Excitement Builds for the Garmin Fenix 7: A Runner's Perspective
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Chapter 1: Anticipating the Garmin Fenix 7
The much-anticipated Garmin Fenix 7 has finally hit the market after delays of over six months! As an avid runner, I’m eager to share my thoughts while I await the watch's arrival.
Having been a loyal user of Garmin watches for years, including the Fenix 5X for more than three years and the Forerunner 920XT prior, I understand the importance of reliability. When a brand consistently delivers reliable performance across 1,537 activities (as of this writing), it fosters loyalty. Although I skipped the Fenix 6, my excitement for the Fenix 7 is palpable!
For those visiting the Garmin store page, you’ll find a plethora of information about the Fenix 7. However, distinguishing what’s truly beneficial for runners amidst the marketing jargon can be challenging. Below, I’ve highlighted some key features that clarify its practical advantages.
Section 1.1: Reliability and Build Quality
In my experience, the most critical feature of a running watch is its reliability. It’s common to see Strava posts mentioning GPS issues, but I’ve never encountered this with my Garmin devices. They connect quickly, and their tracking reliability is commendable. The Fenix 7 enhances this with the addition of Galileo, the European satellite system, alongside GPS and Glonass. This multi-frequency positioning is expected to elevate tracking accuracy to levels previously reserved for military use.
On the quality front, the Fenix 5 has stood up to various challenges without showing signs of wear, aside from the bezel. Given the Fenix 7’s titanium bezel and sapphire display, I anticipate it will be nearly indestructible.
Subsection 1.1.1: Battery Performance
Battery life is another essential feature for any runner. There’s little worse than running out of power mid-exercise. I opted for the Fenix 5X primarily due to its long battery life. I typically charge it weekly and still manage to finish a 10KM run with around 5% battery remaining. The Fenix 7 promises even more impressive stats—18 days as a smartwatch, 57 hours in GPS mode, and 40 days in expedition mode! With options for different sizes and solar charging, it’s clear that battery life will be a non-issue for most runners.
Section 1.2: Heart Rate Monitoring
While wrist-based heart rate monitors are convenient for tracking vitals at rest, I find them lacking in accuracy during runs. I prefer a chest strap for precise data and additional metrics. I’m curious to see whether the new ELEVATE GEN4 sensor improves wrist-based heart rate tracking and if it can function underwater as claimed!
Chapter 2: Additional Health Features
This video gives an insightful look at the Garmin Fenix 7, especially its features for runners.
Health metrics such as respiration and pulse oximetry were absent in the Fenix 5X but made their debut with the Fenix 6. While they may offer general health insights, I’m uncertain of their direct applicability to runners. These metrics may be useful in specific scenarios, such as high-altitude training, but that isn’t a common experience for most runners.
Section 2.1: Running Without a Phone
I usually carry my phone while running to listen to music, capture photos, or make quick purchases. While the Fenix 7 won’t solve all these issues, it can stream music to Bluetooth headphones and offers 16/32GB of storage, which is quite generous, considering maps will occupy some of that space. The inclusion of GARMIN PAY™ for contactless transactions is an added bonus, even if it wasn’t a top priority for me!
What I’m Eager to Experience
Several training features have been added or enhanced in this new model. I’m particularly looking forward to the BODY BATTERY™ ENERGY MONITOR feature, which was also present in the Fenix 6 but which I didn’t have access to. Tools to prevent burnout during intensive training are always welcome.
Another feature that piques my interest is the PACEPRO™ PACING STRATEGIES. I typically balance pacing through a mix of planning and instinct—could following the watch's guidance yield better results?
The HEAT AND ALTITUDE ACCLIMATION feature could have been beneficial during my last vacation, even if it’s not something I need every day.
Lastly, I wonder if the REALTIME STAMINA will prove useful, or if the perception of effort during a run is something we inherently understand.
What’s Still Needed?
What else could a runner want from a smartwatch? Some critics argue that the screen resolution doesn’t match that of the Apple Watch (260x260 vs. 448x368), but the lower resolution of the 5X has never hindered my experience, especially considering the Apple Watch's battery lasts only 18 hours.
A potentially valuable addition could be an EDGE-based distress signaling feature that sends alerts with coordinates when an incident occurs or if someone is lost.
Finally, many were hoping for ECG capabilities; it remains unclear if this feature might be enabled later or if the current heart rate sensor can support it.
Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for an in-depth review once the watch arrives.
This video features a comprehensive review of the Garmin Fenix 7, showcasing its performance tested by three runners.