Garmin - Tactix 7 Series

I3 tactical for field work/deployment, Tactix for leave.

Garmin Tactix 7 user. I see absolutely no benefit over the Apple Watch besides battery life. My OLD Apple Watch was better for heart rate than this Garmin ever as been. I'm only wearing it because work gave it to me for free (and I only wear it while exercising). My wife, who swore she'd never use a smart watch now runs and sleeps wearing my ancient Apple Watch and she gets all the actually useful data that I have. Complaint about the Garmin: Several times, usually while cycling, it'll read 80-90bpm while my heart is actually 170ish. I won't even use the Garmin while cycling anymore. Sure it has extra bells and whistles that the Apple Watch might not have ...but if you can't be consistent and reliable with something as simple as HR, why waste the time/money? I'll get hate for this, but I think Garmin is more of a status symbol for "serious" endurance athletes more than it is its own unique and valuable tool.

My watch is a tool, not a fashion statement, so I've always gone with 51mm even though yeah it's probably too big for me, don't care lol

Not a swim specific watch, but I use a Garmin Tactix 7. I find the tracking very accurate, but the watch is pretty bulky and I notice it more over long distances. Heard good things about the Garmin swim though

https://preview.redd.it/7fhs78of36xe1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9203c8b09dff4c3250f76de1cca6e3baaa1ea018 I have big wrists and arms and a 51mm is still a monster watch. I love it though and honestly don’t think anyone else cares how big your watch is. Added bonus - it can be used to break down a door in an emergency

I spent good money on the tactix. It's great. I've beaten and abused it. It's a tank. Does all the smartphone nonsense and way way more. Lasts about 20~ days on a charge so I can actually get all the telemetry back when I sleep and it's useful.

Battery life is superb but I don’t get all WhatsApp photos/image, calendar or todos from IOS. I have a tactix 7 pro and maybe I will change to Apple Watch Ultra 3

Battery life only I am not the target user, I don’t do sport ; and have a iPhone

That’s how I look at mine (Tactix 7 pro )as well. It’s a tool for me to use to train and get better. It helps me monitor my heart health, it saved my life from an irregular heartbeat, and in an o crap situation it would help me out of the wilderness.

Good lord, what are you planning on doing, ODA level stuff? An Instinct (Solar) tactical is probably all you really need, Tactix is has some serious features - like windage and range finder. Good luck!

https://preview.redd.it/9egkqrrjnn9g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=98a15de67497883362b3a82999681f5162472ce0 I purchased a Tactix 8 AMOLED let me say that the watch is so nice with the Amoled but for some reason I ended up back with my Tactix 7 pro. I prefer the old software opposed to the new one which is trying to compete with Apple Watch Ultra by adding unnecessary features. I prefer the MIP display cause you’ll find more watch faces that will look and work better with the MIP display while the AMOLED limits you. Overall I have the Tactix 8 Amoled which I’m trying to get rid of and I’m very happy to be back with my Tactix 7 pro.

The Fenix 8 satellite edition does have better hardware. However is it worth the additional $500-$600 for satellite and being dive rated that’s up to you. For me it would be better to spend extra since I’m a scuba diver and the satellite connectivity is a nice peace of mind feature if you go out for hikes in the wilderness. I’m just holding off for a satellite enabled Tactix 8 but my Tactix 7 Pro Solar is one of if not my favorite piece of tech I own and works pretty well with the occasional hickup but mostly rock solid and I do like the feel of having actual buttons as opposed to the digital buttons on the newer models.