RW Reviewed: Garmin Fenix 7
The Garmin Fenix 7 range of watches landed this week, after what has felt like an age of waiting – although it’s actually been less than three years since its predecessor, the game-changing Fenix 6, came to market.
For those who haven't come across the Fenix 6, it was arguably the most comprehensive multi-sport watch on the market (until now, of course), featuring top-notch navigation tools and a huge array of advanced training features, such as Recovery Time Advisor, VO2 Max Estimate and Daily Workout suggestions.
Like the 6, the Fenix 7 has been designed with adventurers in mind, as well as those wanting to get analytical about their training, so they can better their performance.
While we’re still undergoing our comprehensive testing of the new range (check back here soon for our verdict), here’s what we can tell you so far…
There’s three models available
The models available are: the Fenix 7S, Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X, with options for standard (non-solar), Solar and Sapphire Solar editions, with prices starting at £599.99 for the standard. The Solar version is priced at £689.99 and goes up to £779.99 for the Sapphire Solar edition.
There's a new touchscreen
The Garmin Fenix 7 has the same five-button interface as the 6, but is matched with a new touchscreen interface so you can choose between the two – an upgrade designed to improve daily smartwatch interaction and map navigation.
It’s even more durable and robust
Designed for extreme outdoor environments, the watch is made from strong but lightweight titanium, and sapphire, and features metal button guards and reinforced lugs for ultra-durability.
The solar-enhanced models offer prolonged battery life
The Fenix family is famed for its excellent battery life but the solar-enabled Fenix 7X models can go even longer between charges with a battery life of up to five weeks in smartwatch mode and up to five days in GPS mode.
You no longer need to choose between a sapphire lens and solar-charging skills
With the Garmix Fenix 6, users could choose either a model with solar capabilities or a scratch-resistant sapphire lens. With the Sapphire Solar version of the Garmin Fenix 7, you can have both. Solar capability has also been improved, providing double the solar gains when in smartwatch mode, thanks to an updated design that maximises solar surface area.
There’s a built-in torch
The watch integrates a new hands-free quick-access multi-LED flashlight – ideal for night-time running adventures. With running mode enabled, the light will even match to a runner’s cadence, alternating between white and red with each arm swing so they can see and be seen.
It tracks real-time exertion
Arguably the most exciting addition to the Fenix 7 range is a Real-Time Stamina tool, which allows athletes to monitor and track exertion levels during training runs, rides or races. It gives you a live estimate of how you’re exerting energy during an activity, so you can gauge whether to push harder or hold back. There’s also a new Visual Race Predictor feature which takes into account running history and overall fitness to provide race finish-time estimates.
It’ll tell you the exact locations of aid stations
For ultra-runners and adventure athletes, the new Up Ahead feature could be a real boon. It provides exact locations of aid stations, as well as upcoming trails and turns and remaining distance and elevation. In addition, you can also programme it to display performance metrics at defined checkpoints with a summary of the last split, and even programme a rest timer, so you can keep check of your progress and manage your time.
Plus, it’s got all the health tracking features you’d expect from a smartwatch…
The Fenix 7 isn’t designed solely for training, racing and gnarly off-road adventures (although this is seemingly where it’ll really come into its own). Packed with all the features you’d expect from a smartwatch – including smart notifications delivered right on the wrist, contactless payment, wrist-based heart rate and stress tracking – it’s designed to be worn all day, every day. Plus, it'll provide you with Garmin’s usual wellness insights, such as ‘Body Battery’, which tells you how tired or rested you are, Fitness Age and Sleep Score. As with the Fenix 6 Pro, you can also download music straight to watch and enjoy music playlists from streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon Music and Deezer, which come preloaded on the watch.
…and advanced training and navigation features we’ve come to love from Garmin
The Fenix 7 is packed with Garmin’s full suite of navigation features and supports all major satellite systems, along with the additional L5 frequency range for improved accuracy in challenging GPS environments. The Standard and Solar models allow for downloadable TopoActive maps from any region around the world, while the Sapphire Solar models are also preloaded with TopoActive maps for your region.
Plus, Garmin’s optimal training tools all come as part of the package, such as its handy Recovery Time Advisor, which takes into account training intensity, stress and sleep to estimate the amount of time you need to rest before another session of the same exertion.
They're on sale now
To learn more, visit garmin.com.
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