Garmin Enduro vs. Fenix 6 - which one is better for long adventures?
Garmin
Garmin Enduro vs. Fenix 6 - which one is better for long adventures?
The Garmin brand is one of the most important American manufacturers of sports watches. Robustness combined with cutting-edge technology and modern design make these highly sought-after and practical watches. Among the most popular models, how does Garmin Enduro stack up against the Fenix 6?
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Two lightweight variants of Garmin Fenix and Enduro watches
Introduced in 2021, the Garmin Enduro caters primarily to long-distance running enthusiasts. Its standout feature is a remarkably lightweight design and an impressively extended operating time. Notably, it boasts a significant enhancement in the performance of the solar battery charging function, as seen in the Fenix 6 Solar and Instinct Solar. The Garmin Enduro comes in two variants, distinguished by the colour of the straps and the bezel material. The titanium grey version of the Enduro features a DLC carbon coating and a black UltraFit nylon strap, while the Enduro with a grey UltraFit nylon strap comes with stainless steel metal components.
In terms of size, the Enduro model is equivalent to the Fenix 6x, which is the largest model in Garmin's flagship collection. Its case measures 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm, making it compatible with QuickFit 26 mm straps. The stainless steel Enduro weighs 72g, while the titanium variant weighs 58g. In contrast, the Fenix 6x weighs 93 g and 83 g in its titanium version. This translates into a weight reduction of 22% for the steel variant and 30% for the titanium variant. Notably, both watches share the same 1.4" display size and a resolution of 280 x 280 px.
Battery life of Garmin Enduro and Fenix watches
Garmin Enduro stands out in terms of battery life, offering an impressive duration of up to 50 days in smartwatch mode without solar charging and 65 days with solar charging enabled. Comparatively, the most powerful Garmin Instinct Solar provided an operating time of up to 24 days without solar charging and 54 days with solar charging. When it comes to operating time with GPS enabled, the Enduro extends the capabilities with up to 70 hours of usage (+ 10 hours with Solar), surpassing the previous Garmin Fenix 6x Pro Solar, which allowed up to 60 hours (+ 6 hours with Solar). Moreover, the Enduro excels in various other modes as well. In energy-saving mode, it runs for up to 130 days or up to a year with the Solar function, surpassing the previous durations of 80 and 120 days, respectively. In expedition mode, the Enduro offers a maximum operating time of 65 days or 95 days with the Solar function, compared to the previous figures of 46 and 56 days. Both the Fenix and Enduro models share a notable water resistance rating of 10 ATM.
Activity monitoring on the Garmin Fenix and Garmin Enduro
Garmin Enduro comes with all the sporty features found in Garmin watches to date. This includes a pulse oximeter, heart rate monitoring, hydration level tracking, sleep analysis and energy monitoring. The same applies to running, cycling and other sports functions. The Garmin Enduro comes equipped with all the profiles available on the Fenix models, including pool swimming, open water swimming, running, triathlon and virtual running for use with platforms like ZWIFT.
Additional functionality of the Garmin Enduro
Similar to the Fenix 6 models, the Enduro offers phone notifications, a Livetrack function and support for Connect IQ™. In addition, the watch can also automatically detect events like a fall or accident and notify pre-selected contacts for assistance. The Enduro supports contactless payments through Garmin Pay, providing a convenient and secure payment method. One noteworthy distinction is that the Enduro, like the Fenix 6, doesn’t come with built-in maps or music storage directly on the watch. Instead, users can control music from their phone and upload a route as a GPX file.
Impressive battery life of the Garmin Enduro
Garmin Enduro indeed stands out for its exceptional battery life and lightweight design. However, it lacks built-in maps and the ability to transmit music directly from the watch. It's essential to note that these features were also absent from the previous models in the Fenix 6 series and are not commonly found in competing watch brands like the Polar Vantage V2, Coros Vertix or Suunto 9. The Garmin Enduro is an excellent choice for individuals who value extended usage during outdoor activities and long adventures without compromising on performance.
