The Garmin Tactix 7 Amoled Edition is a solid multisport workhorse with a powerful color display. We wore it while mountaineering and mountain biking, at the shooting range, during workouts and in everyday life. The Ranger test by Militär Aktuell reveals what the “tactical watch” has to offer and how it has fared in the editorial team over the last few months.
The watch has a lot to offer: First of all, the bright colors on the Amoled touch display catch the eye. Thanks to familiar Garmin features such as freely selectable displays and the large number of sporting activities – from snorkeling and HIIT to e-MTB or overland riding – you can navigate without delay. Other activities are available on top, including the exciting (and chargeable) optional extension to a ballistics calculator and the download of satellite images.
There are also some functions on the outside that stand out positively: An integrated flashlight with four brightness levels, for example. It may not light up the forest, but it certainly illuminates the parking lot. Another useful feature is the freely adjustable strobe light, which is not only ideal for marking positions in emergencies. Very good: All light functions are also available with green light. When out and about at night or somewhere in the dark, your eyes don’t lose their night vision so much. We were very impressed by this in practice.
A tactical watch?
But what else makes the watch so “tactical”? For night owls, the display can be switched to green or red illumination, the camouflage mode cuts off all wireless connectivity and the kill switch immediately destroys all data. The DLC-coated housing is made for tough use in demanding environments: tested to MIL-STD 810, it has increased resistance to ballistic shocks, sand and dust, low air pressure at high altitudes and other adversities. The proven sapphire glass protects the top. In short: hard to destroy.
The biggest surprise: despite its 51 millimeter diameter, the Tactix 7 is extremely comfortable to wear, even on smaller wrists and with strong vibrations (mountain biking, shooting range). The decisive factors here are the (measured) weight of just 99 grams and the clever design of the case.
Conclusion
Yes, the watch is not cheap. But it also offers a lot. If you want an impressive and powerful color display and a robust housing, you will really appreciate the Garmin Tactix 7 in the Amoled Edition. The battery performance did not strike us as negative at all. The powerful effect of the Amoled display did not have to be sacrificed in favor of performance duration during the test period.
Spoiled by the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar, the only thing we miss about the Tactix 7 is the solar function. Combining this with an Amoled display at an affordable price is probably what drives many a developer at Garmin. Ranger tip: The optional nylon wristband in Tactical Black is robust and flexible at the same time. It was very comfortable to wear in the test.
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