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The {{Garmin Fenix 3 is at the high end of [[Best Running Watch| Garmin's GPS watch line]]. The Fenix 3}} fits in a little above [[Garmin 920XT]], but a little below the [[Garmin Epix]], though reality is arguably 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 includes [[Connect IQ]] that allows it run applications, much like a smartphone, which I love. There are a number of and 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.=Summary=Different runners look for many different things in a running watch, but Ibelieve 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 the type of terrain you're running in, but if this is important to you, look for a more accurate watch. * '''How fast am I running?''' Knowing how fast you'd recommend 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. Thankfully, the Fenix 3 is one of the few devices that will display current [[Garmin Pace From A Footpod]] while getting all other data from GPS. * '''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 start. This is not as good as the Epixor the [[Leikr]] with their full color maps, but it's at least as good as any other watch. * '''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. For ultramarathon running the battery life of the Fenix 3 makes it a less attractive good candidate. If you hope to be still moving during the [[Second Dawn]], the Fenix 3 might be for you. See [[Best Running Watch#Watches for Ultrarunning| Watches for Ultrarunning]] for more details. =Support This Site={{BuyAmazon|AZID=B00RY1YWSO|AZN=Garmin Fenix 3}}=GPS Accuracy=The [[GPS Accuracy]] for the Fenix 3 is poor, but slightly better not as bad as the complaints I've received led me to expect. That's partly a reflection on how bad many of the other Garmin watches are than on the accuracy of the Fenix 3. As always, determining if it's acceptable for your running watchwill depend on your usage. * The Fenix 3 can give a reasonable estimate of how far you've run but the errors can add up. The amount of error depends on your route; in straight lines the Fenix 3 is okay, though even then it's worse than most other devices. However, on a twisty course it can be out by more than a mile on a 20 mile run. That's enough to mess up your marathon training in a big way. This also translates to errors on your average pace, so you really do want a footpod. * GPS watches are not accurate enough to give you a useful display of your current pace. However, the Fenix 3 will display your current [[Pace From A Footpod]] while getting data like distance and overall pace GPS. * The Fenix supports both GLONASS and WASS, but I have not gathered sufficient data to know if they will help accuracy (Iinitial testing suggests not.)* On the out-and-back turnaround the Fenix 3 is poor, but no worse than you'd expect from its overall rating. * Running in a straight line is a fairly easy task for most GPS watches, but while the Fenix 3 does better here than elsewhere, it'm s still testing rather poor. * I not had any issues with the Fenix 3maintaining the GPS signal, so though I have had occasional times when it's struggled to acquire an initial signal (Time To First Fix). I suspect this is mostly an issue with the Wi-Fi synchronization not downloading the satellite cash.{| class="wikitable" |- valign="top"|[[File:BridgeFenix 3.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| The Fenix mostly does okay under the bridge, though it has more problems than most. It's pretty appalling through the twisty section, not only cutting the corners but sometimes just my initial impressionswandering off the path completely. It does a little better with the sharp turn seen on the right side of the diagram, though you can see it getting a bit lost on occasion. The blue lap markers are quite widely spaced, another indication of poor accuracy. Of course, compared with the [[Fenix 2]], it's doing great, but that's "damned with faint praise." (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]|- valign="top"|[[File:AccuracyFenix 3.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| This close up section of a zigzag highlights the problems the Fenix 3 has. There is poor alignment between the tracks and the change in direction of the course, and the lap markers are widely spread out. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]|- valign="top"|[[File:ZigZagFenix 3.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| Here the Fenix 3 shows the typical GPS behavior of having the tracks that have the green lines shifted slightly down and to the left, blue up and to the right. However, this patent is a little more randomized than some other watches. You can also see that the lap markers are shifted, not which might indicate a full reviewdelay in the way the Fenix 3 processes the data. (This image has the tracks color-coded for direction, with green coming from the right, blue from the left.)]]|}If you want better [[GPS Accuracy]] than the Fenix 3, then the [[Polar V800]] is the best I've tested, though I'd suggest the [[Suunto Ambit 3]] is probably a better option overall. =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. =Garmin Fenix 3 Pros=* The Fenix 3 is styled as a large "chronometer style " 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. * My initial [[GPS Accuracy]] testing suggests the The Fenix 3 is on par will activate the backlight when you turn your wrist, and the display looks much better with the [[Garmin Epix]] or backlight even in daylight. This will burn through the [[Garmin 920XT]]battery faster, which is poor but not appallingfor most people it's probably a reasonable compromise. If you want accuracy, look to the [[Suunto Ambit3]]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 Accuracy]] is the ability to display your current [[Pace From A Footpod]]. I think this is a critical feature that I wish other manufacturers would implement. (If anyone has a contact at Suunto, please ask them for this!)* 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 show and record [[Cadence]], Vertical Oscillation (VO) and Ground Contact Time (GCT). * The Fenix 3 can be configured to include rich apps 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 extend its core functionalityhelp 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.* Like many recent Garmin running watches, the Fenix 3 can display the [[Firstbeat| Firstbeat Training Effect]], an indicator of how hard a training session is. While Ifind this useful, it'm s important to remember that the Training Effect is strongly biased towards intensity rather than duration. (Training Effect requires a heart rate monitor.)* There is also support for the [[Firstbeat| Firstbeat Estimate of Recovery Time]] before the next workout, which I also like, though you have to take this with a big fan large pinch of salt.* The Fenix 3 will cache the GPS satellite locations for the next few days to reduce startup time. I found that the update of the cache was rather patchy, and often the Fenix 3 would take several minutes to acquire a lock. I was not able to work out a pattern or reason for this approachinconsistency. * There are five real buttons on the Fenix 3, which I prefer over a touchscreen. Of course, the combination of several real buttons and a touchscreen gives you the best of both worlds, which is what you get with the [[Garmin Epix]].* The prediction of your [[VO2max|V̇O₂max]] worked well for me, but I would not rely on its accuracy. * Functionally The Fenix 3 will upload your workouts to Garmin Connect via USB, WiFi, or via a smart phone and Bluetooth. The smart phone can 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. If you plug the Fenix 3 into a computer it will function as a flash drive, giving you direct access to your workouts as '.FIT' files. The FIT files provide compatibility with a huge range of software. * The Fenix 3 will not display [[Heart Rate Variability]] but it is possible for it to record [[Heart Rate Variability]] for later analysis. To enable this recording, you need to download a special FIT file from the firstbeat.com web site. (There is a [[Connect IQ]] app that will calculate HRV, but you can 't use it during a workout, something I hope will be thought of corrected in the future.)* The 20 hour battery life is good enough for shorter ultramarathons, or faster runners in 100 milers. The extended mode allows for 50 hours with degraded GPS accuracy. * There is a nice display that shows the route you've taken for navigation, but there is no support for displaying a map; you need the [[Garmin Epix]] without for that.* You can use the Fenix 3 as an activity monitor, something that's common to many new sports watches. I find the full color mappingFenix 3 too big to want to sleep with it on, so I didn't use it for activity monitoring.* The Fenix 3 will record your personal best performances, such as fasted 5K or longest distance. These are a nice novelty, but for most people you won't be setting PR's on a similar priceregular enough basis for it to add much value. * 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=* Did I mention the poor [[GPS Accuracy]] enough yet? Well, that is probably the biggest flaw in this watch. Unless looks are * The Fenix 3 includes an internal accelerometer to give you an overriding concernidea of pace and distance while running on a treadmill without a footpod, but I found the accuracy was rather poor. I have yet to come across a watch that canreasonably estimate your pace from the movement of your wrist, nor does it seem likely that this functionality is practical. * You need to have the new HRM for the some of the features. The Fenix 3 will display Heart Rate and calculate [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]] with the older Garmin HRM, but not Ground Contact Time or Vertical Oscillation. There is a version of the Fenix 3 with an optical HRM, but it's the same technology as found in the [[Garmin 235]] which I found to be rather useless. =What's Missing=While I don't see any reason 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.* '''Web Configuration'''. Some watches allow you to buy setup the configuration via a web site, and then download your changes. This is vastly easier than fiddling with the watch. =Visual Comparison={| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Fenix3-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin Fenix 3 top]]|[[File:Fenix3-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin Fenix 3side]]|[[File:Garmin Epix-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin Epix top]]|[[File:Garmin Epix-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin Epix side]]|[[File:Garmin 920XT-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin 920XT top]]|[[File:Garmin 920XT-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin 920XT side]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Garmin 620-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin 620 top]]|[[File:Garmin 620-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin 620 side]]|[[File:Suunto Ambit3-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Suunto Ambit3 top]]|[[File:Suunto Ambit3-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Suunto Ambit3 side]]|[[File:Suunto Ambit2-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Suunto Ambit2 top]]|[[File:Suunto Ambit2-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Suunto Ambit2 side]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Polar V800-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Polar V800 top]]|[[File:Polar V800-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Polar V800 side]]|[[File:TomTom Cardio Runner-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|TomTom Cardio Runner top]]|[[File:TomTom Cardio Runner-side. JPG|none|thumb|150px|TomTom Cardio Runner side]]|[[File:Leikr 1-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Leikr 1 top]]|[[File:Leikr 1-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Leikr 1 side]]|}