The marine goodies don't stop here though, with a Fusion-Link Lite app to link into common boating onboard entertainment systems and SailAssist race assistance to boot.
A tide tables feature is particularly handy too, but requires a Bluetooth phone connection to sync (as do smart alerts in less nautical situations).Īs you'd expect, the Quatix supports Bluechart G3 coastal charts as well as land-based maps (including ski pistes and golf courses around the globe), and enables waypoint marking on them, pretty useful in many leisure-boating situations, and ideal as a navigational backup in SUP, kayaking and canoeing adventures. On the sailing front you've got tack assist, a virtual starting line and countdown timer, while on the boating side there's an anchor alarm, boat data streaming and in a highly Bond-esque twist, autopilot control. This takes the robust form of Boating, Sailing and Sail Racing profiles, which rack in quite an array of tools, as well as related watersports sub-profiles such as fishing, rowing, paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing.
The full list is below, but in summer conditions you'll be self-sufficient for a week at least between charges, unless you're burning through the GPS and apps. This is useful enough on land, but on an extended sailing voyage would be extremely useful indeed, offering up to 46 days in expedition mode.
That may be speculation, but it's no bad thing – the Quatix is just as frugal in everyday use as the Fenix 6X Pro Solar, needing very little contact with a USB charger in daily use. Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar, which given the identical charger cable, size and weight might indicate that the very same battery lurks within this shiny exterior. Indeed, the discerning battery-usage-fiend might notice that these figures are precisely the same as the. The Quatix 6X Solar packs in a quite ludicrous battery life thanks to that tiny solar boost, up to 46 days. (Image credit: Garmin) Garmin Quatix 6X Solar Review: Battery lifeīattery life is a key strength of the Quatix 6X Solar, and clearly an area that Garmin has decided (quite rightly) to excel in, banishing the bad old days of GPS watches that gave just a few hours use between charges.
Overall it's a nice looking watch in a well-considered package – albeit a substantial-sized one. The Quatix has to reject the benefits of Sapphire glass due to the battery-preserving power glass, so be prepared to treat it with some care or risk picking up scratches. The main physical difference is the bezel, which is resplendent in brushed titanium, and does deliver a high-end look without being too flashy. That ability is also potentially vital if using the Quatix's wrist-based HR for running or similar activities, which works perfectly with the silicon straps, but less well with a looser metal strap. With the same 6X 'quickfit' strap platform as the rest of the range, you can switch between the high-end titanium links and a silicone version in seconds, as well as a wide range of aftermarket straps to tweak the look.
(Image credit: Mark Mayne) Garmin Quatix 6X Solar Review: Build quality and ergonomicsĪs noted above, the Quatix case appears to be identical to the Fenix 6X Pro Solar, with our test model coming with a shiny-finish titanium backplate and chromed buttons as opposed to the Fenix 6X Pro Solar's matt black pushers.