Garmin - 945 vs Fenix 6 Pro vs Fenix 6 Pro Solar

Triathlon Forum
1

Well obviously I have to start by saying, yes, I know there have been other threads in the past asking which garmin etc is best.

But, things change, firmware updates, available apps, sales, rumors of new product releases…so looking for the most current opinions…

I don’t wear a watch for fashion, just for training and racing. I also don’t wear a HR strap, I hate them, and that prob will never change.

I can get any of these three models roughly within a couple hundred. Current Cad pricing with sales and some ebates stuff:

945 - $635 + tax
Fenix 6 Pro Solar - $720 + tax
Fenix 6 Pro - $480 + tax

Are they literally all the same guts (other than solar stuff)? Is the optical HR monitor any better on any of them? Any apps that some can use and others can’t?

Guessing really no need for the solar model is that feature is the only difference. I just need the watch to last through an Ironman. And I’ve had some pretty slow IM’s, so the 745 might not cut it lol.

Or wait for possible new release in Spring '22?

And really not interested in any brand other than Garmin at this point. Have friends that have gone to Suunto, Coros and Polar, all have returned to, or want to return to, Garmin…

Thx!

2

I am about 97% confident that everything is the same between these watches except the size, battery capacity, physical case materials, and the solar charging. They definitely have the same HR sensor. They had slightly different firmware features initially, but all of those synced after release.

So, it merely comes down to style, size, how much battery life you want, and cost.

I have not seen any rumors about timing of a 955, so the 945 is still their king for a while.

3

Thanks, appreciate it.
While I love the look of the bezel on the Fenix models, the 945 certainly seems to make the most sense, prob go with that. Time to sell the 920…

4

I just finished a 12:22 IM with my 945 LTE. I was at 40% battery when I finished.

A friend of mine has a Fenix 6. For me, the heavier weight and larger size wasn’t worth it. The 945 LTE is actually a smaller body than the 945.

5

I was in the same boat last month and went with a Fenix 6 Pro. It’s amazing and I love it

https://www.wareable.com/garmin/garmin-fenix-6-vs-forerunner-945-8002

6

Well obviously I have to start by saying, yes, I know there have been other threads in the past asking which garmin etc is best.

But, things change, firmware updates, available apps, sales, rumors of new product releases…so looking for the most current opinions…

I don’t wear a watch for fashion, just for training and racing. I also don’t wear a HR strap, I hate them, and that prob will never change.

I can get any of these three models roughly within a couple hundred. Current Cad pricing with sales and some ebates stuff:

945 - $635 + tax
Fenix 6 Pro Solar - $720 + tax
Fenix 6 Pro - $480 + tax

Are they literally all the same guts (other than solar stuff)? Is the optical HR monitor any better on any of them? Any apps that some can use and others can’t?

Guessing really no need for the solar model is that feature is the only difference. I just need the watch to last through an Ironman. And I’ve had some pretty slow IM’s, so the 745 might not cut it lol.

Or wait for possible new release in Spring '22?

And really not interested in any brand other than Garmin at this point. Have friends that have gone to Suunto, Coros and Polar, all have returned to, or want to return to, Garmin…

Thx!
I’m have not looked too closely

Is the Fenix 6 that much worse than the PRO?

For about $100 less?

7

Was in the same boat and ended up going 945 LTE. No concerns with it thus far.

8

I -think- one difference is that the pro allows for music storage? Not positive…

9

I -think- one difference is that the pro allows for music storage? Not positive…

That’s correct. And I think garmin pay but I’m not 100%.

Also I really like the wigets display shortcut on the Fenix that is not on the 945

10

Is the Fenix 6 that much worse than the PRO?

Not sure about others, but I don’t like the silver bezel. I suspect Garmin knows this and uses it to push people to the pro model.

11

I will say make sure you are happy with the size of the regular 6. The 6 was smaller than my 935, which surprised me. I got the 6x (Thank you Amazon next day) and am much happier with it.

I’d go 6x Pro. The solar doesn’t seem worth it to me unless you drain your watch quickly.

Good luck!

12

I will say make sure you are happy with the size of the regular 6. The 6 was smaller than my 935, which surprised me. I got the 6x (Thank you Amazon next day) and am much happier with it.

I’d go 6x Pro. The solar doesn’t seem worth it to me unless you drain your watch quickly.

Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback. I’ve never had a 6 in hand, but I have held a 5X and it was a bit large for me.

I think I am going to go with the 945. Cheers

13

I think I am going to go with the 945. CheersGreat choice. It is truly a fantastic watch.

If you start thinking about the LTE, I have my one cautionary bit… It does display lap counts real-time while swimming, so that can be a hassle if you use your watch to count for you on long sets. (I do.) Garmin knows and it is supposedly in the backlog to correct, but it is not in the 4.16 firmware version yet.

Otherwise, the 945 LTE is a sweet little incremental boost from the 945. The UI is slightly more refined, and as other noted above, it is a little smaller.

14

Well obviously I have to start by saying, yes, I know there have been other threads in the past asking which garmin etc is best.

But, things change, firmware updates, available apps, sales, rumors of new product releases…so looking for the most current opinions…

I don’t wear a watch for fashion, just for training and racing. I also don’t wear a HR strap, I hate them, and that prob will never change.

I can get any of these three models roughly within a couple hundred. Current Cad pricing with sales and some ebates stuff:

945 - $635 + tax
Fenix 6 Pro Solar - $720 + tax
Fenix 6 Pro - $480 + tax

Are they literally all the same guts (other than solar stuff)? Is the optical HR monitor any better on any of them? Any apps that some can use and others can’t?

Guessing really no need for the solar model is that feature is the only difference. I just need the watch to last through an Ironman. And I’ve had some pretty slow IM’s, so the 745 might not cut it lol.

Or wait for possible new release in Spring '22?

And really not interested in any brand other than Garmin at this point. Have friends that have gone to Suunto, Coros and Polar, all have returned to, or want to return to, Garmin…

Thx!
I’m have not looked too closely

Is the Fenix 6 that much worse than the PRO?

For about $100 less?

I like the 6 version. I would have bought it, but it doesn’t have the music capability, which I think is crap seeing that the Fenix 6 should be better (incrementally) than the Fenix 5 plus.

Oh well

15

Solar takes a LOT of hours to make any meaningful difference to battery consumption. If you are doing a multi-day off-grid adventure (eg. thru hiking the Pacific Coast Trail), then yes, otherwise, save your money.

The Fenix 6 Pro and 945 are almost but not quite identical. The 945 is lighter, but lacks the power manager, which can help eke out extra hours of battery on an ultra run or other truly long duration event. The case of the F6 looks better, and so more people are prepared to wear this 24/7, which can help with better tracking of stress and recovery.

At $480, the F6 Pro would seem to be the obvious choice out of the three.

If you were talking the 945 LTE, it is worth noting that it has a new OHR sensor over the regular 945 and F6 series.

A new Fenix is rumored for early 2022 - but COVID supply chain issues make predicting new releases … less predictable.

16

Don’t get the solar. It’s a waste. Scratches too easily. Get the sapphire. I like having music and pay. So
I go that route.

17

Save some money and get the Garmin instinct. About can$200. Similar functions to the Fenix in a plastic case except cannot upload programs. Buy a screen protector for $10.

18

Save some money and get the Garmin instinct. About can$200. Similar functions to the Fenix in a plastic case except cannot upload programs. Buy a screen protector for $10.Does the Instinct do multisport? Also, it lacks all of the analytics in the F6/945 series. And it doesn’t support bike power.

19

The Fenix 6 is a lot smaller than the 6x
.

20

Save some money and get the Garmin instinct. About can$200. Similar functions to the Fenix in a plastic case except cannot upload programs. Buy a screen protector for $10.Does the Instinct do multisport? Also, it lacks all of the analytics in the F6/945 series. And it doesn’t support bike power.

Correct, no multisport (triathlon) mode, nor power meter support, nor any sort of training load/recovery analytics.

Given the Fenix 6 (base) is $349 right now, if one didn’t care about maps/music, that’s mostly the way to go. Of course, there’s plenty more minor things to consider like specific style/size. I prefer the smaller size and color of the FR745, so it’s what I primarily use, despite having all the other units that are more full-featured.