Garmin debuts the fēnix 5 Plus, adds maps, music, Garmin Pay and wrist-based Pulse Ox to its premium multisport GPS watch series
UK – June 18, 2018 – Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced the fēnix 5 Plus series, its next generation of GPS multisport watches with built-in routable topographical maps, storage for music playlists, Garmin Pay™ contactless payment ready solution and wrist-based Pulse Ox Acclimation1 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 Martin Resch, Senior Product Manager Outdoor EMEA. “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 multisport 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 billions of miles logged by previous Garmin users. Runners can feel more comfortable knowing they are following a trail that is popular with other runners 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 services2 like iHeartRadio, 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 solution3, 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 fenix 5 Plus features ClimbPro, a new feature that allows trail runners and cyclists who like to train in hilly areas, to 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 overtraining, maintaining or peaking.
The fēnix 5 Plus series are Connect IQ compatible, so users customize 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 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 a brushed titanium bracelet. Each version features a full-colour Garmin Chroma Display with LED backlighting to assure sunlight readability and is water-rated to 100 meters5. The fēnix 5S Plus can get up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 4 hours in GPS and Music mode;6 the fēnix 5 Plus can get up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch 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 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.
Available in Q2 2018, the fēnix 5 Plus series will have suggested retail prices ranging from £599.99 to £999.99. To learn more, visit garmin.com/fenix.
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. Whether hiking, hunting, trail running, mountain biking, golfing, diving or using satellite communication, Garmin outdoor devices are becoming essential tools for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. For more information about Garmin’s other outdoor products and services, go to http://www.garmin.com/outdoors, www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/garmin.
For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.
1 This is not a medical device; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Ox 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 When paired with compatible smartphone. See Garmin.com/ble for more details.
5 See Garmin.com/waterrating for more details.
6 Depending on settings.
About Garmin
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and fēnix are registered trademarks, and Garmin Pay, Trendline, QuickFit, UltraTrac and Garmin Connect are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2017, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.