At CES last week, Garmin unveiled their latest line of GPS watches — the fēnix 5, fēnix 5S and fēnix 5X. The fēnix 5S is lighter, sleeker and smaller than previous models; the fēnix 5X boasts preloaded wrist-based mapping; and the compact fēnix 5 comes with an all-new industrial design. All of the fēnix 5 models feature an extended battery life, daily activity tracking, optical heart rate, and a host of connected features.
Measuring 47mm, the fēnix 5 is more compact than previous models like the fēnix 3HR, but is still packed with multi-sport features. Designed with a focus on female adventurers, the fēnix 5S is a sleek, smaller-sized watch at 42mm. The fēnix 5S is available in silver with either a white, turquoise or black silicone band with a mineral glass lens. The fēnix 5S Sapphire has a scratch-resistant sapphire lens and is available in black with a black band, champagne with a water-resistant gray suede band or champagne with a metal band.
Preloaded with TOPO US mapping, routable cycling maps, and other navigation features like Round Trip Run and Round Trip Ride, the fēnix 5X measures in at 51mm. You can enter how far you’d like to run or ride, and the watch will suggest appropriate courses to choose from. During an activity, guidance cues for upcoming turns are displayed as banners on the watch so you are always aware of your route. Around Me map mode lets you see different points of interest, waypoints and other map objects within a certain range.
All of the new fēnix 5 models come preloaded with the full multi-sport toolset for running, hiking, swimming, biking and more. The Garmin Elevate wrist-based optical heart rate technology gives you 24/7 heart rate monitoring, without needing a chest strap. All three fēnix 5 models also track your normal daily activity in addition to workouts. Built-in navigation features include a 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter, as well as GPS and GLONASS support to track in more challenging environments than with GPS alone.
When paired with your phone, all three models enable you to receive call, text and email notifications on the watch. The fēnix 5 models are also compatible with Connect IQ so you can customize your watch with apps, widgets, data fields and watch faces — even setting up your favorite photo as a watch face. All the Sapphire models feature WiFi for network connectivity.
The GPS watches are water rated to 100 meters, get from eight days to two weeks of battery life in smartwatch mode and 13 hours to 24 hours in GPS mode depending on model.
The Garmin fēnix 5, fēnix 5S (both $599.99 or $699.99 for Sapphire version) and fēnix 5x ($699.99) will start shipping in 5-8 weeks.