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Thinking of getting a a fenix, and trying to decide which one to get. The 5 is 320 quid, I can get the 5x for 400, or 330 refurbished.
As far as I can see the only difference is the maps, which whilst maybe useful I'm not sure would ever provide an advantage over Google maps on my phone (or am I missing something here)
So is the x worth the extra 80 quid? Or is a refurb with considering. What kind of condition do they tend to be cosmetically?
Ta
5X noticeably bigger if you have dinky wrists.
I guess it can vary from item to item but my refurbished 5 from garmin is like new.
Sapphire glass is worth it on the 5X.
Maps are kind of useful if your phone is stashed in a bag & you can download apps & stuff.
I've got the 6x I think the maps are excellent. I like chunky watches though.
Just make sure you give the refurb a good test if you get one. I had a Forerunner 645 Music that started having screen issues. Garmin replaced it with a supposedly refurbished model but the battery life was absolutely abysmal. was only getting a day out of it and that wasn't even with recording an activity. Since replaced with a brand new one and it's been fine (touch wood)
Bought a 5 last year when lots of places were doing them cheap, whilst maps would be nice, it's certainly not a deal breaker.
I managed to plot a road ride on basecamp and follow it on my 5, it wasn't great but it worked.
I don't have huge wrists and so the 5 is plenty big enough, not sure I'd go to an X.
There's also the 5X Plus, which has music support. I've got a 5, and I can't say I've ever missed the maps functionality - I've used it on occasion for navigating while running, and it's fine. I don't use it on the bike as I find the screen's too reflective and a bit small, so maps there wouldn't be much use to me either.
5X is pretty big. I'm Mr Average, and they're pretty chunky on my wrists I don't think it'd be comfy while exercising. I've a 5 pro which has music and maps on it. Music v useful when running, or walking and you don't want to take your phone with or just without wasting batt. life on your phone.
I've used maps on the watch just to check a preloaded route. Moving them about, scaling, or panning left right can take time if your in the middle of no-where, and the screen's pretty small. OK in an emergency though.
i have a 5x plus; basically bought for the sapphire glass. I bash watches all the time...
Not used the music, or the Garmin pay, yet. But the maps I use all the time. Obviously replaced the default ones with talkietoaster ones, and during the lock down, whilst walking and running (from home...), I'm exploring. Deliberately getting lost. Exploring new paths.
The maps are invaluable. Seriously.
The other thing on the 5x plus (at least) is the Climbpro. I find it very useful when running up the hills so as I know how long I'm going to be suffering for. It may be on others though
I used DCRainmaker to work out if it were a good buy. There's a list at the top of the differences
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/06/garmin-fenix5-plus-5s-5x-in-depth-review.html
the Fenix 5 Plus series should likely be called the Fenix 6. It’s got far more features than a mere ‘Plus’ designator deserves, both in terms of hardware updates as well as software ones
I initially had a Fenix 5 which I bought in the sale from Millets.
It worked OK for a month or so and then developed a fault whereby it wouldn't connect to my computer to charge or to load route files onto it.
Went back forth loads with Garmin and then Millets for what seemed like forever before I got a refund.
I then bought a 5X Sapphire from Cotswold Outdoor. The 5X Sapphire feels like a much better quality watch. The mapping on their is good enough to navigate with, no problem and it also gives turn by turn notification.
Given the choice I'd defo go for the 5X Sapphire over the 5.
You may want to compare to the forerunner ( fenix 5 has similar functionality to forerunner 935 )
Seen some pretty good deals on the 5 plus titanium at around the £400 mark. Maps and music and titanium. Win, win, win (add another win if you like orange)