8,170
edits
Changes
no edit summary
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Garmin Fenix 3 Review}}
The Garmin Fenix 3 is was at the high end of [[Best Running Watch| Garmin's GPS watch line]] until it was replaced by the [[Garmin Fenix 5X]]. The Fenix 3 fits in a little above [[Garmin 920XT]], but a little below the [[Garmin Epix]], though reality is not quite that simple (see the table further down for clearer understanding of their positioning.) The biggest advantage the Fenix 3 has over the 920XT and the Epix, as well as most other running watches is that it's an attractive watch. It looks like as a large chronometer style watch and is made of high quality materials. It makes most other running watches look cheap, and all of them rather dorky. The Epix Like many recent Garmin watches, the Fenix 3 includes [[Connect IQ]] that allows it run applications, much like a smartphone, which I love. There are a number of and apps with real value, and I hope other manufacturers follow suit. Its styling, real buttons, and rich functionality make it a nice running watch, but it's let down by poor [[GPS Accuracy]] and its bulk. I've received more emails from runners complaining about the GPS accuracy of the Fenix 3 than any other watch. I suspect these complaints are disproportionately common because the buyers of this watch have higher expectations, maybe because of the high -quality materials.The price of the Fenix 3 has gone down with the release of the [[Garmin Fenix 5X]], which makes Fenix 3 a more affordable option. The Fenix 3 has the combination of good functionality, Connect IQ support, great [[Stryd]] support for accurate distance/pace, and for ultrarunners it supports [[Charge On The Run]] nicely. {{BuyAmazon|AZID=B00RY1YWSO|AZN=Garmin Fenix 3}}
=Summary=
Different runners look for many different things in a running watch, but I believe that the four questions below represent the core functionality that most runners are looking for.
* '''How far did I run?''' This is the most basic question, and sadly, the Fenix 3 does badly here. The Fenix 3 is not as bad as its predecessor, and it's comparable with the Epix/920XT, but it's a long, long way behind the [[Polar V800]] or the [[Suunto Ambit3]]. How big a problem this is for you will depend on However, with the type advent of terrain you're running inthe [[Stryd]] Footpod, but if this [[GPS Accuracy]] is much less of an issue. The Stryd Footpod is so accurate that no calibration is important to youneeded, look for a and it's far more accurate than any GPS watch. And thankfully, the Fenix 3 has excellent Stryd support. * '''How fast am I running?''' Knowing how fast you're running can be a nice to know, or it can be vital for your training or race performance. Because of the nature of GPS, watches that rely on GPS signal alone tend to have serious problems with current pace. ThankfullyAgain, we can be thankful that the Fenix 3 is one of the few devices that will display current [[Pace From A Footpod]] while getting all other data from GPShas excellent Stryd support. * '''Where am I? '''The Fenix 3 does not have full color maps, but you can download a course, and it will give directions back to the starthas some basic navigation functions. This is It's not as good as the [[Garmin Fenix 5X]], [[Garmin Epix ]] or the [[Leikr]] with their full color maps, but it's at least as good as any other watch. ** '''Track Outline'''. There is a display of where you've run, rather like a breadcrumb trail. There are no maps, so this is just the outline on its own without any context. However, you can use it to backtrack along your path. ** '''Course Outline'''. This is an outline of a route that can be downloaded. I've found this useful during ultras or in unfamiliar cities where I've needed to know where to go. ** '''Back To Start'''. This is a simple arrow point to your starting point, so it won't help you backtrack. ** '''Back To Waypoint'''. You can mark a location and use the arrow to point to it later. Again, this is a simple "as the crow flies" pointer. ** '''GPS "Compass"'''. There's no magnetic compass so you have to be moving for the GPS to give you a sense of direction.
* '''What's my cadence? '''[[Cadence]]''' '''is one of the most critical and often overlooked aspects of running. If you get your Cadence right, many other things naturally fall into place. Not only does the Fenix 3 get [[Cadence]] from a [[Footpod]], it will also get it from the Garmin Run Heart Rate monitor. There is also support for Cadence from the internal accelerometer, though I find that's not as accurate. The Cadence alerts are especially useful for keeping you on track.
=Garmin Fenix 3 Options=
The Fenix 3 is available in a nice array of options. You can have it with sapphire glass, which is far tougher and might be worthwhile if you expect to abuse your watch in a way that's likely to scratch it. You can also get it with various colored straps and faces; I went for the silver bezel with the red strap, which I rather like, though the Rose Gold bezel and White Band is attractive to my eyes.
* The Fenix 3 is styled as a large "chronometer" watch and I think it's the nicest looking running watch. The materials are high quality and on par with the [[Polar V800]], but with more traditional watch styling. You can get the Fenix 3 in various materials, and while the leather strap isn't very practical for running, it looks great. Of course, like other chronometer style watches, it's large and heavy, so it feels awkward on my tiny wrists. At least the Fenix 3 is not partly integrated into the band, so it wraps around my wrist far better than the [[Polar V800]] which I have to wear over a sweatband.
* The color display is the largest of the current running watches with the exception of the huge [[Leikr]] that's nearly twice as big. The display quality is similar to the [[Garmin Epix]] or the [[Garmin 920XT]], though I think the backlight is a little brighter. The Fenix 3 will activate the backlight when you turn your wrist, and the display looks much better with the backlight even in daylight. This will burn through the battery faster, but for most people it's probably a reasonable compromise. The color display has much richer colors than some of Garmin's earlier watches which always seem rather washed out.
* The thing that somewhat offsets the crappy [[GPS Accuracy]] outstanding street is the ability to display your current [[Pace From A Footpod]]. I think this support is a critical feature that I wish other manufacturers would implementkey benefit to the Fenix 3. (If anyone has a contact at Suunto, please ask them See below for this!details.)
* The Fenix supports Garmin's [[Connect IQ]], which allows for the creation of apps in much the same way you can run apps on Android or iOS. I've found these apps to really enhance my use of Garmin watches, and knowing I can code up extensions is wonderful.
* Like the [[Garmin 620]], [[Garmin Fenix 2]], and the [[Garmin 920XT]], the Fenix 3 will supports [[Running Dynamics]] which can show and record [[Cadence]], Vertical Oscillation (VO) and Ground Contact Time (GCT)when paired with the Garmin HRM-Run chest strap.
* The Fenix 3 can be configured to alert you when a metric is out of range. The alert for [[Cadence]] is particularly useful. The Cadence alert will work when it's using the internal accelerometer for Cadence, as well as the HRM-Run strap or a Footpod.
* There is a metronome to help you keep your Cadence where it should be, which is a really nice feature. The metronome can be set to make a sound and/or vibrate. The vibration option is nice so you don't annoy people you're running with. You can set the alert to go off every second, fourth, or sixth beat.
* While the Fenix 3 does not have much in the way of graphs out of the box, Connect IQ is being used to add graphs for things like heart rate.
=Garmin Fenix 3 Cons=
=What's Missing=
While I don't consider these missing features as 'cons', it's worth understanding the features that are missing compared with other watches. You'll notice that the Fenix 3 has a rather short list of missing features.
=A Brief Guide to Garmin Epix, Fenix 3, and 920XT=
The trio of [[Garmin Epix| Epix]], Fenix 3, and the [[Garmin 920XT| 920XT]] are more alike than they are different, and the differences are not obvious. Here's my simple cheat sheet to help you understand the important differences
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
!
! Epix
| No
|-
| [[Tempe]] Temperature sensor
| Yes
| Yes