Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar // Rock Climbing, MTB Grit & Flow, and more! All the details!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ต.ค. 2024
- Everything new the brand new Fenix 6 Pro Solar from Garmin! Solar charging, MTB Grit/Flow, Indoor Rock Climbing, and more!
Thanks for watching!
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I cannot wait until that Fenix 6 pro long term review drops. I got my 6s pro on your recommendation and I love it! Huge upgrade from the vivoactive 3 music
Shabby, about the maps tha come with the watch, which areas are covered by those maps? Thanks
I found your channel a few days ago. Im impressed. I love watches and Bikes.
Thanks! Plenty more to come!
Just bought my Fenix 6 pro solar (half price) and am a happy man
The indoor rock climbing feature is so cool!
It was kind of neat!
One of the BEST reviewer
Thanks!
Am eagerly anticipating your full in depth review for the Fenix 6, hoping it comes soon. Keep up the good work
Killer video and great explanation of all the new stuff!
Thank you!!!
Be interesting to see how good the solar panel will work in the British isles. Dark 8.30 till 6pm in Wales and worse in Scotland, never mind the low sun and shade caused by mountains.
Great video Des! I’m kinda diggin that white Storm Trooper look!
It’s grown on me! Thanks Eric!
Great video! I got a fenix 6x pro solar back in March and have barely used it to it’s full potential, but it’s a great piece of kit!
Thanks so much! Maybe it’s a good excuse to explore some new things to do!
@@DesFit Yeah I think I'm going to have to do a deep dive into the settings. Do you happen to have any videos on this?
Another informative vid. Keep up the good work 👍
Thanks Joshua!
FINALLY!!! We get bouldering.
🤙
Don't you mind wearing a watch while bouldering?
Thanks for another great review.
Sure thing! Thanks!!
Desfit, love your videos and thank you. I am planning to buy a fenix watch. I thought I narrowed down the choice to 6 sapphire. Now the 6 pro solar is out. Do you think 6 pro solar can handle the abuse from mountain biking or should I buy the sapphire version? Also I have a close to 7” wrist , would you recommend the 6s or regular 6 version size?
My wrist is about 7.5” in circumference and the 6 fits me great. You probably don’t need to get the 6S unless you would like a smaller and lighter watch. In regards to MTB durability, I usually choose the sapphire option if there is one available for a particular watch. That said, I used the 945 for quite some time with no issues. On nearly all the watches I test, the bezel is what takes a lot of the abuse and not necessarily the screen.
Thanks a bunch and hope that helps!
Thanks again for this video! GREAT info.
Sure thing! Thanks!
Nice review! I like your videos !
Thanks!!
Hey Des! I've always appreciated your garmin reviews... could you tell me what band your wearing on the 6 Sapphire pro at the beginning of the video? I have that same watch and the band looks sharp.
That’s the QuickFit 22 Heathered Black Nylon. To note, I think $100 is nuts for that band. I happened upon a 30% off sale a while back and thought it was a bit more “reasonable”. It is darn nice looking though. I still use the silicon for sports.
@@DesFit Nice! Yeah, that is a little steep so i'll probably wait for a sale too... I like switching up my watch faces and thought it would be nice to have alternate bands as well. The standard silicone is great for sports. Cheers!
Great video!!! I can't justify the extra $800. I'm in the Vivio Active Music. I thought the watch was completely solar. One extra battery day. Doesn't justify the extra money. Thanks for the review.
The new instinct is more attractive. It also has bigger solar surface area.
Thanks for sharing this, very informative and motivating as usual.
Based on your earlier reviews I bought the 6X Pro last month, just before our trip to Austria (great excuse needing one), and loving it! Recently turned my life around a bit started MTB-ing, hiking, climbing (via ferrata) and even running with the help from a Garmin coach.
Which standard activity would you consider best to tweak for outdoor climbing?
Very nice! You could use the indoor climbing activity if you wanted to record number of routes and elevation but it won’t provide any GPS data. Thanks!
Great video!
Are the bouldering and indoor climbing profiles coming to the older Fenix 6 watches?
Yup!
What about the forerunner 945?
I thought these were already available. I have them on my 6S pro (EU version).
I love the climbing feature on the watch.. I just HATE wearing a watch while climbing? Man my wrist goes in places which a watch will just make uncomfortable.
The GRIT and Flow is also farely cool but why? Just says how tough the track was?
Same here. All the watches and things I wear while climbing get scratched and beaten. Not worth it, maybe in pocket mode with a arm or chest strap..
Jesus Christ you are on the pulse of these releases!!
Great review as always!
Thanks!
its called a review embargo lol
And a great review again!! Thanks. One big question for me stays: how does the power glass hold up. I know it isn't sapphire (what I have now), but does it really scratch that fast (from what I see in other reviews). Thanks in advance. 💪🏻⌚💪🏻
I have a few scratches on this one but they occurred during a very hard MTB crash (cracked helmet, broken bike computer, but I was OK for the most part). Under normal usage I think it could be fine but just won’t be quite as durable as sapphire. The 6 sapphire I had is essentially flawless.
Awesome video 👍🏻
Grid and Flow will be added to the others fenix 6, indoor climbing too ?
Yup, Grit/Flow as well as the climbing profiles will be backported to the entire Fenix 6 family. Thanks!
Thanks for the video! Very useful. I have a question about the rock climbing feature. I'd like to track the # of climbs, not just per session but historical. So, how many did i climb last month, how many did i climb each month during the entire year, and so on. Also, not just # of climbs, but the # of vertical feet climbed. Is any of this possible? Also, if it's going to tell me how many climbs i did last month (or any month), can it break it down by difficulty level, and by how many were successful? Thanks in advnace.
Hi Des!
Is the Fenix 6 review coming out any time soon? Just wondering, because I love Your in depth look on every product and can’t find that on the Garmin flagship 🙂
That’s still in the queue but it’s such a beast of a watch there are so many things to cover! Thanks for tuning in!
Finally someone who used a sports watch properly! Love the diversified athleticism!, currently looking for a sports watch after not actually tracking anything over 8/9years lol, my problem is with heart rate devises is they aren’t very accurate over my tattoos!
Nice explanation. Now i wonder are they plan to release Fenix 7 because Fenix 6 have a lot of models.
Thanks! Releasing a 7 right now would probably cannibalize the sales of fenix 6 models.
Love your videos. I recently purchased a Fenix 6s to track running, yoga practice and walking.
Thanks so much! Enjoy your watch!
@@DesFit I've started a TH-cam channel in which you may see my Garmin 6s in Rose Gold: th-cam.com/video/IW3-bZp0kNc/w-d-xo.html
it would be really cool if they make a watch that can actually fully charge on solar intake. Until then it's like..yeeeh..nice..but
I prefer having a sapphire glass than a solar powered. Currently I have a 6x sapphire and besides his 36h GPS autonomy you can chose the ultra Trac that deliver 120h of battery. Sapphire glass is essential for those who do climbing, trekking, etc
If you are speaking about not having scratches due to sapphire, i have a 6x sapphire/dlc for 1.5 month and already have a huge scratch in the middle of the screen with normal use.not that i care because i bought it to use it but it was annoying the first two days.So for my next garmin the sapphire screen will not be a choosing factor for the model i get.
Great vid ! so the new activity as "surfing" will update on the "old" fenix 6 ?
Best watch ever!
Love your reviews! So essentially the only difference between the 6X Pro and 6X Pro Solar is that the solar version has solar charging?
Yup!
great vid. subscribed. does this release signal that the next update to the fenix line will come next year? might be a dumb question but was seeing on some blogs that they were expecting an update to come around august of this year, and wasn't sure if this seems like this could be it or could still be something else in 2020. still new to the garmin world.
Thanks for subscribing! With all technology, there could be an update tomorrow, but then it could also be a year down the road.
how is the gps for boating fishing? i don't fish, but i would like to use one of those inflatable dinghy's with a trolling motor and navigate between certain places.
Should be good. There can be some inconsistent results when the device is underwater during swimming but should be just fine above water.
@@DesFit ah ok, only above water use case, thanks bro! well i wish i was 1/4th as active as you lol, then the price tag would be justified, i just bought the 6 solar pro on amazon right now, hopefully this thing motivates me to get out more.
Cheers!
Awesome review! I’m ready to purchase a fenix 6 but I’m worried the pro version won’t be able to handle the every day life of an HVAC technician. Lots of bumping and scraping. Would you suggest the DLC and sapphire glass or do you think the pro can handle it?!
Thanks! I’ve had the stainless steel as well as the titanium versions and both of them have gotten scratched up during MTB crashes. One thing I do sometimes is use a wrist band to go over the watch if I think there is potential for damage.
DesFit oh thank you! That’s a creative solution. I’d assume I could handle either version because I had an Apple Watch and babied it but that screen is a superficial scratch magnet haha.
I powerlift with the Fenix 5x sapphire and bang the thing against metal kettlebells, racks, weights, and bars. Looks like the day I bought it.
Zach Fure thank you mate! I figured the sapphire could handle it. I imagine the huge blower motors or Air conditioner compressors would be similar to banging it agains some weights.
Another great option is to go with the pro model (non-sapphire) and put a glass screen protector on it. They make glass protectors now that are hardly noticeable. I have this setup on my 6X pro solar and it does not affect the solar charging ability (that is measurable) and if it gets scratched, you just pop it off and slap a new one on. I've had the watch ever since it came out almost a year ago and it looks like it is fresh out of the box and it has been banged around plenty.
Would you say the trailforks integration for the Fenix 6 mapping suffices? Or do you still recommend a dedicated bike computer like the Garmin Edge series? Deciding between upgrading my watch or using what I have and buying a bike specific computer.
Hi DesFit, Great video, but where is the Instinct Solar video?
Uploading! Had to switch around a few things.
Here ya go! th-cam.com/video/Xx7p1RZqh8w/w-d-xo.html
Looks like you are in Durango? I’m moving there in 2 weeks.
Fort Collins but Durango is pretty sweet too!
Since the power glass is easier to get scratch than sapphire, do you think it is recommended to put screen protector on it?
You can get the fenix 6 Pro Solar here: geni.us/fenix6prosolar
Also check out all the details on the new Garmin Instinct Solar! th-cam.com/video/Xx7p1RZqh8w/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for watching!
One feature I would really like to have is the abilities to set a night and day mode between the light and dark screen.
Does it support Trailforks? Can i navigate in unknown areas?
Hi, thank you for this video, especially for the explanation how the climbing features work. Do you have any information if those will arrive to the current Forerunner models?
This is available for the 945 but I don't have information on whether or not that is coming to the 745. Thanks!
Battery life improvement on Fenix 6 with solar is too low to matter. On the Instinct, it’s a game changer.
how so? Is the solar too small on the Fenix?
Looks good!
Ya it's not bad!
What's best choice for road cycling ?
Desfit, your video shows you climbing with the Gorilla glass version. Does it get scratched? Will a screen protector help when climbing? Or can you use the climbing feature and just leave the watch in a chalk-o-late bag on the harness? What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Yes, Gorilla Glass can be scratched and a screen protector can definitely help. I haven't personally tried to attach it to my harness or chalk bag but I can't see why that wouldn't work! Thanks!
@@DesFit Thanks for the response! Maybe I need to devise a climbing hat/cover for the watch :)
Definitely!!
I have a wrist ~6in in circumference. Do you think the regular 6 is too big? Should I go with the 6s instead? Thanks!
Are you gonna review the Fenix 6s Solar version too? Really look forward to it
The performance of the 6S Pro Solar will be identical to the 6 Pro Solar version.
Just got it today😁
Do these new releases mean that we wont have new garmin fenix model release this year as it happens every year?
I recently commented on another one of your videos about the Garmin Venu vs the Vivoactive 4. What about the Venu vs. the Fenix 6 pro solar? Thank you so much for the excellent reviews!
Venu vs Fenix 6 Pro Solar are kind of like a Honda vs Mercedes. Both are good but the differences are drastic. The Venu is more focused at being a smartwatch where as the Fenix is focused on being a rugged sportswatch. Thanks!
@@DesFit thanks!
Sure thing!
Is that the 6X or the 6 on your wrist? Looks large! Great review!
6 sapphire. Thanks!
@@DesFit No ... I'm sorry ... I meant the white solar one you're reviewing.1
That’s the 6 Pro Solar
Is it compatible with iPhone?
Yes, but text notifications will be one-way (can't reply) on an iPhone and you can reply with predefined responses on an Android phone. Unfortunately, the limitation in replies on an iPhone is due to Apple's lockdown on their platform.
would be nice to have some more modes for indoorsports... like table tennis or similar stuff
There’s actually a bunch more activity types in Garmin Connect where you could change the classification of the activity after the fact, although, no table tennis. You can just use the generic Cardio profile and then reclassify it later.
@@DesFit that was also my solution for this "problem". Im just not sure how garmin does the counting on kcal. Would it be different depending on the workout mode im using? does it matter if i use cardio or yoga for example while having the same pulse while the workout?
Hi @desfit
Great video, i was woundering.
With all the shops closed where i live its hard to test out for sizing. I was thinking the fenix 6 fits perfect on your wrist and was woundering what wrist size you have. mine is 160 mm, do you think thats to small for a fenix 6?
FYI: i had the 6s but thought it was to small and short in the bands
I have a 185mm circumference wrist and the mid-size model works well for me while the largest X size is far too large for my wrist. If the band was short on the 6S then it could be a good idea to go up in size. Thanks!
@@DesFit thanks for the quick response!
Sure thing
When do you think Garmin will release a new version of fenix? there are couple of upgrades that i want to see in it before i buy it
Most likely will be , what other features are you looking for ?
Hi desfit . Any idea if garmin intends to release fenix 6 saphire version with solar technology ? What about Forerunner 955 ? Any date release ? Thanks
I'm willing to bet the sapphire is not compatible with a solar panel. I believe even Citizen EcoDrive does not have sapphire crystal on them.
@@danneubauer6474Yes , I agree with you . However , in the end of the video he said something about a saphire version if i am not mistaken...
I was referencing the non solar 6 Sapphire that I have been using for quite some time. I have no knowledge of a sapphire solar version.
Please review Samsung galaxy watch 3
Which Garmin watch would you recommend for someone who doesn't use it everyday but when I do it's for running, cycling and hiking? I would like it to be a smart watch and store music and have HR. I'm currently using a XT 920 theres so many but cant decide
Buy Huawei GT-2. You have all the features there, including speaker, for fraction of the price.
Is the MTB Grit & Flow function and Rock Climbing profile availiable for Forerunner series, namely 745 via update?
Hey! Does the Instinct have grit n flow as well?
Hey! What exactly is ultratrac?
Is there any improvement in number of connect iq data fields during activity? On my Fenix 6 non solar I have a maximum of 2 CIQ fileds. And is there any improvement (like on Venu) like when you use activity with CIQ fileds that you can use CIQ watchface at the same time?
Can this replace a Garmin 530 bike nav computer? Does it have decent turn by turn and GPX import stuff?
@DesFit how is the heart rate accuracy? and GPS connectivity? Many reviews say there is a hardware issue
I’ve never had any issues with GPS connectivity in either the 6 Pro Solar or the 6 Sapphire. Heart rate accuracy is going to depend on the type of activity that you’re doing. I’ll have more details in the long term review.
Do you recommend an Apple Watch for exercise or another sporting watch? Please recommend
The Apple Watch has one of the best wrist heart rate sensors on the market today. The big consideration will be the battery life which is on the shorter end of things.
Damn this is really nice. I guess my $2000 Chronos is obsolete
Almost a year out - is the bezel on the Mineral Blue compltetely scratched up? Mine is, and wondering if got a lemon :)
Nope, not a lemon. Just means that its seen some adventures :) If it makes you feel any better, both the mineral blue F6 Pro Solar and my F6 Sapphire stainless steel with a black bezel both show wear. Very normal when you use the watch to its potential! 🙌
Having a hard time deciding between the extra battery life of the solar vs. the extra protection of the sapphire glass. Can anyone comment on the durability of the powerglass on the solar?
I'm wondering the same thing
I don't think the tiny bit of extra battery is worth it? My last watch was the Fenix 5 sapphire, bashed it a few times and very small nicks to the titanium bezel, but sapphire perfect. Extra cost for less protection, no real appreciable battery - although that blue bezel does look enticing!
if you want have solar sapphire titanium together, you will need Fenix tactical models..
thanks for the great Review, Des! one unrelated question - kind of strap do you have on your “current” watch (the one on the left hand)?
That’s the heathered black nylon QuickFit 22 band. I think the $100 price tag is a bit much for it though - the only reason I purchased it was that Garmin had a 30% off sale on watch bands a while back. $70 is still... 😬 Thanks!!
When are these released?
Great sharing
Thanks!
Im think to buy also the 6 pro solar i want to ask the maps and navigation options are the same with fenix 6x pro.??
Thanks a lot 🤙🏼
As long as it has "Pro" or "Sapphire" in the Fenix 6 name the mapping and navigation features are the same. 👍
@@DesFit thank u for the fast answer back 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 u make a really nice review 🤙🏼
Nice job Des. But, those prices. Ouch.
These are super high end, for sure, but they still offer the lower end fenixes that still carry a lot of the features.
DesFit I may wait for a sale. They had the base Fenix 6 for 450 a few weeks ago. In that range, would you get the Fenix 6 at 450 or the Polar Grit X, which is $430 or so?
Probably the Fenix 6
DesFit Nice. I’ll wait for another sale then!
I love the color of this watch. But dang it's expensive
£499 uk
Is this the mineral Blue titanium model? The one you show looks like having a white, plastic base?
Yup, it’s the mineral blue titanium and does have a resin body. The titanium portion is the bezel.
Is there anything similar that I can use for dirtbiking? Or is this app okay to use with dirtbiking... just might skew the grit?
The MTB profile probably wasn't intended for dirtbiking (motorized, I'm assuming) so I don't think the Grit metrics would be comparable while doing it on a MTB. Main reason is that the accelerometer would be picking up more jarring movement since you'd be moving faster over the same rough terrain.
are the previous 6 models also getting the new activity profiles?
Yup!
So i'm looking to get a new smart watch (possibly Garmin) to replace my edge 520 but to also be my 1 do it all heads up device. I'm mainly in to MTB, Road riding, Mx and general fitness. I would pair it with a hr strap and not wear it while doing activities, any recommendations?
I think you could go with a variety of devices if you’re mounting it as a head’s up display since that would in theory be less susceptible to damage on a crash. I personally use the fenixes with a lot of the activities that I do, such as MTB, because of its durability, however I wear the watch on my wrist a lot of the times
@@DesFit I would wear it as a Smart Watch during the week for my day to day, durability is a must as i'm in the building industry. I don't like wearing anything on my wrist while doing sports as I find it very uncomfortable. Thanks for the reply does the extra info change your opinion at all?
The Fenix is durable but it still can be susceptible to scratches and dings on the bezel. The sapphire glass option on the Fenix is something you may want to consider.
that Mineral Blue Titanium with Whitestone Garmin looks better in pictures imo
It's quite attractive in person. The blue bezel is nice.
Sorry to be a dummy, but I'm kind of confused. Hasn't the Fenix 6 pro solar been out for a while now? It was a option last year when I bought my sapphire?
The Fenix 6X Pro Solar came out last year. This release was bringing that solar charging technology to the mid-sized 6 Pro and smaller 6S Pro with new models.
DesFit Thanks Des!
Sure thing!
How long can someone expect to hold on to one of these Fenix watches before it's obsolete ?
I know a few folks who still are using a Fenix 3 currently.
@@DesFit Appreciate the response ! Sounds like a good return on investment
Any chance of the MTB metrics trickling down to the Venu or Instinct?
I have no official word on those devices at this point, but I can almost guarantee it won’t come to the Venu.
@@DesFit I emailed Garmin regarding the Instinct MTB profile when those features came out and they could not give me a solid answer of the difference between cycling and MTB profiles. At the time they claimed Flow and Grit are only available on their Adventure watch series... I would hope the Instinct is an adventure watch. If not I'm not sure what else is! lol
I'm confused, wasn't the 6 pro solar released months ago?
The Fenix 6X Pro Solar was previously released. These are highlighting the 6 Pro Solar and 6S Pro Solar.
What's your wrist size, how do you find the Fenix 6 VS 6s size
195mm circumference and the 6 model fits me great.
is the solar version waterproof?
Yes
1:10 is there any option to change the color of blue color on solar's details to orange or red?
Yup!
Hey man, love the videos. Really like the white with the black band. Could you confirm the white has the titanium bezel and back? The garmin website specs says so but then in the pics showing the back of the watch is says 316 SS. Thanks in advance
Can it be use for road bike?
Yup!
Any difference in size from the Fenix 3HR?
The 6X Pro Solar is closest in size to the 3HR. These are the smaller 6 Pro Solar and 6S Pro Solar that are referenced in this video
Is the glass on the 6 solar sapphire?
Nope
@@DesFit thanks for the quick reply! No regrets then in buying my 6 sapphire 😁
How do you get the different color watch cases?
There are 4 different color variations to choose from for the 6 Pro Solar, 2 variations for the 6S Pro Solar.
@@DesFit I have the pro solar titanium, I never could chose a blue or white option?
All the options are listed on Garmin’s website. The blue and white appears to be new to the 6 Pro Solar.
Did you actually test the solar charging?
Did you actually watch the video?
Have Garmin pay? Can add sports with Garmin iq
Yup, it has Garmin Pay. You can add apps via Connect IQ.
Does anyone knows If the climbing feature works on Fenix 5?
Or 5 plus?
Whats ur wrist size?
187mm
I think that this watch is to heavy for running! I feel in long runs that my arm get trouble with this weight and my body get also in trouble!
Even the S model?
@@DesFit Ah the S-Modell is lighter , probably that works. i figured out that from the weight 75 gram or higher is to heavy for long runnings.
I've read reviews and it seems like Solar doesn't really add that much in terms of battery life. The new solar models are at full retail while the non-solar models from last year are currently discounted. I have a 5+ and would like a 6 but wanted to see if they would do a 6+ this year. What they're doing instead is adding the smaller solar models. So it's a meh upgrade for me. I could wait another year to see what they do in 2021. I'm in NH where we don't get a lot of sun so probably not a useful option for me.
This is more an addition to the Fenix 6 lineup rather than an update. Just another option. The solar isn’t as compelling on the Fenix line as it is on the new Instinct Solar.
@@DesFit I really like the Fenex line and would be able to use my strap on the 5X with the 6. So I'd like a 6 or 6+. I'll watch prices - if I see a good price, I may get the 6 (no solar).