Garmin Fenix 7 Pro

Quick take

Honestly… one of the best buys I have ever made! I wear this puppy everywhere and have never and will never look back! I like it so much I got my girlfriends Dad to get one.

The Good

• Build Quality: The build quality on this thing is amazing! I am pretty sure it would survive a direct nuclear blast! Garmin knows who they create for and it shows; the thing is durable and just works.
• Battery Life: They advertise around 18 days of battery life, which might be true if you don’t do much. For me and others who are active and track activities 1-2 times a day, I normally get anywhere from 5-7 days. For me, this is perfect and much better than an Apple Watch.
• The Flashlight: Most people think it’s a gimmick, but this torch is no joke and works well. It is unbelievably convenient. Whether I’m going to the toilet at night or running after dark without a torch—it’s always right there on my wrist.
• Activities & Tracking: There is a huge range of activities to select from. I used the maps for a 30-mile self-supported ultra marathon, and the GPS was fairly accurate with no complaints (although using the GPS for navigation does drain the battery further)

The Meh

• The Screen: Because of the MIPS screen, it can be a bit “boring” and dark compared to the Fenix 8 or Epix Gen 2. The colors are definitely duller, though this does help the battery life stay strong.
• Usability: It can be inconvenient to do certain tasks, like setting a timer. Unlike an Apple Watch where you can just use voice, on a Garmin, you have to click through about three menus and then tediously set the time manually.

The “Real World” Test

I have used this nearly every day since I got it 2 years ago. I genuinely love and stand by it. I think it’s the best all-rounder watch. The Fenix 8 is too expensive and the Epix Gen 2 Pro is not “pro” enough. This is the perfect balance. It has saved me countless times when I needed a map or got lost on a hike, the tracking is just seamless.

Verdict

Although this bad boy comes at a premium price, if you’re in the market for a smart watch and don’t mind paying for it… you will get a premium product!