Enduro 2

If you're looking at the Fenix 8 with MIP screen and voice control is NOT on your Pros list, you absolutely should look at the Enduro 3 instead. Essentially the same watch, lighter weight, same software updates, no microphone/voice assistant, but larger battery. Honestly, I keep getting tempted to offload my Epix Gen 2 Pro 51 to get the Enduro 3.

Correct that the Enduro 2 is an excellent value but as a fellow owner of a Fenix 7 variant, we are not being very well supported by Garmin these days with updates. I know that updates are a hot button issue these days but honestly, phones get years of OS updates, my Pixel gets new features all the time, and Garmin isn't giving strength training plans to 1 year old flagships, meanwhile Forerunners that are older and 1/3 the price are getting new features. As great as the Enduro 2 and even my Epix Gen 2 Pro is, they feel pretty end of life despite the excellent hardware that is clearly very much current as proven by the Fenix E and even a recent teardown showing nearly identical internal components between the Fenix 7 and 8 series. If I had the money and interest in even one of the latest software features, like strength training plans or sport specific suggested workouts and race predictors, etc, I would go for the new model. The old ones sadly are probably not gonna get it despite being totally capable of running them.

Just wanted to mention the Garmin Enduro models, seeing as you're after battery life. The Enduro 2 claims 110 hours of GPS, plus whatever solar adds (up to 150 max). I just grabbed a used one and am very happy with it so far. I believe it's basically a 7X Solar with a bigger battery. Not strictly the Pro model you mention researching but maybe close enough for consideration.

My Enduro 2 lasts around 60hrs (not tested exactly how long yet) but I had around 35% left after 37hrs. But yes, in my upcoming race where I expect to be out 80+hrs I'll be charging on the go. I have a small, light charger and an angled garmin to usbc adaptor and can charge while on my wrist

I would recommend either Epix Gen2 or Enduro 2. For hiking, especially if you're going to do multi-day hikes, bigger battery in 51mm options could be handy.

The answer for you is already buried in your question. Do you plan to spend “serious time outdoors” and want a ton of ready insights and data fields on your screen? Go for the Garmin. If you want “the most complete everyday watch out there,” that will fit into your Apple ecosystem seamlessly, has accurate and verified wrist-based HR tracking for sleep and recovery, has cellular and satellite, AND you don’t mind charging every other day, AND you’re not going on multi-day excursions or wanting to get granular with your data, choose AWU. There are a few other considerations. For instance, assuming you’re not getting the Fenix 8 Pro, do you feel you need satellite connectivity or LTE coverage? If you do, you’ll either want to upgrade to the Fenix 8 Pro, or also get an InReach device (which you can control directly from the Fenix 8). Also, if you’re wanting to carefully monitor your intervals on a run, for example, or switch between data fields, I can’t tell you how nice it is to be able to use physical buttons to start/stop/lap etc. Garmin also has features like ClimbPro and PacePro which *are* useful *if* you use them. I have an Enduro 2, and have been looking for reasons to switch to AWU, the most persuasive of which is the satellite. However, I also like the fact that I can charge my watch, and essentially just forget about it until it tells me to charge it again, at which point I still have a few days left, so it’s not like I have to drop everything and throw it on the charger immediately. On the other hand, I don’t have satellite connectivity, which means I have to bring an InReach device with me (but then again, an InReach is far more rugged than an iPhone or AWU and lasts for days on a single charge). Be realistic with yourself about your use case. I think most of us titrate our purchasing decisions in this arena against vanishingly small possibilities (eg, “What if I run Marathon des Sables someday? 🧐) In most situations, I’d say the AWU is more than enough.

I own a Fenix 6X Pro. I like the cheapness, battery life and no touchscreen. If I had to buy another watch today I would get an Enduro 2 most likely. Run 30 - 40 miles per week.

I hope you enjoy it and become a running monster!!!! Have a question. Would you please turn the metronome during a running session and let me know about it? Is it audible?? I have an Enduro 2 and an Epix Pro 2 51mm and both of them are quitet to the point I have to place attention and raise the wrist to be closer to the ear... I'm considering selling both...

I’ve also got used Enduro 2. 65+ hours on 200 miler and still 39% battery life.

Fellow Enduro 2 user, I expect it to record five 14 hour days on a single charge, I have actually gotten it to go 7 with some sun along the way. Haven't done anything longer than 7 days no resupply since I've had the Enduro 2, but the battery life is really damn impressive and the tracks are accurate.

Buy or borrow and Enduro 2. I still had 28% left after a 100 mile and racing for 23 hours. That was with all services still tuned on.