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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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{{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 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 Nav.jpg|none|thumb|200px|It is possible to load maps to the Fenix 2.]]
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* 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 [[Garmin 620]], which is a change from the [[Garmin 610]]/[[Garmin 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.
* 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.
* 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}}
