The Garmin Fenix 8 smartwatch has long been a legendary name in the world of outdoor fitness trackers. It's a device so capable, it feels like it could do anything short of lacing up your ski boots. But with its esteemed reputation and a starting price that commands attention, a crucial question arises: Is the Garmin Fenix 8 truly worth the investment?
The Fenix 8 is, without question, a formidable multisport GPS watch. This is both its greatest strength and its potential drawback. It's meticulously engineered for dedicated athletes and avid outdoor enthusiasts who demand more from their gear than basic activity logging. Beyond simply recording your pursuits, it actively assists in navigation, provides real-time guidance, and helps optimize your performance. Its robust construction, astonishing battery life, and an arsenal of advanced GPS and sport-specific functionalities make its capabilities difficult to overstate.
After an extensive seven-month period of testing the Garmin Fenix 8 across various activities – including skiing, mountain biking, hiking, rafting, and navigating daily life from a home in the Colorado mountains – its appeal becomes clear. This is undeniably the ultimate Garmin watch for power users who lead active lives and prioritize recovery. However, while its performance often impressed, there were also moments of notable frustration.
For a select group of individuals, the Fenix 8 stands as the definitive fitness watch. Yet, for those who don't regularly venture into the backcountry or juggle multiple demanding training regimens, the Fenix 8 might indeed be more watch than is necessary. Less intensive runners and hikers might find greater value in more affordable options like the Garmin Forerunner 965 or Vivoactive 6. Nevertheless, the Fenix 8 excels in its role as one of Garmin's most sophisticated offerings.
What Shines About the Garmin Fenix 8
A Spectrum of Display and Size Options
The Fenix 8 is available in three distinct sizes: 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm. Furthermore, users can choose between various screen technologies and feature sets, including a solar-charging Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) display, a vibrant AMOLED display, a cutting-edge MicroLED display, and a Pro model boasting LTE and satellite connectivity. The model tested for this review was the 47mm solar variant. While typical retail prices begin around $750, they can escalate to as much as $2,000, depending on the chosen configuration.
There are passionate preferences for either the MIP display, with its classic aesthetic and superior readability in direct sunlight, or the AMOLED display, which offers richer colours and a more contemporary look. It's a significant advantage that the Fenix 8's comprehensive capabilities are accessible with either display technology, alongside the MicroLED option, which provides the brightest – and most premium – viewing experience.
It is worth noting, however, that individuals with smaller wrists may find it disappointing that solar charging, LTE, and satellite connectivity are exclusively offered in the larger watch sizes.
Practically Limitless Battery Life, Especially with Solar
The battery life of the Fenix 8 is remarkable, ranging from 10 to 29 days on a single charge, depending on the size and specific model, without even factoring in the extended duration provided by solar charging. The 47mm solar model tested is rated for an impressive 139 hours in GPS expedition mode, 21 days in smartwatch mode, and a full 28 days with solar power. The smaller, non-solar 43mm Fenix 8 still delivers a respectable 10 days of battery life (with 28 hours in GPS mode).
Personal experience confirms this exceptional longevity. Charging the watch became an infrequent necessity. It was not uncommon to store the watch for weeks, only to retrieve it for a significant hike or bike ride and find it still possessed ample power to track the activity. The solar charging capability further extends this endurance by up to seven days while outdoors.
Unparalleled Map and Navigation Tools
The on-wrist map application of the Fenix 8 is a standout feature. Users can effortlessly navigate the touchscreen to discover new trails, receive routed directions, and view detailed terrain, trail junctions, and real-time progress. The watch supports full-colour topographic and trail maps, and its navigation tools go far beyond basic turn-by-turn directions. It provides insights into upcoming inclines, the duration of climbs, and alerts if you stray from your intended route.
These advanced mapping capabilities are invaluable for anyone exploring the backcountry. For instance, hunters can pre-download area maps, meticulously track their route to a hunting spot, save waypoints, and utilize the TracBack feature to retrace their steps along an unmarked path, subsequently saving it as a navigable course for future use.
The Fenix 8 employs multiple satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo) to ensure rapid and highly accurate tracking, which is particularly beneficial in dense forests or remote locations. Its SatIQ technology intelligently optimizes battery life. The Pro model even offers the functionality to send messages and utilize inReach satellite SOS in emergency situations, all without a connected smartphone.
Built to Withstand the Elements
The Fenix 8's ruggedness is not merely aesthetic; it's engineered for durability. It boasts a 40-meter dive rating and leakproof metal buttons. A protective metal sensor guard shields the barometer, microphone, and speaker from damage. The option to add a scratch-resistant lens and titanium bezel further enhances its resilience against impacts. Garmin asserts that the watch has been tested to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance.
Unique and Beneficial Features for Virtually Every Outdoor Sport
Like all Garmin devices, the Fenix 8 is designed to accurately track movement, performance, and exertion across an extensive range of workouts. However, the Fenix 8 elevates activity tracking to an entirely new level.
It comes preloaded with 80 activity profiles, making it exceptionally difficult to find a sport it doesn't support. There's even a profile for river tubing. Moreover, it is packed with highly useful training features.
For runners and cyclists, the watch offers Hill Score, which monitors uphill strength and endurance over time, and ClimbPro, which provides real-time data on gradient, distance, and elevation for upcoming ascents on a route, enabling users to conserve energy strategically.
Skiers will appreciate the preloaded maps for over 2,000 ski resorts and specialized modes that automatically detect ascents and descents. Additionally, it tracks how the body acclimatizes to varying temperatures, whether skiing at high altitudes or training during a heatwave.
For hikers, hunters, or those embarking on multi-day backcountry expeditions, the watch features storm alert capabilities that monitor and notify users of barometric pressure changes, alert them when they deviate from their course, and create a digital breadcrumb trail for safe navigation back.
A Fully Functional Smartwatch as Well
While the Fenix 8 excels as an adventure tracker, it also incorporates built-in microphone and speaker functionalities, allowing users to take calls, issue voice commands, and record voice memos directly from their wrist. Although Garmin's app ecosystem and assistant integrations still lag behind those of Apple or Samsung, this represents a significant enhancement for individuals seeking a blend of top-tier activity tracking and essential smartwatch features.
On a device with such a multitude of features and buttons, the voice command capability proved particularly useful. Whether forgetting the compass location or wanting to quickly navigate through activity profiles, a simple press of the top-right button followed by a voice command like "Start a bike ride," "Open the flashlight," or "Start a timer for three minutes" proved highly efficient.
Comprehensive Health, Fitness, and Recovery Tracking
The Fenix 8 includes all the fundamental Garmin wellness features one would expect, such as advanced sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, Body Battery energy level tracking, and stress monitoring. It provides a personalized Morning Report to aid in daily planning and Garmin's Move Alerts to encourage movement during sedentary periods.
Given its premium price point, the Fenix 8 also offers numerous desirable data metrics. It tracks VO2 max, reports on recovery status and Training Readiness to prevent overtraining, monitors menstrual cycles and hydration, and even provides jet lag guidance. Garmin has truly considered every aspect to help users optimize their fitness.
The Inclusion of a Flashlight
A small but noteworthy detail is the Fenix 8's integrated flashlight. This feature is easily accessible by pressing and holding the upper-left button, which activates the quick-access control wheel. It offers four levels of brightness in white light, along with a red light option. Beyond its utility in dimly lit garages or campsites, this flashlight serves as a crucial safety feature for outdoor excursions, especially for those who have found themselves caught out after dark on a trail.
Where the Garmin Fenix 8 Falls Short
A Steep Learning Curve
Upon initial use, or even after multiple attempts, the Fenix 8 can feel overwhelmingly complex. Despite prior experience with four different Garmin devices, it took several days of navigating menus, consulting online guides, and experimenting with the interface to grasp functionalities beyond the basic features.
Even after extensive testing, the feeling of only scratching the surface of its full capabilities persists. Each new activity profile introduces further questions, and with five physical buttons, it's easy to forget the function of each. The voice command feature, thankfully, mitigates some of this complexity.
While its extensive features are a major selling point, for individuals who do not engage in a new adventure every weekend, the Fenix 8 can feel like overkill – more of a hassle than a helpful tool.
Interface Can Be Sluggish and Confusing
For the most part, the Fenix 8 operates smoothly. However, the MIP display on the solar-powered model felt noticeably slower than the AMOLED screens found on the Vivoactive 6 and Venu 3, or the displays on typical smartphones. Often, there was a discernible delay before the watch responded to a selection, and sometimes multiple taps were required for a command to register. While the physical buttons offered more reliable input, in the current technological landscape, touch interfaces are generally more intuitive, making the lag particularly frustrating.
The button layout also lacks immediate intuitiveness. With five buttons, discerning their individual functions was not always straightforward. Unlike most devices where "select" and "back" functions are typically located on opposite sides, the Fenix 8 places both on the right side, with "select" at the top and "back" at the bottom. This necessitates a period of familiarization. More confusingly, the back button did not always return to the previous screen, leading to frequent disorientation within the menus. During one hike, it took a frustrating four minutes, while stopped on the trail, to exit the topographic map and locate the training analytics to check the duration of the hike.
It remains unclear whether these issues stem from software glitches, design oversights, or personal impatience with the abundance of rapid commands. The Fenix 8 was known to have some glitches upon its initial release in August 2024, with reports of random restarts. However, through regular firmware updates from Garmin addressing these quirks, the device appears to be more stable now. Nevertheless, the overall user experience still felt somewhat frustrating for a device at this price point.
Heavy and Bulky Design
This is a rugged watch that visually communicates its durability, a significant appeal for many Fenix 8 users who prefer to avoid the sleek, modern aesthetics of less robust smartwatches.
However, this aesthetic comes with a trade-off in weight. The 47mm model tested weighs 80 grams, with the 43mm version at 60 grams and the 51mm at 90 grams. This watch is substantial. For perspective, the Vivoactive 6 (42mm) weighs 36 grams, and even the 46mm Apple Watch Series 11 tips the scales at 37.8 grams.
Considering the extensive technology and capabilities packed into the Fenix 8, its weight is understandable. It did not interfere with sleep or prove problematic during hiking, biking, or other adventuring activities, although it could feel cumbersome under long sleeves or tight ski jacket cuffs.
Off the trail, however, the size and weight became more noticeable. While typing on a keyboard at work or chopping vegetables for dinner, the watch's weight would cause it to constantly twist on the wrist, and its large size would sometimes press uncomfortably against wrist bones. Taking breaks from wearing the watch became a regular occurrence.
This is a crucial consideration for endurance athletes, as the 80-gram weight can become very noticeable after hours of repeatedly checking pace and metrics.
Expensive and Overkill for Most Users
With a starting price of around $750 and extending beyond $1,100 (with the 51mm Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED reaching up to $2,000), the Fenix 8 ranks among the most expensive wearables available. Multi-sport athletes, avid backcountry adventurers, and those who simply desire the latest and most advanced gadgets can find features to justify this cost.
However, it is likely that the majority of users, even those who are very active, do not require such an extensive array of features and may, in fact, find themselves overwhelmed by them rather than assisted.
Should You Purchase the Garmin Fenix 8?
The Garmin Fenix 8 is a powerhouse of a multisport GPS watch. It not only tracks your workouts and adventures but also actively guides you through them safely, irrespective of the terrain. It functions as a top-tier training partner, a backcountry navigation tool, and a capable smartwatch, all rolled into one.
If your objective is to own the most advanced, feature-rich outdoor watch Garmin offers, the Fenix 8 is it. With its unparalleled battery life, integrated topographic maps capable of guiding you back to civilization, robust GPS and navigation tools, and sport-specific metrics for nearly every conceivable activity, the Fenix 8 is engineered for serious adventurers who require dependable gear when situations inevitably become challenging.
But for everyone else? It is likely too much watch – and too much financial outlay – for the benefits that will realistically be utilized. The sheer volume of features can be daunting, and the substantial size and weight, particularly in the solar models, may prove to be a significant drawback.
For runners, options within the more affordable Garmin Forerunner line will likely provide greater satisfaction. Even triathletes might prefer the lighter and more comfortable Forerunner 965 after several hours of competition. If your training primarily occurs on marked trails or involves a mix of sports in more developed areas, the Vivoactive 6 or Instinct 2X offer many of the same core benefits in a more manageable package.
The Garmin Fenix 8 is truly intended for high-output outdoor athletes who demand full-colour navigation in areas with no cellular service and the assurance that their equipment will not fail them. Alternatively, it is for the athlete and adventurer who simply desires the most advanced Garmin available, regardless of the cost.
No comments:
Post a Comment