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
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?
- The fabulous battery life of the Garmin Enduro.
- 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?
- AMOLED display with crisp colors, a high contrast and a deep black (very trendy in smartwatches).
- Touch screen in addition to the buttons (I guess this should be a wish of many lifestyle users).
- LTE analogous to the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE (for emergency calls, LiveTrack etc.).
- More powerful solar module (as standard on all models, for ultimate runtimes).
- Fourth generation Elevate heart rate sensor.
- ECG function as with the Apple Watch (also a current smartwatch trend).
- Further and improved Firstbeat functions (e.B. running power and daily training suggestions analogous to the Edge 1030 Plus).
- and… and!
End speculation mode – Let’s be surprised what a possible 2022 fenix will offer!
- Solar-powered multisport GPS watch with large 1.4” display (36% larger than previous fēnix models) uses the sun’s energy to extend battery life and assure more on-wrist time for your off-grid activities
- Enhanced estimated wrist heart rate and Pulse Ox to support advanced sleep monitoring and altitude acclimation at high elevations (this is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition)
- Advanced training features include PacePro for grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout your activity plus environmentally adjusted VO2 max and training status estimates
- Navigate the outdoors with preloaded TOPO maps, ski maps for over 2,000 worldwide ski resorts, multiple global navigation satellite system (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) support and built-in sensors for 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter
- Support for Garmin Pay contactless payments (not all countries and payment networks are eligible), music storage with premium streaming service (may require subscription with third-party music provider) support, smart notifications and more
- Internal, rechargeable lithium battery provides up to 21 days of battery life in smartwatch mode with an additional 3 days when solar charging4, and 15 hours in GPS mode with an additional hour when solar charging when used in 50,000 lux conditions.
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
- Solar-powered multisport GPS watch with large 1.4” display (36% larger than previous fēnix models) uses the sun’s energy to extend battery life and assure more on-wrist time for your off-grid activities
- Enhanced estimated wrist heart rate and Pulse Ox to support advanced sleep monitoring and altitude acclimation at high elevations (this is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition)
- Advanced training features include PacePro for grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout your activity plus environmentally adjusted VO2 max and training status estimates
- Navigate the outdoors with preloaded TOPO maps, ski maps for over 2,000 worldwide ski resorts, multiple global navigation satellite system (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) support and built-in sensors for 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter
- Support for Garmin Pay contactless payments (not all countries and payment networks are eligible), music storage with premium streaming service (may require subscription with third-party music provider) support, smart notifications and more
- Internal, rechargeable lithium battery provides up to 21 days of battery life in smartwatch mode with an additional 3 days when solar charging4, and 15 hours in GPS mode with an additional hour when solar charging when used in 50,000 lux conditions.
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:
- Solar yes or no (since the solar module is not so effective in the current generation, in my opinion, it can be skiped)
- 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).
- Premium functions yes or no (absolutely "yes", behind it are important functions such as the possibility to use maps)
- 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).
- 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).
- Purchase price …