This is my second Garmin watch. My first was the Vivoactive HR. Sadly it drown in the pool and couldn't be resuscitated. The Fenix 5 was my choice after looking at many different watches and brands. I like Garmins accuracy and Garmin Connect. Those were a couple of reasons for sticking with Garmin. I use I primarily for cycling, running and swimming. Just yesterday I figured out how to use it for weight training. I like that I can use different watch faces and even make my own if I want. I picked up some cheap band replacements on eBay. They are so easy to change, it only take about 30 seconds. Why has it taken so long for someone to come up with this invention? The battery in the Vivoactive lasted several days longer than the Fenix, but the Fenix battery still longer than any other brand that I know of. It's a great watch for working out and with a quick band change and watch face change its stylish enough to head out on the town. Over all its a great watch.
The watch often doesn't charge-will give audible charging sound when connected, and shows the charging symbol, but seems to lose the connection early on. When you go to put the watch back on your wrist, you find that it never charged. The watch port uses 4 ball contacts, and one of the balls is pushed in-poor design
I use this watch to track runs, cycling, hiking, walks and daily steps. Useful data on all activities. Reliable HR for a wearable. Nice everyday watch too. Put a HR strap or running dynamics pod and you can receive all the useful information needed.
I use the Fenix mainly for monitoring exercise, especially on the bike. And, of course the clock.
The Garmin Connect app is great for keeping track of rides, health, and sleep patterns, etc.
I chose the Fenix over an iWatch because of it being a Garmiin product and I use a Garmin 520 bike computer as well, so, I'm familiar with their processes and it synching to the Garmin Connect app on my phone and OSx Mac.
Also, love the more rugged look to the watch compared to the sleek iWatch. Cost was pretty excessive compared to an iWatch that you can make calls from and text message. I do like that the Fenix connects to my iPhone and receives notifications from email, text, calls, etc. Maps are tiny and pretty much unreadable if lost, but, not any different than the smaller Garmin computers like the 520.
What I wanted basic watch features (time, calendar, etc), heart rate monitor, Bluetooth connectivity (with iPhone for messages, calls, etc), activities tracking, altimeter, customizability, ruggedness (at least for swimming), size on wrist (not too bulky, not too small), weight (not too heavy), long lasting battery charge.
Fnix 5 has these features and more. 3 sizes to choose from.
Challenges (negatives ?) - Price point is a challenge, so you will have to make that leap.
Looked at Fitbit, iWatch - to small and chinsy. I'm not a huge guy, but the sizes of both of those are really for a girls wrist.
Looks great and records every fitness metric I can think of.
Does everything its supposed to do ! Much improved battery life over the Fenix 3HR.
