Note: This is not an endorsement of the Garmin fēnix™, but rather a critical technical review based upon my own experience with the fēnix™.
Review Background
It was with some expectation that I looked towards
the launch of the fēnix™. Having entered the world of
adventure racing, and in specific, multi-stage self-support races, I was in the
market for a new GPS watch. But the order was a tall one, my new GPS watch
would need to (1) record as much environmental and physiological data as
possible, (2) be light weight, as every gram counts when you have to cart it
around, and (3) have a battery life that allows for extended use.
My transition to the fēnix™ came with some
sadness. My trusted Forerunner 305
had given me much more than my monies worth. It was also much more than a mere
GPS watch, it was my trusted training and race companion. The Forerunner 305 is a reliable, albeit
aging GPS watch, which gave me so many options during both training and racing.
It was simple to use, had great screen real-estate, which allowed for extensive
display customization and could interface with both its desktop and later the
internet based connect options. Its only real drawbacks are (1) its relatively
short battery life and (2) less than stylish looks. When I say ‘relatively
short battery life’ I refer to it within the context of extended race times.
With many endurance races lasting well beyond 40-hours the Forerunner 305 fell short, however, the majority of runners out
there won’t even spend that length of time training and running in a month, so
the Forerunner 305 remains a very
strong and powerful training and race aid. Its aesthetics is less suited to a
new, trendier look that many runners pursue, personally I never had an
aesthetic problem with the Forerunner 305.
This latter part relates to individual taste and preferences.
After repeated delays in the launch of the fēnix™, which I must admit
was most frustrating and to some extent worrisome, it eventually reached the
South African shores. It was with great excitement that I collected my much
awaited fēnix™ from the Cape Union Mart in Sandton City. The very first fēnix™ in South Africa was
mine to review. The fear that nagged in the back of my mind was that the
repeated delays must have meant that the company was trying to fix last minute
software and hardware problems and that by the time it would hit the shelves
that most, but not all of these would be resolved. I anticipated a number of
return trips to Garmin South Africa to have these resolved. As many Garmin
users would know, this is a daunting prospect as I still have an outstanding
issue that remains unresolved on my GPSMAP® 62 that dates as far back as May
2012.
This fear, however, was unfounded. The fēnix™ is the next best
thing since ice-cream. I have now used the fēnix™ for close on four
months, have clocked around 1,500 running kilometers including its real test,
the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon (KAEM), a grueling 250km
self-sufficiency endurance race. My decision to use the KAEM as the fēnix™ review environment
was deliberate, as my aim is to specialize in multi-stage endurance desert
racing, it was essential for me to test the marketing claims of an improved
battery life as well as to see how the watch holds up in a high temperature
environment. The heat, sand and rocks would surely put the fēnix™ through its paces.
But it didn't stop there, as my wife and I also participate in geocaching the fēnix™ was more recently
tested in the Eastern Cape (South Africa) where it had to withstand the sea,
rain, rocks and the usual sand.
I am happy to report that the fēnix™ came through with
flying colors It met my expectations, was able to address the short comings
of the Forerunner 305 and held its
own in one of the most extreme environments on the planet. I can just say well
done to the design team at Garmin. It is obvious that the feature, hardware and
software design and construction of the fēnix™ was not a lab
exercise but rather a real collaboration between adventure user and the design
team. For once, the technology seems to understand my needs.
1. Software
1.1
Device
Software Version
I tested the fēnix™ with its version
2.9 software that was pre-loaded on the watch at the time. I decided not to
upgrade the software prior to testing the watch for three reasons. Firstly I
needed to assess whether the watch enters the market in a fully functional
state, secondly, I wanted to test the watch with the same software that Garmin
had tested extensively before the launch. This way the hardware is not assessed
in terms of ‘untested’ software upgrades, and finally a friend and fellow KAEM
runner, Clint Seager, was also running with the fēnix™ and had decided to
upgrade its software.
1.2
Software
Upgrading
Software
upgrading is relatively simple, connecting to www.garmin.com/products/webupdater
and the process is mostly automated. The watch needs to be connected to the USB
port, the software will automatically detect the model and the upgrade will be
completed. Once the update is completed and the watch disconnected from the USB
port the update will be validated. This will take a few minutes and during that
time the watch will be inactive.
1.3
Software
Version Changes in the Version 3.00 Upgrade
The following
software changes are included in the version 3 upgrade:
·
Added ability to select Venezuela and UTC time
zones,
·
Added continuous altimeter auto calibration mode,
·
Improved altimeter auto calibration. Settings
are now: Off, At Start or Continuous. Use 'At Start' for an initial calibration
from GPS when tracking has started. This will result in more consistent relative
elevation change. Use 'Continuous' to continually calibrate the barometer
towards the current GPS elevation. This will result in a more stable elevation
during pressure changes due to weather,
·
Improved ETE/ETA calculations so they are more
responsive to speed changes,
·
Fixed cadence units overlap in bottom data field,
·
Fixed issue with proximity alerts when GPS was
off,
·
Fixed potential issue with alert notification
settings,
·
Fixed issue where Track and FIT History details
did not match for the same activity,
·
Fixed issue with Time -> Til Sunset alert
2.
Owner’s
Manual
In my view
this is the fēnix’s weakness. The fēnix™ comes bundled with
utterly meaningless ‘manuals’ (the fēnix™ ‘Quick Start Manual’
in six different booklets and a 56 page ‘Important Safety and Product
Information’ booklet). To produce these must be having a meaningful impact on
our rainforests and the environment in general. For the environmentally
sensitive users this might be less than acceptable. It is true that to add such
meaningless booklets has become standard practice for most products we consume,
however, the fēnix™ is aimed at a very specific user,
amongst these the adventurer who places a premium on the environment.
The real
manual has to be downloaded in PDF format. This manual (product code
190-01507-00_0A) is comprehensive but is effectively outdated with each
software upgrade. The manual has no software version control designation so it
is somewhat problematic and could become more frustrating as each software
upgrade is implemented.
The user
manual itself lacks a table of term definitions. Adding such a table would
provide new users with a point of reference and will greatly improve the user
experience.
It may be
argued that I am unfairly harsh in my review of this element; however, I have
yet to find a person who have read, or indeed, needed to read the manuals that
the watch came bundled with on the one hand, and on the other, the downloaded
PDF version is a step back. The technology jump that the fēnix™ makes is huge and a
PDF manual sort of feels pre-millennium. Garmin may consider creating an
interactive electronic manual on the internet that aligns to the software
version of the watch delivering the relevant information to its diverse global
users. It would be really great if Garmin designs such an interactive solution
around the end-user activity allowing the user to select an activity and be
guided by the system through a step-by-step process that demonstrates how to
utilise the watch to its fullness.
3.
Watch
3.1
Setup
Setting-up
the watch straight out of the box is simple and a user is up and running within
minutes. The battery comes pre-charged and setup is a matter of following the
on-screen prompts. The watch is extremely user friendly and its usage is for
most parts instinctive. Much of the functionality is customisable (with
additional customisability in version 3), the learning curve is relatively flat
and migrating from other GPS sports watches to the fēnix™ is simple.
For users
already using the Garmin Connect platform there is no need to transfer data as
the fēnix™ simply replaces the
previous watch used. For users migrating from a different brand the GPX files can
simply be uploaded onto the Garmin Connect platform which provides training and
racing data continuity.
For those
runners who place a premium on light weight training and running aids the fēnix™ comes into its own,
weighing in at 82g the USB dock adds another 34g’s. The durability of the fēnix™ is found in the use
of a combination of materials that range from aluminium to rubber
(polyurethane). It has a sturdy construction, is well designed and presents a
practical solution for the adventure racer. For the most part it is water and
dust resistant, its LCD face is protected and the straps are fixed to the watch
by two T10 Torx screws that give it a very modern and industrial type look.
The most
impressive aspect of the watch, however, is its battery life. With the watch
setup to take a GPS, temperature, altitude and other technical data reading
once every minute the batter life is in the region of 50 hours, in continuous
mode this comes down to 16 hours. Continuous mode battery depletion takes place
at a rate of around 1-percent depletion every 9 minutes and 36 seconds. Using a
PowerMonkey Extreme solar panel (without its battery) and connecting this to
the fēnix™ via its USB docking
station the depletion rate can be slowed down to a depletion rate of 1-percent
every 33 minutes. I ran with the solar panel strapped to my back-pack and
attached to my watch via the USB cable and dock. Running with the docking cable
between my arm and the watch was not really uncomfortable and doing so would
increase the continuous reading battery life to 55-hours. On the 1-minute
reading setting this could extend the units battery life to around 172 hours. I
know of few activities or races that will exceed these requirements.
The unit
charges, from the PowerMonkey Extreme solar panel at a rate of 1-percent every
4 minutes, which means that to recharge the unit from a totally depleted stated
could be achieved in little less than 7-hours. During the KAEM the battery, in
continuous mode, would deplete at a rate of around 28-percent per day. To
recharge from the PowerMonkey solar panel takes around 1 hour 52 minutes.
Carrying the
PowerMonkey solar panel, weighing in at 202g, with me on my race pack provides
a near indefinite power source for the fēnix™.
Using the
UltraTrac feature allows the user to change the fēnix™ from
continuous data recording mode to taking a data reference every minute
(software version 2.90). During the software version 3.00 upgrade this was
further refined to allow the user to define the data reference intervals from
anywhere between continuous to something that is more appropriate to the user.
As the interval times increase between data reference points so the battery
life increases. There is, however, a balance that needs to be struck between
increasing battery life and ending up with meaningful data that can be used in
analysis or in real time while participating in the activity. I found that the
average adventure racer is capable of sustaining a pace of around 6,5km/h (this
range from 3km/h to nearly 13km/h) which means that at a 1-minute interval the
adventure racer would have covered 108 meters between two reference points.
Personally I feel that three to four readings per kilometre is more than
sufficient, so the UltraTrac interval setting can be set to take a reading
every 2 minutes 42 seconds before the data loses some value. Obviously faster
activities will require a higher interval rate, and as with most things in
sport much of this comes down to personal reference.
During the KAEM
my fēnix™ was set on
continuous mode, while Clint Seager’s was set to take a reading once every
minute.
The first graph is
drawn using the continuous data from my fēnix™. I
specifically chose the elevation data as it represents a constant across the
data population. As both of us would have to cross the same terrain there
should not be any real difference between my data graph and Clint’s, for the
day.
The next graph is drawn
from the 1-minute interval data from Clint’s fēnix™.
As can be clearly seen his graph follows a very similar elevation trend than my
continuous reading. The difference, however, comes in in the smoothness. His fēnix™ must calculate and attempt
to fill the 108 meter gaps. It does this by calculating a number of progressive
averages which means that his graph has some real data and some ‘anticipated’
data which presents a far less smooth rendering. The reality, however, is that
from a purely elevation profile assessment perspective his data presents the
same picture as mine.
My conclusion,
therefore, is that using the UltraTrac interval setting in relation to your
data requirements and activity specific performance is an efficient way to
prolong your battery life without really exchanging data quality in the
process.
There are
exceptions; however, UltraTrac works best in an end-to-end ‘straight line’
activity. I will give an example; I have an urban out and back run with a
number of turns in and around my neighbourhood. With a continuous interval
setting my position throughout the route is tracked on a moment by moment basis
and the watch accurately records the distance as 10km’s. With an UltraTrac
interval setting of 1-minute and my 10km pace of 10km/h it means that the fēnix™ records a reference
point only every 167 meters. In a straight line this does not pose a problem,
however, when a series of 90 degree turns are made, as is the case when one
runs within neighbourhoods some of the real reference points are missing, so
the watch compensates by drawing a straight line between the new and the
previous reference point. The same things happen in an out and back run where
as much as 167 meters can be ‘lossed’ around the turn-point. In real terms this
means that with a 1-minute UltraTrac interval my fēnix™ does not record
this particular distance as a 10km run, but rather an 8,8km distance. This
represents a 12% deviation, and would not be acceptable to many runners who
carefully calculate their running distances.
Another area
where the UltraTrac fails is in distance based interval running. Because the fēnix™ only updates once a
minute a runners intervals lags somewhat which can be a source of great
irritation. It does, however, make no difference to those runners who applies
time based interval training.
In essence,
the UltraTrac option allows the user to exercise control in that the runner can
manage the relationship between data deficiencies and batter power, which
becomes a really big issue during multi-stage ultra-endurance adventure
activities.
4.
Features
The fēnix™ is packed with
amazing features, amongst these are the following:
·
GPS,
·
Altimeter,
·
Barometer,
·
Compass,
·
Wireless Connectivity,
·
Heart Rate Monitor,
·
Speed / Cadence Sensor Connectivity, and
·
Temperature.
The
combination of features makes the watch suited to:
·
Camping,
·
Hunting,
·
Hiking,
·
Running,
·
Geocaching,
·
Off-Roading,
·
Cycling, and
·
Boating.
Of these
diverse activities I assessed the watch performance in running and geocaching
but tested all of the features.
4.1
GPS
(Distance)
The GPS is
easy to use, the receiver locates the GPS satellite signals amazingly fast and
it has a high accuracy level. Comparing daily distances during the KAEM with
other GPS watches and the organisers distance chart placed the fēnix™ accuracy at around
99,8%.
Transferring
the GPS coordinate data to Google Maps / Earth produces a really great overlay
that allows the user to clearly see where the activity took him/her. The
training value this has is amazing; especially for those activities that takes
the user into unfamiliar terrain. Combining the visual terrain data with
environmental data (temperature, barometric pressure, and altimeter) and
individual performance data (speed, pace, heart rate) allows the user to amend
both the training program and activity strategy, thereby improving personal
performance.
I personally
used the data to redesign part of my training program and is using the
information collected during the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon to
reformulate a race strategy for the 2013 Marathon des Sables.
4.2
Altimeter
The altimeter
function is extremely useful. Overlaying the altimeter, pace and heart rate
data provides a clear picture of how the human body performs under altitude
gain and loss conditions. I personally used it to determine just how much more
I can increase my pace while running up a hill of a specific gradient. This
allows a user to improve performance, develop an understanding of how his / her
body responds to pace and stress.
4.3
Barometer
The barometer
has a somewhat limited application. Using barometric pressure to determine
altitude is only reliable if the weather is stable. The best usage for the fēnix™ barometer is to
identify possible weather changes when the user is out into the wild for
prolonged periods. This applies mostly to hikers, adventure racers, hunters and
fishers. For instance, a drop in barometric pressure indicates that a low
pressure system is developing which is often a sign of rain or generally bad
weather.
Although not
directly associated with event performance, the use of the barometer has a
safety application.
4.4
Compass
The compass is
a great navigational aid. I used it primarily to guide me towards a geocache
location, but it has a far greater application.
4.5
Heart
Rate Monitor
The heart
rate monitor is an essential training and racing aid for any serious athlete. The
fēnix™ allows the user the
usual heart rate zone alarm settings etc. The fēnix™ heart rate monitor
was not compatible with my Forerunner 305
heart rate sensor, so a new heart rate sensor had to be acquired.
In general I
use the heart rate function of the fēnix™ to manage my
weight, improve my fitness, endurance and speed as well as calculate my
nutritional needs for multi-stage endurance races. For me this function forms
part of the core around which I base my entire training and racing activities.
4.6
Speed
and Cadence
I did not
evaluate the cadence function which requires an additional sensor. The speed
and pace functions of the fēnix™ is similar to that
of most other products. It provides speed, pace and average pace readings in
various formats.
4.7
Temperature
The
temperature function of the fēnix™ is an excellent
feature. If combined with heart rate, altitude, speed and GPS data it allows
for a range of important performance issues to be addressed. I used the
temperature feature during the KAEM to adjust my pace to ensure that my average
heart rate remained within an acceptable level. The benefit of this is that I
was able to avert dehydration, excessive energy consumption and a host of other
performance issues even when ambient temperatures reached as high as 50 degree
Celsius.
It is
worthwhile noting that the built in temperature sensor of the fēnix™ is adequate and
accurate for temperatures that exceed the normal temperature of the human body.
Therefore, no external or additional sensor is required to measure temperatures
that exceed 37 degree Celsius. For colder temperatures the normal body
temperature contaminates the reading and the external sensor is essential.
4.8
Customisation
This is the fēnix’s strong point,
the user is able to customise the components to be displayed, set-up multiple
pre-defined user specific screens, and order these in a sequence that is
required by the user. This allows the user to utilize the limited screen
real-estate of the fēnix™
to the full.
5.
Other
Aspects of the fēnix™
5.1
Aesthetics
I found the fēnix™ to be an
aesthetically pleasing instrument that can easily be worn as a day-to-day
digital time piece.
5.2
Price
The price is not
cheap but compared to other similar products it represents great value for
money.
My final conclusion is that the fēnix™ is an excellent GPS
instrument that is well suited for adventure racing and multi-stage events. It
is great value for money, has a host of well-designed features but that to get
real value from all of these takes some time. It is worthwhile running the
software upgrades, working through the user manual and finding out as much as
possible about the benefits that can be derived from the various sensor data
offered by the fēnix™.
This means that to gain the most value from the fēnix™ requires a strong
scientific approach and that without such interest and knowledge the data is to
a large extent somewhat redundant.