First Look: Garmin Fēnix 5 Series – Bike Magazine Australia

Today at CES 2017, Garmin announced a host of updates to the Fēnix, the company’s premium wrist-based training watch.

All of the new Fēnix 5 series watches offer wrist-based heart rate (all have ANT+, and connect to a chest strap that’s more accurate for cyclists, and other ANT+ sensors); multi-sport activity tracking with customizable data fields; daily activity and sleep tracking; smartphone alerts, access to Garmin’s Connect IQ library of apps, widgets, data fields, and watch faces; barometric altimeter; and GPS and GLONASS satellite connectivity to limit signal dropouts. All models have a stainless steel case, bezel, and buttons, and are waterproof to 100 meters.

Another new feature for Fēnix 5 is the new quick-change wristband system, appropriately called QuickFit. A range of leather, metal, and silicone bands are available and, of course, are sold separately.

Maps and navigation are the standout features of the $999 Fēnix 5X. It comes preloaded with TOPO maps, routable cycling maps with turn-by-turn directions, and auto-routed round trips for cycling and running. It includes waypoints, points of interest, and 40,000 golf courses. This model also has WiFi connectivity, and a sapphire lens. Claimed battery life is up to 12 days in daily mode, and and 20 hours with GPS connection. With a 51mm case, this is the largest model in the line.

The Fēnix 5S is the smallest watch in the series (42mm case), and is pitched in Garmin’s press release as “female friendly” and “small and comfortable for petite wrists.” The 5s and 5 debut a sleeker, more fashionable design than previous Garmin watches. Claimed battery life is up to eight days in daily mode, and up to 13 hours with GPS connection.

With a 47mm case, the Fēnix 5 is the middle child. The feature set is the same as the 5s, but the larger case allows Garmin to stuff in a larger battery. Battery life is up to two weeks in daily mode and 24 hours with GPS enabled. The standard model sells for $799, while the sapphire-lens and WiFi-enhanced model sells for $949.