A new year brings with it promise and hope, which often includes upping one’s fitness regime. Instead of drifting from one wellness fad to another, why not take the scientific route and measure your progress?
Garmin has just the tool for you with its recently released Tactix 7 Amoled. If you’re a Garmin fan and think it closely resembles the Fenix, you aren’t too far from the truth: this is a souped-up version of that model.
Being “tactical” carries connotations of ruggedness and durability. In this regard, the Tactix 7 Amoled does not disappoint – it is built to MIL-STD-810 specifications, complete with fibre-reinforced polymer case and titanium rear cover.
Boasting dimensions of 51 x 51 x 16.4mm and weighing a rather hefty 96g, this is a bulky watch, but the form factor is necessary to deliver all that it promises as a tactical timepiece: to be dependable at all times, indoors and outdoors.
The accompanying fabric band is extremely on the wrist; you won’t experience any chafing, even while engaging in rigorous physical activity, and it also dries quickly.
You’ll love the sapphire crystal lens that makes it highly scratch resistant, covering the adaptive 1.4-inch (3.6cm) Amoled display.
Unsurprisingly, you’ll be able to view all information at a glance under direct sunlight, unlike some smartphone displays. And if the situation calls for it, you can also dim the brightness level to a single nit. How about that for covert operations?
There are two buttons located on the right and three on the left. If you are looking for a digital crown, forget about it: while this feature would allow for easier navigation, the designers at Garmin clearly figured buttons were enough to get the job done.
Personally, navigating the user interface via buttons alone isn’t as intuitive or consistent – but you be the judge.
Meanwhile, you know that bright-red button you see on explosive detonators that simply screams for you to press it? The Tactix 7 Amoled has an equivalent in its quick menu in the form of the “Kill Switch”.
For most consumers, this is nothing more than a gimmick as it literally wipes everything out on the device when activated. Basically, it’s factory reset on steroids.
For avid snoops, there’s a brand-new Night Vision Goggle mode that features a dimmable green flashlight, delivering localised illumination that does not interfere with natural night vision.
And those who need to refer to the display under the cover of darkness can depend on Red Shift Mode, which blocks light colours that constrict your pupils. All handy features, surely? Surely!
Fitness, GPS and battery life
Runners and hikers will appreciate the built-in multi-band GPS support in the Tactix 7 Amoled. This allows you to run and hike outdoors unencumbered: it will still track your precise location, relaying all data to the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone when you’re done.
In fact, this timepiece comes with TopoActive maps and Public Land Boundaries Maps, SkiView Maps, and over 43,000 full-colour golf courses located worldwide, making it easy to go outdoors the moment you’re done configuring it. It is also compatible with Garmin’s Outdoor Maps+ service.
Armed with 32GB of integrated memory, you can store your favourite Spotify tracks locally. Pairing your headphones via Bluetooth takes just a moment, and of course, the watch delivers notifications based on incoming calls and messages.
You will find expected fitness features such as a heart-rate sensor, respiration tracker, sleep monitor, and a stress tracker on the Tactix 7 Amoled.
Additional metrics such as Garmin’s Body Battery, Fitness Age, Morning Report, and Sleep Score make it useful for those who are highly invested in their health. Indeed, the huge number of supported physical activities will leave you spoilt for choice.
When it comes to battery life, this is one watch that does not need to be charged daily. With smartwatch functions and the Always-On display enabled, you can use it for up to 11 days.
Disable the Always-On display and you can expect a full month’s use before plugging it in with the proprietary charger.
Notably, this is as much a fitness watch as it is a dress watch. It’s heartening to know you can engage in sports and still look like James Bond once you’ve showered and preened yourself for the evening’s cocktail party!
All of this adds up to a stylish device that is simply built to last – that is, if you can afford the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of RM6,930.
Edwin Kee dreamt of being a pro-gamer only to have circumstances mould him into a programmer in a past life. He has since moved on to write about consumer electronics and other topics. Read more articles by Edwin here.