Garmin Fenix 7, Solar, and Sapphire In-Depth Review!

[@johngardner1898]

Ray is the gold standard for tech sports reviews. I don't buy until I listen to the Rainmaker.....and then when I buy and don't have a clue about how to set up a feature, I listen again!

[@glennsmith3303]

Ray, guess what I was able to pick up today -- yup, I got my wife the delayed XMAS present - Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar!! When I saw your video post up, I figured that because Garmin had not sent us an email, it was not available to the public. After I watched your video I called a great sports store near us and it was in stock. It is now fully charged and we studied your video and are looking forward to our run on Wednesday. About 2 hours ago, I finally received an email from Garmin. It was great to not have to do any research other than you. You said it was great, you recommended the Sapphire and why it was great.., SOLD! Love you, damn it.

[@Kortochtjock]

A god among men. Thank you for all your work. I read (not all details) the Fenix 7 review on the home page, no wonder you have the media loaners for quite a while. :) Good job, Ray.

[@DossFarm]

Every time Garmin releases a new watch I come here first. Thank you again sir.

[@GregorBrown]

Saw u in the middle of the Champs Elysées at the Tour, wish I had time to say hello. Good video. It helps me!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Ahhh, bummer! Next time!!!

[@MetalockieMusic]

Grabbed the Tactix 7. This watch is everything. Absolutely amazing

[@funrubicon1]

Just picked up the Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar. Super excited to get it from fedex tomorrow

[@dzianisko]

Thank you for the review. Without ECG and LTE, it's not worth it. I will keep my Fenix 6

[@TRP_TheRandomPlace]

Ah, Garmin - the Victorinox of smartwatches! Love this new model, the price is hefty, but totally worth it, in my opinion. Thank you for the detailed video!

[@awilderireland]

Nice launch video! Very happy I got my 6X Pro during Black Friday sales. The only feature I would really like is the touch screen when using maps. I'm a model behind, more value kind of Guy. 🙂

[@SebastianReick]

Great review as always! For me as a Fenix 6 Pro user I really hoped they would add LTE to the Fenix 7. Not for making calls, but for the emergency stuff. And ECG would have been a good addition, too. Since I don't miss having a touch interface, I will most likely not upgrade from my 6 Pro but rather wait for the next iterations. And if you're still there, have fun in (on?) Tenerife. I've been there twice so far, great place for everything outdoors.

[@fernandojimenez503]

Agree... the two things I wanted from the Fenix 7 were bigger screen (and smaller bezel = same size) and LTE. I figured it's been long enough since the Fenix 6, they had enough time to do something special. Seems not

[@wattier8218]

@@fernandojimenez503 same for me, i cant see any real advantage other than more graphics and upgraded hr sensors. Since nobody uses the hr sensor for workouts its pointless tho. So basically, if you dont want a touchscreen there is nothing to upgrade for.

[@wattier8218]

@@fernandojimenez503 have to correct: i really like the flashlight. Improves the feeling of having the most versatile watch out there

[@MattSwain1]

@@wattier8218 Yeah but it’s one very expensive flashlight! I’ll be sticking with my 6S Pro because while the 7 is a very nice watch there’s nothing that justifies ditching a perfectly good watch given that a lot of the new features aren’t relevant to me (and the new one is so much money). I guess that’s always likely to be the way when the 6 is already so capable (and yes I also use an external upper arm HR sensor rather than the one on my watch)

[@wattier8218]

@@MattSwain1 i have the 6x Saphire, there is nothing worth paying 1k without getting any serious upgrade.

[@monguzzle]

I went with the 7X Solar Sapphire Titanium in blue/white. I considered the Epix, but was always pretty impressed by the display on my friend's 6X - it was clear in daylight, his battery lasts ages, and he's still delighted with it. Looking forward to it arriving.

[@000hugohew]

Amoled easy to burn in

[@HBFREEWORLD]

Nice to know that the battery lasts for days and not like Apple - dead technology on your wrist the next day of charging .

[@nickparfitt5009]

I have just gone with 7x over the Epix to avoid the Amoled and maximise battery. Can't wait for it to arrive!

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

I'm sold! I'm sure the Epix with an AMOLED display is even more expensive, but in AUD the sapphire solar is already $1399 for the Fenix, that's costly enough.

[@eranlevy4082]

A microphone / speaker as in the recent Venu 2 Plus could've been a nice upgrade as well

[@Screenwriting]

So far the best review I've watched yet.

[@veryboringname.]

Thanks for the detailed review! You're always the first person I look for when a new sports-related tech device comes out. I'm still pretty satisfied with my 6 Pro Solar but the touchscreen really is a tempting upgrade. The existing method of scrolling maps is a huge pain. One question, you got about 6 days with the Epix; how many days did you get with the 7X with the same usage? How many days do you think you'd get with the 6 with the same usage?

[@rajgopee1245]

From what I gather the 6 days on the epix is with the same usage that gives us 14 days (slightly longer for you with solar) on the 6 Pro. I too am wondering about upgrading for that touchscreen for maps!

[@sander9488]

Dude, i´ve seen a lot of reviews on youtube. But your transcript, talk, points. You aced it 👍

[@andy5478-MTB]

Fantastic detailed overview! Just a note, the Fenix 6Pro does show ski run names on the maps. Overall with regard to the 7 I see no reasons for me to upgrade from the 6Pro. If the 7 had heart ECG it might tempt me. Thanks again for your great work!

[@Kevgti5]

Been waiting on this for a few months. Placed my order this morning for solar saphire. Can't wait to get it ! Should be a solid upgrade from a forerunner 645

[@Koko-pg8wu]

Let me know how you like it! I ordered instinct 2 solar (coming today) and thinking of getting the fenix 7 solar sapphire 🤔

[@Kevgti5]

@@Koko-pg8wu I really like mine ! Since I got it about 2 days after this comment. It's been on my wrist other than a 2hr stint to charge it. For me having on board music means no phone on shorter runs/interval work. It can control my smart trainer on the bike. The touch screen is super smooth but also being able to switch to buttons is awsome, especially when running at -25C with 2 pairs of gloves on. The only fault is mine happens to have a button that sticks. Ive reached out to garmin and as soon as they have stock I will echange it so eih. Thats just a lil bad luck on my end but its still functional. I think Marks review is spot on. Its not a "must" especially if you have a good watch already.. but it is a great piece of kit and I have 0 regrets because the money didnt affect other needs in my life.

[@Koko-pg8wu]

@@Kevgti5 I have my instinct 2 solar mist grey for the past 2 days and I absolutely love it! the amount of features and all of the data it shows is absolutely incredible! Definitely keeping it :) Hope you get your exchanged watch soon!

[@CannabisTechLife]

Great review. Was iffy on the Epix but your comments make me think that might be the better choice. Still disappointing no EKG though, something competitors have had for a few years now.

[@mlegrand]

Love all the unique flat-lay backgrounds in here. 👌

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!

[@NickGoldston]

Waiting for this video for years. Thank you Ray

[@darkstepwarrior88]

Good complete guide also on the flashlight with the examples running in the dark.

[@inakilrg]

Yayyy!!! I knew it! This was your unit in the last workouts!

[@Elcano5525]

Hey, great review thanks. I miss information about the recycling options Garmin gives to us. With our increasing electronic waste problem, manufacturers should think about the time after the life span too.

[@brwalk0069]

Thank you, I'll be getting the Fenix 6 Pro since the 7 hasn't changed enough!

[@Chirp296]

It's weird to finally see DC Rainmaker in person. I remember reading his web reviews online years ago for my Garmin Edge 705 when it first released and being impressed by the level of detail his reviews went into. I always check his KZbin reviews for all my new Garmin toys nowadays.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks Shawn!!!

[@absolutetuber]

same here....i got into running and swimming years ago and stumbled upon his website. i would pour over his reviews in amazement at the detail. this is actually the first video of his i have seen haha

[@inakilrg]

Thanks Ray. I love your reviews as much as the fénix series 😃

[@87stuntman87]

I've been praying for a flashing built into a watch like why has no one done this before? It's so handy! I literally thought to myself it would be EPIC if the new fenix 7 had it and bam! It does!

[@joshuanicholson420]

Great review and wrap up. Purchased 5x sapphire at launch, it’s still going strong and love it. While Garmin pay, solar, improved sensors all look great. Not sure I am convinced I need to upgrade, at some point the new features will push me to upgrade or if the 5x stops working (haha yeah that ain’t happening anytime soon)

[@PeterSdrolias]

Ha! I still have the Fenix3.

[@joshuanicholson420]

@@PeterSdrolias museum piece! For me just evidence they make solid pieces

[@NatthasakChaichana]

Great review. Been waiting for this for so long.

[@geerthasevoets48]

Hi Ray. I always like your reviews, but i don’t understand why you (and orher reviewers) advise the Epix so hard. I had one, but send it back. The screen was indead very well. But to shiny for me. Every time i moved my arm, i looked as a lighting Christmas tree. I rather prefer the discrete character of the 7x. It also did’nt felt as a sportwatch. I missed also the bigger screen (coming from a 6x) and the discrete always on display. Thx 4 the clear reviews of the Fenix and Epix.

[@Livestrong00782]

I still have my fenix 5x+ and I love it, but the increase in battery life for my Ironmans and for backpacking just might be worth it, plus I think garmin did a great job as always.

[@donyadhika]

I want this 🥺

[@alifakhraee]

Your Vo2 max is 57! That's awesome man. Well done!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hahaha…thanks!

[@GarethFreshwater]

And to think 6 months ago I was worried about buying a Fenix 6 pro in case it got blown out of the water by the 7 straight away. No buyers remorse over here PHEW! They look cool, but nothing ground-breaking, apart from your wallet!

[@frankconte264]

I've had the 6xpro since it came out and I'm happy. Maybe there next Gen, Fenix 8 or epix

[@fabianmolyneux2308]

same

[@juliendeclercq9273]

Yep, same here, will probably wait for the next generation, got some issues with my Fenix 6X pro (wifi broke down after one of the updates and I got to get the watch back to garmin)

[@paulcrow]

OOOhhh you are so good at this Ray. Great stuff.

[@KabirDhupelia]

I was so excited when I opened KZbin and saw this video!

[@TurreTuntematon]

Just ordered the Epix 2 as it’s the same as Fenix 7 with brilliant display. And a very good battery life.😊

[@davidjgrant23]

No solar though

[@thomasusheriii971]

@@davidjgrant23 And no torch

[@TurreTuntematon]

@@davidjgrant23 I live in dark Finland so would make no difference. The torch would be nice though.

[@skotas]

I went for fenix 7 saphire solar. Epix may have a better screen, but battery life is a bit disappointing in comparison.

[@gustavogo2915]

@@TurreTuntematon do you regret it? I’m going for the 7X

[@OldLadyAngler]

thanks Ray. I just ordered a 7s Solar

[@kangsterizer]

for me one huge reason to use a garmin watch is the battery life. i dont want to charge daily or even every few days. i like not having to think about it at all. while the amoled looks better, the fenix screen is really not that bad. hopefully they release a good FR version later.

[@plmn93]

The problem with my 6 is that I think about it so little I almost forget completely!

[@SQUALOio]

I'm a Garmin 6s pro owner and I hate that after this video I want the 7s because of the solar -.- Always well done DC!

[@SG-dg6oi]

Finally a decent review of The watch

[@r0bv123]

Great timing (literally and figuratively), my Forerunner 935 is dying and I need a new watch! Looking forward to the Epix review! Thanks for all the great reviews.

[@thani7963]

Great review always, I wish they took note from the design of Suunto & there own Venu 2 plus of the thickness and screen size.

[@milaweitz]

Thanks for review! I believe that now has new users wide model range to choose from. However, old users must getting a little headache from this new lineup strategy. 'Cause what is actually quite shocking is that my older Fenix 6X - Pro Solar Edition is on Garmin web still more expensive (and have 32GB memory), than cheaper New Fenix 7X Solar (with 16GB memory). But maybe because it has now only 16GB of memory. You mentioned this correctly in this video, that only new 7 "Sapphire" models has 32 GB. But in the past the measure for "maps" and "memory" was the X model, Eg. 5X, 6X. And now all this legacy changed. To by honest, as a 6x Pro Solar owner, I am not happy about this new strategy to see that new 7x Solar is cheaper, and has less memory than my older 6x Solar.

[@mantykarhu]

Fēnix is my go to watch and your my go to channel. Thanks for the great videos!

[@logun0]

I'm going to have to watch these videos 3 or 4 times. So much info in there

[@PetoGee]

Thank you DC Rainmaker for this very useful video! 😊

[@jacksonnepos4389]

The button protector and the touch screen were the best things

[@tomhunt3402]

I'm dead excited for your comment that the battery of the epix2 is good enough! I really wanted a better screen but was worried it would suck. I have a 6X at the moment for mapping sizes. You can fit more on screen. Does the amoled higher res fit more? Can't wait to see your epix2 review!!!!!

[@010MACS]

I too have a 6X and these don’t tempt me to change at all. I don’t miss a touch screen (though admittedly, the handful of times I’ve needed to scroll on map that would be helpful) but I’ve had no issues with my 6X since getting it a couple years back. Always exciting to see new models, though!

[@tomhunt3402]

Yeah it’s tricky. The Map panning is the reason. Definitely a problem of new shiny. But last time I upgraded quickly I made most of the money back selling the old one. '

[@010MACS]

@@tomhunt3402 a fair point, and individual use cases are always the key bit! Whenever I’ve used maps (multi day events etc) I have a breadcrumb trail so to speak so rarely need the pan. If you end up getting this new one I hope you enjoy it 👍🏻

[@frank1e]

Garmin Pay in the UK needs better take up by banks to remove one of my barriers to the Fenix/other Garmin watches. On app config is nice. Thanks for the video Ray.

[@MattSwain1]

IMO this won’t happen. I work for a bank and had some minor involvement in the adoption of Apple Pay which was a bigger project than you might imagine. It would cost too much money for Garmin to pay the banks to do the work and there’s no benefit to the banks for covering the cost themselves. I have no inside knowledge of future projects but my guess is that Garmin Pay won’t even be on the longest version of the to do list

[@pascalhibon7928]

Your videos always provide a ton of great info; thank you for that. One tip though: try to speak slower. You're sometimes hard to follow because of the pace in your speaking. Anyway, keep up the great work, very much appreciated!

[@cheeheifoo9282]

Thank you. This is really useful. I wasn't even thinking about F7 but now.......tempted

[@mikevanhoozer]

Ray, Excellent review, as always!

[@matthewdray83]

I dare say the question for many Fenix 6 owners (non-golfers) is whether it is worth the upgrade. The specs on Garmin website compare are pretty similar 6 vs 7. Maybe one day you can do a technical comparison of the Elevate sensor between 6&7?

[@lauraseys9078]

honestly doesn't seem like a big upgrade. but i might be wrong, ill check it out when we get them in stock.

[@kiraspinks4975]

6s here and not sure if I want to

[@fabianrares]

Coros has stamina function and I loved it! I hope they will make it available for fenix 6 too.. not a massive change or complication

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Great job Ray! Nailed all of the important updates. How many hikers passed by while you filmed this? 😂

[@Dcrainmaker]

Roughly 90 mins worth!

[@MS-ev9tc]

Mr. DC you are killing me: for years I waited for Fenix 7 to replace my Suunto 9 Baro. I stray from decades with Suunto (Suunto t6!) after they deliberately broke the link to the ecosystem of Ant+ pods, HR belts, etc. Plus other deficiency like only one Bluetooth connection for combined cadence and speed bike sensors, missinformatiin about upcoming Pulse OX, etc. Now it is finally here, you get me drooling with your review and then you close with the comment you'd go Epix due to the display?! Do I have to wait now for a solar Epix? Aargh! Sigh! Spendung this much money on a not perfect devixe (Fenix 7, Solar, Saphire, Oled) would just pain me. Back to Ambit 2

[@gjf133]

Fantastic review as always.

[@gregbrown3082]

She'll never win the beauty contest, but I think the Instinct Solar is probably the best value for money on the planet. I'm curious to see what the Instinct 2 will have to say, at launch. Considering the Fenix 7 just made the Enduro obsolete (battery wise), I am especially curious to see how strong the Instinct 2 battery is. -Able to make any launch schedule predictions here, Ray?

[@paulgal]

Really is the instict that good ? I have the vivioactive 4 I mostly do cycling, mountain climbing so I need good maps and I go to the gym . Would you recommend for me ?

[@gregbrown3082]

@@paulgal Instinct series does not currently have maps, so that may be a no-go for you!

[@gregbrown3082]

@@paulgal Instinct solar being the king Instinct. Battery wise. Fair on GPS, and literal unlimited battery in low power mode, provided you get outside once a month. Just some info!

[@bryonfeliksa3845]

Screen motion rate looks really bad in general. I wish it was more polished. Thank you for the honest review. I really appreciate it.

[@MS-pg4sx]

Just went to your site . Thank you for your work !

[@HeBogdan]

Garmin makes some next level watches. They literally have no competitor in terms of quality and features. I need it!

[@kamilk6807]

yup, flashlight!

[@phylosophdotcom]

Thank you for the review! Would you choose 945 lte over fenix 7s for 24/7 usage? Would it be lighter and more comfortable?

[@carlitto94]

Those interface changes and new widgets are coming to Fenix 6 or FR945 via updates?

[@daniel.g94]

Thank Ray, i really love your reviews. As somebody else said, you're the the first and my go-to person when it comes to sport-related tech. Now, to anyone who is reading this review. My wife gifted me the Fenix 7x Pro Solar with the titanium strap and for me it's a huge update on my 6 year old Fenix 3 Sapphire HR. But i have some fears that the 1200 EUR price tag is a bit too much. I am still a sport person with regular ski, bike, surf and hike activities. But my knees are feeling the workload of my previous sports and i can't keep it up. For example, my yearly number of km dropped from 3500km in 2016 to around 800 in 2020 and 500 in 2021.. Should i keep the watch? Or change it fo a EPIX or an Apple watch? thanks

[@lsh-zi2lc]

check out the kneesovertoesguy on KZbin! changing lives.

[@pederhindborg1072]

Been waiting all week for this video! Thanks! Any dates for the new IQ Store?

[@awesomexperson]

Literally bought the watch as I watched this (pun intended). Thanks!

[@lechprotean]

Thank you for the review. It's great that Garmin keep iterating on a great device so if I was serious about endurance sport but did not yet have a smartwatch that's a good choice. But for someone to upgrade from Garmin 5, I still see very little reason to do so.

[@paulmorrison30]

You’re definitely my go to guy for these things ✊🏾👊🏾🙏🏾

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!!

[@B.r.o.t.h.e.r.2]

Thanks for the video and looking forward too the one of the Epix

[@NeutralGenericUser]

Excellent in depth review. Really disappointed to see no ECG :(

[@RunWithMyDog]

Great review! I had the chance to hold one today!

[@Deceter]

You are one highly organised dude!

[@MonSport06]

Great job again 👍👍

[@smvdmeer]

Due to the larger solar ring on the 7X compared to the 6X, the bezel seems larger. Is the screen of the 7X smaller than the screen of the 6X? Or is the 7X casing larger than the 6X casing? Or is it just an illusion?

[@brianreiter5572]

I think it is an illusion. The metal bezel is actually smaller. The under-glass solar bezel area is larger - which is why the screws are moved. The display size is the same.

[@bike314]

Does the MTB activity finally get jump detection?? (If I mount it to my handle bars)

[@30mattdavies]

No

[@bertieblackman8791]

@@30mattdavies I'm fairly sure it does...it gets the "MTB dynamics".

[@scubamarilu]

I use the screen light on my 6X, to see at night.... but I like the stamina info and the sapphire solar glass.

[@seanvk]

Thanks for the review Ray! Beautiful location to exercise the Fenix and Epix. How does the contrast on the Sapphire model compare to the Gorilla Glass? Is it similar to the delta with the Fenix 6?

[@Dcrainmaker]

I haven't tried a non-Sapphire unit unfortunately.

[@milaweitz]

That's a pretty good question as Sapphire usually reflects like hell. From this reason I am very happy with 6X Pro Solar. But I already started investigation on EPIX. They have 2 Sapphire model (Black and White) + 1 DX Glass model, which I believe will have less reflection than Sapphire.

[@GOPANNGG]

THEY SEEMS SUPER BEAUTIFUL & PREMIUM

[@KumailZaidi]

What is likelihood that all the software features currently on Fenix7 (new graphs, race predictor trends, stamina) will also become available on Fenix6 as well?..

[@Decypher]

Nice!.. I see the man standing in the middle of a rocky landscape.. then he is touching the map and I see he is in the middle of amsterdam on the watch.. Maybe the GPS isn't very precise? 😀 The Netherlands is VERY flat.. so unless you are standing in Artis or something, your location is NOT amsterdam 😀

[@alanjackman5729]

.........Does this mean a 955 review might be in the works......Omg please say yes. also killer video as always

[@blanec]

Thanks for the great insight. Looking for a new GPS for my summer backpacking trips. Might switch from handheld to a watch for the other features!

[@MateHegyhati]

Wohooo, thanks for the vid. Do you have any info about porting the features back to other watches than the F6? (I have an Enduro). I'm thinking about the widgets, Stamina, or (what mostly interests me) the waypoints and the phone-datafield setup (and sync across devices like in the case of Edges I presume) ?

[@IvanKlishch]

A lot of great info, as always. When will you publish an Epix review? Waiting for that one!

[@craigdurling7283]

Great work! I love your channel! Just curious… were you wearing the same Decathlon shirt in the Fenix 6 review? 😁

[@jnygaarddk]

How fast does it charge?? Similar to Venu 2 maybe?? If using 24/7, that becomes important.

[@calebjay390]

@dcrainmaker, have you noticed how the “step pace” field on structured workouts is not correct? This seems to be a new bug introduced w the Fenix 7 line of software and isn’t an issue on my older Fenix 5

[@jancker06]

Excellent video! Lots of great information.

[@Dr.Osterman]

whats more better 42mm or 47mm?? please help me choose, Im 5'8, 65kgs, not really skinny wrists

[@justinward1580]

Purchase link?

[@doctorkj5640]

Great review (like always). Regarding Epix/Fenix displays… while amoled (or whatever epix has) is certainly more fancy, does the MIP display on Fenix looks better in direct sunlight? I mean shouldn’t it be more visible? Thnx.

[@dr4aces]

Excellent and thorough - as always. Thanks.

[@leewinter28]

Your reviews are EPIX! Thank you for the super comprehensive dives into these products. That being said, would you go with Fenix 7x or Epix? I love the AMOLED display so I lean towards the latter.

[@TurreTuntematon]

Epix all the way. Battery is very good for such a nice display.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Epix all the way, every day.

[@mangiantonio]

Hello, in the meantime, congratulations on the review, I wanted to ask you for info on STAMINA, i.e. I have my watch day 14 (i.e. two weeks ago) I always wear it (including at night) I have done about 4-5 bike rides (obviously starting the activities and putting the STAMINA and POTENTIAL STAMINA page in the data fields, but until this morning when I went out on my bike, nothing appeared to me (this morning I also tested it with a heart rate monitor after obviously connecting it). Does it take more time to "adjust to my body"? (in fact I don't see Vo2max either). I thank you for the answer.

[@daveybaa]

I was waiting for the ability to zoom in on a screen for those of us who struggle without reading glasses!

[@zed9zed]

Hahaha, I can't say "That'll do" without silently thinking "... donkey" too. Great review, also Tenerife is a great place for sports and liesure!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hahaha...I try not to say the 'Donkey' part outloud in videos... 😂

[@surreytrailgoat5469]

Fantastic review as always. When will you be uploading the epix review? thank you

[@Dcrainmaker]

Very shortly.

[@salkinco]

Waiting on this as well!