8,101
edits
Changes
From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
no edit summary
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Garmin Fenix 2 Review}}
The {{Fenix 2}} combines the best features of the [[Garmin 910XT]] and [[Garmin 620]], plus some extras and it could be [[Best Running Watch| a great running watch ]] if it were not for the [[GPS Accuracy]] problems. {{Alert|message='''GPS Accuracy Testing'''<br/>�New versions of the firmware for the While Garmin 620 and Fenix 2 are being tested.<br/>�Initial results indicate that GPS accuracy is significantly have improved for the 620, but it's too early to tell for accuracy of the Fenix 2with firmware upgrades, its accuracy remains mediocre at best.}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
* 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 With the 3.30 firmware upgrade, [[GPS Accuracy]] shows similar appalling accuracy has improved, but it's still one of the poorest watches I've tested. To make matters worse, the "Lost Satellite Reception" (LSR) problem has not been fixed. When the LSR occurs, it can take quite some time for the Fenix 2 to recover, even with good satellite reception. I suspect that part of the [[Garmin 620]] and [[Garmin 10]]LSR problem is due to the Fenix 2 setting its time incorrectly to the year 2019, which means it's expecting the satellites to be in different positions.* The biggest other big downside to the Fenix 2 compared to the [[Garmin 310XT]]/[[Garmin 910XT]]/[[Garmin 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.
# The severity of the problem depends on the situation. Running a fairly straight course with a wide open view of the sky is likely to give pretty good results.
# Awareness of the problem will depend on testing methodology. Few users gather enough data to be statistically significant, or run on a course that's certified. Even running on a certified course, it's tough to hit the tangents perfectly unless you're a front runner.
=What's Missing=
While I don't consider missing features as 'cons', it's worth understanding the features that are missing compared with other watches. However, the only feature that's missing from the Fenix 2 is the ability to download apps, rather like a smartphone.
{{BuyAmazon|AZID=B00IKNDDNK|AZN=Garmin Fenix 2}}
=Comparison Table=
{{:Best Running Watch-table}}
