Thanks for the great review. I'm wondering if you had any issues with software stability/crashes and/or altimeter drift so far. These are the two most concerning issues that I've seen on various forums since the Fenix 3 launched. Reviews are so few and far between that I can't tell if Garmin has sorted the issues out yet though. There's also talk of major GPS inaccuracy when under tree cover, even compared to the Ambit 3, but that might just be elite triathletes being nit picky with data and not relevant for hobby/navigational/emergency purposes. Can you speak to these concerns?

This is not a cheap piece of kit and I want to make sure it's problem free before I invest. I really appreciate guys like you posting your experiences. 

Thanks again. 

Hi "Cspanis", I have been using the Garmin Fenix 3 for several months now tracking all sorts of adventures and have not had any issues or problems with the software or altimeter drift. I had it crash once but that was some time ago and since it is updatable each time you download data I would think that the issue was resolved as there have been many software upgrades already.

The GPS has also been very accurate for me in my testing, as good or better than the Ambit3. No drift under trees but I have seen the odd spike when I download the data but again this was also the case with the Ambit2 and Ambit3. You can see an example of that here in the centre of the Garmin Data screen capture:

http://backcountryskiingcanada.....mount-loki

The Fenix3 is pricey so always good to do your research and thanks for asking the questions for all to benefit from, hopefully some of this was helpful.

Please consider clicking the links at the bottom of the review to get yourself a good deal on a Garmin Fenix 3 and also help support this site so we can continue to do what we do.

http://backcountryskiingcanada.....x-3-Review

Thanks!

went through 2 fenix 3's in 2016...both locked up on me...the first watch did it in the middle of an event and the retailer i purchased it from could not get it unlocked...they replaced it with a new one...second one was used in a 13 hour ultra marathon...altimeter out to lunch by 4000 vertical feet in the "auto" setting...yes i said 4000 vertical feet... this watch also locked up on me...both totally unacceptable especially given the price.