Garmin Fenix ​​7 PRO test: This effective sports smartwatch has a secret weapon | Nextpit, Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro test: our full opinion – Frandroid

Garmin test fēnix 7 pro: always as versatile and now shiny

Anyway, all metrics are available in the form of a list in the menu ” Health “Of the application – sleep, sleep score, burnt calories, sppo2, breathing, heart rate … the tab” Performance »Displays all the analyzes and scores offered by Garmin from the metrics just cited: training status, training score for training, status of the variability of heart rate, prediction of racing times, VO2 Max ..

Fenix ​​7 test

The Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro is between the Fenix ​​7 and Fenix ​​8 and its new functions are therefore limited. Essentially, you will get the really cool flashlight of the Fenix ​​7x in all models. Garmin used his brand new PPG sensor called Garmin Elevate V5 for the first time.

In addition, the whole range is now equipped with solar cells around the screen, and all Fenix ​​7 Pro models offer ultra-preccimate bi-band GNSS as well as 32 GB of storage for cards.

The prices correspond to the level of the solar models of the Fenix ​​7 range. If you add 100 euros on each model, you will have the sapphire glass model.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

  • Garmin Fenix ​​7S (42 mm) See offer 849, € 99 (Amazon)
  • Garmin Fenix ​​7 (47 mm) See the offer 849, 99 € (Amazon)
  • Garmin Fenix ​​7x (51 mm) See the offer 949, 99 € (Amazon)

In the table below, you will find all the models and prices of the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro. By clicking on prices, you directly access the manufacturer’s website.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

The interface is structured as on all Garmin smartwatchs. With the up and down buttons, you can navigate a configurable list of widgets. These are, for example, sleep data, notifications, your daily physical form, past training, scholarship prices or music player.

By pressing the light button for a long time, you will access the fast functions, which are also configurable. Here you can, among other things, search for your smartphone, activate DND mode or launch Garmin Pay For mobile payment. By pressing the high key for a long time, you will access the main menu with all the in -depth settings.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

Although it is possible to use the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro 100 % with the five buttons, there is also a touch screen. You can also use almost all features via this MIP touch screen.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

The 16 -colored Mip screen of the Fenix ​​7 Pro is not backlit by default, but uses ambient light for lighting. But you will not have difficulty reading the contents of the screen even under the summer sun and you will save a little energy compared to the self-luminous OLED screens.

In the dark, you will however have to activate the backlight, either by pressing the light button, or by making the gesture to look at the time.

Speaking of light, all the models of the Fenix ​​7 Pro inherited the small LED torch lamp of the Fenix ​​7X. Functionality looks like a gimmick. But, she is incredibly practical. Unlike the flashlight of your smartphone, it can be used in hands -free mode.

When you run in the dark, the light of the fenix 7 pro increases your visibility and lights up alternately in white towards the front and in red to the back according to the movements of your arm. It’s really interesting and I don’t know why this lamp is not available on all smartwatchs.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

Interface/OS

We tested the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro on the wrist, and once again, nothing has changed in terms of functionalities. Yes, Garmin watches are above all sports watches. Nevertheless, the gap with Samsung, Google, Apple and others continues to widen in this area. This is painfully felt, in particular with regard to internet connectivity and payments.

The strengths of the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro:

  • Owner app for multiple applications

The weak points of the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro:

  • Still no 4G version available
  • Garmin Pay very limited in certain regions
  • No response possible for notifications

The Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro is first of all a sports watch before being a smartwatch, there is no doubt. The real smartwatchs are also increasingly pointing on the territory of sports watches, putting some pressure on Garmin. However, the connected watches of the Swiss manufacturer run slowly and in terms of SmartWatch features, little has changed from the Fenix ​​7 (test).

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

Thus, the Fenix ​​7 Pro is still not available in 4G version. In addition, for lack of microphone, you will not be able to use the connected hand -free watch and do not support Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant.

However, these are features that already existed on several Garmin watches, such as 4G on the Forerunner 945 and the hands -free function on the Garmin Venu 2 Plus (test).

Regarding the features of the smartwatchs themselves, the gap is widening with the Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch, which are increasingly incorporating features.

Of course, you will receive notifications on the wrist, but most of them are quite poor, with generic icons and without any possibility of responding directly with a voice message or at least with predefined text elements.

For mobile payments, there is Garmin Pay, who only supports a limited number of banks, at least. I have accounts in three large different banks, and Garmin Pay does not take a single in charge in 2023.

Finally, I must therefore always take my smartphone with me if I want to buy bread at the bakery after my jogging or if I want to be reachable. It’s a shame.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

On the side of the advantages, there is always the Connect IQ Store of Garmin. The owner app offers countless different applications of important services, for example Komoot, Spotify or Amazon Music.

You will also find several special independent applications in the store, from the prayer calendar to monitoring alcohol consumption via Pomodoro Timer, everything is there.

In addition, there are several surveillance dials, training screens, personalized measurements and training dashboards. the possibilities are limitless.

Garmin Connectiq

The only new feature of the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro in this field is the “recently used” function for widgets. By pressing the return button for a long time, the sports watch chronologically displays the widgets that you recently consulted.

Fitness sensors and functions

The Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro is the ultimate in terms of monitoring physical condition. No connected watch on this planet offers sports options, follow -up possibilities, training plans and such varied evaluation possibilities.

The strengths of the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro:

  • The new Garmin Elevate V5 heart rate sensor is even more precise
  • An incredible number of sport modes with real added value
  • The sensors provide very precise results

The weak points of the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro:

  • Sometimes unclear and too demanding metrics

The Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro offers several different sporting modes, from golf to windsurfing via weightlifting. The different modes do not only serve as a logbook for your training, they also offer you countless special functions.

For example, you have cards on the watch over 43.089 Golf course and you will receive an analysis of your swing on the golf course. And, for weightlifting, the watch counts your rehearsals during the series and even recognizes the exercise carried out in a semi-available manner.

With the Fenix ​​7 Pro, more than 30 new training has been added. However, these training sessions do not all bring metrics or individual functions, but which are used first of all to classify your training. Which allows you to always know that, for example, on the 28th.07.2023, you have dive into apnea and not kayak.

Here are the 30 new sports: ice skating, ice Hockey, hockey, Football, soccer, butt, rugby, cricket, Table tennis, padel, basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, baseball, archery, rafting, kayak, boxing, Mma, snorkeling, motocross, squash, badminton.

Outdoor sports and GPS

The Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro is a perfect sports watch for outdoor activity fans. Garmin’s decision to equip all his models with a bi-band GNSS is additional proof of this. As on all Garmin watches equipped with this technology, the Fenix ​​7 Pro positioning system is extremely precise.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

Garmin Integrated 32 GB of storage in all models of the Fenix ​​7 Pro. You can use this music for music, but also for excellent Garmin cards. These specific cards can be used for navigation, to be guided to points of interest, to export and import routes. And of course, navigation also works with third -party applications like Komoot.

In typical outdoor sports such as running and cycling, Fenix ​​7 Pro effectively follows your heart rate continuously. It works in an extremely precise way, provided that your wrists are not too much stressed during training.

In direct comparison with a sigma heart rate belt, the Fenix ​​7 Pro provides almost identical results. During our test, Garmin’s smartwatch measured the average pulse at 153 and the chest belt obtained exactly the same value. The maximum heart rate was respectively 170 and 171 bpm.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

For endurance sports, the Stamina function is particularly interesting. This new feature for running and cycling activities is designed to help you achieve the best possible results with confidence.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

Interior sport and fitness

Unfortunately, I only had the opportunity to test the new Garmin Elevate V5 only during a training session against the Apple Watch Ultra, which was until now the reference in terms of precision of PPG sensors and which gave results almost identical to those of pectoral belt systems.

But, in this single body training session (pectoral/push), the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro provided results identical to those of the Apple Watch Ultra, with an average pulse of 113 and a peak pulse of 157 and 158 BPM respectively.

Many optical pulse sensors are notoriously imprecise, especially during training with many pumps.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

In direct comparison with a sigma pectoral belt, the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro is always a bit behind. During another breast training session of the same type, the two systems certainly reached the same average heart rate of 118 BPM.

However, the optical cardiofrequency does not manage to keep the pace of the chest belt during activity peaks, with points at 140 (fenix 7 pro) and 145 bpm (chest belt). In the end, this is a very good result, especially since Garmin offers countless thoracic belts in accessories.

Garmin introduced a few other metrics with the Fenix ​​7 Pro, including the Hill Score for mountain races, weather information on cards and better contours for cards. All new software features will also be updated on the Epix 2 (Test) and the Fenix ​​7.

Sleep and recovery

The Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro offers the same full set of sleep and recovery measures as the Garmin Fenix ​​7. Of course, the connected sports watch follows different sleep phases in addition to the pure sleep time. We could not test the precision of the different phases. However, the hours of awakening and sleep always coincide quite precisely with the real waking and sleeping hours.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

There are also a number of measures you can use to monitor your physical condition. The most important is the function Body Battery. Training sessions and stressful days empty your body battery (energy), sleep (repairing) fills it again.

You can also create a “Health Snapshot “, That is to say a current inventory of your body based on pulse, variability of heart rate, oxygen saturation (SPO2), respiratory frequency and stress.

Other follow -up functions

All models of the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro are equipped with a mini solar panel on the screen. This allows you on the one hand to extend the autonomy, but also to follow the number of hours spent in the sun. You will thus have an additional measure which could motivate you to spend more time in the open air.

In addition, the Fenix ​​7 Pro is the first Fenix ​​model to integrate the equipment necessary to measure the ECG. However, this feature is not yet available and Garmin has not announced a date. However, we hope that the corresponding certification will not be too long to obtain and that the ECG function will be activated.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

Autonomy

In the event of a “low battery” alert, no problem with the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro. The connected watch offers excellent autonomy. However, there is no wireless recharge and the charger owns.

The strengths of the Garmin Felix 7 Pro:

  • Excellent autonomy
  • Solar recharging on all pro models

The strengths of the Garmin Felix 7 Pro:

  • No wireless recharge
  • Owner charging cable

The high -end models of the Fenix ​​7 have, according to Garmin, the same excellent autonomy as the standard models. This means that in smartwatch mode, three hours of sun exposure per day give 14, 22 or 37 days of autonomy, depending on the size of the model. For GPS training, Garmin promises 16, 26 or 41 hours of autonomy with the full power Multiband.

On the other hand, at the editorial staff of Nextpit, we have no athletes capable of reaching 16 hours. But, with 30 to 60 minutes of sport per day, five times a week, I was able to last two good weeks during the test. Recharge, so rarely necessary, is done quite quietly.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

After 10 minutes, the Fenix ​​7 Pro is loaded at 8 %, then at 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48 % after an hour. The second hour, the battery also fills up with increments of 8 % every 10 minutes to reach 92 % after 56, 64, 72, 80 and 88 minutes.

The battery recharges completely after about 2.5 hours. Of course, it’s slow. However, after 20 minutes, you will have enough juice for an entire weekend.

Finally, I would like the Fenix ​​8 to be equipped with wireless charging according to the Qi standard. It would simply be practical to be able to recharge the watch on the move with a widespread standard instead of always using the Garmin owner charger.

Conclusion

Yes, the Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro has new interesting features, including the improved PPG sensor for monitoring of heart rate, skin temperature and more. It also has the hardware necessary for the ECG. Without forgetting the LED lamp which is also a new feature very welcome. This lamp is on all sizes of the Fenix ​​7 Pro.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

  • Garmin Fenix ​​7S (42 mm) See offer 849, € 99 (Amazon)
  • Garmin Fenix ​​7 (47 mm) See the offer 849, 99 € (Amazon)
  • Garmin Fenix ​​7x (51 mm) See the offer 949, 99 € (Amazon)

However, there has not been much development in many areas. Smartwatch’s functions are obsolete, Garmin Pay is limited and the lack of 4G connectivity becomes an increasingly heavy burden for the Fenix ​​7 Pro. This time, the brilliant sports functions make up for it and hoist the sports watch at 4.5 stars out of 5.0. But, the Garmin Fenix ​​8 will have to make a little more effort.

Garmin test fēnix 7 pro: always as versatile and now shiny

Less than a year and a half separates the Garmin fēnix 7 from their now “pro” variants. We have been using the Garmin fēnix 7 pro for a month and a half, days and nights. Here is our full test and review.

The Garmin fēnix 7 pro // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

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Our full opinion
Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro

July 25, 2023 07/25/2023 • 19:30

The Garmin Fēnix 7 was unveiled in January 2022. His progress in the face of the aging fēnix 6 was real and the watch had frankly convinced us. Conversely, the fēnix 7 pro announced at the end of May 2023 is, by definition, not a fēnix 8: the expected improvements logically cause less expectation and hope.

The fact remains that on paper, the fēnix 7 pro is enough to convince Those who seek to have a high -end sports watch: new heart rate sensor, flashlight and multibands GNSS integrated into all models, new aptitude scores … for the same launch price.

What is the Garmin fēnix 7 pro really worth in fact ? Answer right away. Right here right now.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro Technical Sheet

Model Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro
Dimensions 47 mm x 47 mm x 14.5 mm
Screen definition 260 x 260 pixels
Slab Mip
Internal memory 32 GB
Weight 56 g
Heart rhythm sensor Yes
Sleep analysis Yes
Accelerometer Yes
Ambient light sensor Yes
Protection sign 10 ATM
Product sheet

This test was carried out with a garmin fēnix 7s pro loaned by Garmin.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 PRO A robust watch available in 3 sizes

The fēnix 7 pro take up the same variations as the fēnix 7:

  • a reduced version of 42 mm For small cakes: the Garmin fēnix 7S Pro;
  • A classic version of 47 mm : the garmin fēnix 7 Pro;
  • A version of 51 mm For warriors: the Garmin fēnix 7x Pro.

Here are the complete sizes of the different Garmin fēnix 7 and 7 pro:

42 mm box: 7s and 7s pro 47 mm box: 7 and 7 pro 51 mm box: 7x and 7x pro
42 x 42 x 14.1 mm 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm

On the design side, Garmin does not reinvent the wheel and so much the better. We find this adventurous and very sporty appearance. No doubt, the fēnix 7 pro to your wrist sends a signal to those you come across: yum yum outdoor sport.

Here we test the smallest model of the fēnix 7 pro, the S version of 42 mm. What is more, we benefit from the golden variant, which offers a much more dressed appearance than the 7x pro. The watch remains thick, so quite visible on the small cakes.

The fēnix 7 pro is made of polymer and stainless steel. The Pro Sapphire Solar version is in titanium. All models have not surprised the famous tests of ” US military standard »». Without going into details and having used other Garmin watches: you don’t have much to fear on the resistance side, whether in heat, shock or water-it can withstand an equivalent pressure 100 meters deep.

The major difference with the fēnix 7 concerns theIntegration of a small LED torch lamp On the upper edge of the case. Reserved for a few (very) big Garmin models in recent years, including the fēnix 7X, this element is now on all the models of the fēnix 7 pro, No matter the size. Gadget or useful ? Useful from our point of view. Go a little further in this test to learn more.

The rest of the design could not be closer to that of the Fēnix 7 range. We notice the five physical buttons spread over the left and right slices, as well as the Garmin inscription positioned just under the screen. The upper right button is slightly walled, enough to avoid accidental supports – it is with this button that we launch/stop an activity and that we validate the actions.

The back of the housing is struck by various inscriptions and has a very flashy golden color on our test model. Regulars will have noticed the presence of this good old owner charge port. Too bad, still no charge by induction on the horizon on the Fēnix range. Let us content ourselves with the USB-C tip from now on at the other end of the charging cable provided by Garmin.

Also, we notice the integration of the new optical sensor, named Elevate Gen 5. The latter seems to have more diodes than the previous version, launched in 2021 and present on many Garmin watches launched since that date. We were not disappointed with the precision of the new sensor, but we will talk to it with details in the dedicated section.

Finally, the fēnix 7 pro bracelet benefits from the usual Garmin QuickFit hook system: a few seconds are enough to change bracelet. Two sizes are delivered to purchase.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 PRO A slightly improved MIP screen

Range fēnix obliges, the fēnix 7 pro embeds a Mip screen. This technology has proven itself and is embarked on the vast majority of sports watches. This did not prevent Garmin from refining it on the fēnix 7 pro. Without too much detail, the brand announces a Improved indoor readability Thanks to work on pixels, backlight and solar panel. Concretely, this is the reflective part of the technology that seems to have been perfected.

In use, the screen is at least always so readable. Other testers who have been able to compare the screen of the fēnix 7 to that of the fēnix 7 pro note a clear improvement in interior readability.

Those looking for AMOLED screens at Garmin must turn to the Epix range (Gen 2). The latter is quite simply the AMOLED FE PUSED FUS 7: Same features, same price range, but with a brighter screen – and therefore a lessened autonomy. To say, Garmin accompanied the release of the fēnix 7 pro tested today by that of the Epix Pro (Gen 2) – which we will soon test.

The fēnix 7 pro screen is tactile, but navigation can also be done with physical buttons.

There is No standard version of the fēnix 7 pro. The basic “Solar” model has a solar charging screen, while the more expensive “Sapphire Solar” variant benefits in addition to a still more resistant window. No wonder the screen of our test model (Sapphire Solar) is intact, especially after a single month and a half of use.

You will understand, each of the two models of the fēnix 7 pro has a solar charging screen. Same conclusion as during our fēnix 7 test: we have never seen the watch win a single point of autonomy thanks to the sun. Australian farmers will surely have more luck – or any other person spending the majority of their day outside the sun.

Garmin obliges, the dials offered on the fēnix 7 pro are numerous and very customizable.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro same interface, same application

In use

Little differentiates the fēnix 7 pro from fēnix 7 concerning daily use. Good news, however, each model of the fēnix 7 embarks 32 GB of storage : no space problem for recording navigation cards.

The interface has evolved very little. Some may expect to find the reworked menus of Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965, but remember that the Forerunner and Fēnix/Epix ranges are managed by two different entities at Garmin-something like the departments Fitness And Outdoor.

All this paragraph to say that the interface of the fēnix 7 pro is the same as that of the fēnix 7. We still notice some light changes here and there, nothing more. A long support on the lower left button triggers for example the opening of a so -called fast menu which displays the latest cards used. From our point of view, this new menu is one of too many. The interface is already quite busy and difficult to understand like that. We therefore reparamped this long support to trigger a return to the dial.

We will not dwell more than that on the interface of the fēnix 7 pro. Remember that she is, as for the other garmin: loaded, but complete – or complete, but charged. Garmin beginners will need a few weeks to appropriate everything. They can personalize the different menus displayed.

Come on, a little help for the buttons:

  • button high right : launch an activity or validate an option;
  • button downside : come back to the previous screen;
  • button tightly left : light/turn off the screen backlight;
  • button middle left : navigate in the upper options;
  • button lower left : Navigate in the down options.

Good to know, some combinations of buttons or long supports trigger other actions. Better still, it is possible to personalize some of them. Recall that a double click on the upper left button lights the torch lamp. Precisely, let’s talk about it.

And the torch lamp then ?

We said it a little higher. The presence of a small torch lamp on a sports watch is surprisingly practical. Concretely, we end up with a torch lamp of a power almost equivalent to that of a phone flash … but permanently accessible to our wrist. A double support on the upper left button is enough to turn on and turn off the torch lamp. We surprised ourselves to use this daily feature a lot: to rummage in your backpack, locate the toilet path at night, find a card game in the hull of a sailboat, provoke the mockery of your group of friends Little inclined to sports watches ..

A dedicated menu makes it possible to determine the intensity of the flash and to move from a classic white light to a red light, more suited to a long use at night.

The torch lamp can especially be used during night sports sessions. Everything is configurable: type of sport, period of the day, lighting mode, cadence and color. We have thus set the watch so that the torch lamp flashes in red, with a certain frequency, during our races on foot taking place after the sunset. The lamp will not be enough to enlighten you, but that is not its goal. It actually plays the same role as a bicycle rear light: to make you visible by the drivers of your favorite departmental.

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Please note, the use of the torch lamp rings the autonomy of the watch, mainly during the sports sessions. We will talk about it in the dedicated part of this test dedicated to autonomy.

Application

Again, no change to note: the fēnix 7 pro works logically peer with the Garmin Connect application. Like the interface of the watches, that of the application is no longer responsible for data. This is Garmin’s vision: to offer the most analyzes to its users, even if it means scareing the neophytes. The fact remains that the information offered is overall relevant to progress. It will simply take time to understand the whole.

The main view displays the different metrics and the Garmin scores: last recorded sports activity, training status, sleep score, heart rate, number of steps and stages gravis … It is possible to personalize this main view by adding, deleting and reagencing the cards. Stress monitoring does not interest you more than that ? Two clicks are enough to make it disappear from the home screen.

Garmin Connect Mobile

Garmin Connect Mobile

Anyway, all metrics are available in the form of a list in the menu ” Health “Of the application – sleep, sleep score, burnt calories, sppo2, breathing, heart rate … the tab” Performance »Displays all the analyzes and scores offered by Garmin from the metrics just cited: training status, training score for training, status of the variability of heart rate, prediction of racing times, VO2 Max ..

A complete history and other details are available in each menu with a daily, weekly, monthly or annual view. Explanations and analyzes are sometimes highlighted. The consultation of these different elements is logically much more comfortable than on the watch screen.

The application also allows you to configure the fēnix 7 pro. We find all the options available on the watch, with the exception of the main dial management.

Element that we appreciate with the Garmin watches: it is possible to modify in real time, during a sporting activity and from the application, the dials of said activity. I realize that my main view does not display the cumulative positive drop while I just launched my trail session ? Thirty seconds on the application is enough to solve the problem.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 PRO FUNCTIONS OF HEALTH: new scores, again

The fēnix 7 Pro has all the same types of sensors as the fēnix 7 pro, with some improvements of course :

  • GNSS chip with multifrequency positioning (for all models);
  • New heart rate monitor (Garmin Elevate Gen 5);
  • pulse oximeter;
  • barometric altimeter;
  • compass;
  • Gyroscope;
  • accelerometer;
  • flashlight.

Compared to the models Fēnix 7, note the addition of the famous torch lamp and the new optical sensor. Also, a few dozen new sports profiles have appeared.

Let’s stay brief on the generic capacities offered by Garmin, obviously present here on the fēnix 7 pro: the number of data measured is impressive, but it is above all the analyzes that are made of them that characterize the Garmin watches. Often relevant, there would be almost too much sometimes.

Monitoring of sleep, heart rate, variability in heart rate, intensity of each sporting activity, training volume .. The metrics are coupled and then treated by the algorithms of Garmin, before being translated into scores or in status. A training score to help you choose the type of session to carry out (or simply rest), a training status to explain your progress recently, an estimate of your racing times at the 10 km, at the semi- marathon … everyone goes there. We also find the usual Climbpro, Pecipro and other Stamina. The morning report is still as practical: summary of the night, the evolution of the VFC, the day to come, the weather, the next session ..

Sleep monitoring is relatively precise, but the misses are frankly excusable by the relevance of the trend of the variability of heart rate. Each data or functionality deserves a dedicated article. If it may seem difficult not to progress with so much data, neophytes must remain cautious: to train well with other sources on progress in running or sport, and in particular, do not fall into a species of ‘Addiction to scores – at least pay too much attention to the different metrics.

Speaking of scores, the fēnix 7 pro was an opportunity for Garmin to launch two new. Yes yes, they still found something to produce two yet another scores: the endurance score and the climb score. Before detailing them, be aware that they will be (or are already) available via an update on old Garmin models, including the Fēnix 7, Epix (Gen 2) and some Forerunner series.

THE two new scores Ask three weeks of use before appearing, then update daily according to your training:

  • score endurance : your ability to keep long efforts;
  • score climbing : your capacity and your endurance in the climbs.

The endurance score is logically based on your aerobic capacity, Or your endurance over long distances, at least long efforts. The score can exceed 9,300 points and fall under the 5,000 for the least trained. Yes, Garmin obliges, your score will necessarily be tidy in a category according to your age, to better compare yourself. The fēnix 7 pro even comments on your score, with the usual flagorneries of the type ” The increase in your VO2 Max has also increased your endurance score, already impressive. Well done ! »»

Long fundamental endurance outputs will increase your score, while too long a rest period will drop it. Do not expect to earn 300 points in one outing. Progress is the long term. On this subject, the watch tells us the sports having contributed to the evolution of our endurance score.

For our part, the evolution of the score was much more abrupt at the start of our use than a few weeks later. In other words, it was quite Difficult to understand the exact functioning of the score. For example, we fell from 8,653 to 9,019 after only 3 Trail outputs, for a total of less than 4 hours of effort. In one night, we lost an average of 80 points. Conversely, a very calm week of training compared to our average has kindly left us around 9000, without drastic drop so.

The behavior of the endurance score is sometimes strange: a 2 -hour running outing has only maintained the current score, while other sessions less turned towards long endurance have had a much higher effect on the score. If it is therefore complicated to judge the relevance of this functionality, The gamification he brings is appreciable : it’s stupid, but we enjoy seeing our score increase. Be careful not to do too much.

The rise score is calculated and updated from several metrics, including the estimate of the VO2 max. The score is actually the result of three sub-scores: endurance in climbing, climbing power and VO2 max. Above all, it is based on your walking activities, hikes and running which have passages with a slope of more than 2 %. Trailers are clearly the target of this new score. Again, the scores are stored by edge:

  • from 1 to 24: leisure;
  • from 25 to 49: Challenger;
  • from 50 to 69: trained;
  • from 70 to 84: competent;
  • from 85 to 94: expert;
  • from 95 to 100: elite.

Like the endurance score, the rise score evolves with the latest activities carried out, but still takes older training into account. There too, it is not easy to understand its evolution: we went from a score of 78 to 87 after 4 trail training. After two slight weeks of running on the road, our score stabilized around 83. We were more convinced by the endurance score than by the rise score. The latter could surely be accompanied by more precise advice to improve in trail.

Finally on the novelty side, the dial dedicated to the display of mapping can now accommodate more metrics. Previously, it was possible to integrate two data in superposition with the card. From now on, the user can also decide:

  • Share the screen stupidly in two vertically: on the left three customizable data fields, on the right the cartography – which is then cut in half, therefore frankly difficult to read;
  • Leave the card on the vast majority of the screen, but adding a metric outline on the edges – Up to six data, it’s practical, but there too, it is the sprained guaranteed before having been able to decipher all this.
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