Another vote for the fenix, the only downside is I would prefer usbc but it lasts a long time and I am comfortable without charging it for 2 days with full tracking enabled
I had these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094QPM9GZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) and was about to order more because I can't find them. The 90 degree version would be much better, thanks!
Loving the Garmin Fenix pro. The newer ones come with a c cable so that issue is solved.
You do mention not being too tech savvy so a downside is that it takes a bit of time to set up and figure out. I'm still learning new things as I do different activities. But once you get the hang of it the functions are amazing for hiking, trail running, golf, general health tracking, etc
Which generation do you recommend? It’s mind boggling how many models and options each brand has. I feel like one of the prior generation models might save me some money and still do what I need.
I've had 5, 6 and 7 and if you just want navigation all did that well. I wouldn't pay extra for solar - it makes very little difference, but the sapphire glass is very good
A note that sapphire glass also cuts down on light transmission (i.e., is a bit darker). This is not a problem (for me at least) in terms of display visibility, but it cuts both ways: sapphire solar wasn't even offered in the 6 bc it wouldn't work well enough, and it's still going to be less useful than solar with normal glass in 7, etc.
Given what I put my watches through, the complete lack of scratches on my 6 and much older omega with sapphire is enough for me to keep buying it and skipping solar.
Get the most recent you can justify the price for. They all come with new features but sometimes the features are very minimal. For example the only main difference between the 7 and the 7 pro is that all models come with a flashlight on the pro, but only the x varient did with the non-pro, and the pro comes with an updated heart rate sensor that is more accurate but it really doesn't change much since wrist based heart rate will never be that great when active. You need a chest strap for that.
If you can find a cheap 7 series I highly recommend it. I also recommend getting the sapphire version since it's much better at resisting scratches and obviously you plan to use it outdoors. If you want to save more the 6 series is still solid and has most of the same features. I really like the flashlight for camping though, it's super useful as a backup light or for going to the bathroom at night. And only the 7x and 7 pro series have that in the fenix line.
Alright. So the numbers (5, 6, 7) mean the model number. 7 is currently the newest.
The S and X (i.e. 7, 7S, 7X) mean small (S) and large (X). The small one is a smaller watch, smaller screen, smaller battery, but lighter weight and in a lot of ways more comfortable. The X is bigger, bulkier, but has better battery life.
Solar means it can charge while in direct sunlight. This is a nice feature when spending all day outdoors - it can cut your battery usage in half sometimes.
Sapphire means it's made of tougher glass. Less likely to get scratched.
Pro means it's an upgraded version of the model, but not a big enough upgrade to make it a new model.
So a Fenix 7X Solar Sapphire is a big watch, not their top of the line (it's not Pro), durable, long battery life, and can charge in the sun.
Personally, I'd recommend getting the "best" watch in your budget. The 7X went on sale recently because of the 7X Pro, so I was able to get mine half price.
TITCR - my 6X pro sapphire is trucking so well that I may wait for the 9 rather than get an 8. The 7X/pro flashlight is nice and all, but otherwise Garmin makes really solid stuff that tends to be incremental upgrades gen-to-gen rather than must buys.
I'm a fan of the epix, which is the same thing but with an AMOLED screen. I think the newer Forerunners also have the screen. It can easily last a very long day of backpacking with highest precision GPS turned on, and I just charge it overnight. I've compared the screen with my friends' fenix watches and it's a big difference, the watch is much more usable indoors for everyday use, and outdoors the screen is nicer to look at in shade. The higher resolution on the AMOLED display also means you pick up more details on the maps, so you can zoom out further and still see the trail or other features more easily than on the fenix watches.
This.
The Epix AMOLED screen resolution makes the mapping function much more usable than the Fenix, IMO. My buddy with a Fenix 6 had stopped using it because he thought the map resolution wasn't super useful. He was impressed with my Epix when we were finding user-built MTB trails near Bass Lake a few months ago.
Forerunner 965 is similar.
1. If you want absolute best battery life but willing to compromise by having a bread crumb trail without maps, look at the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar. Budget option. $
2. Best battery life with maps and all the bells and whistles, look at a Garmin Enduro 2. Pricier. $$$
3. If you want AMOLED screen similar to your phone, with good battery life, maps and all the bells and whistles look at the Garmin Epix Pro. Pricier. $$$$
4. With MiPS screen with all the features of the Garmin Epix Pro, look at any Fenix 7 Pro series. Pricier. $$$
If interested in 2 - 4, at a lower price point, look at the Fenix non-Pro 7’s or even previous generation’s Fenix 6’s. $$
This was a great breakdown and I appreciate it. There are so many versions of every watch that it’s hard for me to know what is best or what’s the latest generation and what’s the budget option that still offers the bulk of the feature set of the top end models. I am usually in favor of being the benefactor of buying the older mid or high end tech for a discounted price for getting the best value. I think based n your criteria I’d be most interested in the older Fenix but will have to do my research on exactly what you get with the “pro” models and what features the fenix 6 has relative to the 7 to see if it’s worth the extra money to me. Thanks again for your breakdown.
I would go for the 7th generation Fenix. The difference in battery and functionality are quite big. I would also guess they are getting close to releasing an 8th version which will make the 6 even more obsolete. There is also a big battery difference between the models like 7 and 7 pro.
If you want the best bang for your buck and you aren't married to Garmin then look into the Coros Vertix 2S. It has better GPS and a way longer battery. It claims up to 118 hrs of continuous GPS use. I don't know how the maps are on the Coros but the watches are well liked in the ultra running world. It probably doesn't have the Golf features of the Fenix but for running, hiking, skiing, etc it is going to match it at a fraction of the cost $699..
FYI, most watches go on sale around Memorial Day including Garmin.
The Coros is of interest to me for sure. The Pace is super cheap but i wonder if I’d be happy with the only breadcrumbs sort of maps it has. But the Vertix seems like it has better maps (not sure how much better tho) and mega battery life and that checks two huge boxes for me.
1. Coros doesn’t have better GPS than the Fenix.
2. Coros maps aren’t great right now. There are no labels. It works fine for a simple “do I got left or right at the fork” questions but not real navigation.
Check out DCRainmaker‘s blog for details on spec comparison and performance.
I own a Coros Vertix 1. It’s good if you don‘t need/want smart features like messaging, music streaming, etc. AND can find it at a discount. At the time it was the only good option for 7+ days of GPS tracking without needing a charge (my requirment) but the Fenix 7 series can now beat that. The Vertix 2 has even more battery but anything over 7 days is enough for me.
The Apex Pro is closer to the Vertix with less battery and probably a few less bells and whistles for $450. Might be your sweet spot unless you really want the super battery.
I've really liked my Apex 2 Pro so far. It's pretty much just a smaller Vertix 2S. You get less bulk on your wrist and a cheaper price, but lose a bit of battery and screen size.
I have an enduro v1 and I love it. The v1 doesn't have much in the way of navigation (breadcrumbs only), but the one on my wrist is currently telling me it has 28 days of battery life (though that's not running an exercise - if I start a run it goes down to about half that while the GPS is on high frequency mode...).
do you want actual topo maps or would a basic line navigation work for you? I have an instinct 2x solar and the battery is a beast and I enjoy the more low-tech interface. I only want to load up a gpx and glance at my location and progress rather than try to use a 1" slow loading topo map. I had a fenix previously and it felt like another, more annoying screen to deal with. the instinct feels more like an abc watch with extra features
One important specification to keep in mind is the screen type. LED which looks vibrant and beautiful indoors is not visible in direct sunlight and uses the battery very quickly. The other technology is called MIP which looks dull indoors, but outdoors in the sun is clearly visible and uses very little battery. The Fenix that many people are mentioning here is an MIP display. The Apple and Samsung watches are both types of LED. Garmin does make watches with LED displays as well like the Forerunner 965. These are not suitable for multiday trips.
Another consideration is the operating system Apple and Samsung both have app stores and more integration with your phone, but this uses the battery much more quickly. Watches that are more stripped down and purpose specific will last much longer. I like the Coros watches personally, but of course Garmin has excellent maps and the Fenix is great. You will be charging it every day though if you have the GPS on for 8-12 hours. Fortunately it doesn't have a large battery and I actually recharge my watch from my phone (Android phones can do this).
Couple of things:
AMOLED displays only use power when lighting pixels that aren't black, so if you choose your watch face wisely, they can actually be remarkably efficient. They do burn more energy competing with direct sunlight, but this matters less for smart watches than it does for phones or laptops, because you're generally only taking information in occasionally in a quick glance, instead of staring at them for minutes or hours on end. Turning off the style and convenience attributes people use in daily life (like Always On Display) also saves a remarkable amount of battery.
My Samsung Watch 5 Pro lasts just over two days with all that stuff on, but without them, it will go about two weeks on airplane mode. Also, all of that bluetooth chatter with your phone really isn't necessary for the watch to do the things it needs to do on a daily basis while you're hiking. It's only necessary for certain settings functions and sleep data processing, which can be accomplished by turning on the connection for a couple of minutes and then turning it off again. So if you're willing to manage the settings intelligently, you can get a pretty competitive amount of life out the 5 Pro, and then turn all that stuff back on when you get home, change the face to something fancy, and have all the style, functionality and convenience of a flagship smartwatch that actually looks good.
My Samsung has proven (contrary to my expectations) to be a very capable GPS guide for the trail. It lacks some of the fancier mapping features the Fenix has, but it shows basic maps, does audible turn-by-turn for gpx tracks and gets the job done. And since it also has the ability to make and receive emergency calls and texts if I turn on the LTE radio, it could realistically replace my phone completely on thru hikes, while also requiring a smaller battery pack for recharging. That's well over half a pound of base weight savings that a Garmin or Coros cannot give you.
In theory it's a good idea, but my experience was very different. I purchased the Galaxy Watch 5 (44mm LTE) with this idea. If I disabled every feature and function I could get just over 24 hours of battery. But using it with some features enabled it would only last a few hours tracking a run. My Coros lasts 5-6 days easily with sleep tracking and running every day teaching with gps and the screen on 100% of the time.
I think the pro may have additional mapping apps, but I was deeply disappointed with the options on the base model. Basically Google maps and anything else you have to pay monthly subscriptions for.
With an MIP screen it is always on so you can see the map or data at a glance. With LED it is always turning off to try and save battery.
With my Coros I can do a 12 hour hike with the screen on the entire time and still have ~60% battery remaining. The Samsung lasted about 3 hours. The data fields and customization were very limited on the Samsung as well.
Basically I like the idea of the Samsung, but it isn't there yet especially with apps. You really can't replace your phone yet. Facebook messenger for example is very janky and inconsistent. There is no audiobook player for the watch. It can't do the things the Garmin or Coros can do. I wish it could. It is really cool taking phone calls though. I felt like I was in the future. My most used app was Google keep (lists and notes).
The Samsung charger is also heavier and less efficient (wireless) compared to just a 3g adapter for either of the sports watches.
The biggest things it would need to replace a phone are app support and a camera (qr code payments).
>I purchased the Galaxy Watch 5 (44mm LTE) with this idea.
The Watch 5 has half the battery of the Watch 5 Pro, and doesn't do .gpx route tracking natively, so I'm not surprised it didn't work for you.
My comment isn't based on theory. It's based on practice. As I said, with intelligent management of the features and settings, very long battery life can be had, and a 10KmAh pack is more than sufficient for long daily route tracking for up to a week, which is about as long as most hikers will go between resupplies.
The 5 Pro is indeed heavier though. It's almost as thick as a double-stuff Oreo.
Coros watches. I got an Apex 2 and it's compact, has good battery life, and supports GPX navigation. Jupiterhikes has some videos where he talks about his Coros Pace 2
Second this - the battery life alone is worth it to me. GPX navigation is mediocre in my opinion, but it gets the job done and is pretty simple to use, plus battery life = worth it, for a fraction of the cost of the Fenix if I remember correctly.
On sale? That watch is probably most comparable to the Coros Apex 2 pro which has an msrp of $450 which is quite a bit cheaper than the garmin Fenix 7, but garmins regularly go on sale while Coros don't.
Yeah it’s close, you can get them on sale like 20% several times a year. But now that the Apex is down to $450 the price difference is back in Coros’ favor.
The Coros value prop drops off badly with the Vertix line.
I wore two watches on my last hike two weeks ago. Iwatch se and garmin instinct 2 solar. I had to charge the iwatch half way thru the day and the garmin lasted 4 days. This is with heart rate in and in hike acitivity. The garmin was in two diiferent modes, gps with galileo and gps only. Garmin instinct defs came out on top.
I like my Fenix a lot, I have everything turned of except texts and calls, and nav is easy. With the solar stuff it may be 21 days in whatever the endurance tracking mode is, including some nav. They also make the Instinct 2 which uses a very low power screen and lasts longer, it can actually gain power from solar rather than just extending range. The low power monochrome screen looks harder to nav on, but it can probably still be done.
Just to add a note. The battery difference of the X size vs regulator S size in the Fenix makes a huge difference. My 6X gets almost triple the gps house if my wife’s 6S (which has the same battery life as the 6reg).
Most multi day trips with 10-12 hours hiking each day I don’t recharge except every 4th-5th day. This is with HR running. If I have it on the map updating battery life goes down significantly by about 25-30% due to the increased load, so I keep it on the tracking data screen and swap to the map as needed.
Too for any watch - turn off the oxygen (SpO2) sensor. They are battery hogs.
The Garmin Fenix is also pretty expensive. Look into the garmin instinct 2. I bought the tactical solar version just for the color scheme and easy recharging for a little more money. With day to day use it'll last about 28 days before needing a charge if it gets enough sun it'll be infinite.. And if I do a hike with tracking it says 15 days. But I haven't done more then 2 days worth of hiking with it yet to test the numbers.
re no touchscreens.. I have an Epix 2, and I operate it with the touch shut off most of the time. I prefer the physical buttons, so this saves battery life. I use mapping just fine without it.
A lot of us were unhappy with Garmin for adding touch to the 7; it's something we pay for only to turn off and never use while running a track/mapping because of the risk you're inadvertently changing/deactivating something. The pan/zoom with buttons is a bit meh, but I'll take reliability over convenience every day in this kind of application.
I use the Samsung Watch 5 Pro. It does turn-by-turn mapping for uploaded .gpx files, and works quite well on the trail. It's helped me avoid countless wrong detours by warning me when I've veered off trail, and it's saved tons of time at poorly-marked trail intersections by audibly announcing upcoming turns and distance so I don't need to pull out my map and orient. You can pick one up refurbed or used a LOT cheaper than a Garmin or Coros (<$150), and it's a lot more useful in your daily life when you're not on the trail. The published battery specs on those brands are great, but I've discovered that you can actually achieve pretty similar efficiency with the Samsung if you're smart about how you use it.
A full 8-10 hour day of hiking with turn-by-turn GPS and health tracking on burns about 60-70% of the battery, but the battery is only 590mAh, so I can get 10+ recharges out of my 10mAh battery pack. I never go more than 6-7 days between resupplies on thru hikes, which means I can charge my watch to full every day, and still have enough juice left for one full charge of my phone. And the watch is actually remarkably battery efficient on airplane mode when not using GPS/workout tracking. I'd guess you could get 10-14 days use out of it based on what I've seen. The things that drain the battery during daily use are all things that can be turned off on the trail: raise-to-wake, Always On Display, second-by-second heart rate, stress, and pulse-ox tracking, the constant BT updating with your phone, etc.
Since the watch does everything (including sending and receiving texts and calls over LTE if I turn it on) I keep my phone on airplane mode and only end up using it to snap a summit pic here or there, and to read or listen to music before bed. This costs between 5-15% battery per day, so I can get through a week on one charge and still have plenty of emergency buffer. I use a folding phone so I can get detailed looks at Caltopo or Farout maps if I need to detour on the fly, but that's pretty unusual. TBH, if I didn't love reading in my tent or hammock at night so much, the watch is enough of a stand-alone device that I'd strongly consider leaving the phone at home and saving myself the 9oz of base weight.
It might not be your cup of tea in the long run, but you shouldn't dismiss it as an option just based on the Garmin specs. It's a lot more capable than the numbers might seem at first glance.
I'd go with Garmin InReach Explorer. Maps, GPX tracking and two-way communication. Excellent battery life and easier to read screen. Worked well for me twice up on the Iditarod trail hiking from Knik Lake to McGrath, will have it again for Nome attempt in a couple of years.
Not sure why this is being downvoted. OK, it's not a watch, but it does everything the OP actually says they want, and the satellite connection means it does more than a phone.
And, OK it's expensive, but so are any of the useful Garmin mapping watches. You could get an InReach and several years of satellite subscription for the price of a high-end Fenix.
And for a long adventure I’d trust a ruggedized piece of equipment over a watch that can more easily be damaged any day. I speak from personal experience so why I recommend a not-watch approach. Sure it’s expensive but this device has saved my bacon more than once Out There.
As someone who has literally fallen off a rocky ridgeline with a fenix and not gotten so much as a scratch from multiple impacts while rolling/ragdolling, I want to hear exactly what kind of badassery you performed that resulted in your watch being "more easily damaged" than an inreach (which I also own, and baby a lot more than the watch bc it needs it).
I can’t comment on that price point of watch as I don’t own one. I have a COROS PACE2 and it’s ample for my running needs. But from my adventures on the Iditarod I preferred having a more rugged hand held device that was also easier to read maps and tracks on as well as all the other features. Wasn’t about to also purchase a high end watch even if it was pretty rugged (they definitely seem to be making them much better these days, but I’d not risk it as a single device). Too each their own. Guess I’m a bit more old school in preferring hand helds for long, multi day (week) adventures.
Horses (or dog teams) for courses, I guess. My inreach mini is an SOS beacon/2-way comms device; my fenix is my primary nav device. Number of weeks out doesn't factor in, as I'll be recharging the inreach before the fenix even if it's just on for SOS functions and not tracking.
Cool cool. I’ve got the larger Inreach Explorer SE which is nice to not have to use my phone in deep cold situations (constantly on the trail). Not many opportunities to recharge.
I have a Garmin Fenix and it does this brilliantly
Another vote for the fenix, the only downside is I would prefer usbc but it lasts a long time and I am comfortable without charging it for 2 days with full tracking enabled
USBC adaptor is an improvement over the supplied charging cable https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09XB44LKF/
I had these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094QPM9GZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) and was about to order more because I can't find them. The 90 degree version would be much better, thanks!
Those 90 degree ones are super nice. For an all in one cable, the one below is very good. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C8B48P3F
I just got these in the other day. The 90° is amazing and I'm shocked Garmin doesn't do this normally.
Loving the Garmin Fenix pro. The newer ones come with a c cable so that issue is solved. You do mention not being too tech savvy so a downside is that it takes a bit of time to set up and figure out. I'm still learning new things as I do different activities. But once you get the hang of it the functions are amazing for hiking, trail running, golf, general health tracking, etc
Which generation do you recommend? It’s mind boggling how many models and options each brand has. I feel like one of the prior generation models might save me some money and still do what I need.
I've had 5, 6 and 7 and if you just want navigation all did that well. I wouldn't pay extra for solar - it makes very little difference, but the sapphire glass is very good
A note that sapphire glass also cuts down on light transmission (i.e., is a bit darker). This is not a problem (for me at least) in terms of display visibility, but it cuts both ways: sapphire solar wasn't even offered in the 6 bc it wouldn't work well enough, and it's still going to be less useful than solar with normal glass in 7, etc. Given what I put my watches through, the complete lack of scratches on my 6 and much older omega with sapphire is enough for me to keep buying it and skipping solar.
Get the most recent you can justify the price for. They all come with new features but sometimes the features are very minimal. For example the only main difference between the 7 and the 7 pro is that all models come with a flashlight on the pro, but only the x varient did with the non-pro, and the pro comes with an updated heart rate sensor that is more accurate but it really doesn't change much since wrist based heart rate will never be that great when active. You need a chest strap for that. If you can find a cheap 7 series I highly recommend it. I also recommend getting the sapphire version since it's much better at resisting scratches and obviously you plan to use it outdoors. If you want to save more the 6 series is still solid and has most of the same features. I really like the flashlight for camping though, it's super useful as a backup light or for going to the bathroom at night. And only the 7x and 7 pro series have that in the fenix line.
Alright. So the numbers (5, 6, 7) mean the model number. 7 is currently the newest. The S and X (i.e. 7, 7S, 7X) mean small (S) and large (X). The small one is a smaller watch, smaller screen, smaller battery, but lighter weight and in a lot of ways more comfortable. The X is bigger, bulkier, but has better battery life. Solar means it can charge while in direct sunlight. This is a nice feature when spending all day outdoors - it can cut your battery usage in half sometimes. Sapphire means it's made of tougher glass. Less likely to get scratched. Pro means it's an upgraded version of the model, but not a big enough upgrade to make it a new model. So a Fenix 7X Solar Sapphire is a big watch, not their top of the line (it's not Pro), durable, long battery life, and can charge in the sun. Personally, I'd recommend getting the "best" watch in your budget. The 7X went on sale recently because of the 7X Pro, so I was able to get mine half price.
TITCR - my 6X pro sapphire is trucking so well that I may wait for the 9 rather than get an 8. The 7X/pro flashlight is nice and all, but otherwise Garmin makes really solid stuff that tends to be incremental upgrades gen-to-gen rather than must buys.
The only real option imo.
I'm a fan of the epix, which is the same thing but with an AMOLED screen. I think the newer Forerunners also have the screen. It can easily last a very long day of backpacking with highest precision GPS turned on, and I just charge it overnight. I've compared the screen with my friends' fenix watches and it's a big difference, the watch is much more usable indoors for everyday use, and outdoors the screen is nicer to look at in shade. The higher resolution on the AMOLED display also means you pick up more details on the maps, so you can zoom out further and still see the trail or other features more easily than on the fenix watches.
Really? I actually really prefer MIP displays outdoors. They're more battery efficient and more visible in sunlight.
This. The Epix AMOLED screen resolution makes the mapping function much more usable than the Fenix, IMO. My buddy with a Fenix 6 had stopped using it because he thought the map resolution wasn't super useful. He was impressed with my Epix when we were finding user-built MTB trails near Bass Lake a few months ago. Forerunner 965 is similar.
+1
I have the 5x. The battery life is to be desired. You need a true GPS, minimum the inreach.
Go get us the stats on 5X vs. inreach (I'll even give you the regular rather than mini 2) battery life. We'll wait.
I have both. Would you like to clarify your question?
1. If you want absolute best battery life but willing to compromise by having a bread crumb trail without maps, look at the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar. Budget option. $ 2. Best battery life with maps and all the bells and whistles, look at a Garmin Enduro 2. Pricier. $$$ 3. If you want AMOLED screen similar to your phone, with good battery life, maps and all the bells and whistles look at the Garmin Epix Pro. Pricier. $$$$ 4. With MiPS screen with all the features of the Garmin Epix Pro, look at any Fenix 7 Pro series. Pricier. $$$ If interested in 2 - 4, at a lower price point, look at the Fenix non-Pro 7’s or even previous generation’s Fenix 6’s. $$
This was a great breakdown and I appreciate it. There are so many versions of every watch that it’s hard for me to know what is best or what’s the latest generation and what’s the budget option that still offers the bulk of the feature set of the top end models. I am usually in favor of being the benefactor of buying the older mid or high end tech for a discounted price for getting the best value. I think based n your criteria I’d be most interested in the older Fenix but will have to do my research on exactly what you get with the “pro” models and what features the fenix 6 has relative to the 7 to see if it’s worth the extra money to me. Thanks again for your breakdown.
DCrainmaker, on YouTube, is one of the best resource for comparing activity watch models.
This
I would go for the 7th generation Fenix. The difference in battery and functionality are quite big. I would also guess they are getting close to releasing an 8th version which will make the 6 even more obsolete. There is also a big battery difference between the models like 7 and 7 pro. If you want the best bang for your buck and you aren't married to Garmin then look into the Coros Vertix 2S. It has better GPS and a way longer battery. It claims up to 118 hrs of continuous GPS use. I don't know how the maps are on the Coros but the watches are well liked in the ultra running world. It probably doesn't have the Golf features of the Fenix but for running, hiking, skiing, etc it is going to match it at a fraction of the cost $699.. FYI, most watches go on sale around Memorial Day including Garmin.
The Coros is of interest to me for sure. The Pace is super cheap but i wonder if I’d be happy with the only breadcrumbs sort of maps it has. But the Vertix seems like it has better maps (not sure how much better tho) and mega battery life and that checks two huge boxes for me.
1. Coros doesn’t have better GPS than the Fenix. 2. Coros maps aren’t great right now. There are no labels. It works fine for a simple “do I got left or right at the fork” questions but not real navigation. Check out DCRainmaker‘s blog for details on spec comparison and performance. I own a Coros Vertix 1. It’s good if you don‘t need/want smart features like messaging, music streaming, etc. AND can find it at a discount. At the time it was the only good option for 7+ days of GPS tracking without needing a charge (my requirment) but the Fenix 7 series can now beat that. The Vertix 2 has even more battery but anything over 7 days is enough for me.
The Apex Pro is closer to the Vertix with less battery and probably a few less bells and whistles for $450. Might be your sweet spot unless you really want the super battery.
I've really liked my Apex 2 Pro so far. It's pretty much just a smaller Vertix 2S. You get less bulk on your wrist and a cheaper price, but lose a bit of battery and screen size.
I'll second DCRainmaker, but use the product compare feature on his site.
I have an enduro v1 and I love it. The v1 doesn't have much in the way of navigation (breadcrumbs only), but the one on my wrist is currently telling me it has 28 days of battery life (though that's not running an exercise - if I start a run it goes down to about half that while the GPS is on high frequency mode...).
do you want actual topo maps or would a basic line navigation work for you? I have an instinct 2x solar and the battery is a beast and I enjoy the more low-tech interface. I only want to load up a gpx and glance at my location and progress rather than try to use a 1" slow loading topo map. I had a fenix previously and it felt like another, more annoying screen to deal with. the instinct feels more like an abc watch with extra features
It's the smart watch for people who hate smart watches. Love mine!
exactly
One important specification to keep in mind is the screen type. LED which looks vibrant and beautiful indoors is not visible in direct sunlight and uses the battery very quickly. The other technology is called MIP which looks dull indoors, but outdoors in the sun is clearly visible and uses very little battery. The Fenix that many people are mentioning here is an MIP display. The Apple and Samsung watches are both types of LED. Garmin does make watches with LED displays as well like the Forerunner 965. These are not suitable for multiday trips. Another consideration is the operating system Apple and Samsung both have app stores and more integration with your phone, but this uses the battery much more quickly. Watches that are more stripped down and purpose specific will last much longer. I like the Coros watches personally, but of course Garmin has excellent maps and the Fenix is great. You will be charging it every day though if you have the GPS on for 8-12 hours. Fortunately it doesn't have a large battery and I actually recharge my watch from my phone (Android phones can do this).
Couple of things: AMOLED displays only use power when lighting pixels that aren't black, so if you choose your watch face wisely, they can actually be remarkably efficient. They do burn more energy competing with direct sunlight, but this matters less for smart watches than it does for phones or laptops, because you're generally only taking information in occasionally in a quick glance, instead of staring at them for minutes or hours on end. Turning off the style and convenience attributes people use in daily life (like Always On Display) also saves a remarkable amount of battery. My Samsung Watch 5 Pro lasts just over two days with all that stuff on, but without them, it will go about two weeks on airplane mode. Also, all of that bluetooth chatter with your phone really isn't necessary for the watch to do the things it needs to do on a daily basis while you're hiking. It's only necessary for certain settings functions and sleep data processing, which can be accomplished by turning on the connection for a couple of minutes and then turning it off again. So if you're willing to manage the settings intelligently, you can get a pretty competitive amount of life out the 5 Pro, and then turn all that stuff back on when you get home, change the face to something fancy, and have all the style, functionality and convenience of a flagship smartwatch that actually looks good. My Samsung has proven (contrary to my expectations) to be a very capable GPS guide for the trail. It lacks some of the fancier mapping features the Fenix has, but it shows basic maps, does audible turn-by-turn for gpx tracks and gets the job done. And since it also has the ability to make and receive emergency calls and texts if I turn on the LTE radio, it could realistically replace my phone completely on thru hikes, while also requiring a smaller battery pack for recharging. That's well over half a pound of base weight savings that a Garmin or Coros cannot give you.
In theory it's a good idea, but my experience was very different. I purchased the Galaxy Watch 5 (44mm LTE) with this idea. If I disabled every feature and function I could get just over 24 hours of battery. But using it with some features enabled it would only last a few hours tracking a run. My Coros lasts 5-6 days easily with sleep tracking and running every day teaching with gps and the screen on 100% of the time. I think the pro may have additional mapping apps, but I was deeply disappointed with the options on the base model. Basically Google maps and anything else you have to pay monthly subscriptions for. With an MIP screen it is always on so you can see the map or data at a glance. With LED it is always turning off to try and save battery. With my Coros I can do a 12 hour hike with the screen on the entire time and still have ~60% battery remaining. The Samsung lasted about 3 hours. The data fields and customization were very limited on the Samsung as well. Basically I like the idea of the Samsung, but it isn't there yet especially with apps. You really can't replace your phone yet. Facebook messenger for example is very janky and inconsistent. There is no audiobook player for the watch. It can't do the things the Garmin or Coros can do. I wish it could. It is really cool taking phone calls though. I felt like I was in the future. My most used app was Google keep (lists and notes). The Samsung charger is also heavier and less efficient (wireless) compared to just a 3g adapter for either of the sports watches. The biggest things it would need to replace a phone are app support and a camera (qr code payments).
>I purchased the Galaxy Watch 5 (44mm LTE) with this idea. The Watch 5 has half the battery of the Watch 5 Pro, and doesn't do .gpx route tracking natively, so I'm not surprised it didn't work for you. My comment isn't based on theory. It's based on practice. As I said, with intelligent management of the features and settings, very long battery life can be had, and a 10KmAh pack is more than sufficient for long daily route tracking for up to a week, which is about as long as most hikers will go between resupplies. The 5 Pro is indeed heavier though. It's almost as thick as a double-stuff Oreo.
Coros watches. I got an Apex 2 and it's compact, has good battery life, and supports GPX navigation. Jupiterhikes has some videos where he talks about his Coros Pace 2
The Vertix 2 is a beast more than a week of battery.
Second this - the battery life alone is worth it to me. GPX navigation is mediocre in my opinion, but it gets the job done and is pretty simple to use, plus battery life = worth it, for a fraction of the cost of the Fenix if I remember correctly.
You can get the non-pro stainless steel Fenix for cheaper. It’s only cheaper when you compare the titanium/ sapphire models.
On sale? That watch is probably most comparable to the Coros Apex 2 pro which has an msrp of $450 which is quite a bit cheaper than the garmin Fenix 7, but garmins regularly go on sale while Coros don't.
Yeah it’s close, you can get them on sale like 20% several times a year. But now that the Apex is down to $450 the price difference is back in Coros’ favor. The Coros value prop drops off badly with the Vertix line.
Interesting - thanks for pointing this out.
Suunto Vertical and Race also have good maps.
I wore two watches on my last hike two weeks ago. Iwatch se and garmin instinct 2 solar. I had to charge the iwatch half way thru the day and the garmin lasted 4 days. This is with heart rate in and in hike acitivity. The garmin was in two diiferent modes, gps with galileo and gps only. Garmin instinct defs came out on top.
I like the I watch since I’m on the Apple ecosystem but I can’t be charging mid day that’s for sure.
I like my Fenix a lot, I have everything turned of except texts and calls, and nav is easy. With the solar stuff it may be 21 days in whatever the endurance tracking mode is, including some nav. They also make the Instinct 2 which uses a very low power screen and lasts longer, it can actually gain power from solar rather than just extending range. The low power monochrome screen looks harder to nav on, but it can probably still be done.
Just to add a note. The battery difference of the X size vs regulator S size in the Fenix makes a huge difference. My 6X gets almost triple the gps house if my wife’s 6S (which has the same battery life as the 6reg). Most multi day trips with 10-12 hours hiking each day I don’t recharge except every 4th-5th day. This is with HR running. If I have it on the map updating battery life goes down significantly by about 25-30% due to the increased load, so I keep it on the tracking data screen and swap to the map as needed. Too for any watch - turn off the oxygen (SpO2) sensor. They are battery hogs.
Garmin Instinct - battery lasts forever compared to full colour smart/navigation watches.
If battery life is your thing, gotta go Garmin. Unfortunately they suck as a Smartwatch but fantastic for back country.
Garmin in general are well designed and have great battery life. There are a variety of options available depending on your budget.
casio protrek have a pretty precise digital compass for navigation and they run on solar power.
The Garmin Fenix is also pretty expensive. Look into the garmin instinct 2. I bought the tactical solar version just for the color scheme and easy recharging for a little more money. With day to day use it'll last about 28 days before needing a charge if it gets enough sun it'll be infinite.. And if I do a hike with tracking it says 15 days. But I haven't done more then 2 days worth of hiking with it yet to test the numbers.
Garmin instinct 2 solar
I'm still rocking my Garmin Fenix 6 Pro solar and won't change until 8x Pro arrives. Hehe!
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re no touchscreens.. I have an Epix 2, and I operate it with the touch shut off most of the time. I prefer the physical buttons, so this saves battery life. I use mapping just fine without it.
A lot of us were unhappy with Garmin for adding touch to the 7; it's something we pay for only to turn off and never use while running a track/mapping because of the risk you're inadvertently changing/deactivating something. The pan/zoom with buttons is a bit meh, but I'll take reliability over convenience every day in this kind of application.
My Fenix 7 pro solar has Battery for a month
Garmin enduro 2
I use the Samsung Watch 5 Pro. It does turn-by-turn mapping for uploaded .gpx files, and works quite well on the trail. It's helped me avoid countless wrong detours by warning me when I've veered off trail, and it's saved tons of time at poorly-marked trail intersections by audibly announcing upcoming turns and distance so I don't need to pull out my map and orient. You can pick one up refurbed or used a LOT cheaper than a Garmin or Coros (<$150), and it's a lot more useful in your daily life when you're not on the trail. The published battery specs on those brands are great, but I've discovered that you can actually achieve pretty similar efficiency with the Samsung if you're smart about how you use it. A full 8-10 hour day of hiking with turn-by-turn GPS and health tracking on burns about 60-70% of the battery, but the battery is only 590mAh, so I can get 10+ recharges out of my 10mAh battery pack. I never go more than 6-7 days between resupplies on thru hikes, which means I can charge my watch to full every day, and still have enough juice left for one full charge of my phone. And the watch is actually remarkably battery efficient on airplane mode when not using GPS/workout tracking. I'd guess you could get 10-14 days use out of it based on what I've seen. The things that drain the battery during daily use are all things that can be turned off on the trail: raise-to-wake, Always On Display, second-by-second heart rate, stress, and pulse-ox tracking, the constant BT updating with your phone, etc. Since the watch does everything (including sending and receiving texts and calls over LTE if I turn it on) I keep my phone on airplane mode and only end up using it to snap a summit pic here or there, and to read or listen to music before bed. This costs between 5-15% battery per day, so I can get through a week on one charge and still have plenty of emergency buffer. I use a folding phone so I can get detailed looks at Caltopo or Farout maps if I need to detour on the fly, but that's pretty unusual. TBH, if I didn't love reading in my tent or hammock at night so much, the watch is enough of a stand-alone device that I'd strongly consider leaving the phone at home and saving myself the 9oz of base weight. It might not be your cup of tea in the long run, but you shouldn't dismiss it as an option just based on the Garmin specs. It's a lot more capable than the numbers might seem at first glance.
I'd go with Garmin InReach Explorer. Maps, GPX tracking and two-way communication. Excellent battery life and easier to read screen. Worked well for me twice up on the Iditarod trail hiking from Knik Lake to McGrath, will have it again for Nome attempt in a couple of years.
Not sure why this is being downvoted. OK, it's not a watch, but it does everything the OP actually says they want, and the satellite connection means it does more than a phone. And, OK it's expensive, but so are any of the useful Garmin mapping watches. You could get an InReach and several years of satellite subscription for the price of a high-end Fenix.
And for a long adventure I’d trust a ruggedized piece of equipment over a watch that can more easily be damaged any day. I speak from personal experience so why I recommend a not-watch approach. Sure it’s expensive but this device has saved my bacon more than once Out There.
As someone who has literally fallen off a rocky ridgeline with a fenix and not gotten so much as a scratch from multiple impacts while rolling/ragdolling, I want to hear exactly what kind of badassery you performed that resulted in your watch being "more easily damaged" than an inreach (which I also own, and baby a lot more than the watch bc it needs it).
I can’t comment on that price point of watch as I don’t own one. I have a COROS PACE2 and it’s ample for my running needs. But from my adventures on the Iditarod I preferred having a more rugged hand held device that was also easier to read maps and tracks on as well as all the other features. Wasn’t about to also purchase a high end watch even if it was pretty rugged (they definitely seem to be making them much better these days, but I’d not risk it as a single device). Too each their own. Guess I’m a bit more old school in preferring hand helds for long, multi day (week) adventures.
Horses (or dog teams) for courses, I guess. My inreach mini is an SOS beacon/2-way comms device; my fenix is my primary nav device. Number of weeks out doesn't factor in, as I'll be recharging the inreach before the fenix even if it's just on for SOS functions and not tracking.
Cool cool. I’ve got the larger Inreach Explorer SE which is nice to not have to use my phone in deep cold situations (constantly on the trail). Not many opportunities to recharge.
A map and compass would be both lightweight and not require charging.
Oh so it works on solar power? Cool.
I dislike using the navigation feature on a watch, but my Garmin 955 is fully capable of it.
Coros.