Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar Intro

I just got my hands on the Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar watch. In this video I show it and talk about why it may be replacing my Edge 830.
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[@BruceChastain]

great timing for me on this video, I'm looking for a garmin watch right now. I'm looking for something for biking, hiking and running. I also tried the apple watch, ended up selling it, didn't care for it too much.

[@davidjacques362]

You could also look for the new Forerunner 965, lighter and brighter. I’ve been using the 945 for the last 3 years and I am very happy with it, combined with the HRM-Pro.

[@michaelglidewell1524]

For MTB I have a Garmin 130+ and for road/gravel I use a Garmin 530. To keep them from falling off the bike, I use the strap and loop around the stem before attaching to the mount. Works great.

[@JitinMisra]

Why don’t you use 530 for both? Seems redundant to have 130 , no?

[@JasonScottCarter]

Been using the Instinct 2 for the last year for MTB and hiking. Works great. On road and gravel I use it to broadcast heart rate to my Edge head unit. I like the non touch style of the Instinct series personally. 22 day battery life.

[@paddlestandingup]

Same here. Great watch, I just wish I could see the screen a little better.

[@bajablast989]

Used to be anti-smartwatch. Said I'd never get one. Over a year ago, went with the Vivoactiv 4S because of you. Love it and everything Garmin Connect can do. The 4S is a bit smaller than the 4. No plans on replacing it. I dont like how bulky the other watches are. I'd like an even smaller screen since you check everything out on your phone or computer.

[@ctrawick3]

Fenix 6 is a fantastic device for running, so I imagine mtb as well. I’ve been using Garmin for nearly 20 years for running, and they have evolved into such a solid and dependable piece of my kit.

[@ironscott]

I have the 6 Sapphire and have used it on occasion for MTB rides. The only negative I’ve found is getting the fit just right where it either 1) doesn’t bounce around too much and dig into my hand or 2) tight enough to not bounce around while not cutting off circulation. This would obviously be different for each individual and would vary depending on the terrain. I ride a lot of rocky and rough trails and it’s just not comfortable for me. Beyond that, the watch is fantastic. Battery life is unreal. I’ve had an Apple Watch and the battery life is a non-starter for me. Garmin is light years ahead.

[@OutdoorAdventures7140]

I’ve had the watch for a little bit. Picked it up from rei on sale during Black Friday/cyber Monday. Works great in colorado for hiking, mtb, golfing, gym workouts, and running. I usually recharge every Sunday. You’ll love it.

[@0HereForAGoodTime0]

the fenix series watches are great. i have the 6 pro sapphire. the only thing that you may like if you care is the garmin app really likes to default to the watch as the primary training device to track your training status. with all the activities you are into, it will combine that data from each recorded effort. if i'm paddleboarding, i use my watch. if i'm fishing i use my watch. love my 1030 computer, but i really love my watch!

[@rascal1234]

I’ve had the Fenix7 SS for the past few months. I love it and think it is worth the price, considering the price of like watches like AppleWatch Ultra. I have the Varia Radar, power meter. I do use the Edge 530 in extended display mode.The only use case the watch is not much help is MTB on DH trails. The arm pads get in the way and it cannot detect jump airtime, like the 530 does. I really love the feedback on the type of effort recommended as well as the real-time feedback on if I am within the expected targets for a workout.

[@_Conrad_]

I have a fenix 5x sapphire and have never taken it off other than going to the beach and charge it once a week! Bought it off of eBay for $300 3 years ago

[@VernL4]

Yep, I love my Fenix 7. I like the mapping features for hiking and biking. I do use the map when mountain biking if I am stopped. While I am riding, I am way too busy to look at the watch, though. If I am doing a road ride, I do take a quick peek at the watch from time to time.

[@lawor8]

Clint I had a Fenix watch years ago but it was bulky and heavy compared to the vivoactive 4. The weight of the vivoactive 4 is and remains a game changer for me. The Fenix watches are just too bulky to be a daily driver for me at least. Anyway I will wait for your review 😊

[@testalino]

Maybe the fr965 then?

[@ryanmichels2981]

I have fenix 6x sapphire. Got it used, mint, for about 30% of original mrsp. I love it, it lacks a few things the 7 has but i saved a ton and its working great for me!

[@richjames4094]

I picked up the Fenix 7, solar about a month and a half ago, and love it. I used the apple watch for years, not having to charge my watch everyday, is very nice. The Fenix replaced both the Apple Watch and whoop for me.

[@bike314]

One note On Android you can respond to text messages with presets. Apple restricts that feature to Apple watches only because they can.

[@ClintGibbs]

Yeah, same with the Garmin bike computers. That’s one thing I miss about having an Android phone.

[@DayneDillon]

I have been using the Fenix 7 solar (The non Sapphire version) - and i find I have also stopped using my Garmin Head unit Edge 520 and I only rely on the Fenix now, plus the extra information you get from the Fenix is significant compared to the Edge. You will be very happy with this purchase I am sure

[@296capthook]

Another great vid, brother THANKS!! Problem I keep experiencing...I'm gonna be broke cuz each one of your vids entices me to buy new gear!! LOLOL

[@rbrudder]

Garmin Fenix 7 has been the best single purchase I’ve made to monitoring and enhancing my day-to-day health. Can you do this without, yes. However, all the data helps keep me focused and driven. A cheaper alternative is the Instinct Solar.

[@marielencarnacion131]

Garmin is great! I have been using Garmin devices for about 8 years my first one was the original vivoactive, right now I use the Garmin instinct and I’m very happy with it, is not ideal for navigating but I have a Garmin Edge 530 for riding needs.

[@HandyAsPockets]

Been using the Epix 2 since October and it’s amazing. Had the Fenix 7 but took it back cause I prefer the map resolution on the Epix.

[@vntimm]

I got mine a few months ago. It's my fourth garmin watch. I will be interested to see how much the solar adds in the summer

[@markking8274]

There is still value in a bike computer. On an MTB trail, rolling distance measured by a bike computer is typically longer than GPS distance, since the GPS doesn’t accurately capture the distance of quick turns and ups and downs. My local 11.0 mile trail clocks in at 9.5 miles using GPS tracking.

[@daveeh2930]

I use 6x pro , they're the best. I would use anything else

[@johncarrington8612]

Talk about the wrist band, what variety of wrists does it fit? Can you buy larger or smaller bands if you don't like the stock band.

[@SkiRidesMTB]

If you ride the same trails that you don't need routing frequently, watches are fine for a computer. For most people, it's not really functional as a bike computer since your wrist is so far away from where you look while riding...looking off to the left while riding is a great way to hug a tree. A combo like the Forerunner 245 + Edge 830 will be 10x better than a solo $900 watch for 95% of MTBers.

[@JogBird]

in that casen just use your phone for gps tracking and buy a $20 casio for time keeping on the go

[@SkiRidesMTB]

@@JogBird that makes absolutely no sense to what I just said. Using your phone is awful mid ride for like 20 reasons.

[@frankstrobel4350]

I went with epix....couldnt pass up the better screen.

[@zzhughesd]

I own Edge and Fenix since well 2015 ish. Never used the watch mount. I have a metal braclet tho. I don’t think Fenix works well enough on handlebar

[@arnaudinstalle]

Would you say the Fenix works well enough for following a route that you upload from your computer/smartphone? (I'm mostly interested in off-road navigation.)

[@zzhughesd]

@@arnaudinstalle oh can help with that. Maps good to excellent Edge. Useable. On watch just is too hard work laggy small. Nav border line useless. I use as a bread crumb style watch follow. Don’t find or search. Hard work. Too hard work. The edge on handlebar if must can look around search. Watch as back up wrist. I actually use iPhone Maps Google Nav where get lost ( rarely ) as always on a GPX on 2 devices. If you don’t pre plan use an imported map. Forget Garmin Nav. It is itself useless on the fly. Again. Get phone out for accurate fresh maps.

[@al-du6lb]

Do you swap your garmin pedals around to all your bikes?

[@ClintGibbs]

Only for the mountain bike project I’m doing right now…Project DC. Normally they would stay on my gravel bike.

[@vincedavis5326]

I like everything about my fenix 7 except maps. The map is too dang small to see. I can stop and put on my 3x readers, and then see the map. For my old guy eyes, the map is useless while on a trail or even the road; otherwise, love my watch. The multi network GPS is really great.

[@vincedavis5326]

Note: I also use the Fenix 7 for kayaking, sup, windsurfing, hiking, fishing, etc. It is great except for the little map screen. 👍

[@jeffreydzialo]

Why not the Enduro 2?

[@ClintGibbs]

According to specs I’ve seen it’s not iOS compatible

[@al-du6lb]

When and why did you switch to an iphone?

[@ClintGibbs]

Main reasons I switched were the video camera, being able to airdrop to my Mac and being able to drop photos and videos onto the phone with an SD card, which for some reason I could not do on my Google pixel. So really it was all based on KZbin video workflow. Other than that, I really miss some things about my pixel.

[@mohongzhi]

Had a 6X, then a 7, then sell the 7 for another 7X Sapphire Solar Titanium whatever it's call think the most expensive one. Also have a 1030 plus and really not to use it a lot. If i do Zwift or other indoor training, i mainly use 7X cause it has stamina (although i just keep stamina for fun, it's just overwhelming data and not that important). Got the same conclusion as you do, watch always on me, and only if do a long ride, a training session or entire day touring, bike computer seems not that much good, especially while you do multiple stops commute, watch is much better than computers. And one more thing, if anyone is already satisified with regular fenix size, just don't go to X version. Once you tried X version more than a month, it's impossible to go back to standard size. I don't mean X is better, but when you get used to bigger screen and bigger battery, it's just no way back. Same thing happen on me for 1030 plus (was a 530/820/520 user) now i don't think it's too big, i just feel 530 is too small, although i never have any problem back when i use 520, 530 all day long.

[@anthonycasey57]

Not sure why you would question whether an Apple Watch is waterproof.

[@ClintGibbs]

Probably resulting from a bad experience that my wife had of getting water underneath her screen in the shower. On Apple’s website, they state that the new 8 and SE are waterproof up to 50m but then have this disclaimer which gives me a concern: “Water resistance is not a permanent condition and can diminish over time. “

[@thomaskuhn6541]

I always enjoy your reviews, but you lost me at $900. I don't care what it does, there is so much more I can do with that kind of money to enhance my biking experience.

[@StudQBeefpile]

Wait a year or two and buy it refurbished at a significant discount. I buy 2-3 year old Garmin-refurbished watches at roughly a third of the new watch price. I purchased a Fenix 5x plus a year or so ago, and it's been going strong. Not "new" in the latest and greatest sense, but new in the appearance and function sense.

[@testalino]

There are many garmin watches with very similar features for a lot less. But all that support power meters are somewhat expensive.