Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar vs. Garmin Vivoactive 5: A Detailed Comparison

## Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar vs. Garmin Vivoactive 5: Detailed Comparison

Choosing between the Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Garmin Vivoactive 5 can be difficult due to different needs and budgets. We have prepared a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice. Let’s take a look at the detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.

Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar

Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is a premium, rugged smartwatch designed for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. They’re packed with tons of features and built to perform in demanding environments. This watch is not just a gadget, it’s a tool designed to make your active life easier and more enjoyable.

Superbenefits:

• Very long battery life: The solar charging feature significantly extends battery life and allows for longer charging intervals. We are particularly impressed with the battery life in the sun.
• Built-in flashlight: The flashlight with multiple modes, including SOS, is incredibly useful for safety and convenience. I use it all the time when walking my dog at night or trying to find something in a dark room.
• Multi-band GPS: Provides highly accurate tracking in a variety of conditions and is ideal for those who need accurate data. More accurate tracking in challenging environments such as tall buildings or dense forests.
• Comprehensive mapping capabilities: The topo maps pre-installed in Sapphire Solar Edition are a breakthrough for outdoor enthusiasts. I recently went on a trail that didn’t have good signage, and thanks to the maps on the watch, I easily figured out where I needed to go.
• Touchscreen interface: The map navigation and overall usability has been improved, and it’s easier to scroll through widgets and menus. Although I was skeptical of the touch screen at first, it’s actually very handy for map navigation and quick scrolling of widgets.

Disadvantages:

• High price: Requires significant investment, which makes it out of reach for frugal buyers. The price is really high and requires significant investment.
• Solar Charging Ring: The solar charging ring around the bezel can be visually intrusive for some users. I like solar charging, but I don’t find it as revolutionary as I had hoped.
• Battery drain when using multi-band GPS: While accurate, multi-band GPS can significantly reduce battery life. For most jogging and traveling, standard GPS is sufficient to save battery life.
• Touchscreen Activation: The touchscreen can be accidentally activated in the water or during outdoor activities, so it should be turned off. The touch screen can be a little uncomfortable, especially if your hands are wet or wearing gloves.
• Large size: The large 51mm size may seem bulky to some users, especially those with small wrists. The watch is heavy but not excessively so, and the strap is standard but comfortable enough to wear all day.

Garmin Vivoactive 5

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a more affordable smartwatch with a good ratio of features to price. They are designed for everyday use and fitness tracking, with an emphasis on style and ease of use. Finally someone has decided that high tech should not only be functional, but also beautiful to look at.

Benefits:

• Vibrating AMOLED Display: The bright and colorful AMOLED display is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It is a far cry from the pale-colored displays I am used to. It is easy to see both indoors and outdoors, which is a big plus.
• Good balance of features: Strong performance for its price and highly competitive for watches in the same price range. The watch competes well with other watches in this price range such as the Apple Watch SE and Samsung Galaxy Watch.
• New sleep metrics: New sleep metrics like Sleep Coach and sleep tracking provide valuable information about your sleep patterns. Sleep tracking is great. It accurately records when you fell asleep and when you woke up.
• Accurate GPS tracking: Provides accurate GPS tracking comparable to high-end Garmin models. I’ve taken this watch with me on runs, swims, and bike rides, and it has done a great job at all of those tasks.
• Battery life: 7-8 days in general use and 3-4 days in constant display mode; enough for about 4 days of normal use, including 1-2 workouts per day.
• Offline music playback and Garmin Pay: Supports offline music playback and Garmin Pay for convenient use without a phone. I also use it for everyday activities like checking notifications and paying for groceries with Garmin Pay.

Disadvantages:

• No barometric altimeter: This affects the tracking of floor ascents and descents. This means the watch cannot record the number of floors climbed or automatically count descents. This is sorely missed.
• Old heart rate sensor: The watch uses an older Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor, which does not have ECG support and may be less accurate for high-intensity activities. Newer sensors are accurate but do not have ECG functionality. Therefore, if an ECG is required, this watch will not do it.
• No size reduction option: There is no size reduction option, so the watch may not fit users with small wrists. The size is also slightly smaller.
• Plastic buttons: The plastic buttons feel rubbery to the touch and sometimes need to be pressed again. Plastic buttons are knobby to the touch and sometimes require repeated pressing.
• Reflective AMOLED display: AMOLED display is reflective and can be difficult to read outdoors without brightness adjustment AMOLED display is reflective and can be difficult to read outdoors without brightness adjustment.
• Accuracy of sleep stage tracking is questionable: Accuracy of sleep stage tracking is questionable. Not sure about sleep stages. This technology is not very accurate.

Final Thoughts

The Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is an obvious choice for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want cutting-edge features and rugged construction. However, the high price tag may be an obstacle for some. The Garmin Vivoactive 5, on the other hand, offers a good balance between features and price and is suitable for everyday fitness tracking and general use. It’s a great choice for those who need a stylish, feature-rich watch to track daily activity and workouts. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget.