Fenix 7 Sensor Glass Durability?

Another fun fact: with a loop strap you can even wear your Garmin around your ankle. Why would one want THIS? Easy: if you want to wear a real watch (by my definiton above). I actually did that more than once so I could wear a watch matching a suit and still felt the need to get metrics. In this case stress history was the metric I wanted and not surprisingly for a good reason as I observed later.

I just had a very carful look at my sensor glass again with a magnifiing lense. No scratches so far. I use - and realy use the watch for half a year now. But than: I did the experiment with the nylon loop strap on my former TacDelta already and thus used the loop strap on T7 almost right from the start. That works in fact as a safe guard since you never open it and either it supports the housing in an 60 degree position or lays between sensor and ground. I would find it it annoying too if there add up scratches so fast and I had no idea how I would have inflicted them to the glass.

As you say: time will tell...And statistic is always important for diagnostic conclusions. All those who might have scratches should report, if they experience impacts to their data accuracy, that might help or reassure how to assess this.

I’m relieved to revisit this thread and discover your considered reply, correcting our errors of judgment and setting the record right for Garmin.

There was an opportunity to reply with your opinion and set down your thoughts on the matter with a structured argument. Instead, you’ve quoted others and laced your prose with    sarcasm and an unabashed superiority.

Hot tip - if you are starting a sentence with I don’t mean to offend and then plough on anyway, chances are that’s your aim. I don’t know why people can’t just respectfully swap their thoughts on the new watch model. Is it the safety of anonymity that fires up your courage?

The thread does what it says on the tin. Glass sensor durability. Pretty simple enough. I don’t mean to offend, but is there something we can all do to provide the structure you crave?

The glass sensor is touted as being more durable than than the coated resin predecessor. For those commenting here, that has not been the case. It’s a worthwhile conversation and the cost of the watch warrants some concern. Don’t fret - Garmin’s product team is unlikely to give such weight to our experiences.

I think you need to learn to disagree in forums with respect. People can hold different views and have different experiences with their purchase without a self proclaimed messiah and single high court judge laying down the law. 

I've had my F7XSS for almost a year now. I've used a nylon band for the most part. I, too, have a scratch on my HR sensor glass. It's not jaw-dropping huge, but it is easily noticeable for sure. No idea how it got there.  Garmin told me that a scratch like this doesn't affect the sensor readings. So far, I think that's true.  So yes, it is super annoying to see a scratch there, but it still works fine. I try not to think about it. 

Might be worth mentioning that I also own the Samsung Watch 5 pro and other Samsung / Apple watches. In my personal experience I have not experienced scratches on the heart rate sensors on any of these watches. That leads me to wonder if the sensor durability issue is very much a Garmin thing, and that it can be easily improved if they use the same type of sensor glass materials as Samsung / Apple.

Do others have any experience to share comparing sensor glass durability with other brands? 

For me Fenix 3, 5, 6 and 7 all Sapphire, since inception and still have all of them. They have all been worn 24/7 until the new model came along and used daily for activities such as Surfski paddling from the beach, road cycling and mountain biking on sand tracks. The only time they’re taken off is for charging. Always used metal bands or silicon, I now use the steel band from my Fenix 5 with the 7 as I don’t have issues with HR sensor accuracy and I don’t baby the watches, not even when new, they are activity watches after all. Fenix 3 was not an HR version and the bezel is a bit beaten up in terms of costing integrity but the glass is pristine. On the 5, 6 and 7 all glassware and sensor covers are pristine. Bezel and titanium wristband on the 6 have some light scratches as does the black DLC coated steel band from the 5. Considering the use, I’m impressed by how well they stand up to constant use in aggressive environments.