Headphone recommendation for fēnix 7 series

Hy!

Currently I'm using my Fenix 7X SS with a Jabird Vista (v1). It had connectivity issues (random disconnects during workout) with my previous Fenix 6X Sapphire since ANT/BLE/BT 6.XX firmware released, however it works flawlessy with other devices like my phone, tablet, notebook... So Garmin has changed something 1,5 year ago in their BT firmware that made the connecting with Jaybird Vista (v1) unreliable.

I'm about to buy a new headphone for running, but I think it would be helpful for every user to see which headphone works stable with the Fenix 7 series.
So if you have a reliable operation watch + headphone combo, don't be afraid to share it.

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0 maglodilevente over 3 years ago

Watch: Fenix 7X Solar Sapphire (FW: 7.20)
Headphone: Jaybird Vista (v1)

Connects fine, but during workout it randomly disconnects in every 5-15 minutes. Music playback stops, headphone says "disconnected" and after hitting play button on the watch, the playback continues.

0 Dan.Boilermaker over 3 years ago

Never had any issues with Bose Sports or Bose Open.

0 cichykot over 3 years ago

I never had any issues with Beats Fit pro.

IMHO the best headphone to run.

I've had Jaybird Vista 1, Powerbeats Pro, AirPods Pro.

0 Duggs over 3 years ago

My Jaybird Vista 2's are working great with watch on Left Wrist... Used to get dropouts on 645M when walking (arm by side) but haven't noticed any disconnects with Fenix7 SS.

Also very quick to connect / change connection to watch from phone

0 maglodilevente over 3 years ago in reply to Duggs

Nice to hear that, because I really like my Vistas and the only thing because I'm about to switch is these disconnects.
Maybe something has changed in Vista 2 and it has a better connection with Garmin watches.

0 lauri over 3 years ago

I cannot test with Fenix 7 yet, since I am still waiting for it to be shipped from Garmin (ordered the day it was released), but I am experiencing sound dropouts with FR245 Music and Jaybird Vista 2 headphones when running. I have never experienced the dropouts with other headphones I have used, which make me think that it is a Vista 2 specific issue.

To answer the original question though, for outdoor activities I can highly recommend the AfterShokz Aeropex bone-conducting headphones. No issues with audio quality or dropouts with the FR245 and since they don't block your ear you can clearly hear the surrounding noises, like approaching cars, while still hearing the music too.

0 scotthunter2 over 3 years ago

I wouldn’t bother using anything other than a pair of budget £30 earbuds from Amazon at the moment until Garmin fix the audio quality issue on the Fenix 7. Music sounds garbage on my AirPods Pro.

0 RichardRiley over 3 years ago in reply to scotthunter2

I'm having terrible issues with my jaybird vista 2 and Fenix 7x. I've ruined at least 2 activity recordings trying to get the two reconnected mid run. Bad experience.

0 DontGetTheSwiss over 3 years ago

Aeroplex work fine but in windy noisy areas they don’t get the job done but best choice I have at the moment as they’re better in the wind than the ones below.

Beats fit pro might be ok but they’re unusable in wind, too sensitive to touch and don’t stay in my ears. Wish I hadn’t bought them. Tried jaybird but could not handle wind. I like the beats wireless but no ANC so similar problems with wind but very stable fit.

Best headphones I’ve used are the Air Pods Pro but they drop out at 10 minutes like the other poster said. Wear the watch on the right wrist or amputate a a few inches off the left arm I guess.

0 RichardRiley over 3 years ago in reply to DontGetTheSwiss

The funny thing about the jaybird vista 2 is they boast about their wind fabric. It struck me when I bought them that I'd have expected that fabric to create more wind noise, not less. And so it has proven. They're unusable if there's a whiff of wind compared to my wonderful technics eaz-60 which, sound better in wind but can't be used for running as they drop out of my ear.