by tweedledog » Fri Oct 05, 2018 12:03 pm
I've had a Garmin Fenix 3 for a year now. My model does not have a built in HR monitor - you need to bluetooth connect a chest strap or similar - but there is a more expensive version of the Fenix 3 which has a built in monitor. It makes the watch thicker and, I think, runs off its own battery rather than off the main rechargeable.
The watch itself has more functions than there are midges in my garden in summer (well, OK, exaggeration there), many more than I use or need however. I'm not into triathlon, rowing, running, skiing, swimming, et al. Only ever use Walk and Hike really. But they are pretty good and can be tailored in all sorts of ways. All navigation functions that you might expect are here, including the ability to access both GPS and Glonass. I've found it pretty accurate on the whole, giving decent OS co-ordinates and elevations. You can load gpx files into it via Garmin's Basecamp software or via other means. It can be bluetooth paired with a phone (in my case both an iPhone and an iPad) using the Garmin Connect app. This allows your saved activities to be viewed on screen with proper mapping etc.
In practice I don't really use it for serious navigation since I have a handheld Garmin for that, plus map and compass, but it certainly could be used within the limits of what is a small screen area. If you want to check it out I guess you could download the manual from Garmin - it will take you a while to read!
There is the more expensive Fenix 5 as well, but when I bought the 3 I figured that it did everything I wanted anyway.