Your advices / feddback before purchasing Tactix Delta solar

I now have a 6X Pro Solar, but have kept my old 3HR and 5X+ and performed many comparisons of GPS track accuracy. All the watches have improved significantly in the tracks drawn with firmware updates. The 5X+ seems to struggle the most under tree cover, but all things considered I think they all do OK.

But, some people still report terrible GPS performance, even from the 6X. Smaller watches might be worse. Maybe it is a local problem of geography, such as mountains or tall buildings, maybe just a bad watch. I don't know. Indeed, my own 6X sometimes has bad days, but it's not jumpy or particularly wobbly, more just tracing a parallel path beside my exact position.

Here is a trace from today. It is totally usable, but it does have me walking through trees and bushes in places where I never left the clearly visible dust track.

Here is a 6km example from yesterday. Not too bad at all at this level of detail. The out and back track was on the same side of the road and the tracks should be coincident, allowing for the gap from right wrist to right wrist going in opposite directions. 

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If it was my money is hold off for a couple of months to see what the general reaction is to the watch. I assume it will match the 6X Pro Solar, but who knows if there have been some tweaks. Is the new Tactix Solar identical inside to the 6X? Will it use essentially the same software? Will there be a 6X+ this year, or a 7? Is the Tactix Solar based on a newer revision or old hardware/software? It seems the 6X firmware is finally getting close to where it should have been at release, but it's taken a year to get there. If you can't wait for user feedback then I suggest you purchase from somewhere with a solid returns policy. Just in case. :-)

Thank you very much for your feedback ! Tracks seems better than before, even if my tests were in town so maybe it was more difficult for the GPS.

I was also wondering about a new Fenix 7 this year since Fenix watches are released each year... I think I will follow your advice and wait some months to see what happens. I have no special needs for the moment. May be they will include L1, L2 GPS reception or ECG.

I’ve had 5x, then 5x plus, Tactix Delta(lost) and now 6x Solar, before multiple AWs. With all of them the gps tracking was mostly good with some occasional mishap here and there. If you magnify the track a lot there’d be some off the road/course track but I personally don’t care as it has the general tracking route correct. I actually have Delta Solar coming on Monday, will see how that one is.

Oh great ! I will wait your feedback about the Delta solar, I like its look, it is gorgeous on pics ! I hope GPS will be improved but I think it wiil not (same software as other watches).

I tried the Delta Solar today. It’s great if you can live with how reflective the screen is, especially outside. The watch is really well built but I would have thought a tactical watch needs to be a lot more undercover than what having such a reflective screen entails.

The DLC bezel is most excellent and my favourite part of the watch. It weighs a lot though, which will result in worse hr accuracy vs a lighter watch like my 6X Pro Solar. I also wasn’t too impressed with the black nylon band it comes with.

All in all, it is great save for the weight and the display.

NYanakiev7 said:

I would have thought a tactical watch needs to be a lot more undercover than what having such a reflective screen entails.

Garmin says that the domed version is good for tactical missions.

NYanakiev7 said:

I also wasn’t too impressed with the black nylon band it comes with.

What don't you like about it?

Me personally reflection never bothered and I like it as it adds a premium feel to it vs non sapphire versions. ReFlections never interfered with the functionality of the watch for me. Same goes for the weight, one of the reasons I went to Garmin was the fact that I like to feel the weight of the watch, whether it’s sleeping or working out, you name it, never bothered me, otherwise it feels like a toy. My point is everything you get here in response is personal experience or preference. Go with what you like. 

Garmin says....lol

The Delta Solar today isn't domed though?

The nylon band felt cheap to me. Even vs other nylon bands.

Is Garmin Saying why domed version is good for tactical missions ? I don't why Sapphire version are always domed and not flat, flat should be better to add a protection on it, even if Sapphire is tough enough.

It's because domed lenses don't reflect as much light (in any one direction) as a flat lens does. Light reflecting off a watch lens could draw someone's attention. Only important if you're trying to hide from someone... ie, in tactical situations. For people who aren't military, police, or a hitman, it's not really important. It has nothing to do with aesthetics or function, it's purely just for reducing the potential for an enemy to see your watch lens reflecting light at them.

This is the same reason that most tactical operators are trained to rotate their watch to their inner wrist before/during a mission - to reduce the potential for reflecting light and giving away your position.