Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar Review: Best Backcountry Smartwatch or Waste of Money?

[@MigRx]

Awesome review! Just a bit of info, the Fenix and Epix are exactly the same watch excerpt the Epix is an amolde screen in contrast to the Fenix’s MIP. There are very few differences between each: Fenix has better battery life, Epix has a red shift mode which turns the whole display red, green or orange for low light visibility comfort. The Fenix 8 is rumored to combine the Fenix and the Epix lines ( again since they’re the same watch just different displays) and the Fenix will get Amoled as standard while it will also have an option for MIP. Hope that helps anyone with questions about the Fenix and Epix!

[@MindfulHunter]

@@MigRx thanks!

[@andrzejtaramina2709]

Latest info from a few days ago is that Fenix 8 may come out early Sept. likely will consolidate the Epix and fenix models under the fenix product name. I’ll likely hold off till the new model comes out. I did find a couple of apps that provide data fields including METs, intended for rucking. If a new software release comes with the 8, maybe it’ll include a rucking activity where you can specify the weight. Great review Jay, as always….i was waiting for this one and coupled with news that the 8 may be only a few months off, has convinced me to hold off on purchasing for a while!

[@MindfulHunter]

That’s good info!

[@j3butch]

Spot on review jay. I’m 6 weeks in on my epix pro 2 and do love it. No regrets so far though

[@MindfulHunter]

Yeah that’s a great watch!

[@mitchg9285]

Great review. Commenting for the algorithm!

[@MindfulHunter]

💪

[@Evan-rv9ox]

Absolutely agree with this review. I have a Fenix 6, and the only tracking I end up finding useful without killing the battery is the Sleep and Running/HIIT. Everything else is frustrating compared to Apple. Even the step counter doesn’t show distance when the Apple Watch will show steps and step calibrated distance.

[@MindfulHunter]

💪

[@PackRat0331]

I have the 6x and an Apple Watch. 100% agree with everything you said. It’s unfortunate the Apple needs to be charged every night in the field, requires use of its very own power bank. I mainly use the Fenix to note my altitude at this point.

[@MindfulHunter]

@@PackRat0331 👍

[@danielvargo4498]

I absolutely love my garmin epix pro 2 sapphire worth every penny ❤

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@primitiveoutfitting]

Great review Jay, was actually contemplating buying this one. My Fenix 6x stb and won't charge, have had to buy an extra charging cord and even now won't charge. Garmin customer service sucks to reach, waited 90 min last week on hold and just hung up. Same goes for my mini inreach, won't charge anymore.

[@MindfulHunter]

That’s bs

[@cristinacristina8385]

Hi what do you recommend fenix 7 pro solar or epix gen2 or fenix 7 x pro solar thank you very much

[@MindfulHunter]

Depends on the use case.

[@Kaveman907]

Amazing review. I had been considering buying this watch. I currently don’t have any type of smart or fitness watch. I think I would be disappointed in the same things you were as I’m looking for the same things in a watch. Are there any other watches you know of that might be worth trying

[@MindfulHunter]

Haven’t found anything else yet that doesn’t suffer from similar or worse weaknesses. I’ll keep looking.

[@robinsimonoceanskies9646]

Great review! I still think it's an awesome watch (I don't have it) - I stll have my Fēnix 6X Pro' Solar... I wonder if the "Data Lover" watchface isn't responsible for your little battery drain (the more data on the watchface, the more battery it consumes) - even more so if from a third party app! I'll wait until the Fenix 8 and see what it brings to the table and decided form there if I purchase it or if I enjoy quite a discount on the Fēnix 7X Pro ! 😌

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@vancejohnson1778]

Awesome review man, definitely a sweet lookin watch, i think garmin would be much better off refurbishing their user interface for sure, but do seem to make durable products could be wats keeping them alive lol

[@MindfulHunter]

Agreed.

[@KodySunny]

In America this watch is $1,000 and it still seems pretty steep. I've been trying to justify buying it for about a year. I think I'll wait till next spring thanks to your review. I was going to get it before hunting season this year but it doesn't seem necessary for me. Just a badass watch ⌚️

[@MindfulHunter]

💪

[@ismathem]

I would wait for back Friday. They cut the prices by about $250 last year.

[@polloborracho9180]

Another option is the Instinct line. I have the Fenix 6 and 7, and the Instinct Crossover Tactical. I find that I grab the crossover way more often.

[@davidgervais4039]

I got a crossover solar and couldnt be happier​@polloborracho9180

[@weekendwilderness581]

Great review! There are so many features Garmin displays on the website, some hunting specific ones such as hunt map, apparently there is an archery feature as well? Are they worth something?

[@MindfulHunter]

Neither are particularly useful.

[@ExplorersWorkbench]

Great Review! Maybe it would be useful for rifle hunting if it had ballistic capability/ wind data widget on face. With an inreach mini 2 and onx on iphone 15 and old iphone as a back up, a watch like this wouldn't make sense. Maybe the solar instinct model just as a timepiece.

[@MindfulHunter]

Agreed

[@zachs13]

Also, 2 notes on battery life. That 28 day estimate is based on 50k lux hours of solar. Which I have found to be attainable if youre outside for a few hours a day. On days where its cloudy or I'm not outside much, its not even close. Also, I have my pulse oximeter turned off except for when I'm sleeping. I don't personally see a huge advantage for myself in continuously measuring blood oxygen while awake. That makes a HUGE difference in battery life. I do 5-6 activities a week, varying from 1-3 hours and still easily get 15-20 days of battery life on average with a full charge. If you want longer life, I'd consider tinkering with your sensor settings and deciding what is important to you, if you haven't already!

[@MindfulHunter]

Oh that’s interesting. I’ll check that for sure.

[@maxel7723]

Thank you for your review. While I respect your personal opinion, I have a different experience with the watch. As someone who plays tennis 3-4 times a week and engages in various other exercises, my Fenix watch's battery lasts about 25 days. Perhaps your outdoor activities are particularly long, which might explain the discrepancy. If you were to perform the same activities with a Samsung Watch or an Apple Watch, their batteries might not even last a full day.

[@MindfulHunter]

It’s always good to hear other peoples experiences with products. I’m curious. Do you turn on activity tracking during your Tennis and other exercise sessions?

[@maxel7723]

@@MindfulHunter Yes I do. My exercize sessions are quite short

[@MindfulHunter]

@@maxel7723 I think the gps tracking during hiking sessions causes a lot of the battery drain.

[@maxel7723]

@@MindfulHunter I think that is the point

[@damonclutterbuck6489]

I personally use the Coros Apex2. the battery life is stupid good. can get 2 full days of gps tracking easy out of it. absolutely love it, but I like my stuff stupid simple so doesn’t have some of the features that the garmin has.

[@MindfulHunter]

Good info

[@rbljackson]

I bought a Fenix 3 HR ( i think that's the model) used a few years ago as a back up to my On X app/ Phone while hunting, and also carry the Garmin In reach Mini for messaging. . I like the watch, but the one thing that stood out as an issue was the brightness (lack of brightness) of the display. I'm guessing the newer ones are better in that area. I don't think I could justify the new cost over 1k, but finding a used one for 3-4 hundred in an older model isn't a bad idea in my opinion. For the weight, it provides a back up nav tool along with a lot of other functions like barometer readings, altitude, compass, sleep monitoring, Heart rate monitor, ability to pair with phone for notifications, etc... I dont think the watch is a great method to use for Nav, BUT....it at least could be used to mark the truck and camp and any other key waypoints. In the event you NEED to get back and the phone is dead....it gives ya a back up method bare minimum. With that said....i still carry a compass "Just in case". I think your review is spot on based on my experience with an older model. I had/have a similar opinion of it and its uses and applications.

[@MindfulHunter]

💪

[@zachs13]

From what i understand, the Epix and the Fenix are nearly identical as far as functionality. The biggest difference is the screen, with the Epix having an Amoled display, much like a Galaxy or Apple watch.

[@MindfulHunter]

Good to know.

[@chrisfavorin1107]

Guess its my age (55) and the fact Im Airborne Infantry, having all that on my wrist is one thing but when it shits the bed, (and it will shit the bed- Murphys law) you need a back up and knowing how to read a map and understand how to track your movement via old school techniques outweigh spending 1500 bucks. I use OnX and own an iWatch but I use them on a daily. But to buy a watch for my yearly trip out west to Elk hunt and during my 4 months of whitetail hunting back home in PA is not justified. Old school maps, a compass and a few days learning how to read that map is probably better money spent!

[@MindfulHunter]

🫡 should always start with the fundamentals.

[@danielvargo4498]

Epix pro has everything the fenix 7x pro has besides amoled display

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@UnkleDavo]

Just picked up one for 900 dollars, had the x pro solar

[@MindfulHunter]

👏

[@waltweaver7297]

Want to trade a Montana 750i for your 66i I'm not sure of each of values $ for a straight across trade ,,,,to be determined

[@MindfulHunter]

I think I’m going to sell my 66i and move to an InReach mini.

[@richt3993]

The white version is now only £500 in the UK

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@danielvargo4498]

Im sorry i dont agree with ur review

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@13hawks32claws]

I run an apple, but the battery life is pathetic.

[@MindfulHunter]

💯