Garmin Fenix 5X GPS Watch

Comparing the Fenix 5 to the Fenix 3, appearances are similar except for the chargers.

Here's the run down of the various Fenix 5 models:

Fenix 5 
(standard version)
Price: $800 Non-Sapphire, $950CAN Sapphire / $599.99 Non-Sapphire, $849.99US Sapphire.
47mm watch face size.
No maps.
(Only Sapphire version has wifi)

Fenix 5S 
(Small version for women)
Price: $800 Non-Sapphire, $950CAN Sapphire / $599.99 Non-Sapphire, $849.99US Sapphire
42mm watch face size
No maps
Lower resolution of 218x218
(Only Sapphire version has wifi)

Fenix 5X 
(Mapping version, is larger to fit more battery/storage/processing)
Price: $950 CAN / $699.99  Sapphire only.
51mm watch face size.
Maps.

One of my favourite features below, the control menu.

• QuickFit watch bands require no tools to change.
• Gyroscope helps with GPS functionality and saves battery life in Ultra Track Mode.
• Improved battery life: Smart mode - 12 days Fenix 5X, 14 days Fenix 5, UltraTrack mode - 35 hours Fenix 5X,  60 hours Fenix 5, GPS mode - 20hrs Fenix 5X, 24 hours Fenix 5 (was 14 days, 50hrs and 16hrs).
• Higher 240 x 240 resolution display (was 218x218).
• Full colour US Topo maps come preloaded.
• Round Trip Route generation with turn by turn instructions based on your location and preferred distance.
• Built in POI’s and landmarks such as food, hotels, gas stations, tourist attractions, and more.
• Built in Heart rate monitor on all versions now more flush to the back of the watch than before.
• More versions to choose from with better price points and smaller sizes.
• New sport modes.
• 64 colour screen (was 6 colours)

• Wifi only available on non-sapphire models.

The 5X is the only version in the Garmin Fenix line up with the ability to display colour maps. US topographical maps come pre-loaded and include map data such as rivers, lakes, cities, towns, attractions, hospitals, gas stations, camping, shopping and more. Several new mapping features are available on the Fenix 5X that were not possible with the previous bread crumb maps on the Fenix 3, which makes this a huge upgrade. 

Round Trip Course 
Round Trip Course allows you to create a looped bike or running route with your preferred distance and direction. A number of course options are generated for you to chose from and each provides turn-by-turn directions so you won’t get lost. This is ideal when you are traveling to new cities and want to keep up your training regime. 

Points of Interest
The Fenix 5X uses maps to display a list of POI’s and can then direct you to the one you chose or show you its location on a map. There is a long list of POI’s to chose from, including Cities, Food and drink, Fuel services, Lodging, Attractions, Entertainment, Recreation, Shopping, Transportation, Auto Services, Community, Hospitals and Others.

Around Me
The Around Me option displays points of interest in your general location with a simplified graphical interface to narrow your choices in the direction you chose to head. This mode is ideal for navigating in unfamiliar environments when you need to find a specific service.

GroupTrack 
Group Track uses Garmin’s mobile app and cellular service to show the location, direction and speed of other friends in your area using Garmin products. For friends who just want to watch your location and progress, the LiveTrack feature lets them follow your moves in real time.

Sight’ N go
Sight’ N go allows you to set a compass bearing and then follow it with visual cues as to your progress and deviation. This is a simplified way to navigate towards a landmark when a compass bearing is the most efficient method.

One of the Fenix 5, 5s and 5x’s new feature is the ability to easily change out watch bands with out the need of any tools. In a matter of seconds you can remove the stock band and replace it with one in any number of colours and materials, allowing you to accessorize the Fenix 5 with what ever function or event you are attending. Dress it down or dress it up, this provides he Fenix 5 with a multitude of fashionable options. Watch Bands run from $49 - $149 US and come in Black/Yellow/Red/Green Silicon, Brown leather and of course Stainless steel. The Fenix 5 and 5S have different colour options available from those for the 5X.

My review of the Fenix 3 was prepared prior to the release of the integrated optical heart rate sensor and instead, I had to use a chest strap heart rate monitor which was clumsy and needed to be synched to the Fenix 3 via bluetooth. Now with all of the Fenix 5 models, Garmin has integrated their new Elevate optical HR sensor which was revamped from the previous version found on the Fenix 3. It now samples every 1-2 seconds, 24×7 so you are provided with much more accurate date. The sensor now sits virtually flush with the back of the watch and is much more comfortable to wear. The Elevate optical HR sensor will monitor your sleep patterns, provide information on calories burned and also quantify the intensity of your activities. The sensor measures the change in blood volume under the skin so proper positioning is key. Try and position the Fenix 5 snug against your skin and 1 to 3 finger widths above your wrist bone.

• Water rating: 10 ATM / IPX8.
• Battery type: Rechargeable lithium-ion.
• Display type: Colour, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) Chroma Display™ with LED backlighting.
• Battery life: Smart mode - up to 12 days, GPS/HR mode - up to 20 hours, UltraTrac mode: Up to 35 hours without wrist heart rate.
• Storage: 16GB.
• 30.4mm /1.2” diameter display with resolution of 240 x 240 pixels
• QuickFit replaceable watch bands.
• Wifi-enabled for automatic activity uploads to Garmin Connect or paired smartphones running the free Garmin Connect app.
• Low profile Elevate optical heart rate monitor for training without a chest strap.
• Includes Canadian/US map data, with room for more maps.
• Round trip mapping based on a distance you choose with turn-by-turn directions and POI’s.
• Protective PVD-coated stainless steel bezel and buttons and a reinforced housing for extra durability. Sapphire editions feature a scratch-resistant sapphire lens.
• Can store 1,000 waypoints, 30 routes, and log 10,000 points, 100 saved tracks.
• Virtual racer functions lets you compete against your own time, friends or pro athletes on Garmin Connect.
• Multi-sport mode allows for easy transitions between activities within a single workout.
• Create custom profiles for cycling, running or swimming.
• Internal accelerometer and gyroscope track speed/distance when using a stationary trainer.
• Physiological metrics includes VO2 max estimate, lactate threshold, race predictor, recovery advisor, and performance indicator.
• UltraTrac mode allows you to reduce the GPS recording rate in order to conserve battery.
• Integrated Garmin EXO antenna for outstanding signal reception from GPS and GLONASS satellites.
• Full altimeter, barometer and compass functions.
• Daily activity tracking tracks steps, sleep patterns and other everyday essentials.
• Connect IQ support allows you to download apps, templates, data fields, watch faces, and other features.
• Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ compatibility can be used simultaneously, and syncs with compatible activity sensors.
• Smart notifications (emails, texts, alerts and more) via Bluetooth connection to a compatible smartphone.
• Connects to a variety of Garmin devices including Virb action cameras, Vector power meters, the Varia radar line and more.
• Sleep tracker and analysis.

Run: Indoor treadmill running / Outdoor trail running, Hiking, Climbing, Cycling: Indoor / Mountain biking / Road riding, Swim: Pool / Open water, Downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing, Snowboarding, SUP, Rowing, Golf, Triathlons, Stand up paddle-boarding, Strength training, more. 

• Calories
• Distance
• Floors
• Intensity Minutes
• Daily Alarm
• Steps

• Sleep

• Heart Rate

• VIRB Controls
• Notifications

• Weather

• Calendar

• Music Controls

• ABC Tools (altimeter, barometer, compass and Temperature)

• Connect IQ (one of my favourite apps)

Caption Text.

The Fenix 5X is Garmin’s most advanced GPS watch to date. It has improved upon many features found in the Fenix 3 and of course added colour topo maps which are a huge leap forward. As an avid adventurer and of course backcountry skier these are invaluable for navigation. While the Canadian topo maps are not currently available the US ones are, however, you'll need to switch from the default bike maps to topo maps. I was able to navigate via city roads, create run and bike routes on the fly and view all sorts of POI’s which was very helpful for finding my way around strange new locations. Without topographical maps, the mapping functionality loses a lot of its appeal for this reviewer, however, Garmin assures me that they are going to be released soon. Mapping detail is impressive given how small the Fenix 5X’s screen is and the navigation functionality was relatively easy to use. These new maps are an extension of Garmin’s bread crumbs functionality from the Fenix 3 which was major advancement in GPS watch technology at that time. Garmin has always been at the cutting edge in GPS technology and the Fenix 5 shows that they are easily retaining this title over rival Suunto who currently does not offer a product with maps.

Garmin has positioned the new Fenix 5 well by offering three models to chose from, the Fenix 5, 5S and 5X. This allows those with shallower pockets to still get in the Fenix 5 game, along with ladies who just won’t wear such a bulky watch as the 5X. The choice between the three models was a no-brainer for me, since the mapping functionality is a must have for my backcountry skiing and summer adventure. If mapping were not an option then I would have likely stayed with my Fenix 3 as it still offers up many of the Fenix 5 features. The extensive list of new features that I spoke of at the beginning of this review are impressive in their own right but most of the truly useful ones relate to mapping. Sure, the replaceable bands, better battery life and screen resolution are ‘nice to haves’ but they’re not game changers. Both the Fenix 3 and Fenix 5X are incredibly full featured and most people will never even use half the capabilities of either watch. If maps are a must then the Fenix 5x is a worthy upgrade but if you can live with out maps then don’t discount the capability of the Fenix 3 as you can also save some coin in the process.

Overall there is not much I can complain about with the Fenix 5X other than the fact that the price continues to creep skyward, but this is to be expected when Garmin continues to pack more and more technology into the Fenix lineup. At $950CAN the Fenix 5 is almost the same price as an Apple iPhone 6S, but if you are into technology, the outdoors and cool gadgets then you’ll find a way to justify the purchase. The Suunto Spartan which is the Fenix’s closest rival is priced at $1035CAN so in comparison, the Fenix 5 is a bargain, especially when you compare the two watches features side by side as we did with the Fenix 3 and Spartan. 

My only real gripe with the fenix 5 (and no it’s not the ability to store music as that is not a high priority for me) has to do with the new charging cable. Garmin has streamlined the charging cable down from the behemoth it used to be for the Fenix 3. It’s now much smaller which is more ideal for traveling, but I am not a fan of how it plugs into the back of the Fenix 5. When you are charging the Fenix 5 it’s not able to sit flat so that you can see the watch face, time and charging status. One reason I prefer the Garmin Fenix watches over the Suunto Spartan is its flat band design and how the Fenix sits flat on a surface, where as the Spartan cannot. This allows the Fenix to take up less space when stored and ensures it won’t roll around like the Spartan. A simple 90° bend in the charging cable would have allowed for this flat storage while charging and make me much happier. I know this is a small thing that most will not care about, perhaps this is a testament to the Fenix 5’s high-quality design, cutting edge technology and ease of use. 

Read our other GPS watch reviews over here, including the Fenix 3 and a heap of other Suunto watched and if you are in the market for the best GPS watch on the market today then you can’t go wrong with any of the Fenix 5 models and especially the Fenix 5X.