I need to replace a busted 920XT.
Mainly for training and racing. May where daily but I wore my 920 daily so its not a big concern for it to look like a normal watch.
Other than cost, one difference I see between the 935 is all plastic and hence lighter while the Fenix 5 has some steel in its body and is hence heavier. Anyone with the Fenix 5 find the extra bulk annoying when training or racing?
Also the Fenix has the quick change strap but I dont see this as a huge plus.
I went Fenix 5. I just found the look and feel of it to be worth the money. I have done a 70.3 with it, and a chunk of training, and don’t really notice any weight or bulk compared to the 920 it replaced. The quick change strap is actually a really nice feature, takes two seconds to swap.
For me, I did want a watch that was a little more “normal”, which was a driving factor. If you don’t value that, the 935 might be calling your name.
In the simplest terms, the fenix 5 is the fashion version of the 935. Technically and functionally, they are pretty much the same (with the 5/10 ATM difference). The major differences are aesthetics for a $100 premium.
I need to replace a busted 920XT.
Mainly for training and racing. May where daily but I wore my 920 daily so its not a big concern for it to look like a normal watch.
Other than cost, one difference I see between the 935 is all plastic and hence lighter while the Fenix 5 has some steel in its body and is hence heavier. Anyone with the Fenix 5 find the extra bulk annoying when training or racing?
Also the Fenix has the quick change strap but I dont see this as a huge plus.
Any other considerations? Help me decide.
Based on what you have stated, I think you are who the 935 has been built for. You wear your 920 as a daily wearer, so the nicer appearance of the Fenix is not really a factor. Functionally, they are very similar.
I have a Fenix 3 and intend to get a Fenix 5 because I like the look of it and wear it for training/racing/everyday. The bulk doesn’t bother me, but I have never had a 920 to compare it to.
My wife has a 920 but only wears it for training.
If I were in your situation, I’d save some cash and go for the 935 and get everything you are looking for in a triathlon watch.
I tried both and ended up keeping the F5.
They are exactly the same watch except the 935 is noticeably lighter and uglier - there is a big gap between the bezel and the screen making it look like a tiny face in a huge head. For me, wearing it all the time, the looks mattered. If you don’t care about looks definitely go with the 935
I was a 920xt owner who wore it daily and just upgraded to the 935 and have also been wearing it daily. I was weighing the Fenix 5 but couldn’t justify the extra $. So far I am very happy with my choice. The only thing that I have had small issues with is the optical HRM (which was a big reason for my purchase, so slightly frustrating) but I believe Fenix 5 has the same HRM so I think the issues would be consistent.
I went with the 935 and wear it as a daily watch except for when I dive or work on equipment (don’t want to scratch/ break it) and I swap back to my old Garmin 35. I don’t find it “ugly” and like the weight, FYI. The Fenix just felt “bulky”.
I went from the 920xt to the Fenix 5S. As a girl I was worried about size and weight but I find it doesn’t bother me at all. It has all the features and functionality that 920xt had and then some and it is very practical as a daily watch. I wear my always.
I went the other way…I had a Fenix3 HR and liked the functions of the watch but found it to be a bit bulky. Went with the 935xt because it was lighter, and I like the flashy band, ha ha
Piggy backing on this thread because I’m in the same boat you are. I think I am leaning towards the Fenix 5S but I’m a bit worried about battery life. Has anyone had issues with the 5s battery life? Will I be able to use it for a full Ironman being a solid MOP’er?
The guts of the two watches are the same. having come from a Fenix 3 to a 935, I wouldn’t go back to the Fenix. The lighter weight of the 935 is - for me - much appreciated.
Love the Fenix 5 and wear it every day. It looks much nicer than 935.
I came from 310XT, 910XT - No issues with weight while doing Boston Marathon or Sprint/Oly Tris - fits under wetsuit sleeve fine.
Battery life is amazing - often use it for average 2-3 hours of daily training + daily watch use and never need to charge for several days.
They both have great apps - even one for my Tesla which is super cool - can lock/unlock, turn on HVAC, see battery life of car, etc!
I have a Fenix 3 and a 920xt. I run using GPS and have always found the distance given on my set runs from the 920xt to vary by only a few metres over 5-10km. I also find that my pace is pretty consistent if I am running on flat ground. However, the Fenix 3 distances vary by several 100m over the same runs from day to day, and my pace varies by up to 2km/hr even though I am pretty sure that I am running steady. I have checked the Glonass settings to on, but it makes no difference, so personally I’ve been very disappointed in the Fenix 3 when compared to the 920xt. They may have changed that in the 5, but just sharing my experience. I’ve never got round to running with both on at the same time to compare, but I will at some point.
I have both. For triathlon 935 for me. Added size and bulk of F5 affects the wetsuit sleeve removal over it. Software is identical in both. F5 has a higher waterproof rating, ie you can dive vs. swim only with 935.
F5 is twice the weight of 935. I find 935 on my wrist most of the time.
I had everything since FR305. 935 is my favorite.
Went from a 920 to the 935, I found the 920 heavy at times, the 935 is very light and stays in place when running the 920 would slide around a little on me, may have also been that the 920 is larger.
As far as the water rating 5 ATMs is suitable for diving up to 50M which is beyond the depth of most recreational divers.
Went from the F3 to the 935 because I simply had it with having to wear HRM straps for workouts, I prefer to wear HRMs for races only. Loved my F3, that thing was built like a tank, and from the looks of it the F5 must be right on par with it. That said, I couldn’t justify paying $200-$300 more for their sapphire version of the F5. The wifi feature is important to me and the 935 does it all, albeit in a slimmer / lighter package at a significantly lower price point. While it does seem a bit flimsy vs the heavier F5, I have zero regrets going 935 based on value and functionality.
I have a Fenix 3 and have to say I have really liked it. I also have a polar v800 which I want to like (it certainly does a better job with open water swimming) but usually come back to using my Garmin.
I’ve been looking to upgrade as well, not too worried about wifi so it’s f935 vs f5 for me. I was probably ready to go with the f5, but have now read about a potential issue with it not connecting with ant+/Bluetooth sensors too well and getting frequent sensor dropouts. There’s a long sticky thread on the Garmin forum about this… Anyone got a Fenix 5 had any issue? By all accounts the f935 works fine.
