Garmin Southern Africa recently announced the fēnix 5 Plus series, its next generation of GPS multi-sport watches with built-in routable topographical maps, storage for music playlists, Garmin Pay™ contactless payment ready solution and wrist-based Pulse Ox Acclimation for blood oxygen saturation awareness. Like other fēnix 5 watches, the fēnix 5S Plus, fēnix 5 Plus and fēnix 5X Plus are built for athletes and adventures of all sizes. These rugged, yet premium crafted watches, range in size from 42-51mm and all boast a bright, sunlight readable display. The fēnix 5S Plus features a 1.2-inch display, which is almost a 20% increase over the fēnix 5S, meaning users don’t have to sacrifice screen size for a watch fit for smaller wrists.
The fēnix 5X Plus is Garmin’s first wearable to offer a wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor for blood oxygen saturation awareness. The Pulse Ox Acclimation sensor can be utilized to keep the user aware of their blood oxygen saturation levels, which helps to stay safe when adjusting to higher altitudes. On strenuous climbs, the user can stop and take a reading of their body’s oxygen levels to assess how well they’re adjusting to the thinner air.
“We are thrilled to bring exciting new features to our most popular outdoor GPS wearable series,” said Mathys Thompson, Outdoor Product Manager GSSA. “We’ve added some of our most sought-after features like 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 even greater heights.”
Featuring wrist-based heart rate and all of the multi-sport and smart connectivity features of the previous fēnix 5 models, each of the watches in the Plus series will also include built-in map data optimized 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. First introduced in our premium cycling computers, the Trendline™ popularity routing feature will use Garmin Connect™ data to help users find and follow the best trails and running routes based on millions of kilometres logged by previous Garmin users. Runners can feel more comfortable knowing they are following a trail that is popular with other runners and cyclists in the area.
The fēnix 5S Plus, fēnix 5 Plus, and fēnix 5X Plus will also allow you to listen to your favourite playlist, without needing your phone. It allows on-device music storage of up to 500 songs and to download offline playlists from select music streaming services like Deezer and more, or transfer music from a computer directly to the watch. Once the playlist is loaded, simply pair the device with compatible Bluetooth® headphones (sold separately) and start listening. All sizes of the Plus series will also include Garmin Pay, a contactless payment solution, meaning fēnix Plus wearers can leave their cash and credit cards at home, but still be able to grab a beverage or bite after a long day on the mountain. Utilizing their Garmin Pay wallet, users have the same rewards and benefits of the physical cards, with the convenience of having them right on the wrist.
For ambitious athletes, the fēnix 5 Plus features ClimbPro, a new feature that allows trail runners and cyclists who like to train in hilly areas, gain better awareness of their environment and their
performance during climbs. ClimbPro analyses the elevation profile of a course and detects all relevant climb sections. During the ride or race, the athlete knows, at any time, how far he or she is
from the next climb and how hard the climb will be. The feature shows the average incline, the distance and the remaining elevation to climb, so that athletes can gauge how best to manage their
power. On top of this, each fēnix 5 Plus model is packed with sophisticated 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 fine-tune form. Training status automatically evaluates recent exercise history to let users know if they’re over-training, maintaining or peaking.
The fēnix 5 Plus series is Connect IQ compatible, so users can customize their watch with widgets, data fields, watch faces and apps. When paired with a compatible smartphone, users can get call, text and email notifications right on their wrist. Additionally, users can customize the look of their watch with QuickFit® bands. Simply swap a silicone band for a leather or titanium strap, no tools necessary. New colours of the QuickFit bands have been added to the Plus series including but not limited to frost blue, seafoam, and solar flare orange.
Every fēnix 5 Plus watch features multi-network satellite reception, now including Galileo, to track in more challenging environments than GPS alone. This is particularly helpful when adventuring in places without a clear view of the sky like deep canyons or urban environments.
Constructed with premium-grade materials, the fēnix 5 Plus series is built tough for challenging environments. Available in two distinctive finishes, 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 solar flare orange silicone band. Each version features a full-colour Garmin Chroma Display with LED backlighting to assure sunlight readability and is water-rated to 100 metres. The fēnix 5S Plus can get up to 7 days in smartwatch mode, up to 11 hours in GPS mode and up to 4 hours in GPS and Music mode; the fēnix 5 Plus can get up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, up to 19 hours in GPS mode and 8 hours in GPS and Music mode; and the fēnix 5X Plus can get up to 20 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, up to 33 hours in GPS mode and 13 hours in GPS and Music mode. Users can also take advantage of the UltraTrac™ power saver mode to extend battery life even more.
The fēnix 5 Plus series will have suggested retail prices ranging from R13499.00 to R13999.00.
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