Garmin Fenix 6

The new Garmin fenix 6 currently stands as the brand’s toughest, most rugged fitness tracker,  designed with the extreme athlete in mind. Multiple models, sizes, and price points means that you can pick and choose what features are most useful to you. It’s at the top end of their model range in price

Quick Take

Some of the fenix 6’s most compelling features include battery life of up to 80 days (in battery saver mode), solar charging, advanced PacePro training for distance runners, preloaded topographical maps for 2,000 ski resorts, safety and tracking assistance, WiFi, music storage, and titanium construction. Base models start at $599, with the 6S and 6X being slightly larger at 47mm and 51mm, respectively. Pro, Sapphire, and Pro Solar models go up to $1,149.

That’s a hefty price to pay, but the 6X Pro Solar not only includes the aforementioned solar charging capabilities that can extend time between charges, but also features a power manager that can help adjust settings to extend battery life. Titanium construction and an available full-metal bracelet—like a real watch—add to the top-of-the-line fenix.

Design

With so many models, the fenix 6 features designs for all tastes. Rose Gold and black or white nylon bands reside at one end of the spectrum, while the larger Pro models come with tough-looking exposed bolts on its bezel. A handsome hollowerd lug design adds an interesting detail from traditional watchmaking to the sides of the watch. The model range includes a mix of steel offerings as well as titanium ones depending on the selected options. The use of titanium with carbon elements promises to be durable and lightweight, while retaining a solid feel. The stainless-steel bezel and case of most of the models is built to military standards (claims Garmin) for thermal, shock, and water resistance. The scratchproof sapphire crystal—a detail commonly seen in the watch world on anything north of the $400 mark—is a nice perk if you plan to wear your watch through more intense physical activity.

There are five buttons scattered around the case of the fenix 6, which eliminates any chance at a minimalist design, but add tactile functionality when in the wilderness. Intuitive users can navigate their fenix 6 with nary a glance.

Features

Oxygen: The Pulse Ox sensor monitors oxygen rates for sleep and high-altitude training.

Location: Preloaded ski resort maps and multiple location tracking satellite systems.

Battery: In low-battery mode, Garmin claims up to 80 days of life, with adjustable settings.

Training: Garmin’s Pacepro feature provides guidance mapped to topographical route courses.

Payment: Garmin Pay syncs to your credit card for contactless payments.

For the fenix 6 Garmin introduces glanceable widgets, and the screen can display up to three widgets that show weather, location, steps, training intensity, sunrise and sunset, solar intensity, and other ephemeral data that can be accessed with a quick glance. Opening one of these up displays the full widget, which was once the only way to access this information: one at a time.

Tracking

PulseOx aims to measure your blood oxygen saturation levels. It can track sleep cycles and schedules for the most restful sleep, and it can also record levels in high altitude environments to possibly prevent disaster when exploring extreme terrain. The fenix 6 supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo to ensure that you can return to civilization should you lose track of a hiking trail or climbing route. An altimeter, barometer, and three-axis compass (the ABCs of navigation) are all standard. The ClimbPro feature tracks your climbs with gradient, distance and elevation gain/loss. This altitude acclimation goes from 850m/2,788ft to 4,000m/13,123ft, enough for most people who aren’t intent on climbing Denali or Everest. The acclimation also works on where you sleep, whether in a bivouac on the face of El Capitan or on an airplane. Heat acclimation is also key to training, and the fenix 6 records and adjusts for that as well.

The fenix 6 supports all manner of outdoor sports and training regimens: trail running, cycling, swimming, winter sports like snowboarding and backcountry skiing, even kayaking and rock climbing. All of the triathlon and Tough Mudder disciplines are covered. It all syncs with Garmin Connect on your phone via WiFi on higher-end models, or Bluetooth across all models.

Verdict

While four figures is a steep price to pay for the top of the line fenix 6X Pro, its titanium construction and matching metal bracelet offer a look that’s equally stylish and rugged. It looks like a luxury watch, because it’s also priced like one. And yet, its features extend well beyond your typical Rolex. Even more value-packed models still offer new features, and it could lead to a better understanding of how your own health is impacted by your workout training, your regimens, and even your daily routines.