Garmin fenix 7X

This watch is nearly perfect for any outdoor adventure. From running to hiking to swimming to boating, it gets the job done well. I will not hit the trail, road, or lake without it!

I know my Garmin Fenix 7X (Solar Sapphire) has been on the market for around three years. And I know that tons of people have written excellent reviews about it. You can also find great reviews of it on YouTube. So I won't go into all sorts of detail here because others have done that well.  I'll just give a brief run down of this watch. Also, I'm guessing that future iterations of the Fenix will also be excellent so this review will likely apply to newer Fenix watches.

First, I use it for road running, trail running, biking, gym workouts, HIIT, hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, and more outdoor activities. It really does well in these areas. It can handle being immersed in water no problem. It won't hurt it if you knock it on the side of a boat. Cold weather? No problem! The GPS is quite accurate and I use an external Garmin heart rate monitor for more precision. It pairs with other devices quite well (including Apple and Android phones using the Connect app). When I go on multi-day hikes I don't need to charge the watch until day six, give or take—that includes me recording the hikes using GPS. 

Second, I love the maps. I've used my Fenix 7XSS to backpack parts of the Ice Age Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, the High Sierra Trail, the Timberline Trail, the Solitude Loop, etc. etc. The maps have helped me navigate trails well. You can use the maps without the watch being connected to your phone. You do have to update the maps once or twice a year, and once in a great while a trail is not on the map, but about 95% of the time it's been a game changer for me when hiking. 

Third, it works great for running and gym workouts. You can get all the data you need for these activities (e.g. pace, HR, reps, stamina, speed, etc. etc.). It's helped me train for and complete three marathons.  It also holds music so you can listen to music or podcasts on the watch without a phone.  

Another feature Iike is a tiny built-in LED light. I use it at night sometimes and I put it on flashing when I run at dawn or dusk so people can see me better. The sleep tracking also works OK—not perfect, but pretty good. The solar aspect doesn't charge the watch, it just slows the battery drain down when you're in sunny conditions. 

I could go on and on but I don't want this review to get too long. I really love this watch. It sometimes has minor glitches (like once or twice a year it shuts itself off and turns back on), but 99% of the time it's great. It did cost a bit, but after three years I can say it was worth it. The battery life is still great, the watch has been through it all but still looks nice, and performs as if new. I'll keep this Fenix for a few years and for sure upgrade when this one is too old. I'm a fan! 

Background

I have a lot of outdoor experience backpacking, hiking, running, boating, etc. I've tested this watch in every condition—snow, rain, sun, water, etc. I know how to use this watch and I'd consider myself a power user.