Garmin Fenix 2, better than 910xt? (Page 2)

Yeah...I get it.  Some people would use it, I was just poking fun that I wouldn't.

That's pretty funny .  Yeah, wouldn't think it would be a very useful tool there.  Guess you could tell if a storm was coming.  

Hey, if any of you have actually purchased this watch, please post a review. My 205 is way past retirement age (it won't break!) and I'm in the market for a new GPS watch for triathlon.

I presume that you've read Ray Maker's review (and all 1700 comments that follow it?)

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/03/garmin-fenix2-multisport.html

If you're looking for JUST a Tri watch, then the 910 is probably a good choice.  If you're looking for more of a do it all, including tri watch, then the Fenix2 is certainly the most feature laden.  I do fear the legendary Garmin firmware instability.  The other very viable contender in this field is the Suunto Ambit 2.  Very stable and customizable.  Apps for everything.  Certainly worth considering.

I'd suggest going to REI and seeing which one fits on your wrist the best.

As you know I am in the same spot Brian, should be getting a new watch in the next month or so.

Just some flies for the ointment.

REI just sent out their anniversary sale catalog. 910 is on sale for $336. Suunto Ambit 2 is 25% off. 

You may be luckier than I but no one in my state has a Fenix 2 in stock so wrist feel comparison is out the window. 

REI included a 20% off one item coupon in the catalog, but when my wife called a week or so ago they said the coupon would not work for "GPS Enabled Devices". Not sure if that is true as I have not tried.

I guess I will look a little further into the Suunto as it is available and on sale. The price on the 910 is nice too, but I really would prefer something I can wear for more than just training. 

Thanks for the review.

I am beginning to think Garmin and Suunto are somewhat similar to Apple and Android. Android has more features and is more techy oriented, whereas Apple just works and does what you want it to.

Seems like Suunto doesn't have quite as many features, but it is solid and just works. Garmin definitely wins in the features department but if it is glitchy, is it really worth it?

The biggest drawback I see for the Suunto is no Bluetooth so you can't upload workouts wirelessly. Other than that they look very similar. Although the Suunto is a lot more expensive if you want the version that has altitude and temp sensors. 

Awesome swim-run brick That would irritate me. I used my old 205 for a race this weekend and it still works fine, but the battery is starting to go, and it takes forever to lock onto satellites. There are a lot of different models for the Suuntu. Not sure I care about the barometer/altimeter. The Ambit 2 S White is $320 on Amazon.

Looks like battery life is double for the Ambit2 over the Ambit2 S. Looks like the Ambit2 S won't have enough battery to get a slow poke like me to the finish of an IM. 

Found this nice comparison builder feature on the DC website.

Link is for a comparison between the 910, Fenix 2 and Ambit 2. But you can add or subtract as well.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-comparison-calculator?type=watch&ids=27679%2C3086%2C11376#results

Thanks. I just ordered the Ambit 2 s. Should have it by Friday. It was $288.

Awesome, hope it works out for you. 

I have been getting no work done today, been reading and watching reviews on the various options. I think I am going to go with Suunto as well. Too many reports of the Fenix crashing. Saw lots of reports of the original fenix crashing and apparently they still haven't fixed it for the Fenix 2. At the end of the day I can live without bluetooth (apparently kills the battery so would only use it for uploading workouts anyway), running metrics, parachute mode, and geo caching. I would rather have something that just works and does it fast. Apparently the Fenix suffers load times as well.

I want the better battery, barometer and temp sensor so I am going to go with the Ambit2, just have to decide if the sapphire is worth it or not. Ambit2 will be $375 from REI next week, the sapphire takes it to $450. 

Post up a review when you get your new watch!

That's a great price for the sapphire. I'd wear it every day. It can't be any bigger than the watch I used to wear - a 1970 Rolex that weighs about 5 lbs.

Yeah, I got the 305 when it was pretty new, so I obviously don't have a problem with long term watch relationships. I do plan to wear this watch every day so I am thinking the sapphire may just be worth it. I would feel a lot better hiking and mtb'ing with it if I knew it was hard to scratch. 

I thought about the sapphire as an every day watch, too. But I haven't been wearing any watch at all for a couple years now, and not sure I want to start again.

The Ambit 2s shipped, I should have it tomorrow. Which is, naturally, the one day this week I am busy after work. I'll test it in the pool on Friday, and this weekend will be able to take it to the lake. I'll also see how easily it can be set up with a powertap and hrm. I'll give a report either Sunday or Monday.

I received an REI catalog in the mail last week, anniversary sale announcement. There is a coupon for 20% off one full price item. On page 3 or 4 of the catalog it says all Suunto watches will be 25% off. The sale goes 5/16 thru 5/26. 

As I posted earlier my wife called to see if I could use the 20% off coupon on a Fenix 2 and the woman she talked to said the coupon would not work for "GPS enabled devices". So that makes the Fenix 2 $450 and the Suunto Ambit2 Sapphire $450. Think I will go with the Sapphire. With the 25% off and the dividend on top of that, plus the added peace of mind of the REI return policy if the Suunto warranty is no good, I think the Sapphire will be a pretty good deal.

I thought about waiting to see if a new Ambit was going to come out this year. But it appears Suunto has a pattern of releasing in April/May. The released the Ambit2 R this April so I am guessing that will be it for this year. It really doesn't make sense for them to release something in the late summer or fall, so I think it will be at least a year before we see another Ambit.

Looking forward to the review Brian!