GarminGarmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar, Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Built-in Flashlight, Solar Charging Capability, 010-02778-10, Black

Strongly recommend picking one up if you're on the fence and are coming from lesser watches.Loving the new added features found on the 7X. (upgraded from Fenix 5X after 5+ years use)* Touch screen + Transflective display* Body battery metric* Morning summary* Extended battery life! (soooo much better than every 3 day charging)* Solar charging (though in the winter it doesn't do much)* NFC connection for wallet/payments* Pro-Pace features* Better GPS connectivity* Band style is still just as beefy as well as the metal screen surround (sapphire screen saved me so many times!)Only con I've noticed is bluetooth range seems to be slightly reduced. Before I used to be able to leave my phone downstairs and not lose connection upstairs in bed... now it connects and disconnects all the time while upstairs unfortunately.

he Garmin Sapphire is an excellent smartwatch for men who value durability and performance. The sapphire crystal lens is incredibly tough and resistant to scratches, making it perfect for active lifestyles. It offers a wide range of features, including advanced fitness tracking, GPS accuracy, and seamless connectivity for notifications. The battery life is impressive, lasting several days even with regular use. Its sleek yet rugged design looks great, whether you’re at the gym or in the office. Overall, the Garmin Sapphire is a reliable, feature-packed watch that’s worth the investment.

Purchased this watch to replace a dying Garmin Vivoactive 3. Having some gift card monies to spend, I really wanted a Fenix even though I knew it was much more watch than I really needed. As usual, I over researched watches (reviews, YouTube videos, etc) but narrowed my search to the Fenix 7x Pro and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Although the Apple Watch is a great watch, ultimately it didn’t meet my needs as much as the Garmin.As mentioned before, the Fenix exceeds my needs but what I’ve experienced thus far, I know I made the correct choice. Naturally because it is a much more advanced watch than my outgoing Vivoactive, the features are more accurate. GPS is spot on, HR is surprisingly good, stairs counter is much more accurate, and the rep counter when strength training is much better. I’ve been using the sleep tracker…I really don’t know the accuracy of the feature but it’s interesting all the same. I anticipate using the map features while hiking/biking once the weather improves. I probably don’t need to mention battery life but this watch is probably second to none. I’m going from charging every other day to going several weeks on a charge.A concern of mine was the case size of the watch. My Vivoactive was 42mm (I believe) and this Fenix is 51mm. A couple coworkers have Apple Watch Ultra 2’s and I thought the size was reasonable at 49mm. Still not certain, I went to a local store that carries Garmin watches and tried on a Fenix 8 at 51mm. My decision was made after that. It is a big jump in watch size but I was able to accustom myself to the watch very quickly. Being a larger case, all the provided data can be viewed easily instead of being smushed onto a smaller screen.My one an only dislike of the watch is the watch band. No matter how tight/loose the band was, the buckle would dig into my wrist and cause discomfort and abrasions. I replaced it with a Hēmsut band and couldn’t be happier. I also purchased a case/bezel cover (ISABAKE) to prevent chips and scratches.Lastly, if can live without an AMOLED screen (Fenix 8), the Fenix 7 line can be had at hundred$ less. I’m not certain but other than the AMOLED vs MIP screen, I don’t think the Fenix 8 offers much more over the 7.

I purchased this watch back in November 2024, mainly for its super accurate heart rate monitoring, especially given my history of V-tach and my implanted ICD. I was particularly interested in its newly added ECG capabilities, and in regards to obtaining an accurate heart beat readings per minute during exercise.I primarily use it for walking and swimming. For walking, the tracked distance is accurate, as is the GPS. I particularly like the lap tracking, which is based on distance, pace, and other metrics.For swimming, I used it this past week in my pool, and it accurately captured the time and distance swum. An added benefit was its resistance to seawater—specifically, the Dead Sea, where the salinity is extremely high. I was in the water for 20 minutes then came out and rinsed it well with fresh water. It resumed working like a charm. One thing to note about using the watch in sea water: it is highly advisable not to press any of the side buttons while under water.I love this watch and will most likely upgrade to future models as needed.