Today we analyze the Garmin Fénix 6 heart rate monitor, without a doubt one of the models that raises the most expectations in each launch.
MODELS OF THE GARMIN FENIX 6 RANGE
First of all, let’s see the different levels of equipment that Garmin has prepared.
Later, when we talk about each Fenix 6, we will refer to its level of equipment so you can know exactly what each model includes.
- Standard Equipment: it has Garmin Pay and Gorilla Glass 3 protection glass. It does not include functions such as maps, music player or WiFi.
- Pro Equipment: it has Garmin Pay, Gorilla Glass 3, maps, music playback, 32 Gb internal memory and WiFi.
- Sapphire equipment: same functions as the Pro, but instead of Gorilla Glass 3 it has sapphire crystal, with even better protection against scratches and scratches.
- Solar Equipment: includes the same as the Pro, but the protection lens is of the Gorilla Power Glass type, capable of partially recharging the battery when exposed to the sun. Later we will tell you more details about this new function.
Below we will see each of them in detail, so that it is easier for you to find your preferred model.
GARMIN FENIX 6S WATCH
The letter S identifies the Garmin Fénix 6 model with the smallest sphere, with a diameter of 42 mm.
It is usually preferred by people with narrow wrists, especially women. In fact, its range of colors is largely geared towards female tastes.
Here are the specifications of the Garmin Fénix 6S that you should know:
- Dial diameter: 42mm.
- Maximum thickness of the watch: 13.8 mm.
- Strap width: 20mm.
- Screen size: 1.2 inches.
- Screen resolution: 240 x 240 pixels.
- Weight: between 61 and 71 grams, depending on the model.
- Available finishes: Standard, Pro and Sapphire.
GARMIN FÉNIX 6
Without any addition after the number, we find the mid-size model of the range.
It is the most popular model in terms of sales due to its balanced relationship between size and price, since it usually monopolizes most of the offers and discounts in stores.
Here are the specifications of the Garmin Fénix 6:
- Dial diameter: 47mm.
- Maximum thickness of the watch: 14.7 mm.
- Strap width: 22mm.
- Screen size: 1.3 inches.
- Screen resolution: 260 x 260 pixels.
- Weight: between 72 and 83 grams, depending on the model.
- Available finishes: Standard, Pro and Sapphire.
It is striking that there are hardly any combinations for the Standard and Pro equipment, which a priori are the best sellers.
More versions may appear in the future.
GARMIN FENIX 6X WATCH
Turn for the largest model of the Fénix 6 family, which is identified by the letter X.
It is the only size that has versions with Solar equipment and its interesting function to extend battery life in sunlight.
Let’s see the specifications of the Garmin Fénix 6X:
- Dial diameter: 51mm.
- Maximum thickness of the watch: 14.9 mm.
- Strap width: 26mm.
- Screen size: 1.4 inches.
- Screen resolution: 280 x 280 pixels.
- Weight: between 82 and 93 grams, depending on the model.
- Available finishes: Pro, Sapphire and Solar.
We also do not find too many color combinations between the more affordable models here, which is still strange.
FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE GARMIN FENIX 6
Except for the differences mentioned according to each equipment, the rest of the functions are common to all sizes.
Below we will see a summary of the most important functions present in the Fenix 6 heart rate monitor. Take note because there are a few!
- Comprehensive daily activity tracking: step count, distance, calories, floors climbed, and inactivity alerts.
- Sleep monitoring, which you can consult the next day through the Garmin Connect app on your mobile.
- Up to 6 data on the screen, two of them with the possibility of color indications. In the case of the Fénix 6X, it is possible to configure up to 8 data at the same time, due to the large size of its screen.
- GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellite positioning sensors, with the recent Sony GNSS chip, much more efficient in its energy consumption.
- New generation Garmin Elevate optical sensor for heart rate recording, including vibration alerts based on the heart rate achieved.
- Advanced training features such as Virtual Partner, Virtual Racer, training status and load. It is also possible to download plans to the watch directly.
- Multiple sports profiles, which can be customized by the user, including cardio and strength sessions in the gym.
- It has more than 2,000 ski resorts including color coding according to the difficulty of the track, and more than 40,000 loaded golf courses.
- Includes acclimatization of your VO2 max records based on temperature and altitude, to make them comparable to flat sessions.
- Personalized activity goals based on your physical condition, as well as the Body Battery function to know your energy level at each moment of the day.
- Integrated barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope and thermometer.
- Incident detector during activity, with automatic notification to emergency telephone numbers.
- Notification of messages, incoming calls, email or whatsapps on the mobile. In the case of Android mobiles, it is possible to answer or reject calls by sending a text message.
- It incorporates connectivity via Bluetooth, ANT+ and WiFi, which allows you to synchronize accessories such as heart rate bands and power, speed or cadence sensors.
- In combination with an HRM-Run band, we can obtain data on running dynamics, ground contact time or stride length.
WHAT IS NEW IN THE GARMIN FENIX 6 WATCH?
If all the previous functions were not enough, the Garmin Fénix 6 watch has new features that were not present in the previous version.
Take a look and see if the new possibilities offered by the Fénix 6 are useful to you:
- In the Fenix 6 and 6X versions, the frame of the sphere has been used much more, which allows the installation of a screen of larger size and resolution. This is a constant demand in all heart rate monitors, which Garmin has finally taken seriously. The improvement is very evident.
- The training metrics are completed with new parameters provided by the prestigious firm Firstbeat.
- The optical pulse sensor incorporates the PulseOx function, which measures the level of oxygen saturation in the blood.
- Lovers of swimming are in luck: you can finally record your heart rate underwater while swimming. Another very popular request from users that we have seen fulfilled.
- Good news for cyclists too: the ClimbPro feature featured on the Garmin Edge 530 and Edge 830 is also incorporated into the Fénix 6. It allows climbing in segments, color-coded according to hardness. To do this we must have previously entered the route in the clock.
- In the map display, there is no longer a single template, but now we can choose between several types of view: normal, high contrast view, military type and some others.
- Many more watch face customization options are added and the integration of third-party apps and widgets has been improved.
And there are still some new features, which, being the first time they appear on a Garmin watch, we are going to explain in a little more detail.
PACEPRO FUNCTION IN THE GARMIN FÉNIX 6
The PacePro function is one of the most interesting novelties that have appeared in recent times, and it is very possible that it will become one of the favorites of the users.
It allows us to establish training or race rhythms according to our previous strategy or according to the unevenness that we are going to face. For example: if we want to make a race from less to more, we can define that the rhythms are slower at the beginning and accelerate towards the end, or vice versa.
There are several options already defined in the function, which we can adapt according to our needs or the terrain we are going to train on.
It is a well developed idea, very easy to use and greatly improves the traditional Virtual Partner.
BATTERY MANAGEMENT WITH POWER MANAGER
It was a matter of time before Garmin copied Suunto’s battery manager in a more or less blatant way.
Through a simple menu, we can see in real time and even during training, the battery time we have left in each battery saving mode.
The most innovative part is that we will have the possibility of deactivating the different sensors of the clock and we will be able to see each time we turn off one of them how much we manage to extend the battery.
In this way it is much more complicated to run out of battery during training or competition, as we will have several options at hand to extend its life a few more hours.
AND NOW THE GARMIN FÉNIX 6… HAS SOLAR CHARGING!
This technology is installed in the glass that protects the watch case. Under the name of Power Glass, a panel is hidden that is capable of assimilating a small percentage of the sunlight received and transferring it to the watch battery, to extend its duration.
Don’t expect it to double or triple its duration, but rather add a little extra to its duration.
Assuming a sunlight exposure of about 50,000 lux, which is a normal value on a sunny day, the battery can be extended between 7% and 23%, depending on the type of use we give the watch.
It may not seem like much, but if we take into account that it is a newly developed technology with room for improvement, the prospects are encouraging.
If Garmin has opted for solar charging, we will soon see the development in other models and their performance will be higher and higher.
Remember that this feature is only available on the Fénix 6X.
NEW EXPEDITION BATTERY MODE
We continue to optimize battery performance in the Garmin Fénix 6 as much as possible.
In this case, the Expedition mode gives us the most extreme case, in which all the functions of the watch are reduced to a minimum and only the GPS records our position every hour.
In this way we manage to extend the performance of the battery in a brutal way, achieving useful life records not seen until now, which can exceed 50 days.
Honestly, it doesn’t seem like a function that many people can use, because I can’t think of many activities that force you to stay 50 days without the possibility of charging the battery, but there is the option for those who need it.
SO, HOW LONG DOES THE GARMIN FENIX 6 BATTERY LAST?
We have seen that among the new features of the Garmin Fénix 6 many of them were aimed at optimizing battery life.
So how are these possibilities reflected in each of the models?
Keep in mind that the 3 sizes have very different battery capacities due to a simple matter of available space, so their values differ quite a bit.
Here you have the complete data for each size:
- Garmin Fénix 6S: from 6 hours with GPS and music activated, going through 25 hours with GPS only, up to 20 days in Expedition mode.
- Garmin Fénix 6: minimum 10 hours with GPS and music. Only with the use of GPS it reaches up to 36 hours and reaches 28 days with Expedition mode.
- Garmin Fénix 6X: with the use of GPS and music, it reaches 15 hours + 1 additional hour for solar charging. If we use only GPS, it reaches 60 hours + 6 additional hours for solar charging, while Expedition mode exceeds 46 days, which can be 56 if we recharge with sunlight.
Although perhaps in the case of the Fénix 6S it is somewhat fair using several functions at the same time, in general they are very good results that will satisfy the vast majority of users.
THE BEST AND THE WORST OF THE GARMIN FENIX 6
PROS:
- It is possibly the most complete heart rate monitor on the market.
- Narrower screen bezels for larger screen size and resolution.
- The new PacePro function is especially interesting for training.
- Almost any recent technological advance in the field of heart rate monitors is found in the Garmin Fenix 6.
- Multiple options to manage battery life. Solar recharging technology opens a new era in heart rate watches.
CONS:
- High price.
- More creative color combinations are missing.
GARMIN FENIX 6 – OPINIONS
Garmin has re-generated with the Fénix 6 a heart rate monitor called to dominate the segment of high-end sports watches.
With very few exceptions, it incorporates all the technological innovations that have occurred in the sector in recent times and brings them all together in the same device.
Some of these features were already present in their latest releases, while many others are appearing on the market for the first time.
Something very striking and of which little has been said is the enormous design work carried out, since this entire set of sensors has been mounted in a box 10%-15% less thick than in the Fénix 5, an achievement of engineering.
If we compare it with the previous version, there is an important qualitative leap, especially in the battery sections, training functions and uses as a smartwatch. In this last section, payment via NFC, music playback and the use of third-party downloadable applications have become commonplace.
There was a time when Garmin fell behind in this regard to Fitbit, Xiaomi, or Apple, but it’s quickly catching up.
The Garmin Fénix 6 watch is a truly advanced machine. It has everything necessary for any user in any type of activity, including multisport activities.
IS IT WORTH BUYING THE GARMIN FÉNIX 6 HEART RATE MONITOR?
We come to the big question.
Of course, you have to consider that buying a Garmin Fénix 6 involves a significant outlay, so it should clearly compensate you with all its new features.
So who is the Garmin Fénix 6 for?
Its target audience is a user who wants to enjoy advanced training metrics, superior battery performance and wants to have the main functions as a smartwatch that exist right now on the market, together with a powerful aesthetic that allows it to be used also on a daily basis.
If it corresponds to your profile and the budget is not a problem for you, it is a safe purchase. A heart rate monitor for many years.