3 July 2018

Pay with Garmin's new fēnix 5 Plus outdoor smartwatch series

- The new Garmin fēnix 5 Plus series come in three models

- New family features enhanced mapping and navigation, more storage and cashless payment through Garmin Pay

From left: fēnix 5s Plus (blue band); fēnix 5 Plus (orange  band); fēnix 5X Plus (black band).
From left: fēnix 5s Plus (blue band); fēnix 5 Plus (orange
band); fēnix 5X Plus (black band).
Garmin Singapore has announced the fēnix 5 Plus series, its next generation of GPS multisport watches with built-in routable topographical maps, storage for music playlists, the Garmin Pay contactless payment solution, and wrist-based Pulse Ox Acclimation1 for blood oxygen saturation awareness.
The fēnix 5 Plus series is the latest solution from Garmin’s expanding outdoor segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ outdoor experiences. Like other fēnix 5 watches, the fēnix 5S Plus, fēnix 5 Plus and fēnix 5X Plus are built for athletes, sports enthusiasts, and adventures of all sizes. These rugged yet premium crafted watches range in size from 42-51 mm and all boast a bright, sunlight readable display.

The fēnix 5S Plus is designed for smaller wrists. Despite its size, its 1.2" display is almost a 20% increase over that of the fēnix 5S.

The fēnix 5X Plus is Garmin’s first wearable to offer a wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor for blood oxygen saturation awareness, which is especially useful when adjusting to higher altitudes. On strenuous climbs, users can take advantage of the 24x7 mode option to assess how well they are adjusting to the thinner air.

“Our customers in Singapore will be delighted that we have added exciting new features to our most popular outdoor GPS wearable series,” said Engelhard Al Sundoro, MD, South East Asia, Garmin. “Some of these most sought-after features include built-in mapping, music and contactless payments to each new model in the fēnix 5 Plus series; and with the introduction of the Pulse Ox feature in the fēnix 5X Plus, our customers can now have more confidence taking their adventures to the next level.”

Sundoro introduces Garmin to the audience at the launch ceremony.
Sundoro introduces Garmin to the audience at the launch ceremony.

Integrated with wrist-based heart rate and all the multisport and smart connectivity features of the previous fēnix 5 models, each of the models in the Plus series will also include built-in map data optimised for at-a-glance navigation and location tracking. These maps can be used with the round-trip course creator that allows runners and cyclists to enter a distance they would like to run or ride, then select a route from a list of appropriate courses to choose from. The Trendline popularity routing feature uses Garmin Connect data to help users find and follow the best trails and running routes based on billions of miles logged by previous Garmin users.

The fēnix 5S Plus, fēnix 5 Plus, and fēnix 5X Plus will also offer on-device music storage, up to 500 songs, for phone-free listening. Once the playlist is loaded, the device is paired with compatible Bluetooth headphones (sold separately) to begin listening. All sizes of the Plus series will also include Garmin Pay, a contactless payment solution3. Utilising their Garmin Pay wallet, users have the same rewards and benefits of paying with the physical cards, with the added convenience of having them right on the wrist. In Singapore, Garmin already has a partnership with OCBC for contactless payments.

Each fēnix 5 Plus model is packed with training features to help monitor form and performance. Users can tap into physiological metrics, running dynamics and more to track workout stats, measure progress and finetune their form. Training status automatically evaluates recent exercise history to let users know if they are overtraining, maintaining or peaking.

The fēnix 5 Plus series are Connect IQ-compatible, so users customise their watch with widgets, data fields, watch faces and apps. When paired with a compatible smartphone4, users can get call, text and email notifications right on their wrist. Additionally, users can customise the look of their watch with QuickFit bands. A silicone band can be swapped for a leather or titanium strap, with no tools necessary. The QuickFit bands are also available in new colours.

Every fēnix 5 Plus watch features multi-network satellite reception, now including the Galileo global navigation satellite system to track location where using GPS alone may be challenging. This is particularly helpful when adventuring in places without a clear view of the sky, like deep canyons or urban environments.

Users can choose between a PVD-coated stainless-steel bezel with silicone watch band; or for a lighter material, a high-performing titanium bezel version with brushed titanium bracelet available on the fēnix 5 Plus and fēnix 5X Plus series. Each version features a full-colour Garmin Chroma Display with LED backlighting to assure sunlight readability and is water-rated to 100 m5.

The fēnix 5S Plus can get up to six days in smartwatch mode, up to 10 hours in GPS mode, and up to four hours in GPS and Music mode6; the fēnix 5 Plus can get up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to seven hours in GPS and Music mode; and the fēnix 5X Plus can get up to 18 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 11 hours in GPS and Music mode. Users can also activate the UltraTrac power saver mode to extend battery life.

Chua is wearing the Fenix 5s Plus.
Chua is wearing the fenix 5s Plus.
Jeri Chua, Founder, Red Dot Running Company, an ultra marathoner and also a Garmin ambassador, spoke at the launch about her relationship with Garmin. She has used Garmin devices for over 10 years, and has been very impressed with the fenix 5s Plus. The watch allowed her to self-navigate during a 200km event in Singapore, she said.

"I can't tell left from right. If I'm going in the wrong direction, the watch will tell me," she said. "In 24 hours of running I didn't get lost...You know exactly where you are at any one time."

The premium build has stood her in good stead as well. She shared that the watch has survived heavy wear and tear, including a fall where she landed on it, and accidental impacts against stair railings. "In six months I've gone through several ultra marathons," she said. "The watch has come out unscathed."

Sensors on the underside of the  fenix 5s Plus.
Sensors on the underside of the
fenix 5s Plus.
She also likes the styling, as the watch looks like a dress watch, and added features such as being able to pair Bluetooth headphones easily.

Details:

The fēnix 5 Plus series has the following recommended retail prices in Singapore7:
  • Fenix 5s Plus, Black with black band, S$1,199
  • Fenix 5s Plus, Rosegold with beige leather band, S$1,199
  • Fenix 5 Plus, Sapphire DLC Carbon Gray with black band, S$1,229. 
  • Fenix 5 Plus, Sapphire Carbon Gray, DLC titanium with DLC titanium band, S$1,599
  • Fenix 5X Plus, Sapphire DLC Carbon Gray with black band, S$1,299
  • Fenix 5X Plus, Sapphire Carbon Gray DLC titanium with DLC titanium band, S$1,699
DLC stands for diamond-like carbon, and provides durability and excellent protection, Garmin said. The titanium and leather band options are bundled with silicon bands.

The devices come preloaded with maps for some Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines, and will accommodate other maps (sold separately) as long as there is storage space available - there is about 11 GB of space available for maps and music on the Fenix 5s Plus. The map for all of Southeast Asia is about 500 MB in size.

Explore:

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about the new Garmin vivoactive 3 smartwatch

1 This is not a medical device; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Ox is not available in all countries.

2 May require premium subscription by a third-party music provider.

3 Available for supported cards from participating banks

4 See Garmin.com/ble for more details.

5 See Garmin.com/waterrating for more details. The Garmin Descent Mk1, also rated to 100 m, is a watch-sized dive computer with GPS functionality.

6 Depending on settings.

7Available at Advance Lap, Best Denki, Challenger, Courts, Gain City, Harvey Norman and all authorised retailers.