Garmin Fenix 3 Review

Garmin Fenix 3 (Grey, Sapphire, Red)

Uncompromising design meets uncompromising performance in Garmin Fenix 3. Garmin has released the third generation of its adventure GPS watch, the Fenix 3. A first class watch which fuses state-of-the-art fitness features with a world class satellite navigation. For hikers, swimmers, runners, cyclists. Fenix 3 does it all with ease.

The Fenix 3 is available in Red or Grey. A sapphire (more expensive) version is also available. All the three versions have the same processing power and capabilities, the only difference is that the sapphire version has a strong link steel wrist band and a scratch resistant sapphire lens.

Longevity is one of the Fenix's killer features. Fenix 3 will last five weeks as a watch, and last 20 hours using GPS and will last almost 50 hours in low power hiking mode. The enormous battery life means that one can track a whole weekend's worth of hiking without charging it. Battery life takes a hit if one enables smartphone notifications.

Fenix 3 is equipped with an EXO antenna. It works as a powerful ring antenna for both GPS and GLONASS signals. Garmin has opted to remove the ability to upload maps to the Fenix 3.

This model is waterproof to 100 meters. This is the first Fenix to feature color but it certainly isn’t colorful. Only occasionally one is treated with red or a green arrow to assist navigation. The screen is large enough to display a route map that could be read even when running at full pace. It has a built-in compass, and one’s progress for walking and climbing is plotted on the watch, so one can see and analyze their current heading.

Garmin Fenix 3

The Garmin Fenix 3 is an adventurer's companion. The watch is equipped with ANT+ (Garmin’s wireless communication protocol), it can connect to a wide range of sensors from heart-rate monitors, foot pods, and bicycle power sensors. Name a sport and it's probably got a pre-programmed setting for it. This includes hiking, climbing, cross country skiing, train running, running, cycling, swimming, open water swimming, skiing, indoor workouts and triathlon. One even has the option to create a custom setting. Garmin’s new Connect IQ Store lets people to download and install additional apps and widgets for Fenix 3. This makes Fenix 3 the most customizable GPS watch till date.

If one chooses to wear Fenix 3 as a main watch, they can track their sleep too. Sleep tracking is very limited though, one simply gets a graph showing the hours one spent in bed. The graph also shows how much one has moved in that time (Who cares about movement during sleep?). Fenix 3 overflows with data and statistics. Data can be uploaded to Garmin connect for future reference.

Timeless Circular Dial

Anyone that wants to track their sports, this GPS watch can handle the task. The design is attractive enough to be worn on a daily basis but is a little chunky and may not appeal to eveyone.

Garmin Fenix 3 is expected to be released in India by late Q1 or in early Q2 with a price tag around 30,000 INR. For such a huge price one gets quality features like premium looks, tons of data, smart notifications and all. Poor sleep tracking, limited smart watch capabilities question the price tag though.

Bottom-line: An ‘all in one’ sports device with a hefty price tag.

Buy Garmin Fenix 2 here