It really is a better GPS in the forest. I mainly run trail runs.Is the battery really better? Thank you for the information
It really is a better GPS in the forest. I mainly run trail runs.Is the battery really better? Thank you for the information
Here's the Fenix 6X Pro (non-Sapphire) compared to Fenix 7X Pro Solar (non-Sapphire):
IIRC The F7 Pro series introduced a new higher contrast version of the MIP screen compared to the F7 non-Pro.
In…
Hyvä Sami,
Thanks for the fairly detailed comparison and battery report. I always appreciate long and precise user reviews as yours.
Dare I ask you for additional help like
a) the same sort of picture…
Thanks everyone, since wednesday I am the owner of fénix 7xpro. I can only warmly recommend it, it meets all my uses.
Here's the Fenix 6X Pro (non-Sapphire) compared to Fenix 7X Pro Solar (non-Sapphire):
IIRC The F7 Pro series introduced a new higher contrast version of the MIP screen compared to the F7 non-Pro.
In daytime / inside use I find no major difference between the F6X Pro and the F7X Pro Solar screens. The F7X Pro Solar might have tiny bit more reflection on the glass, when comparing side-by-side, but nothing I notice in real life use.
In night use the backlight on the F7X Pro Solar is much better, being moe neutral in color. With backlight on the screen has much, much higher contrast than the F6X Pro.
Regarding OP's questions:
GPS:
Big difference.
WIth the F6X Pro my GPS recording always had 2-15m offset to the left in hilly and/or forest areas (with watch on my left wrist).
With the F7X Pro Solar I can go back-and-forth multiple times and the recorded tracks will have minimal differences. In Multiband / Auto Select GNSS mode the recorded tracks are very precise and the pace on screen won't mysteriously drop due to some tree cover.
Battery life:
I've had the F7X Pro Solar for two weeks now and have gone through one full and another partial battery cycle. Battery life has been good.
Battery life during activities, with following settings: maps ON, Course ON, Display timeout ON, Phone disconnected, Accessories disconnected:
Haven't used other GNSS modes, but the Power Mode estimates (with my settings):
Not sure if those estimations take Solar in account. Living at 60N latitude with sun currently rising only six degrees above the southern horizon, for less than six hours.. there's obviously not much benefit from the Solar capability right now. Come summer and the 18h long days.. hopefully it's a different case then.
In comparison, during the past 1½ months the ~4-year-old F6X Pro consumed on average 3.11% per hour with similar Power Mode settings, with potential 100% being 32 hours. Though there's quite a bit of variation between recordings, with some being around 2.5%/h, and some over 4%/h. On F7X Pro Solar it's more consistent.
When the F6X Pro was two years old, it consumed 2.05%/h in similar conditions with similar settings (potential 100% 48.78h). I bought my F6X Pro 2nd hand, so unfortunately can't give numbers for a new specimen.
In general:
Overall the F7X Pro Solar is all-around snappier tool. Menus are faster. Courses load instantly vs 5-10s delay with the F6X Pro. Maps load fast and are easy to scroll with touchscreen. On the F6X Pro scrolling maps is slow due to button interface and the incremental loading of areas around the screen. F7X Pro Solar GPS performance is great.
Personally I didn't feel like updating to the F7 series was necessary other than the so-so GPS performance and slightly degrading battery life. But I found a good deal on a three-weeks-old F7X Pro Solar, which has the newest V5 Elevate HR sensor and better MIP screen (over the F7X SS), thus couldn't resist it... Should be good for the next ~4 years at least.
If one currently has an F6 series watch and is happy with it - I'd keep using it. The F6 series has seen lots of software updates and is very useful tool for fitness, sports and adventures. But the F7 Pro series certainly has many QOL improvements..
