Garmin fenix 3 GPS Watch, Gray

I have had several Garmin running/Tri watches. I use these watches to record my runs and provide not only feedback during my run, but also to study metrics after my run. I have always found Garmin products to be dependable. These watches are used in sometimes rougher conditions...rain/dirt/swimming. They have always performed well. Here is my history with Garmin running/Tri watches:2007 Garmin Forerunner 405. Used this only when I was running. Used my first one for 4 years then purchased a new one due as the first one was not holding a charge well. Used the 2nd one for another year or so. I was very happy with its performance.2013 Garmin 610. Liked the better GPS function and also started wearing it as my daily watch. Was not crazy about the bezel controls. That said, it performed well...but I am a tech geek and I am always looking for the next best thing!!2014 Garmin 910xt. Worked great, not issues whatsoever. Wore as my daily watch and of course used it for recording running.2015 Garmin 920xt. I have really enjoyed this watch. I like the bluetooth connectivity for messages and realtime tracking via my phone. This is a great product. I just run...not a triathlete, but I like the TRI watches better than the 620 form. I used the 920xt for about 9 months...up until I decided to jump into the Fenix 3 waters.Fenix 3: Just purchased it this week...have only had it for 2 days, but I have run both days as I was eager to see if I would fall victim to all of the GPS issues I have read. So far, 2 runs...identical trails that I have been running for 7 years with other Garmin watches...and the Fenix 3 is no better or worse than the other watches. I am recording the same distance (within .02 miles +/-) as the other Garmin products I have used. I looked at the track on Garmin Connect and it is perfectly in synch with the tracks I have been recording for 7 years. So, I realize it is only a small sample size, but out of the gate...I see no difference in GPS quality.Now, for the rest of the watch functions, again, only 2 days in, but I love it. Love the look especially, but also love the more robust notification info compared to the 920xt. Seems the Fenix 3 is much more of a "smart" watch compared to the 920xt...and I like that.So, wrapping up, its only one man's opinion, but if you have been hesitant to upgrade to this product due to concerns over the GPS issues others have reported...I have seen no trace of that. I would recommend this watch to anyone who is looking for the leading edge of fitness/GPS/Smart watch technology, but also MUST have the most robust GPS fitness metrics Garmin offers...this watch has not disappointed me.A few extra points:This watch is not an Apple watch...do not order this if you are looking for more of a leading edge smart watch. This is a dedicated, athletic training watch with smart capabilities. Hopefully you can discern the difference.This is not a Fitbit. If you are looking for the latest and greatest step counter...this is not it. This does offer a step count, but you are not buying this watch to count steps.I do get frustrated when I read reviews and people point out issues with some of the watch's "secondary and lower" features. I get that some purchasers may buy this watch for the primary functions AS WELL as other features, but I would say to those folks, realize you are paying for an athletic watch that focuses on serious athletic performance metrics as well as looks awesome. If you are less than thrilled with the step counter or move functions or sleep tracking...get another device that specializes in that. For the Fenix 3, those types of features are "nice to haves" not "must haves". I look on those features as bonuses and if they are not as robust as an Apple Watch or Fitbit...mehhh. That's not why you pay $499 for this watch.***UPDATE December 16, 2015****Two months of ownership and NO issues. GPS functions same as indicated in above review. This watch is solid and I get compliments on it all the time. Very happy with the purchase and I would definitely buy it again!!!

This is my fourth Garmin GPS watch (my others were the Forerunner 305, 610, and Fenix 2) and absolutely the best so far. I'm an avid runner, cyclist, and hiker. I loved my Fenix 2. It was perfect; it did everything I wanted it to do. Then I decided I'd like to track my daily steps in addition to mileage. I heard about the Fenix 3, which hadn't yet been released. In addition to its step tracking capability, I was intrigued by the smart watch features and decided to order the Fenix 3.On April 1st, I strapped this monster on my wrist. Yes, it's very big on me, but I expected that -- I'm a 115 pound female. My first pleasant surprise was its (at the time) completely undocumented ability to control my music on my phone while running. Surprise #2 was how incredibly useful it is to glance at my wrist to see who's calling. No more hitting the "pause" button and fumbling in my pocket for my phone only to find out I've interrupted my run to talk to some joker who wants to sell me a timeshare.The GPS acquisition is amazingly quick, as is its ability to find paired sensors. I no longer have to pedal my bicycle for a few minutes while it looks for the cadence sensor -- the watch finds it even before the bike is in motion. As for GPS accuracy, I'm finding that it tends to measure a bit short, maybe as much as 3% short. However, my Fenix 2 measured long. When it comes to pacing during a long run, I'd much rather have a GPS that measures short, so that I'm actually running faster than my watch thinks I am. I do tend to run most often in heavily-treed areas; the GPS seems more accurate when I'm out in the open.The step counting function is fun and motivational. If I forget to get up and walk at least once an hour, it reminds me tangibly with a vibration alert. It's become quite a game to keep my watch face clear of the dreaded red line of non-movement.There aren't a lot of apps/widgets/data fields available yet, but I've found some interesting and useful ones. I especially enjoy the race predictor, which successively estimates my 5K/10K/half marathon/marathon times as I approach each of those distances during a run. I tried out a few custom watch faces and now mostly use one that, among other things, provides an 8-day graph of my mileage and calorie burn.It's locked up on me twice, and I've had to delete and redefine my bluetooth connection a few times. Overall, however, it's been more stable than my Fenix 2 was in the first few months I owned that one. I'm currently on firmware version 3.20, and am having no issues.Overall I'm absolutely delighted with this watch. I check the Connect IQ store every few days for new apps, etc. and I've been impressed with the constant trickle of new offerings. I expect that my experience will continue to improve as more functionality is added. I highly recommend the Fenix 3!

Excellent interface, easy to sync and upload info via Bluetooth.Next improvement would be touch display, but it's simple to manage thru the buttons - you can customize shortcuts.I'm impressed with the battery life. I can use the whole week with bluetooth on and tracking activities. At end of the week it's on 20-30%. Takes 1 hour to full charge. The charging dock is very well design to attach and charge.Update Jun 2017After one year, I'm very satisfied with the technology, mechanics and functionality of Garmin fenix watch.The only negative point so far, had to replace the band already. It seems that is due to usage. The band broke in 2 pieces exactly where I normally buckle. See picture.I've been using frequently for swimming and taking very good care of it. I wash the neutral soap and brush with an old tooth brush. The material is durable enough to resist the elements, pool chemicals, sweat, but maybe not that much.I bought a Garmin replacement soft silicone band, but the material doesn't feel the same as original. It is more abrasive, which concerns me that it might brake again sooner. Hope Garmin can improve that.I'd consider a different material when it's time to replace again.

Nice watch to control my activities I used for walking biking running. Satellites findings works in sec, good communications with both iOS and android programs over bt. Also if bt not available good communications over wifi . More then one wifi can be predefined. Anotifications from phone weather sis who is calling . I was able to set ifttt wirh RSS feeds to read news headlines on watch. Battery is also good for these types of daily activities. Battery is about 20-25 percent.

watch works well, is large fairly easy to visualize during sports. as i expected from numerous positive reviews. I felt the extra money for wrist hr monitor was not worth it as my interest lies in training data for which i would wear a traditional hr monitor, rather than calories burned during off times.

Great watch. Best price. Fast shipping.UNFORTUNATELY, the first unit had to be replaced as it didn't sync with any computer.Seller replaced this item without questions - thank you.New item AGAIN doesn't work. Changed it last night to 100%, this morning it is dead. This is the second time where the entire battery power drained over night with no apps running.I want to return this watch and get a replacement!

Simple amazing. Pondered the apple watch, went with the Garmin, and so happy I did. Wanted to full ABC setup, and the ability to get alerts on my wrist without having garbage battery life. Three days in, lots of playing with the watch, tons of notifications coming in, batter is still at 75%. Simply awesome!

Love the watch. Running and biking worked great and I haven't tested the swimming function yet. Easy to pair with ant+ devices. I do think there is room to improve the Garmin Connect app but that isn't a fault of the watch. Great battery life in watch mode too.