Garmin Fenix 8 In-Depth Review

Article by Jeff Valliere

Garmin Fenix 8 – 47mm, AMOLED 

Slate Grey with Black Silicone Band ($999.99 as examined, variations vary from $999.99 – $1,199.99 primarily based on dimension/base/sapphire -ti) 

Introduction:  

Garmin has revamped the Fenix line, getting rid of the Epix sequence and including AMOLED to the combination, whereas nonetheless providing transflective show fashions with photo voltaic.  Mainly the Epix and Fenix beforehand shared the identical software program, with the one distinction the show and battery life.  I feel consolidating the Fenix and Epix is sensible and helps to minimize confusion.  

The Fenix 8 has some good upgrades over the Fenix 7 and Epix Professional, reminiscent of a speaker and microphone for cellphone calls and voice instructions, a revamped person interface, a depth gauge and new diving options, elevated display dimension on the smaller fashions and improved photo voltaic on the transflective fashions.  With that comes a rise in worth as effectively.

I’ve been testing the Fenix 8 – 47mm facet by facet with the Epix Gen 2 Professional 51mm over the previous 3 months and it’s definitely residing as much as expectations.

Execs and Cons

Execs: Accuracy (gps/altimeter/OHR), Vivid AMOLED display, battery life, bigger display for 43 and 47mm AMOLED variations, speaker/voice options, improved interface, maps/navigational options, sturdy coaching/well being monitoring options, quick charging, fashion, configurability and deep vary of options.

Cons: Value enhance, new buttons to accommodate elevated dive functionality usually are not as responsive.

What’s New:  As talked about above, Garmin has achieved away with the Epix line, which was primarily a Fenix with an AMOLED display.  Now, with the Epix out of the image, the Fenix 8 is obtainable in AMOLED, in 3 sizes.  43mm (up from 42mm) with a 1.3” display (up from 1.2”), 47mm with a 1.4” display (up from 1.3”) and the 51mm with a 1.4” display.  The transflective fashions are actually provided solely in 47mm (although retains 1.3” display) and 51mm with 1.4” display, having achieved away with the 42mm model.  Each of the transflective fashions are solely provided in photo voltaic and the photo voltaic ring has been made to look much less apparent and in addition is claimed to supply higher charging efficiency, however I’ve not been capable of take a look at/affirm.

Garmin has added a speaker/microphone that may take or provoke cellphone calls, settle for voice instructions to provoke watch performance on the watch, in addition to provoke Siri or the like in case you have a cellphone with you.. 

When you occur to be a scuba diver, then you might be in luck!  Garmin has added a depth gauge, in addition to a brand new leak proof button design that they name invective buttons (learn Garmin’s description of this beneath)

Unboxing: 

Included within the field is the watch in fact, charging cable and handbook.

Constructed-In Speaker and Microphone:  

The Fenix 8 now has a inbuilt speaker and microphone the place you need to use the voice command function ( lengthy urgent the higher proper button or navigating to the choices beneath the exercise menu) to activate features on the watch like beginning an exercise, a timer, stopwatch, present the climate, disable don’t disturb, play music, save my location, and many others…  

This function could be useful to shortly begin a course of which may take some searching  round and a number of other steps to activate.  Then there are different processes, like beginning an exercise for instance, that I can do faster through the use of the buttons.  

Whereas Garmin says that voice command doesn’t require actual phrases, I’ve discovered that there’s not a whole lot of leeway should you can’t guess the command precisely accurately mentioned.  Garmin gives an inventory of generally used voice instructions within the proprietor’s handbook, however utilizing successfully undoubtedly takes some memorization, trial and error.  You too can use the cellphone assistant to ask Siri or different related voice assistants questions through the watch microphone.

“Set 30 minute timer”

You possibly can play music if you need over the watch speaker in case you have a streaming service, reminiscent of Spotify synced together with your watch, or play music/podcasts loaded on to the watch.  I’ve not tried this, but when the sound high quality for a cellphone name is any indication, then it doesn’t appear to make a lot sense to do that (until actually in a pinch).  I’d simply sync up headphones with both the watch (or extra simply, simply my cellphone as I all the time do).

I’ve discovered taking a name on the watch to be fairly useful, for these occasions the place I get a name and my cellphone is down within the workplace, stuffed in my pack or someplace close by, however am undecided I can get to it in time, I simply press a button on the watch to simply accept and may speak on speaker.  The amount and sound high quality is ample when there’s not a lot ambient noise, however it may be laborious to listen to if the surroundings is loud (reminiscent of a crowded room or a windy day exterior).

You possibly can settle for a name straight from the watch, mute the mic, toggle the speaker on/off, transition between the watch and cellphone or dial from the watch by both utilizing the contact key pad, or deciding on out of your contact checklist (your Garmin contact checklist).  In fact this performance relies upon a connection to your cellphone and there’s sadly no cellphone free,  LTE watch model possibility. 

Above you’ll be able to see the speaker/mic which is the purple sensor guard. 

There may be additionally a water ejection function which consists of a excessive resonance buzz to shake out any remaining water.

GPS Accuracy:  

There may be nothing new to report right here, because the Fenix 8 has the very same sensor because the Epix Gen 2 Professional.  As with the Epix Professional, accuracy is amazingly good, using GPS, Glonass, Galileo with Multi-Frequency Place and SatIQ Know-how.  

Having worn the Fenix 8 and the Epix Professional facet by facet on nearly each run for the previous few months, I can report with confidence that accuracy is nearly as good because it will get for a GPS watch. 

I primarily use the ‘all programs + multi band’ mode for max accuracy, particularly once I know I will probably be in dense bushes, canyons and amongst massive rock formations, but in addition typically use SatIQ, an auto choose mode, which mechanically selects the GPS energy wanted relying on terrain.  

I’ve additionally examined ‘all programs’ and ‘GPS solely’, that are additionally very correct and simply ample for biking or when your actions are within the broad open with none difficult reception situations or to increase battery life (although I sometimes depend on the Garmin Edge 1050 Assessment for biking). Whereas GPS solely just isn’t as reliably correct as ‘all bands + multi bands’, that distinction solely presents itself (and minimally at that) when topography is a problem, however continues to be fairly good. If I had been doing a really lengthy occasion, or simply needed to exploit as a lot battery life as attainable on a visit, I don’t hesitate to pick GPS solely. 

When carrying each watches facet by facet, they alert every mile both in unison (similar with the Edge 1050), or inside just some seconds of each other.  By the top of an exercise, distances present as the identical or inside just some hundredths of a mile distinction.  

When evaluating my monitor over satellite tv for pc imagery, the Fenix 8 and the Epix Professional line up very shut, if not on high of my precise steps taken for essentially the most half, with solely the occasional and really minor drift to the facet as I’ve seen on all GPS watches.

The Fenix 8 is Blue in all pictures beneath in comparison with the Epix Professional as purple.  They’re each the identical sensor and monitor fairly intently.

All maps and graphs through: DCRainmaker Analyzer

The above is a deep canyon and is an effective problem take a look at for GPS watches.  Each watches carry out the very best of any I’ve ever examined right here, in addition to in different deep canyons, working amongst the 1,000+ foot Flatiron formations in Boulder, mountaineering in Redwood forests, scaling excessive mountains, valleys, and many others….  The Fenix 8 is all the time spot on.

Optical HR Accuracy:  

Once more, there are not any adjustments right here.  The Fenix 8 options the identical Garmin Elevate V5 optical coronary heart price sensor as used within the Epix Professional.  I’ve examined it extensively facet by facet with the Epix Professional 51mm and discover accuracy to be very comparable between the 2, regardless of the distinction in dimension (although the Epix Professional 51mm is titanium, whereas the Fenix 8 47mm is metal and are primarily the identical weight).

The graph above is fairly typical evaluating the watches facet by facet, as they’re principally in settlement all through, however with the occasional hiccup.  In the long run although, on nearly each run, the typical coronary heart price for the length is identical.  

I’ve additionally in contrast towards a chest strap and the outcomes are the identical, comparably correct inside just a few bpm (normally inside a beat or two), although often they might differ by 3-5 beats.  General on the finish of a run, the general common distinction between the Fenix 8 and the chest strap synced with the Epix Professional can be inside a beat or two. The accuracy of Garmin optical HR sensing has fairly dramatically improved lately and even for these heavier watches.

Amoled Display screen:  

As I reported on the Epix Professional (Gen 2)  (RTR Assessment), the Fenix 8 display is vivid, crisp and clear, a lot simpler to learn than transflective shows nearly all the time in all however the brightest direct solar, which for me is sort of all the time. 

Even in direct solar, I’ve no bother in any way studying the information screens and the one time I have to work slightly more durable is when I’m studying maps in direct solar, the place I could have to pause and rotate the display so I can discover a shadow (normally the shadow of my physique), however I typically sluggish or cease in any case if I have to interpret the map extra intently.

Display screen decision is as follows: 43mm = 416×416 / 47mm 454×454 / 51mm 454×454.  

The AMOLED display is a large benefit in all gentle situations exterior of the above vivid solar eventualities, be it carrying round the home, working within the shade or for daybreak/nightfall runs.

Evaluating the 51mm Epix Professional (left above) with the Fenix 8 (proper above), you’ll be able to see that whereas the display dimension is identical at 1.4”, the font on the Fenix is bigger and simpler to learn.

One other good improve right here is the flexibility to regulate textual content dimension to your liking.

The info fields are particularly crisp and straightforward to learn, with massive numbers and crisp decision

Measurement/Match/Consolation:

The spotlight for the Fenix 8 concerning dimension/match/consolation is the expanded display dimension on the small and midsize fashions, the place Garmin has trimmed the bezel and was capable of consolidate the display, becoming extra display into the identical dimension watch (effectively, that’s the case with the medium 47mm, with the smaller model went from 42-43mm to accommodate the display).

I’ve lengthy hoped that Garmin would ultimately do that, trim the chunky bezel and be extra environment friendly with the display area.  For me, the 47mm is the best mix of display dimension and battery life, as it’s a fairly sized watch total and now with the 1.4” display it has the identical display dimension as the biggest 51 mm model.  Whereas a robust case could be made for the added battery lifetime of the 51mm, for my use, I discover this to be a good commerce to have the smaller dimension of the 47mm that doesn’t really feel as cumbersome on my small wrist.  

The 47mm metal model weighs in at 81 grams with silicone band, and  59 grams with out the band.  I’m a convert to the nylon band although, which is MUCH extra snug and drops the general weight of the watch to a really cheap 65 grams.  Whichever band you select, you’ll be able to drop an extra 7 grams by going with the titanium physique which in my watch dimension drops the load to 58 grams.

Left to proper, the 51mm Epix Gen 2 Professional, 47mm Fenix 8 and the 47mm Epix Gen 2 (display dimension 1.4”/1.4”/1.3” respectively).  I discover the Fenix 8 to be snug to put on, however it’s considerably extra snug should you use a nylon band as a substitute of the silicone.

I bought nylon bands for $1.98 every from Ali Categorical in 26mm (above for my Epix Professional) and 22mm for the Epix and now Fenix 8) that are safe and of surprisingly good high quality.  In fact, should you want an official Garmin nylon band, they promote them as effectively for $39.99, however I couldn’t examine.

Altimeter:  The barometric altimeter has not modified both from the Epix Professional, at the least the very best I can inform and does an important job giving elevation readings, although requires the occasional calibration to remain dialed in.

Maps/Enhanced Maps:  The Fenix 8 comes with free entry to TopoActive Maps that may be downloaded by nation (North America, Europe, South America, and many others…), Golf Maps, and Ski maps. You too can buy Out of doors Maps+ annual plan for enhanced maps with a great deal of further map content material that’s continuously up to date ($99.99), which provides additional element and perspective to the already exceptionally detailed complete mapping package deal already included on the Fenix 8 sequence, plus satellite tv for pc imagery.  

Out of doors Maps+ does take a while and persistence to arrange, because the layers are fairly knowledge intensive and take some forethought and planning to obtain the areas you want.  Out of doors Maps+ can be built-in with different Garmin GPS units past the Fenix/Epix watches.

Navigational options are primarily the identical, nevertheless the Fenix 8 now has a fast entry menu, fast entry contact unlock function (to make use of contact for map pan/zoom throughout exercise) and another small operational interface comforts.

Above is the usual TopoActive Map displaying the monitor of a neighborhood path, the place the Subsequent Fork is displaying the space to the following junction.  Subsequent Fork seems mechanically and is particularly useful to anticipate upcoming path junctions.

Conclusions:  

The brand new Fenix 8 sequence is certainly the very best GPS sports activities watch that cash can purchase, though it comes at a premium worth.  

The adjustments/will increase to the display dimension on the small and medium fashions is a superb improve as is in fact the colourful AMOLED show.  

The inbuilt speaker/mic and related options to manage features on the watch, in addition to entry choices on the cellphone is useful, however I discover myself not utilizing all of them that always apart from to begin a timer/stopwatch, or set an alarm.  Taking or making a name on the watch is a very cool function that’s very nice from time to time to take a name when your cellphone just isn’t instantly obtainable (in a unique room or buried in a pack).  

The brand new person interface is less complicated to make use of and extra intuitive than the earlier one. I hope its options might trickle all the way down to earlier Fenix/Epix fashions with software program updates. 

The dive options appear to be nice should you occur to be a diver, although I think, like myself, the proportion of the goal market who will take benefit will possible be minimal and I’m not a fan of the brand new leak proof buttons that aren’t as responsive.  

In fact the Fenix 8 nonetheless is the benchmark look ahead to GPS accuracy, OHR accuracy, altimeter and has very sturdy coaching and well being monitoring, infinite exercise options, in addition to sensor integrations.

If the Fenix 8 is inside your finances, that is THE watch to purchase and I can’t suggest it sufficient.  If a Fenix 8 could be a stretch to your finances, I feel saving just a few hundred {dollars} (or extra) and discovering a deal on a closeout Epix Professional is  an important possibility as effectively, as lots of the new Fenix 8 options usually are not essentially so important that you simply can’t reside with out them.

Thanks for studying our evaluation!

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Samples had been offered at no cost for evaluation functions. No compensation was offered by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought through buying hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are totally the authors’.

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