Garmin Quatix 6x Solar watch
I’ve had a Garmin Fenix-3 for quite a few years now, and it’s fair to say I absolutely love it, even if you do have to wear a chest strap for heart rate and all the info that results. So, when Garmin sent their sparking new Quatix 6x Solar, I was very eager to set it through its paces.
first impressions
Well, it’s one of the most comprehensive fitness-tracking watches money can buy, with boat-controlling thrown in if you have the money for such extravagance. I don’t have a yacht or motorboat of any kind, but I can reliably inform you this watch can almost take complete control of operations, as Garmin puts it: a co-captain.
First off, it looks very classy with its brushed titanium facia and bracelet, delivering a high-end look without being too much in your face and blingy. People will notice it and comment, in a positive way.
It comes in the box with the titanium strap attached. However, for me, it’s the bright blue silicone band that I’ll be wearing for any outdoor activity. I find it more comfortable and give better results when out and about as the watch does have to be firmly attached to the wrist for items such as the wrist-mounted heart rate monitor to work best, let’s call it action mode.
For going out for a meal, switch to the more expensive looking titanium, let’s call it restaurant mode, and you have the best of both worlds. With the quick-release bands on both straps, it couldn’t be simpler and takes seconds.
The bad news is, and it is the only bad news in this review, is the price of almost £1,000. That makes it one of the most expensive offerings around, so is it worth the extra money and what do you get in exchange?
As I say, for the last three years, I’ve owned a Fenix-3 with the scratch-resistant and extra tough Sapphire glass cover. The Quatix 6x Solar has to reject the benefits of the Sapphire glass due to the battery-preserving power glass, so you’ll to treat it with care or risk picking up scratches. Garmin has opted for the sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel LCD, which lacks punchy colours, but makes up for it by reflecting light at you.
So that’s the well-received first impressions out of the box, based on its looks and appearance.
Fully loaded
So the Quatix 6x Solar isn’t a touchscreen, and instead, it’s five buttons – three on the left and two on the right. Now that may sound fiddly, but believe me, after a few days, they become second nature to operate, and they’re much better than touchscreen when things become sweaty and certainly on and in the water.
As a smartwatch, it gives many alternate watch faces to choose from and with the help of Garmin’s Connect IQ online store, you have access to many more. I chose the Fusion face, as it matched what I was looking for. I’ll come back to Connect IQ in a little while. You also can make your own from scratch, everything from the colour and style of the face and hands to what information you want to see at a glance.
There is a vast array of tools, as well as the ones we’re interested in such as the watersport apps of SUP, kayaking and canoeing, together with running, walking, hiking, biking, swimming and so on. The list of activities seem almost endless, and you can add and delete as required. You pick the items you’re interested in and ignore the rest, in which case you’ll be happy enough.
The wrist-mounted heart rate monitor is as good as anything that I’ve come across in smartwatches, including Apple and Polar. The watch has to be tight with little slippage if it is to be accurate, and that’s where the silicone strap comes in useful; skin contact is more secure. So keen runners, bikers, swimmers and divers (good for depth of 100m) should be more than satisfied. The large 51mm screen makes it easy to absorb plenty of information, quickly and easily.
The other built-in apps are just as good. There’s the solar intensity monitor, weather tracking, music controls and room for up to 2,000 tracks (32GB) or sync with Spotify, Deezer, etc. Pair your Bluetooth headphones, and you do not need to take your phone anywhere, on any activity.
I say that with complete confidence as the watch comes with a bewildering array of navigation tools. You can save your location, navigate to destinations and points of interest, create and follow courses, maps, compasses and barometers and I could go on, but take the time to set up and learn, and you’ll never be lost again.
garmin connect iq store
I did say I would come back to the IQ store. It’s here you can download to your watch a dizzying array of Garmin and third-party apps and software that could occupy you for months on end. Seriously though, if you’re focusing on one or two challenges or interests, then this is the place to search.
Pairing your mobile phone to your phone opens up a world of entertainment and in-depth analysis of everything you’ve done whilst worn the watch.
Solar POWERED?
Smartwatches have a limited amount of battery life, especially when running GPS, where as in the day, they lasted only a few hours between charges. However, the Quatix 6x Solar, which expands on the original Quatix 6x by adding a solar charging display that helps extend the battery life.
The charging panels located in the watches display and is completely transparent but given enough sunlight, it can extend the battery life by ten days from the average 14 days. This depends upon the amount of sun, the panel collects, and that could be a little on the short side in the winter, but it is a beneficial addition in the summer.
The battery life indicator now displays in days to recharge instead of a percentage figure. Battery life differs hugely based on your usage mode, as with all smartwatches. Garmin provided the following quotes, which have been pretty accurate:
- Smartwatch mode: up to 14 days
- GPS mode: up to 36 hours
- GPS and music: up to 10 hours
- Max battery GPS mode: 72 hours
- Expedition GPS activity: 28 days
- Battery-saver watch mode: 48 days
conclusion
There can be a tendency for this type of watch to overwhelm the wearer with information. However, if you choose wisely what you wish to see and ignore the rest, then you’re onto a sure-fire winner with the Quatix 6x Solar. The looks, the apps, the build quality, the display, marine qualities and the longevity of the battery, makes for an outstanding piece of fitness tech, that will improve your fitness all round. All I need now is that super cruiser of a yacht, and I’ll be able to put it through its marine paces. So when we sell a million Paddler magazines next month, or when I win the lottery, then we will deal with that. In the meantime, I’m just going to love using this watch.
Price: UK: £975.00; US: $1,150 EU: 1,149€
