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Fenix 6 v. Apple 6

Duncan
over 4 years ago

This thread somewhat parallels another thread where I asked about how much of an improvement the Fenix 6 is over the Fenix 5.  I got pretty much every possible response to my query.  As I noted in the thread, the different responses may relate to different uses.  I mostly would want to use the Fenix while hiking, often at altitude of 5000 feet to 14,000 feet.  The Fenix may work much better for, say, jogging or biking at sea level.  All of that said, I am wondering if I would be better off with the Apple 6, notwithstanding the pathetic battery life.  Notably, I otherwise live in an Apple universe, Mac Air, Ipad, Iphone.  I found a nice Youtube comparing the two.  www.youtube.com/watch Each watch has its plusses and minuses, but it seemed to suggest the Fenix 6 was better for more rigorous outdoor activities, partly because of the more rugged build.  But his comparisons were more with sporting activities like jogging and biking, not hiking or backpacking which for me would be the better comparison.  The baseline Apple 6 is quite a bit cheaper than the Fenix, but one thing the Youtube noted is that the baseline Apple 6 is quite a bit more fragile than the Fenix.  By the time one upgrades to the tougher Apple 6 with, say, a stainless steel case and tougher crystal, the prices are comparable.  Any words of wisdom one way or the other?

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    BTW, for most the altimeter probably is mostly a fun toy.  But when hiking at altitude in the Rockies, the altimeter can help one stay on the trail (which, since it is all rock, is easy to get off of).

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Battery life is really the only major issue for the AW6.  It's more than capable for a marathon, in fact it'll easily do one if you do the native workout app and nothing else like music.  After that, it's kind of better at everything vs the Garmin: smarts, HRM, music, apple pay, strength workouts and GPS is decent now and so on and on.

    It's one weakness is battery, but at the same time, the general unreliability of the Garmin infrastructure somewhat offsets this because the watch is borderline non-functional at core things depending on the update.  I will say that I find that I really don't take advantage of as much of the smart capabilities as I might because really it's kind of a mini-clone of your phone.

    Anyways, my opinion is that the AW is better for at least 95% of potential buyers, probably closer to 99% but the Fenix is a niche product so maybe that doesn't matter.

    Also, the AW really isn't that fragile.  I've never scratched one and I have scratched a Fenix.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to DontGetTheSwiss
    DontGetTheSwiss said:
    my opinion is that the AW is better for at least 95% of potential buyers, probably closer to 99%

    Are you saying 95-99% of potential buyers don't need everything the Fenix offers, or the AW is better at 95-99% from what the Fenix 6 does?  Either way, how do you come to those numbers?  I'm curious because myself included, I know 3 people who tried both and all three of us returned our AW's for reasons other than battery life. Basically, because the AW lacked in many areas we found necessary compared to the Fenix 6.  I'm not saying the AW is a poor watch, I'm saying I don't get your figures when the two stand side by side. 

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to OEAGLEO

    So today, I took a hike that I have also done with the Fenix 5.  As I mentioned previously, I found the Fenix 5 to be mostly a waste of money.  The altimeter was useless and the GPS inaccurate.  Some say the Fenix 6 is better, others not.  I already own a Garmin 66i which I find to be quite accurate, and in the interim I have purchased an Apple 6 on trial.  I bought the least expensive 44 mm version, around $400, and spent $10 on a protective case (the stainless steel and titanium Apple 6s cost around double and you have to buy cell coverage--call me crazy, but $10 for a case seemed smarter).  During the hike, I used a GPS app for which I paid $3.  Mileage wise, the Apple 6 was identical, literally, to the Garmin 66i.  At the top, the Apple 6 gave an altimeter reading that was 12 feet different than the Garmin 66i.  By the time I got back to the bottom, again the mileage travelled was identical, but the altimeter was off by around 50 feet.  By comparison, the Fenix 5 would have been perhaps  1/2-1 mile off on the mileage, and hundreds of feet off  for the altimeter.  The Apple 6 is vastly easier to wear for every day use and has a vastly superior interface compared to the Fenix, but of course has a much shorter battery life.  That said, great battery life is not of much use if the underlying data is off.  If the Fenix 6 is really more accurate than the Fenix 5, it could make sense for backpackers gone for more than, say, a long weekend.  Otherwise, you can buy the Apple 6 AND the Garmin 66i for about the same as the Fenix 6.  The Apple 6 is reported to only last 7 hours on the battery if using the GPS.  That is not true if you have an Iphone with you;  the Apple 6 can, as it were, bootstrap off the Iphone.  I left this morning about 9 am with a 98% charge on the Apple watch, the GPS ran for maybe 3 hours, it is now 5:36 pm and the watch is showing a 63% charge.  The Apple watch could be clunky in bad weather if you are wearing gloves (it is waterproof), though there are now gloves that work with touch screens.  Otherwise, the Fenix 6 would have an advantage with its button system (however clunky) in bad weather.  Here is a review of the Apple 6 by the "Hiking Guy," which I mostly agree with.  hikingguy.com/.../

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to Duncan

    If I have my phone with me I don’t bother with a watch, as what’s the point, just pair a HR strap and an app does the rest. Far cheaper approach, proper apps and easy to read screen and far longer battery life.

    Use a watch only when no phone available, the Apple Watch and fenix/forerunner series are great devices and you just need to pick the one which suits your need the most. Both can do very similar things just there are compromises along the way

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Fenix is a sports watch with smart capabilities, AW is a smart watch with sports capabilities that can be added. But smart capabilities and the battery life are really the thing here. How long does your hikes take? If they are shorter than the battery life of AW, continue with AW. Also if you really want a smart watch again, you can continue with AW and a power bank.

    Fenix series are mixed bag product. They're mainly sports watches but with quirks and bugs that some doesn't want to use them due to these. For example, altimeter algorithms aren't good. Each new update brings some function and breaks one or two. They're repaired in the following updates. However, these may take time if you're not a beta software tester.  But they are purpose built and their battery life is awesome for the job they build to do. Their desing is much better than AW. They're solid for the job. They made me problems only one or two times in my activities. The first was a reboot after some navigation command that continued to work normally after the boot. And the second, I don't remember...

    For an Apple guy with short hikes I'd advise AW (if it's wanted for its other functionalities too), that's the best smart watch in the world. But I definitely prefer Fenix series for myself...

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Hi, 

    I have both and it's a tough decision. I am not an athlete or endurance runner, I generally run 2x a week with 2x strength training and swimming.

    Both are good at what they do, AW6 is more polished, has a better interface and a better HR sensor (for me). Fenix 6 is more robust and I like the buttons as opposed to the touch screen during the workouts.

    Overall, I prefer the Fenix 6 because of its looks. I just like a watch to be round instead of looking like a mini-iphone on your wrist. Further I use the training effect calculation a lot which is very useful.

    I anticipate that Fenix 7 will have an OLED screen to compete with the other high end watches. Obviously many purists will start shouting by now, but I think the Enduro will be a watch for long-battery life so they can upgrade the screen of the Fenix which is absolutely behind on its competition.

    Either way, you can't go wrong.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 1742331

    I don't think they'll change the Fenix line into a line with OLED screens, it's risky. Real Fenix users knows what it to have an MIP screen and won't prefer such a watch. But they may create a new outdoor line with OLED screens for the crowd in hunt of OLED hype.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Yeah, as many others have said the two really can't be compared.  The goal is you need to be happy with the money spent and the experience that you get.  This sounds silly, but you should sit down and write out the pros and cons of both.. sometimes this really helps.

    Me, personally.. I can't stand "Apple".  I was a hardcore HARDCORE fan for 14 years.  Owned everything they made and was to the bone a fan.  But, after Steve died, the company really started to take some different turns.  It's not the same anymore and the product range is very stale.  They have become one of the more annoying companies now and I just did not want to be apart of it.  I dont agree with how they lock everything down.   Since I switched to Android 3 years ago, life has been MUCH better.  I then sold off my iMac, and built my own production PC.  That was a real eye opener.  Night and day difference (in a good way).   It was then when I realized what Apple is all about.

    But, I understand why many people love Apple.. and there is nothing wrong with that.  When it comes to the Apple watch.. I think it looks silly, and is no where near what the the Fenix 6 can do, or is all about.  When I see people out in public with that iconic "Apple watch" strapped to their wrist.. it really becomes annoying.. I honestly think it's funny.   

    The Fenix 6 is a really nice piece of hardware that in my thoughts belongs in a class all alone.  It's just amazing.   The fitness "app" on Apple watch is an absolute joke.  Want to create your own custom workouts to follow in the gym?  Forget it.  So, silly.  Garmin, it's no problem and something I use each and everyday.  I feel like no matter what the topic (running, biking, hiking, etc) Garmin has Apple smoked.

    Did I mention the looks of the Apple watch?  LOL.  I know it's subjective and many people think the Fenix is no prize either (I get it).. but, come on.. that dainty, delicate little box on your wrist vs. a nice robust manly fitness tool.  To me, it's no contest.