Frodo's Watch
"One ring to rule them all" -- J.R.R. Tolkien
This spring, Garmin has conjured up Fenix2, The One Watch To Rule Them All.
Here are the sensors it incorporates: barometer (altimeter), thermometer, compass, GPS, ANT+ (for cycling power meters and heart rate monitors), Bluetooth, as well as a specialized heart rate monitor strap which has its own motion sensing system.
Here is a (probably partial) list of the ways I can use this watch:
Swimming: Counts my strokes per length; time for each length; time for the overall workout. WIthin the workout, I can see how long it takes me to swim each interval I do, how long (time AND distance) each length is, how many intervals I do, how far I go in total, and some other calculated metrics of dubious value. Adjustments can be made for the length of the pool, or even for whether you are swimming in a pool at all (“Open Water Swim”.)
Running: In addition to what I already get from my running watch - time, distance, speed, cadence, and HR, in total, or by interval - I now know how long each foot was on the ground for every step (about a quarter of a second, it turns out), how far up and down I bob with each step (7 cm, +/-), how long to wait until I try running again to ensure optimum recovery, what my VO2 max is, predicted race times for various distances, and probably other stuff I still haven’t found yet.
Cycling: Between the GPS and the ANT+, I could use this as a complete back-up to my cycling computer/head unit. A partial list of the calculated current, lap, and total ride data I could view includes: HR, power, NP, IF, TSS, elevation, % grade, etc.
But Wait, There’s More! The software engineers have incorporated a Ski/Board mode, which gives me all the data I have on my current ski watch - how long, how far, how high, current elevation, temperature, and HR if I’m geeky enough to wear the strap while skiing. It also incorporates a cross-country ski mode, basically the running mode in the winter, but with a cool little logo of an XC skier instead of a runner.
The amazing thing is, I haven’t even touched on the original elements of this watch, which started life as the Fenix. Combining the GPS, compass, barometer, and software, its primary use was intended for hiking and multi day treks. GPS coordinates (“waypoints&rdquo
can be fed into or read out of the watch, along with a crude map of one’s adventure on the screen.
Now, what about that Bluetooth? Well, it’s also a “smart watch”, meaning it can be paired with an iPhone or Android. That link means a beep goes off when a text or email is received, and they can be read on the watch screen. Other elements (I don’t have a smart phone, so I haven’t explored this yet) of the phone can also be controlled by the watch. Also, Garmin makes a small “helmet cam”, the VIRB, which can also be controlled via the Bluetooth and the five buttons on the watch.
The battery life is a quantum leap forward: 50 hours claimed with GPS operating, 5 WEEKS with it off. So the Fenix can be worn as an everyday watch. Comparable in appearance to the Timex Ironman, it weighs 8 oz (sounds better than “half a pound&rdquo, with a diameter just under 2” and a depth of just over 1/2”.
Now, none of this is ground-breaking; all the elements already exist on other wrist worn devices from Garmin or other companies. But Garmin has done what Apple did with the iPhone - combined into one small hand- (wrist-) held computer all the elements that used to require multiple devices. I suppose the next iteration will include: a mini plug for earphones and an iPod Shuffle chip; a Siri-like instructress to tell me where to turn while walking in the city; and all the stuff on those wrist bands which are appearing for fitness tracking. Sigh ... I’m happy with what I have in the Fenix, for now, at least.
I’ve been using my Fenix daily for three weeks, during intense Ironman Training, and would like to produce an interim User’s Guide, to help anyone who plunks down $400 for this ($450 retail; I got mine@ REI, with 10% dividend. Available on other online shops with a discount program.) The Garmin online user manual is understandably rather rudimentary, given the vast potpourri of software thats been stuffed onto the chip. Also, I’d like to document just what I’m doing with it so I don’t forget when IM CDA is over, and I stop training for ten days. I’ll probably write that as Part Deux, and post it on my blog this weekend.
Comments
Al,
I don't believe this watch exists. If it did, Dino or JW would have had it months ago...
If you hold the watch over fire some strange writing appears.
Believe it or not, I ordered mine on Clevertraining at 10% off literally 15 mins before Al posted this report!
My main driver is that it drives me nuts to run in the morning but not have my data until that night since my company now blocks the ANT+ software. I bought it solely to sinc with my phone... All of the other stuff is a bonus. I also like that it constantly calibrates so you can theoretically run on the treadmill with reasonable accuracy. It also supposedly finds satellites quicker than the other watches thanks to the cache. We'll see!
I have a $174 dividend check burning a hole in my pocket.
I'd promised a "triathlete's user manual" this weekend (the Fenix manual runs to 17 pages, compared to the 910 XT's 45, while having twice as many features to explain). But I think I will wait until after IM CDA, to give the watch a full spectrum of usage. Instead, a few additional points. First, a correction - the watch weighs only 1.5 oz/45 grams, not the 8 oz I stated
.
Next, this watch probably uses the same bike/run software as the 310 and the 910, and the same swim software as the 910, so if you have one of those and are satisfied with it, you're really don't *need* to upgrade. But you might consider it if you *have* to have one or more of the additional features in the Fenix2 firmware and hardware:
So I guess if I was an iPhone guy it would be okay, but doesn't work for me... Not I need to figure out if I keep it or send it back?..
1) Can I turn the GPS "on"? Can I turn GPS "off? I'd like to turn the satellites on when I leave my house so I can start my run from my gym in NYC immediately upon exiting the gym without waiting for it to find the satellites. After my run, I want to turn the satellites of so the battery life will be extended. Is there a different name for this?
2) deleting workout history. On my 910, I could delete "all workouts" with one command. The fenix 2 made me wait the 10 seconds or so to "load" every workout individually, then delete it, then load the next one. Kind of a P.I.T.A. If you want to delete say all 10 workouts to speed syncing with a new computer, etc.
3) I don't think this last one is for you so I plan to call Garmin today... But mine used to read my HRM, now it doesn't. I tried to re-pair it, but it cannot find it. I first thought the stupid HRM strap had broken after just 4-5 uses, but my 910 finds the HR strap right away when I turn it on, so it's not the strap but something about the Fenix2. I tried turning off he Bluetooth, but that didn't solve anything... Any thoughts?
This watch also froze up on me once when I hit stop 1:50:00 into my long run. I had to call Garmin and they told me if you hold down the "Light" button for 15 seconds that this will power off the watch (I don't know why it doesn't say "power" anywhere on the watch, particularly close to that button). When I powered back on I didn't lose my data, but it was weird data. For that run, it wouldn't find the satellites in the beginning so I just started running. The cadence sensor I guess was used for the first 3-4 miles. I checked against a friends watch about 6.5 miles into the run and my din trance was long by about 0.5 miles. Later when I uploaded my files, strava said my run was 10.5 miles. The same file uploaded to Garmin showed 14.3 miles. I also ran about 0.5 miles after it froze up, so bottom line is that day's worth of data for my trainingpeaks analysis is suspect at best...
One other thing I do not like is that if you hit the stop button during an activity, say while doing run intervals, it immediately takes you to the screen asking you if you want to save/resume/etc. you cannot see your data when it does this... I kind of like after an interval or something if I hit stop to still my HR or the time of my workout, etc...
So far, this "superior" watch has been "far inferior" to my old 310 or my 910 (part of this just might be my familiarity with their logic and screens, etc). Those had there own glitches and issues, but at least they were intuitive to me. I think this watch was designed as a "trekking" watch and they duct taped on other functionality. So far, it doesn't feel like a great triathlon "training" watch...
I've had one episode weird behavior similar to what you describe, in 2 months of daily use. Holding reset/light for 20 seconds reverted to normal behavior. Route showed a straight line during that time, but timer kept going.
Get the Fenix2 if
- you must upload your files regularly without access to a computer (you can do it with a smartphone).
- you might do long ultras (think 24hrs) and want extended battery life
- want cadence data without a foot pod.
- you might also want to actually wear it as a 'normal' watch some of the time.
- want a really diverse trekking or skiing watch that is also pretty damn good at SBR stuff.
Get the 910xt if
- you have access to a computer or don't obsess about uploading your data to strava, etc. the second you finish a workout, or don't even care if your workout data makes it to the ether immediately.
- you expect your longest amount of time you will need it for is a ~17 hr or shorter race.
- you want easier to see screens while running/training (my opinion is that the 910 data quadrant view is just more natural)
- you want an easier to use menu profile (the 910 is similar logic to most garmin training products like 310, 305, 500, 510, 800, etc. The Fenix2 is totally different. Not worse, just totally different intuition).
- you want a quick release to also mount it on your bike or elsewhere, etc. (for an IM, I swim with just the strap on my wrist and keep my 910 head mounted on my aerobars as a 'backup' bike computer just in case my 510 wigs out, then I later snap it on my wrist and use it for the run).
- you want a really good watch specifically designed for training and racing of SBR.
Personally, if I could only own 1 it would be the 910. But I would miss the sync with my phone function of the fenix2.
I just used it in my first IM, puting it on in T1 (I dont use a watch for the start or swim.) Set up in bike/run Multisport mode, it was my (unneeded) back up power meter, and primary tool on the run. I had no functional,issues with it during the race, apart from inadvertantly hitting Stop when I hugged my wife @ mile 24
The reasons for the decision is based on teh countless stores about how the 910XT have issues with elevation, freezes, and general issues with the product. I did not want to return the watch too many times base on the issues.
I will give you all my review after i play.
I know of two separate people locally who have chronic problems with the 910 and their Quarq power meters. Diagnosis has even gone to the point of one getting a brand new crank/PM from Quarq, and the problem of losing contact with the 910 still persists. The problem is so bad for these two that their 910 is pretty useless on the bike. Garmin tech support on the matter has been anemic.
Both individuals did not see a Fenix in their future. One bought my old 310 for the bike. The other bought a new 510 and will use the 910 on the run/swim.
In any event, I have had no problem with my Fenix with power, so if you have a Quarq an option other than a 910 might be a consideration. The Fenix 2 would be a possible solution.
The only challenge with this functionality is that the Fenix2 wasn’t really originally designed like a traditional low-power smart watch, from a Bluetooth notifications standpoint. As such, the battery life here is about 24 hours in this mode. So you’re basically charging it every day if you choose to leave Bluetooth enabled-on constantly. For most folks, I’d recommend against this.
Android Notes: As of today, all of these functions in the mobile action are limited to iOS devices and do not yet work on Android. Garmin is currently planning these to be enabled on Android devices in in a few different pieces:
- Garmin Connect Mobile Fitness Features: Live Track, EPO (Satellite Pre-Caching), Activity Upload, Course Download, Workout Download – ASAP, could be any day, or any week.
- Smart Watch Notifications: This is the notifications piece for things like text messages. This is slated for “Q2 2014”, so anytime between April and June.
- Basecamp functionality: You won’t likely see a specific separate Basecamp app on Android, but rather, see those features surface into an existing app. Which, is something I’ve somewhat argued for, for some time. The timeframe for this is also more Q2.
My review so far:
Pro's:
1) you can wear it as a watch. yes it is big and it is clunky.. however that is actually in style right now.
2) Love the pool and open water swim technology. I have been using the nike watch for a while, so i am generally impressed by anything that has more than one feature set.
3) i can see the time of day at any point!!!! during my run, bike, swim, or not even working out. the time is there to see.. The 910XT is a pain in that ass to see the time.
Cons (not major enough for me to get rid of the watch, just some getting used to features):
1) the layout and formating. It is different to set things up on the watch. The 910XT, Garmin 305, and others, are simple maybe because i am used to it. Show me x, y, and z and then you have it. Finding out how to do is something to get used to.
2) pool lap button is different, i messed up a my swim because i thought i had to push lap once between intervals. which stopped the distance (i.e. pause mode).. its just something i know now that you press lap in the pool it pauses the distance then press when you are about to start again to unfreeze. This maybe the same on the 910, i dont know.
3) I'd love to shut off stuff from the menus. Honestly, i am not going skiing right now... lets shut that off the menu right now. I know i will never take it back packing (because i will be damned if i will ever sleep in the wilderness) , so lets remove that from the menu.
4) if you screw up the first setup between KM and Miles, you have to go back and change ALL of your alerts and laps for ever activity!!! (I could be slow and screwed this up more)
5) You cannot have more than a few things on one screen. The more you put on the screen, the small they get. So bad news is that you will have to scroll. the good news is that you have scroll up and scroll down feature.
6) Fenix2 will not be used as my main bike computer because of #5, i would like to see time, cadence, HR, and watts on one easy to see screen.
I purchased this over the 910XT for two reasons ( I actually enjoy the watch and think its pretty cool):
1) i could wear it as a watch and never have to worry about forgetting it at home when i have a swim or a run at lunch
2) I heard so many issues about issues with the 910XT and it having to be returned so many times. I did not want to deal with that.
So in short, if you are tore between the 910 and the Fenix2 for an all around good Tri watch, i would go with the 910.
More to come.
I'm pretty bummed about it because I really like the look of it and thae fact it gives all the advanced running metrics which I assume the 910xt will never be able to give.
Btw, I really don't understand why the form factor of the Fenix 2 or 910xt has to be so heavy and thick. The Foreruner 620 is a lot lighter and thinner. Doesn't it have all the same hardware (GPS chipsets, accelereometers, etc) as the Fenix 2? I don't get it.