[Nemo_Sandman]

Re: Fenix 6 (Solar?) & Tactical Garmin Instinct

In the hopes of an improved display, I selected the fenix 6X Pro model because it does NOT have a Sapphire crystal - it has a Gorilla Glass 3 crystal. I was not disappointed. The display is as legible as the display on the Instinct (which is saying a lot), but with much higher resolution - no jaggies and messages in a type face I can actually read.

...One indicator that this is the case is Garmin chose the Gorilla Glass 3 for the solar models - presumably to allow more light through than the Sapphire crystal.

HTH

Thank you for the pictures !! It is a stunning Fenix you have here !!

I haven't seen the screen of the 6X Pro Gorilla "on", the sticker was on it.
But if it is as good as the Instinct it should be spectacular with the 280x280 display ! A feast of the eyes !
I heard Gorilla Class 3 or Gorilla DX, I don't know if there is much a difference ? My Samsung Galaxy Watch is Gorilla DX.

I'm very please with my Sapphire 6 display but I would love to see a comparaison between non backlighted Gorilla versus Sapphire.
Would the AR coating make a difference ?

About the Solar model, I heard the (French) company who provide the power glass is providing it "as a whole", which means the Gorilla Glass would be already part of it not added by Garmin in manufacturing.

Here is a picture of my Fenix sapphire in the morning sun with various angle, sun facing me. And another pic indoors inside my office.

 

[Nemo_Sandman]

Re: Fenix 6 (Solar?) & Tactical Garmin Instinct

Super slick nemo!

Ok, i have an odd question ... I'm thinking of getting both an Instinct and an F6 ... I like the back-to-basics look of the Instinct and I do a lot of hiking with weights so there's high risk of banging. I"m thinking the light weight, simply UI, and ruggedness of the Instinct could be perfect for that. In F6 would be more my daily wear watch and I would use it for swimming, any work trips, etc OR if I'm going hiking somewhere new, etc. Thoughts? Thanks!

I'm not the good person to give you advice: I'm a single watch owner.
When I got two watches, I'm turning mad.

I would go for only one and it would be a Fenix 6. If you don't need cartography you can even go lower on price.
It would cost the price of two instincts. It's matter of taste then.
The instinct is really something to enjoy as an easy to go instrument. It is light and reliable.
The Fenix 6 got a more exposed glass, the Instinct Bezel is taller and better protection IMHO.
The Fenix got a bigger colour display and following Gaijin's advice is as good on the instinct on the Gorilla version ?
You should try both in a shop. ;-)

 

[Nemo_Sandman]

And the fenix 6X Pro checks in:

HTH

Playing with the display in a Gaijin beads bracelet hommage !

BTW have you installed a titanium bracelet on yours ?

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[gaijin]

BTW have you installed a titanium bracelet on yours ?

Yes. It is the Garmin Titanium bracelet for the Descent Mk1:

It's the best one I've found for buckle design, fit and comfort.

HTH

 

[Nemo_Sandman]

Not drunken syndrom so far.
Very happy with graphics during activity.

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[Divine_Madcat]

New 6x Solar owner joining the fun. Told myself I was going to be patient enough to see what the 6 release brought out (as a former 3 owner, I was drooling over the 5x+), and was not disappointed. I love my GPS rangeman, but wanted more refined for daily city wear. The 6x solar really fit the bill for me in a few ways:
- The screen is finally the size I feel matches the watch size. It is a great display, and the increased res and size really make it enjoyable.
- The overall UI, while generally the same, is much smoother than previous devices, and is also a joy to use. The simplified widgets are a great feature, and I love how fluid it is overall.
- Even though it cant keep the watch perpetually changed like my orangemen, I really appreciate being able to give my watch in the field with some patience and sun. I already envision being able to really top it off by putting it in the basic mode and leaving it in the sun a while, and I cant wait to test it out sometime.

For me, i will say the lack of sapphire crystal on the solar is disappointing. Casio, citizen, seiko, etc ,all seem to be able to do it, though i understand the display technology is different. I ordered a pack of basic screen protection, and will see how much it impacts the solar charge. I am willing to take a 10% efficiency hit to keep that beautiful crystal beautiful.
I am also bummed the fully titanium offering (solar) is done only in gunmetal, and not the dlc of the other model. I ordered an aftermarket titanium bracelet, supposed to be here today (I'll ad a shot when I get it), but it would be nice to get a complete dlc package.

I also noticed my watch reported that it updated last night to 3.00, as I cant find any kind of change log or history on the update.

Overall, I am feeling like this watch is a solid addition to my collection, and will likely get most of my wrist time. Pricey for sure, but not real regrets yet..

 

[Nemo_Sandman]

View attachment 14435561

I also noticed my watch reported that it updated last night to 3.00, as I cant find any kind of change log or history on the update.

Overall, I am feeling like this watch is a solid addition to my collection, and will likely get most of my wrist time. Pricey for sure, but not real regrets yet..

Congratulations to this beautiful flagship ! It is stunning and very very rare in August !!

The 3.0 is just the normal update to start the fun. Previous version was inhouse and is to be forgotten.
So everybody got 3.0.

UPDATE: Quoting Gaijin on the Garmin Forums:

"I can verify that from Software Version 2.20 to 3.00 the following changes were effected:
GPS: 2.30 to 2.50
CIQ: 3.0.11 to 3.1.2
WHR: 20.04.13 to 20.04.40
Sensor Hub: 2.00 to 2.10"

Have you got the patience of the 3 hours map update? So far I have avoided it... But tonight I will try.

I think (but I need more info) that the (former) French company inventor of the solar glass only provided it with Gorilla Glass.
Gorilla is perhaps a little less resistant to scratch but it is tougher.
Also Gaijin with is 6X Pro Gorilla Glass think it is more sharp than sapphire in terms of transparence, see his post before.
It would explain that choices.

Enjoy your Solar Fenix and give us a lot of pictures of the new band and your experience in solar charging with your unit !

Picture from marketting when the Solar version bezel was silver !! ;-) No photoshop involved... ;-)

 

[Nemo_Sandman]

BTW the Fenix 6 got normal spring bars.
The previous versions used long screws.

The springbars are thick and sturdy similar to the Instinct's but at least it is easy to remove them and try new bands and straps.

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[Divine_Madcat]

Congratulations to this beautiful flagship ! It is stunning and very very rare in August !!

The 3.0 is just the normal update to start the fun. Previous version was inhouse and is to be forgotten.
So everybody got 3.0.

Have you got the patience of the 3 hours map update? So far I have avoided it... But tonight I will try.

I think (but I need more info) that the (former) French company inventor of the solar glass only provided it with Gorilla Glass.
Gorilla is perhaps a little less resistant to scratch but it is tougher.
Also Gaijin with is 6X Pro Gorilla Glass think it is more sharp than sapphire in terms of transparence, see his post before.
It would explain that choices.

Enjoy your Solar Fenix and give us a lot of pictures of the new band and your experience in solar charging with your unit !

Picture from marketting when the Solar version bezel was silver !! ;-) No photoshop involved... ;-)

View attachment 14435649

Funny you say that.. in the area I am in, every Best buy near me had at least two in stock. Had no problem just going to the store and getting one. Most stores still have at least 1 around here. I haven't done the map update, as I haven't been around ny laptop long enough to bother (and I figured you could update over the phone, but I was wrong...)

For the glass... while it may be less transparent, I would have rather had the durability to be honest. Since I now have to put on a screen protector, any gains I sharpness are lost on me. Still, as long as it holds up well to daily activity, I will be happy.

Being in Florida, I'll try to get some sunlight shots, assuming weather doesn't go crazy here...

 

[ronalddheld]

Can anyone compare the Fenix 6 with a Galaxy watch?

 

[Divine_Madcat]

Can anyone compare the Fenix 6 with a Galaxy watch?

I have a s3 frontier. What can I compare for you?

 

[Nemo_Sandman]

Can anyone compare the Fenix 6 with a Galaxy watch?

My 46mm is packed for Ebay but they are very similar in the way they are wearing.
The Fenix 6 "feels" a little less wide and a little thicker but it just a feeling but it is verified by the measurements:

Galaxy Watch: 46 x 49 x 13 mm and 63 grams
Fenix 6 47 x 47 x 14,70 mm 60 grams (49 grams for my titanium version)

I have adapted my GW bands and strap on the Fenix and so far I use the same settings. So they are "very" similar.

 

[Odie]

BTW the Fenix 6 got normal spring bars.
The previous versions used long screws.

The springbars are thick and sturdy similar to the Instinct's but at least it is easy to remove them and try new bands and straps.

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People have been questioning why Garmin moved to spring bars and I believe they did that so it's easier to change to other straps. People may ha e been over tightening the system screws and stripping or breaking them (just a thought), so I don't mind the spring bars. It's still MIL Spec, which I'm happy for. I just dropped my F6 a few minutes ago in the kitchen...whew...it was ok.

I REALLY love the new ABC/Compass widget, with the Heading Lock. I missed that from some of my Protrek's. I'm also loving the Timers on the F6..fav feature from the Instinct.

 

[Servus]

Could PLEASE someone set images from the individual modes?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Nemo_Sandman]

People have been questioning why Garmin moved to spring bars and I believe they did that so it's easier to change to other straps. People may ha e been over tightening the system screws and stripping or breaking them (just a thought), so I don't mind the spring bars. It's still MIL Spec, which I'm happy for. I just dropped my F6 a few minutes ago in the kitchen...whew...it was ok.

I REALLY love the new ABC/Compass widget, with the Heading Lock. I missed that from some of my Protrek's. I'm also loving the Timers on the F6..fav feature from the Instinct.

The springbars are the same as the one provided on the instinct. On thing I miss is the hole in the horn which make the removing of the springbars easier (by just pushing with a pin). Anyway this spring bars give the opportunity to mount quality two parts zulu straps.
I have ordered also another Hook Strap by Nick Mankey, as they are the most confortable strap I ever used.
The new one will come in grey to watch the case of my Titanium 6 version.
But so far, the James Bond Specter two parts nylon from Archerband works just fine. Especially Archer as glue two layers of nylon making it more stiff but once worn for a bit so confortable and very very solid.

Thank you for the head up regarding the heading lock ! The new graphics fields including the compass and also the possibility to display the bearing horizontally like on the Descent MKI for example (in the compass fields) is real plus.

To find my Instinct shortcuts, I have custom my hot keys with a long back pressure for "Clocks".
Also "Yoga" is now used again as my stopwatch with "Time Of The Day" field displayed on the same screen -> renamed "Chrono".

One thing which is also a surprise and a pleasure are the new widget view.

 

[Nemo_Sandman]

Could PLEASE someone set images from the individual modes?

Thanks in advance!

I will do it. By "mode" you mean Widget, application ? Or you want to see something specific ?

 

[Nemo_Sandman]

My watchface and the new view of the widgets.

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[Nemo_Sandman]

Re: Fenix 6 (Solar?) & Tactical Garmin Instinct

Obliged to do some collage or the orientation of the photo was going crazy.

The first trip of photos is focused on the weather.
The new widget is perfect IMHO.

And the second photo you see the compass lock with the deviation.
My chrono activity which shows the time of the day and the stopwatch.

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[Servus]

Thanks, Nemo,
I was talking about the pictures!

Looks good.

 

[Nemo_Sandman]

Thanks, Nemo,
I was talking about the pictures!

Looks good.

Just tell me if you want to more and what you would want to see ?

I would love to see a comparaison between a 6X Pro, a 6X Solar Pro and a 6X Sapphire display. ;-)