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Looks like they have solar charging model too... I wonder if that is a gimmick or actually works well?

mechhacker 3y ago
The one I got as a gift is a solar Instinct. I'll have to ask her what she thinks of it. I looked at the log of solar activity and it does keep track of solar intensity through the day. I just am not sure how much it impacts charging.
- tthayer 3y ago
  It depends on where you live. I got an Instinct Crossover Solar recently and as far as I can tell, in the PNW it provides zero benefit unless I were to spend all day outside, every day.
  - latchkey 3y ago
    To be fair, you live in the land of no sun.
saltcured 3y ago
It's still going to run down the battery if you are using the sport tracking modes, where it enables satellite tracking and also increases the sampling and recording rates. From what I've seen in written reviews and user forums, the solar can reduce the rate of discharge but isn't realistically going to charge up the watch. It could be enough to offset daily basic smartwatch use if you spend time with it exposed to bright conditions while you wear it. Setting it out in bright sun is likely to just overheat it and then it won't charge. On your arm, you act as a heat sink compared to if it is left on a sunny surface.
- latchkey 3y ago
  This is great feedback, especially the part about it over heating! Based on your comment, I'd error on the side of gimmick then. =)
  - p_l 3y ago
    As Fenix 7 usrry, I wouldn't call it a gimmick - in sunnier months it definitely reduced the battery drain. And the watch will report amount of solar energy gathered ... Somewhere. I'd say the main problem is that sometimes the watch stays on battery so long I forget it needs a charge at all ...
    - Fnoord 3y ago
      From the review I just read, the Fenix 7 greatly increases the solar capacity compared to the Fenix 6. It looks like a great watch but compared to my Fossil HR Collider: far more expensive, color screen instead of e-ink.
      - nottorp 3y ago
        Too bad Garmin only targets the sporty look. If they made something that looked well with a suit too, maybe I'd bite. Or have they and I'm just not up to date with options?
        p_l 3y ago
        Honestly, Fenix series looks great with suits too, especially if you go for silvery-looking variants. I have metal bracelet for the times we need to go all out formal. They are, however, pretty chunky. Consider for example https://res.garmin.com/transform/image/upload/c_limit,dpr_1.0,f_auto,h_1486,q_auto,w_2730/c_limit,h_1486,w_2730/v1/Product_Images/en/products/010-02778-30/v/cf-xl?pgw=1&pgwact=1 https://res.garmin.com/transform/image/upload/c_limit,dpr_1....
        nottorp 3y ago
        Oh. That does look like a watch. Seems to be the only model though. Noted, thanks.
        p_l 3y ago
- nottorp 3y ago
  I have a "just a watch" with solar charging from Citizen. Solar is enough for that (it has never stopped since i bought it) but it probably can't handle backlight, radios etc.
rtpg 3y ago
there are vids that cover it, but honestly? Garmin batteries last _a long time_. Especially if you are more of an indoor person, they last so long. Good replacement for the Pebble tbh
ansgri 3y ago
I have an Instinct 2X Tactical with solar charging, and from what I see with normal usage it prolongs battery life 1.5-2x in sunny weather. Probably if you optimize the power consumption it could fully offset the discharge, as advertised. Very much like this watch, especially with aftermarket Velcro strap. It's also surprising how useful the builtin flashlight is on a watch, much more convenient in everyday use than one in a phone.

The one I got as a gift is a solar Instinct. I'll have to ask her what she thinks of it. I looked at the log of solar activity and it does keep track of solar intensity through the day. I just am not sure how much it impacts charging.

tthayer 3y ago
It depends on where you live. I got an Instinct Crossover Solar recently and as far as I can tell, in the PNW it provides zero benefit unless I were to spend all day outside, every day.
- latchkey 3y ago
  To be fair, you live in the land of no sun.

saltcured 3y ago

It's still going to run down the battery if you are using the sport tracking modes, where it enables satellite tracking and also increases the sampling and recording rates. From what I've seen in written reviews and user forums, the solar can reduce the rate of discharge but isn't realistically going to charge up the watch. It could be enough to offset daily basic smartwatch use if you spend time with it exposed to bright conditions while you wear it. Setting it out in bright sun is likely to just overheat it and then it won't charge. On your arm, you act as a heat sink compared to if it is left on a sunny surface.

latchkey 3y ago
This is great feedback, especially the part about it over heating! Based on your comment, I'd error on the side of gimmick then. =)
- p_l 3y ago
  As Fenix 7 usrry, I wouldn't call it a gimmick - in sunnier months it definitely reduced the battery drain. And the watch will report amount of solar energy gathered ... Somewhere. I'd say the main problem is that sometimes the watch stays on battery so long I forget it needs a charge at all ...
  - Fnoord 3y ago
    From the review I just read, the Fenix 7 greatly increases the solar capacity compared to the Fenix 6. It looks like a great watch but compared to my Fossil HR Collider: far more expensive, color screen instead of e-ink.
    - nottorp 3y ago
      Too bad Garmin only targets the sporty look. If they made something that looked well with a suit too, maybe I'd bite. Or have they and I'm just not up to date with options?
      - p_l 3y ago
        Honestly, Fenix series looks great with suits too, especially if you go for silvery-looking variants. I have metal bracelet for the times we need to go all out formal. They are, however, pretty chunky. Consider for example https://res.garmin.com/transform/image/upload/c_limit,dpr_1.0,f_auto,h_1486,q_auto,w_2730/c_limit,h_1486,w_2730/v1/Product_Images/en/products/010-02778-30/v/cf-xl?pgw=1&pgwact=1 https://res.garmin.com/transform/image/upload/c_limit,dpr_1....
        nottorp 3y ago
        Oh. That does look like a watch. Seems to be the only model though. Noted, thanks.
        p_l 3y ago
nottorp 3y ago
I have a "just a watch" with solar charging from Citizen. Solar is enough for that (it has never stopped since i bought it) but it probably can't handle backlight, radios etc.

rtpg 3y ago

there are vids that cover it, but honestly? Garmin batteries last _a long time_. Especially if you are more of an indoor person, they last so long. Good replacement for the Pebble tbh

ansgri 3y ago

I have an Instinct 2X Tactical with solar charging, and from what I see with normal usage it prolongs battery life 1.5-2x in sunny weather. Probably if you optimize the power consumption it could fully offset the discharge, as advertised. Very much like this watch, especially with aftermarket Velcro strap. It's also surprising how useful the builtin flashlight is on a watch, much more convenient in everyday use than one in a phone.