Background
Before the release of the new Solar range, Garmin introduced solar technology to the Fenix 6s and 6, the Instinct and Tactix Delta.
The biggest attraction toward this was to those who’s activities see them outdoors for hours on end. Be it a hike or run. The long battery life serves these enthusiasts well. This is in direct comparison to the popular offerings like the Apple Watch Series 6. Which has a notoriously short battery life.
Power Glass
The battery on the new Solar range from Garmin is extended by using Power Glass. Therefore this acts as a dedicated layer between the protective lens on top and the display.
It’s not rocket science figuring out what this Power Glass actually does. The clue is in the name. It harnesses the power of direct sunlight and boosts the battery. In some circumstances, the boost is sufficient enough to totally eradicate the need to ever charge it. This is a showcase of modern technology and a step towards a more eco-friendly future.
The Instinct Solar has a few other tricks to show you. As well as this new charging feature, it comes in new variants: Surf, Tactical and Camo. Each offers a unique feature to enhance your experience. For example, compatibility with night vision goggles and a stealth mode or tidal information enabling you to ride the waves all day.
There’s also an exciting new addition in the form of a solar Tactix Delta…
Tactix Delta Solar
The Tactix Delta Solar version if the 4th release in the Tactix range. It was developed off the Fenix range, mostly. Developed to military standard, the Tactix Delta Solar uses solar technology to enhance the battery life. Power Mode also gives you 24 days with outdoor sunlight exposure and 21 indoors.
Features you can find on the Tactix Delta Solar are the stealth mode we mentioned, shared with the Instinct Tactical. This will disable wireless connections, turn off your location sharing and delete user data from the memory.
The design is purposely rugged. It has an Always-On display of 1.4 inches, a sapphire lens offering scratch-resistance, a black steel bezel, a reinforced tactical nylon band with quick-fit technology and the back is PVD-coated steel. This all comes in a deep black colour.
There’s a special model with an APC – applied ballistic calculator. This will cost an additional $250. Really, it will only be needed by genuine military personnel.
If you’re looking for a multisport watch with GPS and cool features to show off, you’ll love this. It’s more of a lifestyle piece with tactical characterisations and practical functions. It’s extremely high-quality and offers endless durability.
Materials
- The lens is made of sapphire crystal
- The bezel is diamond-hard, made of carbon-coated steel
- The case is reinforced fibre polymer
- The strap comes in nylon or silicone
Lens
If you know anything about watch glass you know sapphire crystal is extremely resistant to scratches. The material used here is so hard it sits second to diamond.
The domed lens is expensive to make but more scratch-resistant than flat-faced counterparts. This is thanks to load distribution. Actually, the curve isn’t totally visible unless you’re looking from the side.
Bezel
The bezel is coated in a special layer of steel. It protects the watch against scratches and general wear. The material is called DLC and is a carbon one grade down from diamond.
Case
The case is metal and has an additional PVD coating. PVD stands for physical vapour deposition. This means it offers advanced hardness and thermal resistance.
Strap
‘QuickFit’ technology features on the strap. So, a nylon or silicone band can easily be swapped for another one.
Is the Garmin Tactix Delta Solar durable?
Yes! Additionally to the rugged materials used to make it, the Tactix Delta is water-resistant to 100m and built to military-standard.
Garmin doesn’t tell us specifically which standards the Tactix meets. There is an indication on the back by way of an engraving detailing “MIL-STD-819, “10atm”and “thermal shock”.
Conclusion
In comparison to the Fenix 6X Sapphire (the closest and best model to use) the Tactix Delta Solar offers better materials, a few additional features and optics. The main advantage is the Military-grade tactical touch.
It’s a purely functional device. Both the Fenix and Tactix offer an incredible range of features spanning fitness, everyday life, sports and outdoor adventure management on a large display. This is all available to enjoy for a long, long time with their exceptional battery life.
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Last Updated on December 13, 2020
Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.