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For those fenix 6 owners considering a fenix 7 but still undecided...

Steve
over 3 years ago

I'm still very much undecided on whether I should 'upgrade' to the fenix 7 (or even the Epix 2).  I have a fenix 6 pro solar titanium (10 months old) in immaculate condition and for the most part I'm very happy with the watch.  As a runner, the multi-band GNSS on the fenix 7 would help improve the sometimes unpredictable instant pace readouts on my fenix 6 and hopefully solve some of the distance/overall accuracy issues too.  The stamina feature would also be an interesting metric for me, although not necessarily a key feature.  So on paper, it's not a huge jump but definitely some worthwhile upgrades if these are proven to be effective.

What has concerned me though are reports of some of the fenix 7 units having spongy buttons, comparatively poor visibility of the sapphire solar touchscreen and even more surprisingly some having a blue, washed-out screen.  My fenix 6 is perfect in this regard with great contrast and visibility with the Gorilla Glass.

So it still seems a bit of a 'gamble' - I'd be interested to know if anyone else is still undecided and what their thoughts are?

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Yes, I've been thinking too and I'm having same watch as you. I think I'm going to wait couple of months to see if there are more issues coming to fenix 7 and/or epix2. And I'm pretty sure that my next watch will be epix2, not fenix7 because of the screen.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    If you're generally happy with your watch and only pace/distance are an issue then how about buying Stryd for your existing watch as a cheaper alternative which will continue to serve you for this watch and the next, and the next.

    Oh, and as for myself, I have a 6X Pro Solar and Stryd and see nothing in the new watches to compel me to upgrade. The best thing in my opinion is the display on the Epix, but I want the same size screen as my 6X, which would also increase battery life (hopefully). As it is I'm staying as I am.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to eezytiger

    I do actually have a Stryd pod but have found this (perhaps oddly with some recent firmware updates?) to sometimes give inconsistent distance and instant pace readings (although this should not at all be impacted by watch firmware?) and then there's the calibration factor for different trainers which I often forget to set before the run Slight smile.  But you're right and I agree, it's difficult to find a compelling argument and whilst the Epix display is fantastic, I'd be a little concerned about the longer term performance and battery degradation.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I'm in the same situation and if I will do an upgrade I will buy Epix 2, because with my boomer-eyes it's difficult to read the display of F6/F7, specially when running with 4 data fields or during swimming

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    On the same page, I have 6X Pro Solar and I like the big screen of X also I like the AMOLED of EPIX 2 so I will wait in case in the future we see a X version on EPIX with 1.4 display

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Hi, having same doubts, I would go for the Fenix as I just LOVE the concept of the transflective screen also aesthetically (I know I know, I am a strage guy... but much prefer a passive screen for a watch as it looks more like a traditional one - while it is OK for the smartphone to illuminate me with its screen Smiley ) but... if it is clouded by multiple layers (touch screen, solar panel, and worstened in case of sapphire lens, as it appears) then my love become much less... I did indeed return my original fenix 6 solar for changin to the standard one only for the better looking display.

    And even if some way I understand the need to add a touch screen at this point in history, it's bothersome to be forced to have the sapphire lens if one wants the multiband GNSS, and impossibility to avoid also the solar panel if one wants the 51mm size.

    I don't understand why Garmin does not get rid at least of the blody 7% efficiency panel over the display and just keep the outer solar ring.

    Also, but this is personal taste, I would have avoided that bronze ring alltogether, and used that real estate to fit a bigger screen, the 47mm could easily have the display of the 7x or even little more this way, and the 7x probably a 320X320 at 1.6" (BOOOOM !!!)

    Additions to this is the decision to use almost-impossible-to-remove spring bars for connecting the straps, and decision fo rthe time being bacame... keep the F6 and wait for part of the SW goodies to come through firmware updates.

    In all this what I reeally miss is the torch of the 7x Slight smile

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Our devices are quite similar F6/F7, so i do not see a feature killer at my side.

    I will run/trail for as long as possible with this beautiful piece of technology "Fenix 6"

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Steve, you must be one of the lucky ones! My partner and I have had our Fenix 6 pro solars for about a year now and endless issues. Garmin have even replaced the watches once already but the replacements are as bad as the original watches. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    New Huawei GT runner seems to have same dual band GPS, 1,4" Amoled, new antenna design for 1/3 price. Ok, but without oxymeter, maps... I'll stay with my F6Pro :-).

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I’ve ordered a 7s to test it and then decide. I don’t need an amoled display or LTE but want good gps/pace. Also annoyed that I can only get multiband gps with the sapphire/solar. Will have to see whether I'm happy with the screen/blue screen/ spongy buttons? But yeah, I can test it so that's fine. And I will compare it with my 6s, and maybe also my old Vivoactive 4s if I somehow manage to run 3 watches at the same time.