Just received a very very nice Fenix 3 HR as a birthday gift and was wondering if anyone has good tips for how to use this bad boy. It seems super complex and wanna make sure I'm using it to its full potential.

Don't leave the Bluetooth on and you will get about 2-3 weeks on a full charge.

When you do a sync, I do it in the car. For some reason it's a better connection. I guess in the house there are too many different signals.

If you plan on exercising with it, get a hr band (Garmin or polar).

If you want to download different watch faces, do it while plugged to the computer. Download both Garmin watch programs. The connect is the same as the app version. The other really let's to add different faces and such, and change settings for them, much easier than a BT sync connection.

I've had the Fenix 3 since it released, but not the HR version. After owning 3-4 other GPS watches over the years, this is as close as it comes to the perfect watch. I don't have the HR version. I love the fact that they have expanded the capabilities so many times since launch to add in new functionality (paddleboarding, rowing, app functions). That said, I wouldn't count on any new functionality moving forward. They released Strava segment functions for their newest watches this fall and the F3 was on the outside looking in. They did include it in the "livetrack autostart" update this week I'd expect another year of bug fixes then it is probably not going to be updated further.

I personally like the analog watch face that comes pre-loaded. It shows me time, date, sunrise/sunset, and moon phase.

For running, I generally have a screen with miles, time, pace, and HR. Instant pace gets wonky in tall buildings and trees, but is ok. All GPS suffer on trails and in cover, but the F3 seems a bit worse than some others. I think the F3 is a little weak on GPS reception. A lot of people use a 1-mile autolap with lap pace showing. All that said, when I run with other people, it's generally within a percent or so of there distance, and that is honestly more precise than any of us really need.

The replacement for the F3 is coming out next year, (Fenix 5?) and I plan to upgrade most likely. I'd like to have the built in HR and this seems a good time to upgrade if it looks good. The deals on F3 are so good right now, and the F5 will likely be $5-600 though, so I'm not sure it's worth waiting for. There is some leaked data out there now and it looks good, but not revolutionary.

What's the biggest difference between the Fenix 3 and the 920XT?

For me, the biggest difference is the looks. F3 looks like a watch, 920 looks like a watch for a triathlete.

F3 got lots of updates long after launch adding things like modes for other sports, stair count in your daily dog, and a few others that never made it to the 920. F3 also has barometric altimeter so you get better elevation data.

F3-HR has optical HR, whereas 920 only can use an ant+ strap or armband.