The Fenix 3 is arguably Garmin’s best GPS watch, and it now comes in HR, Chronos and Sapphire variants. The Fenix 3 HR is a costly wearable with the gray/silver model retailing at $599. It’s also hefty at 82g with a 16mm thickness and packs serious tech capacity for a smartwatch.
The Fenix 3 HR design
This Garmin wearable features a rugged finish that makes it appear like military standard issue equipment. However, the chunky physique and metallic finish with visible screws only serve to accentuate the GPS watch’s attractiveness. This makes the device a day to day wearable with the only challenge being keeping it tucked under your sleeve.
Die-hard Apple fans may opt for the GPS capable Series 2 watch that has a square design, but the Garmin beats the Apple if a comparison was done on available sensors and metrics. The Fenix 3 HR also ensures comfort for the users and is the ideal training partner with its fitting silicone strap. This makes sure the heart rate monitor performs effectively without having to keep the strap too tight.
The Featured Tracking Metrics on the HR
The Fenix 3 HR offers multiple sports tracking and beats almost all other GPS watches available in the market. It supports swimming, running, cycling, hiking, skiing, rowing, golfing, gym workouts and many others. The device also allows you to select the data screens needed just in case the listed activities don’t include a personal preference.
It also packs quite a number of sensors which include a heart rate monitor, barometric altimeter, motion sensor, WiFi, Bluetooth and many more. This shows the great potential the device has for the future when its core software is updated. Also, the Connect IQ store allows for more apps for the smartwatch which currently include games.
There are useful metrics built-in to the watch such as the sunset times that are based on the wearer’s location. This assists greatly in activities such as hiking as it correctly informs users of the best times too, erect a tent before it becomes dark.
Activity Tracking Capability
Garmin’s activity tracking function has been on offer for years providing users with confidence in this feature. The sleep and step tracking run automatically and only require the watch to stay on. Battery power consumption is also not a major concern to the effective activity tracking function. However, the size of the Fenix 3 HR is the challenge, especially for sleep tracking as the device’s bulkiness needs getting used to.
Notification Delivery
Synchronizing the Fenix 3 HR with your smartphone is easily doable via Bluetooth and this also does not significantly affect the battery in either of the devices. The current restriction to enjoy this function is that you need to turn on location services on your phone. This can definitely have adverse effects on the phone’s battery.
Enabled notifications when the devices are connected include alerts for messages, calls as well as WhatsApps. The Fenix 3 HR also enables users to read the messages and to conveniently switch off notifications in case they may be disruptive.
The Garmin Fenix 3 HR App
Garmin’s Connect app has been used by all its devices for quite a bit of time now. The tech firm also has the Connect IQ store which has been running for a long period and offers useful and fun applications by Garmin and its device’s users. One such app in the store is Back To The Future that is a gravity game using watch sensors to act as a controller.
The Connect app offers users data on their last workout sessions as well as activity and sleep stats. In-depth analysis is also available for information such as heart rate spikes in connection to altitude. Garmin could do better with the app because, as it is right now, with all offerings crammed together, the platform can be overwhelming. It would be better if the firm could make it customizable thereby accentuating its appeal to users.
The Fenix 3 HR Battery life
The battery performance is commendable on the Fenix 3 HR. The producers say that the charge will last two weeks when operating in smartwatch mode, 16 hours on GPS mode purely while UltraTrac training mode is sustainable for forty hours. The battery life is also not adversely affected by having the WiFi or Bluetooth on. It can run for a week when the GPS is used a couple of times alongside notifications and activity tracking.
The device comes with a USB charging cradle and has four charging pins on its back side. This friendly charging unit allows the use of most computers and plugs.
Conclusion
The Garmin Fenix 3 HR is an all round winner among GPS watches that is also a very capable smartwatch. It’s a rugged and long lasting device with a dependable battery and resourceful activity tracking capability. Its chunkiness may be detrimental to it gaining day to day popularity but this isn’t a deal-breaker. There is still so much it has that beats the competition and it fully meets its sports tracking purpose.
