Garmin Fēnix 8 Photo voltaic Evaluate

Garmin launched the fēnix 8 on the finish of final summer season, breaking the $1,000 barrier for entry right into a GPS watch mannequin line. I anticipated so much from this watch, not solely due to the value, however as a result of I had been utilizing the fēnix 7 for a yr and located it to be a wonderful instrument for each exercise I do.

Garmin has been a pacesetter within the GPS recreation for what looks as if eons, and the fēnix line has been one of the vital coveted and feature-laden fashions for out of doors adventurers. I used to be eager to seek out out simply how significantly better the fēnix 8 Photo voltaic was in comparison with the prior model, given the $300 worth enhance.

Garmin’s out of doors sports-oriented GPS gadgets have been a staple for me and virtually everybody I do know for many years. From motorbike navigation to climbing, biking, and even sleeping, I’m virtually at all times utilizing a Garmin product — and at occasions, I’ve three going directly.

Whether or not on roads, mountains, or wide-open backcountry, I’ve trusted these devices to information me residence, inform me of risks, talk, and monitor my well-being. To say that Garmin is entrenched in my life isn’t an overstatement.

Now that I’m occupied with it, it’s virtually scary how a lot I depend upon Garmin.

GPS watches are the one digital gadgets, apart from a Whoop, that I put on 24/7. These marvels of expertise accomplish that many issues for me day-after-day. From getting me as much as reminding me of appointments to informing me of the climate, monitoring my sleep and well being, and measuring my efficiency outside, the watches act as my assist workers. The everlasting tan line round my left wrist is proof.

I continually wore and used the Garmin fēnix 8 Photo voltaic for 4 months. It received me up within the morning, knowledgeable me of the day to return, tracked each exercise and out of doors exercise, and stored a watch on my well being standing.

I didn’t child it regardless of the excessive worth. It stayed on after I went mountaineering, rode filth bikes, or did chores round my property. It received hit, scratched, and uncovered to excessive temperature ranges and a lot mud.

Briefly: The Garmin fēnix 8 has each characteristic that any outside fanatic might need. It may well do all the pieces, and I imply completely all the pieces, with precision, and it has confirmed sturdy in doing so. It’s tough to poke holes within the premium GPS watch, and most received’t use all of what it will possibly do. However this comes at a excessive worth — $1,200! To me, it’s not if the watch meets a characteristic record or efficiency normal; it’s whether or not it’s price upgrading or shopping for over the fēnix 7 or different, inexpensive fashions.

Purchasing for a GPS watch? Take a look at our information on the finest GPS watches.

Garmin Fēnix 8 Photo voltaic Evaluate

Most GPS watches are comparatively hefty, and the Garmin fēnix 8 Photo voltaic isn’t any totally different, particularly the 51mm-diameter model I examined (Garmin additionally provides 43mm and 47mm sizes). At 15.4mm thick and 95 g, it was visibly and bodily noticeable on my wrist coming from the 47mm fēnix 7 Professional Photo voltaic.

The titanium bezel mates with a fiber-reinforced polymer case. A Energy Sapphire lens protects the 280 x 280-pixel transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) show, which additionally homes an improved photo voltaic panel. A silicone strap rounds out the hard-to-miss watch.

The metallic again cowl has the identical optical coronary heart price sensor that was new on the fēnix 7. The again additionally has a port for a proprietary charging cable. Eager observers will discover a tiny anodized cowl on the fitting facet of the watch between the buttons. It protects the barometer and, for the primary time, a speaker and microphone.

And talking of buttons, the Garmin fēnix 8 makes use of inductive buttons. This implies the bodily buttons on the bezel don’t press by way of it, eliminating the necessity for seals and the danger of potential leaks.

What’s New

The Garmin fēnix line has at all times had an extravagant variety of features. The latest model retains all of them and provides just a few others, some vital.

Large Additions

First, the fēnix 8 has a depth sensor that enables it to carry out as an EN13319-certified dive laptop that works right down to 40 m.

Subsequent, the brand new speaker and microphone permit these features: entry to a telephone assistant when related to a smartphone, offline native voice assistant, taking telephone calls, and a local observe voice recorder.

Lastly, the improved photo voltaic panel extends battery life. For my 51mm model, GPS-only run time is now a claimed 149 hours, up from 122 on the fēnix 7. With all GPS programs operating, the claimed battery life went from 77 hours to 92 hours. And, with all GPS programs and multiband energetic, run occasions improved from 41 hours to 65 hours.

Consumer Interface Updates

Stuffing so many options right into a telephone, even one with 5 buttons and a touchscreen, generally requires difficult and clunky interfaces. Garmin up to date the UI in minor however noticeable methods and added some software-driven options.

Common UI Updates

• A faster solution to briefly unlock the touchscreen
• A one-touch toggle to orient the map with north up or monitor up
• Up to date map zoom interface
• An up to date, extra centralized solution to save waypoints, routes, and so forth.
• Map layers choice fast entry menu
• Menu to change energetic navigation
• New watch faces and watch face editor
• New “focus” modes just like iPhone modes
• Up to date notification system
• Up to date entry to widgets, settings, exercise pages, and exercise pages

New Software program Options

• Energy coaching plans through Garmin Join
• Correction/updating of GPS tracks through watch sensor knowledge
• Dynamic round-trip routing — watch will replace the energetic route to take care of a specified distance even in the event you go off beam
• A reminder to show round on the midway level of a set distance
• Ski issue monitoring
• Countdown app for dates or occasions

The Garmin Fēnix 8 Photo voltaic in Use

The Fēnix 8 does so many issues; writing a completely complete evaluation could be manner too lengthy. I imagine one of the best I can do for a possible purchaser is describe how I used the watch as a climber, bike owner, and basic health and wellness fanatic.

Rise and Shine

After I received up through the testing interval, the very first thing I did was take a look at my every day abstract on the house display. It outlined my schedule for the day, restoration and sleep standing, coaching readiness, urged coaching, and climate. I’ve been a long-time person of Whoop and take into account its monitoring and scoring correct. The Garmin fēnix 8 proved dependable in monitoring my sleeping time in comparison with the Whoop.

Whereas I drank my morning espresso, I routinely checked my coronary heart price variability (HRV) and coronary heart price during the last 12 hours to additional assess my skill to coach. Often, I used the well being verify operate. This 2-minute scan delivers common coronary heart price, blood oxygen saturation, common respiration price, a median Garmin stress rating, and present HRV. I additionally sometimes used the FDA-approved ECG operate, simply out of curiosity.

Coaching

The Garmin fēnix 8 Photo voltaic accompanied me on all coaching actions through the take a look at interval. It was a continuing physique monitoring and navigation gadget.

Biking

For biking, I stored my coronary heart price exhibiting on my watch and energy on my Garmin biking laptop. I was distrustful of optical coronary heart price screens. However the one on the fēnix 8 was dependable virtually the entire time in comparison with readings from a chest strap.

There have been occasional deviations, which I attributed to going over very tough terrain and the watch vibrating on and off my wrist. I appreciated conserving my coronary heart price out of my visible area as a result of the wattage is what actually issues, and I needed much less psychological enter.

I didn’t make the most of any of the coaching packages Garmin provides, as I used to be on a separate program. However a climbing companion of mine who was embarking on his first actual biking coaching program used a Garmin plan with my fēnix 7. He has been updating me on his progress and asking for my skilled opinion. Typically, this system was essentially stable, however I believed it underestimated his capability for work and restoration.

It was protected and produced gradual, constant, and sustainable positive factors, although. Ultimately, I deemed this system acceptable for novices or basic health however not for aggressive cyclists.

Mountain climbing

Throughout my rucks, I actually appreciated utilizing the dynamic round-trip routing. I entered the specified mileage, and the watch would outline a route and actively alter it if I deviated to verify creeks, views, or different entertaining distractions.

I felt slightly freer whereas doing the least thrilling coaching for me whereas nonetheless adhering to my scheduled distance, which made it far more bearable. The reminder to show round on the midway level got here in useful as nicely on out-and-back rucks.

Climbing

For climbing coaching, I used the bouldering or indoor climbing modes to log my exercises. Toggling the beginning and cease and getting into the grade was a bit cumbersome.

If I wasn’t a knowledge dork or an train physiology graduate, I don’t know if I’d undergo the difficulty. I felt the identical for energy coaching. Though a few of the knowledge is auto-calculated based mostly on movement, it wasn’t correct a lot of the time.

I foresee issues like computerized toggling of exercise begin and cease and rep counting to enhance with time. Even throughout my take a look at interval, the information entry for energy coaching was up to date and improved.

Exercise Monitoring

The variety of actions the Garmin fēnix 8 will monitor is astounding. It’s been up to date, and now you may even add your personal.

Navigation

I’ve at all times discovered Garmin’s navigation to be probably the most dependable amongst out of doors GPS gadgets. The Garmin fēnix 8 Photo voltaic was no totally different. Whether or not I used to be randomly wandering trails on a ruck or highway using out of city, the watch instilled confidence that my navigation wants could be exactly delivered.

On lengthy gravel routes that I’ve used for years, I in contrast the monitor the fēnix 8 produced with each different GPS gadget I used to be utilizing or had utilized in the previous couple of years. The Garmin monitor was probably the most correct and had the very best decision. I might inform what facet of the filth highway I used after I zoomed in, and it at all times mirrored the strains I knew I had taken. It was the identical for the off-road rucks.

I skilled the identical accuracy and reliability when following routes I’d loaded from Trailforks or Trip with GPS. I by no means as soon as received steered the improper manner, and there was no ambiguity about the place the flip was (which I’ve had loads of with another manufacturers’ biking computer systems).

Though I felt the watch was huge on my tiny wrist, I appreciated the scale of the display when navigating. This was particularly so after I was in movement. On smaller GPS watches, map views had been generally almost unusable, even zoomed in or out, simply based mostly on the restricted display dimension. Lastly, no matter tree protection, the watch by no means as soon as dropped a GPS sign, which was strengthened by each detailed, steady monitor.

Different Efficiency Attributes

Battery Life

Battery life is a significant concern for most individuals, each for utilization and comfort causes. I discovered Garmin’s claims about battery life correct, however generally, I felt like they underestimated it. I do know I received extra photo voltaic charging than others on account of my Texas location, however even then, the battery life blew me away.

With virtually every day GPS use and train logging, I might go 3 weeks so long as I rode outdoors two to a few occasions per week through the day. I’ve solely had one different GPS watch go that lengthy, a Coros.

Show and Working System

The MIP show isn’t as vivid or vibrant because the AMOLED shows I’ve seen, however I by no means had any points studying any display. Garmin does supply the fēnix 8 with AMOLED however with out photo voltaic charging. For me, battery life was extra vital than what I take into account an aesthetic enchancment.

I nonetheless discovered the OS to be clunky in comparison with others. This has been Garmin’s trait for so long as I can bear in mind. However, like Garmin biking computer systems, I shortly received used to it, and it barely registered.

Different Handy Options and Sturdiness

I can’t omit the flashlight that debuted within the final era of the fēnix. I used it typically, because it was sooner and extra handy than the one on my telephone. Moreover, inReach connectivity was a handy asset. I might go away my telephone at residence or in camp, as messaging may very well be achieved proper from the watch face.

Lastly, the Garmin fēnix 8 Photo voltaic proved remarkably sturdy. Through the 4 months of just about fixed use, the one seen indicators of damage had been minuscule scratches on the bezel that you simply’d must search for to see. And by some means, there are a pair of deeper scratches on the again, which will need to have come from it being tossed right into a bin filled with watches for charging.

The Closing Say: Garmin fēnix 8 Photo voltaic

The Garmin fēnix 8 does so many issues and did them nicely. I didn’t have house to cowl the intensive record of features and capabilities. What I can say is that I take part in a number of out of doors endeavors and take a look at gear throughout all of them.

I’m additionally a former coach and Train Physiology graduate who verges on biohacking. Lastly, I measure all the pieces about well being and wellness in a number of methods and prepare to assist all my athletic endeavors.

The fēnix 8 Photo voltaic logged, measured, and, together with the Garmin Join app, displayed each element of my actions and bodily standing. I didn’t need extra knowledge, and don’t foresee ever needing extra performance. It was admittedly overkill for me. The watch even logged motocross, and I noticed a pickleball operate.

I might like to say 100% that the Garmin fēnix 8 Photo voltaic is what you must get. Nonetheless, the value hike over the fēnix 7 and the associated fee distinction to different high-end GPS watches forestall me from doing so.

The $1,200 (base fashions are $1,000) price ticket can’t be ignored, particularly when Garmin is at the moment promoting an virtually equally succesful fēnix 7X Professional Photo voltaic for $300 much less.

The one caveat to that’s if you’re a severe diver. The fēnix 8 might probably eradicate the necessity for a separate dive laptop.

If cash isn’t any object and also you need the most recent and biggest GPS watch, this is likely one of the few contenders for the highest spot. But when cash is a priority, like it’s for many, a fēnix 7 or one other high-end GPS watch could serve all of your wants, saving you cash for different gear.