Picked up a Fenix 5+ Sapphire for $319.99. Solid watch coming from a Coros Apex Pro. I’ve never used Garmin and have always been curious of their wearables. The price point is a steal in my opinion. It’s quite a beauty and something I wear with confidence. My battery last a week with my usage. I miss the 3.5 weeks battery life with the Coros but the build quality and user interface on the watch is preferable. The navigation feature is nice. I used my watch for biking and running. I prefer the simplicity ecosystem of Coros. However, I’m beginning to enjoy the extensive options on Garmin Connect. So far, it’s been 3 weeks and I am slowly accepting battery life. I don’t do ultras or anything close so it works. I love the Apex Pro but I like big watches and can’t not lie! 😂
Lol! Great comment! I agree it’s a steal for what you get - which is a great watch. I’ve been testing the COROS lineup and interestingly enough just purchased a Fenix 6 pro. You can bet I’ll be reviewing that!
Thnx for the review. I got this (as a gift) early 2021 and back then it was definitely worth ~$350, as an upgrade over my previous Forerunner 245 music, although a tad older in the UX. Ok battery life and more sturdy, but less good pulse/oximeter, and perhaps gps accuracy. Now in May 2022, it's still very nice, with features, but the battery life is a bit worse than I'd like. I'll hold on to it, since I don't do any ultra races etc. but may consider an upgrade if and when I need better battery life...
Thanks Dan. I run these days exclusively with the Fenix 5 Plus. I am a Spotify subscriber, and I can download and update my running playlist onto the watch. The music controls are good. Frees me up NOT to take my phone with me, which I never do out on the gym floor. Running/athletic watches are getting so complex, they require a certain amount of technical competence on the part of the wearer/user to learn, customize, and trouble shoot the software. So my advice to people is to avoid paying alot for a watch with capabilities that exceed your ability to utilize. For example, I STILL haven't figured out how to successfully calibrate this watch to treadmills, and honestly it took me a few months to figure out the music system.
Great advice. This is why COROS is a great brand. Super long battery life and a more streamlined use. However the bells and whistles of Garmin can be nice.
@@UltraDad if coros had the option for detailed maps all these companies need is a nicely thought out modular UI that you can add/remove components of it from a mobile app (they all have this anyways) toggle ON only the workouts features and settings YOU want disable everything else to remove clutter and even save battery Then the user can choose from presets if they need help, or customize from scratch if they are more adept idk
@@UltraDad good luck! I'm getting the miles up without overtraining and set a realistic goal to get fit. Gets bloody expensive this hobby mind. Shoe's, gear and nutrition...
Food review, I have the fenix 6xpro sapphire being very generously given to me by my wife for my birthday on Tuesday! 👍... looking forward to it. Never gone with garmin
I'm in the same spot for batt life. Apex looks great, but I think I need the nav on the garmins. I have small wrists so I have to go 5s plus, so even more of a hit on batt life! The 6's look amazing, but they don't give them away.
Did you use ultratrac gps mode? I ordered a 5+ yesterday and am having buyers remorse about the battery (before I even get it in the mail). UltraTrac was the thing that HAD saved it for me.
I have had this watch since it was released but over the last year have had a major problem with the charging/connection where I have to keep putting it in and move it around to get a connection. I have found now that the only way I can get a connection is by using WD40 - I have bought a couple of new leads but it make no difference as it is the same with all of them SO I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS WATCH. There are a number of people with the same issue so it is definitely a design fault.
Now I have the issue that the battery is slowly not holding a good charge so I am looking at getting a new watch - and yes you have guessed it - it will NOT be a Garmin.
I sold my apple watch 4 and bought fenix 5 plus dlc titanium sapfire version , 2 years old from 2nd hand , but in perfect condition , but I have 2 problems , i think HR sensor during power training is inacurate , on apple watch I had HR peak up to 140-160 bpm , on garmin my top is 110 , and I deff thing and feel more . And 2nd problem is just 6 days batery life (hr always on, sleeping with watch , wifi off, and BT conection turned off in night, ) is it normal just 6 days ?
Your comment about “anyone running less than 50 miles will love this watch” was helpful. Coming from the Forerunner 235, it sounds like the Fenix 5 plus will end up being and upgrade for me in terms of battery.
