release tomorrow (Friday) are- Apps and Widgets – are really where the major benefits of the platform come into play. That’s where you’ll start to see cool logic driven programs that can run on the Fenix3 and generate meaningful feedback and guidance. For example, there’s an upcoming App that does turn-by-turn navigation on Connect IQ:
Now in some cases, Garmin has selected to make widgets instead of adding base functionality into the Fenix3. For example, in the past the Hunt & Fish, as well as Moon & Sun functionality was within the Fenix1/Fenix2 natively. But now it’s a Connect IQ widget. Here’s an early preview into these two widgets which will be released tomorrow – the Sunset/Sunrise, and Hunt/Fish ones. (Update: These specific widgets have been delayed slightly now, and will not release tomorrow.)
Finally, here’s a preview of another app coming up called Sky Watch. This app will show you the locations of star constellations, planets, and the moon (with phases), as you move the watch around. It’s pretty cool. Here’s a quick video I shot of it tonight:
The Fenix3 like virtually all of Garmin’s new devices made in the last 2 years, can connect to the Garmin Connect Mobile app for smartphones. The Fenix3 will leverage Bluetooth Smart to connect to your phone for uploading of workouts, downloading of courses, and the sync of notifications and other smartphone related goodness.
Unlike the Fenix1 & Fenix2 however, the Fenix3 can do all this while concurrently using ANT+. Meaning that there’s no longer a limitation of using sensors with things like Live Tracking, as there was previously.
In addition as well, the battery drain profile for use of Bluetooth Smart notifications from your phone is much more normal now, allowing you to go quite some time before re-charging (on the Fenix1/2, it was only a day or two). Now, you’re realistically looking at charging perhaps every 1-2 weeks depending on how much GPS activity you have for workouts.
Notifications on the Fenix3 can be enabled to buzz or beep you, and customized as to when it will do so. For example, you can configure it to leave you alone during workouts if you want.
The notifications will appear immediately on the Fenix3 screen – often before it even shows up on your phone (it’s kinda impressive):
In addition, they’ll disappear after a timeout – but can still be accessed via the notifications widget by just pressing the up/down buttons:
(The above phone number isn’t real, it’s just used by Google News Alerts to send notifications)
In either location you can dive into the details of a notification further:
Note that notifications are controlled by the respective phone platforms notification center. So it’s not Garmin deciding which notifications to show – but rather how you’ve configured it on your iOS or Android device for a given app. To get an idea of how both the inbox widgets work, as well as how notifications work, I put together a little video of it:
Beyond notifications, the Garmin Connect Mobile app will automatically upload completed workouts as soon as they are saved, assuming your phone is in-range.
Additionally, you can use the app to download courses (as I showed in the navigation section). And the phone is also used to upload step and sleep data from the Fenix3.
Beyond these functions, you can utilize Live Tracking with the Fenix3. This function works the same as with previous Garmin devices whereby it uses your phone’s data connection for uploading your current position and post track locations to a website that you can share with friends and family (and stalkers of your choosing).
This site will also display ANT+ data from your workout as well:
The benefit of doing this over just a regular phone app that transmits your location is that this offloads the GPS service to your Fenix3, as opposed to the battery drain on your phone. As anyone who has used the GPS on their phone knows – the battery drain of GPS can be huge.
Finally, the Fenix3 is the first Garmin ‘smart’ device that has managed to remember it’s marriage to my phone the entire time. Now this may sound like an odd statement, but whether the fault of Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM) updates, iOS updates, or just the device itself – I’ve yet to have an issue where I’ve had to re-pair the Fenix3 to the GCM app. It just works. Day in, and day out, it notifies me for various notifications.
Bugs and other quirks:
By and large, the Fenix3 has been pretty bug-free for me. I have seen a handful of little quirks, most of which have already been addressed since I’ve noted (and reported) them. I haven’t seen anything that’s systematic, nor anything that was a show-stopper. Finally, I haven’t seen any single oddity more than once (meaning, a repeating issue).
The minor quirks I have seen on production versions of the Fenix3 include some oddities with Live Tracking here and there, such as sessions that showed odd sensor data to people following me live (but my data recorded/shown to me was perfectly fine). Also, a discrepancy where Garmin Connect told me a course was ~14.9 miles, yet when I actually ran it, it was ~14.6 miles – nearly a third of a mile off. It’s not clear to me if that’s a Fenix3 issue or a Garmin Connect course creator issue. Similarly, I did see an issue where the Fenix3 wasn’t reading the estimated paces within a course file from Garmin Connect. But again, it could be that Garmin Connect wasn’t sending them correctly.
Finally, I’ve seen one issue with reboots related to changing power meter data fields during configuration. Garmin has confirmed/reproduced that as being fixed in the next firmware update.
I haven’t seen any GPS accuracy issues, nor have I seen any reboots beyond what I just noted. I’ve not seen any data loss either across not just production units but any pre-production units.
Which of course this doesn’t mean you’ll see something I don’t. I can only test what I think to test, or stumble into during day to day use across swim/bike/run/hike/etc… In looking at other sources, such as the Garmin Forums, I don’t really see any sort of widespread issues either with people that have had the unit going on a month now.
Update #1 (May 4th 2015): Issues with trail running/riding and under-reporting of distance:
Some users are seeing issues in trails with the Fenix3 undereporting distance (cutting corners). I reached out to the Fenix product manager and Garmin PR regarding the issue. My question/inquiry was specifically related to those seeing GPS shortages primarily in wooded areas while running/riding, most often associated with changes in direction and switchbacks. Their official quotable response to that topic area from both the PR lead for the Outdoor team, as well as the program manager for the Fenix product line is below:
“We’re aware of the customer concerns and are working towards a resolution. This is a priority for the Garmin team, and we’ll be sure to communicate to consumers once a firmware update is available to fix the issue.”
They aren’t comfortable giving a specific time frame for said firmware update at this time.
Update #2 (May 18th, 2015): Secondary update on Fenix3 shortening
I received another update, albeit a very brief one on the distance shortening, here’s the latest from Garmin (media lead, after checking directly with Fenix3 engineering team lead):
“…our engineering team has this issue at the top of their priority list. They’re moving quickly to get a fix pushed out, and I’ll be sure to let you know once I have more information on when the firmware update will be released.”
Not a whole lot more detail than before, other than to say it’s being worked.
Deciding between the Fenix3 & FR920XT (and the Fenix2):
Since the Fenix3 has come out there’s been a lot of questions on whether to get the Fenix3 or the FR920XT. Additionally, how precisely the Fenix3 differs from the Fenix2. The key thing to consider is that the Fenix3 is largely built on the same software platform as the FR920XT. Thus, they share many features. The Fenix3 should be looked at as a superset of the FR920XT. So, a FR920XT++.
However, there is one aspect that might sway many people towards the FR920XT: The lack of quick release kit on the Fenix3. Given it doesn’t have one, for triathletes that’s kinda a big deal. Additionally, some might find that because of the rectangular nature of the FR920XT screen, it allows the numbers to be a smidgen bigger versus the rounded display that cuts into some of the display area.
Shifting to past changes between the Fenix3 and the Fenix1/2, there’s a host of them – mostly minor, but for some those tiny little differences may be a big thing. On the flip side, for many, they might not matter. Do keep in mind that the below chart doesn’t encompass many of the ‘better known’ differences between the models (i.e. weight, sensors types like Di2, etc…). This is really about capturing a lot of the ‘tiny’ changes between them.
Fenix3 Feature Differences
Functionality/Feature Differences
Garmin Fenix3
Garmin FR920XT
Garmin Fenix2
Garmin Fenix1
General: Multiple Time Zones Displayed (i.e. showing both US EST and US PST on device)
Planned Connect IQ Widget
No
Yes
Yes
General: Multiple Time Alarms (i.e. 8AM, 10AM, etc…)
Initially March 2015 - now Summer 2015
No
Yes
Yes
General: Battery with Bluetooth enabled lasts a long time (more than ~24-36 hours)
Yes
Yes
No
No
General: Ability to operate dual ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart concurrently
Yes
Yes
No
No
General: Weather Widget (uses cellular data via Bluetooth Smart for weather data)
Yes
via Connect IQ
No
No
General: GLONASS for increased GPS accuracy in some situations
Yes
Yes
No
No
General: Show exact satellite accuracy (i.e. +/- 15ft)
No
No
Yes
Yes
General: Show satellite map (display of satellite positions)
No
No
Yes
Yes
General: Daily Activity Tracker/Sleep Tracking
Yes
Yes
No
No
General: Resume later functionality (stops GPS activity, allows you to resume activity later)
Yes
No
Yes
General: Ability to use device while being charged
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
General: Auto Light capability
No
No
Yes
Yes
General: Configurable hot key capability
Yes (added Apr 2015)
No
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Ability to display coordinates ('Where am I'/similar function)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Can save GPS locations on watch for future navigation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Ability to configure position formats (Datum/Spheroid/Coordinates)
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Numerous Compass Data Fields (Heading/GPS Heading/Compass Heading)
Yes
Only 'Heading'
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Numerous Navigation Data Fields (Dist remaining, Bearing, Course, Off Course, Lat/Long, etc…)
Yes
Minimal Fields
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Has 'Sight 'N Go' functionality (following compass heading)
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Has navigate to Coordinate (entered on device) functionality
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Navigation: Can navigate on/following historical activities
Hiking: Can one-tap display Altimeter, Barometer, Compass,Temp (no GPS enablement needed)
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Hiking: Can display barometer value
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Ability to share routes wirelessly between devices
No
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Calculate distance between two points
No
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Area calculation functionality
No
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Man overboard functionality
No
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Sun & Moon functionality
Planned Connect IQ Widget
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Hunt & Fish functionality
Planned Connect IQ Widget
No
Yes
Yes
Tools: Jumpmaster functionality (parachuting)
No
No
Yes
Yes
Sports: Autoclimb functionality
Yes
No
No
No
Sports: Ability for multisport profile with indoor swim
Yes
Yes
No
No
Sports: Has quick release kit (for triathlon)
No
Yes
No
No
Sports: Support for sport-specific heart rate zones
Yes
Yes
No
No
Sports: Support for multiple activity profiles (via multiple saved sensors)
Yes
Yes
No
No
Apps: Garmin Connect IQ Support
Yes
Yes
No
No
For the bigger changes, see the below main comparison tables. The above is like a ‘special edition’ comparison table for just this one post to try and ferret out all the little differences.
Product Comparisons:
If you’re looking for a general (but still detailed) comparison chart between the Fenix3 and other units on the market, check out the product comparison tool. Below is just a look at the Fenix3, FR920XT, and Fenix2 – but every GPS watch product I’ve reviewed is available to mix and match and create your own comparisons here.
Again, remember that all products are available in the product comparison tool – so you can mix and match and create your own comparison there. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
I’ve attempted to consolidate many of the most frequently asked questions I’ve seen about the Fenix3 into the following sections.
When is the Fenix3 going to ship?
Technically it’s been shipping for about a month now. Though, it’s probably been one of the more bungled Garmin distributions to date, full of miscommunications and misinformation (really, I haven’t seen anything this hosed up in years from the company). While Garmin is within their previously stated “Q1 2015” range, their shipment of just a single handful of units early February has caused a lot of confusion – even within Garmin. Unfortunately, their move has only led to disappointed consumers. Hopefully things will get sorted out in the next few weeks with larger volumes.
Should I get the Fenix3 or FR920XT?
See the above section on that, but I think for most it’ll come down to whether you care about some of the additional navigation features, the quick release kit, and the slight differences in weight and screen sizes.
Will Garmin start selling a Fenix3 quick release kit?
I don’t know. I think I’ve made it really clear that it’s silly they don’t – just seems like lost money left on the table for them.
What about using optical sensor such as the Mio Link or Scosche?
These are great units, but do keep in mind there are some limitations using optical sensors with certain features of the Fenix3 (along with other Garmin/Suunto/Polar units). These features such as recovery time, VO2Max, and to a limited degree calories – depend on accurate heart rate variability information. With today’s technology, that transmission is often quite estimated. See a bit more detail in my sensors section.
No, it cannot. No ANT+ or Bluetooth Smart strap is capable of transmitting through water. In the case of the Suunto Ambit3, they use a cache and forward technique where it saves the data while swimming and sync’s it afterwards. In the case of Polar and the V800 they use a legacy analog signal to transmit the data underwater.
What about the Garmin Epix, how does the Fenix3 compare to that?
Honestly, it’s too soon to know. With the Epix seemingly on a path for an April (or even later) release, there’s just too much that’s not finalized at this point. Ultimately the biggest difference will be that the Epix obviously supports mapping, but beyond that it remains unclear how many other differences there may be. See my previous preview for the latest news there.
Summary:
For the multisport crowd who’s been looking for Garmin to come out with a multisport sport watch that’s as elegant as more classical time pieces, the Fenix3 definitely delivers there. For the outdoor/hiking crowd, there’s been some changes from the Fenix1/2 that some won’t quite like (such as lack of basemap). Yet, there are certainly features that same crowd will be quite happy about. So, it’s really going to be a personal preference.
When it comes to stability and functionality, given the Fenix3’s foundation of the FR920XT (which is widely seen as quite stable and solid), the watch continues in that vein. I simply haven’t had any major issues (and barely any minor issues) on the final production firmware. The single biggest issue I have has nothing to do with firmware, but just really the lack of quick release kit for cycling.
When it comes to looking at other units on the market, it’s going to be incredibly tough for any other multisport or hiking GPS to compete with the Fenix3. Feature by feature, nobody is really in the same ballpark these days. Some are closer in certain areas (such as the Ambit3 in the multisport realm), but with Garmin Connect IQ, that gap is going to start widening very quickly tomorrow with the release of Apps & Widgets.
At this point I’ve got no issues recommending the Fenix3. For myself personally, I’ll likely stick with the FR920XT however for most swim/bike/run ventures, purely because of the slightly thinner profile and ability to use the quick release kit. However, should I go hiking or skiing – I’m likely to grab the Fenix3 out of the bin instead.
Thanks for reading!
Found This Post Useful? Support The Site!
Hopefully you found this review useful. At the end of the day, I’m an athlete just like you looking for the most detail possible on a new purchase – so my review is written from the standpoint of how I used the device. The reviews generally take a lot of hours to put together, so it’s a fair bit of work (and labor of love). As you probably noticed by looking below, I also take time to answer all the questions posted in the comments – and there’s quite a bit of detail in there as well.
If you're shopping for the Garmin Fenix3 or any other accessory items, please consider using the affiliate links below! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but your purchases help support this website a lot. Even more, if you shop with TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40! The Pro's Closet has been a long-time partner of the site here - including sponsoring videos like my cargo bike race, as well as just being an awesome Colorado-based company full of good humans. Check them out with the links below and the DCRAIN40 coupon!
Since the Garmin Fenix3 is no longer sold, I recommend looking at Garmin Fenix 6 Series:
And finally, here’s a handy list of accessories that work well with this unit (and some that I showed in the review). Given the unit pairs with ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart sensors, you can use just about anything though.
This is a dual ANT+/Bluetooth Smart cycling cadence sensor that you strap to your crank arm, but also does dual Bluetooth Smart, so you can pair it both to Zwift and another Bluetooth Smart app at once if you want.
This is one of the top straps I use daily for accuracy comparisons (the others being the Polar H9/H10). It's dual ANT+/Bluetooth Smart, and in fact dual-Bluetooth Smart too, in case you need multiple connectons.
Seriously, this will change your life. $9 for a two-pack of these puck Garmin chargers that stay put and stay connected. One for the office, one for your bedside, another for your bag, and one for your dog's house. Just in case.
This speed sensor is unique in that it can record offline (sans-watch), making it perfect for a commuter bike quietly recording your rides. But it's also a standard ANT+/BLE sensor that pairs to your device. It's become my go-to speed sensor.
This wifi-connected scale will track your weight and related metrics both on the scale display and in Garmin Connect (plus 3rd party apps like TrainingPeaks). It'll also then sync your weight to your watch/bike computer, to ensure accurate calorie data.
The HRM-PRO Plus is Garmin's top-end chest strap. It transmits dual ANT+/Bluetooth Smart, but also transmits Running Dynamics & Running Pace/Distance metrics, stores HR data during a swim, and can be used without a watch for other sports. Also, it can transmit XC Skiing Dynamics as well.
And of course – you can always sign-up to be a DCR Supporter! That gets you an ad-free DCR, access to the DCR Quarantine Corner video series packed with behind the scenes tidbits...and it also makes you awesome. And being awesome is what it’s all about!
Thanks for reading! And as always, feel free to post comments or questions in the comments section below, I’ll be happy to try and answer them as quickly as possible. And lastly, if you felt this review was useful – I always appreciate feedback in the comments below. Thanks!
I had visited the Clever Training page like crazy for the last 3 weeks to see if the pre-order becomes order, but nothing still. REI already has the Fenix 3 bundle in stock, though. I will hang in here for a little while but as you all know, at this point I’m desperate for my toy. I need it, so to speak. 🙂
Thanks for the review. Still weighing up keeping my 920XT. Will keep an eye on the forums for a bit.
One question: when you hit “Enter” to end a run (while wearing a HR strap), but don’t hit “save”, “discard” or “resume” and instead wait a couple of minutes, does the Fenix3 show you your heart rate recovery value?
Only discovered this feature the other day after getting distracted before hitting “save”, but seems quite a useful stat.
Cheers!
Does anyone know if the coordinate system on the Fenix 3 can be set to MGRS (military grid reference system)? Unfortunately, I can’t find that info in the review or the manual.
I have the same question. Will it be possible to have Garmin Connect Mobile on BlackBerry platforms so that we can get notifications via Bluetooth connections. The question was ask to both Garmin and Blackberry and no clear answers were given.
I am particularly interested in the accuracy of this watch, and other watches for that matter.
I regularly run 1km, 1.6km and 2km repeats. i currently have a Fenix 2 and the accuracy of this watch is terrible!!! When i run repeats (accurately measured using a measuring wheel) i get anything from 50m short to exactly accurate.
Could you perhaps show the accuracy doing some repeats of a measured interval and show if your distance and therefore pace is accurate from one repeat to another?
A couple years ago i had a suunto with the “FusedSpeed” feature and i found the overall accuracy of Suunto watches to be MUCH BETTER than garmin even when doing these repeats, but even more so on long steady runs.
Can you comment on the Garmin accuracy VS Suunto and other similar products.
I dont have Fenix 3 yet but for outdoor interval training food pod is must. I had also Ambit 2 and Fenix 2.. even though Ambit 2 was way accurate instant pace was waay off so I think its safe to say that extra 50-60USD for foot pod is safe bet (you can use different brands like Adidas or Suunto all footpods which use Ant)
For the moment “pace-from-footpod” is not possible with the F3 (nor FR920XT). However Garmin (the devs) acknowledge this issue and may implement this in a future maintenance update. This is a quote from Garmins forum.
Not to be a negative Nelly, Thomas, but I would not hold your breath. It’d be great to see the feature return soon, but I also remember a similar statement regarding gear tracking capability on Garmin Connect in mid-2009, years before it’s eventual 2014 release. 🙂
Yes you’re right George. Date and time was never mentioned and I do understand ConnectIQ and bluetooth issues are more important at the moment. This is why I keep me FR610 as a backup 😉
Given the F3 is such a piece of high tech near perfect gear, and for that matter the upcoming garmin series with activity tracking capabilities, do you think Garmin will make any more effort to improve the sleep tracking function to become automatic like polar. I know people who buy the F3 are probably least worried about this function but surely for something this dear, one should not have to expect to punch in the sleep time and wake up time manually every night and morning (like chink in the armour, real shame)!, and if Polar and others can, why can’t Garmin ??
You don’t have to punch it in. Just go to the activity tracker screen when you go to bed, hit the top right button, and click yes. In the morning, do that again. Easy peasy.
I bought a screen protector specially designed for Fenix3 on link to protectionfilms24.com
It fits very well the screen with a diameter of 38mm. Highly recommanded 😉
For those of you, who are in Switzerland, these guys have the gray bundle available in different shops: link to baechli-bergsport.ch
The price is not bad, it is in fact lowest I have seen for the bundle and hey, the more important part is that they have it in stock!
Unfortunately I am still waiting for my Sapphire pre-order…
Bora – thanks a lot, that is useful to know. I still can’t really believe it, as more regular Garmin distributors (e.g. Primal) don’t have it yet… Thanks!
You are welcome Iustin.
I have also been checking the online Garmin distributors incl. Primal but none of them shows any positive sign yet. I’ll keep chasing Baechli and other outdoor shops and if there will be any trace of the sapphire, the online order will be canceled right away…
It seems they have plenty of them – all their Filials have them on stock. I’m not trying to say anything bad here, but isn’t it just a bit weired they have on stock and those who ordered directly from Garmin are still waiting. I’m just wondering and think I’ll stay with my pre-order.
Thanks to this subthread, I’m now the happy owner of a grey HRM bundle, at a good price. I went there in the morning, asked if they _really_ had the Fenix 3, he said: “of course, the stock is full” (⁈). Saw the watch, it’s visibly bigger than my normal day to day watch, bought it, and started playing with it on the train 🙂
When I mentioned that they are the only ones that have the Fenix 3, he didn’t want to believe me. He said “maybe we don’t have many units?”, but when he checked internal inventory, it showed full (just like the website).
Anyway, I’m finally over the wait. The only “downside” is that the watch has software version 2.30, which is very old; I wonder if these are from the first production batches? Can’t wait to get home from work and update the firmware…
Thanks again Bora, this means I’ll have the watch on time for my next ski trip!
Iustin, I am really glad I could help and they you got it on time! I called them yesterday to ask about Sapphire and they told me that they lost the last one (in their store in Oerlikon) back a few minutes ago, so the lady was probably talking about you 🙂 But she is right, they had it available in 4-5 different stores. For Sapphire, she said beginning of April.
For those of you, still hopelessly looking in Switzerland, another store that has it is Transa.ch , again only Gray bundle. And early next week they might be getting a few Sapphires.
In any case, mine arrived from garminshop.ch this morning, I am super happy and I can really recommend garminshop.ch . They have a great customer service.
Considering getting a Fenix 3 to replace my worn out Garmin 800 for cycling and 410 for running. Does the Fenix have the capability for 5 bike profiles like the 800 has ?
“The Fenix3 follows in the footsteps of both the Edge 1000 and FR920XT in including the sensor pool concept. This means that instead of having ‘bike profiles’, you just pair all your sensors into what is effectively a pool. When those sensors turn on (such as turning your bike wheel, or putting on your HR strap), then the Fenix3 will automatically find them.”
I am still watchless. adrift in a sea of lonliness without pace, hr, nothing. lost and sad. frustrated. why oh why did i return my 920xt to wait for the f3. i never imagined how upset i could be by not having a gps watch. how did anyone live before they existed? how did I? please garmin, please, send some grey ones to clever training so they can send one to me. please….
Tell me about it Len. It is Tuesday already (well Wednesday night in Australia). Surely things have started moving. I received an email from clever training today. I was so excited. Excitement was premature, they were asking me to rate my experience with them when buying my VIP membership. Do’oh.
Surely Clever Training can’t be the last company in the world to get decent amounts of stocks in? Makes me worry a little about their liquidity..
Count me in to the geek band please. Have a M400 but cannot wait any longer to get my hands on the sapphire. Ordered on 19th of Feb but it feels like months and months ago. Still no trace of any shipment. Hope I’ll get it before my 16K on 21st…
Per my recent call with CT, it does not sound as though anymore shipments will be going out this week. Hopefully that is not the case. It is becoming extremely difficult to not just cancel my order and place a new order online with REI, considering they have them in stock. Although it seems a little childish of me to be upset about this, holding my ~$500 for over 2 months now with nothing to show for it and no estimate of delivery seems a bit ridiculous. C’est la vie
Yep frustrating. Yep, REI has them in stock. Yep, last email indicated regular deliveries to work through backlog. I dont have an immediate event, so I can keep using my F2. Got a 50miler in May. Hopefully CT will have filled january 7th orders by May. 😉
Just to make a minor correction, a batch of Sapphires arrived today at 10:53AM into CT, and will ship out today. A batch of Silver Bundles is scheduled to arrive Friday, and will ship out the same day.
The customer service folks have been notified/corrected.
I got notice Monday that CT had received and shipped a red/silver watch only and it arrived today. I was able to intercept at post office this am and catch it before it got on the delivery truck. So good, news is that other models are starting to come into CT and they are re-shipping same day with a minimum 2 day as my pre-order was with the free ground shipping when ordered. So we all are at Garmin’s mercy on this.
Sounds like Ray has talked to CT and more are on the way the rest of the week. Hope you all get them real soon…and really sorry for those of you who have your units hostage at a shipping location that is weather bound. They say Yoga is good for releasing frustration. : )
I’m waiting for my Sapphire from Above and Beyond in the UK. They had word from Garmin yesterday (official UK launch day for Fenix 3) that it will take 2-3 weeks to catch up with the backlog of pre-orders.
#1 – Can this display LAT/LONG of your location?
#2 – If so which DATUM does it use for those numbers?
#3 – Providing you can make a track, with it calculate acreage?
@Pete R. – Thank you
@ MattB – My plan would be to used it as I do my Garmin 60 or 62 for fire perimeter/acreage. It would be nice to have the feature in the field and not have to go back to the office/computer to download. Though with some simple math it can be done, the “easy button” is always nice.
Today I ran to the gym, worked out, and ran back after my workout. I saved the first part of my run for later. When I went to resume it, the watch asked what activity I wanted first, then asked to resume. I was running back, so I selected run but I started thinking…
What if I choose a different sport. The ability to switch from sport to sport on the fly, like the 920 or 910 would be useful on the F3. (brick running, or multiple activities on a whim)
When I got back, I tested my question. I was able to start a run, then save it for later. I gave the watch a few moments, then went to start another activity, choose hiking. The watch asked me to resume my activity.
The only issue is, sometimes the F3 wanted to automatically resume my last activity and other times it allowed me to pick the activity before resuming. Below are my connect links.
Do you have any experience with the F3 and “auto-multi-sport.”
Yes. I have experience with this “auto-multi-sport”. My issue is that as you said the fenix 3 “sometimes” wants to automatically resume my last activity while other times pick a new sport. Even if I pick the same sport, the activity is saved as a multi-sport.
The one time that I resumed the same activity, the resumed leg of the activity did not save to Garmin Connect…
Its known (bug or feature is the debate) that a save and resume-later results in two files. GC seems to know its all one event. My question is auto-upload to strava. What does strava show, two different activities?
Ray thank you a lot, my humble opinion is that your site is number one place for all sport gadgets geeks on the net:))) because you i bought 920xt and vivosmart , and few days ago fenix 3:)) and now question, is there any way on fenix 3,to put recovery time between other widgets, for quick check…
Ray thank you a lot, my humble opinion is that your site is number one place for all sport gadgets geeks on the net:) because you i bought 920xt and vivosmart , and few days ago fenix 3:)and now question, is there any way on fenix 3,to put recovery time between other widgets, for quick check
Do you know if the battery is user replaceable and/or what the expected lifetime of the battery is? Just wondering if the watch will become useless (or at least less useful) at some point …
DavidW: The battery isn’t user replaceable, but I believe that’s the case for every other gps sports watch you might consider.
In any event I’d expect at least three years out of it; my 610 was 3.5 years old and still quite serviceable although battery life was noticeably less than when it was brand new.
If it should fail out of warranty you’ll need to send it to Garmin for replacement. The current price for out-of-warranty repairs (essentially swapping with a refurbished watch) is $130 for a Fenix3. See link to www8.garmin.com
Well after sitting in Fedex’s main hub in Memphis, TN for 3 days now, because of their winter weather backlog, my silver/red F3 from CT is now sitting at the Greensboro, NC sorting facility, 5 miles from my house! It won’t get to my local office, which is also 5 miles from my house, until tomorrow, and then to me by tomorrow night! Come on Fedex I’m dying from anticipation over here! I know its a small problem compared to others that are still in the pre-order cue but its driving me crazy!!!!
I would totally use an Apple Watch if a company were to introduce a BT GPS pod similar to what Suunto used to use for their pre-GPS watches: link to suunto.com
Music, maps, Strava, haptic feedback all provided by the Apple Watch and GPS by a tiny waterproof pod.
Yep your activities are constrained by the battery life of your phone.. May as well just use your phone.. Make sure you have your phone in a plastic bag too.. In case it rains.. Or.. You sweat..
Gps pod would be awesome to give you your swolf metrics in the pool too..
Apple watch for people who talk about getting fit.. I would not mind one as a gimmicky watch.. But Garmin 910/920/Fenix 3 for those authentic multi sport individuals out there..
In relation to the section about no support for BaseCamp Mobile, I contacted a Tier 2 support Tech at Garmin Australia about this, he checked with his outdoor specialist and confirmed that BC Mobile will work on the F3.
Not sure whats going on there, maybe a future update thing.
Just to set current expectations there, the Fenix3 does not currently work with Basecamp Mobile. The iOS app hasn’t been updated in over 13 months.
I haven’t heard anything from Garmin that would indicate otherwise (that could well change with a single note from them 1 minute from now, but it hasn’t to date).
It’s a shame though – I personally haven’t found a way to create a route and get it onto a Garmin device without using GC on the desktop. Would be great to be able to do that on a mobile via some option.
The short version of a very long discussion/thread is that we won’t see Basecamp Mobile be updated, but that we’ll likely see it consolidated into their existing Garmin Connect Mobile app. They were seemingly keenly aware of the current gap and are trying to remedy it as quick as possible, they said: “What I can’t provide is an exact timeline, but for things like waypoints, we definitely realize the concern and know we need to meet customers where they are today, which is much more likely to be on their mobile device than their desktop.”
THX for your work!
I hope Garmin will also address track management with a IOS and Android… The feature I used most was to import a GPX track (or waypoints) from the mail application or a webpage or my Dropbox into BCM, then send it to my Fenix 1 or Oregon 650….
Would be a big step back for me…
Fenix2 would show steps in a given activity in the history on the watch for each run but the fenix3 only appears to show steps for the entire day. I’ve searched for steps in just the current activity but cannot find it. Anyone figure this out? Fenix2 step count was only visible from the watch history, it wouldn’t upload it but it was still an interesting stat to see for a given run…
If anyone is curious I mapped out a course and tried out some of the navigation (course) features:
– When using the directional pointer, link to dcrainmaker.com , screen it probably took 4 or 5 seconds at an intersection to indicate the new direction. It was great for hiking or running but probably not as useful for biking (the map screen might be better for that.)
– When I intentionally turned in the wrong direction, I only made it about 20ft before the Fenix3 alerted me I was off-track by vibrating and beeping. The alert was firm but not annoying and obviously wasn’t effected by the screen I’d chosen to display.
– It didn’t appear that the directional pointer was a field that be added to a screen with other custom metrics, this was mildly disappointed but not a big deal.
Ray – not sure if you’ve noticed but a possible reason for repetitive postings is that when posting using iPhone – mine is iPhone 6, there is an error message stating that post was unsuccessful, with a warning symbol; background also turns yellow. The post however is successful. Apols if you’ve already picked this up but thought it helpful to let you know. Feel free to delete this post as it’s not rel to the fenix 3 discussion.
Yeah, I see that occasionally – almost always from mobile phones, though it seems to vary (mostly Android, so this is the first I’ve heard of it on iOS). I’m sending a note over to the developer dudes now to see if they can poke at it some more. Appreciate it!
Since last weekend when my F3 picked up the v2.90 software update I notice that battery life under normal watch operations has been cut dramatically. I charged the watch on sunday night after a run. Last night it read almost full battery. This morning the watch was dead. I plugged it in the charger and read 1% battery after a few minutes charging. Have you heard any issues with the new sw that decreases battery life?
Also it seems Garmin did not get the update process quite right. On this F3 even after installing the update the watch continues to ask to install the update over again.
Have you heard of similar issues?
I have seen others complain about the request for install even after the update. I am curious, did you do the software upgrade directly by watch over wifi OR did you do it by plugging into the computer and doing it through garmin express?
I had the same issue. Went to bed with 100% and woke up with around 50% just before heading our for an event. I restarted the phone, and read on Garmin forums that Auto-Upload in Wifi could be the issue, so turned that off. Since then I have not had the issue again and battery life is good. It might not be anything to do with Auto-upload but I haven’t turn it back on yet to test.
I also had the multiple install thing but that seems to have sorted itself out now. One thing I have seen suggested is that GUPDATE.gcd is being left in the Garmin folder on the device – so you could check that and delete it if it is still there.
I saw the increda-battery-burn after the update as well this weekend on one watch. Basically 80% to 0% in less than a dozen hours. I flagged it to the Fenix team, and also pointed them to the Garmin Forums thread with others seeing the same.
That said, once I recharged, I haven’t seen it happen again – and battery usage seems normal. For me it seems to have been a one-time thing, almost as if something wasn’t ‘set’ right after the update install but once it hard-powered off it was fine.
Do you still have the same issue or were you able to fix it? I just made a post today about a very similar issue I am now facing with the firmware 2.3.
I’m on 4.90 firmware version. This bug with “asking to install the same update over and over again” is very annoying and because of it the watch responds very slow. For me it started right after I installed 4.20 and it continued with all of the updates all the way to 4.90. I do not have the this Garmin software team behaves like is on super tight budget, i.e. cannot afford extensive testing before they decide to rollout update. Or worse yet, they lack skills to do better job. I should have stayed away from Garmin. Very disappointed. By the way, I no not have this “GUPDATE.gcd” in the main folder of my watch and the “install” message keeps popping.
I have been using a grey fenix 3 for two days. Did 1 indoor and 1 outdoor run, took a few showers and dried it off with a towel, and slept with it on. Don’t recall hitting the watch against anything. The glass already has several fine scratches that weren’t on from new. Based on this, I’m thinking the sapphire might be a better option. It is a shame Garmin doesn’t sell the sapphire without the metal band for a cheaper price. Also experienced major GPS drift on my run yesterday with Smart Tacking on (by accident), trying 1 second tracking today. Otherwise the looks, feature set, and functionality are great.
Hi and thanks for the great (as always) review!
I read that there will be support for the Di2 integration.
Do you know if there is a planned support for the Dura Ace Di2 STIs.
You mentioned it in your Garmin Edge update article:
‘Added Shimano Di2 shifter remote control support. Now you can advance training pages on your Edge 1000 remotely with your Shimano Di2 shifters.’
I got my fenix 3. And its great.
I just want to ask anyone know how to make a duathlon profile with transition? Separating the bike from the run?
And when creating a new profile can seem to find the cadence profile so i can put data feild of speed and cadence sensor.
Thanks.
please help… maybe it’s a dumb question , but i dont know how to update the software to 4.80 ( link to www8.garmin.com ). the watch says it’s up to date with 2.90, and garmin connect says it’s 2.30… both say i’m up to date. tryed with garmin express too… 2.30, you’re up to date 🙂
and also i cant set up the date. actualy i didnt found any field in settings to allow this. i use analog watch face, and it says 27 feb 🙂
if anyone has any ideea please share. thank you a lot
I’ve read on the Garmin forums that users with both watches have used the Fenix 2 leather strap on the Fenix 3 without problem. So I’d say yes you can.
great review again thanks,
do you know if the di-2 wireless d-fly works with the watch (app it works with the garmin 1000 if on the correct firmware) ?
also have you heard anything further on this?; link to velonews.competitor.com
I got the Fenix 3 now for 1 week. I like the watch and use it every day. However the GPS accuracy dissapointed me a lot in last run. This was my first run in a forrest with this watch and it lost track completely. In the end it said i ran 9km instead of 9.86 (recorded with 2 other devices). According the map i ended a few hundred meters away from the starting point, but start and finish where the same position. I hope this is not a hardware issue and a firmware update will solve this issue.
Btw recording was at 1 sec intervals and GLONASS was on.
Try turning off GLONASS, that’s generally a good first step for troubleshooting GPS accuracy (after having turned on 1s recording, which you did already). Also, if you haven’t done so yet, let the GPS ‘soak’ for about 10-15 mins outside sometime (GPS-on), just sitting there.
Ray, I agree that these are the right steps to debug/help the situation but going forward how do you see GLONASS being useful? For someone like you who travels a lot, does Garmin expect you to be constantly testing the GPS/GLONASS signal in order to determine which setting provides the best accuracy? I wish the watch itself would calculate the Horizontal Dilution of Precision (HDoP) for both GLONASS on and off, and automatically determine (for the given geographic location) which one is better to use.
WRT the “soaking” suggestion, in the past one could see both the HDoP estimate and the Satellite SNR bars fill-in which meant that the watch had acquired the transmitted Ephemeris (instead of the estimated/cached one). What are we supposed to do now, just wait and hope the ephemeris downloaded with no UI indication?
I honestly don’t understand why Garmin removed the SNR/HDoP status page which is very useful for people who want to have the best track for any given day’s GPS constellation.
For me, I tend to just leave it on. I’ve had pretty good luck with it, especially in city environments. I haven’t seen any adverse impacts in the forests I run in, but they also aren’t dense redwoods either.
I still don’t have a good reason as to why that page was removed on recent watches. I keep poking them on it. I wish, if nothing else, that they’d expose that through Connect IQ. And, also record it. It’s really make support troubleshooting a heck of a lot easier too.
Exposing the GPS accuracy over Connect IQ would be brilliant and the recording would be great too.
BTW and for comparison, the Suunto Ambit line records Number of Satellites, HDOP and EHPE values in the .SML (standard XML) track files, making it “easy” to see where GPS was struggling. I put easy in quotes because someone needs to dig deep to find these variables which are unfortunately not exposed by Suunto’s App API. So no real-time GPS accuracy information on the Ambit line either!
was one of the other devices a 920xt? as they ought to be same hardware and similar firmware, it would be great side by side comparison, right? meaning if F3 struggled so should 920xt also right?
yes of course the F3 has the new ring antenna. how epic would it be that engineering and test screwed up and new antenna and placement has worse performance that the 920xt. that aside as stated in the review, the F3 is essentially a 920xt wrapped in a different package, so difference in GPS should be reflected, and in theory worse in the 920.
feature wise it may be similar but we can’t be sure the hardware is the same. I think battery is also different so that along with antenna & the shell could all play a part. I don’t think i’ve seen anything stating the GPS chip is the same either but i could be wrong.
Not sure how to leave the GPS on for the soak. I tried going to the run app and getting a signal, but it wouldn’t stay on for more than five minutes before shutting off. Figuring it was a setting issue, I went in and changed it to Extended under power save and it did the same thing. On the original Fenix, I could just go to the GPS tools, turn on one like satellite view, and it would stay on forever. Sorry, but what am I doing wrong on this one to be able to do the soak?
There’s no perfect answer there. For most folks, in general, turning on can provide additional satellites (it won’t change lock times). However, for a small handful, it seems to cause issues. But, that handful tends to be based on location – more than a person. Meaning, it might be a certain forested area is challenging due to the terrain/conditions of that area.
I’ve seen no tangible difference using the unit in North America, Europe, South Africa, or the Middle East. In my case, I’ve had good luck leaving GLONASS as on.
So I just found something interesting in the Connect Mobile App. If you go to Devices, click on Fenix 3, click Connect IQ Apps, then Manage Storage, it shows that you can only install 16 apps/widgets/data fields/watch faces to the watch and only 512KB is dedicated to these add-ons. That means even if you use all of the available slots, you will still have over 20MB of storage on the watch.
I ASSumed he meant CT, that is who I have ordered from. But sadly no order ship confirmation in the mail today…. Man they must have had a ton of orders pre 01/07…
hi,
i use fenix 3 for 3 days. for now is ok. but i do not know about smart notifications. i got info about SMS but i can not read it on watch. is is possible or not?
If you had a choice of buying Fenix 3 at £330 (or $ 490) or Ambit 3 Peak at £250(or $ 380), which one would you recommend to get?
Assuming the bike sensor lack of support on the Ambit 3 is acceptable, for now. And the lack of the activity tracking (steps etc).
Thanks Sean B. I’ve seen the table and read the reviews. I was looking more for a “human comparison” assessing the price vs difference in features / user interface.
Ok. So Jan 7th Grey HRM bundle preorder. Who is our bookie? Whats the over-under on whether we get good news later today or more “We are working through backorder as fast as…” blah blah 🙂 Patience.. I know.. Patience..
FWIW, just got confirmation from Clever Training that my 1/10/15 order for the F3 Grey Performer bundle is in with today’s shipment and will be shipping out today. So they did get a shipment of F3s today. Good luck…..
Yes, they got another shipment in today (Grey bundle, Silver Bundle). They have another shipment leaving Garmin today to them (Sapphire, Grey bundle). They’re awaiting tracking to find out if Garmin correctly processed that for overnight as requested.
Finally, while semi-related, the first (large) batch of Vivoactive’s also arrive Monday to CT.
Ok, two updates to my previous update. The Grey bundles expected to ship from Garmin today, actually already came in today – sorry for that. But, they did confirm that the next lot shipping from Garmin today (Sapphires) did indeed go out overnight, so they’ll arrive Monday.
Thanks for everything Ray….tempting though it was to cancel the CT order and go REI, it’s nice to know that you get a little something out of the CT orders….plus it saved me some good money over REI, so worth the wait as it turned out :-)……looking forward to logging my first pool swim and hike this weekend. Joe
I appreciate the support Joe! I think we’re getting close to clearing out the backorders. Hopefully next week will be a tipping point (they don’t yet have details for what will be shipping to them next week).
As always, thanks for the high quality work you perform, it’s world class and highly appreciated.
Question: would you have visibility on which are the chances Garmin will fulfill CT with the required F3s to complete all backorders during the next week?
At this point, I just want to understand if holding for CT for the next 2 weeks makes sense (I pre-ordered a Gray bundle on 2/10).
It’s hard to say, they won’t get their next week shipment numbers until next week. They had (another) good ‘come to Jesus’ type call this morning with Garmin regarding Fenix3 shipments, so hopefully that results in more shipments next week. It sounds like the larger production volumes from Garmin won’t now happen till the week after.
Thanks for the quick reply, will keep my fingers crossed, otherwise no smart phone connectivity for my Nokia 928 till next year when I can get a new phone.
A Windows App would be great an a big Chance for Garmin in my opinion with Windows 10 on it’s way and the universal apps that run on phone, tablet and Desktop. There are already quite some universal apps (fitbit, dropbox, OneDrive, etc)
Ray, thanks again for a great review. Any issues with the watch while removing a wetsuit? I didn’t see any mention of this in the review and it’s been an issue with other watches.
It’s not entirely easy, I’ll say that. I actually have a video I completely forgot to post, where I took it trying to remove the wetsuit with the watch on. In the process I managed to punch myself in the face (and even got a bloody lip). I’ll have to see where that clip went…
To be fair, it was the first time I’d attempted it, and so I think with a bit of tinkering I could figure out the trick to it.
Just got my Fenix 3. Very impressed with the looks of it. One question: the 920xt has a useful shortcut menu. Press the 3-dot button, and it can do things like calibrate your power meter without hunting through menus. I haven’t seen any indication in the manual or elsewhere that the Fenix 3 has this same functionality. Hoping somebody will tell me I’m wrong. . .Thanks.
So far as I can tell this is something missing in the Fenix 3. I’ve searched “calibrate” and “power meter” in the owner’s manual and find nothing on calibrating power meters. I hope it is added!!! I am loving the Fenix however and have used it for run/bike/swim.
Hi all!
I had a Fenix2 and it was a disaster of bugs! I love Suunto and I’m using the Ambits from 3 generations! Less functions, often not necessary, but great reliability!
I was thinking to get an F3 but I’m still reading about freezing and bugs!!!
Garmin continues to invest in Connect-IQ and others “astronomical features” but does not solve reliability problems! I seem to see that Ray tries to hide the problems!
I’m very sorry because now Garmin seemed to solved another big problem: poor materials quality.
I like the F3 esthetically but Suunto is another planet.
Thank you. 🙂
Hi Ray!
Mine is not a criticism. No need to have an F3, just read the reviews on your site.
Meanwhile I’m writing, the last comment here (n°682) confirm the problem.
I think the Fenix was born, as the Ambit, as an Ultra watch for endurance. Garmin should focus his work to improve the real necessity of this kind of athlete, instead to put in new features often not necessary. People that asks Widget, Apps, etc… will purchase Apple Watch or similar…
I’m testing the new Suunto Ambit sw and now this watch is able to track an UTMB or TOR DES GEANTS fully!
This is what really asks this kind of athletes.
In my view…
Hi Ray!
Mine is not a criticism. No need to have an F3, just read the reviews on your site.
Meanwhile I’m writing, the last comment here (n°682) confirm the problem.
I think the Fenix was born, as the Ambit, as an Ultra watch for endurance. Garmin should focus his work to improve the real necessity of this kind of athlete, instead to put in new features often not necessary. People that asks Widget, Apps, etc… will purchase Apple Watch or similar…
I’m testing the new Suunto Ambit sw and now this watch is able to track an UTMB or TOR DES GEANTS fully!
This is what really asks this kind of athletes.
In my view…
Best Regards
You are the top in reviews! 🙂
Antonio
While waiting for my 1/10 CT Preorder, I feel a lot Ralphie from “A Christmas Story” waiting for his little Orphan Annie secret decoder ring. So when the CT update email came today, I couldn’t help but say “Oh, skunked again!” Maybe next week 🙂
The only silver long for my 2/8 CT grey bundle order is I get to watch all of you beta testers experience software lock ups. When I get my pre order in 4-6 more weeks, we’ll be on v6.0 of the firmware.
Ray, any word from Garmin on your end regarding the 2.9–>2.3 firmware rollback thing? The fenix3 forum is full of confused people trying to work out what they should be installing on the watch, with some reporting that Garmin reps have told them on the phone that they should use the ancient Webupdater software to downgrade to 2.3, while nothing is posted officially by Garmin themselves, other than Garmin Express saying 2.3 is the ‘current’ firmware, despite the watch saying 2.9! Is there any concern that staying on 2.9 could cause issues? Is that the longest sentence ever posted?
Bit of a mess altogether, but I’m sure it’ll all come together eventually, both for Garmin and my sentence structure!
According to the forums, and this is from the garmin support team, “This change is part of a roll back. Due to some recently identified issues, the most recent update has been removed until it can be made more stable. At this time the version you are on is the current, most stable version. Please let us know if you have any further questions.”
Apparently 2.9 is being rolled back to 2.3 to iron out some bugs? This is confirmed by people who have done this and lost music controls.
The current BLE/ANT is showing as 2.7 on peoples watches.
Current wisdom on the forums is if you are having problems, downgrade to 2.3. If not, stick with 2.9.
Got my F3 yesterday and got blocked/stopped by the v2.3 v2.9 thing. Pretty much stuck with using v2.3 it seems and there appear to be no avenue to get to later support for button lock, connectIQ and the other goodies. Any words through your Garmin channel Ray?
Can anyone tell me if there are any other watches that will continue to record gps while being charged by an external battery pack? 99% of the time a typical 8-10 battery life would work for me but once or twice a year I run a 100 miler and would like a watch that could last for the entire race without having to be in “ultra mode”. The Fenix 3 looks like a great watch but is probably more then I need for the majority of my running and I am looking for other options. Thanks. For any response.
Ambit3, with the last sw 1.5, offers a battery of 20h with 1 sec fix and 200h with 1 min fix!!! I’m testing the sw. It will be released in the next weeks.
Have my F3 and love it. I also use an Edge when cycling, so I get a record of time and distance etc, but the Fenix (GPS off) records lots of steps – is this unavoidable without turning activity tracking off or using the Fenix to record the ride?
I received my Fenix 3 today and it worked fine for a few amazing hours…then it froze. I’ve seen that some other people have had issues with their unit freezing on vibrate after a notification, but my device is actually just stuck on the ‘GARMIN’ start up screen. Has anyone else had this issue? I’ve tried holding down the light button for 25+ seconds, and that makes the screen go completely blank (black screen, no logo, no data), but then when I start it back up, it still won’t progress past the ‘GARMIN’ screen. I’ve also tried plugging it into my computer and AC power. Through Garmin Express, my device will appear and the screen will show that it’s charging, but then when I unplug it, it either just stays on the charging screen or goes back to the GARMIN screen. It’s like it’s not booting up or something.
I’ve submitted a support request to Garmin, but was just wondering if you or anyone else out there had another other suggestions for things I could try? I really want to use my new watch!
When you connect it to your computer can you get to the storage on the watch? Might be worth deleting (or moving to your computer) any history files (sorry I can’t check the location of those at the moment but I think it is fairly obvious). Just wondering if one of those files is corrupt and stopping the watch booting?
My Fenix 3 also froze during a sync from ConnectIQ when I received a text message notification and then remained frozen on the Garmin start up screen.
Ultimately, all I had to do was connect the device to my computer via USB, delete the history, and manually complete the sync on Garmin Connect. I have not had any issues since this initial glitch and finished a triathlon with it this past Sunday, so hopefully it was a one-time thing but wanted to share this experience in case others have had a similar problem (when mine froze there were no comments re freezing on DCRainmaker – probably a good sign for Fenix 3).
The Garmin folks (Taiwan team) were very helpful with their suggestions, including the delete the history fix that ended up working.
(It’s my post so also should say thanks Ray – been reading your stuff for awhile and really appreciate the insight!)
Nice job this review DCR ! Thnx
I’m interested in this multisport watch but…
I’ve 2 questions! Maybe the answers are already explained somewhere in the review, but still…
1) Gps function:
Is it possible to switch on/off the GPS manually? If not, is it possible with other watches? Because during daily activities or at night nobody needs to know where I am, what’s my HR, … for example.
2) Connectivity with smart phone:
I use a very simple Nokia mobile. I suppose that I’m not required to have a smart phone in combination with Garmin Fenix 3?
GPS Function – The GPS is only turned on when you are in an activity that uses the GPS, it is not on all the time. In addition unless you turn on Live Tracking on a connected phone, no one can get your location from just the watch even with GPS turned on.
Connectivity – You do not need a Smart Phone. The watch can sync connected to a computer or using Wifi on it’s own.
First thing, if you are going to use the F3 as your activity tracker, then make sure you sync your current vivofit/smart to get the most previous data before you answer the question if you want to make the F3 your activity tracker. It’s much cleaner to get your updated step data into GC this way than having to go back and promote and demote and sync and all that.
Now since I did not own a vivosmart, I can’t comment on its functionality for you, but I can comment on the sync between phone alerts and reading on the F3. I was rather impressed with this function. As Ray stated, I feel the vibrate on the F3 slightly before the phone alerts me. I see plenty of info on the screen to determine whether I need to pull the phone out of my back pocket or camel back to respond or continue on with exercise(cyclist that wears cycling jerseys to run when I carry my phone) and life is good. I like the fact that its all in one. Lets me free up a wrist now as I previously wore the F2 as a daily watch on one and the vivofit on the other. I say combine and sell the vivosmart, but remember….this is from my experience with only the F3 version and not an owner of the vivosmart.
Love my F3, but have issue with calorie count being off by about 15% on indoor runs (low by 15% to be exact). Comparing almost identical runs with my FR620 from 2 weeks ago and the F3 today for an 8 mile run F3 is 15% lower on calories. Same foot pod, same HRM and stats almost exactly the same (pace, Max HR, AVG HR).
Comparing outdoor runs they match pretty well and I don’t see the difference.
Foot pod is calibrated reasonably well (within 2%), but don’t think that should matter.
I have noticed the same…. but my outdoor runs are affected too. I believe I burn 90-100 cals per running mile (at least that’s what every Garmin I have had for the last 8 years has reflected). So for a 4 mile run I would end with a calorie burn of 370-400 or so. My recent 4 mile run with Fenix 3 showed a burn of 250. Intellectually, I know the number itself matters little…. it’s just a label and whatever I burned, I burned regardless of what a watch says. But, it kind of pisses me off….. I have also seen some threads about this on the Garmin forums. Some are speculating that it will become more accurate in time. I’m not sure about that….
Interesting, I’ll dig back into my indoor runs and see how it compares to the FR920XT and other units.
I’d agree that for 4mi, 250c is pretty low (unless you’re super lightweight). I haven’t seen any indication that calorie burn is ‘learned’ (which is different from something like VO2Max). But I can check with them.
I had the same experience with the 920t and now seeing it with the first few f3 runs, too. Tim Grose explained that calorie count is in fact learned. I can see that given that effort is related to heart rate and heart rate zones are a factor in VO2max calculations that are learned. I didn’t think it through all the way, but is seems feasible.
My f3 seems to have adjusted itself. I am 5’9″, 155# male. First run was about 70 calories per mile. Second was around 84 and today it registered about 105, which is where I was with the 920xt. This is at a 7:30-8:00 pace. I think it has figured me out, which is important for me since I figure out how much more I can eat based roughly on these numbers.
Seems the same for me now. Not sure if FW update or just somehow is aligned with VO2Max, or if setting the HR Zones again and making sure those are right and using non-Default values fixed it, but now in the range of 95 – 115 calories per mile which is same range I have gotten in the past from 620, and seems correct to me.
Interval training is CRITICAl to my race prep. So, what I would love to know, can I set 2 kinds of intervals I like that any basic $40 Timex can do: (1) Tabatas – 20 seconds hard /chime/ 10 seconds rest /chime/ x 8-10 sets and stop and (2) 1 min repeat interval timer that endlessly goes and chimes at every 1 minute (or any duration I pick). Can it do intervals like this?
You can create a highly customized interval experience, but there isn’t a way to do never-ending intervals though.
However, you can actually use run/walk mode, which is never-ending – and that oddly works really well for a host of scenarios (I occasionally use it for nutrition alerts actually).
So for Tabatas would you not go into Garmin Connect, make a “Workout” and make a 2 step workout of “Interval” of 20 seconds and then “Recovery” of 10 seconds and repeat for your desired 8-10 sets and send to watch?
And when you say “never-ending intervals” are you referring to my desires to endlessly beep every 1 minutes?
Yes, for the first part – you can absolutely do that. I was mostly referring to the endlessly beeping part (meaning, on GC you have to specify X numbers of repeats).
That said, you can do that with a simple Time alert, which basically will beep forever at a given specified interval.
Why is my altimeter reading 1100 when im at 580? I havent really moved from this elevation all day. Ive come from owning suuntos and ive never had an issue like this. Really disappointing for a outdoors watch. I get that GPS will adjust it but you shouldn’t need to do that.
I calibrated it to the correct height manually. I then had to go out to the store and whatnot and this morning when i wake up its +150ft. For an ABC watch this is unacceptable. My suuntos never did that. I might have to go back to Suunto because I need the altimeter to be right in the mountains.
Can you please indicate how I can buy this for delivery to Singapore? I can have someone bring it to me to India from there. Currently, Amazon USA says its out of stock – period, REI and Garmin US both say no commitment whatsoever on deliveries. If I get it delivered to US, I’ll need to wait till July before somebody travels over here. Any suggestions on sites thatll manage Sg delivery?
Ray, I notice on the Fenix 2 review you show a map and route page with a dashed line indicating a preset route. Is that feature available on the Fenix 3 still?
Hi,
I’m wondering, if CT just started to ship pre-orders from January, when they will ship the ones ordered recently?
Should I ask them such question?
Ray, any idea how big is the backlog?
Cheers,
T
They have started to ship pre-orders from January (and beyond in some cases). The date varies by model bought. You should also be receiving a weekly Friday email from Clever Training (usually Friday evening). There have been units arriving almost every day the past week (Mon/Tues/Weds/Fri), plus again some on Monday tomorrow. They haven’t yet received details on next week, but they did have (another) pretty substantial call with Garmin late last week – so they’re optimistic that might unblock some backlog there.
Ultimately though, globally there’s just a shortage there. Demand has far outpaced supply.
It will with the BlueSCv2 (which is dual ANT+/Bluetooth Smart), but not with the original version, which is Bluetooth Smart only. You can look on the side of the unit to see which one you have (it’ll have an ANT+ logo on it, if v2).
Hello Ray, will waypoints in future become available to see on computer?
F1, and F2 supported that , F3 seems to hide them.
You can see tracks, but you cant see saved locations.
Several items:
1) on my run today, i waited for the pace to drop to zero. i had a green circle. Yet during the run it was obvious the satellite strength had dropped as pace wobbled a bit, and the tracks showed my loop around the lake as me having walked on water at certain points. Im not good enough to walk on water.
2) I’ve noticed the battery life to drain fast, and i mean FAST. i do have bluetooth and notifications enabled, however I can say that my watch and phone weren’t paired for at least a day as I turned BT off my phone. Am i correct in saying battery life was hampered due to watch constantly searching for phone for pairing?
3) Ray, does the VIVOACTIVE use the same GPS chipset OR is the vivoactive using something more similar to a googlemaps type of tracking resulting in different accuracy (sorry not a tech guy so I apologize if my question sounds stupid). I ask because unless the sat strength on the F3 improves, using the watch would not be useful for me as a training tool. Maybe I need to wait an add’l 30-60 seconds after the pace drops to zero before actually starting?
1 & 3) I’d look to do a GPS ‘soak’, so basically just turn it on and leave it outside with GPS enabled for 10-15 minutes. It often helps. Also, not sure if you have GLONASS on or off, but try doing the opposite of whatever setting you have it on.
2) If you’re seeing battery life that’s putting you on target for less than a week, then something is up. The 2.90 firmware version/update was pulled on Friday, and I suspect a large reason is due to extremely high battery burn issues that popped up in that release (for myself and others). It seems that for me at least once I let the battery drain fully, it’s been fine since then.
I had GLONASS on with my 920 and no issues, I’m surprised turning it off on the F3 (same internal stuff as the 920) “could” help. When the watch is left on the gps screen for too long it will default back to the standard time screen, so I wonder how can it soak if it defaults back after 5 mins. Do I need to stand over it to make sure the screen stays on GPS?
Battery: 100% before bed last night. This morning the battery is easily at 99% based on the indicator. I’m thinking the constant internal searching for BT pairing was the issue? We will see how the week of use pans out and I’ll do my best to update the blog.
I submitted a support request for excessive battery drain, and this is the response I got:
“Dear Scott,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I am happy to help. Unfortunately you have a device that has not been released yet. Garmin is not completely ready with the Fenix 3 software. We were not expected to have our retailers sell the device until the end of March. Our engineers are working on the software and should release updates to fix any potential issues closer to the official launch. We apologize for any inconvenience.
With Best Regards,
Scott 58xx
Customer Care – Outdoor Team
Garmin International”
So the Garmin was sent to the retailers but they weren’t supposed to sell or ship it to customers yet because the software isn’t ready? Not quite sure what to make of that email.
And by excessive battery drain I was on 2.9 and losing up to 10% an hour. I’ve since downgraded to 2.3, and manually erased all .fit files via USB on top of doing a Master Reset, and after 24 hours I’m down to 39% with just a 1:14 hr bike ride and no other activities since being fully charged. So I’m getting bad battery life with 2.3 also, which is why I emailed Support.
Interesting answer I would say! This means that all the units out there now, are some kind of pre-production units? This makes me somehow happy for still waiting for my order through official channels (though there probarly isn’t any difference, but you never know).
This has got to be a misinformed customers care agent – surely there is no way Garmin would send out 1000’s of preproduction units to the general public!
I think I’d go back to Scott 58xx and politely question how that can be correct, and point to the availability of the Fenix 3 on REI and others stores world-wide.
This is really worrying. I literally just booked my Fenix 3 from a HK distributor (pure performance distributors) and was informed it’ll be shipped immediately to the HK address I provide – its available readily with them. Am I to take it that this could be a premature delivery with the same software glitches potentially? It’ll be useful if you cross question this sales person please.
I replied back to him and I’m sure it’ll take a day or two to answer. I would guess that the hardware isn’t pre-production, but that the software is, and that come end of March when you hook it up to Garmin Express it’ll update the software. Sounds like the watches being sent to the retailers were to hold them and instead REI began shipments, and so did every other retailer following REI’s lead. Garmin probably forgot to tell the retailers to hold until XX date. Just a guess though.
Sorry, but I call BS on the “not released yet” claim. No way does CT have multiple daily conversations with Garmin about Fenix3 stock shipments and nobody thinks to bring that up.
My guess is Scott 58xx is simply a misinformed customer service agent.
Agreed, it’s simply just a misinformed agent, the Fenix3 is and has been shipping (however slow it may seem). I’ll forward along to the proper folks for some assisted learning…
Hi I too submitted a support request and got quite a different answer.
“Thank you for contacting Garmin International.
Do you charge the device on the computer, or through a wall adapter?
To soft reset the press and hold the light for at least 25 seonds.
In some cases a device may appear charged, but a build up of sweat and other dirt can cause some interference. If your device will not power on or take a charge following the soft reset, the charging contacts on the back of the watch and/or charging accessory will need to be cleaned as one of them may have become oxidized.
Disconnect charging accessory
Thoroughly clean the contacts on the watch and charging accessory. The following non-abrasive cleaning agents are safe and effective options for cleaning the contacts:
Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl)
Eye glass cleaner
Electronic screen wipes
Pencil eraser
Once all contacts have been cleaned, soft reset the device again using the instructions above.
With Best Regards,
Aaron 6347
Customer Care – Outdoor Team
Garmin International”
From the Garmin forums, I see the battery drain seems to be an issue. What worked for me (and others according to the forum posts) was to turn off “auto-update” over wifi. My battery was draining ~5%/hour, but after turning off auto update, the battery drain has been significantly better.
regarding the battery drain problem, i believe that somehow the gps remains on even after you end your activity. it happened the same to me. so i manualy restart the watch after i finish every activity that needs gps and it seems to work. no battery drain after that. i use firmware version 2.90 at this moment. didnt tryed 3.0 (released this morning) just yet.
this is just an assumption, hope it helps
Did my first real outdoor short ride today with the f3 (now that the spring has broken out here). I road a route that I have ridden many times and know the distance to be 12 miles. I have plotted it on Google Earth and ridden in with my old Forerunner 15. At the end of the ride,tThe f3 indicated that I had ridden only 10.28 miles. I looked at the map plot of the route and don’t see any differences captured in this route versus the previous rides. Any idea why there would be such a discrepancy? The f3 has been spot on during my runs and has been great during my pool swims. Have been very pleased with the f3 (even returned my 920xt), but this is difference in distance is baffling. Thanks.
Ray,
Yes, I do have a Garmin speed sensor mounted, but set it to calibrate automatically. Shortly after starting the ride, the watch alerted me that the tire circumference had been determined. I did this mainly so that I have good speed and distance data on the trainer. I had assumed that in regular bike mode the f3 would use GPS for speed and distance. I don’t see a setting for selecting source in the bike mode settings. I also don’t see a setting for the speed sensor to make it the default source. It does have a wheel size (auto: 2100 mm). I’ll need to check whether that number is right when I get back to where my bike is. thanks.
That sounds better. 2100 is in the right ballpark. The only other thing to check is if auto pause somehow got enabled with quirky settings. If the map is right though, and the wheelsize is now right, not quite sure on why the distances are off.
I did enable auto-stop “when stopped” but that doesn’t seem quirky. I notice some fluctuations in speed during the ride where the speed displayed was obviously well below the speed I was riding. I’ll have to take some more rides and see what happens. I can always remove the speed sensor for outdoor rides.
Rode essentially the same ride today with very comparable results (f3 mounted on a garmin handlebar mount). Again I noticed speed fluctuations during the ride (speed displayed as 11mph or so when actual speed was more like 16 or 17). Given that, I don’t know if the speed sensor has anything to do with the problem, but I will remove it for the next ride (not sure when that will be given the forecast of 3-5 inches of snow :(. If it’s not the speed sensor, then I have a real problem with the f3 accuracy. It seems right on the money during runs so I don’t understand why it would be an issue while riding. Any other thoughts? Thanks.
I was finally able to get out for another ride, this time with the speed sensor deleted from the sensor pool. The distance was just as I expe for the well worn route that I rode. So I guess my question now is what device has the problem: speed sensor or F3? I do still want to use the speed sensor while on the trainer, so I’d like to figur it out. Any suggestions?
Hi
I am trying to order from amazon US but still not available. Any suggestion on where it is available?
How do you setup wifi on the fenix 3? I have a windows mobile phone and there is no garmin connect app for that. So I would like to use wifi to upload my workouts when back home.
Thanks
Mario
Two questions for those that have their F3 already:
1) there were numerous screen protector discussions above and the pre-review. Does anyone have any 1st hand experience when any on the F3 specifically? I was leaning torwards KlearKare 38mm one.
2) my Grey F3 is due to arrive tomorrow. I’ve heard of some snafu’s during initial turn on and stuff. what should I do right out the box. Power it up outside and just let it soak for 20min? then come inside to change and hookup to computer? Possibly updating firmware then? Whats next, recommended?
1) I bought the Moto360 Screenguard made by Membrane (pack of 6), which was easy to apply, comes with all the cleaners and stuff to apply/adjust it easily etc. It has perhaps a 0.5mm overlap off the edge of the glass but this doesn’t seem to be of any significance – I have run, cycled, swum and showered with it and it’s not budged. Seems to be doing the job nicely, though I haven’t been brave enough to deliberately test its protection….
2) Yeah, pretty much. Except until 3.0 FW comes out, you’ll be stuck on 2.3.
They’re making good headway. A large chunk of Sapphires arrived into CT today and are currently being processed to ship back out this afternoon.
Additionally, they just got confirmation of another large chunk of Grey Bundles to arrive tomorrow, that should clear out more than half the backlog. They’re awaiting details for the rest of the week (one day at a time).
As for the F3 in the waterproofing chamber, it’s on my list to do add. I like to do a bunch of watches at once, mostly because I have to empty the chamber afterwards otherwise it rusts, and it’s bit of a pain in the butt to get all setup. But I’ve got a number of watches here sitting around that need to go in it. Perhaps tomorrow, as tonight is looking pretty busy already.
You were right, today I received the shipping notice. Thanks for your support. I take the opportunity to invite you to Colombia. Please let us know if you will travel to Colombia in the future.
BTW, this from Garmin official: “[As of today] The fēnix 3 has been released worldwide and is currently being shipped to retail stores. I’m sorry for the delay and for any frustration”
Bonjour et merci pour ce test complet de la Fenix 3.
Maintenant j’attends avec impatience qu’elle sorte réellement en France (apparemment elle est déjà disponible dans le magasin “Le Vieux Campeur” link to auvieuxcampeur.fr)
J’espère aussi que tu vas très bientôt nous faire un test complet de la Garmin Epix. Parce qu’en fait j’hésite beaucoup entre les 2.
Je suis tombé par hasard sur ton blog et découvre avec plaisir que tu vis à Paris.
Indeed, Le Vieux Campeur is about 100m away from me, familiar with them.
As for Epix, it’s likely going to be a while. Right now they’re looking at delivery dates in late April or May, so realistically it won’t be until they’re closer to shipping.
Interestingly an outdoor website in the Netherlands lists it as available April 6th (exclusively for their store brand) But I think they’re very optimistic, oddly enough they don’t even list the Fenix 3 where the Epix is available for pre-orders.
Is there a fabric/ velcro strap for the Fenix 3, or what straps are compatible?
Is the 610 fabric strap or Fenix 2 strap compatible?
I only ever use the fabric straps and doesn’t look like on is included with this Fenix update!
Thanks.
This has been brought up in previous posts but now that more folks have their hands on a Sapphire F3, any further thoughts on using the metal band? I ordered the Sapphire for the harder glass (My F2 has several scratches already) but loved the metal band to make the watch look much nicer. But I wonder about the added weight and the durability/how it feels swimming, biking, and riding, what are folks doing?
My Sapphire F3 still hasn’t shipped so I’m just trying to mentally prepare 🙂 Thanks for any insight you folks can provide.
Steve,
I have two 1 hour runs and one 1 hour bike ride behind me. I was telling everyone that I’ll most likely stick to the metal band despite the extra weight but I am now looking for an online shop to get a fabric strap for my Fenix 3.
The problem for me is probably not very uncommon; removing two metal pieces made it loose enough to feel comfortable and when we tried to remove three metal pieces, it was too tight so I sticked to minus two pieces.
Now I realized that all my runs so far have been with a long sleeve light jacket and just to be sure, I tried the last mile with a short sleeve and the watch became immediately too shaky to read on my arm. Long story short, I’ll go for something that will make it more stable. Reading something while running is a challenge on its own, I don’t want to add a shaking to the equation, need my eyes for a while 🙂
Try a nato strap. I will be using one (two really, for different colors) on the Fenix 3 Saphire that I’m getting for my birthday – thanks to my wife. I currently use a nato strap on one of my other watches and it’s very secure and can be thrown in the wash. Also, they’re relatively cheap. This place is the only one I’ve found that has 26mm straps: link to natostrapsco.com.
I was in exactly the same predicament – slightly too tight or slightly too loose. As a casual everyday watch it was fine (although it did slide up and down slightly) but it was too loose for serious activities. I never took it swimming (I switched to the black band after about 24 hours) but I would imagine it would have moved around a fair bit. I am happy with the black band and also glad that I got the sapphire version
Thanks all, now if I could only get mine I can make my own choice, Soon enough, I should have pre-ordered sooner from CT, I knew I was going to cave and because I waited I wait. I’m fortunate that I sold my F2 to a neighbor and he is patient waiting for me to get my F3 to trickle the F2 to him.
Same as Paul by the way. I am glad to have bought the sapphire version. I’ll surely switch back to the metal band, when I know I won’t be doing any intensive sport for a longer time. For me, the price difference is justified already with the sapphire glass and band is just a bonus. Hope you’ll get yours asap Steve.
How difficult is it to switch out the bands on the sapphire edition? Is it easy enough that you would wear the rubber band during the day and quickly switch it to metal if you were going out at night for a nicer look?
Swapped to a Garmin velcro strap from metal yesterday. The sapphire feels like featherweight 🙂
Loving it so far and don’t think I’ll go back to the metal in the near future.
I love the metal strap, but also like the Velcro one with the F2 and think it might be useful around the outside of my ski-jacket. Just want to make sure I get the right one because there is this one too: link to amazon.co.uk
30-60sec/side is not bad but how often can you do it without loosening/damaging the thread? If you do it before every run 5 x a week wont it tear and wear?
How do you feel with the metal band on the bike? Does it rattle or make any noise?
I have an interesting question. I have a Fenix 2 and there are some features of the 3 that are tempting. I was wondering if an issue that I have with the 2 is fixed in the 3.
Not sure what firmware it broke in, but if I set up a workout with a warmup that is based on HR (Set Duration to a HR of say 145), the watch shows that step as until less than 145 (It used to say until 145). So this means that step is skipped every workout, since it is always below the number.
I have the good fortune of knowing someone who works at a local Garmin office, and just ordered a Sapphire (and a separate HRM-RUN since no bundle yet in the US) through him. When I asked re: delivery, he said “All Fenix watches are back ordered until 4/15/2015” but maybe this back order is just through their employee-fulfillment system (i.e. end users in the field should have their orders filled before employee orders)? I’m crossing my fingers that it shows up before then, but also not holding my breath. =)
Indeed, that’s for Garmin.com & EPP/Corporate Discount orders. For reasons I’ve never quite understood, Garmin virtually always fulfills the majority of Garmin.com orders last.
As of today all models are showing as in stock at REI. They also released dividends today! I went ahead and ordered the Sapphire model. I got notification that it already shipped and I should have it by the end of the week!
Sorry I didn’t order from CT Ray. Because of a few mixed reviews, I felt more comfortable buying from REI with their liberal return policy. I’ll make sure to use that Amazon link here in the next week or so. 😉 I appreciate the reviews and all the work that goes into them.
To follow up from my previous post, today’s run accuracy with instant pace was quite a bit better, only 2-3 wacky spikes. Tracks were off by 10-20 feet in some spots, no different than my previous 620 or 920. I did try to do a GPS soak but was not successful as after 2-3 minutes the screen defaults back to the time screen. Is there a way to change a setting to where it doesn’t default back there and if so, how?
Am I reading the features chart correctly and Garmin has pretty much dropped Ant+ connectivity to fitness equipment? My 910xt works with my Concept2 PM5 just fine, but apparently the Fenix3 and 920xt don’t support it. I asked Concept and they said they didn’t know and suggested I just try it. Can you let me know if this feature is truly gone and, if so, if they plan on bringing it back in future firmware. I’d really like to be able to keep everything in one place.
Do you re moment not using the footpod with the F3 when outside in standard condition? Meaning mainly running outside and on trials? Any rreason to use the foot pod when outside?
When I choose the “Resume later” option and re-start it later, Garmin connect uploads it as a “multi-sport” activity with two entries for the same sport. Is there a good way to get it to upload the activity as one normal continuous activity that was just “paused” ?
Quick question – Your review says that the Fenix 3 has pretty much everything that I need and that all the features of my current 910XT are there, plus some! However, the Garmin comparison page on their website says that it is missing some important features. Namely:
Footpod support, Courses, Autolap, Customisable screens and power meter compatible
I’m assuming this is just a typo / mistake on the Garmin website, am I correct?
Does the Fenix 3 actually have these features, and also, will it work with the Power Relay feature of TrainerRoad?
I hope you can answer this, to me, important question! (Before I buy!)
My primary sport is mountain biking and i wanted to know if the fenix 3 supported course segments. Will I be able to manually create segments out of various parts/sections of a singletrack and get notifications/information on my past times on those segments real time, on the fenix 3, while on the bike? Information such as your are faster than last time, or you are slower than last time?
Also if I create a whole course (Start to finish loop. Home, out and back home) does the watch automatically register that course Or do I have to select it at the beginning of the ride?
It does support segments, but seems to be a big of a hidden feature. I only stumbled on it by accident when during a course I selected to send segments to it. Sure enough, mid-run it gave me segment information. The thing was, the experience was very odd and not as detailed as like on the Edge units. Only really a short pre-warning, and a start/completion message on the segment with your time and segment name.
I’ve been meaning to e-mail the Fenix team and understand what the concept is there. Will do that today…
This is actually really cool – it’s a feature I commented on and requested with the FR 620. For running, segment start/stop/time is perfect information for real-time segments.
Any idea if you can send the segment information without the course? In other words, can you have real-time segment alerts without pre-defining an actual course?
Ray! Thanks for your answer! Just what I wanted to hear! Will it say if you are better or worse than last time (or personal best time) you rode the segment? Did it only work for running? or does it work for biking activity as well?
@Joseph and Ray,
Yeah! IT would be awesome to be able to use segments without having to have a course selected! Then you could ride the segments multiple times in succession or choose your ruote based on the weather condition of the day (Mud/floods/snow/ice/etc.!) and still get segments scores!
Hey I got Mine F3 yesterday and it’s great,must I do have some questions:
1. When I connect to Garmin express it says it’s the latest software installed but it is 2.3 , is this really the latest?
2. I have a Garmin Temp sensor but can’t get it connected to my F3 any suggestion?
3. I think the most important , I have my F3 set up to get notification etc, but this only works if I have Garmin connect open on my Iphone6 once I shut GC down the BT connection is cut off.
Anyone having the same issue or any suggestion?
1. Yes it’s the latest. They released 2.9 but rolled it back. Apparently 3.0 is just around the corner but who knows what that really means. Seemed to be speculation on the Garmin Forums.
3. Shut down? Close the app (like hit the home button) or force kill? I don’t have mine yet but there is no harm in leaving apps open in the background. Killing apps (double tapping home and swiping up to literally remove the app from memory) as a means to extend your battery life is a myth. I’m sure Ray can give specifics as to how it has to actually work (or I can test on Friday when I get mine).
One idea I’ve just had re the metal band on road bikes’ handlebars: once open, is the wrist band wide enough so that you can slide it along the handle bar, passing over the brakes, up to the mount loop? If so, then we’d just have to cut and throw away the tiny bit of Garmin-labeled plastic, right?
Two issues – I don’t think any watch strap would be big enough to pass over your hoods and brake levers while round the back of the handlebars as well, and if it did, it’s going to be outside your brake & gear cables when you try to fit it on the mount.
thank you for the reivew. i have been waiting for the review to buy the watch. just in case people are looking for the watch in-stock (clever training 4-5weeks) REI has a bunch (100+) in stock, just thought i would pass that info on.
I have BT notifications on. I am wondering. is there a way to continue to get weather updates, but not SMS/TXT and email noticies? I turned off the notification widget, but that just seems to remove it from the scrolling options. My watch is buzzing/vibrate on each email I got. what controls (using android) if I get notification from SMS, or emails, or what.
Ted, go into the Connect app. Click on Connect (menu) in the app and go to settings, then smart notifications. Turn off any that you do not want to receive on the watch.
This morning my watch was fine, 89% after 2 days still. Today used my watch for a nice 2 mile walk with my family. I set the watch down before leaving for the pool, came back 2.5 hrs later, and the watch is dead. Plugged it in, restarted it, its now charging from 0% and showing a time of 08:05 (been on for 5 mins). I hope the next software beyond 2.90 fixes things or it may be time to jump ship from garmin. I didn’t pay $600 to deal with so many bugs.
I’ve had same problem. From the Garmin forums, I turned off “auto-update” over wifi. This solved the issue for me. The battery has held up much better following that change.
Been curious about why people would use wifi auto-update. they would use it instead of BT ? the wifi connection needs to be established manually though right? but once connected, then auto-update could happen?
i am still without watch. my sin was ordering a grey watch without bundle. i have an extra HRM strap, so i didnt need a new one. but as fate would have it, garmin shipped sapphire and bundles only. so even though i ordered january 9th, i am still here, lonely and sad. watchless and despondent. if i had a hr monitor, it would show my poor sad heart is broken…. i feel like i’ve waited so long, so why cancel now and go to REI, but i could have a watch from them on saturday. so bummed.
Should be with me (Australia) by next week Wednesday.. Hope software v 3 is released by then (and has ironed out the bugs currently causing a bumpy ride for some).
I will only really be relying on it for lap swiming which seem to be working fine already thankfully.. 🙂
Congrats Ryan! I also got notification yesterday from CT that my grey bundle, ordered 1/19, has shipped. Should have it tomorrow. The waiting has paid off. Thanks for the in with CT Ray.
Ray, please do not take this post as a complaint, but rather a cry for help :-). This morning I enjoyed a 5 mile run, one segment of 4.5 miles with GLONASS on, followed by a half-mile with GLONASS off. for the longer run, map my run showed I had gone just about a 10th of a mile further and my pace was on average 15 seconds faster per mile. For the shorter segment map my run showed I had gone .02 miles further and my pace was roughly 20 seconds faster. Map my run was running concurrently on my iPhone 6 which obviously utilizes GPS as well. I am not sure which to trust, my watch or map my run, but this difference in pace is quite concerning as I ramp up for another marathon training hopefully as a Boston qualifier, And 15 seconds per mile can make a world of a difference. Is there a watch out there, perhaps even with less features, that you would say is the absolute most reliable with respect to accuracy, even if SUUNTO is the way to go or another garmin product, I’m really in search for something spot on accurate. I did a GPS soak with the Fenix 3, I’m currently on software 2.90, I don’t know if version 3.0 will help, but if you suspect it may I’m happy to wait it out a little bit. Greatly appreciate your reply in advance.
If you are seeking an accurate current pace, the best option is to have a calibrated footpod. Unfortunatelly F3 is unable to show current pace from footpod 🙁 Maybe in the future using Connect IQ. Or you can buy cheap FR70 and wear it on the other hand.
Maybe this site will help you to make a decision: link to fellrnr.com
A .10 miles on 4.5 miles is just at the outer edge of being OK. Typical rule of thumb for GPS accuracy has historically been .02mi per mile (2%). Though, I’d say I typically see closer to 1-1.5%.
In order to figure out which one is more correct, you need to dig into the track file a bit and see where things go poorly on either. There’s a tool for comparing two track files on the same map here in the toolbox: link to dcrainmaker.com
Ray thank you. I JUST finished a quick 2.75 mile run cut short from 3 miles due to nature calling. Mapmyrun had smooth tracks and measured 2.82 mi while F3 measured 2.75 mi. Curiously, fellrnr notes the 620 with v3.30 is spot on accurate, I’m curious if you would recommend the 620 with most updated software or the 920. I need to make a decision as trouble shooting my f3 just isn’t in the cards for my schedule. I’ve had the 620 and 920 both previously and am fairly certain both were more accurate than my F3. Thank you for the reply hopefully before my travels begin again this weekend :)!
By the way, when at home (which I am currently not), the 620 and 920 both measured .34mi from my door to the entrance of my neighborhood. On my first 3 runs with the F3 I immediately noticed a measurement of only .32.
Problem is my previous garmin devices performed better. I chose beauty over function, a mistake in this case. 620 vs 920 leaning toward 920, but again unsure which would perform more accurately.
As I noted earlier, if you believe you have GPS accuracy issues, the first step (aside from enabling 1-second recording, testing GLONASS on/off), then it’s really looking at the tracks and see where something diverges.
Had my 1st run with F3. Running stock 2.30 firmware, GLONASS off, 1-sec recording on. 78 mile out and back. some of the run was on one side of street, some on the other. I must say with a sample of 1, the F3 was darn near spot on. I am not nearly as picky though, even it if jumped the wrong side of the street, its still fine, but in this case, i had me switching sides darn near exactly where I did. And the auto upload via BT happened also. nice!
Josh – are you able to upload the two tracks to a site that’s viewable?
I guess what I’m trying to say is I don’t think you have a problem. At those distances, and without knowing which settings you used, it’s really hard to tell.
Currently on a flight home, and unfortunately I’m a technology idiot but can try to figure it out. When I get home I’m goingto run one of my shorter measured courses with 1 sec recording and see what the results are. I’m also going to call garmin and see if they can help me rollback to 2.30. I really thank you ray for your attention!!
Ray – I’m trying to make an informed decision between Fenix 2 and 3.
Your in depth review gives pretty much all the input I need to that process, thanks very much for all your efforts.
A few questions, though if you don’t mind:
1. I’ll be wearing it as an everyday watch which makes the 3 appeal. I know you’ve worn both for extended periods, so how much credit would you personally give the 3 in that context (analogue watch faces, slightly slimmer etc)?
2. What is the auto light capability that the 2 has and the 3 doesn’t?
3. Is the 2 likely to be a better bet as it’s been around longer and will thus be de bugged more thooroughly?
1) I prefer the clarity of the screen on the F3, it just feels like a totally different watch in that manner.
2) Basically if after sunset any notification/button press/etc… will automatically illuminate the backlight.
3) I’d say the F3 is generally more stable from a fitness standpoint (ignoring the recalled 2.90 firmware update).
Personally, I’d go F3 over F2 any day of the week. But by the same token, the things that aren’t in F3 that were in F2 largely don’t impact my day to day use.
[new to F3] On F2 you could setup BT to always sync, sync while in activity, sync only outside of activity. Today I created a “workout” activity, since there wasnt anything that looked appropriate for a fitness/circuit class. Activity is there on watch, I see HRM data. but its not in Garmin Connect mobile. tried going setting to look for something that would suggest when BT sync or WifiSync happens. Didnt see anything. What/when will that activity sync to GC?
So the F2 setting was mostly because of the ANT+/BLE being one or the other. In the F3, it’s really about whether or not it notifies you for BT things during an activity.
No matter the case, activities will only show up in GCM/GC after you’ve saved the activity.
do you have insight into the polling interval? meaning how often (while an F3 is connected to a BT capable device) does the F3 and GCM sync? every few minutes? 5 min? 10min? seconds? its not important, but I was curious
So just had notification that my grey Fenix 3 HRM bundle has been dispatched and with me tomorrow. Just wondering whether I am going to be one of the lucky ones without issues….or not!
FWIW, I bet the massive majority don’t have any issues (i.e, it’s the unlucky ones that are more likely to post). I’ve been using the 2.9 firmware without issue.
Anyone knowing where I can find the menu to setup the GPS grid and datum? It was easy to locate this menu on the Fenix 2, but no luck on the #3 so far…
However I think it applies to 2.90 version, and Garmin has rolled back this update. So I guess I’ll have to wait, as I can’t see “Pos. Format” in the menu you mention. :-/
Yes it is 2.9 (before Garmin removed it and rolled back to 2.3) – hopefully we’ll all be on 3 soon!
It was created in MindJet MindManager from a Word Document create by Olu.F – you can see the original thread here (including a link to Olu’s original Word doc) link to forums.garmin.com
I have also placed a copy of the MindManager File here (sorry I couldn’t see a way to export to .nm5 format) link to dropbox.com
Ray, I appreciate you’re not a ‘customer support’ person – but you seem to have a pretty good line into CT.
Most of your feedback on delivery status updates has been related to the ‘bundles’. I have a 920xt with the HR monitor (bought from CT last November) – so just ordered the Silver / Red F3 without HR strap.
Have you heard any reference to those and their likely delivery date ? I can find it in multiple places on-line now (REI, HeartRateMonitorsUSA.com, etc) – I’d prefer to hold out for CT if it’s not going to be too long…
They’ve been getting deliveries most days this week, I don’t think any came in Weds, but I could be mistaken. I believe they are awaiting whether additional deliveries will occur on Friday.
Richard – my advice is buy it at REI. i also have a HRM from my 920. so i ordered the Grey F3 only (no bundle) on jan 9 via CT. still waiting while others who ordered later have gotten theirs. seems Garmin prefers to sell sapphire and bundle versions (more $) so they ship those first. still a total mystery why REI has so many while CT has none, but thats a lesson learned too…. I am very close to cancelling my CT order and just going to REI. not sure why I havent yet. just seems like i am so close…
Just got my Fenix 3, and I’m really enjoying it except for one annoyance: when you lose or reestablish the bluetooth connection with your phone, it alerts you with a vibration. If I’m not carrying my phone with me, this can happen quite frequently as I move around the house, which makes legitimate notifications less effective when they do appear. Is there any way to turn off this connection/disconnection vibration?
Ray, Im really disappointing in the Altimeter and surprised a little bit you didnt touch more on that with your review. I get your mostly have the GPS on for your runs and cycling obviously but an ABC watch should calculate the Altitude without the need of a GPS. This is my first Garmin coming from Suunto and I may have to go back even though I dont want to. Most other devices on the market allow users to specify a fixed altitude mode (variable sea level pressure) or a variable altitude mode (fixed sea level pressure). I don’t know why Garmin couldn’t do the same. The way Garmin calculates altitude is not good for people who use the watch in the mountains. Very disappointing.
I’m not sure I understand. It doesn’t require GPS (that’s why it’s always running as a widget). In widget mode, it could drift – but the point of buying the Fenix3 over a regular ABC watch is for the GPS aspect.
Thus, if you were hiking, you’d have GPS enabled, and you could therefor enable continuous calibration.
I suspect the reason why Garmin didn’t do as they did within some of their past devices is that I’ve seen it lead to a ton of end-user confusion.
I get what your saying about having GPS on, there are just times when you go on multiday hikes and if you dont bring a battery pack you need to use the GPS sparingly or not at all. You use the Altimeter to guide where you are. To me the Widget is useless, (mine right now says -148ft, 700ft off) I guess i am just used to how Suunto does it and Ive never had a problem with it. Thanks for the response.
Your device was already calibrated at the factory, and the device uses automatic calibration at your GPS starting point by default. You can manually calibrate the barometric altimeter if you know the correct elevation or the correct sea level pressure.
Hold UP.
Select Settings > Sensors > Altimeter.
Select an option:
To calibrate automatically from your GPS starting point, select Auto Cal. > Once.
To calibrate automatically with periodic GPS calibration updates, select Auto Cal. > Continuous.
Ray, I’m also trying to decide whether to go for the F3 or A3 and so I’ve got the same concern as Kyle does, the F3 Altimeter’s implementation is a major showstopper steering me towards the A3.
This quote from the Garmin forum illustrates my main concern with the F3 altimeter:
“As I sit here at my desk at home I have my Suunto next to me and its Altidude is right on even though I havent calibrated that in weeks, maybe longer. Everytime I check my F3 its not even close. I want to use the F3 backpacking, thats the reason I purchased it but if it cant even do Altitude then I cant bring it.” link to forums.garmin.com
Wifi sync question: What is the purpose of wifi sync? The wifi connection needs to be to mobile device running Garmin Connect Mobile, right? If so, wont pretty much all devices also have BT thesedays? so then you basically have two choices to sync the F3 to a mobile device. BT is always on and sync as some fixed polling interval. for wifi, it seems you have to navigate to the setting menu and hit the “connect to wi-fi” option. Right?
TedW: No, the wifi connection doesn’t have to be to your mobile device . Most any wifi network that doesn’t do enterprise authentication or doesn’t have some login/terms-acceptance login page should work if you get it configured. If you do use a mobile device wifi hotspot capability, Garmin Connect Mobile isn’t involved. Wifi data connections go directly from the watch to Garmin’s servers.
Bluetooth sync through a phone does require Garmin Connect Mobile. As such wifi serves a good purpose for people who don’t have an iphone or a compatible Android device, provided those windows/blackberry/other-android phone users can establish a hotspot.
The fenix3 will automatically look for an available wifi network when you finish an activity and perform the sync/upload automatically if you have the auto-upload turned on.
interesting. I did setup my watch for the wifi in my home. I’ve got BT enabled also. So now I’m curious. after my run this morning. how did it sync. BT or wifi? I guess it depends on which polled for changes first. BTW. am I correct in that there is no indication on the watch face that you are connected to wifi? I see the BT icon but didnt notice anything when I tested wifi. Oh yeah. what is the optional ” —> ” icon for in the available watch faces. whats that arrow icon for?
Hello, I am looking for confirmation on the availability of sound and vibration alerts when high or low limits of a drive are reached. This is especially functional vibration ? Thank you. Vincent.
Garmin has told CT today that no retailers in the US will receive additional Fenix3 shipments this week (beyond what was received earlier in the week). No additional detail beyond that. :-/
On the brightside, Vivoactive’s continue to flow like water. A boatload more on the way to CT now.
I tried to post to the garmin forums but seem to be having issues. I ordered a gray bundle on 1/13 from CT and it is out for delivery right now. Got the shipping notice on 1/17. That at least gives you an idea that they at least got to preorders for 1/13. How that helps.
At one point you mentioned an initial release with the desired endstate to contain any initial hardware issues (i.e. 920XT waterproofing). Is this that pause?
It’s hard to say if it’s really anything more than a 3-4 day pause, or just simply grouping shipments differently from Taiwan to the US. Or, it’s been known that roughly around this week they were going to significantly increase production volumes. Perhaps there’s some sort of re-alignment within the factory to enable that (moving to a different line, etc…). Or perhaps it’s holding shipments until they sort out the firmware recall issue, to minimize consumer confusion.
I’d say that as long as shipments resume on Monday, I wouldn’t read too much into it.
Ray, at the risk of being snarky Garmin’s already created a ton of consumer confusion with their handling of the firmware recall matter. An honest, believable, consistent message across various channels (Garmin forums, Customer Service, Fenix product page) would have been far better. It’s silly that clicking on “Software” from the Garmin Store page for the fenix3 results in an “Unknown Product” page. link to buy.garmin.com
It’s even more silly that the real software/downloads page lists no explanation at all of the conflict between the current version number of 2.3 and the changelog listing a higher number of 2.9: link to www8.garmin.com
I don’t disagree at all there. It’d be much easier if they posted something somewhere that said which firmware version was current as of X date. Or, at least posted something to the Garmin Forums saying X was recalled and Y is the expected date.
I appreciate the prompt reply. I was an early adopter of the F2 and it didn’t work out for me personally (race schedule and time for the software to sort out).
I appreciate your efforts to keep us informed – current CT customer for 910XT, VIRB, and just received the VivoActive for my better half. There is a CT order on the horizon for the 920 or F3, just waiting for the dust to settle on the F3 while I make the decision.
A couple of people have asked already but I don’t seem to see an answer. Does/can Connect IQ support a data field for pace derived by footpod when GPS is enabled?
Ray, all,
Are the updates released at the same time to all countries? My Fenix 3 is still at 2.3 and when I connect it to WiFi, I do not get any new updates downloaded, it stays at 2.3. Any idea why this might be happening?
Thanks
Bora
Yes, all globally. However, the reason you see what you see is that Garmin recalled/pulled fw2.9 about a week ago or so. Thus, the most current version is 2.3.
The most currently available version is 2.30. There was both a 2.8 and a 2.9 – but both were pulled, leaving us with 2.30.
Often times (though not always), a given component subset firmware level (i.e. ANT) is desired or required for a specific general firmware (the whole watch).
The bottom line is that until Garmin releases whatever firmware versions they’re working on, it’s going to put everyone in a bit of a holding pattern.
Indeed and yours seems to have a software version that should not exist! 🙂 Anyway, I am sure we’ll all eventually be at the same page. As long as it works, I am fine to stay on the current one for a while.
A couple of features I noticed are different/missing in the Fenix 3 that were in the Fenix 2 and useful (at least to me):
1. Multiple time zone data page. Also, you cannot display two times (i.e. local time and zulu time) on the watch face.
2. Multiple alarms. Currently you can only set one alarm. With the Fenix 2 you are able to set multiple alarms and even set them to go off on different days.
3. The “Resume Run” feature has changed from the Fenix 2. Now when you use this feature it adds the two (or more) segments at the end of the run but does not show you your total distance during the run. I also noticed that it changes the activity to a multi-sport activity.
Overall I like my Fenix 3 much better than the Fenix 2 and the user interface seems to be much more stable. I use the watch primarily for running but like having all the other features the Fenix 3 offers.
I am hoping Garmin will continue to offer more features with the ConnectIQ store and subsequent updates. Please let me know if you know anything different than what I posted.
Can anyone suggest a good retail shop (address please) in paris and london where I can get hold of fenix 3 come late april cos will be heading over there for a few days. Might as well take opportunity to get decent price on the unit if I can get VAT refunded (should work out to be about same price from online retailer in US. I get to save on the shipping charges from US to Asia, and also I wont have to wait for it to arrive).
Honestly, I’d wait until mid-April to ask again. Right now, things are pretty spotty globally when it comes to availability. I know the French chain Au Vieux Campeur (link to auvieuxcampeur.fr) tends to have it in stock first within France, and they’re only about 2 blocks from Notre Dame. If you ask around then I can walk the block or two over and double-check for you.
But again, a month out is simply too far right now to know what and where things will be in stock (though, I’d expect everything will be in stock by then).
Thought I would present first impressions of my experience having had the watch an evening and a morning:-
Extremely easy to set up, connected to Bluetooth and wi-fi without problem but be warned if you are using a pre-2008 white or black Macbook you will not be able to download Garmin Express (look at minimum spec for this software). PC IOS’s tend to fair better so ended up downloading onto my wife’s laptop.
Lovely looking watch, large but comfortable, fast charge time, easy to navigate menus. Graphics good, visibility good, back very light strong.
Little quirk; it ‘appears’ you have to have Garmin Connect open on your smart phone for Weather and Calendar widgets to be active otherwise the screen requires you to ‘pair with bluetooth’.
No crashes, no issues to date.
Calendar and email/text notifications, and notifications of incoming calls surprisingly useful!
Shipped with IOS V2.6 and when connected to Garmin Express tells me that 2.3 is the correct version; I presume they are still working on a stable IOS but in the mean time I’ve had no problems at v2.6.
In summary this appears to be a very sorted watch and I suspect with the 920xt is the best multisport watch available on the market. I’m going to run with it today and will update with any other quirks, but I have to say it more than meets my expectations and can’t imagine requiring any other functionality as a triathlete. I definitely recommend it.
Thought I’d provide my experience(s) with the Fenix 3.
Had my first Fenix 3 for 10 days now and purchased a second one with the intent to return one. My first Fenix 3 is running V 2.90 and I have been having issues with it on every outdoor run (4 at this time) jumping off track about halfway through the activity. This has been experienced on a forested road, on an open trail, and a semi tree covered road and a trail. The same jumping off course has been experienced with both GLONASS on and off now. And it has been set to 1 second recording the whole time. The second (new) Fenix 3 is fresh out of the box and running V 2.3.
Today I ran with both watches for the first time. Conditions: overcast and steady light to moderate rain. The first one was on my left arm, the second (new one) was on my right arm. The settings were the same: GLONASS on, 1 second recording. The first watch recorded 5.31 miles. The second (new) watch recorded 5.20 miles. They were in unison with the distance until about halfway into the run, when the first watch went haywire and jumped off track. In general, neither performs real well around buildings. But once out in the open, the first watch was almost entirely spot on my actual track, except for the one jump. The second (new) watch didn’t exhibit any issue with jumping off tack, and it followed my general track, but it was not as precise to my actual track as the first watch.
Now some other comparison observations from this run. Both of the altimeters were off. At one spot I subsequently did an elevation check, the second (new) one was off -23 feet, and the first one was off +49 feet. I have now calibrated them, and will see what happens. I paused halfway through the activity today, atop the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and tried the resume later feature. The second (new) watch worked fine. The first watch considered this to be creating a new activity and recorded it as a multi sport activity.
Other comparisons. The second (new) watch has a slightly better screen, the colors are a little brighter. The backlight on the second (new) watch is also much better, the display doesn’t wash out much and there is only slight light bleed around the bottom. On the first watch, the light bleed around the bottom is very noticeable and washes out the screen.
The battery life on both thus far seems good and comparable. The first watch I used for about 10 full days, with 4 GPS runs (1 with GLONASS on), and 3 indoor runs, bluetooth on 24/7 with smart notifications on and the calendar and weather widgets running, it is at 11% battery life.
On sinking/apps. The first one I have had not issues with sinking and adding widgets and apps. The second I have had issues connecting it to my phone, (iPhone 6), and once connected the sink generally fails, but sometimes works. It also will not accept any apps either from the computer or mobile connect. When connected to the computer it says that the storage is full, despite displaying that it is empty.
Overall, I really like the Fenix 3, but there are issues I hope are worked out in a software update soon. It doesn’t seem like I am going to be able to decide on which one to return until Garmin issues a software update.
On a side note, I have used a Forerunner 15 in many weather conditions around the same areas and it has generally been as or more accurate than the Fenix 3 thus far.
Why buy 2 of the same watch (unless you really wanted to permanently own 2 for some personal reason)? And comparing them side by side with different software versions just shows the difference between software versions does it not? This while many still wait for their first…. Just because some vendors have liberal return policies doesn’t make it right to exploit them for no good reason.
I did so fully intending to return the first one because I am really disappointed with the bad light bleed and washed out screen with the backlight in the dark (I usually run in the dark). I also planned to return it because of the GPS issues, which might be hardware. But being that the bluetooth and app functionality isn’t working right on the new one, I’m waiting to see if that’s sorted out. I’m returning one or both in person, otherwise I’d need to pay for shipping back. I’m not taking advantage, there are legitimate issues with my first one.
Is there any difference in the alert volume of the watches? really bugs me mine is so quite. Garmin have asked for a rtn formy watch due to poor GPS i’m not convinced it will help. Was going to hold out for 3.0. Bit put off by the fact they recondition them.
There is no difference in volume in the two I have, it is very low. But for me, I only use vibrate and that is plenty strong. I feel it during all activity I have done so far, and don’t find it annoying for notifications like I thought I would. I have actually muted my phone and rely on the vibration of the watch now. It is awesome that notifications, including calls, often times come up a second or so sooner than they do on the phone.
I have now had both the 920XT and the Fenix 3. I am a triathlete, mostly concerned with using the watch for training though I also like to wear it day-to-day. I’m returning the Fenix 3 and keeping the 920XT. A few reasons why:
1) I just find the 920XT to be quicker and more intuitive to use. It sure seems like I have to press more buttons to get where I want to be on the F3 than on the 920. It also seems like the F3 hangs a bit more between button presses than the 920XT does, though that could be perception.
2) I didn’t quite realize just how much I’d miss having a quick release. I can’t see myself racing with an F3 without a QR.
3) I was attracted to the F3 because it seemed to look much more like a “regular watch” that I could wear to work without getting strange looks. While I still think this is probably true, do not underestimate the size of the F3. My wife (who couldn’t care less about the technology side of all of this) prefers the look of the 920XT to the F3. She says the big round face of the F3 makes me look like a “rap mogul” (which I most definitely am not). I have also read Ray’s comments about getting a wetsuit off with the F3, and I could see how that would be a big problem.
4) I got the F3 Sapphire. If I was keeping the F3, I would definitely be exchanging it for the non-sapphire version. The metal band is really quite heavy (relatively speaking), and I just know that I would get tired of switching back-and-forth. I’d wind up wearing it with the rubber band all of the time. I’m keeping the 920 instead, so this comment is a bit moot.
So, there you go. These are both high quality watches. If some of the additional outdoor functionality of the F3 is important to you, then the F3 might be the right call. If you are a triathlete and what you want is a watch for training and racing for triathlons, then I’d go with the 920XT.
So… after using my 310XT since 2010 I really wanted the EPIX.
Then however I read this review comments and thought:
I really want WiFi
I really like Saphire glass and metal band
Will the maps on the EPIX be a bit small
Don’t I use the edge 800 for turn by turn navigation and all other cycling
And with my wifes approval I just ordered the Fenix 3 Saphire, unfortunately only REI is offering it right now.
Now the painfull waiting game starts…
Just a heads up for buyers in the UK. I’ve had the Fenix 3 Sapphire on pre-order with Cotswold Outdoor and Above & Beyond for going on a month now. (Cancelled the Cotswold one as they were messing me about) Yesterday I placed an order with Go Outdoors as they said it would take 7 days. Well, it looks like my timing was right as they had a bunch of units delivered yesterday and I just picked my Sapphire up from their Milton Keynes store. Even better, it came with a free Osprey Talon 22L daypack (first 200 or so orders get one apparently). I’m not sure if there stock has been swallowed up already but it may be worth a try.
First of all I would like to thank you for the great review.
As I keep seing comments on the accuracy of the altimeter (I know it could be the calibration), I think it would be interesting to see how well it does when it is well calibrated against the suunto ambit 3 peak in a test like the one you ran with the ambit 2/2s in-depth review(altimeter and elevation section)?
I have calibrated the altimeter on two Fenix 3’s today to the accurate elevation (one running V2.30 the other 2.90). They have stayed side by side, remained consistent with each other, but over the past 5 hours have drifted upwards and are off by +51 feet.
I don’t have a Fenix(yet!) but I have an Ambit 3 Peak. I have used many Garmin’s : 305, 710, 510, etc. And the Ambit 3 altimeter is by far the best. I cycle in the Alps and it seems to give near perfect elevation everywhere. Very impressed.
I think you’re probably right up against the limits of what you’ll see in these devices. I did three days of elevation accuracy testing last summer in the mountains (though, never got up to writing up a full post on all the details). Just looking at the spreadsheet though, – in the absolute best case scenario a single device on a single day was within the same max-altitude foot. Yet, the same device the next day was off by 30ft.
Most devices on their best days were off by about 10-20ft, and on their worst days 30-50ft. But, we’re talking an altitude of 4800-5000ft, so this put it at 99.30-.99% accurate.
The challenge is that in most cases that variance is somewhat sliding, so at lower attitudes (i.e. 100ft), you might see a higher percentage. On the bright side, at higher altitudes where it tends to actually matter, the percentage of variance is much smaller.
Finally, this was across a broad number of units being concurrently tested:
Thanks for these details Ray! I have only been at under 100 ft so far with the Fenix 3, and I have been seeing big variances of over 100+- ft during the day. Was wondering what it will be like at higher altitudes once I get out on some trails.
without calibration, I have found my Garmin units to often be off by 50 – 75 metres on elevation in mountainous regions.
Ascent data is usually fairly good assuming unit has barometric pressure. As an aside, I find the “elevation correction” services at sites like strava to be awful when correcting elevation/ascent data on mountainous rides. Usually makes the data far worse. (easy to check – for example – on one huge climb with known stats.
But again, have been super impressed with the Ambit 3 – elevation/ascent data seems near perfect. I have found every Garmin to be better than the previous. (used etrex stuff even in early 2000s) – and so look forward to a Fenix 3 in the family.
I notice that one can’t order Sapphire versions on the CT website at the moment. Is that an indication of how badly constraint the supply of these models are at least to CT (or how high the demand)?
It would seem from the past couple of weeks that CT receive their week’s Sapphire delivery on a Monday – any news?
Thanks
Yes, globally most places are backordered. While there are pockets of watches here and there, they don’t tend to last long. I expect on Monday or so we’ll have details for the upcoming week’s shipments. No additional shipments from Garmin to any retailers were expected to happen in the back half of this week.
First runs and bike with the F3 and have to say the watch is absolutely outstanding. I’ve not had a single issue to comment. Finds GPS in seconds, paired with HRM run out of the box and paired with the integrated ridesense speed and cadence sensor on my Giant propel in seconds. The latter is something the Ambit 2 never did obligingly; It would regularly refuse to pair, and when it did it would often fail to show cadence on the watch even though data was all there on movescount. Subsequent data in garmin connect is so well sorted you get a massive easy to interrogate menu of data to look at. Uploads to Strava so quickly I had comments and kudos etc before I’d even opened strava on my phone!
Anyone out there with any concerns, forget it – this is an outstanding piece of kit do not be tempted otherwise. And no I dont work for Garmin…
Very very happy.
Dan
Just received my Fenix 3 from CT after a USPS shipping SNAFU. Fantastic watch but curious if there’s a way to increase the screen brightness (not the backlight as I’ve found that option)? Thanks.
Hi, have just got mine. Really liking it so far. Just wondering if anyone has thought about creating a data field to measure depth? Should be quite easy, 2 atmospheres = 2026 millibars (10 meters), 3 atmospheres = 3039 millibars (20 meters) and so on. I used a F1 to manually check depth using this and roughly calculating on the fly. Seemed to work.
It seems we have 100mtr water resistance and although we shouldn’t be going anywhere near that I would imagine it safe to use at ~30 meters and definitely <10 meters for snorkling. It's a while since I got my hands dirty with any code so looking at this 'Monkey C' would take me a while even for this simple data field.
If this is possible, I wonder how long it would take the community to build a dive app including bottom time etc. Would be really cool to see exactly where you dive and surface.
Indeed, the ambit 3 has some dive apps. The sensor exists, the data exists, just need some math to present the data in a different format.
I tried to add ambient pressure to Open Swim but it isn’t available. It is there in hiking however. Seems the configuration flexibility is reduced from earlier versions.
Finally pulled the trigger on the gray bundle at REI through Ray’s link so he will get some kick back. Expected delivery is one week from order so we will see.
Waited so long trying to decide between the sapphire only because of the glass. Ultimately decided from the chatter here I should be ok with out it.
Was going to pull the trigger on the F3 with CT but the DCR10JKW 10% off code isn’t working. anyone else have this problem and/or know if there is an alternative?
For a small number of Garmin products, Garmin requires you use the CT/DCR VIP club instead. It still saves 10% and only takes a second to sign-up (plus it supports both Girls On The Run and the site here). Sign-up link here: link to dcrainmaker.com
awesome Review! I really like my F3. I have 4 HR Transmitters and 3 Cadence Sensors paired to the F3 and all activated. This seemed to drain my battery during exercises. One hour usage with GPS drained my battery by 10%. I figured out that the F3 seems to continue look for all paired and activated sensors during the whole activity even if not found within the first one or two minutes. I did then disable all sensors and before exercising i only activate the ones i am going to use. This resolved the excessive battery drain. Is this just a specific issue with my F3, a generic behaviour due to F3 Firmware or does the 920xt the same?
Thanks
Wolfgang
Let me start by saying, I truly appreciate your reviews and analysis. You are a professional in every sense of the word.
As for me … I Just traded my Sunnto Ambit 3 Peak (A3) for the F3 (firmware 2.3).
So far …
1. The compass has frozen on me twice, requiring a full reset to unfreeze. (Yes, I did all the re-calibration, etc., before re-setting)
2. Walking away from my Nexus 5 Android phone, not only requires re-pairing with code (which is o.k.) but at times it requires a complete and new re-pairing (which is a pain & time consuming)
3. Notifications work (Happy). But does not offer the details. Pressing read, shows nothing (Not really important for me.)
3. The altimeter is definitely wacky, as compared to the A3.
Most importantly …
4. The screen is unbearably dark, washed-out, and hard to read. It may be good on a sunny day at high noon, but at dusk and dawn when I do most of my cycling and running, it is near impossible to see anything. This point alone makes all the rest of the features pointless. … Is it my watch? … Does anyone else experience this anomaly? … Will firmware resolve this? … Or is it the e-Ink screen and weak back-lighting (@ 100%)? Any HELP or INPUT would be great. A3 screen was gorgeous, any time of the day and night.
Fully aware of the newness. firmware issues, etc., I am willing to give it a shot for a while to see if these issues get resolved. Otherwise, I will be trading this E3 back for my A3, which with the exception of no software for Android (as yet) was a great device.
If you scroll up a bit, currently comment #923 you’ll see a discussion around the altimeter. According to Ray, it is likely to be more accurate at higher elevations. My F3 has been wacky for me around sea level.
As for the screen, I discussed similar issues above. I purchased a second replacement and the screen is very slightly brighter and clearer than the first, so there could be some very little variation. With that said, I have had no problem with either during the day. But the big difference is backlighting. On the first one, the screen was really washed out and there was really bad light bleed. This is the primary reason I decided to replace the first one. The second one still has a little light bleed, but not nearly as bad, and the screen is not nearly as washed out. Could this be remedied with firmware, I’m not sure, the first was running V2.90 the replacement is running V2.30, so there is a possibility that had something to do with it. But my bet is on hardware and quality control.
I did read your comments before hand. I have to say, a “very slightly better” correction on my phone brightness will be no way near “good”. My screen is such a dark grey in color. There seems to be absolutely no ambient light. A “better” or “much better” correction is the only thing that would make it readable. I will most like replace it with another (Hardware correction). If nothing changes, I will wait for a firmware upgrade to see if things get better.
It does sound like you might have a duff watch. I’ve found backlight very bright at 80% more than strong enough and I’m having no problems seeing the screen when not backlit. Have not had any freeze issues at all to date and BT unpairing generally leads to reconnection. Mine is running 2.6. I had the ambit 2 and it was useful to have a ‘contrast’ which the F3 doesn’t have, but I would say the crisp screen quality, data field clarity and backlighting is actually better than the A2 I had. Sorry to hear you’re having a hard time 🙁
The back lighting is not really an issue. That works fine at 70%+.
I finally got a response back from support people. Their explanation was: “… The Fenix 3 has a transfelctive LCD screen, which is a battery saving compromise between reflective and tranmissive screens. This makes seeing in sunlight very good, at cost to seeing in low light (without back-lighting)….”
They have received a lot of emails where people were surprised at the low contrast and visibility in the dark. In short, a problem beyond just me. All in all I think it’s just par for the course.
I will probably go and look at several other F3s for comparison and wait for FW updates.
RE: Notifications. I believe that may be limited slightly by what each app sends through the OS layer. For example, some apps I get more detail on my Fenix3, and others I get less detail. It seems to match what I get on other notification-capable devices. In other words, i don’t think this is a Garmin limiter, but possibly a mobile phone OS limiter.
RE: Screen. If your screen isn’t looking like the pictures in the review, then something is likely wrong with it. I just haven’t seen folks complain much about the Fenix3 screen. The vivoactive screen…somewhat, but not the F3 screen.
There have been a couple times during the day where I needed to twist my wrist a bit to get a clearer view, because of the contrast. Not a deal breaker, but I recall doing it. I have the backlight set at default 20% and during some night runs that was fine. But I had stopped to look. I noticed that 20% wasnt bright enough (for me) to check while moving, but stopped it was ok. Not sure I observe any light “bleed”
RE: Notification issues all resolved. The bug was the third party text app. All is good on Nexus 5, Lollipop and F3.
RE: Frozen compass. It has not happened again. All seems good here as well.
RE: Screen contrast. Yes it looks as good as your pictures when in direct sunlight, under a desk lamp or in a well lit room. But not so good under low light. The Polar AXN500 and Suunto Ambit 3 Peak both have/had superior visibility under exact same lighting condition (did a bunch of tests). As mentioned before, I will have to compare to another F3 (in store) to make sure it is not a complete hardware fluke on my part. Maybe it is just the way it is! (BTW, on the F3 forum, there are over a dozen visibility complaints like this, over four or five links.)
I just got mine and i can’t believe how dark the screen is.
It would have been nice to read this in your review – regardless if a few people have these experiences because a very few of your readers even have the unit because they ordered from Clever Training.
Hmm, I guess it just doesn’t look dark to me, hence why I didn’t mention it. Whereas the Vivoactive does feel a bit dark, and it’ll be part of my review.
Perhaps it’s a perception thing. Mine just feels normal. Have you considered inverting the screen? Ultimately, the screen is by default black, which is dark. Also, you can change the thickness on the font – which might make it feel brighter (since the initial lettering is kinda skinny).
I don’t recall noticing a dark screen on the 920xt but i certainly believe it was more “readable” than the fenix 3 – i’m certain the 920xt screen wasn’t so tinted but i don’t have that watch on me now.
Any chance this is a manufacturing issue?
Thanks for the tip on the font.
now how to change the thickness ….
The dark screen “is” in the inverted mode (white, albeit gray background, and black lettering). All photos and reviews done are with ample ambient lighting. Therefore, looking good. In reality lighting throughout usage isn’t perfect.
As more people actually get the watch, the more this issue will surface. It will become a deal breaker for more then a few. I for one am thinking of returning mine.
Ray – after much research I’ve made up my mind to go for a Fenix 3. Thanks for your earlier advice on that. Here’s a question I’ve not seed addressed anywhere: What’s the battery life in terms of maximum number of charge/discharge cycles it will accept? And, can it eventually be factory replaced? My point being that if I’m going to shell out 400 GBP on a watch I’d expect it to last the rest of my life. Appreciate your comments again. Cheers.
Jerry – it’ll be a typical lithium battery lifetime, charge/discharge cycle count depends on depth of discharge. See Battery University info on the topic: link to batteryuniversity.com
My 610 went well past three years before it suffered enough battery capacity loss that I looked into replacement. It was still useful but was down enough that I started exploring options. I ended up buying a new fenix3 though so the matter was moot. 🙂
Garmin does offer it though under their out of warranty repair program. Price for an OOW repair on a non-sapphire fenix3 is $130 in the US. I don’t know about UK. See: link to www8.garmin.com
Hey all; i’ve been having problems since i’ve got my watch with GPS accuracy. The last 3 runs i’ve ran with FR610, my iphone 5s and my new Fenix 3 Saphire, this along with my other running buddies gear who have ran beside me and my Fennix is out by over 10% each run. The pace is impossible to use and really, makes me feel sad about my shiny new watch that doesn’t do it’s core job.
I’ve tried reading on Garmin’s forums, i’ve looked through a few thousand comments on DCR but i’m not sure if there is a way to fix it…
I’ve tried combinations of Glonass on and off, along with 1s and smart recording. All not really giving anything but random info.
I don’t want to bag this watch out as I really like it, however, like I said, I’d really like the GPS to be reliable.
If you haven’t let your Fenix3 sit outside with the GPS on for about 15-20 minutes, give that a shot. Also, study the track (in satellite map mode, not regular map mode) , and see if/where there are variances to your friends.
The F2 had option to go to satellites and just soak for time. How do you accomplish a 15-20min soak on the F3? HIt start button, select an app (eg. RUN) and just let it begin to acquire and then leave it for 15-20 without actually starting?
A number of folks have stated that Suunto’s reported altitude is consistently more accurate than Garmin’s Fenix 2 and 3 watches. It has been said that both manufacturers are essentially equal in raw sensor data but Suunto’s method to derive altitude is superior than Garmin’s — please correct me if I’m wrong at any point here —. If this is true then it seems to me that someone with the appropriate expertise could possibly write some code for a Widget etc., to produce better results, true? Or maybe Monkey C doesn’t support the kind of math required.
I suspect there’s actually a number of cases of comparing apples to oranges. In watching a thread about it on the Garmin forums, there’s a ton of misunderstanding on how the different calibration methods work, and what the defaults are for both Suunto and Garmin. I do suspect that Garmin’s Fenix3 default of not doing continuous calibration is probably hurting them (versus the continuous calibration) – which is effectively what Suunto’s Fused Alti is.
I´m not sure if this is the best any away.
Altimeter and Barometer work together.
If I´m fishing or camping I don’t want continuous calibration or I´m going to lose pressure changes (weather)…
If I need precise altitude for navigation, continuous calibration even coming from poor GPS data (nature of all gps devices) is better than weather pressure changes influences.
For other activities I believe that most of the times what really matters is the relative accumulated ascent so if continuous calibration with the poor data is on that would badly hurts the numbers.
I do this:
Fishing, camping: FIXED. Enter a known altitude or one calibration at start.
Altitude based navigation: Continuous Calibration , it is not ideal but better than weather influence.
Running, Cycling, etc (with no altitude based navigation) : Enter a known altitude or one calibration at start.
How do you run the F3 then? you leave it in continuous calibration mode? I would guess this could impact battery life a little right? any sort of DC view of empirical testing with the different modes?
I’ve generally left mine in continuous calibration. The reason is that while GPS elevation a few years ago left something to be desired, things continue to improve there.
With testing, it’s tricky as the environment almost dictates the different testing. For flatter runs (i.e. around Paris), I’m generally looking to see that the starting/ending elevation points are the same. Additionally, that it’s capturing the terrain changes equally.
I find that hill repeats are often a fun test, as any variation becomes super-easy to identify. Whereas going into the mountains is sorta a different type of test, as then you’re looking at what is typically much longer timeframes.
As has been outlined a bunch on some of the recent Garmin Forum threads, there is an element of calibration (either known pressure, known elevation or GPS-based) that is required for any altimeter. The strength of using GPS-based is that it removes you from having to know the pressure or elevation. The downside is that you are indeed subject to errors with GPS elevation. But no matter the case, the watch does have to be calibrated one way or another – it can’t simply operate in a stateless vacuum. No altimeter can.
Far away to begin a discussion here but only to help GPS-based elevation still sucks and it will until some other technology to be available.
If you want to double check this only you have to do is to turn the elevation correction on at a given Garmin Connect activity page and see what happens to the accumulated ascent/descent for instance… and that error will apply to any GPS correction if continuous calibration is set to on.
Just because in non-professional GPS´s the altitude is based in a formula of an geodesic ellipsoid for a given coordinate that is based in the AVERAGE altitude within that ZONE…
So, if you want consistent RELATIVE altitude in order to measure EFFORT by knowing you accumulated ascent/descent the best would be not to use continuos calibration…
The “best” (and in my humble opinion only) use for continuous calibration is when you need REAL (not relative) altitude to aid you navigation e.g. using topo maps but knowing it still not good but better than nothing.
Just to be clear, there is some tidbits of valid concerns and requests in there – but also just a lot of misunderstangings.
I’ll see if I can get the Fenix team to write-up a bit on how to properly use the altimeter settings in which scenarios. They did something similar durng the Fenix2 timeframe for me that I posted somewhere in that review/comments, after lots of misunderstandings there from folks on what settings to use where.
Any news on the firmware situation from them? They’ve now rolled it back to 2.30 due to bugs which also means loss of functionality (e.g. I can’t input co-ordinates with the UK grid system in 2.30)
I am really torn. I do want it, but not sure if I need one. I’m not a pro by any means, neither do triathlon. I take my road bike with Edge 500 for 30mls ride every Saturday and Sunday, and plan to start running on weekdays. For time being an app should do for runs, but I want this watch so bad.
Thank you Ray for your reviews and making me spend money on gadgets 🙂
If you could just do a swim every now and then, you would definitely need one – Just a few laps of the pool and you will be fully justified in getting your F3 😉 (this is the sort of thing my mind does to me when buying gadgets!!!)
Perhaps best to watch videos online or see one in person yourself. I love the F3 so far. While I think the screen can at time look “dark”. I tiny move of the write seems to dramatically change the contrast for me. I think its quite reasonable IMHO, as the battery (fw v2.30) is lasting a long time. I went almost 5 days with all day activity tracking and recorded about 4 runs as well. Only charged it full the first time last night.
It’s not massively bright indoors, unless you press the backlight button; or you can leave the backlight on at 10%; or turn the light on in the room – seriously I’ve been using mine 24hrs a day for a few weeks and it’s not an issue. Training at night also not an issue, I just put the backlight on and it’s clear as day. If I had to choose I’d say the FR920xt (which I had before) is more readable in low light, but this also depends on the watch face you choose; and as I say really not been an issue for me (By the way I had a Fenix 2, which I really struggled to read in low light and the pool, and and F2/SE which was only a bit better – the F3 is far superior to those)
I have run and cycled 25-30 hrs so far and it’s been great. I had a couple of crashes that required a reboot of the watch but that I think was related to a connect IQ data field which I have since removed (I am on fw 2.9) – I am expecting this to be sorted out with the next fw update. Completed two decent events – a 130km Sportive 2 weeks ago and a 1/2 Marathon yesterday – no problems at all and you can rely on it (just don’t install a new app/widget/data field without testing them out before the event currently). Swimming training starts this week so I’ll see how it does in the pool and lake.
Had a few nice comments about the look of it when in business meetings (I have Sapphire with metal strap)
I’d say if you have the money and want to use it for sport, you will be happy with it
Ian – thanks for the tip – i wasn’t aware i can leave the back light on
no watch is perfect.
i was just hoping for a better 920xt. I was caught off guard that it wasn’t the same readability.
Oh yah by far the fenix 3 is much more superior in reading the data – i had no issue yesterday during my 3 hour run though i do which in a future we can have an option to increase the font size (thickness) to make it more 920xt ish – big #s.
I quite like the screen, at first i thought it was a bit dark in low light indoors but it just isn’t as much as a big deal as i thought. Its brilliant out doors. I think it has more of a natural classy look as a day to day watch like it is. The backlight is a bit uneven but it works.
Just wanted to check if anyone else is still facing a battery drain issue.
My Fenix 3 Sapphire’s battery died on Saturday night all of a sudden. I charged it Sunday morning to 100%, did not do any sports, only activated GPS once to set up the date and time and this morning, after less than 24 hours it is already at 34-35%.
Firmware: 2.3.
Anyone, who is facing a similar issue? I am convinced that it is a software glitch and somewhere something is activated that drains the battery but I am dying to find it out and turn it off 🙂
Thanks Ian, before I had the chance to test it out, I got an update proposed and let it run. It did not change any of the version codes but it seems like it fixed my battery drain issue. Had the update run this morning while the battery was at 25%, ran for an hour outside with GPS on and still have 14% by the end of the day. Problem seems to be fixed!
Just wanted to inform you about a wrong link in the text, in this section, the link to HR-RUN is wrong:
Does the HRM-RUN transmit pace too?
No, it does not. Only Vertical Oscillation, Ground Contact Time, and Cadence. The watch also calculates cadence internally. See my HRM-RUN post for full details on the HRM-RUN strap.
I finally got my Fenix 3 (replacing my Fenix 2 and before that 910 XT). All good except one problem. In the pool it is missing a length periodically. So since I’ve had it, I have swum 1350 meters twice and it recorded only 1325 meters. Since I know I did an even number of lengths, it can’t be that I mis-counted. Never had this problem with the Fenix 2 or 910XT. I have seen posts elsewhere of others who have had this problem with suggestions that the Fenix 3 and 920XT firmware may be more sensitive to technique. I’m wondering how prevalent this is and whether I need to consider a hardware malfunction, or whether there might be a setting that might be contributing to this.
I would say to anyone seriously concerned with altitude should go old school and grab a good topo map, compass, and pocket analog altimeter and brush up on their orienteering skills. As much as I love gadgets such as the Fenix 3 I would never rely upon them in the outback.
Calorie values aren’t anything to do with the watch as I understand it – rather it is the calculation on GC that looks at your Weight, and the HR and activity data from the watch to calculate it. GC is always quite a bit lower in calories values than Strava for example with exactly the same data; and if I put the same data into TrainingPeaks, or SportTracks I’ll get different again; I tend to go with GC for convenience, but bottom line for me is calories are never an exact science and there are multiple ways and estimations used to calculate them (both calories in and out). It would be interesting to export your 24 mile activity into Strava or elsewhere and see what you get.
Altimeter – I guess this is an issue, from what I’ve read. I think it only relates to non activities, because elevations look reasonable for my activities so I think this is about the value when you look at the altimeter outside of the activity (and so no GPS) (which I rarely do to be honest)
Anyway – yes definitely some issues, but no showstoppers for me, though of course different types of users (and uses) will have different views on that.
Interesting results, Gabe. My fenix3 (v2.9) and 920xt (v2.7) gave nearly the same calorie counts on a half this weekend; 1449 vs 1488kcal. Very first runs were off a bit but it’s dialed in a lot better now.
Still, I concur with the suggestion that people be cautious until Garmin pushes out some fixes. There’s a seemingly higher than usual crop of issues and the silence on Garmin’s part is not confidence inspiring.
Ray – can you communicate to the powers-that-be at Garmin that they’re souring the community perception with their mishandling of this situation? I think people would be a lot more tolerant if provided with honest and forthright communication; the silence and even the avoidance reported by others is a bit damning.
Wow that’s a huge difference! After posting above about the calculation being done on GC I had a second thought about that and looked at the history on the watch; and sure enough it does have the calorie count, so I think it is done on the watch after all.
I guess we need someone (Ray?) to explain that in detail but I am assuming that the watch does some calculation that GC then copies but that Strava ignores and does it’s own calculation anyway.
You certainly had an off number there, but careful on Strava’s figures. That site always figured really high for me, typically 30% over what I’ll see on from the watch itself or from RunningAhead for the same run.
For example, I had three Garmin watches and an iPhone running the Strava app for that HM. All three Garmin’s reported about 110kcal/mile. Strava’s result was over 152kcal/mile for both the phone-app recorded run (no HR data) or for the fenix3 TCX file uploaded to Strava.
Calorie count is done on the watch. Strava meanwhile, does their own calorie counts based on their own algorithms (most sites do). Sometimes they match, and sometimes they’re off the charts different.
GC should always match the watch.
There’s been some talk recently that some of the newer watches may see a bit of variation in calorie counts the first week or two while it ‘learns’ you.
Theres NO gps data on that run? Something’s very amiss. Smart recording will vary the frequency of recorded points to cut down the file size but you should have a map file. I always did on my 610 runs using smart recording for gps and uploading to Strava.
Definitely do some further testing with your watch, it’s not just a setting.
Anyway – we’re in limbo on these fenix3s, so it’s tough to make a keep/skip-it decision. The officially supported v2.3 firmware we know has problems else they wouldn’t have released updates to it. The highest in-the-wild v2.9 firmware we know has problems else they wouldn’t have pulled it back. Thus all fenix3’s have known-faulty firmware right now. We simply can’t make a reasoned assessment at this time other than to wait and see what comes out. Thus my recommendation to hold off buying if one doesn’t need to do so, and ensure your vendor had a good return policy if you do buy. I personally think Garmin will make it right in the end, I’m just not too sure how far away “the end” might be at this point.
Once again, if Garmin would actually communicate to their user base…
Hey guys, just a heads up. There is a seller from Israel on eBay selling F3 for $461 watch only and $515 for a bundle in either color. The part number seems to be European, not US. So, not sure if it will affect warranty
With Garmin’s radio-silence on the firmware rollback and various issues people are experiencing, I honestly advise against buying the watch if you cannot easily return it to the vendor. Especially if there’s any question of warranty validity.
I thought I’d chime in for some of the people who are still trying to make a decision…
I love it. I bought it after Apple did its watch event and I saw that, for my use case (android phone, bought into Garmin Connect and associated ecosystem), this was a better fit for me. I have the sapphire and I’m very glad I got it (running OS 2.3). I didn’t find that the band was too heavy. I usually wear an Omega Speedmaster, and I didn’t notice any difference in weight (based on feel, not actual hard data). I would say that, if you’re used to wearing a watch like that, you won’t be bothered by the weight of the metal band. I wear the metal band for work and swap out to a NATO strap or the rubber strap for casual stuff. Others may not want to swap out straps that often, but I do it all the time with my Omega and, while this is harder, it isn’t exactly that hard. If that’s your issue (messing with the screws), I would recommend NATO straps. They have them in leather too, so you can class it up a bit while retaining the flexibility of not having to take the strap bars off at all to swap straps.
The screen: It is dark. I don’t expect to read it at night without the backlight, but some watch face configurations are hard to read. In particular, I like the digital face with the minutes in red. It looks pretty, but as the light fades, the red disappears into the dark face (note, I’m using the dark background for all at this point). I’m planning on experimenting with the white background and with setting the backlight to “keys/alerts” and maybe doing some other things. That might make a difference. Another chance for Garmin to improve the product: give users the option to have the colors invert automatically upon sunset just like many automotive GPS devices do. That way, you can have the dark background during the day and the light one when it’s harder to see at night.
I’ve only had one reboot (using the sunset widget), so that’s not been a problem for me. Also, battery life has been great. I plugged it in on the night I got it (Thursday night, March 19th) and was surprised at how fast it charged from 55% out of the box to 100%. I’ve been using it ever since without having to charge it again (currently at 61%). That being said, I haven’t used GPS much since I’m still running indoors. I really like the activity tracker and think it is very well done. I use the garmin connect app on my android phone and it integrates nicely with myfitnesspal. I’m also a big fan of the alerts – I haven’t had many dropped Bluetooth connections apart from me walking away from my phone. It also did beautifully in connecting to my Virb – really seamless and easy there.
Overall, I’m highly impressed and am glad I got it. It looks great and has a ton of functionality. I’m looking forward to v3.0 and getting the music controls. If the app store sees a healthy dose of apps and such, I can see a lot of potential for further greatness for this thing.
Also, Ray, you gotta stop. You sold me on the Edge 800, the Virb, the Fly6, an indoor trainer, some other stuff, and now this. Between that and your frequent “eating in Paris, running through Versailles” posts, my wife hates you.
I may have found a glitch, but I don’t know how to report it to Garmin. I created an interval workout on the watch and then selected “run inside” since I was on the treadmill, yet about a half mile into my run, the GPS started and forced me to end the workout since the pace dropped out to zero. I was able to do a separate “run indoor” event just by pressing the start button and had no issue with the GPS firing up during the run. GPS off is my setting for the run indoor app, so it should not have come on during the interval run.
I am coming from the FR220 and cannot figure out how to set the backlight to stay on during the entire activity automatically. Anyone figure out how to do this?
Just wondering if you perhaps had an update on this week’s (Monday 23 March) supply (of Sapphires) to CT?
I notice that CT expects delivery for new orders to still take place this month?
Thank you as always
I’ve got a quick update for those who have ordered the Fenix3 from CT.
They’ve received confirmation today from Garmin that they’re receiving enough stock to cover almost all current pre-orders. This is scheduled to be shipped today from Garmin and arrive tomorrow at CT, and depending on the time of day it arrives will depend on how many units go back out to customers that same day. This is a massive number of units so unfortunately not every order will make it out the same day the shipment arrives but they will be working full force to get them all turned around as quickly as possible. I’ll reply later tonight here once I have validation that the shipment has left Garmin’s warehouse with a status showing overnight to CT’s warehouse.
The only SKU that will have some slight backorder will be the Grey HRM-RUN Bundle, but CT will be able to ship all orders on that SKU placed through March 15. All other variants they’ll be receiving enough stock to cover ALL existing backorders. Finally, there will then also be a small number of units left to ship for new orders (processed of course in the order placed). You’ll see their site reflect these new shipping dates shortly. Any customers who have ordered Grey HRM-RUN bundle that wish to change to one of the other soon to be in-stock SKU’s, can do so, however their order will not be processed until after the other units ship out.
Thanks again for the support and I appreciate sticking with it, despite the wait.
-Ray
Ray, I am in the UK and have ordered a Sapphire from Cotswold Outdoor. Do you happen to know if this “massive” number of units is something Garmin are repeating in other regions, i.e. the UK, or is this something specific to CT. I understand that you may not know the answer to this, but I also have found that you seem to be the only person who seems to be able to get any straight answer out of Garmin during this whole affair.
Woohoo ! Thanks Ray for the update. I guess there’s an outside chance it could arrive before the weekend (I did 2 day shipping). Either way, great news that they’re getting in more units. cheers.
Just as an update on the Fenix3 shipping from CT. All units arrived today at CT (at 12:09PM). They were able to ship out about 75% of the units that arrived before the pickup cutoffs. The rest will go out tomorrow. Additionally, there is now inventory for the Fenix3 in all but one flavor to ship immediately, which is available here: link to clevertraining.com
Stock of course is subject to change and is real-time. It does sound like more is on the way to fulfill that last flavor shortly.
Note that sometimes it seems CT shipping notifications get zapped by SPAM filters, so you can always check their online site to validate your order status.
thanks for the update. Checking my order – I guess my silver / red with no HR monitor ordered in late February is part of the 25% that didn’t go out. Oh well – what’s an extra day at this point 😉 Although I see that’s one that’s not in stock in the current inventory link, so hopefully they got enough to fulfill at least those backordered… guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
Would be great if Garmin (or another programmer) added in some water sports features for Yacht Racing and Sup to the Fenix 3 via Connect IQ
The yacht racing features on the Garmin quatix (Specialized sail racing features: race countdown timer, virtual starting line and tack assist) would be helpful.
Standup Paddle (SUP) features (available on Speedcoach Sup link to nkhome.com)
Stroke Rate: Rate input from accelerometer, autostart with first stroke, 6 to 99 1/2, 1/2-stroke resolution, update every stroke.
Stroke Count: Count input from accelerometer, autostart with first stroke, 0 to 999 with auto rollover, 1-stroke resolution, update every stroke.
Distance: Meters, kilometers or statute miles.
Speed/Split: Speed over land averaged and updated every stroke. May be displayed as either speed (meters per second) or split (time for 00 meters). GPS speed smoothing from 1-stroke to 8-strokes.
One watch for lots of activities would make life simpler.
Small issue identified last night on firmware v2.30: when using the Resume Later feature, the Fenix3 regards it as a multi-sport activity rather than continuation of the first part of the activity.
As an example, I recorded a short ride using the “Bike” app which I paused, selected Resume Later, and later continued. This has been saved and uploaded to GC as a multi-sport activity with two rides, and to Strava as two completely separate rides.
I’ve had this same issue. Have used “resume later” on a couple hikes, and while is accurately recognizes the individual segments as hikes, the activity is recorded as multi-sport….no way to edit or correct it that I can see.
If you want to see only one activity on GC, you can use the online tool File Combiner link to fitfiletools.com
Upload your FIT file, and you will obtain a new FIT file with only one session…
If you pause your activity and stay the watch like this, you can simply press “resume” once you want restart … you will obtain only one session
If you press “resume later” you will obtain multi-sports sessions …
Depends on your use. What the benefit to a resume later if its a new files. How is it any different from pressing start and doing a NEW activity. I mean before the resume starts its gonna grab satellite, etc etc. so how is current implemenation of resume later any different from just stopping and restarting with a new activity. Especially if you can just use some “tool” to combine them.
IMHO. Stop/Resume might be for a bathroom break or short chat during a break. Stop resume-later could be for multi hour/multi day event in which you sleep or something.
I consider it broken. On my fenix2 i use ‘Resume Later’ when I’m alpine skiing and take a lunch break for instance. Getting two files in that situation messes up number of runs, total vertical meters and so on.
Would it be possible to use the unit while scuba diving? I know GPS does not work underwater, but I would like to be able to use the compass and barometer.
I planned on creating a ‘Depth’ datafield, the math is simple enough, but the thought of someone using it as a dive watch and then something going wrong made me think twice.
I would be a keen user of a depth data field, and hopefully ultimately some sort of free-diver app for the fenix 3.
If it is not being used for Scuba diving I think the liability issues could be significantly reduced for an app. With free-diving you are really only using the watch to give you a quick depth check, an alarm for max depth / time, and track what you have done, record your surface time before your next dive and to review it afterwards. Its not like scuba when your time underwater and depth feeds in decompression stops and max dive time etc. Running out of your own breath is a really good reminder that you should be on the surface by then and you should be listening to your body and not a watch in free-diving in my view.
As you spend a lot of time on the surface the GPS element of the watch would also make it unique in the free-diving market place with the right app, it would make it really easy to mark that secret spot as a waypoint to find again.
Really keen on the depth data field even if nothing else comes of this as I have to say I love this watch and would love to be able to use it free-diving as well (and don’t really want to have to wear two watches when I go free diving which I think is my current option i.e. Fenix 3 plus current free diving watch).
You can post a request for a free-diving data field or app in Garmin’s ConnectIQ App Ideas forum, maybe someone is willing to make one? link to forums.garmin.com
The watch would have to conform to standard EN 13319 to be sold in Europe with this functionality. I doubt that Garmin would allow such an app on the Connect IQ store as this might open them up to litigation. Whether the pressure sensor could handle it is another matter. It may not be designed to operate in that pressure range. Maybe Ray can leave it on the pressure widget when he does his depth tests.
I think the update failed for me. Anyone else having problems? It said there was an update, tried to install it, then failed to find the watch, now it says 2.3 is the current version…
Eric, software is still 2.3, the GPS version should now be 2.8. It is only the GPS that has been updated. I personally have had no issues with mine. I have done two short rides (one just over 11kms the other 19.6), the first ride was out by 200m compared to my 510, the second ride (slightly longer) was spot on with the 510.
I checked the route on the satellite map view and there was nothing out of the ordinary on the shorter ride.
On my first ride, my TSS and IF were out. I have since gone through my settings and made sure max HR etc were matching the 510 and on the second ride, my IF and TSS were matching exactly. Happy days.
The V02 estimate which it made after only one 11km ride was pretty much spot on to one I had done in a lab. Maybe just a coincedence but interesting none the less. Will be interesting to see how it changes after a real hard ride, not just a relatively hectic 11km commute.
So far I have to say I really love this watch.. Technology has come so far.. I admit it is difficult to read in dark light conditions, especially with the black background on and the red writing.. But it looks so cool (when you can see it ;-). Obviously a quick hit of the light button and you can see everything. For activities, I have the white background on and it is easy to see.. Obviously it is easy to make the background white for normal day to day wear as well..
Honestly.. Not sure if I have said before.. But.. This watch rocks.. Having a look at your wrist to see who is calling/emailing/whatsapping/fb’ing is kinda cool too. But I can tell it will become tiring. I have already disabled whatsapp as my watch was vibrating all the time. I will probably only keep caller id up as this is useful when riding and you want to see who is calling before you hit answer on the bluetooth headphones 😉
Love it, thanks again DC for the review and for the constant updates on availability and issues.. Above and beyond requirements of someone who worked for Garmin/CT, let alone a Tech nut helping out the community..
Thanks again.. And if I have not already mentioned… I love my watch..
It’s very dark indoors regardless of the background color. So a heads up to prospective buyers. Wondering if this is just an early production issue. Let’s see if we hear anything back from Garmin.
The reason why i don’t believe it’s acceptable is because the 920xt screen was not tinted this dark. So it begs the question if it’s a manufacturing spec that can be changed with later iterations.
Say the Fenix 3 SE – now you can read your watch indoors!!!!
I’ll be honest, I just don’t see it. It’s black, thus, it’ll be dark when in that mode. On the white background one, it doesn’t seem much different than the FR920XT.
Me three — the dark background is difficult to see in that lighting…but that is not a deal breaker for me. I can switch to light background as needed, and honestly I am outside or in my car most of the time for my work.
I suppose I can see how some see it as a problem, and I wonder if a firmware update allowing contrast adjustment will help at some point.
The dark picture is larger than actual size and the room looks well lit. The dark screen at actual size in a slightly dimmer room is harder to read (especially if you have older man’s eyes)! When it’s too hard for me to read, I just push the light button. At some point, I may switch to the light background.
Gabe, I don’t see it either. I must admit that you had me a little worried, but now that I’ve seen the pictures I’m relieved. The screen is E-ink, so it was to be expected that it would not be as clear as during the day without the background lighting. I have a paper white kindle, so I know what to expect 🙂
It is though, in my opinion, the best choice for a screen as an LCD or IPS one or any other technology would have eaten the battery on a daily basis. And it would have been a bit difficult to see in the sun, like on your smartphone.
I just got my Fenix 3 and returning it for the dim display reason.
I can see how hardcore Garmin fans and those guys who need mostly the sports functions believe it is acceptable. I’m sure in terms of functionality it delivers.
But, with all the technologies out there on the market I cannot see how this one qualifies as a color LCD display. It reminds me Sony Ericsson T68 display – for year 2002 it was a breakthrough. For 2015 it’s a misleading promise from Garmin.
And in that regard I find this review misleading as well. I cannot say I carefully read every word written there, but the bottom-line section must have had a different conclusion – it’s not worth the price.
It might be the best sports watch out there, but the claim of getting extra style and premium materials along is simply not true.
I guess it just depends on what kind of watch you want.
If you want a GPS sport watch that has long battery life, then there really isn’t any other colorful option out there, nor has there ever been.
Meanwhile, if your just doing casual running then the Fenix3 probably is overkill, and there are more colorful options available with far less features. For example, the Apple Watch – but you’ll need to charge it everyday and bring a phone for GPS.
@DK this is a sports watch which will predominantly be used outside in the daylight. To that end, the display is awesome, I come from a Garmin 910xt. I believe allot of these visibility issues come from the fact that the form of the watch is such that you can use it as an all day watch (and even a night watch.. Get out of here I hear you say).. Also, did you try the white background with black numbers? It may not be as ‘pretty’ but is the standard format for ‘digital’ watches. I am happy with black and white on my sports watch.. This one has some green bits and some red bits, obviously not HD like on your phone’s display.. But it is a sports watch.. Why would I want it to be?? I just need to see numbers quickly and easily whilst on the fly..
With the 910xt (which is not much cheaper than the F3), you could not wear it as an everyday watch so there are no people complaining that they can’t see their displays inside.. The F3 is the pants down winner when it comes to visibility outside. Even with Polarized lenses on.
This is a quality watch, the lightweight plastic is comfortable for 6hr plus events.. It is the most practical, and the looks are good.
As for expensive, it is way under $1,000 and the thing gives you estimates of your Vo2 value.. Impressive.. What I like most is when I get phone calls and I am riding, I can see who is calling on my watch, then decide whether to use the bluetooh headphones to answer or not.. Great practical upgrade.. Also wireless transfer of data so I never have to plug into my computer again.. Awesome practical technology which makes my life more efficient.. If you want a proper quality watch, go buy yourself a Patek Philippe, then you will be able to admire the quality materials used… But, for $60,000+ you would want it to use quality materials..
Or I guess if you are happy to carry your phone everywhere, are willing to not venture far from a charger and you don’t go swimming or get wet, you could always get an Apple watch.. It is pretty much an accessory to your phone.. The display will be prettier I am sure.. (as pretty as your phone? I don’t know..)..
I do have an issue with the phone, it is the GPS.. It has slipped since the 910xt which is not cool.. I am hoping it gets resolved..
I do not think calling here Patek Philippe is a right call for my complain.
I would rather call Garmin Swim or Suunto Ambit2 that I’m using currently.
Their displays are way more visible in say room light.
As I said, I do understand why many of you guys appreciate sports funtion in Fenix, but still don’t get how do You find this display acceptable. Garmin claims Fenix to have activity tracker, which means it might/should be worn all day long. With all features and “color display” it does pretend to become a watch replacement. And this is where I believe is misconception – with such a lousy display it fails at being a watch – it’s just a sports computer.
You might say I’m asking too much, but within few years we will see devices exactly as what I’m asking – acceptable quality timepiece with all top notch sports function, and within or around the same price point.
In the meantime $270 for Suunto Sport Sapphire sound way more reasonable.
And display is there.
So you can connect a bluetooth headphone and the Fenix3 to your smartphone at the same time? I thought bluetooth does allow only one connection… Great news!
Ray, based on the GPS update I placed an order thru CT for the silver bundle as they show it currently in stock. Let’s hope this update provides some improvement in accuracy!! So so glad I could order thru CT finally with it in stock to help support your work.
Connected to Garmin Express to download the new GPS version. After that, Express said the system software version 3.0 was ready to download, so now I have that on my watch. Am I the first? 😉 Versions now loaded are:
My only issue has been erroneous distance recorded during outdoor cycling and unreliable instant pace while running. Maybe I’ll see improvements due to these updates.
Thanks for the heads up.. Just gone back in to see that v3 is available. Hoping no nasty bugs in there to cause a roll back to 2.3…. I am willing to take the chance and watch is now updating.. 🙂
got a download error on one file. looks like BLE/ANT is still 2.6. tried the software update button and it said no updates. so how do I get BLE/ANT to update.?
yep. just updated as well, same versions as you state.
I see music control widget now, song back, forward, play/pause.
I have only done one run so far with my G3 (2.3 FW), and it did was about 150 meter off with my suunto on a 11km run. Need to test more, but having the flue now ;-(
If you were on BLE/ANT 2.60 prior to updating, I believe it will stay as BLE/ANT 2.60 for now as the latest version. However, if you were already on BLE/ANT 2.70, then it will remain as that version. BLE/ANT 2.70 was part of the software Garmin had rolled back.
All, did anyone bought the NATO straps? If yes, any recommendations on the size and how do you do with the pins? They don’t come with it, right? Thank you for your help
I got two nylon NATO straps. They look great and work well (a little stiff, but they loosen up with use). You use the bars that come with the watch. Just put them on with no strap on and then put the NATO strap on like regular. You need a 26mm wide strap.
a lot of people seems to have problems to understand the way how the garmin altimeter in the f3 works and they are thinking, that it don’t work correct. Perhaps you can clarify this?
I switched from 910 to Fenix 3 a week ago, and well, I love the gadget:-)
Just two issues which I cannot solve so far:
(1) I have not succeeded to link the gadget with my smartphone via bluetooth. My smartphone is Samsung XCover2 model GT-S7710, this model is equipped with Bluetooth Smart technology. The Connect Mobile App pops up with message stating my gadget is not compatible with Android. My Android version is 4.1.2. Anyone who can help? Thanks a lot:-)
(2) My compass froze twice within 7 days of having the gadget. Nothing helps but the factory reboot which of course sets everything which I so painstakingly customized to a default. This happened in both cases couple of hours after I downloaded the new watch faces but maybe this is just coincidence. Do you think this is a software issue which Garmin will address or may the problem lie in the hardware and I will have to replace my gadget?
Nevertheless I am a happy Fenix 3 owner. Thanks a lot! Cheers
I think garmin hates me. i ordered a grey f3 without bundle, since i have the HRM from my 920. i ordered it on jan 9, 2015. i ordered a grey f3 bundle as a gift for a friend on march 11, 2015. guess which one just shipped.
I could take the watch for myself and give the HRM and other watch to my friend, but that seems wrong.
this experience has really left me feeling bad. loads of people who ordered after me got theirs first because they ordered sapphire or bundle. now, even I am getting my friends before mine. and i could have cancelled and gotten one at REI weeks ago.
I have no reason to think its personal, either with garmin or clever training. i’m just upset.
Sorry for the troubles. I’m not sure I understand, if you ordered both from CT, then both would have shipped out yesterday, or at worst today. CT cleared through 75% of the inventory that came in yesterday afternoon before the shipping cutoffs. They were likely doing it by model groupings – since that’s the most logical way to process. Thus, any orders for any Fenix3 variants before March 15th would go out no later than today. And only Grey Bundles after March 15th would be pending (though some have switched to other units, so there might be only a few people left on backorder there).
I would have thought so too… I did order both via CT (for you, I really value your reviews). And when I saw your post about their shipment, I felt confident my long suffering would finally end. But i only got a tracking number for my bundle order, in march and nothing about my non-bundle from JANUARY… and my account at clever training shows this….
ORD-15-03-11-92089
3/11/2015
Leonard Ellis $494.99 Complete
View Order | Reorder
ORD-15-01-09-68779
1/9/2015
Leonard Ellis $449.99 Processing
View Order | Reorder
Just a quick question did you order d the epic and the F3 ?
Because I ordered both and at some point was not getting my f3
I called them and guess what they were waiting for the epic to ship both together
So I told them no please send the f3 when available and late the epix
And yahoooo the f3?was shipped the same day
The reason the other didn’t ship yesterday, is as noted above they got through 75% of the inventory that came in yesterday. Thus, the remaining 25% will go out today (which would include your other order).
Again it’s likely that they simply ordered the shipping yesterday by SKU, simply because that’s how it would have arrived to them from Garmin (in cartons of a given SKU type).
for the sake of my sanity, i hope that you are right…. i will happily post news if i receive shipment notice from ct today… and if i dont get shipment notice, i will post that too…
Great review as always. One thing which currently frustrates me is that I cannot look at the Widgets whilst in an App – i.e. whilst recording an activity. Am I being stupid – is there a way to do this?
Much of my activity is in the mountains and I used to like the old Fenix screen which showed the Altitude plot during recording. This is only of interest but it seems strange to deny access to the sensor data widgets during activity recording. Similarly it seems that there is no way to add a plot as a data field in the App screens.
I keep thinking I must be missing something. Help.
Jonathan, during activity simply press DOWN button for 2 seconds, your watch face will appear, press down buton again to navigate through compass, batometer graph, altitude graph etc. Press Back button to go back into activity app
I need to order through amazon.com as I have a gift card there. I’ll use your link to give credits if it helps. 🙂
Having said that, I am a bit concerned with garmin. I don’t understand why they released the product with so short shipments to the retailers. It look a bit crazy that they’re shipping so few items and one of the biggest retailer in the world (amazon) is not getting a single watch (since now they have few silver bundles but I want the grey no bundle). Which is the reason of that? The watch is ready or not ready. If it is ready (I mean software and hardware is ready) they have to ship it. If it is not ready yet (sw or hw issues) they have to announce and delay. It seems crazy they just produce so little amount of items.
Quick question. I have the wahoo tickr run which should be both ant+ and bluetooth. So I don’t need to buy the garmin’s band, right?
On supply, it’s really partly miscommunications that’s the cause, and partly demand. Garmin has all along said Q1 (which we are currently in). Thus, they planned to get shipments flowing in that range – and they did that starting the first week of February. I think we’ll likely see them get very close to catching up in the next few days. It sounds like they increased production volumes again last week, and we saw the impact on that already this week.
It’s not a case of being ready or not ready, it’s a case of managing risk. They start with low volumes to ensure things go right, if not, they can pause and/or take a lower hit if there are hardware problems (such as was the case with waterproofing in the first FR920XT batch). It’s much more palatable to take a loss on a simple 1,000 unit run than a 10,000 unit run.
While it’s easy to always compare to Apple, the reality is that there are only about 2-3 companies globally that can actually do that kind of ‘Day X’ there will be enough to fulfill 90% of orders. And of course, despite what the Internet might have you believe – even Apple doesn’t do that. If you order a week after announcement, it’s unlikely you’ll get it on Day 1 (especially for popular launches).
Now Garmin is unique in the fitness space – they actually own their factories. Very very very few companies do (none in fitness actually). So Garmin can quickly scale up and down once they have the process nailed and the yields right, but determining when ‘right’ is, is tricky. Also, the whole notion that they’d hold back units to create the illusion of demand is silly. There’s no true monetary benefit there for a device company. Garmin, like every other company wants units on peoples wrists – that’s a far better marketing method than the illusion of backorders. Even more so in a world where there are so many new offerings (i.e. the Apple Watch) coming out. The sooner you attach someone onto a device/platform, the less likely they’ll be to leave.
Finally, to Amazon – this one is super simple: Amazon drives a hard bargain. Garmin has always withheld Amazon fulfillment until the very end. In looking at all of the Amazon Fenix3 orders that people have placed through the site, I only see a single unit being shipped. That may be through an Amazon sub, I can’t tell (I just see total quantities and SKU’s).
And yup, good to go on the TICKR RUN for basic HR data.
Finally the Fenix 3 was available on amazon.com. Just ordered along with the footpod and bike mount. I decided to get the bundle with the hrm-run as I anyway needed a second heart rate strap (using wahoo when traveling and garmin at home).
I was looking for an optical based heart rate as you suggested above but did not like the battery duration. Just few hours. I don’t want to bother charging the heart rate monitor as well.
Last but not least I have used links on this page so I hope you’ll get credits out of my purchase. 😉
They did, by a massive margin (heck, even I didn’t think it would be that popular – I gave Garmin early pre-announcement feedback of ‘so-so popularity’ when ranking all the new devices that were scheduled to come out at CES.) I think both I and they underestimated people’s desires for a pretty looking watch (over the FR920XT).
First great review. I won’t buy anything fitness related until I’ve read the review on this site.
I’ve had my Fenix 3 for about a week now and it will freeze about once a day. If I hold the power button it’ll turn off and work fine when I power back on. The only data that seems to get reset every time it does this is the step counter. I’ve had it freeze a couple time while its vibrating as well. I’m assuming this is a software issue that will be fixed with the next update but I’m concerned it may be hardware related as I haven’t been able to find others with the same issue. I’m running 2.3.
Andrew I have had a similar issue with mine although not quite as often. Hasn’t frozen in an exercise yet just when in normal watch mode. As with your’s switching off and back on fixed the issue. Spoke with garmin Support in the UK who stated it was not something they had come across. Suggested a hard reset through a button combination. Could not get this to work so used reset command in settings menu. So far no more freezes
Hello everybody, help. Can someone please check out on your device if you experience the same thing: morning I biked to work, I paused the activity by “RESUME LATER” and used the device as normal watch, evening when I biked back home I restarted the activity. But the device and Garmin Connect considers this as separate multisport activity. This is a big issue for me not only for biking, but for any sport where I have interruptions, such as kiting, snowboarding, inline skating. Any solution? PLEASE HELP
There’s a discussion on the Garmin forum about it at the moment. That’s just the way it works. If you pause and “resume”, it treated as a single workout. If you use “resume later”, it becomes a multisport event.
No, that’s not the way it works! It’s definitely a bug, as it completely destroys the benefit of having “Resume Later” functionality, as it effectively ends the activity and starts a new one exception it makes it multisport, which is totally useless. Please, Garmin fix this ASAP.
Thanks Steve, will you be so kind and paste for me a link to this discussion, I somehow, stupid as I am, cant google it.
Anyways, if this is done intentionally by Garmin, I think it lacks logic. For me, a PAUSE function is appropriate when I want the device to stay logged to GPS sattelites. On the contrary, by pressing RESUME LATER I tell the watch to disconnect from gps and save battery (very fit function for my day in office), and by actually resuming the activity after work, I tell the device to switch the gps back on again. Is there a flaw in my logic? Who on earth would like to do a multisport in the same sport? 🙂
Yes, it would be illogical; if you just pause and “resume” you get a lost satellite message upon entering a store and waste battery while the GPS remains ON, so this is not a proper option; whereas “Resume Later” is a very elegant and well designed function to deal with both intermittent and multi-day trips. Otherwise, one would have to look for a tool to piece together partial segments of the same sport which would be a huge PITA.
An even better solution would be if Garmin gave you the option that while “Resuming Later” if you chose the Same sport then it would keep it as a single joined sport, but if you changed the activity to be a Different sport then it would make sense to make it a multisport activity.
I agree with other. The current implementation is silly. Its no difference that a save, and restart of a new activity. There is no longer any benefit to actually “resume” later. while I have no issue with multiple files, I think the watch itself or GCM should merge them. and have the maintain a consistent activity time.
On F2 “Resume Later” works perfectly and the watch itself merges the same activity to produce a single sport.
If they want to make it a multisport, it should only happen if it involves different sports which makes complete sense and it’s even more elegant than their original design.
Has anyone tested this on the latest Fenix3 v3 update? Fingers crossed that it’s fixed
I just did a simple test on v3.0 and it appears to have been resolved.
I tested using a two-part bike ride using Resume Later in the middle. This resulted in a single bike ride activity file, not the multi-sport activity I saw a couple of days ago.
Unfortunately this is not solved with v3.0. At least not on my watch. I just tried “Run Indoor”, used Resume Later, the again “Run Indoor”. The result was a multisport activity 🙁
Update: I just continued playing around with Resume Later function under v3.0. The device sometimes allows me to stay in a single activity, all data field (distance, time) continue as they were stopped. This is positive. But other times the old story: the red ring appears (signalling multisport), all my data fields get cleared, and I am in a multisport mode. I just do not at all understand when the device decides to enter a multisport mode, I just dont get it, it seems absolutely random.
Please Garmin do not fix this, that’s not a problem but only a very interesting feature !!!
It’s great to have on Garmin Connect the activity splitted as multisport, with a global overview and detailled view for each session…
For example, for a hike on few days, its very interesting to have the feature to press “resume later” at the end of each day, and restart the following days. At the end you have on Garmin Connect a global overview of the hike over few days, but also in the same activity a detailled view for each day ! For me that makes sense to have this feature …
If you just want to pause your activity for some reason, press “Stop” button, and leave the watch like this … after few seconds/minutes the watch will switch to the time mode, without continuing to search GPS or other things (no excessive drain of the battery during the pause since the watch is in the time mode)… after to resume your activity, you have just to press the “start” button and you will find the “resume” option to restart the same activity 😉
I concur, breaking the separate portions of the activity into a multisport activity is great. I used it last night taking each of two dogs for a short run; they’re a pain to run together and neither has the endurance for more than 2-3 miles. I really like having the two runs separate yet associated. This will also be very handy for multiday backpacking trips to lump each trip as one activity yet divide the individual days.
So in my opinion this is working great. Maybe it used to work differently, but it’s certainly not broken as it is today.
Interesting to view the different perspectives. For me on a multiday hike it would be obnoxious to have all the different day segments crammed into one. I would rather have each day be its own activity. tracked and logged per day. So you simply restart a new activity the next day. here is some turnaround.. how about the multi-day hikers use the tools to piece them together. I suspect the majority of folks are those that do want to resume within a few hours. Maybe DC Ray can confirm, but I think if you just stop an activity the GPS still runs
I see that some guys prefer separate activities after they RESUME LATER, so they actually like the current bug. Ok then, Garmin guys should introduce a new function called RESUME LATER AS SEPARATE and it is solved to everybody’s liking. But at the moment, my device just does whatever it pleases each time, and I cannot even forecast whether it will continue in original activity or introduce a new segment. I just hate it. Furthermore I also think the satellite reception remains on while in a stand-by mode suggested by DomiC.
Yes, these two options are very interesting … I think that the terminology chosen by Garmin is quite confusing, depending on what people expect from “resume later” 😉
Perhaps we need to test more in depth the “pause” (just after a press on “stop” button) during an activity, but I’m quite sure that the GPS turns off if we put the watch in “pause” during a long time …
I have tested this during skiing activities, with a one hour stop during the lunch: one day using “resume later” and one day with only stop and resume activity. After the both days, the battery was at the same level (starting from 100% each day)…
Yeah, I just pause too if I stop for coffee or something. And the watch just goes back to the watch screen after a short period. Then when I am ready to go again, I hit the start button and I have the option to resume.. Works a treat.. 🙂
Coming from V800, could you point out the few biggest advantages that Fenix 3 might have over it? I’m at least a bit worried about stability (Polar is slow, but watch features tend to work one they are rolled out), customer service (pure gold on polar) and the screen readability. Still, feels like grass might be greener on the other side, plus a year is a long time in tech business… Is it?
You have the best reviews DC, thanks. I just returned my 920XT because the watch wouldn’t stop crashing and would lose the BT paring everyday. I would connect the watch to Garmin express, do a successful sync, unplug the watch and it would freeze on the charging screen requiring a hard restart. The biggest annoyance was the BT pairing issue. My iphone 6 would show as connected but Garmin Connect would show as not connected after loosing connection with my phone due to distance or closing the app. The only workaround was to add device which would lose some data.
Did you have any of these issues? I was running the latest version (2.70)
I haven’t had any of those, and honestly, that’s not common on the FR920XT. It sounds like something was up with your FR920XT, given the wide variety of issues you had.
My F3 just got shipped yesterday from CT.(thank you Ray for the 10% discount).
I have a few questions. If i wear my F3 and vivosmart on alternate days or at the same time, would GC consolidate my steps and calories? or would it show double?
I have wondered this also. Could I pick up a vivofit to wear while at work so I don’t damage my F3 (I perform a lot of machine maintenance work) and have both devices registered to my profile to maintain accurate activity tracking?
Yes. You can use both an F3 and, say, a Vivoactive to track steps. As Ray notes, you must manually switch between then using the mobile app, but the app and Garmin Connect will merge the activities from each to present a consolidated view.
Note that switching devices isn’t quite as simple as it should be. First you have to disable Bluetooth in the old device (or take it out of range so that it disconnects). Then enable Bluetooth in the new device. At that point the mobile app will automatically connect to the new device, and you can configure the new device as the activity tracker in the mobile app.
Hello,
I finaly bought the F3 Sapphire with 20% discount at “Le vieux campeur”. It is beautiful.
But :
– widgets “Weater” and “mail or sms notification” don’t work very well. They are not enough update
– isn’t possible to change the frequency of gps point during race ? It seems to be every 1 second, and i would like to put it to every 2 ou 3 seconds to save my battery. And i don’t want to use the ultra-track run (1 point every minute)
– with my old gps, i use to say wich shoes i used for each race. The application, was giving me the total of kilometer for each shoes. It was very useful to know when to change the shoes. Isn’t it possible with Garmin Connect ?
1 – My phone is a Samsung galaxy 4 zoom. Sometime it works, but more often, it does not vibrate.
Do you know if it is possible to set the type of message that arrives (tweet, sms, email, …) ?
2 – I will soon make a pretty big trail (10 or 12 hours for me). I cut the blutooth, I keep the belt and it goes without ultra-trac ?
I’m not as familiar with setting the notifications types on Android, but perhaps someone else here is able to assist there.
For 10-12 hours, I would definitely not use UltraTrac. It’s well under the Fenix3 battery limit (both spec and what I and others have tested). You’d lose a lot of the track points and greatly reduce accuracy. Enjoy!
Ray, can you or anyone please explain how to properly do a gps soak? I have no issue doing a GPS soak on my 920 but find that on the fenix 3 it automatically leaves the GPS ready screen and defaults back to the standard watch face screen.
Thank you I will give that a try. If the 920 has that option it must be the default, or the 920 normal timeout must be longer than the F3 standard because the two have performed differently in terms of this.
I just read about normal/extended on the online manual. I am guessing the F2 defaulted to having a longer time. Not sure if there was an option to control it. its good to know that if you had a longer time in a shoot you could go into the APP and switch to extended. So that’s figure out.. not to figure out auto-climb as the manual has ZIPPO about it.
Having the same issues with notifications. All work well, except sms and mail, it skips à few buzzes, but van be found back in the message widget. Latest iOS on iPhone 5
So it begins. First freeze of my new garmin 3. I just updated the firmware it was working great until this morning it froze while receiving a notification and the vibration alert stayed on. I almost freaked given this could lead to a damaged or burnt motor. Fortunately was able to shut it down. After a couple of minute it froze again, this time only the screen.
Hi,
I don’t know if Le vieux campeur stil have F3 Sapphire. When i bought it, it was the last one. But perhaps they have received new.
The 20% are from 19 marth to 11 april. The F3 is only available into the physical shop.
I was doing Hill Repeat today, and I guess i dont understand how the auto-climb works. I had it enabled. but for the most part I didnt notice anything. My expectations were that a new/different display screen would open. That never seemed to happen. I changed the default from 1800 ft/hr down to 1000, then 800, then even 250ft/hr. The hill is about 100ft. I was the RUN APP, I also enabled auto-scroll during this activity. I did notice at the top of the hill, the screen inverted to black on white. but the screen displayed where the same standard run screens. So it left me wondering, is auto-climb the only difference is that it enables inverted screen when it reaches the threshold. Within the auto-climb setting there was a run screen (1,2,3) and climb screen (1,2,3) but changing those didnt seem to do anything. Anybody understand how to effectively use auto-climb?
Is the hill 100ft long, or high? If it’s 100ft long, it’s just too short. If it’s 100ft high, how long does it take you to run it (distance or time)?
No matter that, what I do is take one of my data pages (say Page 10), and change the fields to what I prefer for climbing hills (mostly grade/elevation related). Then in the Auto Climb page you’ll specify Page 10 as the one to use.
I walk through some of this in my Auto Climb video up in the review too.
I was going to look for that video again. I have the standard/default data pages right now. there are like 4. if I enable screen 10. and set it up with some Ascent based stuff. Even if auto-climb were off, if I cycled through screen 1,2,3,4, I would get screen 10, then runDynamics. Right? So what does auto-climb do, if its tripped? does it just enable back light, or does it force a screen change to screen 10? I will admit that I changed the ft/hr on the fly once the activity started. So if there is a bug and it didnt accept that, then my data sample would still be at the default 1800ft/hr. which at the grade I was at, I was unlikely at 18 repeats per hour.
ok. I think I’m getting a clearer picture. The watch is still to now. While going downhill the screen was white background, black lettering, for some reason i though black background and white is the normal while in an activity. so many the fact that I was white numbers on black during the climbs, does mean that auto-climb triggered. That said but the run and climb screen were set to screen 1. so I configured a screen 6. I will use that for auto-climb. Do you know if the status of screen 6 needs to be ON for auto-climb to show it? or it will always show screen 6 even if its status is off
Awesome.. I will play around with it more. I setup a screen with Grade. Lap Ascent, and Elevation. Though considered vert. ascent. I will find a hill and try it out 🙂
I’m mostly a runner, but do a lot of cross training via bike/swim bricks. I know you’re a big fan of the 920XT, but given price difference is only $50, would you rather buy this watch (given the nicer aesthetics)? I keep going back and forth between those two, given the vivoactive is a no-go for me and no longer a choice.
Here is my assessment since i most use the watch for runs & swims and for the bike i use my edge computer – frankly the screen is too small for practical usage but thats my opinion.
920xt > Fenix 3
beeps are louder – indicating intervals, etc.
visibility of the screen – not as dark as fenix 3
reliable – read the garmin forums – many of us had several crashes already on the fenix 3- never had an issue with the 920xt
buttons are larger than the fenix 3 – this is nice if u do have to use it as a bike computer.
honestly the barometer, altimeter, temp of the fenix 3 are mostly gimmicks so I would strongly advise to go with the more practical 920xt.
For your use case, it’s purely a look/feel aspect. Some folks had issues with the 2.90 firmware (including me), whereas I didn’t have those issues prior on other versions. Most of my issues were related to Connect IQ apps crapping things up, that I didn’t have the option prior. I’m on 3.00 now, but only the last few days. So far, so good.
I think one of the challenges we’re starting to get to now (and I think it’s an issue Garmin needs to address) is how to deal with poorly written Connect IQ apps crashing the watch. Not saying that’s always the case mind you, but I know some specific apps that (on 2.90 anyway) were insta-crash. Was that Garmin’s fault, or the apps fault? Either way, Garmin gets blamed (and perhaps they should).
I’d also add as a 920 owner and with my new F3 silver red arriving tomorrow from CT, the only reason I ordered the F3 again (after having returned my gray black one) was aesthetics. The 920 performs flawlessly but stinks as an everyday watch. I’m strongly considering keeping both as I love them both for different reasons.
Keep both, gutted I sold my 920 my sapphire looks great as an everyday watch but as a sports watch the 920 is better I hope the epix will be the middle ground im looking for
Hi Ray,
Thanks for the great review. I see that you note the Fenix has Virtual Partner functionality. When I used it, I don’t get the time/distance ahead or behind. Instead I get a top field (AMD or similar) that remains at 0:00, the runner to the right in red, and Total Elapsed time. I was expecting similar functionality to Garmin 610 (my previous watch). What has your experience been? Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Derek
Can somebody comment on the battery life if the watch was just used as a smartwatch with the notifications and activity tracker turned on? I am trying to compare with my Fenix 2 which lasts no more than a day (if that) when the Bluetooth is turned on to receive notifications. Thanks in advance.
Mine came off the charger at 100% battery yesterday morning (thirty-seven hours ago) and has seen constant bluetooth connection to my phone with noficiations and activity tracking, PLUS two 45 minute outdoor runs with GPS active. I’ve done a couple wifi sync’s as well.
It’s showing 77% battery remaining.
I’m not sure I’ll get a full week out of it as I was getting with my 920xt, but we’ll see. The battery life is suffering a bit of new-gadgetitis and will likely get longer as I cease screwing around with it as much as I do now because it’s novel. 🙂
So far, my F3 has been stable and responsive. However, the few trail runs I’ve done with it show distances well short of the same routes using different watches (910xt, F1, F2). It is consistently short and appears to be severely rounding corners.
This was true with 2.3sw and seems to still be the case with 3.0.
I’ll likely give them through the next sw update to see if it improves, otherwise, it is going back. Judging from the garmin forums, I’m not the only one seeing this routinely.
Just a word of warning for trail runners or hikers considering the F3 at this time.
Yep, I’m on 1s recording. I’ve tried GLONASS on and off, better with off but distance are still short. I’m contacting Garmin as I can’t expect fixes if I don’t report issues.
I’ll be doing at least 2 trail runs with groups this weekend and will see how the F3 stacks up against the other watches in the group.
I really like many things about the F3 and hope they can get this sorted soon. I suppose my other option that competes with the F3 would be the Ambit3 Peak.
Recording Rate: 1s or Smart – this has no impact on battery life. Zip, zero, zilch. It only impacts storage for recording an activity. But realistically unless you ran for a few months straight, you’d never hit this. It’s honestly a silly leftover setting in this day and age (and only Garmin bothers to keep it around)
GPS Update Rate: Normal or UltraTrac – Normal is 1s, Ultra Trac is roughly 45s off, 15s on.
GLONASS impacts battery life about 10-20%. It does not change recording rate, but may improve GPS accuracy (or, in more rare cases, make it worse).
I just received the F3 from clever training with your discount, thank you! Quick question: Upon opening the box, I noticed that my watch screen does not lie exactly flush against the bezel. The left side looks normal but the right side of the screen(next to the stop/start and back/lap buttons) is noticeably raised up next to the bezel. Have you seen or heard about this before? If it’s “normal” I can live with it. I just would like to exchange it if it’s not normal before I did any snorkeling/swimming/diving. I apologize if this has been answered, I couldn’t find it on the page. Thank you!
Sorry for all the posts. I finally figured out how to use Flickr so I could give you a link to a photo of the glass. It’s nothing crazy but it just doesn’t look right. Any suggestions?
I unfortunately experienced two issues today on my run with the fenix 3, OS 3.0.
First, about ¾ into the run, the ANT/BLE stopped working. It stopped receiving HR and running dynamics. When I got home, it would not connect to my iPhone. It was a light rain throughout the run, so I thought it might have had something to do with the HRM and clothing being wet/signal. But then when the BLE wouldn’t work, I thought moisture might have gotten into the watch. I powered it off and back on and the ANT/BLE began working. So I believe it was a software glitch, possibly caused when I hit the lap button (by accident).
Second, I used the resume later feature ½ through the run when I stopped to do some pushups and stretch, it is still recording as a multisport activity of two run in 3.0. I hope Garmin fixes this.
Is there a way to add waypoints on the watch while doing activities?(like the POi on the ambit). I understand you can add waypoints on your computer or mobile phone but not directly on the watch ?
I’m updating my experience with mis-counting lenghts. After updating to version 3.0 firmware, the problem has gotten worse. This morning, it missed 200 meters out of 2600 meters of continuous freestyle. These show up clearly on the data on Garmin Connect as “lengths” that take twice as long with twice as many strokes per length. Even though I never had this problem with 910xt or fenix 2, Garmin says that all of the units have to “learn” and that it might take a “few weeks” for this to self-correct. I’m skeptical and thinking of returning the device. Anyone else heard of such a thing? Over the years, I have had multiple failures with first 910xt and then fenix 2, but never a problem with mis-counting lengths. At this point, I”m tempted to switch to Polar v800. I would appreciate input.
I am fairly new to swimming especially with this type of watch. I had some issues with lengths and stroke types being counted incorrectly with the FR920xt that I owned briefly. But since switching to the F3 the data has been flawless. This only represents 3 indoor swim sessions so far, but I have been really happy with the performance.
I’m not a runner or cyclist so I’m struggling to find answers regarding things pertains to Crossfit/Circuit Traing/HIIT etc… Right now my big issue is calorie calculation. Is the HRM RUN data being factored in calorie calc?? It’s registering approx 600 for an hour of intense exercise. My polar M400 was in the 800-1000.
Fenix3 Grey FW 3.0.0
Using Strenth setting for indoor circuit training
Activity level 9
VO2 – 61
Resting HR 60
Yes, it uses the HRM strap to generate calorie numbers.
Honestly, 600 sounds a bit more correct for Crossfit related activities than 800-1000. That sounds a touch bit high. That would of course vary by weight/age/etc…
Over the years I’ve found that most devices (especially gym equipment – Lifefitness is shocking) overestimate calories massively for me. I always track my calories consumed and going off my Garmin’s I’ve had the most success losing and maintaining weight. 600 is the equivalent of me running at threshold for an hour when I’m 68kg.
I would assume the unit just uses the HR data and your height/weight/sex.
I do agree.
But as a physician fond of sport physiology I find weird to have 61 ml/kg VO2max and a resting HR of 61… With 61 ml/kg most people are around 42-45 RHR. Maybe this make some calorie expense calculations false…
I’m also interested in this topic. I have a resting HR of 42-45 and an F3-calculated VO2max of 56. It was my understanding that the VO2max calculation is more related to max heart rate than resting. I set my max HR at 170 using the old standby method of 220-age (I just turned 51). Appreciate any insights.
I’ve become really fond of the notifications feature, especially for text/emails etc. Has anybody else got so used to it, they wish they could just ping back a simple text reply from the watch? Had a quick exchange with Ray about this; entirely possible, probably quite cumbersome and clunky ie simple text tool but super handy feature to have! I wonder if/when a connect IQ will appear which addresses this!
This would be entirely reasonable and not terribly bulky if the method was something like 8 to 10 customized “quick replies”. I suppose you could use the text interface to initially create the quick replies (better would be to use GC or transfer a txt file to the watch to parse from).
Hello I have my F3 now for 3 weeks and I am really happy, never less a question
I think my F2 had an option to have backlight automatic on when having an alert ?
Does someone knows if this is existing for the F3?as well?
Would be great to have this specially at night when running , I have the vibration but need to use both hands to see actually the lap time etc..
i ordered two Fenix 3 Performer Bundles and when opening the box i realized that: the GREY one comes with a “normal” HRM run band (the one on your photos) and the RED one comes with a new version like shown outside on the box: textile zone with black stripes. Any differences? The striped one is a newer version?
The changes is purely for comfort I’m told, and has no other differences in it. They’re phasing to that new one, but I have no idea how and why they selected different Fenix model bunldes to get different straps. :-/
Ok, thanks! Sounds reasonable. Since i ordered two devices because i couldn’t decide which color to take and now want to keep the grey one; in the Fenix settings, a HRM is already preset, i assume it’s the bundled one, so i can’t keep the “new” version since it’s recognized as delivered with the red bundle. The question is, if the sensor itself, and not the strap is exchangeable. I guess only this part is registered with a serial no. and not the strap. The striped strap with the “old” sensor should work and not affect warranty?! The red watch would be then sold with the “new” sensor, but the old strap… that’s a good idea or better not go for it?
Before you return one of the F3’s, Put the black band on the red and silver F3 and let me know what you think. I purchased the Red and Silver and bought the black band via CT and love it. And as stated in prior posts, the base ring is stainless so no paint/powercoat to scratch off. I love the looks of mine…Can wear to work in office setting, go for a run at lunch and back to work.
Hi guys
just got my Fenix 3 yesterday and i LOVE it 🙂 now one of the things that worried me was that i was told i could not use third party trainingplans anymore that is delivered as tcx files but you know what garmin training center saved me 🙂 here is my solution
when i contacted garmin they said that only fit files was supported but cant find any programs that will convert from tcx to fit
thay also said that garmin training center didnt work because it wasnt supported
but this morning after a lot off google search and frustration i tryed to connect with usb and closed garmin express and then opened training center and WTH my fenix 3 showed up after a search for new device !!! then i tryed to load a scheduled training for tomorrow (tcx trainingplan file from endomonde) and it went right through (allmost to good to be happening
so i disconnected and the watch started updating(i think the watch converts the tcx to fit by itself) and after 10 seconds i could find the scheduled training in my calendar 🙂
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
You'll support the site, and get ad-free DCR! Plus, you'll be more awesome. Click above for all the details. Oh, and you can sign-up for the newsletter here!
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
Check out
my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds! It’s a nice break from the day to day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
I had visited the Clever Training page like crazy for the last 3 weeks to see if the pre-order becomes order, but nothing still. REI already has the Fenix 3 bundle in stock, though. I will hang in here for a little while but as you all know, at this point I’m desperate for my toy. I need it, so to speak. 🙂
Thanks for the review. Still weighing up keeping my 920XT. Will keep an eye on the forums for a bit.
One question: when you hit “Enter” to end a run (while wearing a HR strap), but don’t hit “save”, “discard” or “resume” and instead wait a couple of minutes, does the Fenix3 show you your heart rate recovery value?
Only discovered this feature the other day after getting distracted before hitting “save”, but seems quite a useful stat.
Cheers!
Yes, it does HR recovery.
Nice one, thanks.
Hiciste DCR, Many thanks for your wonderful work!!!
Do you Know if there is any ios app like polar Beat to training live with the iphone??
Does anyone know if the coordinate system on the Fenix 3 can be set to MGRS (military grid reference system)? Unfortunately, I can’t find that info in the review or the manual.
Yes, MGRS is one of many.
will Fenix3 work with Blackberry for notifications
I have the same question. Will it be possible to have Garmin Connect Mobile on BlackBerry platforms so that we can get notifications via Bluetooth connections. The question was ask to both Garmin and Blackberry and no clear answers were given.
Think I am on something…have a look
link to forums.garmin.com
Hi Ray,
I am particularly interested in the accuracy of this watch, and other watches for that matter.
I regularly run 1km, 1.6km and 2km repeats. i currently have a Fenix 2 and the accuracy of this watch is terrible!!! When i run repeats (accurately measured using a measuring wheel) i get anything from 50m short to exactly accurate.
Could you perhaps show the accuracy doing some repeats of a measured interval and show if your distance and therefore pace is accurate from one repeat to another?
A couple years ago i had a suunto with the “FusedSpeed” feature and i found the overall accuracy of Suunto watches to be MUCH BETTER than garmin even when doing these repeats, but even more so on long steady runs.
Can you comment on the Garmin accuracy VS Suunto and other similar products.
Thanks
I dont have Fenix 3 yet but for outdoor interval training food pod is must. I had also Ambit 2 and Fenix 2.. even though Ambit 2 was way accurate instant pace was waay off so I think its safe to say that extra 50-60USD for foot pod is safe bet (you can use different brands like Adidas or Suunto all footpods which use Ant)
For the moment “pace-from-footpod” is not possible with the F3 (nor FR920XT). However Garmin (the devs) acknowledge this issue and may implement this in a future maintenance update. This is a quote from Garmins forum.
Not to be a negative Nelly, Thomas, but I would not hold your breath. It’d be great to see the feature return soon, but I also remember a similar statement regarding gear tracking capability on Garmin Connect in mid-2009, years before it’s eventual 2014 release. 🙂
Yes you’re right George. Date and time was never mentioned and I do understand ConnectIQ and bluetooth issues are more important at the moment. This is why I keep me FR610 as a backup 😉
if i have F3 and vivosmart and wear them on alternating days would GC consolidate my calories burn and steps?
Question for Ray (more like to Garmin really !).
Given the F3 is such a piece of high tech near perfect gear, and for that matter the upcoming garmin series with activity tracking capabilities, do you think Garmin will make any more effort to improve the sleep tracking function to become automatic like polar. I know people who buy the F3 are probably least worried about this function but surely for something this dear, one should not have to expect to punch in the sleep time and wake up time manually every night and morning (like chink in the armour, real shame)!, and if Polar and others can, why can’t Garmin ??
You don’t have to punch it in. Just go to the activity tracker screen when you go to bed, hit the top right button, and click yes. In the morning, do that again. Easy peasy.
Does anyone have any recommendations as far as a screen protector for the Fenix 3?
Aside from the ones designed for Fenix 3, you can use moto 360’s protectors as they are a perfect fit. 😉
I bought a screen protector specially designed for Fenix3 on link to protectionfilms24.com
It fits very well the screen with a diameter of 38mm. Highly recommanded 😉
For those of you, who are in Switzerland, these guys have the gray bundle available in different shops:
link to baechli-bergsport.ch
The price is not bad, it is in fact lowest I have seen for the bundle and hey, the more important part is that they have it in stock!
Unfortunately I am still waiting for my Sapphire pre-order…
Bora – thanks a lot, that is useful to know. I still can’t really believe it, as more regular Garmin distributors (e.g. Primal) don’t have it yet… Thanks!
You are welcome Iustin.
I have also been checking the online Garmin distributors incl. Primal but none of them shows any positive sign yet. I’ll keep chasing Baechli and other outdoor shops and if there will be any trace of the sapphire, the online order will be canceled right away…
It seems they have plenty of them – all their Filials have them on stock. I’m not trying to say anything bad here, but isn’t it just a bit weired they have on stock and those who ordered directly from Garmin are still waiting. I’m just wondering and think I’ll stay with my pre-order.
Thanks to this subthread, I’m now the happy owner of a grey HRM bundle, at a good price. I went there in the morning, asked if they _really_ had the Fenix 3, he said: “of course, the stock is full” (⁈). Saw the watch, it’s visibly bigger than my normal day to day watch, bought it, and started playing with it on the train 🙂
When I mentioned that they are the only ones that have the Fenix 3, he didn’t want to believe me. He said “maybe we don’t have many units?”, but when he checked internal inventory, it showed full (just like the website).
Anyway, I’m finally over the wait. The only “downside” is that the watch has software version 2.30, which is very old; I wonder if these are from the first production batches? Can’t wait to get home from work and update the firmware…
Thanks again Bora, this means I’ll have the watch on time for my next ski trip!
Iustin, I am really glad I could help and they you got it on time! I called them yesterday to ask about Sapphire and they told me that they lost the last one (in their store in Oerlikon) back a few minutes ago, so the lady was probably talking about you 🙂 But she is right, they had it available in 4-5 different stores. For Sapphire, she said beginning of April.
For those of you, still hopelessly looking in Switzerland, another store that has it is Transa.ch , again only Gray bundle. And early next week they might be getting a few Sapphires.
In any case, mine arrived from garminshop.ch this morning, I am super happy and I can really recommend garminshop.ch . They have a great customer service.
Hi Ray,
Considering getting a Fenix 3 to replace my worn out Garmin 800 for cycling and 410 for running. Does the Fenix have the capability for 5 bike profiles like the 800 has ?
Cheers,
Andy
Verbatim from the review:
“The Fenix3 follows in the footsteps of both the Edge 1000 and FR920XT in including the sensor pool concept. This means that instead of having ‘bike profiles’, you just pair all your sensors into what is effectively a pool. When those sensors turn on (such as turning your bike wheel, or putting on your HR strap), then the Fenix3 will automatically find them.”
I am still watchless. adrift in a sea of lonliness without pace, hr, nothing. lost and sad. frustrated. why oh why did i return my 920xt to wait for the f3. i never imagined how upset i could be by not having a gps watch. how did anyone live before they existed? how did I? please garmin, please, send some grey ones to clever training so they can send one to me. please….
Tell me about it Len. It is Tuesday already (well Wednesday night in Australia). Surely things have started moving. I received an email from clever training today. I was so excited. Excitement was premature, they were asking me to rate my experience with them when buying my VIP membership. Do’oh.
Surely Clever Training can’t be the last company in the world to get decent amounts of stocks in? Makes me worry a little about their liquidity..
Right bedtime, hopefully good news overnight.
Count me in to the geek band please. Have a M400 but cannot wait any longer to get my hands on the sapphire. Ordered on 19th of Feb but it feels like months and months ago. Still no trace of any shipment. Hope I’ll get it before my 16K on 21st…
I hear your pain. Loosing my Fenix 2 last summer was a cruel form of Torture until I was able to get something else.
Per my recent call with CT, it does not sound as though anymore shipments will be going out this week. Hopefully that is not the case. It is becoming extremely difficult to not just cancel my order and place a new order online with REI, considering they have them in stock. Although it seems a little childish of me to be upset about this, holding my ~$500 for over 2 months now with nothing to show for it and no estimate of delivery seems a bit ridiculous. C’est la vie
Yep frustrating. Yep, REI has them in stock. Yep, last email indicated regular deliveries to work through backlog. I dont have an immediate event, so I can keep using my F2. Got a 50miler in May. Hopefully CT will have filled january 7th orders by May. 😉
Just to make a minor correction, a batch of Sapphires arrived today at 10:53AM into CT, and will ship out today. A batch of Silver Bundles is scheduled to arrive Friday, and will ship out the same day.
The customer service folks have been notified/corrected.
Enjoy!
Guys,
I got notice Monday that CT had received and shipped a red/silver watch only and it arrived today. I was able to intercept at post office this am and catch it before it got on the delivery truck. So good, news is that other models are starting to come into CT and they are re-shipping same day with a minimum 2 day as my pre-order was with the free ground shipping when ordered. So we all are at Garmin’s mercy on this.
Sounds like Ray has talked to CT and more are on the way the rest of the week. Hope you all get them real soon…and really sorry for those of you who have your units hostage at a shipping location that is weather bound. They say Yoga is good for releasing frustration. : )
I’m waiting for my Sapphire from Above and Beyond in the UK. They had word from Garmin yesterday (official UK launch day for Fenix 3) that it will take 2-3 weeks to catch up with the backlog of pre-orders.
A few questions that I did not see answered.
#1 – Can this display LAT/LONG of your location?
#2 – If so which DATUM does it use for those numbers?
#3 – Providing you can make a track, with it calculate acreage?
Thinking of using for both work and play.
Thank you.
1) yes; 2) WGS84 and many others; 3) I don’t think so.
Although perhaps some enterprising soul could address #3 in Connect IQ….
I’m intrigued, are you planning to run around field boundaries?
@Pete R. – Thank you
@ MattB – My plan would be to used it as I do my Garmin 60 or 62 for fire perimeter/acreage. It would be nice to have the feature in the field and not have to go back to the office/computer to download. Though with some simple math it can be done, the “easy button” is always nice.
Accidental auto-multi sport:
Ray,
Today I ran to the gym, worked out, and ran back after my workout. I saved the first part of my run for later. When I went to resume it, the watch asked what activity I wanted first, then asked to resume. I was running back, so I selected run but I started thinking…
What if I choose a different sport. The ability to switch from sport to sport on the fly, like the 920 or 910 would be useful on the F3. (brick running, or multiple activities on a whim)
When I got back, I tested my question. I was able to start a run, then save it for later. I gave the watch a few moments, then went to start another activity, choose hiking. The watch asked me to resume my activity.
The only issue is, sometimes the F3 wanted to automatically resume my last activity and other times it allowed me to pick the activity before resuming. Below are my connect links.
Do you have any experience with the F3 and “auto-multi-sport.”
The run, to and from the gym:
link to connect.garmin.com…romLegacy=true
The test, run then hike:
link to connect.garmin.com
Yes. I have experience with this “auto-multi-sport”. My issue is that as you said the fenix 3 “sometimes” wants to automatically resume my last activity while other times pick a new sport. Even if I pick the same sport, the activity is saved as a multi-sport.
The one time that I resumed the same activity, the resumed leg of the activity did not save to Garmin Connect…
I’ve submitted this issue to Garmin Support.
Its known (bug or feature is the debate) that a save and resume-later results in two files. GC seems to know its all one event. My question is auto-upload to strava. What does strava show, two different activities?
Hi Ray!, can you clarify what data is transferred/sync to the iOS Health app from Fenix3?
Garmin Connect Mobile sends: Active Calories, Steps, and Walking + Running Distance.
Are they planning to add Sleep too?
Ray thank you a lot, my humble opinion is that your site is number one place for all sport gadgets geeks on the net:))) because you i bought 920xt and vivosmart , and few days ago fenix 3:)) and now question, is there any way on fenix 3,to put recovery time between other widgets, for quick check…
Ray thank you a lot, my humble opinion is that your site is number one place for all sport gadgets geeks on the net:) because you i bought 920xt and vivosmart , and few days ago fenix 3:)and now question, is there any way on fenix 3,to put recovery time between other widgets, for quick check
Thank you for the fantastic in-depth review.
Do you know if the battery is user replaceable and/or what the expected lifetime of the battery is? Just wondering if the watch will become useless (or at least less useful) at some point …
DavidW: The battery isn’t user replaceable, but I believe that’s the case for every other gps sports watch you might consider.
In any event I’d expect at least three years out of it; my 610 was 3.5 years old and still quite serviceable although battery life was noticeably less than when it was brand new.
If it should fail out of warranty you’ll need to send it to Garmin for replacement. The current price for out-of-warranty repairs (essentially swapping with a refurbished watch) is $130 for a Fenix3. See link to www8.garmin.com
Well after sitting in Fedex’s main hub in Memphis, TN for 3 days now, because of their winter weather backlog, my silver/red F3 from CT is now sitting at the Greensboro, NC sorting facility, 5 miles from my house! It won’t get to my local office, which is also 5 miles from my house, until tomorrow, and then to me by tomorrow night! Come on Fedex I’m dying from anticipation over here! I know its a small problem compared to others that are still in the pre-order cue but its driving me crazy!!!!
There is the option to move to the Apple watch o.0 in lieu of F3!
Yes Robert there is this option..
Only if you are not an athlete..
I would totally use an Apple Watch if a company were to introduce a BT GPS pod similar to what Suunto used to use for their pre-GPS watches:
link to suunto.com
Music, maps, Strava, haptic feedback all provided by the Apple Watch and GPS by a tiny waterproof pod.
Kickstarter anyone?
Yep your activities are constrained by the battery life of your phone.. May as well just use your phone.. Make sure you have your phone in a plastic bag too.. In case it rains.. Or.. You sweat..
Gps pod would be awesome to give you your swolf metrics in the pool too..
Apple watch for people who talk about getting fit.. I would not mind one as a gimmicky watch.. But Garmin 910/920/Fenix 3 for those authentic multi sport individuals out there..
Just don’t run hard enough to sweat….
Robert, grow up!
Hi from Australia Ray,
In relation to the section about no support for BaseCamp Mobile, I contacted a Tier 2 support Tech at Garmin Australia about this, he checked with his outdoor specialist and confirmed that BC Mobile will work on the F3.
Not sure whats going on there, maybe a future update thing.
That is very good news… 🙂
I’m waiting for basecamp mobile fenix 3 support
The only way to add custom tracks and waypoints wirelessly
Hope it’s done soon
Just to set current expectations there, the Fenix3 does not currently work with Basecamp Mobile. The iOS app hasn’t been updated in over 13 months.
I haven’t heard anything from Garmin that would indicate otherwise (that could well change with a single note from them 1 minute from now, but it hasn’t to date).
Thanks Ray.
It’s a shame though – I personally haven’t found a way to create a route and get it onto a Garmin device without using GC on the desktop. Would be great to be able to do that on a mobile via some option.
it would be very disappointing…
Indeed, I’ll press it again with a clarifying e-mail today.
Great, thanks!
That’s great – thanks Ray.
Did you get an answer from garmin?
The short version of a very long discussion/thread is that we won’t see Basecamp Mobile be updated, but that we’ll likely see it consolidated into their existing Garmin Connect Mobile app. They were seemingly keenly aware of the current gap and are trying to remedy it as quick as possible, they said: “What I can’t provide is an exact timeline, but for things like waypoints, we definitely realize the concern and know we need to meet customers where they are today, which is much more likely to be on their mobile device than their desktop.”
THX for your work!
I hope Garmin will also address track management with a IOS and Android… The feature I used most was to import a GPX track (or waypoints) from the mail application or a webpage or my Dropbox into BCM, then send it to my Fenix 1 or Oregon 650….
Would be a big step back for me…
Fenix2 would show steps in a given activity in the history on the watch for each run but the fenix3 only appears to show steps for the entire day. I’ve searched for steps in just the current activity but cannot find it. Anyone figure this out? Fenix2 step count was only visible from the watch history, it wouldn’t upload it but it was still an interesting stat to see for a given run…
Thanks
If anyone is curious I mapped out a course and tried out some of the navigation (course) features:
– When using the directional pointer, link to dcrainmaker.com , screen it probably took 4 or 5 seconds at an intersection to indicate the new direction. It was great for hiking or running but probably not as useful for biking (the map screen might be better for that.)
– When I intentionally turned in the wrong direction, I only made it about 20ft before the Fenix3 alerted me I was off-track by vibrating and beeping. The alert was firm but not annoying and obviously wasn’t effected by the screen I’d chosen to display.
– It didn’t appear that the directional pointer was a field that be added to a screen with other custom metrics, this was mildly disappointed but not a big deal.
Ray – not sure if you’ve noticed but a possible reason for repetitive postings is that when posting using iPhone – mine is iPhone 6, there is an error message stating that post was unsuccessful, with a warning symbol; background also turns yellow. The post however is successful. Apols if you’ve already picked this up but thought it helpful to let you know. Feel free to delete this post as it’s not rel to the fenix 3 discussion.
Cheers Dan
Yeah, I see that occasionally – almost always from mobile phones, though it seems to vary (mostly Android, so this is the first I’ve heard of it on iOS). I’m sending a note over to the developer dudes now to see if they can poke at it some more. Appreciate it!
just for completeness – this has happened on my iPhone 6 Plus a couple of times too.
Happens to me almost every time. I’m posting from a 5s. 🙂
But after your first post, you kind of know to ignore it
Thanks. The dev guys made some changes this afternoon that they think might address it. I’d be curious if others see it again.
Just happen again from my iPhone 6
Yep, happens to me on my Windows Phone too
Hi Ray
Since last weekend when my F3 picked up the v2.90 software update I notice that battery life under normal watch operations has been cut dramatically. I charged the watch on sunday night after a run. Last night it read almost full battery. This morning the watch was dead. I plugged it in the charger and read 1% battery after a few minutes charging. Have you heard any issues with the new sw that decreases battery life?
Also it seems Garmin did not get the update process quite right. On this F3 even after installing the update the watch continues to ask to install the update over again.
Have you heard of similar issues?
Cheers
I have seen others complain about the request for install even after the update. I am curious, did you do the software upgrade directly by watch over wifi OR did you do it by plugging into the computer and doing it through garmin express?
I had the same issue. Went to bed with 100% and woke up with around 50% just before heading our for an event. I restarted the phone, and read on Garmin forums that Auto-Upload in Wifi could be the issue, so turned that off. Since then I have not had the issue again and battery life is good. It might not be anything to do with Auto-upload but I haven’t turn it back on yet to test.
I also had the multiple install thing but that seems to have sorted itself out now. One thing I have seen suggested is that GUPDATE.gcd is being left in the Garmin folder on the device – so you could check that and delete it if it is still there.
I saw the increda-battery-burn after the update as well this weekend on one watch. Basically 80% to 0% in less than a dozen hours. I flagged it to the Fenix team, and also pointed them to the Garmin Forums thread with others seeing the same.
That said, once I recharged, I haven’t seen it happen again – and battery usage seems normal. For me it seems to have been a one-time thing, almost as if something wasn’t ‘set’ right after the update install but once it hard-powered off it was fine.
Hi. I’ve tried all of te above.
Do you still have the same issue or were you able to fix it? I just made a post today about a very similar issue I am now facing with the firmware 2.3.
I’m on 4.90 firmware version. This bug with “asking to install the same update over and over again” is very annoying and because of it the watch responds very slow. For me it started right after I installed 4.20 and it continued with all of the updates all the way to 4.90. I do not have the this Garmin software team behaves like is on super tight budget, i.e. cannot afford extensive testing before they decide to rollout update. Or worse yet, they lack skills to do better job. I should have stayed away from Garmin. Very disappointed. By the way, I no not have this “GUPDATE.gcd” in the main folder of my watch and the “install” message keeps popping.
I have been using a grey fenix 3 for two days. Did 1 indoor and 1 outdoor run, took a few showers and dried it off with a towel, and slept with it on. Don’t recall hitting the watch against anything. The glass already has several fine scratches that weren’t on from new. Based on this, I’m thinking the sapphire might be a better option. It is a shame Garmin doesn’t sell the sapphire without the metal band for a cheaper price. Also experienced major GPS drift on my run yesterday with Smart Tacking on (by accident), trying 1 second tracking today. Otherwise the looks, feature set, and functionality are great.
Listed for 620 on amazon, wow.
Hi and thanks for the great (as always) review!
I read that there will be support for the Di2 integration.
Do you know if there is a planned support for the Dura Ace Di2 STIs.
You mentioned it in your Garmin Edge update article:
‘Added Shimano Di2 shifter remote control support. Now you can advance training pages on your Edge 1000 remotely with your Shimano Di2 shifters.’
I got my fenix 3. And its great.
I just want to ask anyone know how to make a duathlon profile with transition? Separating the bike from the run?
And when creating a new profile can seem to find the cadence profile so i can put data feild of speed and cadence sensor.
Thanks.
Got it from CT? Was is a Sapphire? Silver? Grey? when did you preorder?
You’ll create it by going to:
Menu > Settings > Apps > Add New > Multisport
And then just select the sports you want, and if you want transitions enabled.
please help… maybe it’s a dumb question , but i dont know how to update the software to 4.80 ( link to www8.garmin.com ). the watch says it’s up to date with 2.90, and garmin connect says it’s 2.30… both say i’m up to date. tryed with garmin express too… 2.30, you’re up to date 🙂
and also i cant set up the date. actualy i didnt found any field in settings to allow this. i use analog watch face, and it says 27 feb 🙂
if anyone has any ideea please share. thank you a lot
That link is for the Fenix(1). For the Fenix3, version 2.90 is the most up to date.
For setting the date, go outside and it’ll aquire via GPS (just turn on one of the sport modes).
ok… sry for that … i’m new at this .
thank you 🙂
Can we use bands of Fenix2?
I’ve read on the Garmin forums that users with both watches have used the Fenix 2 leather strap on the Fenix 3 without problem. So I’d say yes you can.
Thanks
great review again thanks,
do you know if the di-2 wireless d-fly works with the watch (app it works with the garmin 1000 if on the correct firmware) ?
also have you heard anything further on this?;
link to velonews.competitor.com
I got the Fenix 3 now for 1 week. I like the watch and use it every day. However the GPS accuracy dissapointed me a lot in last run. This was my first run in a forrest with this watch and it lost track completely. In the end it said i ran 9km instead of 9.86 (recorded with 2 other devices). According the map i ended a few hundred meters away from the starting point, but start and finish where the same position. I hope this is not a hardware issue and a firmware update will solve this issue.
Btw recording was at 1 sec intervals and GLONASS was on.
Try turning off GLONASS, that’s generally a good first step for troubleshooting GPS accuracy (after having turned on 1s recording, which you did already). Also, if you haven’t done so yet, let the GPS ‘soak’ for about 10-15 mins outside sometime (GPS-on), just sitting there.
Ray, I agree that these are the right steps to debug/help the situation but going forward how do you see GLONASS being useful? For someone like you who travels a lot, does Garmin expect you to be constantly testing the GPS/GLONASS signal in order to determine which setting provides the best accuracy? I wish the watch itself would calculate the Horizontal Dilution of Precision (HDoP) for both GLONASS on and off, and automatically determine (for the given geographic location) which one is better to use.
WRT the “soaking” suggestion, in the past one could see both the HDoP estimate and the Satellite SNR bars fill-in which meant that the watch had acquired the transmitted Ephemeris (instead of the estimated/cached one). What are we supposed to do now, just wait and hope the ephemeris downloaded with no UI indication?
I honestly don’t understand why Garmin removed the SNR/HDoP status page which is very useful for people who want to have the best track for any given day’s GPS constellation.
For me, I tend to just leave it on. I’ve had pretty good luck with it, especially in city environments. I haven’t seen any adverse impacts in the forests I run in, but they also aren’t dense redwoods either.
I still don’t have a good reason as to why that page was removed on recent watches. I keep poking them on it. I wish, if nothing else, that they’d expose that through Connect IQ. And, also record it. It’s really make support troubleshooting a heck of a lot easier too.
Exposing the GPS accuracy over Connect IQ would be brilliant and the recording would be great too.
BTW and for comparison, the Suunto Ambit line records Number of Satellites, HDOP and EHPE values in the .SML (standard XML) track files, making it “easy” to see where GPS was struggling. I put easy in quotes because someone needs to dig deep to find these variables which are unfortunately not exposed by Suunto’s App API. So no real-time GPS accuracy information on the Ambit line either!
Thanks for the tip Ray, i will do my next run in a forrest with GLONASS off. Hope this will improve the accuracy.
was one of the other devices a 920xt? as they ought to be same hardware and similar firmware, it would be great side by side comparison, right? meaning if F3 struggled so should 920xt also right?
same hardware? For a start the antenna is different on the f3.
yes of course the F3 has the new ring antenna. how epic would it be that engineering and test screwed up and new antenna and placement has worse performance that the 920xt. that aside as stated in the review, the F3 is essentially a 920xt wrapped in a different package, so difference in GPS should be reflected, and in theory worse in the 920.
feature wise it may be similar but we can’t be sure the hardware is the same. I think battery is also different so that along with antenna & the shell could all play a part. I don’t think i’ve seen anything stating the GPS chip is the same either but i could be wrong.
Not sure how to leave the GPS on for the soak. I tried going to the run app and getting a signal, but it wouldn’t stay on for more than five minutes before shutting off. Figuring it was a setting issue, I went in and changed it to Extended under power save and it did the same thing. On the original Fenix, I could just go to the GPS tools, turn on one like satellite view, and it would stay on forever. Sorry, but what am I doing wrong on this one to be able to do the soak?
I was going to ask the same question.
Any ideas anyone ?
Quick question: should GLONASS be turned on or off for best location accuracy and fastest lock?
This is for North America, if this matters.
What about being in Europe?
There’s no perfect answer there. For most folks, in general, turning on can provide additional satellites (it won’t change lock times). However, for a small handful, it seems to cause issues. But, that handful tends to be based on location – more than a person. Meaning, it might be a certain forested area is challenging due to the terrain/conditions of that area.
I’ve seen no tangible difference using the unit in North America, Europe, South Africa, or the Middle East. In my case, I’ve had good luck leaving GLONASS as on.
Do you know why Garmin made the default to have GLONASS turned off?
Because it slightly reduces battery life (about 10-20%).
Thanks DC!
So I just found something interesting in the Connect Mobile App. If you go to Devices, click on Fenix 3, click Connect IQ Apps, then Manage Storage, it shows that you can only install 16 apps/widgets/data fields/watch faces to the watch and only 512KB is dedicated to these add-ons. That means even if you use all of the available slots, you will still have over 20MB of storage on the watch.
1/7 Sapphire CT order. Getting behind ridiculous. Red and Gray available in stock online and a 1/7 preorder sounds like waiting at least another week.
Wait, what? I ordered gray 01/07 and still have nothing……
Just checked, they still show PREDORDER. I was about to get angry 🙂
Sorry what I meant was browsing around I have seen both Red and Gray available at REI or others at times.
Look again. REI this morning shows everything but silver-bundle as in-stock and ready to ship.
I ASSumed he meant CT, that is who I have ordered from. But sadly no order ship confirmation in the mail today…. Man they must have had a ton of orders pre 01/07…
hi,
i use fenix 3 for 3 days. for now is ok. but i do not know about smart notifications. i got info about SMS but i can not read it on watch. is is possible or not?
is it possible or not?
yes once you connect via bluetooth sms is able to be read on the watch
and why i cant. i have only information that sms is but no words
You have to activate the message preview on the smartphone. It seems, that it shows only the sender’s name or number.
Thanks for the great review! Any idea if garmin will sell a sapphire bundle in the US like they are in UK?
There is talk of it, but nothing has been finalized or announced yet.
If you had a choice of buying Fenix 3 at £330 (or $ 490) or Ambit 3 Peak at £250(or $ 380), which one would you recommend to get?
Assuming the bike sensor lack of support on the Ambit 3 is acceptable, for now. And the lack of the activity tracking (steps etc).
link to dcrainmaker.com
Thanks Sean B. I’ve seen the table and read the reviews. I was looking more for a “human comparison” assessing the price vs difference in features / user interface.
Ok. So Jan 7th Grey HRM bundle preorder. Who is our bookie? Whats the over-under on whether we get good news later today or more “We are working through backorder as fast as…” blah blah 🙂 Patience.. I know.. Patience..
FWIW, just got confirmation from Clever Training that my 1/10/15 order for the F3 Grey Performer bundle is in with today’s shipment and will be shipping out today. So they did get a shipment of F3s today. Good luck…..
Yes, they got another shipment in today (Grey bundle, Silver Bundle). They have another shipment leaving Garmin today to them (Sapphire, Grey bundle). They’re awaiting tracking to find out if Garmin correctly processed that for overnight as requested.
Finally, while semi-related, the first (large) batch of Vivoactive’s also arrive Monday to CT.
Ok, two updates to my previous update. The Grey bundles expected to ship from Garmin today, actually already came in today – sorry for that. But, they did confirm that the next lot shipping from Garmin today (Sapphires) did indeed go out overnight, so they’ll arrive Monday.
Thanks for everything Ray….tempting though it was to cancel the CT order and go REI, it’s nice to know that you get a little something out of the CT orders….plus it saved me some good money over REI, so worth the wait as it turned out :-)……looking forward to logging my first pool swim and hike this weekend. Joe
I appreciate the support Joe! I think we’re getting close to clearing out the backorders. Hopefully next week will be a tipping point (they don’t yet have details for what will be shipping to them next week).
Makes me wonder about my 1/9 Grey HRM bundle. I have not received any notification as of yet from CT.
Ray –
As always, thanks for the high quality work you perform, it’s world class and highly appreciated.
Question: would you have visibility on which are the chances Garmin will fulfill CT with the required F3s to complete all backorders during the next week?
At this point, I just want to understand if holding for CT for the next 2 weeks makes sense (I pre-ordered a Gray bundle on 2/10).
Thanks.
It’s hard to say, they won’t get their next week shipment numbers until next week. They had (another) good ‘come to Jesus’ type call this morning with Garmin regarding Fenix3 shipments, so hopefully that results in more shipments next week. It sounds like the larger production volumes from Garmin won’t now happen till the week after.
Will there be support with Bluetooth to a Widows 8.1 phone or higher now or in the future?
Garmin hasn’t announced anything there, though, they did recently add Garmin VIRB support for Windows 8.1.
Thanks for the quick reply, will keep my fingers crossed, otherwise no smart phone connectivity for my Nokia 928 till next year when I can get a new phone.
A Windows App would be great an a big Chance for Garmin in my opinion with Windows 10 on it’s way and the universal apps that run on phone, tablet and Desktop. There are already quite some universal apps (fitbit, dropbox, OneDrive, etc)
Ray, thanks again for a great review. Any issues with the watch while removing a wetsuit? I didn’t see any mention of this in the review and it’s been an issue with other watches.
Thanks again
It’s not entirely easy, I’ll say that. I actually have a video I completely forgot to post, where I took it trying to remove the wetsuit with the watch on. In the process I managed to punch myself in the face (and even got a bloody lip). I’ll have to see where that clip went…
To be fair, it was the first time I’d attempted it, and so I think with a bit of tinkering I could figure out the trick to it.
Oh yes – that is a video you need to share with your faithful readers 😉
Yep, this sounds like it might even be worthy of The week in Review videos-I-liked-on-the-internet list! 😛
Any chance to look into this? (better yet, any chance of getting a look a the video?)
Just got my Fenix 3. Very impressed with the looks of it. One question: the 920xt has a useful shortcut menu. Press the 3-dot button, and it can do things like calibrate your power meter without hunting through menus. I haven’t seen any indication in the manual or elsewhere that the Fenix 3 has this same functionality. Hoping somebody will tell me I’m wrong. . .Thanks.
So far as I can tell this is something missing in the Fenix 3. I’ve searched “calibrate” and “power meter” in the owner’s manual and find nothing on calibrating power meters. I hope it is added!!! I am loving the Fenix however and have used it for run/bike/swim.
Hi all!
I had a Fenix2 and it was a disaster of bugs! I love Suunto and I’m using the Ambits from 3 generations! Less functions, often not necessary, but great reliability!
I was thinking to get an F3 but I’m still reading about freezing and bugs!!!
Garmin continues to invest in Connect-IQ and others “astronomical features” but does not solve reliability problems! I seem to see that Ray tries to hide the problems!
I’m very sorry because now Garmin seemed to solved another big problem: poor materials quality.
I like the F3 esthetically but Suunto is another planet.
Thank you. 🙂
So…to summarize, you don’t have a Fenix3 but are somehow experiencing bugs with the Fenix3 you don’t have?
Just making sure I understand what your complaint is, aside from trying to stir the pot for a pot that doesn’t seem to need any stirring.
Hi Ray!
Mine is not a criticism. No need to have an F3, just read the reviews on your site.
Meanwhile I’m writing, the last comment here (n°682) confirm the problem.
I think the Fenix was born, as the Ambit, as an Ultra watch for endurance. Garmin should focus his work to improve the real necessity of this kind of athlete, instead to put in new features often not necessary. People that asks Widget, Apps, etc… will purchase Apple Watch or similar…
I’m testing the new Suunto Ambit sw and now this watch is able to track an UTMB or TOR DES GEANTS fully!
This is what really asks this kind of athletes.
In my view…
Best Regards
You are the top in reviews!
Antonio
Hi Ray!
Mine is not a criticism. No need to have an F3, just read the reviews on your site.
Meanwhile I’m writing, the last comment here (n°682) confirm the problem.
I think the Fenix was born, as the Ambit, as an Ultra watch for endurance. Garmin should focus his work to improve the real necessity of this kind of athlete, instead to put in new features often not necessary. People that asks Widget, Apps, etc… will purchase Apple Watch or similar…
I’m testing the new Suunto Ambit sw and now this watch is able to track an UTMB or TOR DES GEANTS fully!
This is what really asks this kind of athletes.
In my view…
Best Regards
You are the top in reviews! 🙂
Antonio
…Ambit4 is on the way!
Have Suunto sunk so low as to employ internet-shills (assuming you also posted the comment above)?
While waiting for my 1/10 CT Preorder, I feel a lot Ralphie from “A Christmas Story” waiting for his little Orphan Annie secret decoder ring. So when the CT update email came today, I couldn’t help but say “Oh, skunked again!” Maybe next week 🙂
The only silver long for my 2/8 CT grey bundle order is I get to watch all of you beta testers experience software lock ups. When I get my pre order in 4-6 more weeks, we’ll be on v6.0 of the firmware.
Grey HRM bundle was preordered on 1/7. Shipping label was created at 1:55pm today 3/13. So backlog has progressed to at least 1/7 for Grey bundles.
Wow my 2/8 grey bundle order seems like it may be 2 months out. Sigh.
I feel your pain. My 1/19 grey bundle feels like it is getting closer. Missed my first marathon of the year, maybe my second?
Ray, any word from Garmin on your end regarding the 2.9–>2.3 firmware rollback thing? The fenix3 forum is full of confused people trying to work out what they should be installing on the watch, with some reporting that Garmin reps have told them on the phone that they should use the ancient Webupdater software to downgrade to 2.3, while nothing is posted officially by Garmin themselves, other than Garmin Express saying 2.3 is the ‘current’ firmware, despite the watch saying 2.9! Is there any concern that staying on 2.9 could cause issues? Is that the longest sentence ever posted?
Bit of a mess altogether, but I’m sure it’ll all come together eventually, both for Garmin and my sentence structure!
2.3 update was for the ble/ant chip. That’s it.
According to the forums, and this is from the garmin support team, “This change is part of a roll back. Due to some recently identified issues, the most recent update has been removed until it can be made more stable. At this time the version you are on is the current, most stable version. Please let us know if you have any further questions.”
Apparently 2.9 is being rolled back to 2.3 to iron out some bugs? This is confirmed by people who have done this and lost music controls.
The current BLE/ANT is showing as 2.7 on peoples watches.
Current wisdom on the forums is if you are having problems, downgrade to 2.3. If not, stick with 2.9.
Got my F3 yesterday and got blocked/stopped by the v2.3 v2.9 thing. Pretty much stuck with using v2.3 it seems and there appear to be no avenue to get to later support for button lock, connectIQ and the other goodies. Any words through your Garmin channel Ray?
Someone else had said they were targeting Friday for a re-release. I’ll check an see if that’s the case.
Can anyone tell me if there are any other watches that will continue to record gps while being charged by an external battery pack? 99% of the time a typical 8-10 battery life would work for me but once or twice a year I run a 100 miler and would like a watch that could last for the entire race without having to be in “ultra mode”. The Fenix 3 looks like a great watch but is probably more then I need for the majority of my running and I am looking for other options. Thanks. For any response.
The suunto ambits will.
Ambit3, with the last sw 1.5, offers a battery of 20h with 1 sec fix and 200h with 1 min fix!!! I’m testing the sw. It will be released in the next weeks.
Do the Ambits do any type of live tracking for people wanting to keep tabs on your run, like during an ultra?
No.
CT must be working late, got a shipment notification at 7:50PM CST. Yay!
Have my F3 and love it. I also use an Edge when cycling, so I get a record of time and distance etc, but the Fenix (GPS off) records lots of steps – is this unavoidable without turning activity tracking off or using the Fenix to record the ride?
Thanks for the review Ray!
I received my Fenix 3 today and it worked fine for a few amazing hours…then it froze. I’ve seen that some other people have had issues with their unit freezing on vibrate after a notification, but my device is actually just stuck on the ‘GARMIN’ start up screen. Has anyone else had this issue? I’ve tried holding down the light button for 25+ seconds, and that makes the screen go completely blank (black screen, no logo, no data), but then when I start it back up, it still won’t progress past the ‘GARMIN’ screen. I’ve also tried plugging it into my computer and AC power. Through Garmin Express, my device will appear and the screen will show that it’s charging, but then when I unplug it, it either just stays on the charging screen or goes back to the GARMIN screen. It’s like it’s not booting up or something.
I’ve submitted a support request to Garmin, but was just wondering if you or anyone else out there had another other suggestions for things I could try? I really want to use my new watch!
Thanks so much!
When you connect it to your computer can you get to the storage on the watch? Might be worth deleting (or moving to your computer) any history files (sorry I can’t check the location of those at the moment but I think it is fairly obvious). Just wondering if one of those files is corrupt and stopping the watch booting?
I had the same problem after 3 working hours! I gave it back.
Hi Temperance/All,
My Fenix 3 also froze during a sync from ConnectIQ when I received a text message notification and then remained frozen on the Garmin start up screen.
Ultimately, all I had to do was connect the device to my computer via USB, delete the history, and manually complete the sync on Garmin Connect. I have not had any issues since this initial glitch and finished a triathlon with it this past Sunday, so hopefully it was a one-time thing but wanted to share this experience in case others have had a similar problem (when mine froze there were no comments re freezing on DCRainmaker – probably a good sign for Fenix 3).
The Garmin folks (Taiwan team) were very helpful with their suggestions, including the delete the history fix that ended up working.
(It’s my post so also should say thanks Ray – been reading your stuff for awhile and really appreciate the insight!)
Hello,
Nice job this review DCR ! Thnx
I’m interested in this multisport watch but…
I’ve 2 questions! Maybe the answers are already explained somewhere in the review, but still…
1) Gps function:
Is it possible to switch on/off the GPS manually? If not, is it possible with other watches? Because during daily activities or at night nobody needs to know where I am, what’s my HR, … for example.
2) Connectivity with smart phone:
I use a very simple Nokia mobile. I suppose that I’m not required to have a smart phone in combination with Garmin Fenix 3?
Best regards, Phyllzor
GPS Function – The GPS is only turned on when you are in an activity that uses the GPS, it is not on all the time. In addition unless you turn on Live Tracking on a connected phone, no one can get your location from just the watch even with GPS turned on.
Connectivity – You do not need a Smart Phone. The watch can sync connected to a computer or using Wifi on it’s own.
Ok i will get my F3 Monday so can should I retire my vivosmart
What do you guys recommend
I was thinking to sell the VS
Marc,
First thing, if you are going to use the F3 as your activity tracker, then make sure you sync your current vivofit/smart to get the most previous data before you answer the question if you want to make the F3 your activity tracker. It’s much cleaner to get your updated step data into GC this way than having to go back and promote and demote and sync and all that.
Now since I did not own a vivosmart, I can’t comment on its functionality for you, but I can comment on the sync between phone alerts and reading on the F3. I was rather impressed with this function. As Ray stated, I feel the vibrate on the F3 slightly before the phone alerts me. I see plenty of info on the screen to determine whether I need to pull the phone out of my back pocket or camel back to respond or continue on with exercise(cyclist that wears cycling jerseys to run when I carry my phone) and life is good. I like the fact that its all in one. Lets me free up a wrist now as I previously wore the F2 as a daily watch on one and the vivofit on the other. I say combine and sell the vivosmart, but remember….this is from my experience with only the F3 version and not an owner of the vivosmart.
So know getting my F3 tomorrow should I sell my Vivosmart ?
Any suggestion ?
Love my F3, but have issue with calorie count being off by about 15% on indoor runs (low by 15% to be exact). Comparing almost identical runs with my FR620 from 2 weeks ago and the F3 today for an 8 mile run F3 is 15% lower on calories. Same foot pod, same HRM and stats almost exactly the same (pace, Max HR, AVG HR).
Comparing outdoor runs they match pretty well and I don’t see the difference.
Foot pod is calibrated reasonably well (within 2%), but don’t think that should matter.
Anyone else seeing this?
I have exactly the same experience. Ray, any suggestions?
I have noticed the same…. but my outdoor runs are affected too. I believe I burn 90-100 cals per running mile (at least that’s what every Garmin I have had for the last 8 years has reflected). So for a 4 mile run I would end with a calorie burn of 370-400 or so. My recent 4 mile run with Fenix 3 showed a burn of 250. Intellectually, I know the number itself matters little…. it’s just a label and whatever I burned, I burned regardless of what a watch says. But, it kind of pisses me off….. I have also seen some threads about this on the Garmin forums. Some are speculating that it will become more accurate in time. I’m not sure about that….
Interesting, I’ll dig back into my indoor runs and see how it compares to the FR920XT and other units.
I’d agree that for 4mi, 250c is pretty low (unless you’re super lightweight). I haven’t seen any indication that calorie burn is ‘learned’ (which is different from something like VO2Max). But I can check with them.
Ray, I also noticed that the steps count is lower than the vivofit I had. At least 20%. Does it sound right? Thanks
I had the same experience with the 920t and now seeing it with the first few f3 runs, too. Tim Grose explained that calorie count is in fact learned. I can see that given that effort is related to heart rate and heart rate zones are a factor in VO2max calculations that are learned. I didn’t think it through all the way, but is seems feasible.
Thanks for checking into it, Ray. And FYI I am not a lightweight. I’m a 5’9″ female, weighing 140 lbs.
My f3 seems to have adjusted itself. I am 5’9″, 155# male. First run was about 70 calories per mile. Second was around 84 and today it registered about 105, which is where I was with the 920xt. This is at a 7:30-8:00 pace. I think it has figured me out, which is important for me since I figure out how much more I can eat based roughly on these numbers.
Seems the same for me now. Not sure if FW update or just somehow is aligned with VO2Max, or if setting the HR Zones again and making sure those are right and using non-Default values fixed it, but now in the range of 95 – 115 calories per mile which is same range I have gotten in the past from 620, and seems correct to me.
Ray, Any news on when the Komoot app will be available? How bout those widgets?
Interval training is CRITICAl to my race prep. So, what I would love to know, can I set 2 kinds of intervals I like that any basic $40 Timex can do: (1) Tabatas – 20 seconds hard /chime/ 10 seconds rest /chime/ x 8-10 sets and stop and (2) 1 min repeat interval timer that endlessly goes and chimes at every 1 minute (or any duration I pick). Can it do intervals like this?
You can do it from the watch or also load complex intervals from GC
Hey thanks… it seems like the answer then is “yes”. WHich is great news as this is a requirement for me.
You can create a highly customized interval experience, but there isn’t a way to do never-ending intervals though.
However, you can actually use run/walk mode, which is never-ending – and that oddly works really well for a host of scenarios (I occasionally use it for nutrition alerts actually).
So for Tabatas would you not go into Garmin Connect, make a “Workout” and make a 2 step workout of “Interval” of 20 seconds and then “Recovery” of 10 seconds and repeat for your desired 8-10 sets and send to watch?
And when you say “never-ending intervals” are you referring to my desires to endlessly beep every 1 minutes?
Yes, for the first part – you can absolutely do that. I was mostly referring to the endlessly beeping part (meaning, on GC you have to specify X numbers of repeats).
That said, you can do that with a simple Time alert, which basically will beep forever at a given specified interval.
Ray,
I am not able to find the run/walk “app” on my F3. Is this a custom activity “app”?
It’s an alert so go to settings > run > alerts > add new > run/walk and set times for run and walk.
Within the Running app > Settings > Alerts > Add New > Run/Walk.
Don’t Fenix have “Eat”/”Drink” alert like FR?
Why is my altimeter reading 1100 when im at 580? I havent really moved from this elevation all day. Ive come from owning suuntos and ive never had an issue like this. Really disappointing for a outdoors watch. I get that GPS will adjust it but you shouldn’t need to do that.
I calibrated it to the correct height manually. I then had to go out to the store and whatnot and this morning when i wake up its +150ft. For an ABC watch this is unacceptable. My suuntos never did that. I might have to go back to Suunto because I need the altimeter to be right in the mountains.
Hi,
Can you please indicate how I can buy this for delivery to Singapore? I can have someone bring it to me to India from there. Currently, Amazon USA says its out of stock – period, REI and Garmin US both say no commitment whatsoever on deliveries. If I get it delivered to US, I’ll need to wait till July before somebody travels over here. Any suggestions on sites thatll manage Sg delivery?
Thanks
A K
“Wellness” widget (activity tracking widget).” You mention this but it doesn’t seem to actually exist.
I think this refers to the step tracker, that is pre-installed on the Fenix – just go up or down from the watch face screen.
Ahh ok, I thought it was an IQ download reference. I don’t have the watch yet, so not sure if this was preloaded or a download.
Ray, I notice on the Fenix 2 review you show a map and route page with a dashed line indicating a preset route. Is that feature available on the Fenix 3 still?
Hi,
I’m wondering, if CT just started to ship pre-orders from January, when they will ship the ones ordered recently?
Should I ask them such question?
Ray, any idea how big is the backlog?
Cheers,
T
They have started to ship pre-orders from January (and beyond in some cases). The date varies by model bought. You should also be receiving a weekly Friday email from Clever Training (usually Friday evening). There have been units arriving almost every day the past week (Mon/Tues/Weds/Fri), plus again some on Monday tomorrow. They haven’t yet received details on next week, but they did have (another) pretty substantial call with Garmin late last week – so they’re optimistic that might unblock some backlog there.
Ultimately though, globally there’s just a shortage there. Demand has far outpaced supply.
Hi Ray, does it sync with wahoo blue sc? for speed and cadence? thank you
It will with the BlueSCv2 (which is dual ANT+/Bluetooth Smart), but not with the original version, which is Bluetooth Smart only. You can look on the side of the unit to see which one you have (it’ll have an ANT+ logo on it, if v2).
thx, ray, unfortunately it’s bt only. i bought it from apple store, and didn’t have a plan to buy fenix 3 at that time. Thank you
Yes, got mine today in the Netherlands. Fenix3 performer, black.
remco,
Where did you order yours?
Hello Ray, will waypoints in future become available to see on computer?
F1, and F2 supported that , F3 seems to hide them.
You can see tracks, but you cant see saved locations.
@rev,
Picked it up at Bever in The Hague (without any preorder).
As far as I know, they still have one (black) on stock.
Several items:
1) on my run today, i waited for the pace to drop to zero. i had a green circle. Yet during the run it was obvious the satellite strength had dropped as pace wobbled a bit, and the tracks showed my loop around the lake as me having walked on water at certain points. Im not good enough to walk on water.
2) I’ve noticed the battery life to drain fast, and i mean FAST. i do have bluetooth and notifications enabled, however I can say that my watch and phone weren’t paired for at least a day as I turned BT off my phone. Am i correct in saying battery life was hampered due to watch constantly searching for phone for pairing?
3) Ray, does the VIVOACTIVE use the same GPS chipset OR is the vivoactive using something more similar to a googlemaps type of tracking resulting in different accuracy (sorry not a tech guy so I apologize if my question sounds stupid). I ask because unless the sat strength on the F3 improves, using the watch would not be useful for me as a training tool. Maybe I need to wait an add’l 30-60 seconds after the pace drops to zero before actually starting?
1 & 3) I’d look to do a GPS ‘soak’, so basically just turn it on and leave it outside with GPS enabled for 10-15 minutes. It often helps. Also, not sure if you have GLONASS on or off, but try doing the opposite of whatever setting you have it on.
2) If you’re seeing battery life that’s putting you on target for less than a week, then something is up. The 2.90 firmware version/update was pulled on Friday, and I suspect a large reason is due to extremely high battery burn issues that popped up in that release (for myself and others). It seems that for me at least once I let the battery drain fully, it’s been fine since then.
I had GLONASS on with my 920 and no issues, I’m surprised turning it off on the F3 (same internal stuff as the 920) “could” help. When the watch is left on the gps screen for too long it will default back to the standard time screen, so I wonder how can it soak if it defaults back after 5 mins. Do I need to stand over it to make sure the screen stays on GPS?
Battery: 100% before bed last night. This morning the battery is easily at 99% based on the indicator. I’m thinking the constant internal searching for BT pairing was the issue? We will see how the week of use pans out and I’ll do my best to update the blog.
Ray,
I submitted a support request for excessive battery drain, and this is the response I got:
“Dear Scott,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I am happy to help. Unfortunately you have a device that has not been released yet. Garmin is not completely ready with the Fenix 3 software. We were not expected to have our retailers sell the device until the end of March. Our engineers are working on the software and should release updates to fix any potential issues closer to the official launch. We apologize for any inconvenience.
With Best Regards,
Scott 58xx
Customer Care – Outdoor Team
Garmin International”
So the Garmin was sent to the retailers but they weren’t supposed to sell or ship it to customers yet because the software isn’t ready? Not quite sure what to make of that email.
And by excessive battery drain I was on 2.9 and losing up to 10% an hour. I’ve since downgraded to 2.3, and manually erased all .fit files via USB on top of doing a Master Reset, and after 24 hours I’m down to 39% with just a 1:14 hr bike ride and no other activities since being fully charged. So I’m getting bad battery life with 2.3 also, which is why I emailed Support.
Interesting answer I would say! This means that all the units out there now, are some kind of pre-production units? This makes me somehow happy for still waiting for my order through official channels (though there probarly isn’t any difference, but you never know).
This has got to be a misinformed customers care agent – surely there is no way Garmin would send out 1000’s of preproduction units to the general public!
I think I’d go back to Scott 58xx and politely question how that can be correct, and point to the availability of the Fenix 3 on REI and others stores world-wide.
This is really worrying. I literally just booked my Fenix 3 from a HK distributor (pure performance distributors) and was informed it’ll be shipped immediately to the HK address I provide – its available readily with them. Am I to take it that this could be a premature delivery with the same software glitches potentially? It’ll be useful if you cross question this sales person please.
thanks
I replied back to him and I’m sure it’ll take a day or two to answer. I would guess that the hardware isn’t pre-production, but that the software is, and that come end of March when you hook it up to Garmin Express it’ll update the software. Sounds like the watches being sent to the retailers were to hold them and instead REI began shipments, and so did every other retailer following REI’s lead. Garmin probably forgot to tell the retailers to hold until XX date. Just a guess though.
Sorry, but I call BS on the “not released yet” claim. No way does CT have multiple daily conversations with Garmin about Fenix3 stock shipments and nobody thinks to bring that up.
My guess is Scott 58xx is simply a misinformed customer service agent.
Agreed, it’s simply just a misinformed agent, the Fenix3 is and has been shipping (however slow it may seem). I’ll forward along to the proper folks for some assisted learning…
Hi I too submitted a support request and got quite a different answer.
“Thank you for contacting Garmin International.
Do you charge the device on the computer, or through a wall adapter?
To soft reset the press and hold the light for at least 25 seonds.
In some cases a device may appear charged, but a build up of sweat and other dirt can cause some interference. If your device will not power on or take a charge following the soft reset, the charging contacts on the back of the watch and/or charging accessory will need to be cleaned as one of them may have become oxidized.
Disconnect charging accessory
Thoroughly clean the contacts on the watch and charging accessory. The following non-abrasive cleaning agents are safe and effective options for cleaning the contacts:
Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl)
Eye glass cleaner
Electronic screen wipes
Pencil eraser
Once all contacts have been cleaned, soft reset the device again using the instructions above.
With Best Regards,
Aaron 6347
Customer Care – Outdoor Team
Garmin International”
On two (2) separate service requests for the Fenix 3, I have received the same response from Scott 58xx. Hopefully, Garmin will address.
From the Garmin forums, I see the battery drain seems to be an issue. What worked for me (and others according to the forum posts) was to turn off “auto-update” over wifi. My battery was draining ~5%/hour, but after turning off auto update, the battery drain has been significantly better.
I’ve been told corrective education has occurred…
regarding the battery drain problem, i believe that somehow the gps remains on even after you end your activity. it happened the same to me. so i manualy restart the watch after i finish every activity that needs gps and it seems to work. no battery drain after that. i use firmware version 2.90 at this moment. didnt tryed 3.0 (released this morning) just yet.
this is just an assumption, hope it helps
Did my first real outdoor short ride today with the f3 (now that the spring has broken out here). I road a route that I have ridden many times and know the distance to be 12 miles. I have plotted it on Google Earth and ridden in with my old Forerunner 15. At the end of the ride,tThe f3 indicated that I had ridden only 10.28 miles. I looked at the map plot of the route and don’t see any differences captured in this route versus the previous rides. Any idea why there would be such a discrepancy? The f3 has been spot on during my runs and has been great during my pool swims. Have been very pleased with the f3 (even returned my 920xt), but this is difference in distance is baffling. Thanks.
If there’s any chance you used a speed sensor with it, double-check that the wheel size was specified correctly within the F3.
Ray,
Yes, I do have a Garmin speed sensor mounted, but set it to calibrate automatically. Shortly after starting the ride, the watch alerted me that the tire circumference had been determined. I did this mainly so that I have good speed and distance data on the trainer. I had assumed that in regular bike mode the f3 would use GPS for speed and distance. I don’t see a setting for selecting source in the bike mode settings. I also don’t see a setting for the speed sensor to make it the default source. It does have a wheel size (auto: 2100 mm). I’ll need to check whether that number is right when I get back to where my bike is. thanks.
That sounds better. 2100 is in the right ballpark. The only other thing to check is if auto pause somehow got enabled with quirky settings. If the map is right though, and the wheelsize is now right, not quite sure on why the distances are off.
I did enable auto-stop “when stopped” but that doesn’t seem quirky. I notice some fluctuations in speed during the ride where the speed displayed was obviously well below the speed I was riding. I’ll have to take some more rides and see what happens. I can always remove the speed sensor for outdoor rides.
Rode essentially the same ride today with very comparable results (f3 mounted on a garmin handlebar mount). Again I noticed speed fluctuations during the ride (speed displayed as 11mph or so when actual speed was more like 16 or 17). Given that, I don’t know if the speed sensor has anything to do with the problem, but I will remove it for the next ride (not sure when that will be given the forecast of 3-5 inches of snow :(. If it’s not the speed sensor, then I have a real problem with the f3 accuracy. It seems right on the money during runs so I don’t understand why it would be an issue while riding. Any other thoughts? Thanks.
I was finally able to get out for another ride, this time with the speed sensor deleted from the sensor pool. The distance was just as I expe for the well worn route that I rode. So I guess my question now is what device has the problem: speed sensor or F3? I do still want to use the speed sensor while on the trainer, so I’d like to figur it out. Any suggestions?
Hi
I am trying to order from amazon US but still not available. Any suggestion on where it is available?
How do you setup wifi on the fenix 3? I have a windows mobile phone and there is no garmin connect app for that. So I would like to use wifi to upload my workouts when back home.
Thanks
Mario
@Mario: you set up the wifi networks via Garmin Express
Some fenix3 configurations are in stock at REI.com — See here for a link to REI that gives Ray some benefit: link to dcrainmaker.com
Thanks for the link. I think I’ll wait for amazon. I have 900$ of gift card there. 🙂
I’ll anyway use the amazon link from this site so I can provide some benefits to Ray.
Cool! Thanks!
I think there are several apps from Garmin. Garmin Connect, Garmin Express, another for maps (seen on this article)… it is a little bit confusing… 🙁
Two questions for those that have their F3 already:
1) there were numerous screen protector discussions above and the pre-review. Does anyone have any 1st hand experience when any on the F3 specifically? I was leaning torwards KlearKare 38mm one.
2) my Grey F3 is due to arrive tomorrow. I’ve heard of some snafu’s during initial turn on and stuff. what should I do right out the box. Power it up outside and just let it soak for 20min? then come inside to change and hookup to computer? Possibly updating firmware then? Whats next, recommended?
1) I bought the Moto360 Screenguard made by Membrane (pack of 6), which was easy to apply, comes with all the cleaners and stuff to apply/adjust it easily etc. It has perhaps a 0.5mm overlap off the edge of the glass but this doesn’t seem to be of any significance – I have run, cycled, swum and showered with it and it’s not budged. Seems to be doing the job nicely, though I haven’t been brave enough to deliberately test its protection….
2) Yeah, pretty much. Except until 3.0 FW comes out, you’ll be stuck on 2.3.
Thanks for the review. I like to do triathlons and I’m wondering what watch I should get the Garmin Fenix 3 or suunto ambit 3. What do you think?
Hi Ray, I Pre ordered on Jan 13th from CT and still waiting!! Any way….
Did you have the chance to test the F3 in your waterproofing chamber? I didn’t see anything about it within this review.
Regards
They’re making good headway. A large chunk of Sapphires arrived into CT today and are currently being processed to ship back out this afternoon.
Additionally, they just got confirmation of another large chunk of Grey Bundles to arrive tomorrow, that should clear out more than half the backlog. They’re awaiting details for the rest of the week (one day at a time).
As for the F3 in the waterproofing chamber, it’s on my list to do add. I like to do a bunch of watches at once, mostly because I have to empty the chamber afterwards otherwise it rusts, and it’s bit of a pain in the butt to get all setup. But I’ve got a number of watches here sitting around that need to go in it. Perhaps tomorrow, as tonight is looking pretty busy already.
Thanks Ray.
Hey Ray
You were right, today I received the shipping notice. Thanks for your support. I take the opportunity to invite you to Colombia. Please let us know if you will travel to Colombia in the future.
BTW, this from Garmin official: “[As of today] The fēnix 3 has been released worldwide and is currently being shipped to retail stores. I’m sorry for the delay and for any frustration”
Bonjour et merci pour ce test complet de la Fenix 3.
Maintenant j’attends avec impatience qu’elle sorte réellement en France (apparemment elle est déjà disponible dans le magasin “Le Vieux Campeur” link to auvieuxcampeur.fr)
J’espère aussi que tu vas très bientôt nous faire un test complet de la Garmin Epix. Parce qu’en fait j’hésite beaucoup entre les 2.
Je suis tombé par hasard sur ton blog et découvre avec plaisir que tu vis à Paris.
Philippe
Bonjour Philippe-
Indeed, Le Vieux Campeur is about 100m away from me, familiar with them.
As for Epix, it’s likely going to be a while. Right now they’re looking at delivery dates in late April or May, so realistically it won’t be until they’re closer to shipping.
Interestingly an outdoor website in the Netherlands lists it as available April 6th (exclusively for their store brand) But I think they’re very optimistic, oddly enough they don’t even list the Fenix 3 where the Epix is available for pre-orders.
Test comment 2.
Is there a fabric/ velcro strap for the Fenix 3, or what straps are compatible?
Is the 610 fabric strap or Fenix 2 strap compatible?
I only ever use the fabric straps and doesn’t look like on is included with this Fenix update!
Thanks.
This has been brought up in previous posts but now that more folks have their hands on a Sapphire F3, any further thoughts on using the metal band? I ordered the Sapphire for the harder glass (My F2 has several scratches already) but loved the metal band to make the watch look much nicer. But I wonder about the added weight and the durability/how it feels swimming, biking, and riding, what are folks doing?
My Sapphire F3 still hasn’t shipped so I’m just trying to mentally prepare 🙂 Thanks for any insight you folks can provide.
Steve,
I have two 1 hour runs and one 1 hour bike ride behind me. I was telling everyone that I’ll most likely stick to the metal band despite the extra weight but I am now looking for an online shop to get a fabric strap for my Fenix 3.
The problem for me is probably not very uncommon; removing two metal pieces made it loose enough to feel comfortable and when we tried to remove three metal pieces, it was too tight so I sticked to minus two pieces.
Now I realized that all my runs so far have been with a long sleeve light jacket and just to be sure, I tried the last mile with a short sleeve and the watch became immediately too shaky to read on my arm. Long story short, I’ll go for something that will make it more stable. Reading something while running is a challenge on its own, I don’t want to add a shaking to the equation, need my eyes for a while 🙂
Steve,
Try a nato strap. I will be using one (two really, for different colors) on the Fenix 3 Saphire that I’m getting for my birthday – thanks to my wife. I currently use a nato strap on one of my other watches and it’s very secure and can be thrown in the wash. Also, they’re relatively cheap. This place is the only one I’ve found that has 26mm straps: link to natostrapsco.com.
I was in exactly the same predicament – slightly too tight or slightly too loose. As a casual everyday watch it was fine (although it did slide up and down slightly) but it was too loose for serious activities. I never took it swimming (I switched to the black band after about 24 hours) but I would imagine it would have moved around a fair bit. I am happy with the black band and also glad that I got the sapphire version
Thanks all, now if I could only get mine I can make my own choice, Soon enough, I should have pre-ordered sooner from CT, I knew I was going to cave and because I waited I wait. I’m fortunate that I sold my F2 to a neighbor and he is patient waiting for me to get my F3 to trickle the F2 to him.
Same as Paul by the way. I am glad to have bought the sapphire version. I’ll surely switch back to the metal band, when I know I won’t be doing any intensive sport for a longer time. For me, the price difference is justified already with the sapphire glass and band is just a bonus. Hope you’ll get yours asap Steve.
How difficult is it to switch out the bands on the sapphire edition? Is it easy enough that you would wear the rubber band during the day and quickly switch it to metal if you were going out at night for a nicer look?
You can do it in about 30-60 seconds per side of the strap. Pretty quick.
Swapped to a Garmin velcro strap from metal yesterday. The sapphire feels like featherweight 🙂
Loving it so far and don’t think I’ll go back to the metal in the near future.
Is that this one: link to amazon.co.uk
I love the metal strap, but also like the Velcro one with the F2 and think it might be useful around the outside of my ski-jacket. Just want to make sure I get the right one because there is this one too: link to amazon.co.uk
Ian,
Here is the correct one;
link to buy.garmin.com
It is basically the same one that was sold for Fenix 2, tactix etc.
Bora
Thanks Bora!
30-60sec/side is not bad but how often can you do it without loosening/damaging the thread? If you do it before every run 5 x a week wont it tear and wear?
How do you feel with the metal band on the bike? Does it rattle or make any noise?
I have an interesting question. I have a Fenix 2 and there are some features of the 3 that are tempting. I was wondering if an issue that I have with the 2 is fixed in the 3.
Not sure what firmware it broke in, but if I set up a workout with a warmup that is based on HR (Set Duration to a HR of say 145), the watch shows that step as until less than 145 (It used to say until 145). So this means that step is skipped every workout, since it is always below the number.
I was wondering if the 3 fixed this issue?
I think I saw a post in the Garmin forum saying this was still the case.
Struggling to find how to set the grid reference format and datum’s, any one know where and how I do this.?
thanks
chris
I have the good fortune of knowing someone who works at a local Garmin office, and just ordered a Sapphire (and a separate HRM-RUN since no bundle yet in the US) through him. When I asked re: delivery, he said “All Fenix watches are back ordered until 4/15/2015” but maybe this back order is just through their employee-fulfillment system (i.e. end users in the field should have their orders filled before employee orders)? I’m crossing my fingers that it shows up before then, but also not holding my breath. =)
Indeed, that’s for Garmin.com & EPP/Corporate Discount orders. For reasons I’ve never quite understood, Garmin virtually always fulfills the majority of Garmin.com orders last.
As of today all models are showing as in stock at REI. They also released dividends today! I went ahead and ordered the Sapphire model. I got notification that it already shipped and I should have it by the end of the week!
Sorry I didn’t order from CT Ray. Because of a few mixed reviews, I felt more comfortable buying from REI with their liberal return policy. I’ll make sure to use that Amazon link here in the next week or so. 😉 I appreciate the reviews and all the work that goes into them.
To follow up from my previous post, today’s run accuracy with instant pace was quite a bit better, only 2-3 wacky spikes. Tracks were off by 10-20 feet in some spots, no different than my previous 620 or 920. I did try to do a GPS soak but was not successful as after 2-3 minutes the screen defaults back to the time screen. Is there a way to change a setting to where it doesn’t default back there and if so, how?
Ray,
Thanks for another great review!
Am I reading the features chart correctly and Garmin has pretty much dropped Ant+ connectivity to fitness equipment? My 910xt works with my Concept2 PM5 just fine, but apparently the Fenix3 and 920xt don’t support it. I asked Concept and they said they didn’t know and suggested I just try it. Can you let me know if this feature is truly gone and, if so, if they plan on bringing it back in future firmware. I’d really like to be able to keep everything in one place.
Thanks again!
Do you re moment not using the footpod with the F3 when outside in standard condition? Meaning mainly running outside and on trials? Any rreason to use the foot pod when outside?
When I choose the “Resume later” option and re-start it later, Garmin connect uploads it as a “multi-sport” activity with two entries for the same sport. Is there a good way to get it to upload the activity as one normal continuous activity that was just “paused” ?
Noticed one other comment over on the Garmin forums, but no answer. Have any of you Galaxy S5 users had a problem with no notifications on the F3?
Working fine for me.
Goodmorning Ray, can you tell me on wich device actual pace is more accurate: A3 or F3?
I find it really a bit of a wash there. Both are stable and certainly easy to pace by using instant pace.
interesting, i find instant pace is generally unstable on my F3.
Quick question – Your review says that the Fenix 3 has pretty much everything that I need and that all the features of my current 910XT are there, plus some! However, the Garmin comparison page on their website says that it is missing some important features. Namely:
Footpod support, Courses, Autolap, Customisable screens and power meter compatible
See screenshot from Garmin’s website here: link to alananna.co.uk
I’m assuming this is just a typo / mistake on the Garmin website, am I correct?
Does the Fenix 3 actually have these features, and also, will it work with the Power Relay feature of TrainerRoad?
Thanks,
Al.
It’s just the Garmin page being wrong. It has all those features. And, I actually cover all of those with photos in the review in detail.
Dear Ray,
I hope you can answer this, to me, important question! (Before I buy!)
My primary sport is mountain biking and i wanted to know if the fenix 3 supported course segments. Will I be able to manually create segments out of various parts/sections of a singletrack and get notifications/information on my past times on those segments real time, on the fenix 3, while on the bike? Information such as your are faster than last time, or you are slower than last time?
Also if I create a whole course (Start to finish loop. Home, out and back home) does the watch automatically register that course Or do I have to select it at the beginning of the ride?
It does support segments, but seems to be a big of a hidden feature. I only stumbled on it by accident when during a course I selected to send segments to it. Sure enough, mid-run it gave me segment information. The thing was, the experience was very odd and not as detailed as like on the Edge units. Only really a short pre-warning, and a start/completion message on the segment with your time and segment name.
I’ve been meaning to e-mail the Fenix team and understand what the concept is there. Will do that today…
This is actually really cool – it’s a feature I commented on and requested with the FR 620. For running, segment start/stop/time is perfect information for real-time segments.
Any idea if you can send the segment information without the course? In other words, can you have real-time segment alerts without pre-defining an actual course?
Ray! Thanks for your answer! Just what I wanted to hear! Will it say if you are better or worse than last time (or personal best time) you rode the segment? Did it only work for running? or does it work for biking activity as well?
THANKS!
@Joseph and Ray,
Yeah! IT would be awesome to be able to use segments without having to have a course selected! Then you could ride the segments multiple times in succession or choose your ruote based on the weather condition of the day (Mud/floods/snow/ice/etc.!) and still get segments scores!
It’s not real-time, it came with the course I had loaded.
Again, it was very limited information and didn’t seem to include any historical aspects of my past attempts there.
Hey I got Mine F3 yesterday and it’s great,must I do have some questions:
1. When I connect to Garmin express it says it’s the latest software installed but it is 2.3 , is this really the latest?
2. I have a Garmin Temp sensor but can’t get it connected to my F3 any suggestion?
3. I think the most important , I have my F3 set up to get notification etc, but this only works if I have Garmin connect open on my Iphone6 once I shut GC down the BT connection is cut off.
Anyone having the same issue or any suggestion?
Thanks Marc
1. Yes it’s the latest. They released 2.9 but rolled it back. Apparently 3.0 is just around the corner but who knows what that really means. Seemed to be speculation on the Garmin Forums.
3. Shut down? Close the app (like hit the home button) or force kill? I don’t have mine yet but there is no harm in leaving apps open in the background. Killing apps (double tapping home and swiping up to literally remove the app from memory) as a means to extend your battery life is a myth. I’m sure Ray can give specifics as to how it has to actually work (or I can test on Friday when I get mine).
Hi Ray,
Wonderful review, as always!
One idea I’ve just had re the metal band on road bikes’ handlebars: once open, is the wrist band wide enough so that you can slide it along the handle bar, passing over the brakes, up to the mount loop? If so, then we’d just have to cut and throw away the tiny bit of Garmin-labeled plastic, right?
But what a pain in the arse to do that every time you train on your bike! Not ideal…
Two issues – I don’t think any watch strap would be big enough to pass over your hoods and brake levers while round the back of the handlebars as well, and if it did, it’s going to be outside your brake & gear cables when you try to fit it on the mount.
You’re both right, it’d be a real PITA.
So I got the non-metal band. Just to keep it simple. 🙂
thank you for the reivew. i have been waiting for the review to buy the watch. just in case people are looking for the watch in-stock (clever training 4-5weeks) REI has a bunch (100+) in stock, just thought i would pass that info on.
… and if someone does go the REI route, don’t forget Ray. See his page here for the affiliate link to REI.
link to dcrainmaker.com
yes sorry i forgot to add link. thank you.
I have BT notifications on. I am wondering. is there a way to continue to get weather updates, but not SMS/TXT and email noticies? I turned off the notification widget, but that just seems to remove it from the scrolling options. My watch is buzzing/vibrate on each email I got. what controls (using android) if I get notification from SMS, or emails, or what.
Ted, go into the Connect app. Click on Connect (menu) in the app and go to settings, then smart notifications. Turn off any that you do not want to receive on the watch.
This morning my watch was fine, 89% after 2 days still. Today used my watch for a nice 2 mile walk with my family. I set the watch down before leaving for the pool, came back 2.5 hrs later, and the watch is dead. Plugged it in, restarted it, its now charging from 0% and showing a time of 08:05 (been on for 5 mins). I hope the next software beyond 2.90 fixes things or it may be time to jump ship from garmin. I didn’t pay $600 to deal with so many bugs.
I’ve had same problem. From the Garmin forums, I turned off “auto-update” over wifi. This solved the issue for me. The battery has held up much better following that change.
Try that and good luck.
Been curious about why people would use wifi auto-update. they would use it instead of BT ? the wifi connection needs to be established manually though right? but once connected, then auto-update could happen?
BT doesn’t transfer updates, only WiFi or USB.
i am still without watch. my sin was ordering a grey watch without bundle. i have an extra HRM strap, so i didnt need a new one. but as fate would have it, garmin shipped sapphire and bundles only. so even though i ordered january 9th, i am still here, lonely and sad. watchless and despondent. if i had a hr monitor, it would show my poor sad heart is broken…. i feel like i’ve waited so long, so why cancel now and go to REI, but i could have a watch from them on saturday. so bummed.
Woo hoo, it did not happen straight away but it did happen. My grey bundle has been shipped from CT.
Happy days 🙂
What was your pre order date?
16 Jan.
Should be with me (Australia) by next week Wednesday.. Hope software v 3 is released by then (and has ironed out the bugs currently causing a bumpy ride for some).
I will only really be relying on it for lap swiming which seem to be working fine already thankfully.. 🙂
Congrats Ryan! I also got notification yesterday from CT that my grey bundle, ordered 1/19, has shipped. Should have it tomorrow. The waiting has paid off. Thanks for the in with CT Ray.
Hi Ray .
I have an important question.
If the guards Fenix3 time an activity in seconds and hundredths , is that time is displayed on Garmin Connect with hundredths or tenths only ?
Thank you very much .
Ray, please do not take this post as a complaint, but rather a cry for help :-). This morning I enjoyed a 5 mile run, one segment of 4.5 miles with GLONASS on, followed by a half-mile with GLONASS off. for the longer run, map my run showed I had gone just about a 10th of a mile further and my pace was on average 15 seconds faster per mile. For the shorter segment map my run showed I had gone .02 miles further and my pace was roughly 20 seconds faster. Map my run was running concurrently on my iPhone 6 which obviously utilizes GPS as well. I am not sure which to trust, my watch or map my run, but this difference in pace is quite concerning as I ramp up for another marathon training hopefully as a Boston qualifier, And 15 seconds per mile can make a world of a difference. Is there a watch out there, perhaps even with less features, that you would say is the absolute most reliable with respect to accuracy, even if SUUNTO is the way to go or another garmin product, I’m really in search for something spot on accurate. I did a GPS soak with the Fenix 3, I’m currently on software 2.90, I don’t know if version 3.0 will help, but if you suspect it may I’m happy to wait it out a little bit. Greatly appreciate your reply in advance.
Anyone have any comment on this one I’m happy to hear any and all info.
If you are seeking an accurate current pace, the best option is to have a calibrated footpod. Unfortunatelly F3 is unable to show current pace from footpod 🙁 Maybe in the future using Connect IQ. Or you can buy cheap FR70 and wear it on the other hand.
Maybe this site will help you to make a decision: link to fellrnr.com
A .10 miles on 4.5 miles is just at the outer edge of being OK. Typical rule of thumb for GPS accuracy has historically been .02mi per mile (2%). Though, I’d say I typically see closer to 1-1.5%.
In order to figure out which one is more correct, you need to dig into the track file a bit and see where things go poorly on either. There’s a tool for comparing two track files on the same map here in the toolbox: link to dcrainmaker.com
Ray thank you. I JUST finished a quick 2.75 mile run cut short from 3 miles due to nature calling. Mapmyrun had smooth tracks and measured 2.82 mi while F3 measured 2.75 mi. Curiously, fellrnr notes the 620 with v3.30 is spot on accurate, I’m curious if you would recommend the 620 with most updated software or the 920. I need to make a decision as trouble shooting my f3 just isn’t in the cards for my schedule. I’ve had the 620 and 920 both previously and am fairly certain both were more accurate than my F3. Thank you for the reply hopefully before my travels begin again this weekend :)!
By the way, when at home (which I am currently not), the 620 and 920 both measured .34mi from my door to the entrance of my neighborhood. On my first 3 runs with the F3 I immediately noticed a measurement of only .32.
Yeah with 2.75 vs 2.82 you’re basically at the convergence of GPS accuracy there. Meaning, with either device at +/-2%, it’s a wash.
Problem is my previous garmin devices performed better. I chose beauty over function, a mistake in this case. 620 vs 920 leaning toward 920, but again unsure which would perform more accurately.
As I noted earlier, if you believe you have GPS accuracy issues, the first step (aside from enabling 1-second recording, testing GLONASS on/off), then it’s really looking at the tracks and see where something diverges.
Had my 1st run with F3. Running stock 2.30 firmware, GLONASS off, 1-sec recording on. 78 mile out and back. some of the run was on one side of street, some on the other. I must say with a sample of 1, the F3 was darn near spot on. I am not nearly as picky though, even it if jumped the wrong side of the street, its still fine, but in this case, i had me switching sides darn near exactly where I did. And the auto upload via BT happened also. nice!
Any chance the fact that I’m running 2.90 is a factor with accuracy?
Josh – are you able to upload the two tracks to a site that’s viewable?
I guess what I’m trying to say is I don’t think you have a problem. At those distances, and without knowing which settings you used, it’s really hard to tell.
Currently on a flight home, and unfortunately I’m a technology idiot but can try to figure it out. When I get home I’m goingto run one of my shorter measured courses with 1 sec recording and see what the results are. I’m also going to call garmin and see if they can help me rollback to 2.30. I really thank you ray for your attention!!
Ted, am I reading this right. You went on a 78 mile run for your 1st post purchase ‘test’!?? Respect!
Ha! typo. sorry. 7miles. the 50s and 100 come later in the year
Ray – I’m trying to make an informed decision between Fenix 2 and 3.
Your in depth review gives pretty much all the input I need to that process, thanks very much for all your efforts.
A few questions, though if you don’t mind:
1. I’ll be wearing it as an everyday watch which makes the 3 appeal. I know you’ve worn both for extended periods, so how much credit would you personally give the 3 in that context (analogue watch faces, slightly slimmer etc)?
2. What is the auto light capability that the 2 has and the 3 doesn’t?
3. Is the 2 likely to be a better bet as it’s been around longer and will thus be de bugged more thooroughly?
BR,
Jerry.
1) I prefer the clarity of the screen on the F3, it just feels like a totally different watch in that manner.
2) Basically if after sunset any notification/button press/etc… will automatically illuminate the backlight.
3) I’d say the F3 is generally more stable from a fitness standpoint (ignoring the recalled 2.90 firmware update).
Personally, I’d go F3 over F2 any day of the week. But by the same token, the things that aren’t in F3 that were in F2 largely don’t impact my day to day use.
[new to F3] On F2 you could setup BT to always sync, sync while in activity, sync only outside of activity. Today I created a “workout” activity, since there wasnt anything that looked appropriate for a fitness/circuit class. Activity is there on watch, I see HRM data. but its not in Garmin Connect mobile. tried going setting to look for something that would suggest when BT sync or WifiSync happens. Didnt see anything. What/when will that activity sync to GC?
So the F2 setting was mostly because of the ANT+/BLE being one or the other. In the F3, it’s really about whether or not it notifies you for BT things during an activity.
No matter the case, activities will only show up in GCM/GC after you’ve saved the activity.
do you have insight into the polling interval? meaning how often (while an F3 is connected to a BT capable device) does the F3 and GCM sync? every few minutes? 5 min? 10min? seconds? its not important, but I was curious
So just had notification that my grey Fenix 3 HRM bundle has been dispatched and with me tomorrow. Just wondering whether I am going to be one of the lucky ones without issues….or not!
Dan, when was your gray bundle pre ordered?
7th March, Cotswold Outdoor UK. Seems to have been a very quick turnaround!
FWIW, I bet the massive majority don’t have any issues (i.e, it’s the unlucky ones that are more likely to post). I’ve been using the 2.9 firmware without issue.
I’ll put my hand up and say that, as far as I can tell, I have no problems to report
Anyone knowing where I can find the menu to setup the GPS grid and datum? It was easy to locate this menu on the Fenix 2, but no luck on the #3 so far…
Thanks!
Settings > Pos. Format > Datum
Not sure what you mean by GPS Grid – but if it can do it it will be around there in the menu’s
A few of us (Olu.F mainly) put together a document with the full menu structure in here if it helps:
link to dropbox.com
Sorry that should be Settings > System > Pos. Format > Datum
Excellent! Thanks a lot for this document!
However I think it applies to 2.90 version, and Garmin has rolled back this update. So I guess I’ll have to wait, as I can’t see “Pos. Format” in the menu you mention. :-/
Good work on the mind map! Any chance of getting an editable version like .nm5 put on dropbox?
Thanks!
Yes it is 2.9 (before Garmin removed it and rolled back to 2.3) – hopefully we’ll all be on 3 soon!
It was created in MindJet MindManager from a Word Document create by Olu.F – you can see the original thread here (including a link to Olu’s original Word doc)
link to forums.garmin.com
I have also placed a copy of the MindManager File here (sorry I couldn’t see a way to export to .nm5 format) link to dropbox.com
Yes it is 2.9 (before Garmin removed it and rolled back to 2.3)
The original Word document created by Olu.F is on this garmin forum thread: link to forums.garmin.com
I have also copied the MindJet MindManager file here if that is of use (sorry couldn’t see an export for nm5 format)
link to dropbox.com
Ray, I appreciate you’re not a ‘customer support’ person – but you seem to have a pretty good line into CT.
Most of your feedback on delivery status updates has been related to the ‘bundles’. I have a 920xt with the HR monitor (bought from CT last November) – so just ordered the Silver / Red F3 without HR strap.
Have you heard any reference to those and their likely delivery date ? I can find it in multiple places on-line now (REI, HeartRateMonitorsUSA.com, etc) – I’d prefer to hold out for CT if it’s not going to be too long…
thanks !
They’ve been getting deliveries most days this week, I don’t think any came in Weds, but I could be mistaken. I believe they are awaiting whether additional deliveries will occur on Friday.
Ray, Want to buy from CT to support the site. But knowing REI and Garmin Chicago have them in stock makes it harder to wait. These quick updates help!
Richard – my advice is buy it at REI. i also have a HRM from my 920. so i ordered the Grey F3 only (no bundle) on jan 9 via CT. still waiting while others who ordered later have gotten theirs. seems Garmin prefers to sell sapphire and bundle versions (more $) so they ship those first. still a total mystery why REI has so many while CT has none, but thats a lesson learned too…. I am very close to cancelling my CT order and just going to REI. not sure why I havent yet. just seems like i am so close…
I ordered my Grey no bundle from CT on 6 January and got it two weeks ago.
Richard,
I purchased a Red F3 strapless from CT on 1/24 and received it last week, so there is hope.
Just got my Fenix 3, and I’m really enjoying it except for one annoyance: when you lose or reestablish the bluetooth connection with your phone, it alerts you with a vibration. If I’m not carrying my phone with me, this can happen quite frequently as I move around the house, which makes legitimate notifications less effective when they do appear. Is there any way to turn off this connection/disconnection vibration?
This is the only complaint I have so far with the F3.. Seems like it could be an easy fix with a future update.
Ray, Im really disappointing in the Altimeter and surprised a little bit you didnt touch more on that with your review. I get your mostly have the GPS on for your runs and cycling obviously but an ABC watch should calculate the Altitude without the need of a GPS. This is my first Garmin coming from Suunto and I may have to go back even though I dont want to. Most other devices on the market allow users to specify a fixed altitude mode (variable sea level pressure) or a variable altitude mode (fixed sea level pressure). I don’t know why Garmin couldn’t do the same. The way Garmin calculates altitude is not good for people who use the watch in the mountains. Very disappointing.
There are a few threads about it over in the Garmin forums, hopefully if you got the time you can give a heads up to the Fenix team
I’m not sure I understand. It doesn’t require GPS (that’s why it’s always running as a widget). In widget mode, it could drift – but the point of buying the Fenix3 over a regular ABC watch is for the GPS aspect.
Thus, if you were hiking, you’d have GPS enabled, and you could therefor enable continuous calibration.
I suspect the reason why Garmin didn’t do as they did within some of their past devices is that I’ve seen it lead to a ton of end-user confusion.
I get what your saying about having GPS on, there are just times when you go on multiday hikes and if you dont bring a battery pack you need to use the GPS sparingly or not at all. You use the Altimeter to guide where you are. To me the Widget is useless, (mine right now says -148ft, 700ft off) I guess i am just used to how Suunto does it and Ive never had a problem with it. Thanks for the response.
Does this not resolve your concern?
Calibrating the Barometric Altimeter
Your device was already calibrated at the factory, and the device uses automatic calibration at your GPS starting point by default. You can manually calibrate the barometric altimeter if you know the correct elevation or the correct sea level pressure.
Hold UP.
Select Settings > Sensors > Altimeter.
Select an option:
To calibrate automatically from your GPS starting point, select Auto Cal. > Once.
To calibrate automatically with periodic GPS calibration updates, select Auto Cal. > Continuous.
To enter the current elevation, select Calibrate.
Ray, I’m also trying to decide whether to go for the F3 or A3 and so I’ve got the same concern as Kyle does, the F3 Altimeter’s implementation is a major showstopper steering me towards the A3.
This quote from the Garmin forum illustrates my main concern with the F3 altimeter:
“As I sit here at my desk at home I have my Suunto next to me and its Altidude is right on even though I havent calibrated that in weeks, maybe longer. Everytime I check my F3 its not even close. I want to use the F3 backpacking, thats the reason I purchased it but if it cant even do Altitude then I cant bring it.” link to forums.garmin.com
Wifi sync question: What is the purpose of wifi sync? The wifi connection needs to be to mobile device running Garmin Connect Mobile, right? If so, wont pretty much all devices also have BT thesedays? so then you basically have two choices to sync the F3 to a mobile device. BT is always on and sync as some fixed polling interval. for wifi, it seems you have to navigate to the setting menu and hit the “connect to wi-fi” option. Right?
Wifi sync functions directly over your router at home, so no phone is needed
TedW: No, the wifi connection doesn’t have to be to your mobile device . Most any wifi network that doesn’t do enterprise authentication or doesn’t have some login/terms-acceptance login page should work if you get it configured. If you do use a mobile device wifi hotspot capability, Garmin Connect Mobile isn’t involved. Wifi data connections go directly from the watch to Garmin’s servers.
Bluetooth sync through a phone does require Garmin Connect Mobile. As such wifi serves a good purpose for people who don’t have an iphone or a compatible Android device, provided those windows/blackberry/other-android phone users can establish a hotspot.
The fenix3 will automatically look for an available wifi network when you finish an activity and perform the sync/upload automatically if you have the auto-upload turned on.
interesting. I did setup my watch for the wifi in my home. I’ve got BT enabled also. So now I’m curious. after my run this morning. how did it sync. BT or wifi? I guess it depends on which polled for changes first. BTW. am I correct in that there is no indication on the watch face that you are connected to wifi? I see the BT icon but didnt notice anything when I tested wifi. Oh yeah. what is the optional ” —> ” icon for in the available watch faces. whats that arrow icon for?
Hello, I am looking for confirmation on the availability of sound and vibration alerts when high or low limits of a drive are reached. This is especially functional vibration ? Thank you. Vincent.
Hello Ray –
Sorry to pester you with this, but have you heard anything from Garmin / CT in the last 2 days?
Any expectations for upcoming shipments?
Thanks!!
Garmin has told CT today that no retailers in the US will receive additional Fenix3 shipments this week (beyond what was received earlier in the week). No additional detail beyond that. :-/
On the brightside, Vivoactive’s continue to flow like water. A boatload more on the way to CT now.
I tried to post to the garmin forums but seem to be having issues. I ordered a gray bundle on 1/13 from CT and it is out for delivery right now. Got the shipping notice on 1/17. That at least gives you an idea that they at least got to preorders for 1/13. How that helps.
At one point you mentioned an initial release with the desired endstate to contain any initial hardware issues (i.e. 920XT waterproofing). Is this that pause?
It’s hard to say if it’s really anything more than a 3-4 day pause, or just simply grouping shipments differently from Taiwan to the US. Or, it’s been known that roughly around this week they were going to significantly increase production volumes. Perhaps there’s some sort of re-alignment within the factory to enable that (moving to a different line, etc…). Or perhaps it’s holding shipments until they sort out the firmware recall issue, to minimize consumer confusion.
I’d say that as long as shipments resume on Monday, I wouldn’t read too much into it.
Ray, at the risk of being snarky Garmin’s already created a ton of consumer confusion with their handling of the firmware recall matter. An honest, believable, consistent message across various channels (Garmin forums, Customer Service, Fenix product page) would have been far better. It’s silly that clicking on “Software” from the Garmin Store page for the fenix3 results in an “Unknown Product” page. link to buy.garmin.com
It’s even more silly that the real software/downloads page lists no explanation at all of the conflict between the current version number of 2.3 and the changelog listing a higher number of 2.9: link to www8.garmin.com
I don’t disagree at all there. It’d be much easier if they posted something somewhere that said which firmware version was current as of X date. Or, at least posted something to the Garmin Forums saying X was recalled and Y is the expected date.
I appreciate the prompt reply. I was an early adopter of the F2 and it didn’t work out for me personally (race schedule and time for the software to sort out).
I appreciate your efforts to keep us informed – current CT customer for 910XT, VIRB, and just received the VivoActive for my better half. There is a CT order on the horizon for the 920 or F3, just waiting for the dust to settle on the F3 while I make the decision.
Thanks Again!
A couple of people have asked already but I don’t seem to see an answer. Does/can Connect IQ support a data field for pace derived by footpod when GPS is enabled?
Ray, all,
Are the updates released at the same time to all countries? My Fenix 3 is still at 2.3 and when I connect it to WiFi, I do not get any new updates downloaded, it stays at 2.3. Any idea why this might be happening?
Thanks
Bora
Yes, all globally. However, the reason you see what you see is that Garmin recalled/pulled fw2.9 about a week ago or so. Thus, the most current version is 2.3.
Ray: I have version 2.8 on my watch……
Unit ID: 3900….
Software Version 2.80
Display: 2.10
GPS Version: 2.70
BLE/ANT: 2.60
Wifi: 2.00
Unit ID: 3900….
Software Version: 2.3
Display: 2.10
GPS: 2.7
BLE/ANT: 2.7
WiFi: 2.00
The plot thickens, especially as it looks like your BLE/ANT version is higher :-/
The most currently available version is 2.30. There was both a 2.8 and a 2.9 – but both were pulled, leaving us with 2.30.
Often times (though not always), a given component subset firmware level (i.e. ANT) is desired or required for a specific general firmware (the whole watch).
The bottom line is that until Garmin releases whatever firmware versions they’re working on, it’s going to put everyone in a bit of a holding pattern.
Indeed and yours seems to have a software version that should not exist! 🙂 Anyway, I am sure we’ll all eventually be at the same page. As long as it works, I am fine to stay on the current one for a while.
Anew news on when that fixed firmware will be released from Garmin Ray? I know today was mentioned as a possibility for v3.
I am seeing quite a few reboots on 2.9 when using Connect IQ apps or data fields.
BLE/ANT v2.70 came out late last week, shortly before Garmin pulled software v2.9 I believe.
Hello, how can you go to 2.3 from 2.9? I cant doit via webupdater or garmin express.
Any info?
Thanks and kind regards.
Hi,
Does the fenix 3 do live elevation/ gain that you can look at in real time as you run
Thanks
Yes to both, you just need to add the Elevation and Total Ascent fields to your screens in the Run app settings.
Great in depth review!
A couple of features I noticed are different/missing in the Fenix 3 that were in the Fenix 2 and useful (at least to me):
1. Multiple time zone data page. Also, you cannot display two times (i.e. local time and zulu time) on the watch face.
2. Multiple alarms. Currently you can only set one alarm. With the Fenix 2 you are able to set multiple alarms and even set them to go off on different days.
3. The “Resume Run” feature has changed from the Fenix 2. Now when you use this feature it adds the two (or more) segments at the end of the run but does not show you your total distance during the run. I also noticed that it changes the activity to a multi-sport activity.
Overall I like my Fenix 3 much better than the Fenix 2 and the user interface seems to be much more stable. I use the watch primarily for running but like having all the other features the Fenix 3 offers.
I am hoping Garmin will continue to offer more features with the ConnectIQ store and subsequent updates. Please let me know if you know anything different than what I posted.
Thanks again for the great review!
Yup, I think most of these I covered in detail here: link to dcrainmaker.com – I talk about how #1 & #2 are being addressed via widgets.
I’ll ask about #3.
Can anyone suggest a good retail shop (address please) in paris and london where I can get hold of fenix 3 come late april cos will be heading over there for a few days. Might as well take opportunity to get decent price on the unit if I can get VAT refunded (should work out to be about same price from online retailer in US. I get to save on the shipping charges from US to Asia, and also I wont have to wait for it to arrive).
Cheers !
Honestly, I’d wait until mid-April to ask again. Right now, things are pretty spotty globally when it comes to availability. I know the French chain Au Vieux Campeur (link to auvieuxcampeur.fr) tends to have it in stock first within France, and they’re only about 2 blocks from Notre Dame. If you ask around then I can walk the block or two over and double-check for you.
But again, a month out is simply too far right now to know what and where things will be in stock (though, I’d expect everything will be in stock by then).
Hi all
Thought I would present first impressions of my experience having had the watch an evening and a morning:-
Extremely easy to set up, connected to Bluetooth and wi-fi without problem but be warned if you are using a pre-2008 white or black Macbook you will not be able to download Garmin Express (look at minimum spec for this software). PC IOS’s tend to fair better so ended up downloading onto my wife’s laptop.
Lovely looking watch, large but comfortable, fast charge time, easy to navigate menus. Graphics good, visibility good, back very light strong.
Little quirk; it ‘appears’ you have to have Garmin Connect open on your smart phone for Weather and Calendar widgets to be active otherwise the screen requires you to ‘pair with bluetooth’.
No crashes, no issues to date.
Calendar and email/text notifications, and notifications of incoming calls surprisingly useful!
Shipped with IOS V2.6 and when connected to Garmin Express tells me that 2.3 is the correct version; I presume they are still working on a stable IOS but in the mean time I’ve had no problems at v2.6.
In summary this appears to be a very sorted watch and I suspect with the 920xt is the best multisport watch available on the market. I’m going to run with it today and will update with any other quirks, but I have to say it more than meets my expectations and can’t imagine requiring any other functionality as a triathlete. I definitely recommend it.
I love it!
Dan
Thought I’d provide my experience(s) with the Fenix 3.
Had my first Fenix 3 for 10 days now and purchased a second one with the intent to return one. My first Fenix 3 is running V 2.90 and I have been having issues with it on every outdoor run (4 at this time) jumping off track about halfway through the activity. This has been experienced on a forested road, on an open trail, and a semi tree covered road and a trail. The same jumping off course has been experienced with both GLONASS on and off now. And it has been set to 1 second recording the whole time. The second (new) Fenix 3 is fresh out of the box and running V 2.3.
Today I ran with both watches for the first time. Conditions: overcast and steady light to moderate rain. The first one was on my left arm, the second (new one) was on my right arm. The settings were the same: GLONASS on, 1 second recording. The first watch recorded 5.31 miles. The second (new) watch recorded 5.20 miles. They were in unison with the distance until about halfway into the run, when the first watch went haywire and jumped off track. In general, neither performs real well around buildings. But once out in the open, the first watch was almost entirely spot on my actual track, except for the one jump. The second (new) watch didn’t exhibit any issue with jumping off tack, and it followed my general track, but it was not as precise to my actual track as the first watch.
Now some other comparison observations from this run. Both of the altimeters were off. At one spot I subsequently did an elevation check, the second (new) one was off -23 feet, and the first one was off +49 feet. I have now calibrated them, and will see what happens. I paused halfway through the activity today, atop the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and tried the resume later feature. The second (new) watch worked fine. The first watch considered this to be creating a new activity and recorded it as a multi sport activity.
Other comparisons. The second (new) watch has a slightly better screen, the colors are a little brighter. The backlight on the second (new) watch is also much better, the display doesn’t wash out much and there is only slight light bleed around the bottom. On the first watch, the light bleed around the bottom is very noticeable and washes out the screen.
The battery life on both thus far seems good and comparable. The first watch I used for about 10 full days, with 4 GPS runs (1 with GLONASS on), and 3 indoor runs, bluetooth on 24/7 with smart notifications on and the calendar and weather widgets running, it is at 11% battery life.
On sinking/apps. The first one I have had not issues with sinking and adding widgets and apps. The second I have had issues connecting it to my phone, (iPhone 6), and once connected the sink generally fails, but sometimes works. It also will not accept any apps either from the computer or mobile connect. When connected to the computer it says that the storage is full, despite displaying that it is empty.
Overall, I really like the Fenix 3, but there are issues I hope are worked out in a software update soon. It doesn’t seem like I am going to be able to decide on which one to return until Garmin issues a software update.
On a side note, I have used a Forerunner 15 in many weather conditions around the same areas and it has generally been as or more accurate than the Fenix 3 thus far.
Why buy 2 of the same watch (unless you really wanted to permanently own 2 for some personal reason)? And comparing them side by side with different software versions just shows the difference between software versions does it not? This while many still wait for their first…. Just because some vendors have liberal return policies doesn’t make it right to exploit them for no good reason.
I did so fully intending to return the first one because I am really disappointed with the bad light bleed and washed out screen with the backlight in the dark (I usually run in the dark). I also planned to return it because of the GPS issues, which might be hardware. But being that the bluetooth and app functionality isn’t working right on the new one, I’m waiting to see if that’s sorted out. I’m returning one or both in person, otherwise I’d need to pay for shipping back. I’m not taking advantage, there are legitimate issues with my first one.
Out of random curiosity do you mind sharing the first few digits of the serial numbers from the two watches? e.g 46300xxxx or 3SH00xxxx or 3SG01xxxx?
Josh, thanks for the report, very helpful! The info about the screen is really interesting.
Both 3SGO1.
Is there any difference in the alert volume of the watches? really bugs me mine is so quite. Garmin have asked for a rtn formy watch due to poor GPS i’m not convinced it will help. Was going to hold out for 3.0. Bit put off by the fact they recondition them.
out of curiosity, what’s the difference between the various serial numbers?
There is no difference in volume in the two I have, it is very low. But for me, I only use vibrate and that is plenty strong. I feel it during all activity I have done so far, and don’t find it annoying for notifications like I thought I would. I have actually muted my phone and rely on the vibration of the watch now. It is awesome that notifications, including calls, often times come up a second or so sooner than they do on the phone.
The man with two watches, never knows exactly what time it is.
🙂
Seems like this truly fine watch, is currently in public beta.
FWIW and YMMV. . .
I have now had both the 920XT and the Fenix 3. I am a triathlete, mostly concerned with using the watch for training though I also like to wear it day-to-day. I’m returning the Fenix 3 and keeping the 920XT. A few reasons why:
1) I just find the 920XT to be quicker and more intuitive to use. It sure seems like I have to press more buttons to get where I want to be on the F3 than on the 920. It also seems like the F3 hangs a bit more between button presses than the 920XT does, though that could be perception.
2) I didn’t quite realize just how much I’d miss having a quick release. I can’t see myself racing with an F3 without a QR.
3) I was attracted to the F3 because it seemed to look much more like a “regular watch” that I could wear to work without getting strange looks. While I still think this is probably true, do not underestimate the size of the F3. My wife (who couldn’t care less about the technology side of all of this) prefers the look of the 920XT to the F3. She says the big round face of the F3 makes me look like a “rap mogul” (which I most definitely am not). I have also read Ray’s comments about getting a wetsuit off with the F3, and I could see how that would be a big problem.
4) I got the F3 Sapphire. If I was keeping the F3, I would definitely be exchanging it for the non-sapphire version. The metal band is really quite heavy (relatively speaking), and I just know that I would get tired of switching back-and-forth. I’d wind up wearing it with the rubber band all of the time. I’m keeping the 920 instead, so this comment is a bit moot.
So, there you go. These are both high quality watches. If some of the additional outdoor functionality of the F3 is important to you, then the F3 might be the right call. If you are a triathlete and what you want is a watch for training and racing for triathlons, then I’d go with the 920XT.
So… after using my 310XT since 2010 I really wanted the EPIX.
Then however I read this review comments and thought:
I really want WiFi
I really like Saphire glass and metal band
Will the maps on the EPIX be a bit small
Don’t I use the edge 800 for turn by turn navigation and all other cycling
And with my wifes approval I just ordered the Fenix 3 Saphire, unfortunately only REI is offering it right now.
Now the painfull waiting game starts…
Just a heads up for buyers in the UK. I’ve had the Fenix 3 Sapphire on pre-order with Cotswold Outdoor and Above & Beyond for going on a month now. (Cancelled the Cotswold one as they were messing me about) Yesterday I placed an order with Go Outdoors as they said it would take 7 days. Well, it looks like my timing was right as they had a bunch of units delivered yesterday and I just picked my Sapphire up from their Milton Keynes store. Even better, it came with a free Osprey Talon 22L daypack (first 200 or so orders get one apparently). I’m not sure if there stock has been swallowed up already but it may be worth a try.
First of all I would like to thank you for the great review.
As I keep seing comments on the accuracy of the altimeter (I know it could be the calibration), I think it would be interesting to see how well it does when it is well calibrated against the suunto ambit 3 peak in a test like the one you ran with the ambit 2/2s in-depth review(altimeter and elevation section)?
Thanks
Jeff
I have calibrated the altimeter on two Fenix 3’s today to the accurate elevation (one running V2.30 the other 2.90). They have stayed side by side, remained consistent with each other, but over the past 5 hours have drifted upwards and are off by +51 feet.
I don’t have a Fenix(yet!) but I have an Ambit 3 Peak. I have used many Garmin’s : 305, 710, 510, etc. And the Ambit 3 altimeter is by far the best. I cycle in the Alps and it seems to give near perfect elevation everywhere. Very impressed.
Thanks for the info!
Is it accurate if the gps is activated ?
Will, how far off are the garmin units compared to the ambit 3 ?
Thanks
I used continuous calibration today on my run, and it was off by as much as -17 feet and as little as -11 feet.
I think you’re probably right up against the limits of what you’ll see in these devices. I did three days of elevation accuracy testing last summer in the mountains (though, never got up to writing up a full post on all the details). Just looking at the spreadsheet though, – in the absolute best case scenario a single device on a single day was within the same max-altitude foot. Yet, the same device the next day was off by 30ft.
Most devices on their best days were off by about 10-20ft, and on their worst days 30-50ft. But, we’re talking an altitude of 4800-5000ft, so this put it at 99.30-.99% accurate.
The challenge is that in most cases that variance is somewhat sliding, so at lower attitudes (i.e. 100ft), you might see a higher percentage. On the bright side, at higher altitudes where it tends to actually matter, the percentage of variance is much smaller.
Finally, this was across a broad number of units being concurrently tested:
Garmin Edge 1000
Garmin Touring Plus
Garmin Fenix2
Garmin FR910XT
Garmin FR620
Garmin FR15
Suunto Ambit 2
Polar V800
Garmin Edge 810 #1
Garmin Edge 810 #2
Mio Cyclo 505
Anyway…just to provide context.
Thanks for these details Ray! I have only been at under 100 ft so far with the Fenix 3, and I have been seeing big variances of over 100+- ft during the day. Was wondering what it will be like at higher altitudes once I get out on some trails.
without calibration, I have found my Garmin units to often be off by 50 – 75 metres on elevation in mountainous regions.
Ascent data is usually fairly good assuming unit has barometric pressure. As an aside, I find the “elevation correction” services at sites like strava to be awful when correcting elevation/ascent data on mountainous rides. Usually makes the data far worse. (easy to check – for example – on one huge climb with known stats.
But again, have been super impressed with the Ambit 3 – elevation/ascent data seems near perfect. I have found every Garmin to be better than the previous. (used etrex stuff even in early 2000s) – and so look forward to a Fenix 3 in the family.
I notice that one can’t order Sapphire versions on the CT website at the moment. Is that an indication of how badly constraint the supply of these models are at least to CT (or how high the demand)?
It would seem from the past couple of weeks that CT receive their week’s Sapphire delivery on a Monday – any news?
Thanks
Yes, globally most places are backordered. While there are pockets of watches here and there, they don’t tend to last long. I expect on Monday or so we’ll have details for the upcoming week’s shipments. No additional shipments from Garmin to any retailers were expected to happen in the back half of this week.
First runs and bike with the F3 and have to say the watch is absolutely outstanding. I’ve not had a single issue to comment. Finds GPS in seconds, paired with HRM run out of the box and paired with the integrated ridesense speed and cadence sensor on my Giant propel in seconds. The latter is something the Ambit 2 never did obligingly; It would regularly refuse to pair, and when it did it would often fail to show cadence on the watch even though data was all there on movescount. Subsequent data in garmin connect is so well sorted you get a massive easy to interrogate menu of data to look at. Uploads to Strava so quickly I had comments and kudos etc before I’d even opened strava on my phone!
Anyone out there with any concerns, forget it – this is an outstanding piece of kit do not be tempted otherwise. And no I dont work for Garmin…
Very very happy.
Dan
Just received my Fenix 3 from CT after a USPS shipping SNAFU. Fantastic watch but curious if there’s a way to increase the screen brightness (not the backlight as I’ve found that option)? Thanks.
No I don’t believe so but don’t panic it’s actually brilliant in sunlight or standard light conditions – I’ve not noticed a problem at all
D
Hi, have just got mine. Really liking it so far. Just wondering if anyone has thought about creating a data field to measure depth? Should be quite easy, 2 atmospheres = 2026 millibars (10 meters), 3 atmospheres = 3039 millibars (20 meters) and so on. I used a F1 to manually check depth using this and roughly calculating on the fly. Seemed to work.
It seems we have 100mtr water resistance and although we shouldn’t be going anywhere near that I would imagine it safe to use at ~30 meters and definitely <10 meters for snorkling. It's a while since I got my hands dirty with any code so looking at this 'Monkey C' would take me a while even for this simple data field.
If this is possible, I wonder how long it would take the community to build a dive app including bottom time etc. Would be really cool to see exactly where you dive and surface.
Great idea, I would really like that feature.
+1 I would love this feature!
I second that! It would bring a whole new functionality for the watch. Where are the devs? Are you guys reading this?? 🙂
Indeed, the ambit 3 has some dive apps. The sensor exists, the data exists, just need some math to present the data in a different format.
I tried to add ambient pressure to Open Swim but it isn’t available. It is there in hiking however. Seems the configuration flexibility is reduced from earlier versions.
I’ll have a go at a simple depth field, just give me a couple of days 🙂
Does the replacement band for the 920XT fit on the Fenix 3? I like the black/blue 920XT band and would like to use it on my new Fenix 3. Thanks.
DC – amazing review!
No 🙁
Finally pulled the trigger on the gray bundle at REI through Ray’s link so he will get some kick back. Expected delivery is one week from order so we will see.
Waited so long trying to decide between the sapphire only because of the glass. Ultimately decided from the chatter here I should be ok with out it.
Was going to pull the trigger on the F3 with CT but the DCR10JKW 10% off code isn’t working. anyone else have this problem and/or know if there is an alternative?
For a small number of Garmin products, Garmin requires you use the CT/DCR VIP club instead. It still saves 10% and only takes a second to sign-up (plus it supports both Girls On The Run and the site here). Sign-up link here: link to dcrainmaker.com
perfect!. Thank you! Just placed the order!
Can you create custom activity types (apps) on the fenix 3 like you can on the 920xt?
Yes.
Hi Ray,
awesome Review! I really like my F3. I have 4 HR Transmitters and 3 Cadence Sensors paired to the F3 and all activated. This seemed to drain my battery during exercises. One hour usage with GPS drained my battery by 10%. I figured out that the F3 seems to continue look for all paired and activated sensors during the whole activity even if not found within the first one or two minutes. I did then disable all sensors and before exercising i only activate the ones i am going to use. This resolved the excessive battery drain. Is this just a specific issue with my F3, a generic behaviour due to F3 Firmware or does the 920xt the same?
Thanks
Wolfgang
Let me start by saying, I truly appreciate your reviews and analysis. You are a professional in every sense of the word.
As for me … I Just traded my Sunnto Ambit 3 Peak (A3) for the F3 (firmware 2.3).
So far …
1. The compass has frozen on me twice, requiring a full reset to unfreeze. (Yes, I did all the re-calibration, etc., before re-setting)
2. Walking away from my Nexus 5 Android phone, not only requires re-pairing with code (which is o.k.) but at times it requires a complete and new re-pairing (which is a pain & time consuming)
3. Notifications work (Happy). But does not offer the details. Pressing read, shows nothing (Not really important for me.)
3. The altimeter is definitely wacky, as compared to the A3.
Most importantly …
4. The screen is unbearably dark, washed-out, and hard to read. It may be good on a sunny day at high noon, but at dusk and dawn when I do most of my cycling and running, it is near impossible to see anything. This point alone makes all the rest of the features pointless. … Is it my watch? … Does anyone else experience this anomaly? … Will firmware resolve this? … Or is it the e-Ink screen and weak back-lighting (@ 100%)? Any HELP or INPUT would be great. A3 screen was gorgeous, any time of the day and night.
Fully aware of the newness. firmware issues, etc., I am willing to give it a shot for a while to see if these issues get resolved. Otherwise, I will be trading this E3 back for my A3, which with the exception of no software for Android (as yet) was a great device.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for sharing Max.
If you scroll up a bit, currently comment #923 you’ll see a discussion around the altimeter. According to Ray, it is likely to be more accurate at higher elevations. My F3 has been wacky for me around sea level.
As for the screen, I discussed similar issues above. I purchased a second replacement and the screen is very slightly brighter and clearer than the first, so there could be some very little variation. With that said, I have had no problem with either during the day. But the big difference is backlighting. On the first one, the screen was really washed out and there was really bad light bleed. This is the primary reason I decided to replace the first one. The second one still has a little light bleed, but not nearly as bad, and the screen is not nearly as washed out. Could this be remedied with firmware, I’m not sure, the first was running V2.90 the replacement is running V2.30, so there is a possibility that had something to do with it. But my bet is on hardware and quality control.
@Josh … Thanks for your input.
I did read your comments before hand. I have to say, a “very slightly better” correction on my phone brightness will be no way near “good”. My screen is such a dark grey in color. There seems to be absolutely no ambient light. A “better” or “much better” correction is the only thing that would make it readable. I will most like replace it with another (Hardware correction). If nothing changes, I will wait for a firmware upgrade to see if things get better.
It does sound like you might have a duff watch. I’ve found backlight very bright at 80% more than strong enough and I’m having no problems seeing the screen when not backlit. Have not had any freeze issues at all to date and BT unpairing generally leads to reconnection. Mine is running 2.6. I had the ambit 2 and it was useful to have a ‘contrast’ which the F3 doesn’t have, but I would say the crisp screen quality, data field clarity and backlighting is actually better than the A2 I had. Sorry to hear you’re having a hard time 🙁
Thanks @Dan.
The back lighting is not really an issue. That works fine at 70%+.
I finally got a response back from support people. Their explanation was: “… The Fenix 3 has a transfelctive LCD screen, which is a battery saving compromise between reflective and tranmissive screens. This makes seeing in sunlight very good, at cost to seeing in low light (without back-lighting)….”
They have received a lot of emails where people were surprised at the low contrast and visibility in the dark. In short, a problem beyond just me. All in all I think it’s just par for the course.
I will probably go and look at several other F3s for comparison and wait for FW updates.
The search for near perfection is ever lasting.
RE: Notifications. I believe that may be limited slightly by what each app sends through the OS layer. For example, some apps I get more detail on my Fenix3, and others I get less detail. It seems to match what I get on other notification-capable devices. In other words, i don’t think this is a Garmin limiter, but possibly a mobile phone OS limiter.
RE: Screen. If your screen isn’t looking like the pictures in the review, then something is likely wrong with it. I just haven’t seen folks complain much about the Fenix3 screen. The vivoactive screen…somewhat, but not the F3 screen.
There have been a couple times during the day where I needed to twist my wrist a bit to get a clearer view, because of the contrast. Not a deal breaker, but I recall doing it. I have the backlight set at default 20% and during some night runs that was fine. But I had stopped to look. I noticed that 20% wasnt bright enough (for me) to check while moving, but stopped it was ok. Not sure I observe any light “bleed”
RE: Notification issues all resolved. The bug was the third party text app. All is good on Nexus 5, Lollipop and F3.
RE: Frozen compass. It has not happened again. All seems good here as well.
RE: Screen contrast. Yes it looks as good as your pictures when in direct sunlight, under a desk lamp or in a well lit room. But not so good under low light. The Polar AXN500 and Suunto Ambit 3 Peak both have/had superior visibility under exact same lighting condition (did a bunch of tests). As mentioned before, I will have to compare to another F3 (in store) to make sure it is not a complete hardware fluke on my part. Maybe it is just the way it is! (BTW, on the F3 forum, there are over a dozen visibility complaints like this, over four or five links.)
Thanks again mate.
I also crashed twice on the compass.
Last night, the clock suddenly began to vibrate and did not stop. I had to completely switch.
I miss the auto backlight (between sunset and sunrise), I like on the F2.
Battery: full charge saturday afternnoon. BT is off. Activity tracker on. Running about one hours with GPS. Battery status: 80%. (Yet no two days.)
Ray people are just getting their watches.
I just got mine and i can’t believe how dark the screen is.
It would have been nice to read this in your review – regardless if a few people have these experiences because a very few of your readers even have the unit because they ordered from Clever Training.
Hmm, I guess it just doesn’t look dark to me, hence why I didn’t mention it. Whereas the Vivoactive does feel a bit dark, and it’ll be part of my review.
Perhaps it’s a perception thing. Mine just feels normal. Have you considered inverting the screen? Ultimately, the screen is by default black, which is dark. Also, you can change the thickness on the font – which might make it feel brighter (since the initial lettering is kinda skinny).
I don’t recall noticing a dark screen on the 920xt but i certainly believe it was more “readable” than the fenix 3 – i’m certain the 920xt screen wasn’t so tinted but i don’t have that watch on me now.
Any chance this is a manufacturing issue?
Thanks for the tip on the font.
now how to change the thickness ….
Ray,
The dark screen “is” in the inverted mode (white, albeit gray background, and black lettering). All photos and reviews done are with ample ambient lighting. Therefore, looking good. In reality lighting throughout usage isn’t perfect.
As more people actually get the watch, the more this issue will surface. It will become a deal breaker for more then a few. I for one am thinking of returning mine.
Cheers…
mine just did the same. Has it had any issues since????
Ray – after much research I’ve made up my mind to go for a Fenix 3. Thanks for your earlier advice on that. Here’s a question I’ve not seed addressed anywhere: What’s the battery life in terms of maximum number of charge/discharge cycles it will accept? And, can it eventually be factory replaced? My point being that if I’m going to shell out 400 GBP on a watch I’d expect it to last the rest of my life. Appreciate your comments again. Cheers.
Jerry.
Jerry – it’ll be a typical lithium battery lifetime, charge/discharge cycle count depends on depth of discharge. See Battery University info on the topic: link to batteryuniversity.com
My 610 went well past three years before it suffered enough battery capacity loss that I looked into replacement. It was still useful but was down enough that I started exploring options. I ended up buying a new fenix3 though so the matter was moot. 🙂
Garmin does offer it though under their out of warranty repair program. Price for an OOW repair on a non-sapphire fenix3 is $130 in the US. I don’t know about UK. See: link to www8.garmin.com
This is perhaps the most thorough review I’ve ever read – for anything!
Great job, it was a pleasure reading this, I will be ordering my Fenix3 shortly.
Hey all; i’ve been having problems since i’ve got my watch with GPS accuracy. The last 3 runs i’ve ran with FR610, my iphone 5s and my new Fenix 3 Saphire, this along with my other running buddies gear who have ran beside me and my Fennix is out by over 10% each run. The pace is impossible to use and really, makes me feel sad about my shiny new watch that doesn’t do it’s core job.
I’ve tried reading on Garmin’s forums, i’ve looked through a few thousand comments on DCR but i’m not sure if there is a way to fix it…
I’ve tried combinations of Glonass on and off, along with 1s and smart recording. All not really giving anything but random info.
I don’t want to bag this watch out as I really like it, however, like I said, I’d really like the GPS to be reliable.
Any tips?
If you haven’t let your Fenix3 sit outside with the GPS on for about 15-20 minutes, give that a shot. Also, study the track (in satellite map mode, not regular map mode) , and see if/where there are variances to your friends.
The F2 had option to go to satellites and just soak for time. How do you accomplish a 15-20min soak on the F3? HIt start button, select an app (eg. RUN) and just let it begin to acquire and then leave it for 15-20 without actually starting?
A number of folks have stated that Suunto’s reported altitude is consistently more accurate than Garmin’s Fenix 2 and 3 watches. It has been said that both manufacturers are essentially equal in raw sensor data but Suunto’s method to derive altitude is superior than Garmin’s — please correct me if I’m wrong at any point here —. If this is true then it seems to me that someone with the appropriate expertise could possibly write some code for a Widget etc., to produce better results, true? Or maybe Monkey C doesn’t support the kind of math required.
I suspect there’s actually a number of cases of comparing apples to oranges. In watching a thread about it on the Garmin forums, there’s a ton of misunderstanding on how the different calibration methods work, and what the defaults are for both Suunto and Garmin. I do suspect that Garmin’s Fenix3 default of not doing continuous calibration is probably hurting them (versus the continuous calibration) – which is effectively what Suunto’s Fused Alti is.
Hi Ray,
I´m not sure if this is the best any away.
Altimeter and Barometer work together.
If I´m fishing or camping I don’t want continuous calibration or I´m going to lose pressure changes (weather)…
If I need precise altitude for navigation, continuous calibration even coming from poor GPS data (nature of all gps devices) is better than weather pressure changes influences.
For other activities I believe that most of the times what really matters is the relative accumulated ascent so if continuous calibration with the poor data is on that would badly hurts the numbers.
I do this:
Fishing, camping: FIXED. Enter a known altitude or one calibration at start.
Altitude based navigation: Continuous Calibration , it is not ideal but better than weather influence.
Running, Cycling, etc (with no altitude based navigation) : Enter a known altitude or one calibration at start.
Regards
How do you run the F3 then? you leave it in continuous calibration mode? I would guess this could impact battery life a little right? any sort of DC view of empirical testing with the different modes?
I’ve generally left mine in continuous calibration. The reason is that while GPS elevation a few years ago left something to be desired, things continue to improve there.
With testing, it’s tricky as the environment almost dictates the different testing. For flatter runs (i.e. around Paris), I’m generally looking to see that the starting/ending elevation points are the same. Additionally, that it’s capturing the terrain changes equally.
I find that hill repeats are often a fun test, as any variation becomes super-easy to identify. Whereas going into the mountains is sorta a different type of test, as then you’re looking at what is typically much longer timeframes.
As has been outlined a bunch on some of the recent Garmin Forum threads, there is an element of calibration (either known pressure, known elevation or GPS-based) that is required for any altimeter. The strength of using GPS-based is that it removes you from having to know the pressure or elevation. The downside is that you are indeed subject to errors with GPS elevation. But no matter the case, the watch does have to be calibrated one way or another – it can’t simply operate in a stateless vacuum. No altimeter can.
Hi Ray,
Far away to begin a discussion here but only to help GPS-based elevation still sucks and it will until some other technology to be available.
If you want to double check this only you have to do is to turn the elevation correction on at a given Garmin Connect activity page and see what happens to the accumulated ascent/descent for instance… and that error will apply to any GPS correction if continuous calibration is set to on.
Just because in non-professional GPS´s the altitude is based in a formula of an geodesic ellipsoid for a given coordinate that is based in the AVERAGE altitude within that ZONE…
So, if you want consistent RELATIVE altitude in order to measure EFFORT by knowing you accumulated ascent/descent the best would be not to use continuos calibration…
The “best” (and in my humble opinion only) use for continuous calibration is when you need REAL (not relative) altitude to aid you navigation e.g. using topo maps but knowing it still not good but better than nothing.
My best regards,
Be sure not to confuse two different things: Calibration via GPS, and continuous GPS elevation. They are different.
Agreed.
More ammo: link to forums.garmin.com
Good reading.
Yes, that’s the thread I was referring to with lots of confusion on how altimeters work.
Just to be clear, there is some tidbits of valid concerns and requests in there – but also just a lot of misunderstangings.
I’ll see if I can get the Fenix team to write-up a bit on how to properly use the altimeter settings in which scenarios. They did something similar durng the Fenix2 timeframe for me that I posted somewhere in that review/comments, after lots of misunderstandings there from folks on what settings to use where.
Any news on the firmware situation from them? They’ve now rolled it back to 2.30 due to bugs which also means loss of functionality (e.g. I can’t input co-ordinates with the UK grid system in 2.30)
I am really torn. I do want it, but not sure if I need one. I’m not a pro by any means, neither do triathlon. I take my road bike with Edge 500 for 30mls ride every Saturday and Sunday, and plan to start running on weekdays. For time being an app should do for runs, but I want this watch so bad.
Thank you Ray for your reviews and making me spend money on gadgets 🙂
If you could just do a swim every now and then, you would definitely need one – Just a few laps of the pool and you will be fully justified in getting your F3 😉 (this is the sort of thing my mind does to me when buying gadgets!!!)
don’t waist your $.
honestly until you start running – start with your iphone – if it’s something you are going to get into then look into the watch..
So far there are issues with the fenix 3 – one that’s bugging me is the dark screen. it’s hard to read.
Perhaps best to watch videos online or see one in person yourself. I love the F3 so far. While I think the screen can at time look “dark”. I tiny move of the write seems to dramatically change the contrast for me. I think its quite reasonable IMHO, as the battery (fw v2.30) is lasting a long time. I went almost 5 days with all day activity tracking and recorded about 4 runs as well. Only charged it full the first time last night.
It’s not massively bright indoors, unless you press the backlight button; or you can leave the backlight on at 10%; or turn the light on in the room – seriously I’ve been using mine 24hrs a day for a few weeks and it’s not an issue. Training at night also not an issue, I just put the backlight on and it’s clear as day. If I had to choose I’d say the FR920xt (which I had before) is more readable in low light, but this also depends on the watch face you choose; and as I say really not been an issue for me (By the way I had a Fenix 2, which I really struggled to read in low light and the pool, and and F2/SE which was only a bit better – the F3 is far superior to those)
I have run and cycled 25-30 hrs so far and it’s been great. I had a couple of crashes that required a reboot of the watch but that I think was related to a connect IQ data field which I have since removed (I am on fw 2.9) – I am expecting this to be sorted out with the next fw update. Completed two decent events – a 130km Sportive 2 weeks ago and a 1/2 Marathon yesterday – no problems at all and you can rely on it (just don’t install a new app/widget/data field without testing them out before the event currently). Swimming training starts this week so I’ll see how it does in the pool and lake.
Had a few nice comments about the look of it when in business meetings (I have Sapphire with metal strap)
I’d say if you have the money and want to use it for sport, you will be happy with it
Ian – thanks for the tip – i wasn’t aware i can leave the back light on
no watch is perfect.
i was just hoping for a better 920xt. I was caught off guard that it wasn’t the same readability.
Oh yah by far the fenix 3 is much more superior in reading the data – i had no issue yesterday during my 3 hour run though i do which in a future we can have an option to increase the font size (thickness) to make it more 920xt ish – big #s.
*wish
I know what you mean Gabe. There is always something that could be improved – but as you say no watch is perfect 🙂
I quite like the screen, at first i thought it was a bit dark in low light indoors but it just isn’t as much as a big deal as i thought. Its brilliant out doors. I think it has more of a natural classy look as a day to day watch like it is. The backlight is a bit uneven but it works.
Just wanted to check if anyone else is still facing a battery drain issue.
My Fenix 3 Sapphire’s battery died on Saturday night all of a sudden. I charged it Sunday morning to 100%, did not do any sports, only activated GPS once to set up the date and time and this morning, after less than 24 hours it is already at 34-35%.
Firmware: 2.3.
Anyone, who is facing a similar issue? I am convinced that it is a software glitch and somewhere something is activated that drains the battery but I am dying to find it out and turn it off 🙂
Some people claimed turning off auto-upload in WiFi helped with this? I had the issue once after installing 2.9 but been fine since.
Thanks Ian, before I had the chance to test it out, I got an update proposed and let it run. It did not change any of the version codes but it seems like it fixed my battery drain issue. Had the update run this morning while the battery was at 25%, ran for an hour outside with GPS on and still have 14% by the end of the day. Problem seems to be fixed!
Just wanted to inform you about a wrong link in the text, in this section, the link to HR-RUN is wrong:
Does the HRM-RUN transmit pace too?
No, it does not. Only Vertical Oscillation, Ground Contact Time, and Cadence. The watch also calculates cadence internally. See my HRM-RUN post for full details on the HRM-RUN strap.
Ahh, thanks – fixed!
I finally got my Fenix 3 (replacing my Fenix 2 and before that 910 XT). All good except one problem. In the pool it is missing a length periodically. So since I’ve had it, I have swum 1350 meters twice and it recorded only 1325 meters. Since I know I did an even number of lengths, it can’t be that I mis-counted. Never had this problem with the Fenix 2 or 910XT. I have seen posts elsewhere of others who have had this problem with suggestions that the Fenix 3 and 920XT firmware may be more sensitive to technique. I’m wondering how prevalent this is and whether I need to consider a hardware malfunction, or whether there might be a setting that might be contributing to this.
I would say to anyone seriously concerned with altitude should go old school and grab a good topo map, compass, and pocket analog altimeter and brush up on their orienteering skills. As much as I love gadgets such as the Fenix 3 I would never rely upon them in the outback.
Calorie Tracking is off on the watch
so throw – dark screen, calorie tracking off, altimeter off, etc – im going with a HOLD on purchasing
24 miles and i only burned 1500 calories via the fenix 3. link to connect.garmin.com
on the garmin 620 last weekend i ran a 1/2 marathon – i burned 1000 calories . link to connect.garmin.com
Calorie values aren’t anything to do with the watch as I understand it – rather it is the calculation on GC that looks at your Weight, and the HR and activity data from the watch to calculate it. GC is always quite a bit lower in calories values than Strava for example with exactly the same data; and if I put the same data into TrainingPeaks, or SportTracks I’ll get different again; I tend to go with GC for convenience, but bottom line for me is calories are never an exact science and there are multiple ways and estimations used to calculate them (both calories in and out). It would be interesting to export your 24 mile activity into Strava or elsewhere and see what you get.
Altimeter – I guess this is an issue, from what I’ve read. I think it only relates to non activities, because elevations look reasonable for my activities so I think this is about the value when you look at the altimeter outside of the activity (and so no GPS) (which I rarely do to be honest)
Anyway – yes definitely some issues, but no showstoppers for me, though of course different types of users (and uses) will have different views on that.
Interesting results, Gabe. My fenix3 (v2.9) and 920xt (v2.7) gave nearly the same calorie counts on a half this weekend; 1449 vs 1488kcal. Very first runs were off a bit but it’s dialed in a lot better now.
Still, I concur with the suggestion that people be cautious until Garmin pushes out some fixes. There’s a seemingly higher than usual crop of issues and the silence on Garmin’s part is not confidence inspiring.
Ray – can you communicate to the powers-that-be at Garmin that they’re souring the community perception with their mishandling of this situation? I think people would be a lot more tolerant if provided with honest and forthright communication; the silence and even the avoidance reported by others is a bit damning.
3400 calories via Strava
link to strava.com
i wonder if there is an issue with the “smart” gps.
i had that on accidently thus it didn’t record all the gps data only the other metrics.
Wow that’s a huge difference! After posting above about the calculation being done on GC I had a second thought about that and looked at the history on the watch; and sure enough it does have the calorie count, so I think it is done on the watch after all.
I guess we need someone (Ray?) to explain that in detail but I am assuming that the watch does some calculation that GC then copies but that Strava ignores and does it’s own calculation anyway.
For comparison here is a 1/2 marathon on GC for me: link to connect.garmin.com (1869C) and the same run on Strava: link to strava.com (2316C).
You certainly had an off number there, but careful on Strava’s figures. That site always figured really high for me, typically 30% over what I’ll see on from the watch itself or from RunningAhead for the same run.
For example, I had three Garmin watches and an iPhone running the Strava app for that HM. All three Garmin’s reported about 110kcal/mile. Strava’s result was over 152kcal/mile for both the phone-app recorded run (no HR data) or for the fenix3 TCX file uploaded to Strava.
Calorie count is done on the watch. Strava meanwhile, does their own calorie counts based on their own algorithms (most sites do). Sometimes they match, and sometimes they’re off the charts different.
GC should always match the watch.
There’s been some talk recently that some of the newer watches may see a bit of variation in calorie counts the first week or two while it ‘learns’ you.
hit submit too early, sorry.
Theres NO gps data on that run? Something’s very amiss. Smart recording will vary the frequency of recorded points to cut down the file size but you should have a map file. I always did on my 610 runs using smart recording for gps and uploading to Strava.
Definitely do some further testing with your watch, it’s not just a setting.
Anyway – we’re in limbo on these fenix3s, so it’s tough to make a keep/skip-it decision. The officially supported v2.3 firmware we know has problems else they wouldn’t have released updates to it. The highest in-the-wild v2.9 firmware we know has problems else they wouldn’t have pulled it back. Thus all fenix3’s have known-faulty firmware right now. We simply can’t make a reasoned assessment at this time other than to wait and see what comes out. Thus my recommendation to hold off buying if one doesn’t need to do so, and ensure your vendor had a good return policy if you do buy. I personally think Garmin will make it right in the end, I’m just not too sure how far away “the end” might be at this point.
Once again, if Garmin would actually communicate to their user base…
Hey guys, just a heads up. There is a seller from Israel on eBay selling F3 for $461 watch only and $515 for a bundle in either color. The part number seems to be European, not US. So, not sure if it will affect warranty
With Garmin’s radio-silence on the firmware rollback and various issues people are experiencing, I honestly advise against buying the watch if you cannot easily return it to the vendor. Especially if there’s any question of warranty validity.
I thought I’d chime in for some of the people who are still trying to make a decision…
I love it. I bought it after Apple did its watch event and I saw that, for my use case (android phone, bought into Garmin Connect and associated ecosystem), this was a better fit for me. I have the sapphire and I’m very glad I got it (running OS 2.3). I didn’t find that the band was too heavy. I usually wear an Omega Speedmaster, and I didn’t notice any difference in weight (based on feel, not actual hard data). I would say that, if you’re used to wearing a watch like that, you won’t be bothered by the weight of the metal band. I wear the metal band for work and swap out to a NATO strap or the rubber strap for casual stuff. Others may not want to swap out straps that often, but I do it all the time with my Omega and, while this is harder, it isn’t exactly that hard. If that’s your issue (messing with the screws), I would recommend NATO straps. They have them in leather too, so you can class it up a bit while retaining the flexibility of not having to take the strap bars off at all to swap straps.
The screen: It is dark. I don’t expect to read it at night without the backlight, but some watch face configurations are hard to read. In particular, I like the digital face with the minutes in red. It looks pretty, but as the light fades, the red disappears into the dark face (note, I’m using the dark background for all at this point). I’m planning on experimenting with the white background and with setting the backlight to “keys/alerts” and maybe doing some other things. That might make a difference. Another chance for Garmin to improve the product: give users the option to have the colors invert automatically upon sunset just like many automotive GPS devices do. That way, you can have the dark background during the day and the light one when it’s harder to see at night.
I’ve only had one reboot (using the sunset widget), so that’s not been a problem for me. Also, battery life has been great. I plugged it in on the night I got it (Thursday night, March 19th) and was surprised at how fast it charged from 55% out of the box to 100%. I’ve been using it ever since without having to charge it again (currently at 61%). That being said, I haven’t used GPS much since I’m still running indoors. I really like the activity tracker and think it is very well done. I use the garmin connect app on my android phone and it integrates nicely with myfitnesspal. I’m also a big fan of the alerts – I haven’t had many dropped Bluetooth connections apart from me walking away from my phone. It also did beautifully in connecting to my Virb – really seamless and easy there.
Overall, I’m highly impressed and am glad I got it. It looks great and has a ton of functionality. I’m looking forward to v3.0 and getting the music controls. If the app store sees a healthy dose of apps and such, I can see a lot of potential for further greatness for this thing.
Also, Ray, you gotta stop. You sold me on the Edge 800, the Virb, the Fly6, an indoor trainer, some other stuff, and now this. Between that and your frequent “eating in Paris, running through Versailles” posts, my wife hates you.
Just kidding. Seriously, great stuff, keep it up.
I may have found a glitch, but I don’t know how to report it to Garmin. I created an interval workout on the watch and then selected “run inside” since I was on the treadmill, yet about a half mile into my run, the GPS started and forced me to end the workout since the pace dropped out to zero. I was able to do a separate “run indoor” event just by pressing the start button and had no issue with the GPS firing up during the run. GPS off is my setting for the run indoor app, so it should not have come on during the interval run.
I am coming from the FR220 and cannot figure out how to set the backlight to stay on during the entire activity automatically. Anyone figure out how to do this?
Just wondering if you perhaps had an update on this week’s (Monday 23 March) supply (of Sapphires) to CT?
I notice that CT expects delivery for new orders to still take place this month?
Thank you as always
Hi All-
I’ve got a quick update for those who have ordered the Fenix3 from CT.
They’ve received confirmation today from Garmin that they’re receiving enough stock to cover almost all current pre-orders. This is scheduled to be shipped today from Garmin and arrive tomorrow at CT, and depending on the time of day it arrives will depend on how many units go back out to customers that same day. This is a massive number of units so unfortunately not every order will make it out the same day the shipment arrives but they will be working full force to get them all turned around as quickly as possible. I’ll reply later tonight here once I have validation that the shipment has left Garmin’s warehouse with a status showing overnight to CT’s warehouse.
The only SKU that will have some slight backorder will be the Grey HRM-RUN Bundle, but CT will be able to ship all orders on that SKU placed through March 15. All other variants they’ll be receiving enough stock to cover ALL existing backorders. Finally, there will then also be a small number of units left to ship for new orders (processed of course in the order placed). You’ll see their site reflect these new shipping dates shortly. Any customers who have ordered Grey HRM-RUN bundle that wish to change to one of the other soon to be in-stock SKU’s, can do so, however their order will not be processed until after the other units ship out.
Thanks again for the support and I appreciate sticking with it, despite the wait.
-Ray
Outstanding news, Ray, thanks for keeping us informed. Glad to support you a bit for all the great work you do.
Ray, I am in the UK and have ordered a Sapphire from Cotswold Outdoor. Do you happen to know if this “massive” number of units is something Garmin are repeating in other regions, i.e. the UK, or is this something specific to CT. I understand that you may not know the answer to this, but I also have found that you seem to be the only person who seems to be able to get any straight answer out of Garmin during this whole affair.
Thanks in advance
Woohoo ! Thanks Ray for the update. I guess there’s an outside chance it could arrive before the weekend (I did 2 day shipping). Either way, great news that they’re getting in more units. cheers.
Just as an update on the Fenix3 shipping from CT. All units arrived today at CT (at 12:09PM). They were able to ship out about 75% of the units that arrived before the pickup cutoffs. The rest will go out tomorrow. Additionally, there is now inventory for the Fenix3 in all but one flavor to ship immediately, which is available here: link to clevertraining.com
Stock of course is subject to change and is real-time. It does sound like more is on the way to fulfill that last flavor shortly.
Note that sometimes it seems CT shipping notifications get zapped by SPAM filters, so you can always check their online site to validate your order status.
thanks for the update. Checking my order – I guess my silver / red with no HR monitor ordered in late February is part of the 25% that didn’t go out. Oh well – what’s an extra day at this point 😉 Although I see that’s one that’s not in stock in the current inventory link, so hopefully they got enough to fulfill at least those backordered… guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
Would be great if Garmin (or another programmer) added in some water sports features for Yacht Racing and Sup to the Fenix 3 via Connect IQ
The yacht racing features on the Garmin quatix (Specialized sail racing features: race countdown timer, virtual starting line and tack assist) would be helpful.
Standup Paddle (SUP) features (available on Speedcoach Sup link to nkhome.com)
Stroke Rate: Rate input from accelerometer, autostart with first stroke, 6 to 99 1/2, 1/2-stroke resolution, update every stroke.
Stroke Count: Count input from accelerometer, autostart with first stroke, 0 to 999 with auto rollover, 1-stroke resolution, update every stroke.
Distance: Meters, kilometers or statute miles.
Speed/Split: Speed over land averaged and updated every stroke. May be displayed as either speed (meters per second) or split (time for 00 meters). GPS speed smoothing from 1-stroke to 8-strokes.
One watch for lots of activities would make life simpler.
Small issue identified last night on firmware v2.30: when using the Resume Later feature, the Fenix3 regards it as a multi-sport activity rather than continuation of the first part of the activity.
As an example, I recorded a short ride using the “Bike” app which I paused, selected Resume Later, and later continued. This has been saved and uploaded to GC as a multi-sport activity with two rides, and to Strava as two completely separate rides.
I’ve had this same issue. Have used “resume later” on a couple hikes, and while is accurately recognizes the individual segments as hikes, the activity is recorded as multi-sport….no way to edit or correct it that I can see.
If you want to see only one activity on GC, you can use the online tool File Combiner link to fitfiletools.com
Upload your FIT file, and you will obtain a new FIT file with only one session…
I hope that they fix this, or provided an easier option besided using a 3rd party application
I’m not sure that needs to be fixed …
If you pause your activity and stay the watch like this, you can simply press “resume” once you want restart … you will obtain only one session
If you press “resume later” you will obtain multi-sports sessions …
I think that’s interesting to have both options 😉
Agreed. It doesn’t seem to be broken, so no need for a “fix” that removes one of the two existing options.
Depends on your use. What the benefit to a resume later if its a new files. How is it any different from pressing start and doing a NEW activity. I mean before the resume starts its gonna grab satellite, etc etc. so how is current implemenation of resume later any different from just stopping and restarting with a new activity. Especially if you can just use some “tool” to combine them.
IMHO. Stop/Resume might be for a bathroom break or short chat during a break. Stop resume-later could be for multi hour/multi day event in which you sleep or something.
I consider it broken. On my fenix2 i use ‘Resume Later’ when I’m alpine skiing and take a lunch break for instance. Getting two files in that situation messes up number of runs, total vertical meters and so on.
Would it be possible to use the unit while scuba diving? I know GPS does not work underwater, but I would like to be able to use the compass and barometer.
I planned on creating a ‘Depth’ datafield, the math is simple enough, but the thought of someone using it as a dive watch and then something going wrong made me think twice.
I would be a keen user of a depth data field, and hopefully ultimately some sort of free-diver app for the fenix 3.
If it is not being used for Scuba diving I think the liability issues could be significantly reduced for an app. With free-diving you are really only using the watch to give you a quick depth check, an alarm for max depth / time, and track what you have done, record your surface time before your next dive and to review it afterwards. Its not like scuba when your time underwater and depth feeds in decompression stops and max dive time etc. Running out of your own breath is a really good reminder that you should be on the surface by then and you should be listening to your body and not a watch in free-diving in my view.
As you spend a lot of time on the surface the GPS element of the watch would also make it unique in the free-diving market place with the right app, it would make it really easy to mark that secret spot as a waypoint to find again.
Really keen on the depth data field even if nothing else comes of this as I have to say I love this watch and would love to be able to use it free-diving as well (and don’t really want to have to wear two watches when I go free diving which I think is my current option i.e. Fenix 3 plus current free diving watch).
Yours in hope…….
Allan
You can post a request for a free-diving data field or app in Garmin’s ConnectIQ App Ideas forum, maybe someone is willing to make one?
link to forums.garmin.com
The watch would have to conform to standard EN 13319 to be sold in Europe with this functionality. I doubt that Garmin would allow such an app on the Connect IQ store as this might open them up to litigation. Whether the pressure sensor could handle it is another matter. It may not be designed to operate in that pressure range. Maybe Ray can leave it on the pressure widget when he does his depth tests.
Any update about a CT kind of deal for us in Europe?
George, thanks for your comments at 23/03 on long term battery life – much appreciated.
Jerry.
Hi,
been curious to know if the 920xt or the fenix 3 have the simple feature of garmin 910 xt or 310 xt:wrist turning makes the light go “on”.Well?
Nope (would be nice though – and presumably something that could be added in a firmware update)
Didn’t know those watches could do that, that would be very practical!
A new GPS software update has just been posted by Garmin for the Fenix 3.
The update takes the GPS from version 2.7 up to 2.8.
The release notes state that the update provides improved initial GPS accuracy.
Note: This is not a full Fenix 3 Firmware update, but rather an update specific to the GPS function.
If this update brings the F3 on par with the 920 Id gladly order one. Those updating your version Pls post results when available.
I think the update failed for me. Anyone else having problems? It said there was an update, tried to install it, then failed to find the watch, now it says 2.3 is the current version…
Eric, software is still 2.3, the GPS version should now be 2.8. It is only the GPS that has been updated. I personally have had no issues with mine. I have done two short rides (one just over 11kms the other 19.6), the first ride was out by 200m compared to my 510, the second ride (slightly longer) was spot on with the 510.
I checked the route on the satellite map view and there was nothing out of the ordinary on the shorter ride.
On my first ride, my TSS and IF were out. I have since gone through my settings and made sure max HR etc were matching the 510 and on the second ride, my IF and TSS were matching exactly. Happy days.
The V02 estimate which it made after only one 11km ride was pretty much spot on to one I had done in a lab. Maybe just a coincedence but interesting none the less. Will be interesting to see how it changes after a real hard ride, not just a relatively hectic 11km commute.
So far I have to say I really love this watch.. Technology has come so far.. I admit it is difficult to read in dark light conditions, especially with the black background on and the red writing.. But it looks so cool (when you can see it ;-). Obviously a quick hit of the light button and you can see everything. For activities, I have the white background on and it is easy to see.. Obviously it is easy to make the background white for normal day to day wear as well..
Honestly.. Not sure if I have said before.. But.. This watch rocks.. Having a look at your wrist to see who is calling/emailing/whatsapping/fb’ing is kinda cool too. But I can tell it will become tiring. I have already disabled whatsapp as my watch was vibrating all the time. I will probably only keep caller id up as this is useful when riding and you want to see who is calling before you hit answer on the bluetooth headphones 😉
Love it, thanks again DC for the review and for the constant updates on availability and issues.. Above and beyond requirements of someone who worked for Garmin/CT, let alone a Tech nut helping out the community..
Thanks again.. And if I have not already mentioned… I love my watch..
The F2 have “lap” option is the pause menu. F3 don’t have. 🙁
If the activity stopped(but no ended), no can create lap?
I try exit the pause menu, and push the lap, but no enter lap, only back the pause menu. 🙁
Just an FYI to everyone
this is what we are going through right now with the dark screen on the fenix 3.
link to dropbox.com
link to dropbox.com
It’s very dark indoors regardless of the background color. So a heads up to prospective buyers. Wondering if this is just an early production issue. Let’s see if we hear anything back from Garmin.
The reason why i don’t believe it’s acceptable is because the 920xt screen was not tinted this dark. So it begs the question if it’s a manufacturing spec that can be changed with later iterations.
Say the Fenix 3 SE – now you can read your watch indoors!!!!
I’ll be honest, I just don’t see it. It’s black, thus, it’ll be dark when in that mode. On the white background one, it doesn’t seem much different than the FR920XT.
You had me worried until I saw the images. thanks for sharing the photos, I can purchase without worry.
Me three — the dark background is difficult to see in that lighting…but that is not a deal breaker for me. I can switch to light background as needed, and honestly I am outside or in my car most of the time for my work.
I suppose I can see how some see it as a problem, and I wonder if a firmware update allowing contrast adjustment will help at some point.
I guess we’ll see!
~ Keith
Though the screen is not screaming at me it’s plenty readable in my opinion
The dark picture is larger than actual size and the room looks well lit. The dark screen at actual size in a slightly dimmer room is harder to read (especially if you have older man’s eyes)! When it’s too hard for me to read, I just push the light button. At some point, I may switch to the light background.
Gabe, I don’t see it either. I must admit that you had me a little worried, but now that I’ve seen the pictures I’m relieved. The screen is E-ink, so it was to be expected that it would not be as clear as during the day without the background lighting. I have a paper white kindle, so I know what to expect 🙂
It is though, in my opinion, the best choice for a screen as an LCD or IPS one or any other technology would have eaten the battery on a daily basis. And it would have been a bit difficult to see in the sun, like on your smartphone.
Nice April Fool’s joke 🙂
The fenix3 display is a 16-color, MIP (Memory-In-Pixel) transflective LCD.
No E-Ink here 😉
I just got my Fenix 3 and returning it for the dim display reason.
I can see how hardcore Garmin fans and those guys who need mostly the sports functions believe it is acceptable. I’m sure in terms of functionality it delivers.
But, with all the technologies out there on the market I cannot see how this one qualifies as a color LCD display. It reminds me Sony Ericsson T68 display – for year 2002 it was a breakthrough. For 2015 it’s a misleading promise from Garmin.
And in that regard I find this review misleading as well. I cannot say I carefully read every word written there, but the bottom-line section must have had a different conclusion – it’s not worth the price.
It might be the best sports watch out there, but the claim of getting extra style and premium materials along is simply not true.
I guess it just depends on what kind of watch you want.
If you want a GPS sport watch that has long battery life, then there really isn’t any other colorful option out there, nor has there ever been.
Meanwhile, if your just doing casual running then the Fenix3 probably is overkill, and there are more colorful options available with far less features. For example, the Apple Watch – but you’ll need to charge it everyday and bring a phone for GPS.
@DK this is a sports watch which will predominantly be used outside in the daylight. To that end, the display is awesome, I come from a Garmin 910xt. I believe allot of these visibility issues come from the fact that the form of the watch is such that you can use it as an all day watch (and even a night watch.. Get out of here I hear you say).. Also, did you try the white background with black numbers? It may not be as ‘pretty’ but is the standard format for ‘digital’ watches. I am happy with black and white on my sports watch.. This one has some green bits and some red bits, obviously not HD like on your phone’s display.. But it is a sports watch.. Why would I want it to be?? I just need to see numbers quickly and easily whilst on the fly..
With the 910xt (which is not much cheaper than the F3), you could not wear it as an everyday watch so there are no people complaining that they can’t see their displays inside.. The F3 is the pants down winner when it comes to visibility outside. Even with Polarized lenses on.
This is a quality watch, the lightweight plastic is comfortable for 6hr plus events.. It is the most practical, and the looks are good.
As for expensive, it is way under $1,000 and the thing gives you estimates of your Vo2 value.. Impressive.. What I like most is when I get phone calls and I am riding, I can see who is calling on my watch, then decide whether to use the bluetooh headphones to answer or not.. Great practical upgrade.. Also wireless transfer of data so I never have to plug into my computer again.. Awesome practical technology which makes my life more efficient.. If you want a proper quality watch, go buy yourself a Patek Philippe, then you will be able to admire the quality materials used… But, for $60,000+ you would want it to use quality materials..
Or I guess if you are happy to carry your phone everywhere, are willing to not venture far from a charger and you don’t go swimming or get wet, you could always get an Apple watch.. It is pretty much an accessory to your phone.. The display will be prettier I am sure.. (as pretty as your phone? I don’t know..)..
I do have an issue with the phone, it is the GPS.. It has slipped since the 910xt which is not cool.. I am hoping it gets resolved..
I do not think calling here Patek Philippe is a right call for my complain.
I would rather call Garmin Swim or Suunto Ambit2 that I’m using currently.
Their displays are way more visible in say room light.
As I said, I do understand why many of you guys appreciate sports funtion in Fenix, but still don’t get how do You find this display acceptable. Garmin claims Fenix to have activity tracker, which means it might/should be worn all day long. With all features and “color display” it does pretend to become a watch replacement. And this is where I believe is misconception – with such a lousy display it fails at being a watch – it’s just a sports computer.
You might say I’m asking too much, but within few years we will see devices exactly as what I’m asking – acceptable quality timepiece with all top notch sports function, and within or around the same price point.
In the meantime $270 for Suunto Sport Sapphire sound way more reasonable.
And display is there.
So you can connect a bluetooth headphone and the Fenix3 to your smartphone at the same time? I thought bluetooth does allow only one connection… Great news!
Yes.
Ray, based on the GPS update I placed an order thru CT for the silver bundle as they show it currently in stock. Let’s hope this update provides some improvement in accuracy!! So so glad I could order thru CT finally with it in stock to help support your work.
Just a FYI, I just received an email from CT indicating my gray bundle ordered on 2/8 has shipped by USPS.
Connected to Garmin Express to download the new GPS version. After that, Express said the system software version 3.0 was ready to download, so now I have that on my watch. Am I the first? 😉 Versions now loaded are:
Software 3.0
Display 2.10
GPS 2.80
BLE/ANT 2.70
WiFi 2.00
My only issue has been erroneous distance recorded during outdoor cycling and unreliable instant pace while running. Maybe I’ll see improvements due to these updates.
Yeah, mine screwed around for a while and now is updating to 3.0.
Thanks for the heads up.. Just gone back in to see that v3 is available. Hoping no nasty bugs in there to cause a roll back to 2.3…. I am willing to take the chance and watch is now updating.. 🙂
got a download error on one file. looks like BLE/ANT is still 2.6. tried the software update button and it said no updates. so how do I get BLE/ANT to update.?
yep. just updated as well, same versions as you state.
I see music control widget now, song back, forward, play/pause.
I have only done one run so far with my G3 (2.3 FW), and it did was about 150 meter off with my suunto on a 11km run. Need to test more, but having the flue now ;-(
still experience reboots with iq watch face B3 and app sky watch though..
If you were on BLE/ANT 2.60 prior to updating, I believe it will stay as BLE/ANT 2.60 for now as the latest version. However, if you were already on BLE/ANT 2.70, then it will remain as that version. BLE/ANT 2.70 was part of the software Garmin had rolled back.
Yep got home and DL’d v3 as well. We’ll see.
Hmmmm music controls
Controls Google Play on my Android, going to try Pandora next 🙂
Yup, works with Pandora. That significantly changes things for me. Also, now I can use the phone app to manage widgets, apps, watch faces, etc. Nice!
All, did anyone bought the NATO straps? If yes, any recommendations on the size and how do you do with the pins? They don’t come with it, right? Thank you for your help
I got two nylon NATO straps. They look great and work well (a little stiff, but they loosen up with use). You use the bars that come with the watch. Just put them on with no strap on and then put the NATO strap on like regular. You need a 26mm wide strap.
Erik, I appreciate your response
Hi Ray,
a lot of people seems to have problems to understand the way how the garmin altimeter in the f3 works and they are thinking, that it don’t work correct. Perhaps you can clarify this?
Thanks
rabbit
Yeah, I’m working on putting something together.
Did anybody receive his Fenix 3 in Europe already?
I was informed from my retailer that they got the information from Garmin that delivery in Germany could be postponed until end of April.
Does anybody got more information on this? Thx.
Got mine in a shop in Frankfurt on March 7th
I’ve seen others in France and the UK too. On the Garmin Forums there’s various threads for different European countries – may want to check there.
Thanks for the quick reply.
On the German Garmin site it says “Aufgrund der hohen Nachfrage erst Ende März wieder verfügbar!”, due to high demand available again by end of March.
Maybe there have been few units available in Germany and France but a new lot is not expected before April probably.
Yes.
I got mine in Greece on March 9th.
I switched from 910 to Fenix 3 a week ago, and well, I love the gadget:-)
Just two issues which I cannot solve so far:
(1) I have not succeeded to link the gadget with my smartphone via bluetooth. My smartphone is Samsung XCover2 model GT-S7710, this model is equipped with Bluetooth Smart technology. The Connect Mobile App pops up with message stating my gadget is not compatible with Android. My Android version is 4.1.2. Anyone who can help? Thanks a lot:-)
(2) My compass froze twice within 7 days of having the gadget. Nothing helps but the factory reboot which of course sets everything which I so painstakingly customized to a default. This happened in both cases couple of hours after I downloaded the new watch faces but maybe this is just coincidence. Do you think this is a software issue which Garmin will address or may the problem lie in the hardware and I will have to replace my gadget?
Nevertheless I am a happy Fenix 3 owner. Thanks a lot! Cheers
You need Android 4.3 at a minimum. The compatible list of Android phones is here: link to support.garmin.com
I think garmin hates me. i ordered a grey f3 without bundle, since i have the HRM from my 920. i ordered it on jan 9, 2015. i ordered a grey f3 bundle as a gift for a friend on march 11, 2015. guess which one just shipped.
I could take the watch for myself and give the HRM and other watch to my friend, but that seems wrong.
this experience has really left me feeling bad. loads of people who ordered after me got theirs first because they ordered sapphire or bundle. now, even I am getting my friends before mine. and i could have cancelled and gotten one at REI weeks ago.
I have no reason to think its personal, either with garmin or clever training. i’m just upset.
Hi Len-
Sorry for the troubles. I’m not sure I understand, if you ordered both from CT, then both would have shipped out yesterday, or at worst today. CT cleared through 75% of the inventory that came in yesterday afternoon before the shipping cutoffs. They were likely doing it by model groupings – since that’s the most logical way to process. Thus, any orders for any Fenix3 variants before March 15th would go out no later than today. And only Grey Bundles after March 15th would be pending (though some have switched to other units, so there might be only a few people left on backorder there).
Ah Ray,
I would have thought so too… I did order both via CT (for you, I really value your reviews). And when I saw your post about their shipment, I felt confident my long suffering would finally end. But i only got a tracking number for my bundle order, in march and nothing about my non-bundle from JANUARY… and my account at clever training shows this….
ORD-15-03-11-92089
3/11/2015
Leonard Ellis $494.99 Complete
View Order | Reorder
ORD-15-01-09-68779
1/9/2015
Leonard Ellis $449.99 Processing
View Order | Reorder
Just a quick question did you order d the epic and the F3 ?
Because I ordered both and at some point was not getting my f3
I called them and guess what they were waiting for the epic to ship both together
So I told them no please send the f3 when available and late the epix
And yahoooo the f3?was shipped the same day
Hi Len-
The reason the other didn’t ship yesterday, is as noted above they got through 75% of the inventory that came in yesterday. Thus, the remaining 25% will go out today (which would include your other order).
Again it’s likely that they simply ordered the shipping yesterday by SKU, simply because that’s how it would have arrived to them from Garmin (in cartons of a given SKU type).
Thanks for the support!
for the sake of my sanity, i hope that you are right…. i will happily post news if i receive shipment notice from ct today… and if i dont get shipment notice, i will post that too…
shipped!!!!!
Great review as always. One thing which currently frustrates me is that I cannot look at the Widgets whilst in an App – i.e. whilst recording an activity. Am I being stupid – is there a way to do this?
Much of my activity is in the mountains and I used to like the old Fenix screen which showed the Altitude plot during recording. This is only of interest but it seems strange to deny access to the sensor data widgets during activity recording. Similarly it seems that there is no way to add a plot as a data field in the App screens.
I keep thinking I must be missing something. Help.
Jonathan, during activity simply press DOWN button for 2 seconds, your watch face will appear, press down buton again to navigate through compass, batometer graph, altitude graph etc. Press Back button to go back into activity app
Ray
I need to order through amazon.com as I have a gift card there. I’ll use your link to give credits if it helps. 🙂
Having said that, I am a bit concerned with garmin. I don’t understand why they released the product with so short shipments to the retailers. It look a bit crazy that they’re shipping so few items and one of the biggest retailer in the world (amazon) is not getting a single watch (since now they have few silver bundles but I want the grey no bundle). Which is the reason of that? The watch is ready or not ready. If it is ready (I mean software and hardware is ready) they have to ship it. If it is not ready yet (sw or hw issues) they have to announce and delay. It seems crazy they just produce so little amount of items.
Quick question. I have the wahoo tickr run which should be both ant+ and bluetooth. So I don’t need to buy the garmin’s band, right?
Thanks
Mario
Thanks for the support, I appreciate it!
On supply, it’s really partly miscommunications that’s the cause, and partly demand. Garmin has all along said Q1 (which we are currently in). Thus, they planned to get shipments flowing in that range – and they did that starting the first week of February. I think we’ll likely see them get very close to catching up in the next few days. It sounds like they increased production volumes again last week, and we saw the impact on that already this week.
It’s not a case of being ready or not ready, it’s a case of managing risk. They start with low volumes to ensure things go right, if not, they can pause and/or take a lower hit if there are hardware problems (such as was the case with waterproofing in the first FR920XT batch). It’s much more palatable to take a loss on a simple 1,000 unit run than a 10,000 unit run.
While it’s easy to always compare to Apple, the reality is that there are only about 2-3 companies globally that can actually do that kind of ‘Day X’ there will be enough to fulfill 90% of orders. And of course, despite what the Internet might have you believe – even Apple doesn’t do that. If you order a week after announcement, it’s unlikely you’ll get it on Day 1 (especially for popular launches).
Now Garmin is unique in the fitness space – they actually own their factories. Very very very few companies do (none in fitness actually). So Garmin can quickly scale up and down once they have the process nailed and the yields right, but determining when ‘right’ is, is tricky. Also, the whole notion that they’d hold back units to create the illusion of demand is silly. There’s no true monetary benefit there for a device company. Garmin, like every other company wants units on peoples wrists – that’s a far better marketing method than the illusion of backorders. Even more so in a world where there are so many new offerings (i.e. the Apple Watch) coming out. The sooner you attach someone onto a device/platform, the less likely they’ll be to leave.
Finally, to Amazon – this one is super simple: Amazon drives a hard bargain. Garmin has always withheld Amazon fulfillment until the very end. In looking at all of the Amazon Fenix3 orders that people have placed through the site, I only see a single unit being shipped. That may be through an Amazon sub, I can’t tell (I just see total quantities and SKU’s).
And yup, good to go on the TICKR RUN for basic HR data.
Hope this helps!
Hi Ray,
Regarding your comment about Amazon inventory fulfillment, would you lump Amazon Canada in this comment as well?
I’ve have a Sapphire unit on pre-order with them since February 20th, so I’m wondering if Amazon.Ca will have a similar influx of inventory shortly.
Thanks,
Russ
Ciao Ray
Finally the Fenix 3 was available on amazon.com. Just ordered along with the footpod and bike mount. I decided to get the bundle with the hrm-run as I anyway needed a second heart rate strap (using wahoo when traveling and garmin at home).
I was looking for an optical based heart rate as you suggested above but did not like the battery duration. Just few hours. I don’t want to bother charging the heart rate monitor as well.
Last but not least I have used links on this page so I hope you’ll get credits out of my purchase. 😉
Ciao
Mario
I think they underestimated how popular it would be.
They did, by a massive margin (heck, even I didn’t think it would be that popular – I gave Garmin early pre-announcement feedback of ‘so-so popularity’ when ranking all the new devices that were scheduled to come out at CES.) I think both I and they underestimated people’s desires for a pretty looking watch (over the FR920XT).
can you give an idea of how many units the fenix 3 sold?
50,000? 100,000? 500,000? a million?!?
First great review. I won’t buy anything fitness related until I’ve read the review on this site.
I’ve had my Fenix 3 for about a week now and it will freeze about once a day. If I hold the power button it’ll turn off and work fine when I power back on. The only data that seems to get reset every time it does this is the step counter. I’ve had it freeze a couple time while its vibrating as well. I’m assuming this is a software issue that will be fixed with the next update but I’m concerned it may be hardware related as I haven’t been able to find others with the same issue. I’m running 2.3.
Is anyone else having similar issues?
Andrew I have had a similar issue with mine although not quite as often. Hasn’t frozen in an exercise yet just when in normal watch mode. As with your’s switching off and back on fixed the issue. Spoke with garmin Support in the UK who stated it was not something they had come across. Suggested a hard reset through a button combination. Could not get this to work so used reset command in settings menu. So far no more freezes
I’ve had mine for a few days and mine has also frozen a couple of times on the watch screen, but a reset sorts it. version 2.3
Hello everybody, help. Can someone please check out on your device if you experience the same thing: morning I biked to work, I paused the activity by “RESUME LATER” and used the device as normal watch, evening when I biked back home I restarted the activity. But the device and Garmin Connect considers this as separate multisport activity. This is a big issue for me not only for biking, but for any sport where I have interruptions, such as kiting, snowboarding, inline skating. Any solution? PLEASE HELP
There’s a discussion on the Garmin forum about it at the moment. That’s just the way it works. If you pause and “resume”, it treated as a single workout. If you use “resume later”, it becomes a multisport event.
No, that’s not the way it works! It’s definitely a bug, as it completely destroys the benefit of having “Resume Later” functionality, as it effectively ends the activity and starts a new one exception it makes it multisport, which is totally useless. Please, Garmin fix this ASAP.
Thanks Steve, will you be so kind and paste for me a link to this discussion, I somehow, stupid as I am, cant google it.
Anyways, if this is done intentionally by Garmin, I think it lacks logic. For me, a PAUSE function is appropriate when I want the device to stay logged to GPS sattelites. On the contrary, by pressing RESUME LATER I tell the watch to disconnect from gps and save battery (very fit function for my day in office), and by actually resuming the activity after work, I tell the device to switch the gps back on again. Is there a flaw in my logic? Who on earth would like to do a multisport in the same sport? 🙂
I can’t find it now. I may have imagined seeing it on the Garmin forum but I’m sure it was posted here link to forums.garmin.com sometime today.
Yes, it would be illogical; if you just pause and “resume” you get a lost satellite message upon entering a store and waste battery while the GPS remains ON, so this is not a proper option; whereas “Resume Later” is a very elegant and well designed function to deal with both intermittent and multi-day trips. Otherwise, one would have to look for a tool to piece together partial segments of the same sport which would be a huge PITA.
An even better solution would be if Garmin gave you the option that while “Resuming Later” if you chose the Same sport then it would keep it as a single joined sport, but if you changed the activity to be a Different sport then it would make sense to make it a multisport activity.
Here’s the relevant discussion link to forums.garmin.com
I agree with other. The current implementation is silly. Its no difference that a save, and restart of a new activity. There is no longer any benefit to actually “resume” later. while I have no issue with multiple files, I think the watch itself or GCM should merge them. and have the maintain a consistent activity time.
On F2 “Resume Later” works perfectly and the watch itself merges the same activity to produce a single sport.
If they want to make it a multisport, it should only happen if it involves different sports which makes complete sense and it’s even more elegant than their original design.
Has anyone tested this on the latest Fenix3 v3 update? Fingers crossed that it’s fixed
I just did a simple test on v3.0 and it appears to have been resolved.
I tested using a two-part bike ride using Resume Later in the middle. This resulted in a single bike ride activity file, not the multi-sport activity I saw a couple of days ago.
Thx Robin, that’s very encouraging news! v3 might just be the solid release, everyone has been looking forward to.
Upon “Resuming Later,” did it give you an option to select a new different sport or just “Resume”?
Either way, I’m glad this awesome feature was fixed 🙂
Unfortunately this is not solved with v3.0. At least not on my watch. I just tried “Run Indoor”, used Resume Later, the again “Run Indoor”. The result was a multisport activity 🙁
Update: I just continued playing around with Resume Later function under v3.0. The device sometimes allows me to stay in a single activity, all data field (distance, time) continue as they were stopped. This is positive. But other times the old story: the red ring appears (signalling multisport), all my data fields get cleared, and I am in a multisport mode. I just do not at all understand when the device decides to enter a multisport mode, I just dont get it, it seems absolutely random.
Please Garmin do not fix this, that’s not a problem but only a very interesting feature !!!
It’s great to have on Garmin Connect the activity splitted as multisport, with a global overview and detailled view for each session…
For example, for a hike on few days, its very interesting to have the feature to press “resume later” at the end of each day, and restart the following days. At the end you have on Garmin Connect a global overview of the hike over few days, but also in the same activity a detailled view for each day ! For me that makes sense to have this feature …
If you just want to pause your activity for some reason, press “Stop” button, and leave the watch like this … after few seconds/minutes the watch will switch to the time mode, without continuing to search GPS or other things (no excessive drain of the battery during the pause since the watch is in the time mode)… after to resume your activity, you have just to press the “start” button and you will find the “resume” option to restart the same activity 😉
I concur, breaking the separate portions of the activity into a multisport activity is great. I used it last night taking each of two dogs for a short run; they’re a pain to run together and neither has the endurance for more than 2-3 miles. I really like having the two runs separate yet associated. This will also be very handy for multiday backpacking trips to lump each trip as one activity yet divide the individual days.
So in my opinion this is working great. Maybe it used to work differently, but it’s certainly not broken as it is today.
Interesting to view the different perspectives. For me on a multiday hike it would be obnoxious to have all the different day segments crammed into one. I would rather have each day be its own activity. tracked and logged per day. So you simply restart a new activity the next day. here is some turnaround.. how about the multi-day hikers use the tools to piece them together. I suspect the majority of folks are those that do want to resume within a few hours. Maybe DC Ray can confirm, but I think if you just stop an activity the GPS still runs
I see that some guys prefer separate activities after they RESUME LATER, so they actually like the current bug. Ok then, Garmin guys should introduce a new function called RESUME LATER AS SEPARATE and it is solved to everybody’s liking. But at the moment, my device just does whatever it pleases each time, and I cannot even forecast whether it will continue in original activity or introduce a new segment. I just hate it. Furthermore I also think the satellite reception remains on while in a stand-by mode suggested by DomiC.
Yes, these two options are very interesting … I think that the terminology chosen by Garmin is quite confusing, depending on what people expect from “resume later” 😉
Perhaps we need to test more in depth the “pause” (just after a press on “stop” button) during an activity, but I’m quite sure that the GPS turns off if we put the watch in “pause” during a long time …
I have tested this during skiing activities, with a one hour stop during the lunch: one day using “resume later” and one day with only stop and resume activity. After the both days, the battery was at the same level (starting from 100% each day)…
Yeah, I just pause too if I stop for coffee or something. And the watch just goes back to the watch screen after a short period. Then when I am ready to go again, I hit the start button and I have the option to resume.. Works a treat.. 🙂
Just got firmware v 3.0 on an auto download.
Hi Ray,
Coming from V800, could you point out the few biggest advantages that Fenix 3 might have over it? I’m at least a bit worried about stability (Polar is slow, but watch features tend to work one they are rolled out), customer service (pure gold on polar) and the screen readability. Still, feels like grass might be greener on the other side, plus a year is a long time in tech business… Is it?
You have the best reviews DC, thanks. I just returned my 920XT because the watch wouldn’t stop crashing and would lose the BT paring everyday. I would connect the watch to Garmin express, do a successful sync, unplug the watch and it would freeze on the charging screen requiring a hard restart. The biggest annoyance was the BT pairing issue. My iphone 6 would show as connected but Garmin Connect would show as not connected after loosing connection with my phone due to distance or closing the app. The only workaround was to add device which would lose some data.
Did you have any of these issues? I was running the latest version (2.70)
I haven’t had any of those, and honestly, that’s not common on the FR920XT. It sounds like something was up with your FR920XT, given the wide variety of issues you had.
My F3 just got shipped yesterday from CT.(thank you Ray for the 10% discount).
I have a few questions. If i wear my F3 and vivosmart on alternate days or at the same time, would GC consolidate my steps and calories? or would it show double?
Neither actually. 😉
You have to ‘pick one’ activity tracker at any one point in time to take steps from.
I have wondered this also. Could I pick up a vivofit to wear while at work so I don’t damage my F3 (I perform a lot of machine maintenance work) and have both devices registered to my profile to maintain accurate activity tracking?
Yes. You can use both an F3 and, say, a Vivoactive to track steps. As Ray notes, you must manually switch between then using the mobile app, but the app and Garmin Connect will merge the activities from each to present a consolidated view.
Note that switching devices isn’t quite as simple as it should be. First you have to disable Bluetooth in the old device (or take it out of range so that it disconnects). Then enable Bluetooth in the new device. At that point the mobile app will automatically connect to the new device, and you can configure the new device as the activity tracker in the mobile app.
Fantastic, thanks for the info!
Hello,
I finaly bought the F3 Sapphire with 20% discount at “Le vieux campeur”. It is beautiful.
But :
– widgets “Weater” and “mail or sms notification” don’t work very well. They are not enough update
– isn’t possible to change the frequency of gps point during race ? It seems to be every 1 second, and i would like to put it to every 2 ou 3 seconds to save my battery. And i don’t want to use the ultra-track run (1 point every minute)
– with my old gps, i use to say wich shoes i used for each race. The application, was giving me the total of kilometer for each shoes. It was very useful to know when to change the shoes. Isn’t it possible with Garmin Connect ?
(sorry for my english)
RE: Notifications – which phone? I find that it virtually always buzzes on my wrist before my pocket on the phone itself (on iOS)
RE: You can only do 1-second GPS or UltraTrac on the Fenix3. There’s no reason to ever do UltraTrac unless you plan to go beyond the 16-18 timeframe.
RE: You can create Gear within Garmin Connect.
1 – My phone is a Samsung galaxy 4 zoom. Sometime it works, but more often, it does not vibrate.
Do you know if it is possible to set the type of message that arrives (tweet, sms, email, …) ?
2 – I will soon make a pretty big trail (10 or 12 hours for me). I cut the blutooth, I keep the belt and it goes without ultra-trac ?
Thank’s a lot
I don’t see the Galaxy 4 Zoom on the list unfortunately: link to support.garmin.com
I’m not as familiar with setting the notifications types on Android, but perhaps someone else here is able to assist there.
For 10-12 hours, I would definitely not use UltraTrac. It’s well under the Fenix3 battery limit (both spec and what I and others have tested). You’d lose a lot of the track points and greatly reduce accuracy. Enjoy!
Ray, can you or anyone please explain how to properly do a gps soak? I have no issue doing a GPS soak on my 920 but find that on the fenix 3 it automatically leaves the GPS ready screen and defaults back to the standard watch face screen.
With the Fenix3 you need to change the power save option to ‘Extended’ versus the standard automatic turn-off. The FR920XT has the same option.
What does the Normal vs Extended really mean within each of the independent APP setttings?
Thank you I will give that a try. If the 920 has that option it must be the default, or the 920 normal timeout must be longer than the F3 standard because the two have performed differently in terms of this.
I just read about normal/extended on the online manual. I am guessing the F2 defaulted to having a longer time. Not sure if there was an option to control it. its good to know that if you had a longer time in a shoot you could go into the APP and switch to extended. So that’s figure out.. not to figure out auto-climb as the manual has ZIPPO about it.
Having the same issues with notifications. All work well, except sms and mail, it skips à few buzzes, but van be found back in the message widget. Latest iOS on iPhone 5
RAY AGAIN GREAT REVIEW TKS.
So it begins. First freeze of my new garmin 3. I just updated the firmware it was working great until this morning it froze while receiving a notification and the vibration alert stayed on. I almost freaked given this could lead to a damaged or burnt motor. Fortunately was able to shut it down. After a couple of minute it froze again, this time only the screen.
Lets hope its just the first and the last.
Regards.
Thanks Ray for the great reviews. I love the site.
I work in IT and live in Paris… but I run a tad slower 🙂
@Philippe in Paris:
were there any Sapphire left at the “Vieux Campeur?”, I can’t seem to find a place to get the Sapphire! Est-ce qu’il
Hi,
I don’t know if Le vieux campeur stil have F3 Sapphire. When i bought it, it was the last one. But perhaps they have received new.
The 20% are from 19 marth to 11 april. The F3 is only available into the physical shop.
I was doing Hill Repeat today, and I guess i dont understand how the auto-climb works. I had it enabled. but for the most part I didnt notice anything. My expectations were that a new/different display screen would open. That never seemed to happen. I changed the default from 1800 ft/hr down to 1000, then 800, then even 250ft/hr. The hill is about 100ft. I was the RUN APP, I also enabled auto-scroll during this activity. I did notice at the top of the hill, the screen inverted to black on white. but the screen displayed where the same standard run screens. So it left me wondering, is auto-climb the only difference is that it enables inverted screen when it reaches the threshold. Within the auto-climb setting there was a run screen (1,2,3) and climb screen (1,2,3) but changing those didnt seem to do anything. Anybody understand how to effectively use auto-climb?
Is the hill 100ft long, or high? If it’s 100ft long, it’s just too short. If it’s 100ft high, how long does it take you to run it (distance or time)?
No matter that, what I do is take one of my data pages (say Page 10), and change the fields to what I prefer for climbing hills (mostly grade/elevation related). Then in the Auto Climb page you’ll specify Page 10 as the one to use.
I walk through some of this in my Auto Climb video up in the review too.
Its 100ft high, probably 1/4mile long, maybe 3ish minutes up. Here is a link
link to connect.garmin.com
I was going to look for that video again. I have the standard/default data pages right now. there are like 4. if I enable screen 10. and set it up with some Ascent based stuff. Even if auto-climb were off, if I cycled through screen 1,2,3,4, I would get screen 10, then runDynamics. Right? So what does auto-climb do, if its tripped? does it just enable back light, or does it force a screen change to screen 10? I will admit that I changed the ft/hr on the fly once the activity started. So if there is a bug and it didnt accept that, then my data sample would still be at the default 1800ft/hr. which at the grade I was at, I was unlikely at 18 repeats per hour.
ok. I think I’m getting a clearer picture. The watch is still to now. While going downhill the screen was white background, black lettering, for some reason i though black background and white is the normal while in an activity. so many the fact that I was white numbers on black during the climbs, does mean that auto-climb triggered. That said but the run and climb screen were set to screen 1. so I configured a screen 6. I will use that for auto-climb. Do you know if the status of screen 6 needs to be ON for auto-climb to show it? or it will always show screen 6 even if its status is off
Correct, by default white text on black background is the auto-climb screen. It’s changeable of course.
I don’t think that data page needs to be set to ‘on’ for auto climb to work, but I don’t remember off-hand.
Awesome.. I will play around with it more. I setup a screen with Grade. Lap Ascent, and Elevation. Though considered vert. ascent. I will find a hill and try it out 🙂
Ray,
I’m mostly a runner, but do a lot of cross training via bike/swim bricks. I know you’re a big fan of the 920XT, but given price difference is only $50, would you rather buy this watch (given the nicer aesthetics)? I keep going back and forth between those two, given the vivoactive is a no-go for me and no longer a choice.
Here is my assessment since i most use the watch for runs & swims and for the bike i use my edge computer – frankly the screen is too small for practical usage but thats my opinion.
920xt > Fenix 3
beeps are louder – indicating intervals, etc.
visibility of the screen – not as dark as fenix 3
reliable – read the garmin forums – many of us had several crashes already on the fenix 3- never had an issue with the 920xt
buttons are larger than the fenix 3 – this is nice if u do have to use it as a bike computer.
honestly the barometer, altimeter, temp of the fenix 3 are mostly gimmicks so I would strongly advise to go with the more practical 920xt.
fenix > 920xt
looks. that’s it.
For your use case, it’s purely a look/feel aspect. Some folks had issues with the 2.90 firmware (including me), whereas I didn’t have those issues prior on other versions. Most of my issues were related to Connect IQ apps crapping things up, that I didn’t have the option prior. I’m on 3.00 now, but only the last few days. So far, so good.
I think one of the challenges we’re starting to get to now (and I think it’s an issue Garmin needs to address) is how to deal with poorly written Connect IQ apps crashing the watch. Not saying that’s always the case mind you, but I know some specific apps that (on 2.90 anyway) were insta-crash. Was that Garmin’s fault, or the apps fault? Either way, Garmin gets blamed (and perhaps they should).
I’d also add as a 920 owner and with my new F3 silver red arriving tomorrow from CT, the only reason I ordered the F3 again (after having returned my gray black one) was aesthetics. The 920 performs flawlessly but stinks as an everyday watch. I’m strongly considering keeping both as I love them both for different reasons.
I would add to the Fenix that it has the possibility to charge the watch while in an activity if the builtin battery is not enough.
Keep both, gutted I sold my 920 my sapphire looks great as an everyday watch but as a sports watch the 920 is better I hope the epix will be the middle ground im looking for
Hi Ray,
Thanks for the great review. I see that you note the Fenix has Virtual Partner functionality. When I used it, I don’t get the time/distance ahead or behind. Instead I get a top field (AMD or similar) that remains at 0:00, the runner to the right in red, and Total Elapsed time. I was expecting similar functionality to Garmin 610 (my previous watch). What has your experience been? Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Derek
Can somebody comment on the battery life if the watch was just used as a smartwatch with the notifications and activity tracker turned on? I am trying to compare with my Fenix 2 which lasts no more than a day (if that) when the Bluetooth is turned on to receive notifications. Thanks in advance.
Mine came off the charger at 100% battery yesterday morning (thirty-seven hours ago) and has seen constant bluetooth connection to my phone with noficiations and activity tracking, PLUS two 45 minute outdoor runs with GPS active. I’ve done a couple wifi sync’s as well.
It’s showing 77% battery remaining.
I’m not sure I’ll get a full week out of it as I was getting with my 920xt, but we’ll see. The battery life is suffering a bit of new-gadgetitis and will likely get longer as I cease screwing around with it as much as I do now because it’s novel. 🙂
Thanks for the detailed response George. Much appreciated.
24 hrs on with bt on, notifications and activity tracking, no gps or wifi sync. drained 9% from battery
So far, my F3 has been stable and responsive. However, the few trail runs I’ve done with it show distances well short of the same routes using different watches (910xt, F1, F2). It is consistently short and appears to be severely rounding corners.
This was true with 2.3sw and seems to still be the case with 3.0.
I’ll likely give them through the next sw update to see if it improves, otherwise, it is going back. Judging from the garmin forums, I’m not the only one seeing this routinely.
Just a word of warning for trail runners or hikers considering the F3 at this time.
Double-check that you have 1-second recording on. For trail running, that’s critical, otherwise you’ll likely end up short.
Is the only reason NOT to use 1 second recording to save battery life?
Yep, I’m on 1s recording. I’ve tried GLONASS on and off, better with off but distance are still short. I’m contacting Garmin as I can’t expect fixes if I don’t report issues.
I’ll be doing at least 2 trail runs with groups this weekend and will see how the F3 stacks up against the other watches in the group.
I really like many things about the F3 and hope they can get this sorted soon. I suppose my other option that competes with the F3 would be the Ambit3 Peak.
There’s two settings:
Recording Rate: 1s or Smart – this has no impact on battery life. Zip, zero, zilch. It only impacts storage for recording an activity. But realistically unless you ran for a few months straight, you’d never hit this. It’s honestly a silly leftover setting in this day and age (and only Garmin bothers to keep it around)
GPS Update Rate: Normal or UltraTrac – Normal is 1s, Ultra Trac is roughly 45s off, 15s on.
GLONASS impacts battery life about 10-20%. It does not change recording rate, but may improve GPS accuracy (or, in more rare cases, make it worse).
Hello Ray!
I just received the F3 from clever training with your discount, thank you! Quick question: Upon opening the box, I noticed that my watch screen does not lie exactly flush against the bezel. The left side looks normal but the right side of the screen(next to the stop/start and back/lap buttons) is noticeably raised up next to the bezel. Have you seen or heard about this before? If it’s “normal” I can live with it. I just would like to exchange it if it’s not normal before I did any snorkeling/swimming/diving. I apologize if this has been answered, I couldn’t find it on the page. Thank you!
Correction: I’m talking about the glass on top of the screen.
It’s not normal. The glass should be slightly below the highest point of the bezel around the whole of its circumference.
Hi Miguel –
I was unable to use the coupon code – DCR10JKW to buy F3 from Clever training.
It says – Coupon code “DCR10JKW” is not valid. I called the customer care and they were unable to help either.
Could you tell me if you did anything differently ?
Thanks,
Praveen.
Hi Praveen-
For the savings of 10% you’l need to use the DCR/CT VIP program (a Garmin requirement). It only takes a moment to sign-up though.
Details here: link to dcrainmaker.com
Thanks for the support!
Thanks Steve, I appreciate your time. I’ll look to get it replaced.
Sorry for all the posts. I finally figured out how to use Flickr so I could give you a link to a photo of the glass. It’s nothing crazy but it just doesn’t look right. Any suggestions?
link to flic.kr
That’s definitely faulty. It may not even be waterproof.
Hello Ray –
Signed up for the VIP program and obtained the personalized coupon code.
I’ve now placed an order for the Grey / Black bundle and can’t wait for it.
Thanks again for the discount and as always – your work is simply commendable.
You’ve been my inspiration and role model.
Keep up the great work.
Regards,
Praveen.
Thanks for the support Praveen, enjoy!
I unfortunately experienced two issues today on my run with the fenix 3, OS 3.0.
First, about ¾ into the run, the ANT/BLE stopped working. It stopped receiving HR and running dynamics. When I got home, it would not connect to my iPhone. It was a light rain throughout the run, so I thought it might have had something to do with the HRM and clothing being wet/signal. But then when the BLE wouldn’t work, I thought moisture might have gotten into the watch. I powered it off and back on and the ANT/BLE began working. So I believe it was a software glitch, possibly caused when I hit the lap button (by accident).
Second, I used the resume later feature ½ through the run when I stopped to do some pushups and stretch, it is still recording as a multisport activity of two run in 3.0. I hope Garmin fixes this.
Is there a way to add waypoints on the watch while doing activities?(like the POi on the ambit). I understand you can add waypoints on your computer or mobile phone but not directly on the watch ?
I’m updating my experience with mis-counting lenghts. After updating to version 3.0 firmware, the problem has gotten worse. This morning, it missed 200 meters out of 2600 meters of continuous freestyle. These show up clearly on the data on Garmin Connect as “lengths” that take twice as long with twice as many strokes per length. Even though I never had this problem with 910xt or fenix 2, Garmin says that all of the units have to “learn” and that it might take a “few weeks” for this to self-correct. I’m skeptical and thinking of returning the device. Anyone else heard of such a thing? Over the years, I have had multiple failures with first 910xt and then fenix 2, but never a problem with mis-counting lengths. At this point, I”m tempted to switch to Polar v800. I would appreciate input.
I am fairly new to swimming especially with this type of watch. I had some issues with lengths and stroke types being counted incorrectly with the FR920xt that I owned briefly. But since switching to the F3 the data has been flawless. This only represents 3 indoor swim sessions so far, but I have been really happy with the performance.
I’m not a runner or cyclist so I’m struggling to find answers regarding things pertains to Crossfit/Circuit Traing/HIIT etc… Right now my big issue is calorie calculation. Is the HRM RUN data being factored in calorie calc?? It’s registering approx 600 for an hour of intense exercise. My polar M400 was in the 800-1000.
Fenix3 Grey FW 3.0.0
Using Strenth setting for indoor circuit training
Activity level 9
VO2 – 61
Resting HR 60
Yes, it uses the HRM strap to generate calorie numbers.
Honestly, 600 sounds a bit more correct for Crossfit related activities than 800-1000. That sounds a touch bit high. That would of course vary by weight/age/etc…
Over the years I’ve found that most devices (especially gym equipment – Lifefitness is shocking) overestimate calories massively for me. I always track my calories consumed and going off my Garmin’s I’ve had the most success losing and maintaining weight. 600 is the equivalent of me running at threshold for an hour when I’m 68kg.
I would assume the unit just uses the HR data and your height/weight/sex.
I do agree.
But as a physician fond of sport physiology I find weird to have 61 ml/kg VO2max and a resting HR of 61… With 61 ml/kg most people are around 42-45 RHR. Maybe this make some calorie expense calculations false…
Thats interesting, I’m the other way around a VO2max of 42 and resting HR of 40-44.
Do you have any links to more information for a curious techie?
I’m also interested in this topic. I have a resting HR of 42-45 and an F3-calculated VO2max of 56. It was my understanding that the VO2max calculation is more related to max heart rate than resting. I set my max HR at 170 using the old standby method of 220-age (I just turned 51). Appreciate any insights.
Keep in mind that VO2Max calculations do on Garmin devices take a few weeks to ‘settle in’ a bit.
I’ve become really fond of the notifications feature, especially for text/emails etc. Has anybody else got so used to it, they wish they could just ping back a simple text reply from the watch? Had a quick exchange with Ray about this; entirely possible, probably quite cumbersome and clunky ie simple text tool but super handy feature to have! I wonder if/when a connect IQ will appear which addresses this!
Thoughts welcome
Dan
This would be entirely reasonable and not terribly bulky if the method was something like 8 to 10 customized “quick replies”. I suppose you could use the text interface to initially create the quick replies (better would be to use GC or transfer a txt file to the watch to parse from).
Hello I have my F3 now for 3 weeks and I am really happy, never less a question
I think my F2 had an option to have backlight automatic on when having an alert ?
Does someone knows if this is existing for the F3?as well?
Would be great to have this specially at night when running , I have the vibration but need to use both hands to see actually the lap time etc..
Marc — Yes, thats how mine is set. Works quite well. Go to Settings > System > Backlight > Mode and set it to Keys/Alerts
Hi Ray,
i ordered two Fenix 3 Performer Bundles and when opening the box i realized that: the GREY one comes with a “normal” HRM run band (the one on your photos) and the RED one comes with a new version like shown outside on the box: textile zone with black stripes. Any differences? The striped one is a newer version?
The changes is purely for comfort I’m told, and has no other differences in it. They’re phasing to that new one, but I have no idea how and why they selected different Fenix model bunldes to get different straps. :-/
Ok, thanks! Sounds reasonable. Since i ordered two devices because i couldn’t decide which color to take and now want to keep the grey one; in the Fenix settings, a HRM is already preset, i assume it’s the bundled one, so i can’t keep the “new” version since it’s recognized as delivered with the red bundle. The question is, if the sensor itself, and not the strap is exchangeable. I guess only this part is registered with a serial no. and not the strap. The striped strap with the “old” sensor should work and not affect warranty?! The red watch would be then sold with the “new” sensor, but the old strap… that’s a good idea or better not go for it?
Andy,
Before you return one of the F3’s, Put the black band on the red and silver F3 and let me know what you think. I purchased the Red and Silver and bought the black band via CT and love it. And as stated in prior posts, the base ring is stainless so no paint/powercoat to scratch off. I love the looks of mine…Can wear to work in office setting, go for a run at lunch and back to work.
My grey Fenix 3 has the HR band with stripes (like the box). It arrived yesterday.
@andydaemmig I did this! 😉
Seems to be random then, I received the new style HRM strap with my gray bundle from REI.
Anyone use it for rowing?
Hi guys
just got my Fenix 3 yesterday and i LOVE it 🙂 now one of the things that worried me was that i was told i could not use third party trainingplans anymore that is delivered as tcx files but you know what garmin training center saved me 🙂 here is my solution
when i contacted garmin they said that only fit files was supported but cant find any programs that will convert from tcx to fit
thay also said that garmin training center didnt work because it wasnt supported
but this morning after a lot off google search and frustration i tryed to connect with usb and closed garmin express and then opened training center and WTH my fenix 3 showed up after a search for new device !!! then i tryed to load a scheduled training for tomorrow (tcx trainingplan file from endomonde) and it went right through (allmost to good to be happening
so i disconnected and the watch started updating(i think the watch converts the tcx to fit by itself) and after 10 seconds i could find the scheduled training in my calendar 🙂