Related
Options

Early observations coming from a Fenix 6 Pro Solar

seanvk
over 3 years ago

Got a Fenix 7X Solar Sapphire (Ti Carbon Grey) yesterday, really quick delivery from REI btw.  I have an Epix Gen 2 on order to compare.

Hardware

  • It feels very light for a 7X.  Running with it is not a problem in terms of a larger device. Note, I run mostly with an FR945LTE.
  • Touch screen is very smooth and responsive.
  • Display is more reflective than my F6ProS but differences between Corning DX and Sapphire/TouchScreen layers make a difference.
    • Display solar ring is very noticeable.  Distracting?  Not really.
    • Backlight illumination is easily discernible.
  • Bezel / Case / Buttons - look and feel good.  No issues with these buttons.
  • Glass layer depression of the HRM sensor may tend to trap moisture on long runs or overnight if you have it on fairly tight.
    • Noticed some skin irritation this morning.
    • Will keep an eye on it and see if it is reproducible for me.
  • Torch/Flashlight - very cool.  Used it in cadence mode running last night.  Foggy dark night in Oregon, having a little bit extra illumination is a plus.
    • Red light is nice too for overnight hiking.
  • Wifi connectivity is much improved over my F6ProS.  It will sync easily with my mesh router, unlike my F6ProS or my FR945LTE.
  • Heart Rate Sensor is not noticeably different from my FR945LTE (same sensor)
  • GPS accuracy - will be testing that more this week.
    • Need to test Pace without the Stryd.
  • Sensor pairing - Power(Stryd), HRM, Kickr, etc.  All work as expected.
  • Bluetooth pairing headphones and music playback need to test.

Software

  • Stamina - Very interesting feature for runtime feedback.  Need more time with that.
    • There are some Stamina related fields add
  • Messages are reverse (black background, white text).  Not happy about that.
  • UI is responsive and extra drill down ability with glances/widgets is great.
  • Sleep works as expected.
  • Body battery consistent.
  • Stress recordings consistent.
  • Physio Trueup is doing it's job and syncing fine.
  • Structured workout sync from What's Today's Plan and Training Peaks all worked fine.
    • My running coach uses TrainingPeaks.

Fairly happy with the experience so far.  Will also be comparing to an Epix once I get it.

Sean

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    That was a fast delivery, now I regret not buying it from REI... I would've saved more money, and gotten longer return window. Was just too worried about it possibly taking months longer to deliver.

    I got the same 7x Sapphire carbon gray as you. So, good choice ;)

    Thanks for sharing your early thoughts and experience so far. I'd say for the most part I agree with your opinions on it. Overall I'm very happy with it so far. A couple little bugs here and there that need to get worked out still, but nothing major and nothing that substantially affects the functions of the watch - mostly just some minor UI bugs.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Thanks for the nice overview! I am the happy owner of a Fenix, which is the replacement for the previous Fenix 6bsolar that I had returned since the less clear screen bothered me. Now... Curious about the Fenix 7x and all the new features, but really held back by the display visibility which would be impacted not only by solar panel as per my previous watch but also by touch layer (let alone the sapphire lens...).

    How do they compare in full bright day light, and indoors lighting? From some pictures shared in this forum or around the internet seem to be substantially worst... To the point of making the watch quite "ugly" in addition to the worst legibility.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Frankysour

    So, personally the screen visibility is fine to me on my 7X Sapphire. But honestly, it was fine for me on the 6 sapphire too. So if you were bothered enough by the visibility on the 6 sapphire that you returned it, honestly you probably aren't going to like the 7 sapphire, because while I don't think the visibility is substantially worse than the 6, it definitely isn't better. Like I said, it's still plenty good enough for me, but some people seem super sensitive about the sapphire visibility, so just wanted to give you a heads up.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Easy run with Fenix 7X SS (top) and FR945LTE (bottom) easily showed some benefits of the Multi-GNSS.

    F7XSS (Multi-GNSS) / FR945LTE

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Frankysour

    The screen visibility is not an issue for myself.  It's a different display with multiple layers.  I went from Fenix 6 Pro Solar Corning DX / Power Glass to Sapphire + Solar + Touch screen layers.  These are very different and there is more reflectivity and it is not as transparent as just glass.  I feel like it looks fine and it's a tradeoff I'm willing to make for the features and functionality the device brings.  I'm still pending a look at a Epix.  But I really am not keen for an Apple Watch level of brightness with a display that is not truly an AOD based on Garmin's revisions of the functionality.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to seanvk

    Thanks for the answer (also thanks to  ) I guess I'll go take a look at it in a shop or something - in case I am anlemtonfind it... I am a fan of the transflective screen also for aesthetics, don't really like the shine of an amoled, but would much prefer a clear transparent glass. In the end as I understand is just a cosmetic matter, usability seems not impacted, good!