Choose the right SportWatch for the most extreme adventure - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2022, 11:06:45 pm
content: I am planning many mountain sports activities for this summer and autumn and I need something to help training.Anyone has experience with one of the following?Garmin Fēnix 7X SolarGarmin Forerunner 945Garmin Forerunner 245Polar Vantage V2Suunto 9 PeakDifferent price and performances. Personally I tried the Fēnix 7X Solar for a couple of days and it looks the best about autonomy and features, but it's *very* expensive (~800 euro).I need GPS to load maps to avoid getting lost along the mountain paths.

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2022, 09:08:17 am
content: IDK but I just remembered, that as a 7 or 8yo kid, I had gotten a digital wristwatch, that was said to be "waterproof".So in some public bathroom in the UK I think, I tested it by running water over it, and I remember some tall person (adult I guess) saying what am I doing, and me saying I'm saying it's supposed to be waterproof. I guess at 1ATM, as a kid I never considered that. And it was WP at 1 atm.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2022, 01:59:32 pm
content: LOL!Well, at least I won't be playing any underwater adventures. Okay, I need it water proof, but just in case it falls into a lake. Kind of things you swim and get out immediately.Say, anything with at least 5m waterproof is fine for meWhat I am really worried about now is the autonomy. I will be in the middle of nowhere for at least 10 days, and charging my smartphone won't be in my priority list for a long while.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2022, 02:17:42 pm
content: Yesterday I tried theSuunto 9 Peak, today I have to return it and ... well, I just don't like it.It's cheaper (600 euro) and higher quality thanGarmin Fēnix 7X Solar, but the screen is too small for my eyes, the buttons are too slow(1) and (according to the battery monitor) it looks like you need to charge the smartwatch every 8 days.Better thanApple iWatch 7, whose charge lasts only 24h, but definitely not enough for my needs.(1) When you train running 10km a day, you don't like to stop just to press a button and wait for the information to appear on the screen 1-2 seconds later. You really need to have information right away the quickest possible, and it is a real shame that theSuunto 9 Peakreally bothers here with too long lags.For what I am planning for this summer, I am also evaluating a "kit" to safely lock the smartwatch to the bike handlebar.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2022, 01:46:14 pm
content: Thanks to a friend who has aGarmin shop, today I am back withGarmin fēnix 7, but this time, I am going to test the "7X Sapphire Solar Edition".It's expensive, very very expensive (999.99 USD), but it has- 32GB of flash, so you can upload more GPS maps (very useful for my plans)- the case is made of fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium rear cover- lens are made of "Power Sapphire", which is more robust than "Gorilla Glass"- it adds a Led Flash, really useful for me in the dark- up to***30 days***in Solar Battery Saver Watch Mode with the GPS in low precision modeThe last point is the killer one!!! TheSapphireis better than every otherFenix 7 EditionsI currently have a -40% discount, so I am really really tempted to buy it. We will see--- edit: ---I let it expire, d'oh. Now it's full price. I am on budget and I am really looking for the cheapest model available, so I am also considering theAmazfit GTR 3, which has in-built GPS and a decent battery life for its price: up to 14 days with the GPS in "low precision mode", and up to 25 days in "Battery Saver mode"!!!Ok, it doesn't have a large flash, but it's definitively not bad.I will test one next week, and take a final decision

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 07:43:00 pm
content: Now I am evaluating theGarmin Forerunner 735XT.It's so bloody cheap! Only 250 Euro, it looks essential but perfect for Triathlon.

author: Bicurico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 08:33:14 pm
content: Not all SportWatches have GPS WITH MAP functionality.My T-Rex has GPS, but it only tracks the path, which you can then overlay on a satellite map using the smartphone. It does not even allow to guide you back to the start point.I don't know of any cheap watch capable of loading offline maps.With your budget of up to 1.000US$ you should definitely look at premium Garmin models. Garmin knows their trade.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 08:51:39 pm
content: QuoteAnd when your watch goes tits up? stick with trusted technology,the good old OS map and silva compass.No batteries,satellites,wifi or phone signal need.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2022, 01:28:31 am
content: Quote from: Bicurico on March 17, 2022, 08:33:14 pmI don't have the budget, but I think I will try to persuade a sponsor to give me something.Let's see if they will give me aGarmin 7X Sapphire Solar Titanium(top premium)(fingers crossed)

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2022, 01:32:01 am
content: Quote from: themadhippy on March 17, 2022, 08:51:39 pmI will be in the middle of nowhere for 5-8 days, "the watch has gone tits up" and no electricity to recharge the secondary GPS on the smartphone, which cannot stay online because it consumes too much battery, it is the worst scenario possibleI think I will bring with me a topographic map, and an old 90s-ish compass. Just in case ...

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2022, 11:19:41 am
content: Been using the Amazefit bip knockoffs of Fitbit for years cost $60..70 Amazon.Long battery, great display, poor firmware and constantly update GPS.much thinner and lighter than Apple watchColleague in Switzerland used Garmin, fine but bulky.Jon