tactix® 7 – Pro Ballistics Edition

I switched from AWU2 to Tactix 7 Amoled as It was on sale for 750 euros, best decision ever. Everything about the Tactix 7 Amoled is better than the AWU2. Sure, the display on the AWU2 is sharper and crispier but having a watch that I can keep on my wrist for a week or two is a game changer! To me, that’s enough of a reason to never go back to any smartwatch that doesn’t last longer than a week. Also, I like the size and bulk, it has a presence and screams quality, well, it is made of premium materials and when it was released it was more expensive than the AWU2. Then the sheer amount of watch faces and the ability to create your own, and so many other customisations and possibilities it’s just crazy. As much as I love Apple, and I’ve been living in their ecosystem for many years, the Tactix 7 Amoled completely changed my wiew on smartwatches in general. Everything about is just… better and it really puts a smile on my face every time i look at it. So yeah, I will not be going back to Apple watches anytime soon… unless they make a watch that can last as long as Garmin’s. Edit: just added a few words for clarification.

It’s a retention method to get you to test the new features, then convince you that you should “rent” it, yes, it doesn’t belong to you. It's not a problem as long as you're pragmatic. You are made to believe that there is elitism within society. On the other hand, what we cannot take away from them is the pleasant software part, the indications and a well-thought-out UI. On the other hand, those who take the argument, “I don’t want a screen”. Please note, this is just my opinion. But from the first year you have a good watch. At two years of subscription, you gain access to a premium watch such as Garmin with the same metrics, which is yours. Mapping if necessary, etc… For my part, I have a Garmin Tactix 7 AMOLED, if the screen bothers me. I activate screen off mode. I have the WHOOP 4, the MG is coming soon. I only take it to compare metrics.

Garmin Tactix 7 with the solar is what I use. Otherwise, Garmin ecosystem through and through - RINO radios, InReach messengers. Two things I wish Garmin had: First, aggregation in a guide-style app. To the best of my knowledge, nobody offers this. Ideally, it'd be nice for me to be able to, via low-power Bluetooth, get data from *everyone's* watches in my group as a guide, that way I could pick up anyone whose heart rate or respiration or HRV or O2 uptake is outside of expectations. Second, while I do love me some Garmin, I'm right now at 7 apps I've had to download to make the Garmin ecosystem go (BaseCamp, Connect, ConnectIQ, Earthmate, Messenger, Ballistix, Explore). I know they know about SSO, they just have apparently chosen not to implement it. I'd note, too, that Garmin stuff is about as close to bombproof as it can be. Their watches do work from -40F to 130F (tested personally), 3-4ATM depth, hard impacts (not that I'm volunteering to do human testing, but the same impact that destroyed an IP68 headlamp didn't impact my Garmin functionality; I used the watch light to make my exit). And, Garmin has meaningful navigation integration built in. If you lose your primary nav device, it's exceptionally helpful. Especially as a guide, where you might be navigating to a specific anchor and need nav with good resolution, it's immensely helpful. Can Coros do that? Probably. Suunto used to be my go-to, but the ecosystem is not great and Suunto has sorta been laggardly of late. I'd like to give the Coros stuff a whirl at some point. Among the Utah guiding community (which, granted, is more Skimo and canyoneering than pure mountaineering), Toyota trucks and Garmin watches are almost ubiquitous. Which isn't to say that there aren't alternatives, just moreso that Garmin is an eminently known quantity.

I switched from Suunto to Garmin 4 or 5 years ago. Use a Tactix 7 now, but Tactix or Fenix is probably what you want. I will say Garmin is essentially the Toyota of outdoor sports. You can beat on their stuff endlessly and it'll work. If they say something is waterproof to 3 atmospheres, they aren't lying about it (looking at you, Nikon). If they say it'll function in minimal external atmospheric pressure, then it will. Will it work 20 degrees below 0 (F)? Yes. 130 degrees F? Also, yes! They are expensive as hell, but I think I'm up to around 900 activities recorded on mine, yielding something like $1.25 per activity recorded. There's a dude here on Reddit that sells 20% off coupons for Garmin devices if that's your jam.

Garmin Tactix 7 user. I see absolutely no benefit over the Apple Watch besides battery life. My OLD Apple Watch was better for heart rate than this Garmin ever as been. I'm only wearing it because work gave it to me for free (and I only wear it while exercising). My wife, who swore she'd never use a smart watch now runs and sleeps wearing my ancient Apple Watch and she gets all the actually useful data that I have. Complaint about the Garmin: Several times, usually while cycling, it'll read 80-90bpm while my heart is actually 170ish. I won't even use the Garmin while cycling anymore. Sure it has extra bells and whistles that the Apple Watch might not have ...but if you can't be consistent and reliable with something as simple as HR, why waste the time/money? I'll get hate for this, but I think Garmin is more of a status symbol for "serious" endurance athletes more than it is its own unique and valuable tool.

Not a swim specific watch, but I use a Garmin Tactix 7. I find the tracking very accurate, but the watch is pretty bulky and I notice it more over long distances. Heard good things about the Garmin swim though

https://preview.redd.it/7fhs78of36xe1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9203c8b09dff4c3250f76de1cca6e3baaa1ea018 I have big wrists and arms and a 51mm is still a monster watch. I love it though and honestly don’t think anyone else cares how big your watch is. Added bonus - it can be used to break down a door in an emergency

Sounds like you don't need the best and newest to get all the features you need here. Most of the watches you're being recommended will be perfect for you, yes. But any older Fenix/Tactix will work for you too. In fact, I'm still using my Fenix 6x Solar, does literally everything you outlined here besides the stealth mode, jump master, etc. A Tactix 7 or event Tactix Delta will achieve all you need. Just a side note, best battery = MIP display. Don't think you can get a stealth mode (night vision) with an MIP display, that's reserved for the amoled versions. Good luck on your search!

IMO, think about the what it is, a watch. It's primary function still is to tell time. If you have to charge it every day, flick your wrist in a weird way to see it, etc then it's not very good as a watch. Get the Garmin. I have the Tactix 7 and it's amazing.

Is the Instinct a touch screen? I had a Fenixn3 HR which I used for about 5 years. Upgraded to a Tactix 7 and was disappointed with how much dimmer it was than the 3. I figured it must be the touch screen functionality which I don't even use.

Hmm Fenix 3 HR had sapphire crystal but no touch screen or solar charging. I thought the solar was just the ring. Who knows....Fenix 3 HR was noticeably brighter. Anyway I want MIPs so 8 pro definitely won't do anything for me. Instinct 3 looks nice but I have Tactix 7 now so I'll stick with that.