Garmin - fēnix 8 Pro

Fenix 8 Pro Amoled 51mm. Great watch with a huge battery life and a loooot of functionality for every type of sport

Get a chest strap for triathlons, one that works in water. The 965/Fenix/Epix are the same or minimal difference. The latest are the Fenix 8 nad forerunner 970. Get what looks good to you, because features are 99.9% the same. Also Fenix is a big bigger

Fenix/Epix are the same, Forerunner 9xx has 99% same functions but a bit lighter and not as tall, but only available in one size

Get a chest strap for triathlons, one that works in water. The 965/Fenix/Epix are the same or minimal difference. The latest are the Fenix 8 nad forerunner 970. Get what looks good to you, because features are 99.9% the same. Also Fenix is a big bigger

The Pro amoled is with lte also, so just get the 51mm amoled instead of microled and worse battery

I’ve used them all and honestly Garmin is the best . I ended up returning my Suunto Race 2 . Their flagship watch because it’s not accurate with collecting data. If it can’t do that then any info it provides is also unreliable . I’ve used a Fenix 8 Pro. It did everything I wanted and more but I couldn’t stomach the $1300 price and returned it. I actually regret doing so . I had been using an apple watch all these years but getting serious about cycling is why I tried the Suunto and Garmin. I use a Garmin Edge 1050 with a Garmin HRM chest strap for my riding. At the gym lifting and for everything else including sleep I use an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Athlytic App. Apple’s sensors are so damn accurate . With all of this said I still wish I had a Garmin

You have the same concerns and problems I had. I couldn’t risk missing the return period while hoping for software updates that may not address the issues I was having. Ultimately, I returned my Race 2. It’s a shame. I still think about that watch because the size , appearance , screen, and battery life were all great for me compared to my Apple Watch Series 10. I ended up buying a Fenix 8 Pro and it did almost everything I wanted but ultimately I couldn’t stomach the fact I spent $1300 on a watch and sent it back. I’ve now landed on the Apple Watch Ultra 3. I still wish it had much more battery life but it’s better than the series 10 I had. My series 10 contacted emergency services when I lay in the middle of the road after getting hit by a car while cycling 3 months ago. No other watch would do that for me . I decided I was going to have to sacrifice battery life and stick with Apple .

I made the switch to a Fenix 8 Pro from a Series 10. It was a nice experience. Ultimately, I returned the Fenix 8 Pro ONLY because the price didn’t sit well with me. It was definitely a cool piece of fitness tech for me. I had no regrets other than paying $1300. And that battery life. Soooo nice to have .

I like both brands. I have an Apple Watch Ultra 3 on order but I bought my first Garmin watch which I’ve been wearing for 24 hours now. It’s a Fenix 8 Pro 51mm Amoled. Coming from an Apple Watch Series 10 I sure do appreciate the battery life on the Garmin. I’m someone that relied more on the fitness functions of the Apple Watch . In a few days I’ll make the decision to either cancel my AWU3 order or send the Garmin back . So far I’m happy with it but the $1299 price feels totally unjustified and I’ve justified some crazy purchases this year .

Yeah I actually found it a relief to not have a phone on my wrist anymore . Ultimately, I returned the Fenix 8 Pro because the price soured me. I’m on an AWU3 and while I love the fast charging and better battery life I find myself getting really antsy with the return window closing on Friday .

I would (and do, 8 Amoled 51 owner) have zero fomo for the LTE. I always had cellular on my AWUs, and see the value, but having to use Garmin Messenger is silly. So anyone I want to message has to create a Garmin account and message me via messenger for the infrequent times I’m actually using LTE standalone? I’d rather just carry an inreach for remote and my phone for normal usage. I just don’t see the value here.

I’ve had my Garmin Fenix 8 51mm since it was released. It’s a great watch but overkill for a starter looking to get into using a turkey high end tool. I started with the amazfit t-Rex 2 then the t-Rex 3. At the t-Rex 3 price point it does almost everything the Fenix 8 does at 1000 dollars less. But if you’re looking to go with a watch long term, the Fenix is the end game and hard to beat once all the bugs are worked out of the software. ( theyvare still working though some pretty major software glitches like the screen and watch resetting when starting a hike…

Very valid point, can’t recall if my t-Rex 3 had anything besides snorkeling which I did use a few times. Not much value there for true diving! Lol… Just hope they don’t disable it again in a future beta release when he needs it. I do love my Fenix 8 regardless l. When it’s working it’s awesome but when it’s resetting itself multiple times on hikes I’m not familiar with, like here in Scotland and England, it infuriates me! Lol

I’ve had the 8 amoled 51 since release , and the MIP guys always say I don’t want a glowing LED TV on my wrist blinding me…which I don’t get? The watch isn’t full bright if you don’t want it to be, it’s adjustable just like the MIP I used to have. Also at night it’s not bright because it goes into red green or orange shift for night so it’s not like you’ve got a tv blasting your retinas at 2am on your wrist. And if you turn on aod it’s truly not an issue unless you want it to be blaring brightness, which I don’t, so it’s not set up for my use that way. And the battery argument has been long put to rest at this point since the 51mm has 28 days of life during normal use… To each his own, but I think the writings on the wall for the fenix line. I will pick up an enduro 3 at a discount when the 4 comes out, because I had the E2 and love that watch but can’t justify full price when I already have the F8 51mm amoled. I don’t know the purpose behind an even Brighter micro led Pro when the F8 51mm amoled is more than bright enough…..especially with decreased battery life…. I am curious about the new forerunner, does it have the same offline mapping capabilities of the F8? I’m not a runner anymore thanks to the army but curious about the hiking aspects supported? https://preview.redd.it/q7z1f4w2jwsf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=449c61515342d2821b93a33dd07588391e7f76b7

I use Fenix 8 and Ultra. Would never give up Garmin platform for Apple. And the F8 has working EKG and will identify AFIB as well as Apple. F8 also has working SP02 (it never left).

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.

Probably the Fenix 8, and in 51mm size. I have AMOLED, which EXCEEDS battery life specs, but there is also the MIP solar, which is having a problem with the new solar tech and getting LESS than spec for many people reporting here.

I have AWU1, Epix, Epix Pro 51, and Fenix 8 51 AMOLED. I like the AWU for smart functions, additional cellular connectivity on runs, Apple Music, unlocking my Mac, Siri actions,etc. But I only wear it mostly as a 2nd watch on runs. I’ll focus on why it’s Garmin for me, 24/7: \*Real onboard maps \*Integration (I don’t want Bevel plus Athlytic plus WorkOutDoors plus BodyState plus Pedometer++ just to get functionality or info on watch faces I want). I don’t want to have to pay for an app to get stress metric or download an app to see steps taken on watch face. \*Web interface (Connect) \*Morning Report \*Superior GPS performance with SAT IQ. \*ANT+ device connectivity \*Customizable activity data screens \*More complete and customizable watch faces \*LED flashlight \*Buttons, and “hot keys” with many functions programmable to a button hold or combination button hold. \*More reliable training metrics due to more frequent HR and therefore HRV sampling. Stress, body battery, etc. \*Working Pulse Oximetry \*Suggested workouts \*Garmin coaching plans \*On-Watch Activity review.

I have AWU3 as well as Garmin Epix, Epix Pro 51, and Fenix 8 51 AMOLED. I like AWU for connectivity to equipment in the gym as well as as running Gymaholic app for weight workouts from the watch. I also often run outside with it as second watch for music and emergency connectivity. I also like it unlocking my Mac, running smart home automations, reminders, Siri, etc. Currently wearing both AWU and Garmin Epix for a month or so to compare health metrics. But it's Garmin 24/7 for me for the OP's mentioned reasons--integrated metrics without subscriptions, Garmin Connect web platform if I choose, watch face customizability, battery life, sensor variety and connectivity with ANT+, workout suggestions, customizable hot keys, workout data screen customizations, working pulse ox on the watch, etc. Garmin battery and low processing power enables all day HR sampling and very frequent HRV sampling, as well as pulse ox during sleep, which IMO makes related metrics that much more usable. I can also see HR updating every couple seconds on the watch face as well as steps updating in real time without tapping and waiting on pulse taken or app to update. I also like being able to change the order of my workout types, widgets, etc. on the watch. I don't mind working out with either watch only (like AW in the gym or Garmin on outdoor runs). I use RunGap to sync everything to Garmin Connect.

I have big garmin eco since many years, but also apple eco, without watch (I hade all apple watches, even tested aw ultra/ultra 2, but always return to garmin). But today I cannot understand the way, which garmin has chosen. I bought 2 weeks ago Fenix 8 pro 51 mm, went from fenix 8 51 mm. Fenix 8 has problem even now, after 1 year of announcement - first firmwares were ridiculous bad, nothing was working properly. But garmin is a garmin - fenix 8 pro has LTE and satellite connection which not working at all, or working in a very bad way. I made many runs, never had a possibility to send message via garmin messenger, call via garmin messenger, even livetrack, on LTE, has big lags, stuck in random places, etc. There are many problems/questions written on garmin forum website, concerning fenix 8, 8 pro, even previous model, and nothing has changed. I just feel like a beta tester of new products, every products, because with edges I hade same experience - 1030/1030 plus/1040 solar, 1050 - all had big problems, restarting during training, randomly reconnecting power meter, cadence, lights etc. Garmin Rally power meter xc 200 I need to sent back, because right one just stop working. Chest strap - HRM, HRM Pro/Pro plus - need to change, because after one year just broken. Now I have hrm 600, but still sometimes show very strange and different numbers, like yesterday - pace 4:30 min per 1 km, and it showed 95 BPM - I wish I had that one :) So, to sum up - I am just tired of garmin support, garmin new products. Maybe one day I just sell everything and buy only apple watch ultra and hammerhead karoo 3 - I tested it also and it was quite nice one.

I have big garmin eco since many years, but also apple eco, without watch (I hade all apple watches, even tested aw ultra/ultra 2, but always return to garmin). But today I cannot understand the way, which garmin has chosen. I bought 2 weeks ago Fenix 8 pro 51 mm, went from fenix 8 51 mm. Fenix 8 has problem even now, after 1 year of announcement - first firmwares were ridiculous bad, nothing was working properly. But garmin is a garmin - fenix 8 pro has LTE and satellite connection which not working at all, or working in a very bad way. I made many runs, never had a possibility to send message via garmin messenger, call via garmin messenger, even livetrack, on LTE, has big lags, stuck in random places, etc. There are many problems/questions written on garmin forum website, concerning fenix 8, 8 pro, even previous model, and nothing has changed. I just feel like a beta tester of new products, every products, because with edges I hade same experience - 1030/1030 plus/1040 solar, 1050 - all had big problems, restarting during training, randomly reconnecting power meter, cadence, lights etc. Garmin Rally power meter xc 200 I need to sent back, because right one just stop working. Chest strap - HRM, HRM Pro/Pro plus - need to change, because after one year just broken. Now I have hrm 600, but still sometimes show very strange and different numbers, like yesterday - pace 4:30 min per 1 km, and it showed 95 BPM - I wish I had that one :) So, to sum up - I am just tired of garmin support, garmin new products. Maybe one day I just sell everything and buy only apple watch ultra and hammerhead karoo 3 - I tested it also and it was quite nice one.

100 % agree. I swapped from AWU 2 to Fenix 8 pro 51 mm. Best decision ever.

I did the same last month. got the fenix 8 pro 51mm and will never get an apple watch again

I own both an Ultra 3 and a Fenix 8 LTE 51mm and have a separate plan for the Ultra 3 as well as the $7.99/mo Messenger Plan for the Fenix 8. I cannot speak to weight training, however for road. gravel. & mountain biking, the Fenix 8 is much more accurate than the Ultra 3; when cycling throughout Santa Cruz/Monterey/San Mateo counties, my Fenix 8 is always withing 1% of my Garmin Edge 1050 whereas the Ultra 3s my co-riders use are always under-reporting my and other Edge computers by 5-10 miles and 100-150 feet). For me, the only advantages of the Ultra 3 over the Fenix 8 are its integration with iPhone and its 5g/LTE connectivity when I leave my phone at home and go for a walk, coffee shop, etc. The Fenix 8's LTE connectivity is a pain; unless one is making an emergency call/text, the recipient can only receive the call/text via Garmin's Messenger App and I have yet to be able to make an LTE call because the Fenix 8 cannot connect to LTE even though the areas I have been in (Sequoia/Kings Canyon, Santa Cruz, & San Francisco) are on Garmin's coverage map. So for bike rides, I still bring my phone.