Part of this deal, where you save "up to $100" on "Spend & Save on Eligible Items" https://pages.ebay.com.au/buyer_coupons/2023/plusot/
Maybe an ATL? I don't think the Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar has been under $1100 before, but I might be wrong. 10 remaining at time of posting (i think).
Additionally, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar $548.79, with 10 available at time of posting. Though, I don't think that's an ATL.
A fair question. The Fenix line has the "torch"/strobing light when running, updated wrist-based HRM, a metal case and a sapphire screen.
Whether or not that's worth the extra dollars is up to you?
If you are serious about HRM, you will get a proper honest to god chest strap. Optical heart rate sensor has its own inherent limitations.
I have both, the forerunner and fenix. Gotta say I love the oled screen on forerunner much more than the fenix's passive whatever screen. Dedicated light is overated, FR perfectly capable of working as a flashlight by illuminating its screen.
The only feature of Fx I wish Fr had is climbing / bouldering modes, and maybe the topo map.
Having said that, I will probably get a Solar Sapphire Epix when next version comes out.
Do you have FR 955? I thought the 955 had bouldering.
Dedicated light is overated, FR perfectly capable of working as a flashlight by illuminating its screen
Depends what you need the light for, the illumination just from the screen is no comparison.
It would actually be very useful for me. I can't have a proper look into my parcel mailbox at night with my Fenix 6X from only simply illuminating it's screen. I instead have a small torch attached to my keys.
I do night runs and the red light feature would be a nice safety one for drivers to see me.
It's handy when going to the toilet at night.
Would have come in handy that one time my headlamp ran out of battery overnight camping.
Put simply, once you have this feature you'll wonder how you ever went without. Wish my 6X had it.
But +$1000 is steep, I'll wait.
@Lucille Bluth: You are much better off wearing reflective clothing. Headlights will drown out the puny little red light.
All other use cases you listed, I literally used the 265 screen as light, worked just fine
I have a big addiction to torches, and even have some around $500. But i got the Fenix 7x when it came out and the torch on it is a game changer for me, i use it daily and I've stopped buying torches because of it. Definitely my favourite feature on the watch.
@LowRange: You reckon the 7x pro would come on sale soon? 40 to 50% off?
Thinking upgrade for torch
I have 6x pro
All I can really think of is durability of the watch face, potentially more prone to scratches.
I'm a tradie with a Fenix 5 sapphire. Have never babied the watch, wear it every day regardless of what I'm doing. Screen is still great, zero scratches.
If i was buying a garmin watch again id still go for the fenix line in sapphire. But i exercise with friends using the forerunner and have never heard any complaints.
Most people would be happy with either.
I have heard some watches don't offer multi-sport mode (triathlons), so you have to start a new workout with each transition. So use case may vary.
IMHO forerunners are better even if the price was the same, but I use it for sports and fenixes have a more premium feel and look. So, you pay for status/style, fenix is a status watch in it's own weird way.
I paid $1,068.09 at JB on the 29th May as part of some Wicked Wednesday deal or whatever. Big fan of the watch - replaced my lost Venu 2
Only downside is the extra bulk when wearing longsleeve shirts but otherwise, love the flashlight feature. So useful.
I have a Fenix 6 pro that isn't sapphire. I use cheap glass screen protectors from eBay so the screen is still in mint condition. The bezel has a few marks though and I think the sapphire models have a sturdier bezel so that might also be a benefit.
I'll probably go for a sapphire X model next as my ageing eyes are starting to struggle with some of the font.
Got the epix 2 for 650$ couldnt really justify this price
HODL Fenix 8 should be dropping in September. Hopefully a further discount coming
Just FYI rumours are that Fenix 8 will be released next week Tuesday 27th August.
So more sales could be coming.
https://the5krunner.com/2024/08/20/garmin-fenix-8-release-da…
![[eBay Plus] Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar Carbon Grey $1,078.73 Delivered @ Ryda eBay](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/97/862497.jpg?h=f16b96be)
What makes this $500+ better than a Forerunner?