I recently upgraded to this watch from my Instinct 2 Solar, which I really enjoyed. The sale price made it a good value, and I appreciated that the menu system is very similar to the Instinct, making the transition easy. I’ve also used a Forerunner in the past, and the consistency across Garmin’s interface is a definite plus.
However, I do have two main drawbacks with this watch:
1. Display quality:
The color and resolution are significantly lower than the AMOLED version. This is due to the solar screen, but I’m not convinced that the solar feature justifies the tradeoff. Garmin’s non-solar watches already offer excellent battery life, as do their Edge cycle computers. If I had the choice again, I’d opt for the AMOLED version.
2. Software support:
It seems Garmin has moved on from the Fenix 7X series when it comes to major updates. Even my older and less significant Instinct 2 still receives them. This appears to be more of a marketing strategy than a technical limitation, which is disappointing for a premium device.
Other notes:
The watch is heavy. I wear it overnight for sleep tracking, and while I’ve adjusted to the weight, it was uncomfortable at first. My Instinct never had this issue due to being much lighter.
As an avid cyclist, I love that this watch works great as a fully functional cycle computer. It connects with all the same sensors as my Garmin Edge, and I use it as a reliable backup. I wear it on my wrist even though a handlebar mount is available. It’s fine for road and gravel riding, but on rough terrain (like mountain biking), the weight and bulk cause it to bounce and irritate my skin, something that didn’t happen with the lighter Instinct.
Final thoughts:
This is a great watch in many ways, but I would recommend going with the AMOLED version instead of the solar. Garmin already excels at battery life, so the solar feature feels unnecessary. Also, I wouldn't recommend this model for rough activities due to the weight and comfort issues.
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