Garmin fenix – Buying Advice – Strengths Weaknesses – How to choose

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Garmin fenix multisport watches for everyday life, fitness, outdoor & sports!

The success story of the Garmin fenix series began in 2012 – the generations in detail:

  • 2012: fenix
  • 2014: fenix 2
  • 2015: fenix 3
  • 2017: fenix 5
  • 2018: fenix 5 Plus
  • 2019: fenix 6
  • 2020: fenix 6 Solar
  • 2022: fenix 7?

How important the fenix series is for Garmin can be seen in the many other sports watches with "fenix genes":

  • MARQ Collection
  • quatix series
  • tactix Delta Series
  • D2 Delta Series
  • Descent Series
  • Enduro
Garmin fenix 6X Pro
Garmin fenix 6X Pro (compass)

When is the Garmin fenix 7 coming? What innovations will the fenix 7 have?

Many users have expected the next fenix generation as early as 2021. However, nothing has happened, presumably because of the chip, components and supply chain crisis.

In the case of a possible introduction date, it is necessary to speculate. One option would be CES 2022 (January 5-8 in Las Vegas). A trade fair where Garmin regularly presents new products!

The same applies to new functions – I can only make assumptions!

A look at other Garmin products, the competitors or the current market trends gives an idea – although from my "outdoor point of view" I would only like to see two essential fenix 7 innovations!

Which Garmin fenix 7 novelties would be important to me?

  1. The fabulous battery life of the Garmin Enduro.
  2. A multi-GNSS & multi-band receiver to tickle out the optimum in terms of accuracy (analogous to the smartwatches Coros Vertix 2, Huawei Watch GT 3 & Huawei Watch GT Runner or the handheld devices Garmin GPSMAP 66sr or 65s).

A special fenix 7 for outdoor activities would be desirable: With the focus on map & navigation as well as (felt) 70% fewer functions! However, I think this is quite unlikely.

What fenix 7 innovations could come?

  1. AMOLED display with crisp colors, a high contrast and a deep black (very trendy in smartwatches).
  2. Touch screen in addition to the buttons (I guess this should be a wish of many lifestyle users).
  3. LTE analogous to the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE (for emergency calls, LiveTrack etc.).
  4. More powerful solar module (as standard on all models, for ultimate runtimes).
  5. Fourth generation Elevate heart rate sensor.
  6. ECG function as with the Apple Watch (also a current smartwatch trend).
  7. Further and improved Firstbeat functions (e.B. running power and daily training suggestions analogous to the Edge 1030 Plus).
  8. and… and!

End speculation mode – Let’s be surprised what a possible 2022 fenix will offer!

  • Herzfrequenzmessung und Pulse Ox Sensor am Handgelenk, für den perfekten Einblick in deine Fitnessaktivitäten
  • Dynamische PacePro-Funktion für die bessere Einteilung deiner Kräfte in verschiedenen Terrains
  • Weltweite Navigation mit Multi-Satellitenempfang und Outdoor-Sensoren
  • Vorinstallierte Skikarten für mehr als 2.000 weltweite Skiorte
  • Wasserdichtigkeit: 10 ATM
(* = affiliate link / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases / image source: Amazon partner program)
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Produktpreise und -verfügbarkeit sind zum angegebenen Datum / Uhrzeit korrekt und können sich ändern. Alle Preis- und Verfügbarkeitsinformationen auf https://www.amazon.de/ zum Zeitpunkt des Kaufs gelten für den Kauf dieses Produkts.

What is the Garmin fenix suitable for?

I don’t really have to lose many words!

For probably every outdoor activity and sport – but also as an everyday watch it cuts a good figure.

From my point of view, the fenix is less suitable for geocaching (lack of functionality), paddling (impractical, a handheld device on the spray skirt is preferable) and gravel biking & mountain biking (the display is too small for me).

After more than two years of fenix 6 continuous use, I have to say: On outdoor tours, the fenix has become indispensable!

What are the strengths and weaknesses of all Garmin fenix models?

fenix strengths

  • All current models of the Garmin fenix series have probably the largest range of functions for fitness, outdoor and sports – among all GPS multisport watches! As a smartwatch for everyday use, an Apple Watch offers more due to its seamless integration into the Apple world, but in my opinion the fenix has all the really needed & basic features on board and is compatible with Android and iOS.
  • Integration into the Garmin world (apps, Connect dashboard, accessories, maps, …)
  • Large variety of models (almost too much of a good thing)
  • Many activities to choose from (now with eMTB, gravel bike, HIIT, …)
  • Extensive connectivity (sensors, smartphone)
  • All important sensors on board
  • Maps (*) and navigation at the wrist
  • Robust & resistant
  • Long battery life
  • Compatible with the Garmin Explore app (keyword "in-app navigation"!)
  • Extensions via Garmin Connect IQ (apps etc.)
  • Continuous software updates (but, see below)

(*) depending on the model

fenix weaknesses

  • GPS accuracy (but a question of entitlement!, e.g. hiking vs. running)
  • Heart rate sensor does not always provide accurate values during activities with ski poles
  • Complex range of functions
  • In the context of software updates, new software bugs cannot be ruled out
  • Hearty price

Which Garmin fenix is the best?

Actually all!

Depending on…

  • Your wallet
  • Your taste
  • Your activities … outdoor, running, biking …
  • Your requirements for the range of functions
  • Herzfrequenzmessung und Pulse Ox Sensor am Handgelenk, für den perfekten Einblick in deine Fitnessaktivitäten
  • Dynamische PacePro-Funktion für die bessere Einteilung deiner Kräfte in verschiedenen Terrains
  • Weltweite Navigation mit Multi-Satellitenempfang und Outdoor-Sensoren
  • Vorinstallierte Skikarten für mehr als 2.000 weltweite Skiorte
  • Wasserdichtigkeit: 10 ATM
(* = affiliate link / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases / image source: Amazon partner program)
×
Produktpreise und -verfügbarkeit sind zum angegebenen Datum / Uhrzeit korrekt und können sich ändern. Alle Preis- und Verfügbarkeitsinformationen auf https://www.amazon.de/ zum Zeitpunkt des Kaufs gelten für den Kauf dieses Produkts.

Buying advice – Which Garmin fenix should I choose?

The current Garmin fenix 6 series is available in an almost unmanageable variety of models!

When choosing the "right fenix" I would proceed as follows:

  1. Solar yes or no (since the solar module is not so effective in the current generation, in my opinion, it can be skiped)
  2. Case size 42 mm, 47 mm or 51 mm (depending on the wrist: delicate or strong; a smaller 42 mm or 47 mm housing has its advantages in everyday life or e.g. for sleep recording; the large 51 mm housing scores particularly well with the extra display area on the map page).
  3. Premium functions yes or no (absolutely "yes", behind it are important functions such as the possibility to use maps)
  4. Materials (in my experience, a fenix without sapphire crystal, DLC coating etc. is completely sufficient; my fenix 6X Pro in the standard version still looks almost like new after more than 2 years of continuous use; besides, sapphire crystal reduces the readability somewhat).
  5. Optics (if you’ve struggled your way through the Garmin configurator, you may come across a model that doesn’t quite meet your optical requirements… so back to the start. That being said, another bracelet can work wonders).
  6. Purchase price

Current fenix tests

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