(Edit: Jan 2017 – 5x specs here)
As half-expected <here> it seems that the FENIX CHRONOS really *IS* the hardware for the upcoming Garmin Fenix 4 following the latest leak, this time through appelmoessite.
If you think about it, it makes sense.
This could mean a Fenix 5 at CES on 5Jan2017, and almost certainly Q1.2017. The same source also suggests a diving watch variant on the F5 will be released before the F5 and called DESCENT.
Here is what we believe on the F5 along with some inferences and thoughts:
- There are at least two versions including a more expensive STEEL version. Expect similar form factors to emerge inline with what we have on the Fenix 3.
- New EXO antennae as discussed <here>. A hopeful GPS accuracy boost but the antennae is only part of the story when it comes to GPS accuracy other improvements will come from redesigned componentry inside the watch for example to include shielding and avoiding contact with other inner modules.
- Optical HR Sensor changes
- Component thickness reduced
- Same ELEVATE sensor as used on the 735XT
- Different sensor orientation compared to Fenix3 and 735XT
- Reduced battery
- Smaller size
- Lower life at 180mAh (as CHRONOS) compared to previously at 290/300mAh. This unit taken from the Garmin 630 and so COULD deliver 13-16 hours of in-exercise use.
- Casing
- Maintenance access via screws on the rear, not front (like CHRONOS)
- Thickness of the unit reduced due to smaller oHR and battery
- New Barometric altimeter module
- New 64 colour display (RGB22) which was previously 16 colours. Presumably increased resolution, although the CHRONOS is only 218x218px like the F3. More colours sounds great but IMO better resolution is still required to make it look like a ‘watch with proper hands’…even more than on the SPARTAN (320x300px)
- Faster and more capable processor to support CIQ2.1 apps.
- New Comms antennae for Bluetooth LE and ANT+. Unsure if this contains wifi capabilities for the F4.
COMMENTS:
Perhaps we can look at the CHRONOS now in a different light 🙂
BATTERY: Please do not get carried away with the thought that the Fenix 4 will have a greatly reduced battery life. It might. But don’t forget that Suunto, a much lower-resourced company, has still managed to release two versions of the SPARTAN where the main physical difference is the battery size and battery life – of course Gamrin are QUITE ABLE to do something similar.
So what this means is that if you want a Fenix 4 you can, SORT OF, buy one NOW. Just get a FENIX CHRONOS model. It’s HIGHLY likely that firmware upgrades will make it into a Fenix 4. So it looks like we all got the CHRONOS wrong. It’s not just an expensive F3.
The leaking of this news may come as no surprise. On the Garmin forums I only noted one comment from a CHRONOS owner on the FENIX 3 sub-forum (Chronos does not have a sub-forum of its own…yet). Not too many have sold I would imagine. This revelation MAY WELL boost CHRONOS SALES over Christmas from early adopters.
NOTE: This could simply be a hoax and/or a re-hash of the CHRONOS spec. Please note that I don’t just put stuff up here for click-bait …… because I want you to come back! If I think it is a hoax I won’t put it up. ie I believe this one is correct. Of course I could be wrong.
Here are some existing CHRONOS Features:
GPS, GLONASS, ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass), smart notifications, music control, vibration alert, VIRB, find-my-phone, watch, 10ATM water depth, negative mode screen display, 25 hour ULTRATRAC battery otherwise 13 hours with GPS and 1 week as a ‘watch’, custom POI, 1000 waypoints, 30 routes, accelerometer – no need for a footpod, multisport, all tri features, all golf features, activity tracker, ski features, TRACBACK, SUP,
Here are the January 2017 specs
| Dimensions, weight and performance | |
|
Measurements |
51.0 x 51.0 x 17.5 mm |
|
Display size, W x H |
1.2 inches (30.5 mm) diameter |
|
Display resolution, W x H |
240 x 240 pixels; Easy-to-read, permanently switched, energy-saving color display |
|
Color display |
Yes |
|
Negative LCD |
Yes |
|
weight |
With silicone strap: 98 g |
|
battery |
Lithium-ion battery |
|
Battery life |
Up to 12 days in Smartwatch mode (depending on settings), up to 20 hours in GPS mode, and up to 50 hours in UltraTrac  |
|
Water resistance |
10 ATM |
|
GPS-enabled |
Yes |
|
GLONASS |
Yes |
|
High-sensitivity GPS receiver |
Yes |
|
Barometric altimeter |
Yes |
|
Electronic compass |
Yes |
|
Smart notifications (displays email, SMS, and other alarms when paired with your compatible phone) |
Yes |
|
Vibration alarm |
Yes |
|
Music features |
Yes |
|
Find my phone |
Yes |
|
VIRB® operation |
Yes |
|
Functions of the watch |
Time (12 or 24 hour format), calendar (day / date), daily alarm, stopwatch, timer, alarms for sunrise and sunset |
| Cards and memory | |
|
Integrated memory |
12 GB |
|
Custom POIs (additional POIs can be loaded) |
Yes |
|
Waypoints |
1000 |
|
Routes |
30 |
|
Track recording |
10,000 points, 100 stored tracks |
| Running functions | |
|
Virtual Pacer |
Yes |
|
V02max estimation |
Yes |
|
Recovery Council |
Yes |
|
Runtime forecast |
Yes |
|
Running efficiency |
Yes |
|
Acceleration meter (calculates the distance for indoor trainings without a running sensor being required) |
Yes |
|
Personal records |
Yes |
| Wheel drive functions | |
|
Compatible with Vector |
Yes |
|
Several bike profiles |
Yes |
|
Speed / cadence sensor |
Yes (optional) |
| Running and cycling functions | |
|
Heart rate monitor |
Yes (on the wrist) |
|
Virtual Partner® (training against a virtual person) |
Yes |
|
Virtual Racer |
Yes |
|
Route function (you can transfer and follow the routes) |
Yes |
|
Auto Pause® (Stopwatch is stopped automatically, eg when you stop at a traffic light) |
Yes |
|
Auto-Lap® (automatic start of a new round) |
Yes |
|
AutoScroll (Automatically display data during training) |
Yes |
|
Multisports |
Yes |
|
Automatic multi-sport (changing between sport modes by push-button printing) |
Yes |
|
Advanced training (Create your own, goal-oriented training units) |
Yes |
|
Pace alarm (If you deviate from the set pace, an alarm is triggered) |
Yes |
|
Time or distance alarm (When you reach a preset value, an alarm will sound) |
Yes |
|
Interval training (place training and pause interrupts on) |
Yes |
|
Heart rate based calorie calculation |
Yes |
|
Calculation of calorie consumption |
Yes |
|
Training Effect (effect of activity on aerobic fitness) |
Yes |
|
Display views individually customizable |
Yes |
|
Compatible with performance meters (display performance data from compatible third-party ANT |
Yes |
| Swimming functions | |
|
Swimming pool functions (lanes, distance, pace, number of trains / train number, calorie consumption) |
Yes |
|
Swimming pool identification (eg crawl swim) |
Yes |
|
Open water swimming functions (distance, pace, number of trains / train, calorie consumption) |
Yes |
|
Swimming training |
Yes |
| Golf activities | |
|
Impact measurement (calculates the exact distance for shots played on the pitch) |
Yes |
|
Distance to the front, middle and rear area of the green |
Yes |
|
Distance to Layups / Doglegs |
Yes |
|
Digital Scorecard |
Yes |
| Outdoor functions | |
|
Hunting and fishing calendar |
Yes |
|
Sun and moon calendar |
Yes |
|
Area calculation |
Yes |
| Activity functions | |
|
Step counter |
Yes |
|
Automatic target (learns how active the user is and assigns a one-day goal steps) |
Yes |
|
Inactivity bar (displayed on the device after a period of inactivity, walking a few minutes to reset the display) |
Yes |
|
Sleep monitoring (monitors the entire sleep time and times of movement or quiet sleep) |
Yes |
| Garmin Connect |
|
|
Compatible with Garmin Connect |
Yes |
|
Automatic synchronization (automatic transfer of training units to the computer) |
Yes |
| Additional | |
|
Additional |
Maps: pre-installed topographic maps and bicycle maps as well as maps of more than 40,000 golf courses worldwide
Support Connect IQ EXO WLAN: Yes (only Saphir versions). ANT + ®: Yes (all versions). Bluetooth ®: Low Energy (all versions). RoundTrip Routing (Running): Yes Lactate threshold: Yes Pre-installed Garmin bicycle cards: Yes RoundTrip Routing (cycling): Yes Training Effect 2.0 (measures the effect of activities on your aerobic and anaerobic fitness): Yes Training load: Yes Training status: Yes Severe weather warnings: Yes UltraTrac: Yes Support of tempe TracBack: Yes Skiing: yes Physiological data: Yes SUP / Rowing: Yes Run sensor: Yes (optional). |