The Fenix Rises Again

Wire

L – R: Ong Chang Seng, Managing Director of AECO Technologies, and Dickson Cheah, Marketing Executive of AECO Technologies

Just when you thought the fenix 3HR from Garmin was a great virtual fitness companion to have on your runs or trailblaze, Garmin takes things up a notch with the release of the fenix 5, its new range of rugged and compact multisport GPS sports watches. The fenix 5 comes in three different variations:

fenix 5
fenix 5S
fenix 5X

These three models sports different size variations as well – the fenix 5 has a 47mm watch face size while the fenix 5S sports a 42mm and the fenix 5X is fitted with a 51mm face. All models will feature a stainless steel bezel and five different buttons surrounding the bezel. Each version also offers a variety of stainless steel finishes and QuickFit watch band combinations. You can choose between the normal Glass or the more sturdy Sapphire lens for the fenix 5 and 5S while the 5X only comes with the Sapphire lens, making it the most sturdy of the three models.

One of the features that Garmin has improved on from the fenix 3HR is its Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate technology, which now gives users around-the-clock heart rate monitoring. In addition to counting steps and monitoring sleep patterns, the watch uses heart rate to provide calories burned information and will also quantify the intensity of a user’s fitness activities. Another great feature introduced into the fenix 5 series would be its satellite navigation system. Instead of relying on your smartphone, you can now simply look at your watch for a thoroughly accurate reading of your surroundings thanks to its GPS and GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System).

Battery life on the fenix 5 has also been improved tremendously. On smartwatch mode, the fenix 5 could last up to two weeks while the 5S can last for 9 days and the 5X for 12 days. On GPS mode, the fenix 5 can hold its own for up to 24 hours while the 5S and 5X can last up to 14 and 20 hours respectively. When switched to UltraTrac mode (power saver feature), the fenix 5 can last for a whopping 60 hours while the 5S and 5X can last for 35 hours.

Both the fenix 5 and 5S will retail at RM2,899 while the fenix 5 Sapphire and 5S Sapphire will retail at RM3,149. The fenix 5X, which will only be available from April 2017 onwards will have a suggested retail price of RM3,399.