Thursday, April 28, 2016

Garmin Fenix 3 Sapphire (Performance Bundle) - Review

Hi everyone,

It has been a long while since my last posting.  Sorry about that; I have been busy with work as well as my personal life.  And trying to get back into better shape.

I recently bought the Garmin Fenix 3 Sapphire (not the HR version).  I know it has been out for more than a year and there have been tons of review about this; well, this is my personal take on it.  Hope it would help you make a better purchasing decision.


Why the Fenix 3 and not the Fenix 3 HR?
For me, it was simple.  It is the price.  I got my Fenix 3 (Performance Bundle) at SGD$739; compared to the launch price of the Fenix 3 HR @ SGD$899 it was no-brainer.  But that was only the start of it when I was comparing prices.

There are some other differences between the 2 packages that you need to know:
Fenix 3 Sapphire (Performance Bundle)
-  Fenix 3 Sapphire smartwatch (stainless steel band - aesthetics )
-  Additional Silicone band (i.e. lighter and better for exercising)
-  Garmin's HRM-Run4 (smaller than the original HRM-Run)
-  Charging Cradle

Fenix 3 HR
-  Fenix 3 HR Sapphire smartwatch (only in silicon band)
-  Charging cradle

From the above, you can tell that the Fenix 3 HR smartwatch is more costly than the older brother.  But from a specifications point of view, there are no listed differences besides the addition of a built-in HRM.

Reasons that you would buy the Fenix 3 HR
If you are looking at getting a Fenix 3; (important) and you do not own any other HRM devices.  Then you might like to consider the Fenix 3 HR which gives you the complete package that has the built in HRM.

Other than that, if you already have other HRM devices (i.e. Garmin HRM-Run, Scosche Rhythm+, Mio HRM, etc) then I feel that getting the original Fenix 3 Sapphire will be a better deal as you can pair your HRM with it (with no-fuss I might add).


Fenix 3 Sapphire - King of the exercise smartwatch
In my opinion, the Fenix 3 Sapphire is the king of the exercises smartwatch.  It was clearly designed for the multisport exercise (outdoor and indoor) people in mind; plus they added Smartwatch features (notifications, alarms, activity tracking, music controls, sleep tracking, etc) on top of it.

But the biggest wow factor to me is the fact on how comfortable it was to wear daily.  And I will confess that I am not a watch person; as I see no reason to wear a watch when I have a smartphone with me most of the time.  But with the Fenix 3 Sapphire, it feels you are wearing a normal wristwatch (similar to a Casio Pro-trek or same size equivalent); BUT it is not your normal wristwatch.  It does everything a watch does; and so much more.

The only thing that I think may be a drawback is that it is relatively large.  May not look so good on a small wrist.




To cover the features will take hours and maybe even a day or 2.  I have attached several links to some reviews and coverage of the Fenix 3 hardware and software for your viewing pleasure.

Garmin fenix 3 GPS Watch REVIEW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frRNtAr2zbQ


Garmin fenix 3 REVIEW - Software #2 - 2016 Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r63OrjASZAI

Fenix 3 HR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiFcQnEhBXY