Do any competitive runners use the Garmin Fenix? So expensive

I use the Fenix 2. Love it, incredible amount of battery life and sustains me through long trail runs. The data and extra features are just cool to have. I did a 100 miler and the Fenix lasted the whole run (22 hours). Also run about a marathon a month with it, usually in 2:50s - just to dispel the 8min mile user thing.

I have the 2 as well. My only complaint is that it is heavy because of the steel and glass instead of plastic like the forerunners. Right now the garmin factory outlet online store has the 2 for $155. The 3 is nice but not worth 300 dollars more

I agree, very expensive, lots of gee whiz features, but since I'm an 8:30 per mile fat old man these days, and because it was a gift from one of my runners, who am I to complain?

Another user of Fenix 2 wrote:

I have the 2 as well. My only complaint is that it is heavy because of the steel and glass instead of plastic like the forerunners. Right now the garmin factory outlet online store has the 2 for $155. The 3 is nice but not worth 300 dollars more

Where might one find this factory outlet online? Google no comprende.

I also have a fenix 2. I chose it over a forerunner or something similar mostly because it has navigation features and long battery life that are handy for hiking and trail running in new places. For day to day running, it is silly overkill.

It's a bit complicated and I don't touch many of the features, but no one made a watch containing exactly what I want and nothing else.

Another user of Fenix 2 wrote:

I have the 2 as well. My only complaint is that it is heavy because of the steel and glass instead of plastic like the forerunners. Right now the garmin factory outlet online store has the 2 for $155. The 3 is nice but not worth 300 dollars more

Great feedback. Sounds like the extra features and battery life may be more useful for trail running.

I have a 225 and a Fenix 3. For road running and most workouts, I use the 225 because it's lighter and has the HR monitor.

The main thing for me, is I wear the Fenix everyday like a normal watch. It's nice because sometimes I forget to bring my 225 to work (I run at lunch) or for a run after work, plus I use it for biking, swimming and as my step counter/activity tracker for my work health benefit thing. So it doubles as an everyday watch, but has all the GPS stuff in case I want to do a run and don't have my 225 with me.

Also, as mentioned, it's great for ultra events. I did a 100K trail run last year and never had to worry about battery life. In general, if I use the Fenix 3 for all activities, I only have to charge it every ten days to two weeks. I am charging my 225 every other day if I use it for training. I take the Fenix when I travel, since I don't have to bring a charger either.

Battery life is great. Versatility is the other.. it covers everything I'll ever want to do.

It also has all the smart watch bells and whistles, which are pretty cool actually. I was not into that sorta thing when I got the fenix, but it's actually really nice. It's not an Apple Watch with GPS.. but close. There are some nice Back to Start features which would be great if you like long hikes in the woods and prefer not to get lost, as well.

Like a lot of people, I went with the Fenix 2 on clearance when the 3 came out. Part of the reason was battery life and other trail friendly features. But I also bought it for its ability to link up with a cycling power meter. I don't ride anymore, but I picked up running as a hobby after retiring from my delusions of a professional cycling career. I like knowing that if I start riding again, my watch has me covered.

I also like that it doesn't look as hi-tech tri-geeky as most of Garmin's pure running models :)