Introducing - The New Garmin Tactix 7

Garmin launched the Tactix 7 Premium Tactical GPS Watch with Silicone Band, the latest incarnation of its flagship Tactix smartwatch. It features more efficient solar charging for extended battery life, improved health monitoring, and a built-in tactical light, Available in 3 editions: the Standard Edition, Pro Edition (with solar charging), and Pro Ballistic Edition (with solar charging).

Garmin Tactix 7 is now available in Australia from www.tacticalgear.com.au - Click here

What’s new with the Garmin Tactix 7

The Tactix 7 got a long list of updates, including improved health monitoring; Garmin’s most advanced heart rate sensor yet; metal button guards and reinforced lugs; power sapphire solar charging; an NVG-compatible screen; a DLC coated titanium bezel; a fiber-reinforced polymer case with a titanium rear cover; multi-continent, downloadable topographical maps; the Hunt Activity and Up Ahead apps; multi-band GNSS support; visual race predictor for runners; endurance and stamina features; a HIIT activity profile and updated workouts; and updated skiing metrics.

The five buttons remain on the Tactix 7, but the new model gets the touchscreen usability we’re used to (and have come to expect at this price). It works well, and you will enjoy having the option to use either method to control all the features available. There are definitely times when each is more desirable than the other.

The new Tactix 7 has a built-in flashlight, which is located above the outboard lug. It performs even better than advertised. With a few button clicks, the flashlight screen comes up with four brightness levels of white light and one of green light. The brighter settings are similar to what you’d get from a phone, and the green light is perfect for slipping around the house at night without waking anyone up. You have the option to adjust the brightness and color before turning the light on. That’s good looking out on Garmin’s part; after all, a flash of white light when you need soft green could be a disaster in the wrong circumstances.

The new Tactix 7 claims to have a 28 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 89 hours in GPS mode. This will vary based on usage and solar intensity. Navigating by GPS is particularly draining, but strong solar charging may be able to keep up with basic smartwatch use.

The Tactix 7 retains all of the navigational tools that made you love its predecessor–and then some. One impressive feature is Garmin’s Direct-To Navigation, which is designed to help pilots locate and fly to any airport in the world aeronautical database or automatically select the nearest airport. This function can also access Next-Generation Radar, meteorological aerodrome reports, and terminal aerodrome forecasts. 

What’s the same with the Garmin Tactix 7

At first glance, the Tactix 7 looks and feels very similar to the prior-generation Tactix Delta. The screen is still 1.4 inches in diameter, the exterior is still blacked out, and the five buttons are still in the same place. Inside, it packs the same features we praised in the Tactix Delta.

For starters, the Tactix 7 retains the same array of sensors that powered its predecessor. Navigation sensors include GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo for tackling rural and urban terrain. The barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, and thermometer monitor your immediate environment and your movement within it. The heart rate monitor and blood oxygen saturation monitor provide a window into how your body is performing in real-time and allow longer tracking.

Health and fitness features include everything from tools to measure your respiration rate and stress levels to sleep monitors that allow you to see how much time you spend in light, deep, and REM sleep. Get a quick snapshot of your physical condition with the Body Battery and Women’s Health (requires Garmin Connect and Connect IQ widget) features. 

Sport-specific apps allow you to get useful data that can help you improve your performance and get the most out of your hobbies. Take advantage of specialized apps for running, hiking, cycling, swimming, skiing, weight training, golf, and more. In addition to tracking performance metrics, you’ll be able to access detailed, full-color maps for golf courses and ski areas around the world.

Like any other smartwatch, you’ll be able to connect the Tactix 7 to your other devices to stay connected and enjoy convenient features that make daily life easier. Receive texts and calls, access your wallet with Garmin Pay, and listen to your favorite music and podcasts. 

What’s in it for you

The first and most obvious question is whether the Tactix 7 can keep pace with the harsh realities of military service. Watches that are successful in the field are famously tough and build a cult-like following. We’ve been conditioned to expect the best from Garmin. The brand’s smartwatches, GPS devices, and satellite communicators are among the most popular among service members, first responders, and extreme athletes. The Tactix 7 ought to live up to that reputation–it exceeds MIL-STD-810 regarding durability and waterproofing.

As basic land navigation taught us, it’s always a good idea to have a backup to your backup. Maps, compasses, and GPS devices are all well and good, but they work best as a team. The Tactix 7 uses multiple navigation systems with overlapping capabilities to keep you in the fight anywhere in the world. It combines multiple satellite networks and frequencies, including Galileo and GLONASS, to provide better positional accuracy in challenging environments than GPS alone.

There’s more than navigation available for the modern warfighter, though. The Jumpmaster feature provides assistance on HAHO, HALO, and static jumps. Should you find yourself on a night exercise or operation, the Tactix 7 is ready with a display that’s compatible with night vision. The rest of the watch is just as discreet, with Stealth Mode built-in to protect your location and data in the name of OPSEC. A kill switch can wipe the watch of data in seconds–it’s quick and easy, but activated in such a way that prevents accidental engagement.

If the previous-generation Tactix Delta is any indicator, the Tactix 7 should be an outstanding field companion. The new model is packed with so much technology that it seems–on paper, at least–like a BFT for your wrist. Mastering all its features will take time. If you’re an early adopter, we’re willing to bet you land one hell of a piece of gear and reap the rewards right alongside us.

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