Garmin - fēnix® 5X
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 12, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
38
2
"The first lasted me 6 years, and I've had the second for 1 or so."
"I tend to break things but it’s holding up quite nicely. ... I even take it caving, which I probably shouldn’t."
"near indestructible"
36
1
"16 days battery life on my fenix. ... The other aspect I really appreciate about my fenix is the battery life. 16 days or so. With everything I have to change these days (laptops, mice, keyboards, headphones, watches, phones), I appreciate not having to worry about it too often."
"Battery life is super important to me. I do ultras so having 24+ hours of gps is necessary."
"My 43mm Fenix with Dual gps, Garmin live track, always on screen still had juice for up to 20-25 hours of running."
10
1
"Full watch-based navigation and mapping features—found particularly on the Forerunner 970 and Fenix series—include offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and visual guidance. ... For everyday runs on familiar routes, they matter less, but for trail running or hiking where orientation is crucial, they’re invaluable. ... Maps offer extra value for safety, route planning, and are also popular among cyclists and those exploring new routes"
"Trail running so I can load the route onto my garmin and navigate without carrying phone for 50km"
"I love the topo maps"
24
5
"But both fenix and forerunners trully have real running metrics. ... Thus the reasoning behind running tolerance as it would guide me to increase mileage in a safe manner."
"But both fenix and forerunners trully have real running metrics. ... I cant believe the venu 4 does not even have daily suggestions based on pac and only has them based on heart rate. A big no no for a runner targetting an specific distance and time."
"the load tracking and suggested workout feature alone is worth it. ... The battery of data signals you get to tailor and improve your training is worth the switch alone"
6
1
"Also the physical button presses while doing activities is just more guaranteed."
"tactile buttons"
"I like physical buttons on my Fenix personally over a tiny little touch screen - that also has to be backlit and wastes battery."
Disliked most:
1
6
"Sleep tracking algorithm is shit on Garmin compared to AW."
"Sleep tracking on this $1k thing is really disappointing. Way worse than Apple Watch. ... But how Garmin sleep tracking is SOOOO bad is beyond me"
"I use a fenix for activity tracking and an Oura ring for sleep tracking. Two devices is unfortunate, but the oura’s small size, sleep tracking, and readiness metrics are worth it."
2
8
"The discrepancy is much higher for HR than running dynamics. ... I think it is straight up irresponsible to rely on wrist-based HR is you’re using HR as a part of training"
"HR inaccurate at times and often delayed (which sucked during interval workouts)"
"Consistently reads low (l~85 when I check my pulse manually and it’s 140)."
1
16
"chunky edges on my 4.5 inch wrist which is tiny"
"watch is big, heavy etc and few times damaged my wrist also"
"It feels double the weight of my 965 and bulkier as well"
4
13
"many workout functions require a working internet connection via Bluetooth to the phone to operate. ... None of the complex metrics are done on the watch. Not. Even. Close. ... Garmin Connect often requires an active internet connection. It really annoyed me when I owned my Fenix. ... Garmin Connect often requires an active internet connection for many features. I discovered this when I owned one. It pissed me off."
"Garmin’s notification integration with iOS is dogshit."
"Garmins are very behind gw in the smart features department. ... many things which one expect as granted (because they here like 10 years) still must be rechecked."
1
6
"I'm very disappointed in my Fenix for gym (and it sounds like the same fault applies to all garmins) because of the logging of reps. ... When I do a workout it will assume I used the weights I specified, but then it seems to either auto-log reps, which is a disaster for things that don't involve hand movements, and require me to correct them, or assume I did zero and require me to enter the whole lot. ... If I'm doing 60 sets I honestly don't have the patience to manually enter the rep number, so I use a phone ap instead. ... The thing that really annoys me though is that it would be so easy for Garmin to make a tiny programing change and start with the assumption that you hit your target."
"strength training profile is bonked"
"For lifting, paper and pen is still king. ... it’s too fiddly, prone to errors, and doesn’t provide me the same information I get by writing down my lifts & how I felt."
I was a Suunto guy for years, but after my last one got smashed I switched to Garmin, mostly because the Fenix 5 pairs with my Inreach and everything syncs up.
r/Ultralight • So many new watches. Which watch is best for backpacking? ->Yeah I got my Fenix 5X for ridiculously cheap, and it's been great. It even came bundled with 3 Tempe wireless thermometers that have turned out to be pretty useful.
r/Ultralight • So many new watches. Which watch is best for backpacking? ->I like my old Garmin Fenix 5X
r/cycling • Smart watch for a cyclist? ->I wear a Whoop band day to day and put on my good ol fenix 5x with a hr band when I’m out running
r/trailrunning • what fitness watch you all using? ->I purchased the fenix 8 (47 mm) this week, upgrading from a fenix 5 (51 mm). The fenix 8 is remarkably light, with a gorgeous AMOLED display. I’m loving the touchscreen and the incredibly long battery life. My fenix 5 lasted a solid eight years—and could probably go longer—but it’s now down to about a five-day charge. I can’t imagine using an Apple Watch and having to charge it every day. I’d say go with the 47 mm and save a few dollars.
r/GarminWatches • Fenix 8 Sizing/Display Advice ->Also look into refurbished devices. I've seen some refurbished Fenix devices for a decent price. I like the Fenix series for the sapphire screen and the longer battery life. Back in 2021ish I got a Fenix 5X Sapphire for like $200. It's going great. Only issue is after 4 or 5 years of use the charging port contacts are wearing down. Outside of that issue I have zero complaints about it.
r/Garmin • What Garmin ->Garmin Fenix 5x lasts almost a week for me with daily workouts tracked too! There is a wide variety of models worth checking out.
r/Swimming • Stuck with my watch. Want a new upgrade ->I snaked an edit in on you, sorry about that. They're good, but they're the main reason why I recommended going smaller and lighter. I had an old generation fenix, the largest model, and it was impossible to sleep in. A few years ago I got a lightweight instinct and I can wear it a lot easier.
r/Garmin • Need help choosing my first garmin. Want it for well rounded use like tracking sleep, workout, hiking stress..currently vastly overweight 36m-200lb 5ft 10inch just getting back into the gym ->I use my fenix 5x with a powerbank. I put the watch around the chest strap of my vest with the powerbank in a mesh side pocket (salomon vest). Works like a charm.
r/Ultramarathon • Best watch for 100 miler? ->I have a Fenix 5x going on 5 or 6 years now. I love it for various reasons, originally bought it for the GPS and maps. I use it track fencing workouts with the generic cardio workout. Basically captures heart rate data
r/Fencing • Fitness tracker for fencing? ->I use both. The AWU2 is my daily driver for the ease of use and find my iPhone. Whenever I head off on my multi-day/week outdoor adventures I switch to the Garmin Fenix 5X for the battery life and offline topo maps.
r/AppleWatchFitness • Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin Why? ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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