Advanced training analysis has also been added to the range, having previously only been seen on the Forerunner 945 and Marq Athlete watches. One part of this is an assessment of how well you’re acclimatising to heat or altitude with your training, but more useful is how it breaks down your last four weeks of training into anaerobic, high aerobic and low aerobic categories, using this data to tell you if you need to tweak the balance of your training to be more effective. And again, don’t forget you can make your own product comparison charts here with all the products in the database. Summary:

The VO2 Max data you find on Fenix 6 watches comes from Firstbeat and they’re one of the best in the business in tapping into heart rate variability data and crunching the numbers to analyze recovery and training effects. For example, you can use ClimbPro just fine on the base models. But you need to have the course created first on Garmin Connect so it sends the elevation data to the Fenix 6 base. On the flip-side, it won’t re-route you on trails when you get off-course, because it doesn’t have the trails like the Pro models have. Similarly, you won’t get any of the map themes, because there are no maps. In any event, that issue aside, the entire functionality of it worked awesomely on the watch itself. It was surprisingly motivating to just focus on a single lap, but more importantly – getting different splits each time. It took my mind off of the larger prize, and had my brain focus on one thing at a time. Well done.The Fenix 6S performed flawlessly throughout my testing. I compared it to a Forerunner 945 and the Coros Apex, and all the essential metrics — heart rate monitoring, GPS distance, and pace — were spot on across the board. Like most Garmin watches, there is an abundance of data screens, and you can customize them to view the metrics you need the most. Navigation worth following The above is one of those graphs that looks bad from afar, but we’re only talking about a 1-3bpm difference between the different units. It’s just the zoomed in factor that doesn’t help much. The Fenix 6S Pro also has a new row-based widget interface, which is markedly different from the full-screen widgets in previous Fenix models. Instead of scrolling through several distinct screens, the widgets are arranged in rows that allow you to see the previous and next rows as you scroll. Each row provides a summary of the data, and you can select the row to view additional details. Because the Fenix is an outdoors-focused watch, the widgets include weather, sunset/sunrise times, a digital compass, as well as traditional fitness metrics.

With that information PacePro creates your race plan with target times for each kilometre based on the gradient and other information you’ve provided. During the run, you then get a simple data screen with your target split time, your actual split time, how much distance is left in the split, plus how far ahead or behind your target pace you are for the whole race. Garmin’s new Fenix 6S Pro may be the smallest model in the Fenix series, but don’t let that dissuade you. It is as rugged and almost as full-featured as its big brother, the Fenix 6X Pro. The 6S Pro has a compact design, refined interface, and useful new features that make it attractive to folks looking for a fitness watch with a strong outdoor focus. Is there a better alternative? But which tablet is really the best? And is one better than the other for specific situations? We put the two head-to-head to find out. GPS accuracy can be looked at in a number of different ways, but I prefer to look at it using a number of devices in real-world scenarios across a vast number of activities. I use 2-6 other devices at once, trying to get a clear picture of how a given set of devices handles conditions on a certain day. Conditions include everything from tree/building cover to weather.In addition, you can use Garmin’s Connect IQ app to create your own watch face with a picture of your kids, Ben & Jerry’s container, or whatever else is important to you. I kind of dread setting up new electronics, since there always seems to be an endless list of questions you have to answer and choices you have to make before you can actually start using the thing. Otherwise, you can simply test on demand. I tried this feature a few times, comparing with a finger oximeter, and found that I got similar readings. Sleep

If I want a more detailed view of my day, I’ll log into the app to view my sleep, activities, body battery, and stress level. Running It’s organized by sport type. So running vs cycling, etc… But it’s also not quite that simple either. See, it’s also displayed on the nuance of hiking versus running. I see that as a bit of a challenge, and it was super obvious in the area around Chamonix. When I used the ‘hiking’ data sets, almost nothing was visible. Whereas when I used running, there was tons of data. This is likely because most Garmin users would just default to using run no matter what for such activities. The other challenge is that the zoom levels make the feature semi-useless. I can’t zoom more than 0.5mi out (on scale). So basically I can see where people are running down to the end of the street, but not beyond that. I can’t really get the full picture. The device also includes the capability to set an alert if your heart rate goes above or below a certain level. Pulse oximeter First up we’ll start with a run around NYC’s Central Park, this is the full loop, and one I was using PacePro for. It is compared to the Suunto 9 and the Garmin Forerunner 935. Here’s the full data set: As such I’m going to divide this up into two basic categories. First are the things that are totally new/changed in the Fenix 6 that are otherwise unseen on any other Garmin products to date. And the second is things that have been added since the Fenix 5 Plus or Forerunner 945. There’s slightly more things since the Fenix 5 Plus last summer that came in the FR945 that are joining the Fenix 6.

While you don’t absolutely have to use the app, I recommend it since you can see a ton more data there than you’ll see on your watch. Whereas the second one, focused more on the high altitude aspect of things over the course of 7 days, then you can plot PulseOx readings against altitude. You’ll see this in both the widget and online: However, it’s extremely power efficient and always-on and this sacrifice in aesthetics enables some of the Fenix’s best features. Connect a pair of Bluetooth headphones, and you’ll be all set to listen to music during your activity without having to bring your phone along.

However, they do roughly trend higher, so there’s that. Ultimately, I’ve never found heart rate while swimming super helpful, in part because of how much it lags compared to running or cycling. Still, at least it’s an option I guess. Adds new PacePro feature: This replaces old-school paper race pace bands, creating pace targets for race based on grade/reverse splits/etc… Garmin says they’re bringing this to other devices in the future, but hasn’t specified which existing devices will get it (likely the Forerunner 945, MARQ, and perhaps Forerunner 245). Maps, Navigation, and ClimbPro: The features for biking are pretty similar to the ones for running. You’ll get a glimpse at your heart rate, distance, speed, and time, as well as a map of your route. Both watches have a lot more than that to offer, though. In fact, there's too much for the scope of this article, so if you're still torn between the two then we recommend taking a look at our Garmin Fenix 6 review and Garmin Fenix 7 review to help make up your mind.

Adds new Power Manager feature: Gives detailed information about the impacts/tradeoffs of features on battery life He started his career at Future Publishing, James became the features editor of T3 Magazine and T3.com and was a regular contributor to TechRadar – before leaving Future Publishing to found Wareable in 2014 .