Choose Your Watch: Garmin Tactix Delta or Garmin Fenix 6X

Tags: Fight | Garmin | Men's | Smart

20.12.2021 | 3 MIN

The designs and parameters of these models are very similar. However, there are some differences. Let's take a closer look at Garmin Tactix Delta and Garmin Fenix 6X. These two series are basically the centre of focus of Garmin production. Why? It's because they are the best pieces of the brand, and they sell better than Pokémon cards.

When talking about fitness trackers, there is no functions that these models do not have. Navigation, topographic map, all training functions, and on top of some smart features, like playing music or contactless payments. This all in a watch with a battery that can last up to 24 days.

These watches are no weaklings at all; both models are water-resistant to up to 100 metres, which meets the military standard.

If you are not familiar with these models, I would recommend reading their reviews first.

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But which one to choose? Let's look at their differences.

Design

The inner parts of both models are put into completely identical cases. The diameter, strap width... It is the same. There is a small difference in the bezel.

The bezel of Tactix Delta is flat with 24-hour scale, giving the impression that the watch is bigger and somewhat "manly." The ridged buttons amplify the overall feeling of the watch. They are perfect for when your hands are sweaty or when you're wearing gloves.

On the other hand, the bezel of Fenix 6X is slightly bevelled and the watch seems more ordinary than Tactix, which is a mixture of the Fenix and Marq series. Fenix 6X watches do not have the 24-hour scale or ridged buttons. On the bezel, there are the functions of buttons indicated, we can find them in the frame around the display.

Another difference is the band. Tactix Delta solar with ballistics version is attached to a firm, nylon band, which could survive perhaps anything. But don't worry, there is a silicone one in the packaging, too.

The weight of both models might be somewhat startling. Garmin Fenix 6X weighs 93 grams, Tactix Delta 97 grams. That's a benefit of the solar version of Fenix 6X with titanium bezel and case back. This version's weight is somewhat more acceptable, weighing at 82 grams.

Clockwise: date, altitude, remaining battery, sunset, barometer

Glass and Display

You won't find Garmin Tactix Delta, which wouldn't have sapphire glass. Gorilla Glass is never used with this model. This is a small plus in favour of Fenix 6X because you can choose between these two.

Sapphire glass is strong, but fragile. It is therefore scratch-resistant, but not so resistant against breakage. Gorilla Glass, on the other hand, is easier to scratch, but harder to break. You can protect your watch with protective glass.

Although, about the sapphire glass... there is one more catch. It doesn't have the best anti-reflective coating, and there are so many reflections on the glass in direct glass that we had to squint our eyes to read what was on the watch. It can also work as an acceptable mirror, so you can take a great photo, making it look as if you were trapped inside the watch. The glass of Tactix watch is a bit bulging to prevent reflections... the glass of Fenix is flat.

To save battery, I set the backlight to 20 %.

Slightly worse readability is the issue also with the solar version as there is a solar layer above the display, which lowers the backlight by 10 %.

But what are the advantages of Tactix display? Black colour is of a much higher quality. The Fenix display is closer to blue in its darker parts, but Tactix can display truly black colour.

Battery life

The battery life of these models is completely the same. Under normal conditions, with activated GPS, battery saver mode... exactly the same. But, we do have a small difference in this area.

Garmin Tactix Delta is the only Garmin model which combines solar charging with sapphire glass. Fenix 6X is available with solar charge, but only with Gorilla Glass.

Differences in Features

The features of these watches are almost the same, save for a few very specific military features, which we can find only in Tactix Delta:

• Kill Switch – You can set a shortcut, and when you press a button for a bit longer, the button erases all user data.
• Stealth Mode – This mode prevents saving and sharing your location based on GPS and blocks and wireless communication.
• Night Vision Mode – Lowers the intensity of backlight, to make reading the watch possible when using night vision goggles and turns off optical heart rate monitoring.
• The Ballistics version is equipped with Applied Ballistics Elite software for more precise long-range shooting.

Do you know any more differences? Tell us in the comments!