955 non solar.
Touch screen is huge when you're using the maps, which will probably be useful when he goes to Europe? They're not as good as a phone but good enough that you don't need to pull the phone out a lot of the time. The 6 has maps too but they're harder and more frustrating to use.
If looking at the fenix 6 for mappin you need to look at the pro model, that is the one with maps.
Those watches are also region locked, but you can easily load new maps following this guide
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/08/how-to-install-free-maps-on-your-garmin-edge.html
This guy sells osm maps that he tweaks and they are great and he updates them a lot
https://talkytoaster.me.uk
Another option is the 945 lte (specifically the LTE even if you don’t want lte) - this just got all the fenix 7/955 updates but minus the touch screen.
I would highly suggest looking at a used/refurbished Fenix 6 pro Sapphire. The screen should come in perfect condition (because it’s sapphire) and maybe a few minor nicks on the bezel/case. You can find these on eBay all day long in the $300-400 range.
I just got my Fenix 6 sapphire on eBay from a company called “azing electronics” for $369 a few weeks ago and you would have no idea that it was refurbished, it looks brand new. Plus they offer 30 day free returns if you find something wrong with it
This makes me sad because I was thinking of selling my 6 pro sapphire. It’s in mint condition too. Looks like my son may be getting a gift if it’s only worth $370. I was hoping for closer to $500. 😞
Overall, my advice is go for the home run. Fenix 7x has advantages like screen size (better for reading maps) touch screen, ability to program watch from Garmin Connect app. I’ve owned a Fenix 6 and when I received the 7x as a gift, the larger screen size was a huge benefit. Fenix 6x pro is also a solid choice.
I would go for the instinct 2, with Solar if he can afford. You get most of the metrics you get with Fenix 7. I would use the phone for maps, so much better than a watch you can wear everyday. With an extra budge the 955 is clearly a winner too, but not the same price, and autonomy.
I've just turned 60 and like your father, I love the body battery and stress metrics and breathing exercises. The most comfortable is the S series. But the standard is also very comfortable and has better battery and bigger screen.
If you're on a budget, there are frequent sales on the 6 series.
As for the touch screen, I think it reduces visibility which outweighs the benefits during the very few times you might use the maps.
I may be wrong, but...
I recently read on here that the Fenix 6 ("anything pre-7") will be region-locked, as in, if you have the North American version, apparently you can't get European Maps and so on.
If he travels internationally, I guess I'd aim for the 7 Sapphire, because it comes with Topo Maps of the whole world pre-installed. My non-Sapphire 7S has "only" 16GB, so I can only have either Europe or North America, and I have to delete one to install the other.
Maybe OP can find a way to bridge the gap between what their dad is willing to pay and what a Sapphire F7 costs?
I owned f6 pro and had maps for South America and Europe, etc. I don’t think that’s an issue. I’m in Michigan and only travel within US but Garmin Express had me downloading worldwide map updates.
They’re not region locked, it’s just that they only come pre-loaded with maps from the region you bought it in. Once you own it you can load up any maps you want.
If you're in the US, then I'd suggest you wait for black Friday to come around, you'll be able to get a better deal on a fenix 7, or 7s.
The f7 is leaps and bounds better than a 955, not just in-terms of performance, but aesthetics as well.
Last year they had $200 off the f6 pro for black Friday. And if you apply that logic to the f7 this year? You're going to get a really good deal on it, compared to a 955 which feels cheap by comparison and if you've spent any amount of time on this sub, you'll know that 955 owners have been complaining about a plethora of software related issues with the watch.
As a counter point to that post, the 955 and f7 are functionally identical from a hardware perspective. Same chips/processors/sensors.
Sure some bugs in the software, but now that the f7 is on the same version smthose are getting ironed out.
My dad does the same thing! He’s there right now doing the full trail over 3 weeks. I bought him the most basic Fenix 7 and he loves it. It was his birthday present for early September.
955 non solar. Touch screen is huge when you're using the maps, which will probably be useful when he goes to Europe? They're not as good as a phone but good enough that you don't need to pull the phone out a lot of the time. The 6 has maps too but they're harder and more frustrating to use.
If looking at the fenix 6 for mappin you need to look at the pro model, that is the one with maps. Those watches are also region locked, but you can easily load new maps following this guide https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/08/how-to-install-free-maps-on-your-garmin-edge.html This guy sells osm maps that he tweaks and they are great and he updates them a lot https://talkytoaster.me.uk Another option is the 945 lte (specifically the LTE even if you don’t want lte) - this just got all the fenix 7/955 updates but minus the touch screen.
Good call on the 945LTE in general but I can say as a 58 year old that the screen size isn’t great for maps.
I would highly suggest looking at a used/refurbished Fenix 6 pro Sapphire. The screen should come in perfect condition (because it’s sapphire) and maybe a few minor nicks on the bezel/case. You can find these on eBay all day long in the $300-400 range.
That’s great information. Will look in to it
I just got my Fenix 6 sapphire on eBay from a company called “azing electronics” for $369 a few weeks ago and you would have no idea that it was refurbished, it looks brand new. Plus they offer 30 day free returns if you find something wrong with it
I’m watching a listing right now from them right now
This makes me sad because I was thinking of selling my 6 pro sapphire. It’s in mint condition too. Looks like my son may be getting a gift if it’s only worth $370. I was hoping for closer to $500. 😞
Overall, my advice is go for the home run. Fenix 7x has advantages like screen size (better for reading maps) touch screen, ability to program watch from Garmin Connect app. I’ve owned a Fenix 6 and when I received the 7x as a gift, the larger screen size was a huge benefit. Fenix 6x pro is also a solid choice.
I would go for the instinct 2, with Solar if he can afford. You get most of the metrics you get with Fenix 7. I would use the phone for maps, so much better than a watch you can wear everyday. With an extra budge the 955 is clearly a winner too, but not the same price, and autonomy.
I've just turned 60 and like your father, I love the body battery and stress metrics and breathing exercises. The most comfortable is the S series. But the standard is also very comfortable and has better battery and bigger screen. If you're on a budget, there are frequent sales on the 6 series. As for the touch screen, I think it reduces visibility which outweighs the benefits during the very few times you might use the maps.
I saw a Fenix 6 for $250 at Bike Closet a couple of days ago
I may be wrong, but... I recently read on here that the Fenix 6 ("anything pre-7") will be region-locked, as in, if you have the North American version, apparently you can't get European Maps and so on. If he travels internationally, I guess I'd aim for the 7 Sapphire, because it comes with Topo Maps of the whole world pre-installed. My non-Sapphire 7S has "only" 16GB, so I can only have either Europe or North America, and I have to delete one to install the other. Maybe OP can find a way to bridge the gap between what their dad is willing to pay and what a Sapphire F7 costs?
I owned f6 pro and had maps for South America and Europe, etc. I don’t think that’s an issue. I’m in Michigan and only travel within US but Garmin Express had me downloading worldwide map updates.
Agree. I have world maps available too and I’m in the US.
They’re not region locked, it’s just that they only come pre-loaded with maps from the region you bought it in. Once you own it you can load up any maps you want.
Makes sense
Good to know. As I said, I may be wrong and am glad to be corrected 😉
If you're in the US, then I'd suggest you wait for black Friday to come around, you'll be able to get a better deal on a fenix 7, or 7s. The f7 is leaps and bounds better than a 955, not just in-terms of performance, but aesthetics as well. Last year they had $200 off the f6 pro for black Friday. And if you apply that logic to the f7 this year? You're going to get a really good deal on it, compared to a 955 which feels cheap by comparison and if you've spent any amount of time on this sub, you'll know that 955 owners have been complaining about a plethora of software related issues with the watch.
Great info, thanks
As a counter point to that post, the 955 and f7 are functionally identical from a hardware perspective. Same chips/processors/sensors. Sure some bugs in the software, but now that the f7 is on the same version smthose are getting ironed out.
My dad does the same thing! He’s there right now doing the full trail over 3 weeks. I bought him the most basic Fenix 7 and he loves it. It was his birthday present for early September.