Garmin Enduro Review: 9 Things To Know // Real-life testing

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks for watching! Remember, if you want way more accuracy/battery charts/graphs that I could logically fit in this already far too long video, hit up the in-depth written review here: www.dcrainmaker.com/2021/02/garmin-enduro-gps-watch-in-depth-review.html

[@jybler007]

Thanks!

[@edoardoferrabino]

will these new features (climbpro descent/trail VO2MAX, not battery life of course!) became eventually available on the fenix 6?

[@marcwanagas1234]

@@edoardoferrabino he said the features are on the 945 and F6 (F6 starting today, 945 soon)

[@edoardoferrabino]

@@marcwanagas1234 thanks, I missed it

[@fedthedual3382]

The only guy who stays relevant despite wearing 2 watches on him... What a legend !

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!!

[@VirgilOvid]

Buzz Aldren would like a word

[@CJS10mm]

His right wrist is a whoop fitness band. Not a watch, but you right!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

To me, the Enduro is Garmin's answer to everyone who doubted the battery capabilities of Garmin multisport watches in the past. Sort of like they're flexing the "See? We can do that too!" muscle. I dig it. I think it's cool that there is an option for those who prioritize battery life over everything else even though that price point is a LITTLE bit wild. Great video Ray!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup, I agree. It’s definitely a flex, even if perhaps an annoyed flex at COROS. 🤣

[@geolocate]

The lack of maps is a dealbreaker. Thanks for the review!

[@Mysterios0]

Yeah, if it had maps it would be perfect. Seems like something that could be disabled by someone that doesn’t use maps.

[@macktheinterloper]

Yes, at this price point it most certainly is.

[@LuckyPandaX]

Don't people doing ultras need maps more than just regular runners?

[@namenotfound8747]

@@LuckyPandaX Not to be a ultrarunner snob but, the short answer is no. The long answer is, if you are running 10- 20 miles a day chances are you know what you are doing. No one just starts running 100-200 miles a week. I know my routes in and out by memory. I never met someone that just went to a nation park for example and didn't plan, didn't take a map, didn't take a compass, didn't take any precautions or food, or water filter etc... Whenever I do go somewhere new, I plan it and even have a map, a phone and I even own a sat gps/phone system and a compass. I don't brother to take anything but my phone when doing my usual stomping grounds. So besides recovery, Tri features (run,swim,cycle), a device that can last forever. I see it as a no brainer. This watches is for the endurance junkies as they state. I love this watch.

[@LuckyPandaX]

@@namenotfound8747 I see what you mean but if you had a map on the wrist that can tell you upcoming turns, wouldn't you just leave maps at home? Plus if you have a bigger battery, you can put it to use by adding the map feature.

[@thegreatpeter9440]

Great video. One quick note: "100% of the sun's energy" is a marketing term and is in reality more like 20%. Modern solar panels are only about 20% efficient.

[@Dcrainmaker]

True, but trying to explain it as 100% of 20% of what arrives, and then 10% of that 20% for a 3mm band is near impossible. That's why I noted that it was 100% of the total viable there.

[@malibération]

@@Dcrainmaker idk. That definitely makes sense for me.

[@johnclarke4843]

I've used the Enduro for about 1 year and love it! I am an ultra runner who does multiple 24 to 120 hour efforts per year. Battery life is obviously the key feature and it's awesome. Ultra Run with the Rest lap is an elegant way to separate aid station or other rest stops. I have the 935 too but never use it anymore. I also like the feature that tracks run time, walk time and idle time for long efforts. Highly recommend Enduro if these features are important to you.

[@richt3993]

Did you not miss the maps? I've always found they just help eliminate those wrong terms when approaching crossroads/parallel trails etc

[@Craigo5000]

I'm a road cyclist but bought the Titanium from Garmin for £239 in their Xmas sale - go get em guys! Battery life, sleep analysis and HRdata are my main requirements and no other watch other than Apple Watch could accurately monitor my t - rex like wrists. Hoping this Garmin can achieve this!

[@Jonnysmithwillis]

A thu-hikers dream! Thanks Ray.

[@Poestman]

Great review. I replaced my Fenix 3 HR today and the Enduro feels good on my wrist. Found it on a Black week sales for 299$.

[@jmyyer]

New features that will get backported to Fenix 6 are appealling ! Moving from Fenix 5 to Fenix 7 will be worth it (as I plan)

[@rjmlakota]

Another great review! Like others have said, I need maps... Hoping Fenix 7 has solar charge with Sapphire scratch resistant screen.....

[@kcin2der18]

I have the 6pro solar non sapphire and I’ll tell you what, I wear this thing all day every day even at work, I work construction, i have yet to scratch the glass, and I’ve had a couple good whacks that made me scared to look at the glass but only the bezel has accumulated a couple minor scratches, I’m very impressed with this thing.

[@ARC_GP]

Congrats for the review!! Any news for Garmin 955??

[@BUSH449]

I wonder when Fenix 7 is arriving

[@wadofighter06]

I’m guessing soon since all the 6s are on sale now.. they did the same with the fenix 3s right before the 5 came out

[@irunovermountains]

I was watching this thinking.. "Ah, it's Garmin's kick back on the Coros battery life". Such a pity it doesn't have the maps. I would have been interested. In the meantime, I'll continue to pop a USB battery in my ultra dropbags. Ray, do you know if Suunto have plans to refresh the Suunto 9 this year?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Honestly not sure there anymore on the Suunto front.

[@irunovermountains]

@@Dcrainmaker That’s a bit sad. I may go Fenix 6 in that case, although it feels a step back, as I was a lifelong Garmin user from 310XT to Fenix 3HR before jumping to Suunto 9.

[@richarddufresne2683]

Merci ! 😃 Another great review. I just bought a Fenix 6X Pro Solar. No incentive for me, for this watch, no maps. Maybe in 3 years,... 😜😜😜

[@RichardWait]

Great review. Thanks. I’ve given Garmin some heat before about not updating previous versions with new features etc. But kudos to Garmin. Look how fair the 945 has changed since release. It’s getting better and better and loads of new features.

[@redsoxfanbrad]

Thanks for the review! Glad the features are coming to my Fenix 6x Pro! Now I wait for the update...

[@JAlexanderCurtis]

Is there any word on ClimbPro 2.0 descents coming to the edge bike computers? I am holding out for the Garmin Forerunner 955 to hopefully come out this spring/summer to replace my forerunner 935. But it is awesome to see Garmin continuing to innovate with the Enduro and focusing on battery life, while still adding software features that get propagated down into other devices.

[@Dcrainmaker]

No, and in fact, the wording specifically notes "Non-cycling descents". I'm not entirely sure I get that, though Garmin is a very risk-conservative company, and they've undoubtedly seen the mess that Strava got in there legal-wise with downhill segments.

[@inakilrg]

A pleasure to watch, as always

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!

[@spectrumhorizon1392]

Pun intended?

[@adamcook5433]

it looks good but I need the maps. even if I'm on a marked course.

[@pentapengui6333]

if you load a preloaded map I guess you have the same feature

[@fitgearhunter]

Awesome! So glad someone actually got a test unit!

[@ian-mucarruthers441]

So much work must go into these reviews. Thanks really appreciate it

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - much appreciated!

[@Dcrainmaker]

@Carrot Cruncher It's a standard media loaner. It'll go back shortly and then I go out and buy my own.

[@MrsUSified]

Thank you! I’ve been waiting for your review on this one! Very nice watch! Agree with you on making the choice, if you’re not an ultra runner, there’s no reason to choose this watch.

[@FranciscoSanchez-uu8iw]

Love the : "(For real)" after the casio

[@jack91522]

Still waiting for a fenix watch which will replace the edge 530 and HR strap for mountain biking.

[@aslam7952]

Get them to add an option for backpack weight? Optimised platform. Hmm, trade secret or smaller manufacturing node...

[@Dcrainmaker]

That’s a cool idea!

[@andrezunido]

I suspect a new, more efficient SoC. Could be coming in the next fenix too. The ~20% efficiency gain on the SoC plus improved battery make sense for those numbers.

[@ericmills1212]

Awesome review, as always. Nobody does it better, Ray.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks Eric!

[@Zimmi1989]

Perfect review as always! If it had the maps feature I definitely would upgrade from my Fenix 5 Plus!

[@usertutubo06]

The Fenix 6 also contains the 'Ultra Run' profile (and I'd guess other Forerunners too?). Moreover, with many Garmin watches you can pause and choose 'Resume later' for an activity, then you can re-charge the watch (e.g. while you eat, shower, sleep an hour, or simply to edit & reload the route) and then continue recording the activity then with more battery and it will still be saved as 1 activity.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Those Ultra Run profiles were added after Enduro.

[@mlegrand]

Super interested in this watch but not because I need 70 hours of activity time. I can't even imagine what that would look like. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Just curious if during my normal usage if I'd completely forget about charging. This really feels like a nod to what Coros is doing.

[@Dcrainmaker]

I managed to go the entire review period since January without charging...still had about half the battery left before I finally left it on the charger yesterday to get a file and then getting distracted editing forgot about it and it filled up. I guess I'll charge it in April.

[@wendifx]

@@Dcrainmaker MY GOD !!! hahaha

[@DonovanMaguigan]

Great review. I was recently interested in the Fenix 6x Solar but now I’m intrigued by this watch. Will there be a comparable Fenix release in 2021?

[@todd5192]

THIS is the key question...

[@andrezunido]

This device has no music, so I expect it's one of the lower memory devices like the base fenix 6 and 6s (non pro) which cannot handle rich connect IQ widgets/apps e.g. fenix 6 only has 60kb memory budget for widgets while the pro version has 1024kb. As a developer I find this a pain that garmin should end, so I hope this new device doesn't have that limitation. Heck, the venu and vivoactive 4 have 512kb available.

[@todd5192]

I'm still running with a fenix 5 plus. I'm gonna wait for the next fenix- hopefully with lte support? Who knows.

[@theovanrhijn]

Thanks for the review. now i know what the difference is between a fenix ... now lets wait for the 7!

[@BoxsterPB]

Great review Ray, thanks.

[@RunLiveSG]

DC’s Garmin Connect: man, decide your preferred tracker already...

[@Dcrainmaker]

So true!

[@nimagholipour]

Thanks for sharing. Good review. So in your opinion you prefer Fenix 6 features instead battery life on Enduro?

[@OutdoorsIQ]

Swing and a miss for me, I’d only want longer battery life on ultra trail runs. In which I’d also want music & maps. Thanks for keeping us up to date DC! I wonder if different platform means “slower but more efficient processor which isn’t capable of running maps?”

[@BoxsterPB]

Just out of interest, what headphones do you use on ultra runs and how long do the batteries last?

[@BorneanHeadHunter]

Here comes a challenger for Casio Rangeman GPRB 1000... I wonder how does both of that compare though.

[@Dcrainmaker]

If the GDB-1000 is any indication, it's not a challenger. That only gets 14-18hrs GPS battery life.

[@cowpatchman]

Hi Ray! Is it mil spec rated to US Military 810 like the Instinct? I haven't seen any claims on their site.

[@tamasstrezi]

Was interested but no WiFi is a dealbreaker. The automatic upload is a godsend and a must for me since the Fenix 3.

[@Rockvole]

Thanks for the review. What is the rectangular watch you are wearing on your other wrist ?

[@LarsTore]

Great review, as always! I look forward to "Edge Solar"...

[@mangolds1]

Hi Ray. Where did you get the 2 Le Tour posters that are in background from?

[@Dcrainmaker]

So the main Le Tour poster (facing you) is from Le Coq, and was literally just a freebie poster in their stores in Paris that year. That said, someone recently asked about it and I found a bit more here: www.behance.net/gallery/10363271/Le-Tour-2013-Le-Coq-Sportif - As for the other one, it's just from a random tourist shop in Chamonix. :)

[@MichaelFoxFamily]

Pretty happy with my Fenix 6 Pro Solar 👍

[@L.O.K.I]

Excellent review. it looks like the watch designed for me. Maps/music is something I can sacrifice for a better battery life. I am curious how good the open water swimming tracking is.

[@andrezunido]

Love my fenix 6 pro solar. Having the course map while hiking is awesome. I guess these device is catering to athletes who can't charge their device through multiple day events?

[@tommycheshire5508]

I very much enjoy your through reviews. I am a running watch fanatic. You have cost me a lot of money, LOL. Thank for all your hard work. Tommy

[@morcjul]

So happy my FR945 gets the software features! Nice video

[@morgano9832]

Impressive in all ways but price. Otherwise really amazing what can fit into a 61g piece of technology these days. Thank you for the comprehensive review as always DCR.

[@tuttobicci]

Maybe the fact they can pack so much tech into a 61g package is why it is the price it is? What do you think it's worth, and why? #R&D

[@_Rafiki.]

At 11:18, the battery comparison lists both Garmin times "with optical HR", do the other watches not have optical HR or is it just that it's turned off to achieve the max battery life listed?

[@Dcrainmaker]

It’s that they don’t specify explicitly whether or not their claims include it.

[@KrisHoet]

More interested in the wristbands than the watch :-). Are these available separately for the Fenix 6?

[@KrisHoet]

@Neil J Thanks got it, only for the 26mm indeed, not 22mm

[@natesilvers2166]

Great review can't wait for your 955 review let's hope for GPS accuracy and LTE and it will be the perfect watch.

[@Max.527]

Great video. Unfortunately unaffordable 🤣

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks! Indeed, a bit pricey for the features for what I prefer.

[@OldManRunning]

Thanks for the review. Just wondering if you can upload 3rd party maps for navigation purposes?

[@atwl77]

Great review. Would love to see Garmin make an Enduro version of the Edge 1030 for the audax and ultra-racing crowd.

[@sssennaw]

Don't they mostly run of USBpower from the front hub?

[@BoxsterPB]

What, with no maps??? To be fair, they do have the additional external battery for the 1030+, not sure if it works for the 1030 but I would have thought so.

[@KingLifeTale]

I was so excited! But lack of maps/music & heavy weight (relatively compared to competitors) for a price higher than their very own 6 Pro\Solar range? For me the elephant in the room is the 945, it really is the perfect trail running⌚️(do that with more 🔋), coros offering similar 🔋for lower 💰

[@Dcrainmaker]

Indeed - the FR945 does manage to look better and better by the week. But, COROS with the Pace 2 is very strong (meanwhile, COROS with the VERTIX against the FR945 is not strong).

[@KingLifeTale]

@@Dcrainmaker completely agree, thanks for the reply bro! 👏

[@fkhan98]

@@Dcrainmaker I bought the Coros Pace 2. Great watch! Mobile and web app need improvement though, also appears to be run centric compared to Garmin.... Eagerly awaiting the FR955 to see if it's worth jumping back to Garmin. Looking unlikely though as the price is likely to be multiples of the Pace 2!

[@aslam7952]

@@Dcrainmaker Yes, 945,745 and 245 keep getting better with all the features updates while the price slowly trickles south due to age. But still waiting very patiently for the sleep update to drop on these devices.

[@marcwanagas1234]

The weakness of the Forerunners is their shoddy plastic case. Some of us like a watch with proper heft to it.

[@danieljudge7176]

Hi, are all these features coming to Tactix Delta as well, which is like a Fenix 6 Pro

[@tmantony5660]

I wonder when Garmin will bring wrist Running power to their watches?Nice review.

[@Dcrainmaker]

One can keep hoping!

[@kevinbmooney]

Email from Garmin - realising a new watch....Straight to DC Rainmaker for the review.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!!

[@robertclimber2302]

DCR, I love the depth of your product review. When it comes to Enduro watch, I must express my disappointment with Garmin's lack of innovation put into this product. All I see Enduro watch as is Garmin Fenix 6X+- (Fenix 6X Solar with added battery capacity and removed Topo maps and onboard music features)

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yeah, I think one of the things that many people overlook as to what makes Garmin a successful company is its manufacturing power (they own their own factories), and in turn, their ability to create variants like this that aren't super exciting, but sell # number of units to the right group of people that don't want the maps like you and I - but want even longer battery life.

[@jeverhart99]

Does the screen seem dim? I saw the insight 2 and the screen was so dim (even with backlight turned up) i could hardly read it. Do you know if this has the same problem?

[@arielmannes2544]

Is the heart rate data field in 14:10 (with the zones) available on other watches as well?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup, it's on virtually all their watches (either as a full-screen, or partial like seen here).

[@arielmannes2544]

Thanks for the reply 😊 I meant in partial view (I have fr 245..) Love your content BTW 😃

[@dxp8668]

Do you think there is a new Instinct Solar coming, with similar tec than the enduro?

[@ericq4059]

Can you connect a cycling power meter to it in the bike workout mode?

[@benbos1925]

If you live in a hilly area, would you consider just using TRAIL RUN instead of RUN to take into account that the uphill and downhill into VO2 and training status? I wish they would just use GAP like in Strava to gauge your pace if you do pace-based training intervals.

[@zzhughesd]

New watch. Still on F6x Pro Solar Mega happy with it.

[@coskanozen1028]

Would you make a video about Garmin descent mk2 and mk2i please

[@kristo-dj2689]

Nice review! How do you see the Enduro next to the Tactix Delta Solar? The Delta has the expedition mode witch will also take over 100 days of battery life (so they say).

[@SamHain-o4l]

Would you roughly say the Enduro 1 is a nicer version of an Instinct 2 solar?

[@adammarcik6101]

Will that solar charging work longer than on my Fenix 6? 😅 It worked just 1 month

[@apsbentom]

Ray, in the last slide where you compare battery time, Vertix quotes 60hours on 1 second gps. Are the Garmin times for 1 second gps too? Or is it gps smart or some other setting

[@Dcrainmaker]

Correct, all times for that slide were 1-second recording rates. Whereas the second slide after that were whatever crazy rates they wanted to use for their max battery numbers (except I omitted the 'Expedition mode', since that's like one data point per day).

[@0075KP]

Would this be good to monitor kayaking? I need a reliable GPS watch to monitor speed and distance when I train on the river?

[@GazaWest]

Good review as usual, not a fan of the strap tbh, but everything else seems amazing..

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!

[@fieldwalker]

Thanks, as always, Ray! Can I see a battery drain rate on my 945 as well? I bought it a month ago and it was stone dead in the box, I'm worried it's hit up the battery capacity.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup! You can use the DCR Analyzer to do that: www.dcrainmaker.com/analyze - Keep in mind though it's not showing capacity per se, but rather battery % burn rate for GPS activities in hours. Though, we could add the hourly math there.

[@Graham_Rule]

You mention that the VO2max measurement is scewed when you run with a backpack. Do any Garmin's have an option to take a backpack into account? When there were places open to run to I'd often have a pack on.

[@Dcrainmaker]

None at this point.

[@spectrumhorizon1392]

I hope the fenix 7 will have this but with maps...

[@irunovermountains]

Is the Fenix 6 the only watch option for topographic maps?

[@luboslavlopatka5469]

No issues with blueish display like common in Fenix 6 range?

[@Dcrainmaker]

It doesn't look blueish to me.

[@frankcosgrove9958]

Great review as usual, if you can fit in similar for the Decent Mk2i that would be great ( i remember you did the older the Descent). Its simialr to Fenix 6 Pro but with Scuba etc

[@Person2055.]

Would you still recommend buying a Fenix 6 at this point in time? Do you expect near future Garmin releases?

[@ΓεώργιοςΜπρίνταλος]

Do you have any information if these updates will come to the Descent MK-2 as well?

[@wadeduvall7026]

Ultra/trail features coming to Fenix series?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yes to the Fenix 6. Production rollout of that firmware started last night.

[@wadeduvall7026]

@@Dcrainmaker Thanks so much for the info, that's great!

[@jared17ds]

Will the climb pro decent feature not be on the TR745? I see you only mentioned the 945

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's coming to the FR745 as well, but the wording on our e-mail conversation was weird (likely just due to late-night back and forth confirmations), and by time I noticed the FR745 omission in the line item, it was 4AM their time and didn't want to state it was included if it wasn't. But I'm checking today - again, I suspect it's supposed to be included in the pile.

[@jared17ds]

@@Dcrainmaker ok excellent 😁 thanks for the update hopefully it is on the list.. do you happen to know when this update will be released worldwide with this new profiles etc?

[@tonymckeage1028]

Thanks for the review on the Garmin enduro, thanks for sharing

[@massi888]

Hi, thank you for the great review, as always :). I don't see the update on my fenix 6, it is also not in the 15:20 beta, there are a lot of bug fixes, but i do not see the new added functionality of the enduro. do you think it will come in the next release? my fenix 6 is on 13.10 that so far is the latest

[@Dcrainmaker]

15.20 beta is the enduro firmware.

[@Chris-od6vd]

My Fenix Pro auto updated to 15.20 yesterday when I plugged it into my PC. After watching this video I checked trail running app and it has the disable VO2 max switch. Thanks Ray!

[@matthaigh5296]

When will this solar charging come to Garmin cycling products?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Not sure. I guess I'd question/wonder if there's much benefit there. Meaning, the internal battery on an Edge has plenty of space, and the demands are far higher there than on a wearable. But the problem is that the solar space is small, and more importantly - the power from Solar is usually pretty small. Not saying never, but I suspect it'd be less optimal than we really want.

[@ScottKent]

Nice, but let me know when Garmin makes a watch that works with Guthook Guides.

[@janshim]

I've had my Enduro APAC for over a month now and right from the start, I've been seeing altimeter creep quite significantly when compared to my trusty Fenix 3 HR. Was wondering if anyone noticed this happening with theirs. Activities: Ride, road and trail runs (GPS + GLONASS). I posted this question in the Garmin Forum and one member says this is happening to his Enduro too.

[@swirer270]

Is this the scuffed fenix 6 but a garmin 745 upgrade? for the people who likes the fenix6 look but the 745 software?

[@keithkreatives]

What about elevation was accuracy? My Fenix 5X is a joke. Off by hundreds of feet every ride. Hoping Garmin got their act together for newer watches

[@Joe.dirt7909]

Garmin has Tony Stark working on watches in the garage 💪

[@serb8335]

How do you set up touch screen?

[@brianbrooks4070]

Which Garmin watch is best for open water swimming, I have 935 which appears to record 15-20% less than Fenix watches.

[@Mysterios0]

I can see why this wild appeal to a certain crowd. I just wish it had maps, but even then I’d be waiting for a sale down the road because of the price. Is a watch like the Fenix 5X still worth buying? I only ask because it has maps and is available for much less than a 6 Pro model.

[@jbaron6150]

Can it be connected to external heart rate sensors?

[@narisevansangynriivaama9903]

Crazy how they're skimping on the features on that price point. I just don't understand how that works out.

[@davidlynch9049]

They are gambling that there is a big audience for much longer battery life vs. features that a portion of their buyers use. And I they are right.

[@kimwarner6050]

@@Jay151 this price makes no sense. I don't think anyone would choose this over the fenix. Personally I believe garmin hold back tech, to get people to keep upgrading.

[@joergschweizer8639]

Does VO2 Max get acticated during cycling?

[@jenmfaust]

Wait-how the heck can you download a course to this watch? I haven’t figured it out

[@etrolan]

I appreciate the efficiency (and detail ) of your review. Seems like this is the first iteration of the Fenix 7. May or Sept?

[@S4Ddal]

Great review , as a cyclist y don’t care about music nor the maps as I use my cell phone , but is a bit expensive , would you reccomend getting this one of the suunto 9 baro? It’s half as expensive but I have heard bad things and reviews about suunto

[@rgmALC]

I’d love for them to add V02 Max trail run to the Instinct. I get it isn’t a road running watch, but they should at least have trail running V02 Max

[@Dcrainmaker]

I'd agree, that'd make sense.