Garmin - fēnix 8 Pro

I was in the exact same shopping dilemma as yourself about 2 weeks ago. I opted for the Fenix Solar 47mm. More expensive than the Endruo3 but I didn’t want the larger sizing. I had a Fenix 5 47mm and wanted similar sizing. On a pure practicality basis - Enduro3 is the clear winner. I wear my F8 Solar 47mm to the office, gym, beach and it’s never looks out of place. Personally the 51mm of the large Fenix and Enduro don’t sit nicely under a closed cuff of a shirt. I also have slim/medium wrists, so the 47mm works better for me Just don’t touch the F8 Pro, waste of money . Another really good option is the F7Pro. Personally too, I deliberately at length over the AMOLED screen vs MIPS. As others say the AMOLED feels too much like a device and gadget. F8 Solar MIPS is certainly bright enough and in “gesture” mode, disappears into the background when not “using” Good luck shopping

Although I‘m a long time iPhone (since iOS 6) lover, i‘m biased towards Garmin: no way AW for me ever. Don‘t like the looks (too girlish, not robust more like a Micky Mouse toy) and lousy battery. Nevertheless regarding your item 1) you‘d need the recently launched Fenix 8 LTE & Satellite at €1,150. Great, top end Garmin watch. Item 2): Not that many banks allow Garmin access to their payment infrastructure- so you first have to check whether your prefered bank is on the Garmin Pay list. Whatever choice, good training!

This! I wouldn't even agree that the accuracy of the Apple Watch is worse than a Garmin. For running, my AWU is on par with a Garmin. I find it just struggles a bit in open water. I'm in the same camp, using Apple Watches since Gen 3, and always the cell version for various reasons. But I will make the jump and get a F8Pro. I basically just want the connectivity for emergencies. But it's also not an irreversible choice. If it doesn't work out, I still can sell the F8Pro and get a new AW(U). So, why not risk it.

Happy to know I’m not the only one why sleeps with multiple devices lol (AWU3, F8 Pro, Oura, Ultahuman and occasionally whoop) 😅

Completely agree. I ran with both my AW and F8 the other day. To summarize: AW: You did an amazing job. Keep it up! F8: My grandma runs faster than you.

I tried the Ultra for two years and couldn’t do it anymore. Went back to Garmin when the Fēnix 8 dropped

I had the same experience with the F8. My F6X Pro does it faster...

I am on day 2 of the exact same scenario. Fenix 8 and everything. 😂 There are some definite positives to the Whoop and some definite drawbacks. I’m still undecided but I’ve got 28 more days to figure it out. 😎

I have AWU1 that I like for wearing to gym due to connection with Gymkit enabled cardio stuff and for using Gymaholic to track lifting workouts. I also double wrist it with AWU on right wrist for music and LTE on outdoor runs. I’m really a Garmin guy and wear F8 (at the moment) or my Epix 2 or Epix Pro 51 for 24/7, sleep, all my favorite stuff on the watch face, etc. I use RunGap to get AW workouts over to Garmin Connect. I do like the AWU for its smart features like unlocking Mac, Siri, etc, but my older eyes prefer the larger F8 51 screen and general Garmin platform including web interface. I also can’t stand battery anxiety, which I never have with my Garmins.

i second that. wrist HR with F8 is also faulty for me like 30% of the times, could be because of a wrist or a strap. But i did not see any with F8 improvement compared to F6 or older forerunners

I had the AWU2 and got rid of it for the F8. I didn't need or really enjoy any of the smart watch features and I'm very happy with the sports features of the F8. It's far less intrusive and it's there when I want it

I am new to Garmin. Bought my Finex 8 last month and am really enjoying the device. I walk about 180 miles a month and lift four times a week and the tracking and charts and stats are pretty awesome. I would like some additional watch faces to choose from but other than that I am very happy with the device. Not have to charge it for weeks is a real plus after using an Apple Ultra these past two years.

Moved from an Apex to a Fenix-s about 1.5yrs ago, and once this ages out I'm moving back to Coros. The Garmin is a fine watch, Garmin Connect sucks compared to the Coros app. It's not even close. The watches are so comparable in terms of functionality, it comes down to price, battery life and size. I've never owned a Suuntu, but damn they are pretty watches.

This is what I did. I bought the Fenix with the intention on switching completely, but I realized that I missed a lot of things about my AW. So now my AW is my daily wear and also for occasional shorter runs, walks, etc. I use the Fenix for hiking, diving, long activities, etc.

If you bike, then Garmin probably the best option if you want a dedicated bike computer. I also like that as an eBiker my Fenix watch shows all my bike status specs, watts etc for the one that is able to send the data.  Went back to Polar since I like Polar's overall approach to activity instead of steps+intensity minutes+floors etc fragmentstion. Plus now I can wear a smartwatch as a phone on one wrist and screenless Polar on the other when not working out.

I am a triathlete and training data 📊 📈 is the most important thing to your health and improvement! I’m fun of garmin products and I have been wearing Fenix watches for many years! Since this year I started running long distances and and I noticed watch is big, heavy etc and few times damaged my wrist also, so I decided to jump to Forerunner series but couldn’t decide should I buy forerunner 965 or 970 🤔 there is always 200 euros 💶 between 2 watches! And also as I know 965 has more longer battery 🔋 life…

If you are using a treadmill I’ve had good results with the HRM-Pro strap combined with my Fenix watch.  

Garmin fenix watches. They are kind of a smart watch but not a total smart watch. Awesome battery life and tough.

It pretty much depends what you want the watch for has been my conclusion. I've owned the AWU1/2 pre-ultra versions, garmin fenix 6/7/8 and prior versions. When I'm focused on fitness and endurance sports, the garmin is my primary watch. When I'm in a different phase, I strongly prefer the AWU for all its stuff. Problem for me is I prefer to have a single ecosystem that is seemless so I can focus on my goals. The reality for me personally is the garmin helps me with my goals when fitness is my goals and the AWU doesn't do quite the same for me. That's enough to have me wear my garmin - it's effective as a tool for me. The AWU is just the watch I like better, but it doesn't have actual impact on me. If I were simply wanting a casual fitness watch + smart watch, I'd wear an AWU all the time.

Garmin - They have a lot of watches at different price points. There is built-in GPS and the battery lasts for several days, unlike a smart watch that you typically need to charge every night. The Garmin app easily syncs with other fitness apps, if that's important to you. If you have a smaller wrist, go for the "S" models that will look and fit better.