I don’tthink I am saying anything earth-shattering by stating that we were all looking forward to .
the new release of the Fēnix series.
. Garmin Fenix 6 had come out in 2019, and in 2020 the collection was enriched by the Solar model.Many expected Fenix 7 as early as 2021, but as far as I’m concerned, I don’t see the need to necessarily update models every year. And then a few more months of waiting also allows you to see what the competition is doing and what the market needs are, but after about three years it really was time.
We find again the three classic sizes of the Fenix series – 42, 47 and 51 millimeters in diameter – and three different fittings: Standard, Solar and Sapphire Solar, which adds solar charging functionality (a dedicated widget constantly monitors the level) and sapphire glass. In addition, dozens of color and material variations, for a total of 22 different models. I’ll say it now so we can get it out of the way: all 22 models have topographic maps, you can sleep soundly, in the Standard and Solar versions you can choose the region to download, while in the Sapphire Solar model they are all preloaded.
The object
The first thing that jumps out at me is the quality of all the construction details and materials: the Fenix 7 is a beautiful object to hold, beautiful to wear. Despite being a bulkier device than mine (Garmin Forerunner 945 ed.) I immediately find a good feeling on my wrist. It remains a bit of a heavy object for my taste, but the materials in the case definitely pay for a few extra grams and, more importantly, justify it.
The strap uses Garmin’s now-proven QuickFit, which allows it to be replaced in seconds without the need for any tools (it is also very convenient for thoroughly cleaning the watch).
Then there is a little tidbit that I particularly appreciated: the start/stop button has a side protection that prevents it from being pressed accidentally. While in everyday use it is really rare for this to happen, for people like me who do a lot of trail riding it is instead one of those little my- plus-less things. Thank you, Garmin!
Finally, my designer’s eye cannot fail to note with delight the decision to move to the four ends of the shell the screws present on the bezel in the previous model: the eye wants its share, too.
The Fenix 7 is (finally) a watch with the ability to be operated through the touch-screen as well. Sportwatch purists will turn up their noses a bit, but – trust me! – if you wear it 24/7 like I do, you will definitely thank for this feature. Touch is still disabled by default during activity, of course everything is customizable via menu.
The X version (the larger one with the 51 mm case) then has the lovely flashlight: a small light that flashes automatically while running, based on the movement of the arm and can also act as an emergency light. Mr. Garmin let’s then make this flashlight also put it in 42- and 47-millimeter case versions so we’re all happy? Come on. 😉
On the road
As soon as the activity starts, all satellites are locked on in a matter of seconds-I have tested many Garmin products and none have ever been this fast. That’s good! I regain the same speed at the end of the run, while still flashing “saving” on the display I am already receiving notifications from Garmin Connect and Strava. The third and final joy is track cleaning: the multi-GNSS support implemented on Fenix 7 and Epix seems to make a real difference amidst the buildings of a city like Milan (I did not find any particular improvement among woods and mountain trails, however).
Battery
In my tests I always stress the battery to the maximum. I do this because I use my sportwatch every day, all day: while it is true that I am interested in how many hours of GPS it can hold in a race (at least equal to how many hours my legs can hold and a little more) I am also interested in being able to use it daily with all the smart notification active, I’m interested in having a watchface with my heartbeat always visible, I’m interested in listening to podcasts on long Sundays (indeed in the Long Sunday).
It is certainly no secret that battery life is one of the elements on which knives are crossed with the competition: even without the Solar version (which, in any case, is a Garmin exclusive) I was able to use my Fenix 7 for 15 days and about 15 hours of activity, with every possible connection active without ever recharging it. I reached 0% while I was on top of Resegone, nevertheless, for me, from this point of view it is definitely a big yes. And then the charging cable-compared to the Fenix 6-is much firmer: again a small improvement that is welcome.
Software
There are so many features, the Fenix is definitely the ultimate Garmin outdoor device: from golf maps to skyview maps, from surf features to waypoint display on a map, from cross-country skiing and MTB dynamics to compass and barometric altimeter. If I have to dwell on a software innovation, though, it is definitely the Stamina feature, which I promptly included as a screen in my running activity profile. Stamina is, in a nutshell, a prediction of how much fuel you have left in your legs: it takes (at least) a couple of weeks for this calculation to be plausible, especially you need to wear the device 24/7 so that monitoring is as complete as possible. After that, during the activity, you can see how many miles you are still able to travel if you keep the pace constant: clearly if you increase the pace your range will go down and vice versa.
On my birthday I thought it would be a good idea to do a 42-kilometer run, I was not very trained and in fact Stamina told me I would last 31 kilometers. Was he right? He was right, and in the 32nd I broke out. I did say, though, that Stamina calculates the fuel in your legs, not how hard your head is: the truth is that I ran the remaining 10 km as well, because when your body gives up on you, it’s the mental training that makes the difference, and most importantly, thanks to Stamina I knew I was going beyond my limit.
Another great little software innovation: now all possible customizations you can conveniently manage from the Garmin Connect app and then send them to the device. I admit to being a traditionalist and making a few substantial changes the first day and then that’s it, but I’m sure the tamarack tuning nuts who change a watchface a day will go crazy. It is of course possible that we will also find this feature on other new Garmin models in the future, while it appears that no retroactive release is planned.
I’ve been wearing the Fenix 7 for about six weeks with some satisfaction: I’ve been running in the city with it, I’ve been running in the mountains with it, I’ve been biking with it. I saw that it also has the padel activity profile but I am not ready for such risky activities yet.
Would I buy it? Would I not buy it? It is, as always, a very personal choice: I know people who always buy the new model as soon as it comes out and then don’t even know how to set the alarm clock, there are professional athletes who have had the same device for ten years and wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. Let’s say that if – like me – you’re lucky enough to have a Forerunner 945 or a Fenix 6 Pro certainly a Fenix 7 doesn’t change your life (although I admit I would very much like the Stamina feature and the flashlight), but if you have any older or lower segment model my advice is to try it out: you can feel the difference.
My favorite version is definitely the Solar one with a 47 mm case. I’m not particularly interested in the Sapphire model because I think the Gorilla Glass already does a great job, so it seems like a good compromise. It must be remembered, however, that the sapphire glass in the Sapphire version is extremely durable and highly recommended for those who are afraid of damaging the screen. Corundum-a mineral of which Sapphire is a variant-offers greater impact resistance, in fact Sapphire models are recommended specifically for trail runners.
Find all models on the Garmin website in a price range of €699.99 to €999.99. Ok, you can go up to 1,199.99€ if you choose the model with titanium strap, however then don’t complain if it is too heavy and your PB on 10k suffers ;)
For info:
garmin.com