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Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:Garmin Fenix 2 Review}} The {{Fenix 2}} combines the best features of the Garmin 910XT and 620, plus some extras and it could be a great running watch if it wer..."
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Garmin Fenix 2 Review}}
The {{Fenix 2}} combines the best features of the Garmin 910XT and 620, plus some extras and it could be a great running watch if it were not for the [[GPS Accuracy]] problems. This is a remarkable watch, with a vast array of features, but remains reasonably easy to use.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Fenix2 A.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The Fenix 2, showing three data fields and the red colored backlight.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Altimeter.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The altimeter is a nice feature, and here you can see the graph that can be displayed.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Recovery.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The recovery estimate, along with [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]] is a nice way of quantifying training stress.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Nav.jpg|none|thumb|200px|It is possible to load maps to the Fenix 2.]]
|}
===Fenix 2 Pros===
* When combined with the new heart rate monitor strap, the Fenix 2 will show and record [[Cadence]], Vertical Oscillation (VO) and Ground Contact Time (GCT). This is fascinating data, but it's not clear how to interpret and use VO or GCT. This confusion is compounded by the way that a higher Cadence will result in a lower VO and lower GCT simply because of the faster turnover. The Fenix 2 has a display of Cadence, VO, and GCT that gives an indication of how good your current values are, but without the color display of the Garmin 620 this indicator is not as clear. The Fenix 2 can also display Cadence using the internal accelerometer.
* Like several other devices, the Fenix 2 displays [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]], an indicator of how hard or effective a training session is. In my unscientific trails, the [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]] on the Fenix 2 seems similar to the 620, which is a change from the 610/910XT.
* The Fenix 2 builds on the [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]] to give an estimation of the [[Firstbeat| Recovery Time]] before the next workout. While this is only an estimation and there are no studies that evaluate it, there is the possibility that it might help prevent [[Overtraining]]. There is also a display of your recovery after the first mile or so of each run, which is again a nice idea. Sadly, if you miss the message, there does not appear to be a way of recalling it, nor does the Fenix 2 record this value.
* The Fenix 2 will cache the locations of the GPS satellites for the next few days, which will reduce the satellite acquisition time when travelling to a new location. In my usage the satellite acquisition was very rapid when cached, but if I'd not connected it for a while, it could be painfully slow to acquire a lock.
* The Fenix 2 has 5 well positioned buttons that I find much easier to use than even the best touch screen.
* As well as GPS, the Fenix 2 includes a barometric altimeter, which is far more accurate than GPS for altitude. It also includes a thermometer, and while the watch is too close to your skin for accuracy it does give a good general indication.
* For displays of Heart Rate, Altitude, Barometric pressure and Temperature you can also get a small graph that shows changes over time. I've enjoyed this feature.
** In addition to the built in temperature sensor, the Fenix2 also supports a [http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Temperature-Sensor-Fenix-Outdoor/dp/B0092ZMXBS wireless temperature sensor] that the same size as their Footpod. This is likely to give a more accurate temperature reading as you can put it a little further from your body. <jfs id="B0092ZMXBS" noreferb="true"/>.
* There is a prediction of your [[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]], which worked well for me, but I would not rely on its accuracy.
* The Fenix 2 is large, but not as big as the 310XT or 910XT and it looks like a watch rather than a dive computer. .
* There is good navigation displays, with options for waypoints and courses. The Fenix 2 can have uploaded maps.
* The battery life is claimed to be 15 hours with normal recording, but I found that 11 hours is more likely. It has options to extend the battery life up to a claimed 50 hours (I've not yet tested the extended mode yet.)
** There is an option only to have the backlight turned on when the sun is down, which is another small, but useful feature. The backlight is also red colored, which prevents the watch from blinding you at night.
* The Fenix 2 will link to a smart phone to upload a workout as it takes place, which is nice for folks tracking you during a race, though it means wearing the watch and the phone together.
* You can add as many pages of displays as you want, which given how much the Fenix 2 can tell you, is great.
* The Fenix 2 can display alerts and text messages from a smartphone. I suspect this is of more use if you're wearing the Fenix 2 as an ordinary watch, rather than when running.
===Fenix 2 Cons===
* My testing for [[GPS Accuracy]] shows similar appalling accuracy to the 620 and 10.
* The biggest downside to the Fenix 2 compared to the 310XT/910XT/610 is that there is no way of displaying your current pace from the [[Footpod]] while using GPS for overall distance and course. You can configure it to get both pace and distance from the Footpod, but that's not an ideal solution.
* The Fenix 2 includes an internal accelerometer to give you an idea of pace and distance while running on a treadmill without a footpod. I found it was too far out to be of any use, giving a display that was off by 1-3 minutes/mile. A lot will depend on your running style and how you use a treadmill.
* You need to have the new "HRM Run" for the running dynamics features. It will display Heart Rate and calculate [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]] with the older Garmin HRM, but not Ground Contact Time or Vertical Oscillation.
=Comparison Table=
{{:Best Running Watch-table}}
The {{Fenix 2}} combines the best features of the Garmin 910XT and 620, plus some extras and it could be a great running watch if it were not for the [[GPS Accuracy]] problems. This is a remarkable watch, with a vast array of features, but remains reasonably easy to use.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Fenix2 A.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The Fenix 2, showing three data fields and the red colored backlight.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Altimeter.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The altimeter is a nice feature, and here you can see the graph that can be displayed.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Recovery.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The recovery estimate, along with [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]] is a nice way of quantifying training stress.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Nav.jpg|none|thumb|200px|It is possible to load maps to the Fenix 2.]]
|}
===Fenix 2 Pros===
* When combined with the new heart rate monitor strap, the Fenix 2 will show and record [[Cadence]], Vertical Oscillation (VO) and Ground Contact Time (GCT). This is fascinating data, but it's not clear how to interpret and use VO or GCT. This confusion is compounded by the way that a higher Cadence will result in a lower VO and lower GCT simply because of the faster turnover. The Fenix 2 has a display of Cadence, VO, and GCT that gives an indication of how good your current values are, but without the color display of the Garmin 620 this indicator is not as clear. The Fenix 2 can also display Cadence using the internal accelerometer.
* Like several other devices, the Fenix 2 displays [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]], an indicator of how hard or effective a training session is. In my unscientific trails, the [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]] on the Fenix 2 seems similar to the 620, which is a change from the 610/910XT.
* The Fenix 2 builds on the [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]] to give an estimation of the [[Firstbeat| Recovery Time]] before the next workout. While this is only an estimation and there are no studies that evaluate it, there is the possibility that it might help prevent [[Overtraining]]. There is also a display of your recovery after the first mile or so of each run, which is again a nice idea. Sadly, if you miss the message, there does not appear to be a way of recalling it, nor does the Fenix 2 record this value.
* The Fenix 2 will cache the locations of the GPS satellites for the next few days, which will reduce the satellite acquisition time when travelling to a new location. In my usage the satellite acquisition was very rapid when cached, but if I'd not connected it for a while, it could be painfully slow to acquire a lock.
* The Fenix 2 has 5 well positioned buttons that I find much easier to use than even the best touch screen.
* As well as GPS, the Fenix 2 includes a barometric altimeter, which is far more accurate than GPS for altitude. It also includes a thermometer, and while the watch is too close to your skin for accuracy it does give a good general indication.
* For displays of Heart Rate, Altitude, Barometric pressure and Temperature you can also get a small graph that shows changes over time. I've enjoyed this feature.
** In addition to the built in temperature sensor, the Fenix2 also supports a [http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Temperature-Sensor-Fenix-Outdoor/dp/B0092ZMXBS wireless temperature sensor] that the same size as their Footpod. This is likely to give a more accurate temperature reading as you can put it a little further from your body. <jfs id="B0092ZMXBS" noreferb="true"/>.
* There is a prediction of your [[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]], which worked well for me, but I would not rely on its accuracy.
* The Fenix 2 is large, but not as big as the 310XT or 910XT and it looks like a watch rather than a dive computer. .
* There is good navigation displays, with options for waypoints and courses. The Fenix 2 can have uploaded maps.
* The battery life is claimed to be 15 hours with normal recording, but I found that 11 hours is more likely. It has options to extend the battery life up to a claimed 50 hours (I've not yet tested the extended mode yet.)
** There is an option only to have the backlight turned on when the sun is down, which is another small, but useful feature. The backlight is also red colored, which prevents the watch from blinding you at night.
* The Fenix 2 will link to a smart phone to upload a workout as it takes place, which is nice for folks tracking you during a race, though it means wearing the watch and the phone together.
* You can add as many pages of displays as you want, which given how much the Fenix 2 can tell you, is great.
* The Fenix 2 can display alerts and text messages from a smartphone. I suspect this is of more use if you're wearing the Fenix 2 as an ordinary watch, rather than when running.
===Fenix 2 Cons===
* My testing for [[GPS Accuracy]] shows similar appalling accuracy to the 620 and 10.
* The biggest downside to the Fenix 2 compared to the 310XT/910XT/610 is that there is no way of displaying your current pace from the [[Footpod]] while using GPS for overall distance and course. You can configure it to get both pace and distance from the Footpod, but that's not an ideal solution.
* The Fenix 2 includes an internal accelerometer to give you an idea of pace and distance while running on a treadmill without a footpod. I found it was too far out to be of any use, giving a display that was off by 1-3 minutes/mile. A lot will depend on your running style and how you use a treadmill.
* You need to have the new "HRM Run" for the running dynamics features. It will display Heart Rate and calculate [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]] with the older Garmin HRM, but not Ground Contact Time or Vertical Oscillation.
=Comparison Table=
{{:Best Running Watch-table}}