Garmin Fenix Showdown - Upgrading from a 3HR to a 7X Solar - Should you too?

[@rideSYV246]

Great video! I still have a 3HR and got it when the Fenix 5 was still out, but my new epix pro will be here in a day. Only ordered due to my latest AFIB, has a little more features for that. Thanks!

[@ramseybenachour]

I have had my 3HR Sapphire since it came out in 2016. That's 8 years (man, how does time go so fast?) of use at varying intensity (I've waxed and waned between doing Ironmans, and being a full couch potato). In an era of designed obsolescence, I find that to be pretty stunning. I have been wanting to upgrade my 3HR for years, but I told myself I wasn't going to do it until it actually died. This weekend I went on a easy 40k bike ride, and the GPS never locked on. The whole ride was recorded, but with no useable metrics since it had no GPS data. I took this as the excuse for me to finally get the upgrade. Im a few weeks away from a major birthday...turning 40. Ive asked my wife and family for the 7 pro Solar. The price has dropped to $699 USD, which is still a huge amount of money, but if the thing lasts me 8 years then its a worthwhile investment. Hoping that I am wowed by all of the improvements, but your video is giving me pause. Any thoughts or guidance?

[@pescado99]

Check out the second hand market for the 7X Solar Pro, they have dropped dramatically. I have used mine now for 18 months and have no complaints. The solar is a bit of a gimmick, but the battery life is so so good it doesn't matter much. Also, buying second hand means you won't freak out if you scratch it! Get a receipt from the original owner if you can. Garmin will replace it ($300 AUD) if it dies (which happened to me - power button died). Good luck.

[@GregJorgo]

Great review on the 3 HR, thanks mate

[@Ajajambo]

What a great video and wise advise 👍 this a man with a head on his shoulders no gimmick or mucking about. I have Fenix 6 sapphire but guess what I picked up a hardly used Fenix 3HR with 7 straps including a bracelet and a leather strap for £70. I find visibility on my 6 sapphire not the best hence the purchase of the 3HR. Subscribed

[@pescado99]

Thanks for the positive feedback!

[@vezquex]

Well said. I thought a Fenix 7 might be overkill, so I picked up a Forerunner 245 for around $150. Wasn't sure about the older Fenix models, but sapphire sounds like a plus.

[@pescado99]

Yes, sapphire is a bonus, the faces can cop a real hiding. My 3HR didn't have a mark on the screen. Sold it for $150.

[@matthiasschorghofer7129]

Nice Video. When you press the start and down Button at the same time you can switch on and off the touchscreen when you take a shower🙂👍🏾

[@pescado99]

Nice tip, thanks!

[@matthiasschorghofer7129]

@@pescado99 you are welcome🙂👍🏾. Was the first tip I was searching for 😃👍🏾

[@felipem2040]

Fênix 3 hr is beautiful. Most beautiful model to date

[@pescado99]

Agree it's a great watch.

[@vendejos]

I still have the 3 hr. gps with glonass is pretty quick to lock on in my driveway. Sometimes 10-20 sec

[@pescado99]

Agree, it varies. Sometime GPS is as fast as 20-30 seconds, and it seems faster if you're recently used it in the same location. GLONASS seemed very slow for me in testing. If the battery is good (which you can change yourself), the 3HR still ticks almost every box.

[@vendejos]

@@pescado99 How do you change the battery.

[@usefulknowledge6074]

I've had the 3HR since 2018. Got it manufacturer refurbhished for $230 (USD). I've been having a problem for a while now that the HR monitor doesn't connect automatically when I start an activity. In those cases, while it may appear that the HR monitor is working, it's not. You end up getting a staircase HR data at the end, which is annoying. Usually, a reboot fixes the issue. This has prompted me to look for an upgrade, and I was shocked to find how much Garmin watches cost these days. I like Garmin, but $1000 for a fitness watch is insane! Like you, I have no interest in all the gimicky stuff like HRV, body battery, sleep tracking, maps, etc. I simply want to track my runs accurately and don't have to worry about battery life. Since I cannot afford one of the new Garmins, I will just stick with the fenix 3 hr and get a chest trap for $50.

[@pescado99]

You should re check 2nd hand prices. Fenix 7's are now around $500 AUD

[@usefulknowledge6074]

@@pescado99 Thanks for the reply. Actually, ended up ordering a chest HR strap. Makes way more sense financially speaking since there's nothing wrong with my Fenix 3HR and I have no need for all the gimmick features in the new devices.

[@chrisseeman2215]

I just upgraded to a Fenix 7x pro from a Fenix 3 hr after my fenix 3 did a automatic update and I lost the use of the heart monitor and the steps as well as my battery going from 7 days to 24 hour life. I contacted garmin and all they could say was that my Fenix 3 was too old.

[@pescado99]

Wow, really interesting - the Apple approach to updates. My Fenix 7 'power button' failed after 2 years, so they sold me a new one for $330 AUD as it was out of warranty. Apparently a common enough issue, forums have plenty of comments on this issue.

[@andresphdzz]

Do you reccomend Fénix 3HR in 2023 for about 50€ ? I will be using it only for running a couple times a week

[@pescado99]

Absolutely, that's a very good price as long as it is in good cosmetic condition and has the charging cradle.

[@arielbascur2842]

Do you recomend buy a fenix 3 hr or a forerruner 55, I will use it for funning and cycling, they bouth same price

[@mastak3089]

Please tell me, is it worth buying fenix 3 now or is it already outdated?

[@pescado99]

Per my video, I think if you're on a budget, the 3HR Sapphire is an excellent fitness watch for the price. I would recommend you buy one if the price is good (< $150AUD). That's just 10% of the price of a new Fenix 7 with 80% of the features.

[@tonci2725]

U talk 2 muculh... why dont u just say how 2 upgrade it and thats all?????