Im in garmin ecosystem for 1 year and I dont see such problems as other users. I mean, im using a Fênix 8 51mm solar now and didnt notice bugs and the battery doesnt reach as much as advertised, but performs very well. My former epix 2 had some bugs, but Garmin fixed. Charging port its ok. However, my old t Rex 2 from amazfit had magnetic charging port, which was nice.
It all depends on your personal attitude towards the issue. I personally am leaning towards buying the watch when I need it and not not when the new models will be issued and nobody knows when. That's because I desire to take an advantage from my watch right now, not sometime in the future. If the release of 9 would be tomorrow and for sure, this can justify the delayed purchase, but this is definitely not a situation.
Yes, I forgot to say, I am very happy with my fēnix 8. Great purchase.
As far as I understand F8 have more features. Such as longer battery life, additional features for golf, quite better look. These options costs £250 more. You just have to cut if these features justify an extra payment. In my opinion they definitely do. But that's should be your decision.
BTW if you ask me, only longer battery life justify a purchase of F8 instead of FR970
Little disclaimer. I have F8 Solar for more than a year and I love it. I activate GPS for 1-1.5 hour per day every day and the battery lasts for about 12 days (from 100% to close to be empty). If I wouldn't activate GPS it lasts up to 27 days - GPS is a battery killer. Take it into your considerations. That's why I stated that longer battery life only worth to go for F8
I personally didn't find Elevate 5 more precise nor accurate than the 4. I've upgraded fenix 7x to fenix 8, so I had a chance to compare. Actually the main purpose of this switch was to improve the accuracy of hr tracing. I also was convinced that results of chest strap and elevate sensor are very different from each other.
I replaced my Fenix 8 51mm solar a few days ago and I'm totally happy.
I like the app much better. My Suunto works much better with rouvy than Garmin (there I always had to run two activities) and also when running Zone Sense is a game changer
So from my side: I'm glad to have changed and don't look back anymore
Fenix 8 51mm MIP and Forerunner 970. The Fenix 8, because it will do anything I want and the battery lasts forever, but it was just too big for daily wear and so bought the 970. The 970 is great for daily wear and has the same sapphire display to be just as durable and would be fine as my sole watch, but I can’t be bothered to sell the Fenix and so now it’s my workout watch and vacation watch.
If you are set on 47mm and AMOLED, go with forerunner unless you dive. The forerunner has basically the same features and is lighter and considerably thinner. If you’d consider MIP, it’s only available on the fenix and makes for significantly longer battery life, but I get ~6 days on the 970 with AOD and I can’t imagine needing more than that. I do take my MIP Fenix 8 on vacations though so I don’t have to worry about charging, but it’s just too thick for daily wear.
I wear a Garmin Fenix 8 and installed WODBuddy. The app is still an early release product, but can take a pic of the whiteboard (or screenshot the WOD) and it will create the workout and push to the watch so you can track your workout. It’s probably overkill, but I like toys.
The Fenix is great for hiking and the gym, but is a tad rugged looking for daily life depending on how dressy you are in daily life. The big benefit is the MIP display battery life. If you don’t like MIP, the FR970 has all the same features except diving and I think looks better for daily life. If you want to spend less, there are many options, but you’ll have to sacrifice some things.
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