Running comparison with Garmin fenix 5+

[PatrickNSF]

For those interested, here's a comparison of the AW Series 4 (SBSS) with the Garmin fenix 5+ for an 8 mile run. Both watches have been used outdoors a few times prior to this.

http://www.mygpsfiles.com/app/#os7kpJ1N

 

[Pewpewpew]

Strange, I’ve done 6 runs now and the GPS trial have been all over the place. 44mm gold stainless steel.

 

[PatrickNSF]

Strange, I’ve done 6 runs now and the GPS trial have been all over the place. 44mm gold stainless steel.

Are you running with your phone or just the watch? In my experience the past few years, when the watch relies on the GPS of the phone (to save battery) the tracks can be erratic depending on where you carry your phone. I've generally found the GPS of the watch when worn on the wrist to be better than the GPS of the phone when carried in a running belt.

But, as with all things running-related, YMMV.

 

[gsucyclist]

Thats really close and good to hear as Garmin knows their stuff when it comes to GPS watches. I have a Garmin 920 that I use for triathlon races, but use the AW for most of my training

 

[Pewpewpew]

Just the watch by itself, always leave phone at home.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

Thanks. Hard to tell from tracks which device better tracked your actual footpath. I have an F5 and F5+ also, as well as two AW series 4 (no runs yet). Which do you feel tracked your path better?

 

[PatrickNSF]

Thanks. Hard to tell from tracks which device better tracked your actual footpath. I have an F5 and F5+ also, as well as two AW series 4 (no runs yet). Which do you feel tracked your path better?

The AW track looks much closer to what I ran, which has been my experience the past couple of days. I didn't do a direct distance-to-distance comparison because I had a Stryd foot pod feeding pace and distance into the Garmin.

I'd still have trouble relying on the AW for training because I want to see my lap pace and distance immediately without waiting for the screen to light up, and I do a fair amount of interval training, but if you can get past that, or if you're coming from running with a phone, the AW seems like a more than capable running watch to me.

 

[Vanilla35]

AW4 looks pretty good! I did notice the rather large difference in elevation between the two devices during the beginning, would you be able to elaborate on which device was more accurate during that time period?
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The AW track looks much closer to what I ran, which has been my experience the past couple of days. I didn't do a direct distance-to-distance comparison because I had a Stryd foot pod feeding pace and distance into the Garmin.

I'd still have trouble relying on the AW for training because I want to see my lap pace and distance immediately without waiting for the screen to light up, and I do a fair amount of interval training, but if you can get past that, or if you're coming from running with a phone, the AW seems like a more than capable running watch to me.

Yeah I noticed the Garmin puts you in the street sometimes, which I'm assuming was actually a path right next to the , instead.

 

[anthonymoody]

For those interested, here's a comparison of the AW Series 4 (SBSS) with the Garmin fenix 5+ for an 8 mile run. Both watches have been used outdoors a few times prior to this.

http://www.mygpsfiles.com/app/#os7kpJ1N

Never noticed before how similar that loop is to the one in Central Park here in NY. CP is 6 miles, and the reservoir loop about 1.6. So, 7.6 total, nearly the same.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

The AW track looks much closer to what I ran, which has been my experience the past couple of days. I didn't do a direct distance-to-distance comparison because I had a Stryd foot pod feeding pace and distance into the Garmin.

I'd still have trouble relying on the AW for training because I want to see my lap pace and distance immediately without waiting for the screen to light up, and I do a fair amount of interval training, but if you can get past that, or if you're coming from running with a phone, the AW seems like a more than capable running watch to me.

Agree as an older casual/fitness runner and rider, AW is plenty. As a data nerd, I have two AWs, two Garmins, Garmin Tempe sensor, Garmin footpod, Stryd footpod, Scosche Rythm Plus.... I usually run with Garmin since trying to improve my cadence, but generally also wear AW for music. I use RunGap to get either AW or Garmin output to Garmin, Runkeeper, Strava....... ;-)

 

[PatrickNSF]

I did notice the rather large difference in elevation between the two devices during the beginning, would you be able to elaborate on which device was more accurate during that time period?

I'm not sure. I haven't been paying much attention to elevation. I wonder if there's a way to google the elevation for the starting point.

 

[Vanilla35]

Never noticed before how similar that loop is to the one in Central Park here in NY. CP is 6 miles, and the reservoir loop about 1.6. So, 7.6 total, nearly the same.

Yeah I noticed that too, pretty funny.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

I'm not sure. I haven't been paying much attention to elevation. I wonder if there's a way to google the elevation for the starting point.

I have found the Apple Watch to track elevation well. It is clearly using elevation corrections from its database. If you go to Garmin connect for the activity and change elevation correction from disabled to enabled, you will likely see the best GPS elevation.

 

[Toonartist]

For those interested, here's a comparison of the AW Series 4 (SBSS) with the Garmin fenix 5+ for an 8 mile run. Both watches have been used outdoors a few times prior to this.

http://www.mygpsfiles.com/app/#os7kpJ1N

So far, I've been on one mountain bike ride and a 8 walk in the Lake District.... what I've been impressed with is how well the optical sensor has matched the Fenix 5 with the HRM Run4 chest strap. There was barely a cigarette paper between them today. The only time it goes astray is when the temperature of your arm drops too low in very cold conditions. This is looking like it will render the Fenix 5 for extreme cold and bike rides for the cadence, speed and power sensors. It is certainly a better optical sensor than the Garmin which goes awol a lot with sudden changes in heart rate and gets stuck a lot.

 

[DontGetTheCheese]

I’ve been pondering the two of these. I have a 5+ but there are some things that would be good about the AW too. Ideally an LTE version, but the cost is too much for me because it’s not $10, or $15, but more like $40 because I’d have to change plans.

Anyways, how does it hold up after an hour or two run / hike? Do you need to charge it during the day in that case? Also, how about data? The Garmin pretty much tells me everything I’d want to know, and while I think the AW gets close, I can’t tell if it gets close enough. I like seeing the heart rate graphs overplayed with hills and the whole training result metrics are interesting too even if I don’t really follow them.

I spent some time in the Apple health app last night and it’s not an award winning UI from what I could see.

I guess this turned rambling, but if the OP had any thoughts on the 2 compared, I’d read them.

 

[Toonartist]

I’ve been pondering the two of these. I have a 5+ but there are some things that would be good about the AW too. Ideally an LTE version, but the cost is too much for me because it’s not $10, or $15, but more like $40 because I’d have to change plans.

Anyways, how does it hold up after an hour or two run / hike? Do you need to charge it during the day in that case? Also, how about data? The Garmin pretty much tells me everything I’d want to know, and while I think the AW gets close, I can’t tell if it gets close enough. I like seeing the heart rate graphs overplayed with hills and the whole training result metrics are interesting too even if I don’t really follow them.

I spent some time in the Apple health app last night and it’s not an award winning UI from what I could see.

I guess this turned rambling, but if the OP had any thoughts on the 2 compared, I’d read them.

Charge wise, easily. I ware mine through the night. Charge it up just before bed, wake up with 90% and after a 4 hour hike and other use during the day, charged its up in the evening again the next day with about 40% left. And that's with new toy use as well

I can't see it ever replacing the Garmin for the bike etc but it is very capable in the mountains. Incidentally, Wahoo TickR chest strap connects to both the Fenix 5 and the Apple Watch at the same time without any issues. Handy if you want to wear the AW while riding while the Fenix is on the handle bars.

It's really nice to have all the smart features (that's aren't on the Fenix) and the screen is excellent!

 

[MBHockey]

For those interested, here's a comparison of the AW Series 4 (SBSS) with the Garmin fenix 5+ for an 8 mile run. Both watches have been used outdoors a few times prior to this.

http://www.mygpsfiles.com/app/#os7kpJ1N

Thanks for posting this. What app are you using on your AW to track runs?

 

[Born Again]

Interesting. I’m in the same boat. Apple Watch for non serious runs and my garmin 935 for everything else.

I love having instant pace with the foot pod and frankly not having to charge the watch religiously is a huge help

 

[PatrickNSF]

Thanks for posting this. What app are you using on your AW to track runs?

I just used the Workout app. I've played around with iSmoothRun and the Stryd app, but I still prefer a Garmin when training. If it's an easy run or I'm on vacation or something, I just stick with the Workout app and move the data over to Garmin (then Strava) with RunGap.
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Interesting. I’m in the same boat. Apple Watch for non serious runs and my garmin 935 for everything else.

I love having instant pace with the foot pod and frankly not having to charge the watch religiously is a huge help

Do you tracks steps, sleep and general non-running activities. And, if so, where do you consolidate all of your data?

I always feel like I have stuff in multiple places which is what prompted me to ditch the AW this summer, upgrade my 935 to the Fenix and go all in with Garmin...again.

 

[MBHockey]

Is it difficult to move your data from the Workout app to a third party service? I used to use RunKeeper but their watch app was abysmal. At that time, it was difficult the share workout data from Apple's workout app. Has that changed?

 

[PatrickNSF]

Is it difficult to move your data from the Workout app to a third party service? I used to use RunKeeper but their watch app was abysmal. At that time, it was difficult the share workout data from Apple's workout app. Has that changed?

It's really easy with RunGap. Costs $1.99 every three months (I think).

The other option is to try iSmoothRun. That app integrates with pretty much every third-party service.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

+100 for RunGap!

 

[MBHockey]

It's really easy with RunGap. Costs $1.99 every three months (I think).

The other option is to try iSmoothRun. That app integrates with pretty much every third-party service.

thanks. will definitely look into this

 

[DontGetTheCheese]

Charge wise, easily. I ware mine through the night. Charge it up just before bed, wake up with 90% and after a 4 hour hike and other use during the day, charged its up in the evening again the next day with about 40% left. And that's with new toy use as well

I can't see it ever replacing the Garmin for the bike etc but it is very capable in the mountains. Incidentally, Wahoo TickR chest strap connects to both the Fenix 5 and the Apple Watch at the same time without any issues. Handy if you want to wear the AW while riding while the Fenix is on the handle bars.

It's really nice to have all the smart features (that's aren't on the Fenix) and the screen is excellent!

Thanks for the reply. I haven't biked, barely at all this year, as I've been on a good routine this summer, but next year, maybe it's all biking.

Glad to hear the battery is tolerable. The 5 was amazing, never got below 90% charging while in the shower, the 5+has gone into the 80's a couple of times but it's more of the same. I do a lot of charging with the apple devices, one more wouldn't kill me but it would add much to my life either. I'm actually not sure where I'd charge the watch at this point. The 5+ charger is in the bathroom.

You mention smart features and that's where the watch loses me. I haven't seen something that would carry me past the Fenix just being damn good at it's job. Maybe integration between loseit would be tighter, I have to toss data off to the UA ecosystem and bring it back, or something, but I struggle to find that something.

 

[Toonartist]

Thanks for the reply. I haven't biked, barely at all this year, as I've been on a good routine this summer, but next year, maybe it's all biking.

Glad to hear the battery is tolerable. The 5 was amazing, never got below 90% charging while in the shower, the 5+has gone into the 80's a couple of times but it's more of the same. I do a lot of charging with the apple devices, one more wouldn't kill me but it would add much to my life either. I'm actually not sure where I'd charge the watch at this point. The 5+ charger is in the bathroom.

You mention smart features and that's where the watch loses me. I haven't seen something that would carry me past the Fenix just being damn good at it's job. Maybe integration between loseit would be tighter, I have to toss data off to the UA ecosystem and bring it back, or something, but I struggle to find that something.

The Fenix 5 is an excellent watch, no way would I get rid of mine. I use the Aerobic/Anaerobic splits for gauging training intensity etc and the battery life is amazing.

My wife also has a AW with a VivoActive HR (again for the bike and cold mountain walks) so I'm hoping Apple release that power mat thing that can charge multiple apple devices wirelessly. Otherwise, I've seen a couple of docking stations. Ideally I want one that does two watches but they are so common.

Smart features. We use HomeKit a lot for controlling lights, central heating security cameras etc so being able to control these from your watch is handy.... especially with Siri which I've found to do a very good job. Also, handy for controlling music from Sono's and Bluesound systems.

The two watches seem to compliment each other and it's easy enough to pull all data together through the Health app or RunGap.