Why You Can Trust CNET Garmin Fenix 3 announced, a stylish training watch with activity tracking, phone notifications
The latest GPS training watch from Garmin is packed full of new features.
LAS VEGAS -- Garmin has had a busy day here at CES. Along with the new Vivoactive smartwatch and Vivofit 2 activity tracker, the company announced the Fenix 3, a multisport GPS training watch that includes various smart features. In addition to being able to measure your steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned and sleep at night, the device features GPS and GLONASS (a satellite navigation system used in Russia) to track your distance and pace while running, cycling or swimming. It's waterproof up to 100 meters, has a color screen with an LED backlight, includes vibration and inactivity alerts and features a stainless steel bezel.
Along with the normal features found in Garmin's running and cycling watches (auto pause, auto lap, personal records, back to start, etc...), the Fenix 3 includes Wi-Fi to automatically sync when you return home and can estimate your VO2 max when paired with an ANT+ heart-rate sensor. Battery life is rated at about 20 hours with a continuous GPS signal, or up to six weeks in watch mode.
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Earlier Fenix models were more rugged, but the Fenix 3 is one of the more attractive sports watches out there. The watch comes in three different models: silver, gray and a premium sapphire model, which features a scratch-resistant sapphire lens. The Silver model has a red strap, the gray a black one and the sapphire model has a stainless steel one, but the bands are interchangeable and Garmin offers a variety of swappable options.
Similar to the Vivoactive, the Fenix 3 can receive calls, texts and email notifications right on their wrist. The watch also supports Garmin's Connect IQ platform, which lets third-party developers create apps and widgets you can use to further customize your device.
The Garmin Fenix 3 training watch will be available in the first quarter of the year. The gray and silver models can be had for $500, or $550 when bundled with one of Garmin's heart rate sensors. International pricing wasn't announced, but the US price coverts to about £330 and AU$620 for the watch and £360 and AU$680 for the heart rate bundle. The premium Fenix 3 sapphire model that includes the stainless steel band and sapphire display is priced at $600 (£395 and AU$740).
This article will be updated with our hands-on impressions of the Garmin Fenix 3 later in the week. We expect to see many more activity trackers and running watches this week in Las Vegas. Be sure to follow CNET's ongoing coverage of CES 2015.