By akademiotoelektronik, 18/08/2022

Garmin fenix 7 |Techradar

The Garmin Fenix 7 in summary

The Garmin Fenix 7 is designed for all those who like competition and want to surpass themselves to reach new peaks, whether it is a cycling race, a half-marathon, an Ironman or aexhausting crossfit session.The Fenix 7 does not start from the principle that you have already established a complete training plan and that you know exactly how to balance work and recovery.It provides you with tools that will help you understand your current level, set a realistic objective and train effectively so as to reach it.

This new model has the same advanced modes of training and training tracking that made the Fenix 6 the best multisports watch in 2019 in 2019.It also introduces some new features that make it more accessible to neophyte users as initiates.

This is in particular a new endurance counter in real time which shows how your energy decreases during a training session, so that you can adjust your efforts accordingly.As well as a screen racing predictor who estimates how your current training diet will affect your running times over 5 km, 10 km and a half-marathon.

The Fenix 7 has a robust design similar to that of its predecessor, but the case is now finer.And, although the watch is always equipped with a transflective pixel memory screen (which consumes less energy than the amoled), it is now tactile.

A watch like the Garmin Fenix 7 takes time to be evaluated in depth - it appears so rich in training tools that must be used for an extended period to judge it fairly.We will not give our final note until having tested the watch for a few days, but this practical test should give you an impression on its daily capacities.

Price and release date

The Garmin Fenix 7 series was launched on January 18, 2022 and can be purchased directly on the Garmin online store.Prices start at € 699.99 for the standard version.The high -end Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar version costs € 999.99.

This is a significant increase compared to the Fenix 6, which started at € 599.99 when it was launched in 2019.However, it is much less than the Premium Garmin Epix watch, which was launched on the same day from € 899.99.

Design

The Fenix 7 is available in three sizes (42 mm, 47 mm and 51 mm), with standard variants, Solar and Sapphire Solar.We tested the Sapphire Solar edition, which is the first watch that combines the advantages of Power Glass glass, capturing sunlight, with a resistant crystal.

The watch we have assessed has a graphite gray titanium case and a black silicone bracelet, but other colors are available, as well as different options for the three sizes sold.The silicone bracelet is a good choice for athletes, because it turns out to be easy to clean.But you can also get a pack containing an additional leather or woven bracelet for daily use.

The Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar weighs 73 g with the attached silicone bracelet, and 50 g without.It is almost exactly the same as the Fenix 6 Solar, which weighs 72 g with its bracelet, and 49 g without.It is impressive that Garmin has managed to maintain a constant weight while considerably increasing the space occupied by the battery and fully improving the display technology.

The Fenix 7 interface will be immediately familiar to the Fenix 6 users.It consists of five physical buttons and a touch screen that automatically locks during the follow -up of activities in order to avoid any accidental interruption or cancellation of activities.If you prefer to be satisfied with the buttons, you can choose to completely deactivate the touch screen.It is the same possible to deactivate it during your sleep hours to avoid accidental contacts at night.However, we did not encounter any problem of this order during our nights spent with the latter on the wrist.

Rather than equipping the Fenix 7 with an AMOLED screen like that of the watches from 2 and EPIX, Garmin opted for a transflective pixels screen screen.It is a wise choice that preserves the level of autonomy, even if the screen is not as bright as we would have liked it.

The screen remains easy to read in most lighting conditions, but we found it lacking a little contrast compared to watches like the Garmin Instinct Solar, and we often had to use the backlight accordingly.This is probably due to the fact that the instinct has a monochrome screen, while the Fenix 7 offers a color screen.

The Fenix 7 uses the same owner USB cable as all the other Garmin watches released in the past two years.This can disappoint those who hopelessly recharge this time, but the cable is easy to use and plugs solidly at the back of the watch.

The fenix 7 is waterproof up to a depth of 100 m, which makes it adapted to swimming in pool and free water, as well as activities such as kayak, windsurfing and paddleboard (which all havetheir own profile).For diving, however, you will need a specialized swimming watch like the Garmin Descent MK2.

Autonomy

Most high -end sports watches are also available in solar version, and the Fenix 7 is no exception.The model we tested was equipped with the company's power glass glass, which recovers energy throughout the day to keep the battery of the watch at level.You will always need to connect the watch from time to time, but solar glass considerably extends the level of autonomy.

Garmin estimates that the Fenix 7x Solar can last up to five days in Smartwatch mode, and up to five weeks with the activated GPS.This supposes at least three hours per day of decent exhibition in the sun, but as we tested the watch in January in the United Kingdom, it often received much less.

After a week of regular use, with the GPS consulted at least once a day, night surveillance of the oxygen level in the blood (SPO2) and an activation of the backlight, the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar still had 10 days of'autonomy.The adjustment of the economy mode has passed this autonomy over a month.You can activate and deactivate the economy mode on the watch itself, or make more specific settings via the Garmin Connect mobile application, by deactivating certain tracking measures.

It is now easier to see the remaining level of charge expressed as a percentage;One of our main complaints with the Fenix 6 Solar was that you could not see the remaining power measured in days.It's a welcome little bonus.

main Features

The Garmin Fenix 7 has all the sensors that can be expected from a high -end smartwatch, including the latest Elevate 4 Cardiac frequency monitor: an altimeter, a compass, a SPO2 sensor anda temperature sensor.

SPO2 surveillance can operate continuously, during the night, or only on request during occasional checks.The Garmin Fenix 6 has recently been the subject of an update of the firmware which warns you if you move your wrist too much while the watch makes a measurement of your blood oxygen - and it is a functionality that you will also find onThe Fenix 7.

Regarding travel, multiband GPS and Fenix 7 mapping are excellent.The watch recorded our test route of 5 km pre-measured at the nearest 50 meters, which represents an easily explained margin of error by the use of public trails rather than a track.You can also use the watch for your daily trips, which prevents you from having to take out your smartphone.The Fenix 7 can even highlight all your geographic points of interest, such as a store or a coffee.It is very well thought out and it makes Fenix 7 a watch more suited to urban use than sporting.

If you are tired of your usual running, bicycle or walking routes, you can use the Garmin Connect course creation tool to create new ones.You just have to select a starting point, a distance and a general orientation (north, south, east or west) and the application generates a suitable course in a few seconds.You can then synchronize it with your Fenix 7, which will give you detailed indications during your route.

There is also Garmin's TRACBACK function, which is extremely useful, which allows you to mark your starting point and to bring yourself back once you are ready to finish your walk, your cycling raid or your race.It is ideal if you want to go on an adventure, although if you do hiking or orienteering, you must always keep a paper card and a compass on you;The Fenix 7 Multiband GPS is excellent, but no device is foolproof.

The Fenix 7 has a storage space dedicated to your music library.You can also use it to listen to playlists, podcasts and audio books via the default multimedia player of your smartphone.

When you are on the move, you can use Garmin Pay to make contactless payments in stores or in certain public transport.Unfortunately, our bank is not supported and we could not test this functionality.

One of the functions that is sorely lacking in the Fenix 7 is the microphone of the new Garmin Venu 2 Plus, which allows you to receive telephone calls and use the voice assistant for your smartphone directly from your wrist.It is an extremely practical feature, especially for athletes, and we cross our fingers so that Garmin introduces it to a later date in a Garmin Fenix 7 Plus.

Fitness features

Improved Fenix 7 training tools help you balance efforts and recovery.They make the abstract concept of training load easy to understand.This is always a watch designed for serious athletes, but Garmin's advanced functions are now more accessible for beginners and amateur sportsmen.

The best example is undoubtedly this endurance tool in real time, which indicates how many “fuel” you have to carry out your training.This allows you to avoid breaking down and determining with more precision when to turn around during a round trip.

Here is a practical addition, extremely simple to use, which precisely reflects your energy levels according to your drive load.With tired legs, our endurance was exhausted much faster than when we were fresh, and we were able to adapt our training accordingly.

The watch frequency monitor is extremely reactive, which makes it an excellent watch for HIIT training (which is now available as an activity profile).A colored bar at the top of the watch screen allows you to see your heart rate at any time, and therefore increase the effort when you want to go to the next level.Here, the effects are visible immediately.

Once your activity is completed, the Garmin Connect application tells you how your endurance has decreased and if your effort really corresponds to your potential.This is another practical information that allows you to know if you give yourself thoroughly or if you refrove yourself to avoid fatigue.

Another unprecedented motivation tool is the race predictor, who uses your current performance to estimate the time you need to finish a 5 km, a 10 km, a half-marathon and a marathon according to your current physical condition.This is only an estimate, but a graphic scheme showing the evolution of your time provided for your training can really galvanize your efforts.All this information is available directly on your wrist, so it is not necessary to immerse yourself in Garmin Connect to take it into account.

You can monitor your training charge over seven days at a glance on the watch dial, with tips for whether you need to increase the intensity, lift your foot or stay stable to get optimal results.

The Fenix 7 is not only a running watch - it also has an impressive set of tools for cyclists, and can be connected to the company range of bicycle counters.We will very soon test its specific functions more in -depth.

Sleep monitoring is just as impressive, precisely detecting the changes recorded between bedtime and raising, events that sports watches do not really know how to distinguish.Every morning, you will receive a sleep score, as well as advice on how to rest.These data will also be included in the “body battery”, an indicator that determines how you balance effort and recovery.

Companion application

Like all Garmin watches, the Fenix 7 synchronizes with the Garmin Connect application for iOS and Android.The coupling of the watch is a breeze, and it automatically synchronizes the data whenever you do a training session or you open the application.If you upgrade from an old Garmin device, all data will be grouped transparently.

Garmin Connect is one of the best developed fitness applications to date, and puts much more information at your disposal than Huawei Health, or even the official Coros application.All your most recent statistics (such as heart rate, training sessions, sleep and menstrual cycle) are displayed on a central dashboard that you can reorganize and personalize at will.You don't want to see your number of steps?Just slide it to the right to disappear.

If you press one of these statistics, you can explore the data in more detail.Each graphic and table is accompanied by an information panel which details exactly the interest of given information and how you can use it.The application also provides suggestions, if necessary, so that you can improve your training habits.

Open the main menu of the application and you will discover a wide range of additional tools, all specially designed for athletes.For example, there is a follow -up of the equipment that allows you to know how long you have used your pair of shoes and determine when it is time to replace it.It is also possible to define emergency contacts, alerted if the Fenix 7 detects an accident.

There are customizable training plans for runners and cyclists, who set you certain sessions to be performed during the week and adapt according to your performance.As well as various training sessions led by a coach.All this is free, and nothing indicates that Garmin plans to set up a Fitbit Premium type subscription to access it.

You can download third -party applications, new themes and additional data fields (which are presented on the screen during training), through a second application called Garmin Connect IQ.

There are not a large number of applications to download, but many of those available have been created by Garmin passionate users and meet a real need.Like the Komoot mapping tool, appreciated by runners and cyclists.

Buy it if...

You want to beat new Personal Records the Garmin Fenix range has always offered some of the best training tools, but the new additions offered by the Fenix 7 facilitate the balance between efforts and recovery, and help you see the long -term advantages ofwork you are undertaking today.

You like to live in the open Airpour the long camping trips, the excellent level of autonomy will allow the watch to operate for days, even by regularly using energy -consuming applications.Its multiband GPS is extremely precise, its navigation functions turn by turn and tracbacks make it possible to more easily take unknown routes.

You mistreat your Watches the Fenix 7 is built to last, and the new Sapphire Solar version means that you no longer have to choose between maximum autonomy and sustainability.You can also be sure that Garmin will continue to support it with firmware updates for many years (the Fenix 6 received a major update on the eve of the launch of the Fenix 7).

Do not buy it if...

You are an occasional sportsman Fenix 7 is a real pleasure to use, but it will not suit the runners, cyclists and occasional sportsmen.Other watches in the Garmin range, including the entry -level Forerunner 55 and the versatile Venu 2 Plus, are a better choice if you do not intend to go to the higher level.

You are satisfied with your Fenix 6la Fenix 6 has resisted the time test and has just received a major software update, which has made it possible to modernize its training methods and its monitoring algorithms.The Fenix 7 is a high -end watch, and if you are convinced to make the most of the support tools for your current watch, it is difficult to justify the additional cost.